Being Content – Realizing That God Made Me Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

(Life has been so full this past 9 months.  I didn't mean to take a sabbatical from the blog world.  I am hoping to return & record our family fun experiences for our records & to update family & friends on our life.)

I am learning to be content in whatever situation I am in.  Bottom line, put my focus on my Lord.

Today I am thanking God for making me the way He made me.  Psalms. 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

I have struggled with this area through out my life.  God blessed me with natural curly hair.  After about 16 years of despising my curly locks, I learned to love them.  I dreamed of having long beautiful straight hair... hair that I could run my fingers through… all the stunning hair styles throughout the years that I would never be able to have.  My mom had straight hair & did not know how do fix my hair.  Needless to say, I had an afro for many years.  I hated it!  You may think that hate is to strong, but I tell you, I would cry so many times of how my hair looked so bushy.  I didn’t like looking at myself in the mirror or in pictures. 

When I was 12, God brought a girl into my life, Andrea.  She had beautiful perfect curls.  She was a few years older than I was & took me under her wing.  She very kindly asked me if I wanted to have a spa day.  Oh yea!  I asked her if she thought I could have hair as pretty as hers…her response “oh, I hope your hair won’t look like mine, girl. Your hair is so much prettier than mine.”  The transformation began.  She told me that I had to let my hair air dry & use lots of mousse & gel. 

I was so much happier with my hair.  Even after I got tons of complements over the years & people telling me that they would do anything to have hair like mine, I was still desiring to have straight hair. 

Fast forward 24 years.  The wonderful invention of a professional flat iron.  Whoo Hoo!  I have perfectly straight hair.  My dream of so many years finally came true.  But their was a catch.  It took 1 hour or longer to make this dream happen.  I can’t do it during the deep - south summer days… the humidity frizzes it up.  If it rains, I get all “girly” and cover my head, because the water will curl it back up & not in a pretty way.

My curls..  (with Pam Tebow)

So yes, after so many years of dreaming, wishing & praying, I realize that God made my hair “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  I don’t like spending lots of time getting ready & I surely don’t like worrying about my hair through out the day.  It takes me about 5 minutes do to my hair.  On occasion, I will straighten my hair, but prefer the no- fuss way.  God knew, even before I was born my personality & that I needed hair that would take only minutes. to fix.

Thank you Lord for my bouncy curls, for a quick & easy hair style, even though I didn't realize it at first. Your plans are the best. 

11-11-11 Happy 6th Birthday, Faith

Today, is my baby girl's 6th birthday. 

Faith's 1 yr old pic.

Time has flown by so fast.

Let me tell you a little about Faith.  She is the spice in our life.  She loves to be dainty, wear pretty dresses, curl or straighten her hair, paint fingernails, loves pink, have tea parties, go shopping & look at all the pretty girly stuff.  Faith also loves, loves frogs (did I say loves?), likes to fish, find worms, chase lizards, ride 4 wheelers, shoot guns, play in the mud and karate.

She loves to help cook, do crafts and keep her brothers in line.  She loves to sing about Jesus & have "God talks".  She loves school & memorizing scripture.  She gets so excited about the little things as well as the big.  She loves being silly.  Giving hugs & kisses are her speciality.

Thank you, Lord for blessing us with this precious young lady.  We have lots of fun things planned this weekend to celebrate her birthday.  She is so excited.

The McKameys -- God Is So Good To Me

Coming from Heaven to dishonor and storm

Christ in a manger so lowly was born

He took on Himself, the sins of the world

That we might be free (that we might be free)

As on the cross Jesus suffered and died

Father forgive them, in sorrow He cried

Then He gave all, yes all, to save you and me

God is so Good to Me, (so good to me) yes He is good to me (so good to me)

God is so Good, so good, He’s so good to me (so good)

God is so Good to Me, (so good to me) yes He is good to me (so good to me)

God is so Good, so good, He’s so good to me (God is so good to me)

God is so Good to Me, (so good to me) yes He is good to me (so good to me)

God is so Good, so good, He’s so good to me (so good)

God is so Good to Me, (so good to me) yes He is good to me (so good to me)

God is so Good, so good, He’s so good to me (God is so good to me)

Now I am signing my praises to God

Joy bells are ringing as onward I plot

No happier nor more satisfied could anyone be (could anyone be)

Now I’m a pilgrim here, just passing through

Going to Heaven the home of the true

God is so Good, so good, He’s so good to me (to me)

Gold City - Ain't God Good

Ain’t God Good

                                    Ain’t God Good, Ain’t God Good

                                    To give us so many blessings.

                                    Undeserving that’s what we are.

                                    We ought to, thank Him, go and praise Him

                                    A little more today, a little more today

                                    A whole lot more tomorrow.

                                    For 40 long years God’s children wandered in the

                                    Wilderness.

                                    Searching for Canaan – that blessed promise land.

                                    Oh, they never got to hungry and they never got to thirsty.

                        For the more that God kept blessing them, the more they

                        would complain.

                                    Ain’t God Good, Ain’t God Good

                                    To give us so many blessings.

                                    Undeserving that’s what we are.

                                    We ought to, thank Him, go and praise Him

                                    A little more today, a little more today

                                    A whole lot more tomorrow.

                                    In the times that we live so many are unthankful.

                                    So many of us fail to see that God has given all.

                                    Never having time for God, we’re always busy working.

                                    To pay for cars, new homes, TV & carpet wall-to-wall.

                                    Ain’t God Good, Ain’t God Good

                                    To give us so many blessings.

                                    Undeserving that’s what we are.

                                    We ought to, thank Him, go and praise Him

                                    A little more today, a little more today

                                    A whole lot more tomorrow.

                                    Ain’t God Good, Ain’t God Good.

Heather Williams - God is still God

GOD IS STILL GOD

Wish I knew what I’m supposed to say to you
What you’re going through
But I don’t know what you’re feeling
Does anyone know what you’re feeling right now

You’re afraid
The future's like an enemy, and you just wish you could see
‘Cause you don’t know where you’re going
Don’t let it keep you from hoping right now

Yeah we’ve all been lost and we’ve all been hurt
Where our hope is spent and our faith don’t work
But nothing lasts forever
The only thing that matters
Is God is still God and He holds it together

So hang on now

He’s been there, walking in the wilderness
When it’s hard to see the end
But He had the strength to do it, so He can help you through it
So hang on now


Yeah we’ve all been lost and we’ve all been hurt
Where our hope is spent and our faith don’t work
But nothing lasts forever
The only thing that matters
Is God is still God and He holds it together


So hang on now
So hang on now

So even when you lie awake
And bend until you almost break
The darkest time is right before the dawn

Yeah we’ve all been lost and we’ve all been hurt
Where our hope is spent and our faith don’t work
But nothing lasts forever
The only thing that matters
Is God is still God and He holds it together
So hang on now
 So hang on now

The Rochester Family - Thank You Lord.mp4

Thank You, Lord

For making the sun to shine, putting the stars in the sky.

For flowers that bloom, the ocean so blue, thank you, Lord.

For the Sparrow that sings, it makes sweet melody.

For rivers that flow, the rain and the snow, Thank You, Lord.

I just wanta thank You, Lord. I just wanta thank You, Lord.

For everything that You’ve done for me. Thank You, Lord.

I just wanta thank You, Lord. I just wanta thank You, Lord.

Thank you, Lord for making me whole, for saving my soul, Thank you, Lord.

For the hope and family, for life’s choice that You’ve given me.

The shoes on my feet & plenty to eat, thank you, Lord.

For this church to worship & pray, for the freedom that I have today.

Sweet spirit I feel your presence so real, thank you, Lord.

For being a friend so dear, giving my sad heart cheer.

For holding my hand when I could not stand, thank you Lord (thank you Lord).

For giving your life for me on the cross on Calvary.

For taking my place, Mercy & Grace thank you, Lord.

I just wanta thank You, Lord, I just wanta thank You, Lord.

For everything that You’ve done for me Thank You, Lord.

I just wanta thank You, Lord. I just wanta thank You, Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you, Lord.

For the hope and family, for life’s choice that You’ve given me.

The shoes on my feet & plenty to eat, thank you, Lord.

For this church to worship & pray, for the freedom that I have today.

Sweet spirit I feel your presence so real, thank you, Lord.

For being a friend so dear, giving my sad heart cheer.

For holding my hand when I could not stand, thank you Lord (thank you Lord).

For giving your life for me on the cross on Calvary.

For taking my place, Mercy & Grace thank you, Lord.

I just wanta thank You, Lord, I just wanta thank You, Lord.

For everything that You’ve done for me Thank You, Lord.

I just wanta thank You, Lord. I just wanta thank You, Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you, Lord.

Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings On Me

Last year in the month of November, I posted everyday what I was thankful for.  I have soooo many things to be thankful for and am blessed beyond measure.  Is my life perfect?  No!  But my God is!  This year during November, I am planning on posting a praise or Thanksgiving song each day.  The kids & I love singing around the house and in the van.  Sometimes when we are singing, the Holy Spirit gets a hold of me & the tears start a  flowin' and an occasional shoutin' happens too.  The kids hand me a tissue and just smile.  I can only imagine what the other drivers on the road are thinking.

Please join me as I take this month to thank my Lord for saving me and to praise His Holy name.

Jeff and Sheri Easter - Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings

While the world looks upon me as I struggle along
They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong.
In my heart I'm rejoicing, how I wish they could see
Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me.

There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep.
There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.
You gave me your love Lord, and a fine family.
Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.

I know I'm not wealthy and these clothes thier not new,
I don't have much money, but Lord I have you.
And that's all that matters tho the world may not see
Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.

There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep.
There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.
You gave me your love Lord, and a fine family,
Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.

‎......under His wings, safely abide forever!

Pure Beauty

 The kids went to art camp yesterday.  I just love the lady's house where it is held.  She has some really beautiful plants & flowers. 

I love looking at the beauty, but have no desire to do the work that it takes to keep it up.  I am very thankful to the people that do, so I can enjoy the beauty.

My favorite ~ Daisies.

Birthday Present

After saving for a camera 4 times, only to use the money for something that was needed, I finally bought it.

 

Nikon - Coolpix P500 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera

This year, I decided that I was going to use my birthday money & savings & get it ~ with no guilt.  (The guilt is still there, but it'll pass)  I am so excited about it.  I've  been having so much fun playing around with it.  I still have a lot more to learn about this new toy.

I got some free things from businesses.  If you join their "club", they send you coupons through out the year & then on your birthday, free items.  

 

I got a canvas bag from a local health food place.

From World Market, I got a $10 gift certificate & bought these beautiful earrings.

New Church Building

After the move-in date was pushed back many, many times, we started to wonder if we would every move into our new building.  Tonight, we finally did.  It is beautiful!

God has blessed our church & church family so much.

The Weaver

The Weaver

My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.

Praise God!

Great News! Great News!  My sweet friend Angel was diagnosed with cancer.  The doctors were not giving her much hope.  She told them that she didn't want for them to tell her how much time she had left, because they do not determine her time on this earth, the Lord did. 

Through it all, she had such a sweet spirit.  She praised the Lord even when she had every right to fear.  When I talked to her, she always lifted my spirits.  She still sang in the choir and sang solos.  Her parents could not have chosen a more appropriate name for her.  She is sweet as an angel & her voice is what I imagine the angels in heaven sound like.

She found out last week that she is Cancer FREE!!!!!  When she called to tell me, I couldn't stop crying.  What a blessing!!  On a day that I needed to be reminded of His goodness, I was reminded in a powerful way.  God is always so good.  Even if He called her home, He would still be good.  I am so thankful that His will is for her to stay on this earth with her precious family & friends for a while longer.  (Hopefully, a long while).

I am honored to call her friend.

Children a Blessing

And he shall be unto thee a restorer of they life.

And a nourisher of thine old age;

For they daughter-in-law which loveth thee,

which is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.

Ruth 4:14,15

Naomi's grandson would grow up to become the grandfather of King David.  What a blessing to Naomi to have this child to love!  He truly was a nourisher to her in her old age after her very unhappy life.

Today, God, Help Me to understand the marvelous wonder

of the children in my life.

Help me to be a blessing to them as they are constantly to me.

Help me, Lord to be patient and loving to them at all

times and never unattentive.

(Taken from: From My Heart to Yours: Devotionals to Inspire Women to Lvie for God by Blorianne K. Gibbs)

Does Jesus Care?

These last few months, my heart has been burden for so many loved ones that are hurting.  I have to admit that I have asked my Lord why.  I may never understand why He has allowed some things to happen, but in the midst of it all, I know He cares.  He promises that

 "I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Joshua 1:5

Does Jesus Care?  By Graeff & Hall

Does Jesus Care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth and song; 

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried, and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief I find no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “good-bye”

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks

Is it aught to Him? Does He See?

O Yes! He cares; I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary,

The long nights dreary,

I know my savior cares.

The Day of Thanksgiving

I am thankful of facebook.  It has been fun to find friends from my past as well as family that I don't get to see to often. It's fun to catch up & to watch their families grow.  To share the good times as well as the bad.  Somethings may not be worthy of talking about on the phone, but it's fun to see the little things that go on in people's lives.  You find out what they like, don't like, their views on things, what their kids are doing, sad things that they are having to deal with as well as funny things that happened during the day.  It has given me an opportunity to pray for them in so many ways. It have enjoyed taking the journey of life with my "friends".

This is the last of my 30 days of Thanksgiving.  It has been exciting to look around me & remind myself that I have so many things to be thankful.  God has blessed me far more than I deserve.

2 Days of Thanksgiving

I am thankful for this blog & for other blogs.  I know that the grammer is not always perfect & it may not be a page turner, but it is a wonderful way to journal our family events, trials, joys, achievements, thoughts & the growth of our children. 


November the 9th was the 1st anniversary of our Blog Launch.  It flew by so fast, that we didn't even get to celebrate it.

I am blessed to have other wonderful women's blogs to read as well.  Homeschool moms, creative women, godly women that have encouraged me, stirred some creative juices in me, challenged me & have helped me to be a better person.  I am blessed to know some of these ladies personally & the others I may never meet on this side of Heaven, but what a joy it is to find like minded people all across this beautiful nation.

3 Days of Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my in-laws, AKA Mammy & Papa.  They love my husband & his family. Anytime we need them, they are always there to help us.  Will, Collin & Faith adore them. If something is broken, the first thing the kids say is, Papa can fix it.We enjoy going over there to eat, swim, ride bikes & to play.

4 Days of Thanksgiving

I am thankful for wonderful Sunday School Teachers, Junior Church Teachers & AWANA workers.  My children have some really great people who teach them in our church.  They have told me that they pray for the children in their class.  What a blessing it is to know that others are praying for my children too.  They have a heart for my children.

My SS teachers are great as well.  I've learned so much.  They care for us ladies & have tender hearts.  When someone has had surgery or a big need, they help them in any way.

We are so blessed.  Thank you for leading us to our church 19 years ago.

5 Days of Thanksgiving

I am thankful for the little everyday things.

• We went to my nephew's skating party yesterday.  I am thankful that the kids had fun & didn't get hurt.  I am thankful that I was still able to skate after all these years & when I woke up this morning, I was still able to walk.
• The autumn leaves.  We still have a few beautiful colors hanging around. What joy we had yesterday as we walk on the Riverwalk & it was raining leaves.  I mean heavy "rain" of leaves.  
• For my husband's amazing talent.  God has given him a wonderful gift in playing the trumpet.  He is able to bring joy to so many as well as help support the family with this gift.
• For God giving me a creative mind. When money is tight (when isn't?) I am able to come up with some creative things to make for gifts, decorate, make due.  Only from my Creator.
• Kisses, sent from Faith, that fly in the air & land on my cheek.
• Reading time with the Collin.
• Deep discussions, started by Will.