All about the Jeffreys

2011-08-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

I love this quote about mother's. How true it is. I am very blessed to have a such a close and wonderful relationship with my mom. She has always been my hero! I realize how blessed I am every time I talk to her, because I know not everyone has a wonderful and caring mom.

Even now, I remember some of the hardships we dealt with when I was a child. Mom went to nursing school and still was a full time wife and mother. Daddy had to hold down three jobs just to make ends meet so mom would fulfill her dream to be a nurse. She is my inspiration as I am preparing to go back to school to finish my nursing degree as well. I can clearly remember some nights waking up at 2 am and hearing her still studying for an exam the next day. Not only did she finish nursing school while still maintaining her domestic duties, but she finished #1 in her class. She is to this day a very successful career woman!

My mom was the mom who our friends loved to be around. In the summer, the neighborhood kids would come to our house and ask if my mom could come out and play too. We would play hide and seek forever it seemed on those summer nights. On a few occasions mom may have taken my girlfriends and I out to ~~toilet paper~~, I mean decorate the outside of houses! She was also known to be invited to a few slumber parties also!

As I have become a mother and wife I realize what a great example she has set before me. My hubby and I both agree she is probably the most forgiving wife ever on this earth. Without bringing up too much family drama, I have always known my mother to quickly forgive. Mom and dad were high school sweethearts and she loved him with everything she had. They were married 35 years. It wasn't always the perfect relationship, but they did love one another. Mom and daddy did everything together. When I say everything I mean it...even pedicures and manicures. I even remember my brother and I teasing them a few times because they would wear matching clothes sometimes.(like sweatshirts or jogging suits! lol!) I also realize since having children how much she sacrificed. She hardly ever bought anything for her. I don't really ever remember as a child really appreciating everything she did for me as a child/teenager. I was a brat growing up and only wanted the best clothes with a certain brand name. Or I would NOT wear it!!! God has an awesome way of changing someone, because if you really know me now you know I am not like that!

I have always known my mom could survive any hardship coming her way. But I did not realize exactly her faith and strength she had until the hard, difficult, confusing 7 weeks that we faced with my daddy. She fought so hard for him. She never gave up, and when everyone else seemed to throw in the towel, she pressed on and looked at the positive. On several occasions, the only way dad's heart rate would stay in a healthy range was for mom to talk to him. His heart rate would immediately jump. Those 7 weeks, though hard taught me so much about my own relationship with my husband and the scriptures about marriage. The one that comes to mind is the one about two become one. As I was observing the effect she would have on daddy that verse so came to life. Daddy really depended on mom. He would be so scared or confused and he just wanted mom to handle everything he needed to get better during his stay. Even up until he died, he responded with her. The very last thing he did was respond to her voice. She asked him to kiss her one more time. He puckered his lips and he kissed her. Then less than a minute later he left this world for heaven. As I left the room where daddy was at to go and talk with my children I turned to see mom and what she was doing. I just remember being so tired and in shock about losing him. But, mom had this incredible peace and strength within her. As the nurses unhooked daddy, she bathed him. She gave him his last bath. I did not stay for that as it was a private moment. But, as they finished up, I did peer in the room to see if she was ok. She looked like such an angel. She had just finished his bath, and was telling him she loved him. Wow! I don't know how she did that. Even in that moment I was so hurt and shocked and started crying and she comforted me.

Today, while in church I glanced over at my mom and I so hope to be just like her. I have learned so much from her over the year's. But I real learned so much more through daddy's sickness. She has incredible faith, and trust. We reminisced this weekend about daddy and cried some. I know she really misses him. But I also know she is going to make it. She is my inspiration!

I love you mom! Daddy loved you too! Thank you so much for being my best friend and the best grandmother. My kids love you so much and I am blessed with everything you do for them!

Fair Fun!

2011-07-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

Recently our family got to go to our annual fair! We had the best time! Thankfully, a friend told us how to get our children in and the rides would be for free! We have lived here for four years now but just found out this: If your children show three exhibits in the fair they get to get a ride wristband and ride all the rides for free!!! This is very important info that I am glad we found out this year! It is normally very expensive to go to the fair! In fact, we have always just avoided going because it is so expensive! My three kids really enjoyed making things though to put in the fair. Kyndal actually won third place in a picture that she put in the photography exhibit. Kaitlyn won third in a photography exhibit of birds. We were so proud of them! I can't wait until next year! Here are a few photos I snapped of all the fun!

The kids with the Q99 bear!

Hilton and Kyndal getting ready to be dropped!

I love Caleb's face in the background here! He loved every ride he was allowed to get on!

We all rode the ferris wheel and when we got to the top I snapped a pic of the view from where we lived! Ahh, beautiful scenery!

Kaitlyn riding the carousel! Is there anyway to stop her from growing up so fast??

Kaitlyn met up with two of her friends to go ride the rides together!

I have been definetly shown in the past few months just how blessed I am. I am reminded often just how short and precious life is. Our family has a very busy life, but I realized that some of the busyness is not important! I am in the process of eliminating the not so important things of life. The things that take up our precious time! I am replacing them with things that are important! I want to make memories every day with my family. One day when my kids look back at thier childhood I want them to be able to say that they remember me and thier dad always being there for them! I don't want to be remembered for having a clean house, or always being too busy for my children. My first mission field that God has called me to is to be a godly wife and then a mother. Sometimes as a mom we tend to think that we are "just stuck at home" and not out in the world winning souls to Christ. But, I realized a long time ago that praying for my husband and keeping the day to day activites of the house in order, that I am serving the Lord. It is frustrating to do chores, laundry, grocery shop, etc..but one day I heard a devotional that instead of being frustrated about having to mop the floor AGAIN, then start praising God for the floor you are mopping! I know it sounds funny, but we really are truly blessed! We are to do everything for the glory of the Lord. Laundry in my house is neverending! It can be so time consuming. Here recently when I am folding the laundry I say a little prayer for that person. Example, if I am folding Kaitlyn's shirt then I pray something for her that I know she needs prayer about or praise God for what joy she brings to the family. I promise you will see a different way of doing laundry.

Then I was so convicted one day about my true mission field! I was feeling down when my childrern were younger, and I guess having a pity party because I felt like I wasn't out there in the world doing "work" for the Lord. I wasn't visiting the sick, or delivering meals. I was at home! I was at home changing diapers, making meals, nursing a baby, pottty training, wiping noses! But then, I realized that there is a season for everything! That there would be a season where I could go out and visit, deliver food to the hungry....BUT...my first mission field are to my three little children. We are to train them up in the Lord. Just wanted to encourage the moms who feel like they don't have a purpose! You do...your children need you, because noone else is responsible to tell them about God and his love story to us...not thier sunday school teacher, the pastor, grandma or grandaddy... But as a mother or father we are the ones who are to tell them and encourage them to enter a relationship with our Creator!

All Stars!

2011-07-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a quick note about the Salem AllStars team! We were all so proud of these girls! Kaitlyn and her team mates played so hard in the Allstar games. They came in 2nd place this year. There were lots of tears after they lost, but I can honestly say that they did their best. This was Kaitlyn's first year on this team. We were so proud of her!

2011 12U Salem Allstar team

I Can Only Imagine

2011-07-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

So, it has really taken me some time to really express how I have been since my daddy passed away. Honestly,I have really been a little afraid to blog about it. My feelings are so raw about everything, that I was afraid that I would come across as not having faith or hope. But, I decided a long time ago that I was going to be real! That just because I am a pastor's wife, that I can't be an emotional mess from time to time! See, when I was much younger and new at this ministry stuff, I didn't know how to be a pastor's wife! I actually ~~hated~~ did not like my first impression of being a pastor's wife! Trust me, I looked to see if they had a college class on being a PW!! haha! But thankfully, in God's perfect timing, he sent us to this sweet country church called dawson baptist church. They let me grow in my faith, and, well pretty much grow up! (Cut me some slack, I was only 19 when I married Hilton.) I stuck my mouth in my foot several times but they were very gracious and patient to let me learn what I really knew inside the whole time! TO BE REAL! You see, there are no perfect people including PW's! I was so down and out before I realized that I did know how to be a PW...poor bethel baptist church! HAHA!

Anyway, so I am going to be real talking here about my dad. And I do have lots of faith and hope! But...I am human! I hurt, am sad, and have cried alot!

I am very close to my parents. Our relationship has not always been perfect, but we would never let hours, or even days go by without asking for forgiveness and love. I loved it when mom and dad would come up here in Virginia and spend the weekend with us. No matter how much they came, when they left we always would cry. My kids love and adore both of them with all their heart. My husband had a very special bond with both of them. He looked up to my dad because daddy could fix anything. Daddy always had a project to work on here at our house when he would come. He loved Hilton like a son, and they did things together often. Not many son in laws have a special relationship like that with the father in law. I am thankful that we were able to have that.

Daddy loved his grandchildren. Recently, mom gave me dad's phone and his computer, and almost every pic was of one of the grandchildren, or him and mom somewhere together. Speaking of together...mom and dad had 34 years of marriage together. Life was not always perfect, but they worked hard to keep the marriage and love together. She is an awesome wife! I can't wait til my next post blogging about what an amazing woman she is!

Anyway, his life was about family. He loved it when the family came together. It was hard for him when we moved away to Virginia four years ago. He cried, but he knew it was the right thing and he gave us his blessing!

Daddy liked weird things. Like those tv shows that tell you how they put things together. For example, learning how they make the mold to make the post to a lamp. He was a very smart man. There was nothing my dad could not fix and if he didn't know how he went and bought a book on it to learn. I never would take a mechanic's advice on anything until I talked to my dad about it. He could fix ANYTHING!!! He loved coffee, Barnes and Noble, the beach, country music, mustangs, racing, the restaurants that was run locally not by a chain company, Cracker Barrell, fried chicken, biscuits, biscuits,biscuits(ha) baking, Christmas, decorating, to talk, Lowes Home Improvement, auto part stores, movies, making fun of mom, the mountains, The Home Place,...LIFE!

Anyway, I just feel like at the moment that I am in a fog. I have heard alot of people say that when a loved one dies. So I am borrowing it. I feel like since June 4th that I am just going through the motions of my daily routines. I still cry every day. There is always a memory to pop up or I see something that daddy would like to know. Things still run in my head about his whole hospital ordeal. The whys and what if's about his surgery, and care. Through this, I have felt God's peace, but I do miss him. I know where he is and am so thankful he is fully healed.

You see, daddy wanted to live! I will never understand why he went the way he did. For those of you who don't know, daddy was in the hospital for 7 up and down roller coaster weeks. He fought really hard. Daddy never really talked much about his cancer leading up to his surgery. Daddy just wanted to do whatever it took to get rid of it. He was so brave and did whatever the doctors asked of him. We had some precious moments during that hospital stay. I told him constantly how proud I was of him and how much I loved him. One day when I came in he grinned and winked at me. He couldn't talk because he was on a ventilator. That wink meant the world to me. A few days before he could do that, we had almost lost him and they heavily sedated him to let his body rest. I will never forget that wink. Then another time, when I came in he smiled at me and rubbed my hair, told me it was light(it really needed color) and that I was pretty. Then one time I told him if he didn't get well I was going to go get his mustand and take it for a ride. He whispered and made driving motions with his hands and told me to go get the mustang and come pick him up and I could drive. My most favorite memory, was when we took all the grandchildren down to see him and he was so alert and happy! That was only a week before he passed. I praise God that he got better briefly to see those grandbabies.

Deep down, I really am thankful for the way that daddy died. He went so peacefully and he was surrounded by his wife, my brother and his wife, hilton and me, two of my aunts, his sister and husband, and his mother in law(grammy). Yes, I am selfish and REALLY wanted him to stay here on earth with us. But God has a greater plan. Before daddy's surgery we still had lots of fun family get togethers. We didn't really dwell on the cancer daddy was facing. He was beating it at the time. That is why it was so shocking that dad died due to his complicated liver! Some families don't have that. They go through devasting years, month, days, hours and watch sickness overcome a loved one. I honestly believe it would have been more horrible for daddy to die from the cancer. He really loved his life and family. Years ago our family had to deal with losing my grandfather from cancer and we watched that cancer just slowly take him away. I am thankful my children did not witness that. Cancer is a hard thing to deal with. I know daddy would have cried and cried if he had to be totally aware. Daddy was so tired at the end, and he was ready for rest. He was ready for heaven.

The song I can only imagine was played at his funeral. That song will never be the same for me. I know he is having a wonderful time up in heaven, and has met Jesus and reunited with his grandparents and his dad joined him two weeks ago. He has met our sweet baby, Bailey that we lost due to miscarriage 6 years ago. He has a sweet grandbaby in heaven! If there is one thing I know he loved and that was his grandchildren!

My heart breaks more easily now than ever since he died. It is really hard when my children cry for him. I am so proud of them. They have handled it well. They still ask why did he have to die and we sit and talk about it and cry. We are slowly getting back to our new normal. Right now it seems that it is getting harder than easier. We are having to realize life without him. It is just plain hard. We are in a season of mourning and sadness. We miss him. We want to hear his voice, and his laugh. Silly, I even miss his smell of his aftershave.

I know in time, we will get through this tough time. God has already been very gracious and sent so much peace with our family. I am so blessed that we have a hope that this is our temporary home and that one day we will see daddy again. How do people deal with things like this without faith in God?? It is so hard having faith, I can't imagine not having faith.

Thank you all for who have been praying for our family. We have felt your love and prayers and so thankful for every prayer spoken. If there is one more thing I can say to add to this...please realize how precious every moment you have with your family is. Take pictures, tell them how much you love them, never let a day go by if you are angry with someone without resolving it, make lots and lots of memories..even if it's just at home or running errands..laugh about something with your children...as my cousin's wife said on facebook recently.

Life is fleeting,make it count. Stephanie Mize

We love you daddy! Thank you for laughter, and smiles and silly songs! I am so thankful for all the happy times we were able to have as a family! You were the best grandfather! Your grandchildren have so many wonderful memories to cherish! You will never be forgotton!

Character of Caleb

2011-07-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

When I, uh, we were pregnant with our son, we knew we wanted to name him Caleb. The first time I ever saw the name Caleb was in the Old Testament in the Bible. If you are not familiar with him, Caleb was one of the 12 that went and spied on the Promised Land. Well, I decided to do a little more research to discover more about the man from whom we were getting ready to name our son by. Caleb in Hebrew means "wholehearted". He also showed courage,faithfulness, was a warrior and possessed a different spirit! (Numbers 14:24)Caleb always had the right attitude toward God's will.Things in life didn't always come easy for this man. Caleb took a stand with God when everyone else was willing to oppose God's will. He had to face adversity and they even wanted to kill Caleb for his willingness to encourage the people to go in and take the Promised Land. He told them, ""If the Lord delight in us,then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us." He was trying to tell the people that the Lord promised them the land if they will just have faith they could overcome the enemy.
When choosing his name, little did we know of how our Caleb would live up to this name. We became pregnant with Caleb 5 months after we miscarried our third child. We were so nervous at the time and a little anxious until we could finally feel him moving inside me. The pregnancy was considered a little high risk. Every time we had a checkup, it seemed that a lab test was suspicious, or an ultrasound had to be redone. But finally, on Feb. 17th he was born. But he was born very, very sick. At the time, I did not know how sick he was. Caleb ended up having to be transferred to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC and spent 2 weeks in the NICU. (For a nicu baby that was a pretty short stay!) He had to have what is called a double exchange transfusion. 80% of his blood had to be taken out and replaced with "clean" blood. They had to "purify"the blood of all impurities before it was given to him, or it would kill him. Even as a newborn he was such a little fighter. The nurses would comment how strong he was considering how sick he was.Then once we were home, a lab test came back saying his carnitine levels were bad and he was severely anemic! Finally after 6 months he was declared to have normal levels and no longer anemic. But then his white cell count was horrible and the scare of leukemia came up. We were sent to UNC Chapel Hill for testing and while there they discovered he had an egg allergy and he had MRSA behind his ear and severe eczema. We were prescribed an epi pen, an antibiotic for the MRSA and tar shampoo for eczema. (Just to note..his eczema was so bad that his skin cracked so bad on his scalp and behind legs and his ears. The wound behind his ear was so bad and that is how we found the MRSA.) Then at 18 months he was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. Whew!!! Needless to say we were exhausted with all the testing!
But I look back and can now see the story of my Caleb. He has beat a lot of the odds. It was a miracle that he made it alive at birth! It was a miracle that he didn't have leukemia but his white cell count was wacky due to the eczema and MRSA. He overcame his egg allergy! Caleb also goes to a peanut study at Duke and is losing his peanut allergy. Caleb has always been a little fighter and has overcome so many odds and he is only 5 now! They were lots of needle sticks, and heel sticks, IV's, medicines, poking, etc... I know in my heart that God has great things planned for him because the enemy wanted to destroy him since birth!

Every time I become down or my faith is a little shaky I look at my little fella! I remind myself that when things seem to be going wrong, to keep my focus on God and his promises because God will keep his promise to us! Nothing is impossible with God. Have you ever read the story of this great man? I encourage you to do so. This man never gave up. He never retired doing the Lord's work. Even in his old age he did God's work. He stood for truth, even when it was not popular! He was not concerned with what everyone else thought, but rather what God thought. Caleb never blamed God, but simply trusted. Oh if only I could be more like Caleb! I am challenged more and more to have more courage and to become stronger to do the Lord's will in my life! I pray about this in my three children's lives as well! I pray they will stand for what is right and work hard for the Lord!

I know right now that Caleb doesn't understand the deep meaning about anything I said above! He is a typical five year old! He loves cars, baseball, trucks, and making all kinds of noises with his mouth. I never knew that your mouth could make so many car or gun sounds! HA! I have told him about the Caleb of the bible and what he did. We read a lot of bible stories! He does ask a lot of questions, especially here lately he ask alot about heaven and Jesus dying on the cross. I love hearing him try to explain about the story of Jesus dying on the cross and rising on the third day. He recently attended a bible school and he came home and told me," Mommy, God is wild about us!"

Here are a few pics of my little Caleb and a backyard play day we had with a slip and slide! Best $10 I ever spent!

Caleb

putting his

whole heart

into

it!!!

Feedburner

2011-07-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

I have just added a feedburner to the right side of my blog...for those of you who would like to receive an email when I add a post to this blog! Please look on the top right side of the blog under our family pic and you can add your email address! It's simple and easy and you will automatically be notified when I post something! Thanks for following my blog!

Crush!

2011-07-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn Victoria Jeffreys

#15

This was Kaitlyn's second year playing fast pitch softball! She was able to play second base this year. She worked very hard from last year. She started out in the outfield last season, but showed the coach she was able to do more. I was so proud of her and her team... CRUSH!

They went undefeated this season and made it to Allstars! I was also very excited that Kaitlyn got to play in the Allstar games. They take 12 of the best of both of the Salem 12U teams and make them one team. We came in 2nd for Allstars. I will have another post about that soon! Enjoy a few pics I took!

Swing batter swing!

Running to first after a hit to third base!

Getting ready to make a play. Waiting for the batter to swing!

Trying to steal home, but had to turn back to third!!! (She was safe..whew!!)

Some of the CRUSH girls! Love them!

(Drew, Chloe, Kaitlyn, Sammy, Autumn, Jenny,Rylee)

Kaitlyn we are so proud of you! You did very well this year! Thank you for always doing your best and being a great first child! I love the morals and values that you already express in your words and actions!

My "Lil Scrappy" softball player!

2011-07-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

This spring we got to watch Kyndal Grace play on her first softball team. She has only played tball in the past. We were all very proud of her ball skills. This was machine pitch and we were proud that she had the ability to get the ball fast and played very hard! She was also the proud owner of jersey #11! That was my number in softball in highschool! What we would get so tickled about is that Kyndal was one of the oldest but shortest ones on the team! Her Coach for the Salem Angels nicknamed her "Lil Scrappy". She was pretty agressive getting the ball and tried very hard! Enjoy the pics!

Kyndal getting ready to run to third base!

Kyndal scooping the ball up at the mound and making a play to second base!

Kyndal in the ready postion! Love her smile!

Learning great skills at the mound!

Kyndal can still be a prissy ball player!

Kyndal Grace...you make us smile and laugh! You love life and you laugh at everything! You try very hard to do well! I love how you can go from being a prissy little ballerina and cheerleader to a wallowing in the dirt ball player! You are an All American girl! Thank you for bringing such joy in my life! You are such a blessing!

Family and change

2011-07-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

Since daddy died we have already had to experience some of our "first" things without him. We had to have his "first" birthday and Fourth of July celebrations without him. In honor of his birthday Kaitlyn made a cake. She cried while making it. There was one special thing that Kaitlyn and her grangran always did... They loved to bake together. After we sung Happy Birthday we tried to be happy and eat, but we became very teary. We made it through, but it was different. In fact, pretty much there is not a day that something reminds me of my daddy. Even up here in Salem,VA there are so many places that we went that remind me of a funny time with him.

Not long after we had daddy's funeral mom was informed that she was going to be transferred...IMMEDIATELY! It actually was a good thing. Mom and dad worked together and I know that it was going to be hard for her to continue to be at her facility without him. They were living in the Outer Banks, and I know she was going to be lonely. She asked to transfer to a building that became open while daddy was in the hospital. They gave her a building in Thomasville, NC.(Mom is a director for an assisted living center.) So now instead of 7 hours away she is only 2 hours! What a blessing and we know it was a total God thing that this happened. It also puts her less than 10 minutes away from her sister Amy and her mom. And maybe 29 minutes away from her sister Beth! We are all so excited! Now if only we can get Aunt Susan closer!
There have been so many changes here recently. Sometimes change can be so hard. But one thing has remained the same: God has always been there with us.
This past week we also had to say goodbye to my grandfather "Buddy." He was my dad's father. He was also diagnosed with the same cancer as my father, but it was in his stomach. My dad's was in his small intestine. He died on July 5th and was only 4 days away from his birthday. Our family has had to endure so much here lately. Please keep my grandmother in your prayers. I am thankful that "Buddy " is not suffering anymore and he is reunited with his son in heaven. I was able to tell him how much I loved him and to tell daddy we said hello and we love him and miss him!

This is a picture of my grandparents.

AKA: Nana and Grangran

A QUICK catchup of my life!

2011-07-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in quite sometime! I have missed it, but so many things happened since last November that I had no extra time to post. Instead of back tracking I am going to quickly update you on the Jeffreys life.
The last real time that I posted anything we were spending our summer at the beach with my parents. As some of you know my dad was diagnosed with a small intestinal cancer. He was undergoing 6 months of chemotherapy at he finished the treatments in December of 2010. Little did we know that he was going to only have a few more months with us. When daddy went for a scan in February of 2011 it showed that the cancerous lesions had returned. He was sent to a surgeon to remove the lesions. On April 19th he had surgery..and our lives will never be the same after that day. The surgery was very succesful..or so we seemed to think. The night after his surgery daddy's kidneys stopped working for some reason. And the doctor he was under hesitated to do anything about it and caused major damage to the kidney. Daddy also went into respiratory failure and he ended up in the ICU for 7 weeks. Making a VERY, VERY long story short, daddies liver also stopped working and he became very jaundiced because the liver would not break down his bilirubin. He also became very swollen due to fluid overload. He was put on a vent and ended up having three surgeries in those 7 weeks. He had so many issues. But he was overcoming them slowly..In fact, he had started to do physical therapy and talking well again after being on a vent and in the bed for so long. And his liver had started working again. Little did we know that he was only going to have a few "great" days with us before things turned for the worst.
On Friday, June 3rd my mom called me to tell me some of the most devasting news you would ever want to hear. Daddy had physical therapy that day, and was doing well until that afternoon. Daddy ended up "crashing" and was having a horrible time with breathing and had to be on the vent again. All day his bicarb levels were dropping and his lab work showed that. (He had labs drawn every four hours.) None of the doctors caught this until it was too late. The doctors ended up doing an ultrasound on his liver and showed that the liver had completly gone into failure. We were told to pack our things and come to the hospital.
On June 4th my daddy went home to be with the Lord. This was probably one of the hardest things I have had to go through. I think what made it worse was my children adore thier gradfather. Daddy was only 53 years old. Mom, my brother and I all made the decision to take daddy off of the three blood pressure medicines that were allowing him to maintain life. He lived until 6:01 p.m. that night. He lived for about a total of an hour after we stopped his support. He did go so peacefully. He was not in any pain and breathed very well. About two minutes before we passed, mom said she wished he would give her one more kiss. He reached his head up and kissed her and then he went to meet our God. Wow! It was so hard because he was there with us but just couldn't fight anymore.
I do know that daddy is in heavven and is fully healed. I am going to be totally honest and say that this has been one of the biggest leaps of faith I have had to take. I have been angry,sad, in denial, angry, depressed, angry...you get the picture! I guess because I am selfish and want him here. Daddy always made us laugh and my children adored him. He and mom have been married 35 years and they did everything together. It was so hard to let him go.
I will say though, that right after this cancer was diagnosed I remember one of my prayers to God was to please not let us see my daddy die from this cancer. I was imagining that if the cancer took over his intestine of how sick he would have been and I know I would not have wanted to see him suffer and die a painful death. As I said daddy was not in pain and was not suffering. He died from liver failure. God did answer my prayer..not in the way that I wanted but it was, for whatever His reason, time for daddy to go home to heaven.
I am thankful that our little child in heaven, Bailey is now with his grangran. My kids here on earth still cry for him and ask why. I tell them what I know about heaven, and how to cherish the memories we have of him, and it's ok to cry! I have no answers...only HOPE and FAITH...

Rest in Peace daddy!
July 3, 1957- June 4, 2011

Try, try AGAIN!!!

2011-07-01T05:09:00.000-07:00

I am so completly horrible to not be more consistent with blogging! I mean, really..the last time I posted was in November 2010...and that was to post just a song! For the past year, it has been a whirlwind..
So much has happened since I posted on here about prayer requests for my family. I am sorry to the few who actually read this blog that I didn't post enough about my parents and the journey they had with cancer that I asked you to pray about. So my next post will give you a fast forward version of "what's been happening!"
I am slowly getting back to my routine. I kinda let it go since last fall. I was in some kind of funk! I normally am a early morning gal and go workout and would journal after that. But, life got busy, busy, busy...
So here is to "getting back....AGAin!!!!!!

Completely...

2010-11-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

Sweet blog, I have missed you!

2010-11-23T07:06:00.001-08:00

I have missed blogging!!! I hope to finally get back on track and start blogging again. The past couple of months have been so busy. Hopefully over the Thanksgiving holiday I can organize and plan out to start blogging some more. I have some great news to share coming up...stay tuned!

Praise

2010-08-26T05:52:00.000-07:00

I HAVE A PRAISE!!!!!!!!!!

I honestly believe that right before our eyes that a miracle from our Father occured to us last week. It is my pleasure to tell you all that my mother....

DOES NOT HAVE MS!!!!!!!!!!

It is such a blessing to hear this. Last week when my mother went back to her neurologist to find out her form of treatment and what the results of her spinal tap was. Less than two months from that appointment her regular doctor confirmed that she had it. But after her spinal tap the specialist said that all of her symptons were due to when she had diabetes. (She no longer has diabetes due to her losing weight from gastric bypass.) There were no lesions on her brain, but what they saw was cholesterol. The numbness in her feet is due to a condition called neuropathy that is caused from diabetes. She will have to take a medicine that will make the numbness subside.

Without a doubt, I know prayer works.....

I was sent a devotional the other day from a friend. She sent us an email asking for prayer for her son and some issues going on with him physically. We all worry about our kids, families, etc...But, one of her friends who responded to her email touched my heart so strongly. I don't know her, but have heard her story. She is about my age and her husband died in front of her due to a brain aneryusm. They have three very small children. But she stated this in her response to my friend's worries......
Jesus wrote it to the readers.

Entrust your loved ones to Me release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. When you release your loved ones to Me you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you Ss you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do.

Genesis 22:9-12 ephesians 3:20 and exodus 33:14

Wow, is all I can say. It is so true. I have a hard time "releasing" my kids, finances, ministry, marriage, health, my dad's cancer, my mom's worries, my brother, my sister in law, friends, job, in my Father's hands. They are so much safer in His hands than mine...

I just wanted to say this. Everyday, no matter where we are people are suffering with something. Life is hard. Here lately, it seems like so many friends, family and sometimes strangers I talk to are dealing with a trial. This devotional that was sent to my friend has touched me more than anything this week. I hope this is an encouragement to you.

Our Hope Endures....

2010-08-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Natalie Grant is by far probably my favorite female contemporary artist. In church when I sing specials I sing a lot of her music. In Jan., before my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and mom with MS I sung this song. In fact I sung it the Sunday right after the Jan.12th earthquake in Haiti...

Little did I know at the time how much this song would minister to me in the next few months. I can't listen to it now without crying. You know in our life we are not promised a carefree life. Sometimes when it rains it pours as the saying goes. But Christ, is our hope! I hear people say often that God will never give you more than you can handle. But that is not true...it never says that in the Bible. Sometimes we are given things in life that we can't handle, but it is those times that we are to totally lean on God...

For example...
Without Christ...I would not have recovered from losing our third child, Bailey Chandler. That was a very dark and lonely depressing time in our life. Thankfully, by trusting in my Lord, I slowly was able to pull myself out of that pit. At the time, I didn't know that I was going to use that piece of my life to minister to other women who lost a child through miscarriage. But God knew..We are broken at times in our life to realize we need Him to fix the pieces. He knows the whole picture of our life. We only see a few of the pieces. We may not always understand why we have to endure life with pain and suffering. It is to make us closer to Him. One baby step at a time...Our Hope endures...

Without Christ. I can do NOTHING. With Christ. ALL Things are POSSIBLE.

Enjoy the song...Reflect on the words...
P.S. Scroll down to the bottom of my page and cut the music already playing on my wall so you can hear this song!

Updates, Updates...

2010-08-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

Well I am still here at the Outer Banks spending time with my parents. So far, everything has been wonderful. We do miss Hilton not being here, but soon he will be joining us and we can't wait!!!!!!!
Anyway, just to let everyone know, dad has finished his 2nd round of chemo...only 6 more to go!!!!! This round was a little more harsh on his body. He has been weak and nauseated. He is also very sensitive to cold water, cold drinks, etc. He says it feels like he is being electrocuted if he washes his hands in cold water. It was also sad to see that he can't have ice cream right now. Last month that was his only "cold" thing he could have, and we have been going to Sonic every night to get their Sonic Blast. Hopefully soon though he will be able to withstand it again.

On another note, I have really enjoyed cooking and cleaning and running errands for my parents. We also joined the Y here at the Outer Banks to take advantage of the water park there. Don't worry we only joined for a month! lol! Didn't want any of you back in Salem to worry if I was taking up pemanent residence here. We joined because the jelly fish have been horrible...They have taken over the beach!!! Hopefully, soon they will go away, but the kids were not getting in the ocean..so we go to the water park and play.

I don't have my regular computer so I can't post pics right now, but believe me, I am taking lots and will share as soon as I get my computer back!

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

Beachin' It!

2010-07-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

I have not disappered again...I just happen to be at the beach with my family. I plan on posting again soon..it has just been real busy!!! And, i don't have my computer that has all my photos that I have been blogging on recently...Stay tuned!!!!

Have you ever wondered?...

2010-07-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered if it would really make a difference for you to go on a mission trip?Maybe you can read between the lines here....

A dirty poor country

A place to find God....

Language barriers..

Active communication..

Different food...

Real taste of culture..

Sweet compassionate Dominicans...

My brothers and sisters in Christ..

Litter everywhere,

Crazy traffic,

Beautiful children...

One sweet boy I fed a banana too...

The face that still makes me smile..

The reach of a little girl's hand...

A touch of a grown woman's heart...

Three simple words...Lasting effects...

A simple relay race at VBS...

A whole day full of laughs!!!!

Barren land... Bright starry skies..

Homes shattered by despair...

Hearts healed by a hug..

Kids running after a van...

Me not wanting to say goodbye..

One simple, "Ok, I'll go....

Incredible change.

Servants and a good 'ol Footwashing!

2010-07-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

One of the nights of the Leadership training dealt with being a servant. Now, sometimes people just automatically assume when you are in church leadership that you have it made! But, that is not always the case. Being married to a pastor I know all to well that you get dirty! God does not call us to be served, but for us to serve others. I will say that Hilton and I love serving others. It's not always easy, but God never promised that our life would be easy. Sometimes you get hurt, criticized, mocked, betrayed and burned out from living a life of servanthood. But...we just pick our self up when that happens, and start over.

Anyway, during our training there was a portion of the service where our team "served" the leaders at Iglesia Bautista. We did a good 'ol foot washing service. In America, that is almost unheard of to do. But, oh my goodness..I wish that it would be incorporated again. I personally did not partake and wash another woman's foot. I took pictures that night. But it was so emotional! It was a beautiful moment.

My fellow mission team got on their hands and feet and washed the feet of these humble men and women of God. Just like Jesus did to Peter. See being a leader doesn't mean that you are above everyone else and you are too good to get down and dirty. In fact, being a leader in church means the opposite. We are to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus. He didn't come to this earth to be served. But, he came as a lowly servant and died for our disgusting sins...He got down on his hands and feet..and washed..the disgusting..feet of his disciple! Wow! I personally believe that if you want good followers that there leader will set the example.We can't expect our members at our Bethel church to do as we say...but we know that if we tell them to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, heal the sick...go on a mission trip...THEN WE MUST DO IT FIRST! I would much rather follow someone who has.. BEEN THERE,DONE THAT....

I was so moved by the service! And the Dominican's who were there that night were so touched as well...
I love this picture. If you don't know this is a picture of our leaders...Hilton(pastor) Bryan(he is at Bethel,and is being lead into the ministry), Gregg (our worship pastor) and Jonathan(a deacon in our church)They are washing the feet of some brothers in Christ. This picture speaks volumes for me. Wow! Our leaders on their knees...serving...What a blessing!

Phyllis washing Daihanna's feet. What a humbling experience! What a beautiful moment!

At first, Julio didn't want Bryan and Hilton to do this. The Dominicans were so humble during the foot washing! They just couldn't believe what we were doing! Huge smiles were upon their faces.

This was such a sweet moment. Gregg washed the feet of his dear friend, Vladi. Vladi is so special to him and I know it meant a lot for him and for dear Vladi! We received such a blessing for serving!

Amazing how God can move in a service that required a few handtowels and a bowl of water! Thank you Lord for showing the perfect example of how to serve others!

Prayer

2010-07-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks, I had to take a short break from posting about my mission trip to ask for you all to pray. As we were so focused on getting ready for our trip to the Dominican Republic, little did I know that before we left I would be faced with a huge test in my life..I believe in prayer so I am asking you to help me..please join with me and pray for the healing of my parents...
Here is how it all began...

As we were preparing to go home in Dec. 2009 to spend time with our families, we get a phone call from mom on Christmas. She explained daddy was in the hospital and couldn't stop vomiting. We rushed home and seemed relieved that the doctor thought it was a bowel obstruction, and in a day he would be home...Whew! What a relief..so we thought. So, he did seem to be a little better, but in Feb. while on a visit with us here in Virginia daddy didn't feel well and everything he ate made his stomach feel bad. Leading up to spring, dad's symptoms grew worse and after having a CAT scan done, we were told that he had to have surgery quickly because his bowel was about to burst due to obstruction. On May 19Th, 2009 daddy was all prepped to have surgery and the doctor made us feel real confident that he thought dad had a hernia that was choking his intestine and he was going to be all better after surgery...
Little did we know..that...our life would never be the same...Dad was diagnosed with having a rare cancer in his small intestine. It is called adenocarcionoma...we were hopeful though because the surgeon felt like he got it all. But a body scan revealed that he had a spot on his liver and on the intestinal wall where they removed the tumor. He will shortly begin chemo to hopefully eliminate the cancer. Please pray for him as he begins his treatment. Pray for our family. Though we are not a perfect family, we are a close family. Pray,pray,pray...

Now, unfortunately this is only the beginning of what has been going on for our family. As soon as we landed in Miami after our mission trip to the Dominican Republic we found out that my mother was diagnosed with MS. She also had a stroke that we didn't know about. It was a small one and had healed up and looked to have happened about 6 months ago. Thankfully, she met with her neurologist and she likes him. He was very positive and help to shed some light on her diagnosis. She will start taking medicine and hopefully this horrible disease will never rare it's ugly head again. I worry about her though. Daddy and her are so close...high school sweet hearts...and as long as I have been their daughter I can remember several very hard trials that they have overcome in their life. But I worry about her strength for this battle. She is fighting for dad so hard. Since day one of his diagnosis it has been a war with the insurance company that covers them. She really does not need any added stress in her life as it is not helpful to MS. Again pray,pray, pray...

I know heaven is an awesome place, and if we love God one day we will be there. But in my human fleshy self...I am being selfish when it comes to my parents. I know God is not punishing me, or my parents...He knows our pain, prayer, worries, hurt, anxiety...I know that ALL...ALL things work for the good to those that love HIM...but my heart...who has always had the comfort of knowing that her parents would grow old together, watch my daughter's dance and cheer and play sports, watch my son play baseball, see all the grandchildren graduate and get married and have kids that they can play with...well, it has been threatened! I am only human...and I am being selfish 'cause I want my parents to be here with me much longer. I am praying for healing and that God will heal in the way that is my and my families desire. I am not sure what tomorrow will hold but I do know that God is good, God loves us, and God will be glorified through this. And..I am trying to accept that it may not be my will...but I sure am hoping so...

You see...my kids...well,...they love them...and my parents love them so much...It breaks my heart to think that they may have to see mom and dad fight this battle...but I know my mama and daddy fight hard and they will overcome...
Here are my parents..Debra and Ricky Warren. They live in NC about 6 and a half hours away. They enjoy life and absolutely love spoiling all the grandchildren....Kaitlyn, Kyndal, Caleb who are my three think that there is nothing better than to go to the Meme and Gran Gran's and eat,drink and play what ever they want... Tre' and Braiden, my brother's kids think the same thing. My parents have rarely missed a dance recital, has made at one or two ballgames that the kids play in, school events,etc...They are always there...
Mom even takes up for Hilton even when I think he is the one in the wrong..heehee! Whenever we have a problem with something broken in the house or the car..Hilton and I don't call a repair person...we call dad who is 6 hours away. I believe that man can fix anything and get you through strange towns that your GPS system didn't even know existed. He is a walking GPS system. Whenever one of the kids has a strange cough, look, strange mark on them, we call mom...mom should have been a doctor because my brother and I think she has a answer to all medical problems...
So please Pray...
Because....
I feel like our kids deserve more play days on the beach with them...

They need more time to help gran-gran build things, and cut the grass with the big lawnmower...

They need to know that Meme will be in the kitchen with them coming up with more recipes to cook with them years to come..

Gran-gran is Caleb's "besfran" as he says. Whenever gran-gran is around...no one else exists. He even sticks his tongue out like my dad does when he is concentrating on something. All the gran boys do...one day maybe I can get a pic of all of them doing it...When Caleb gets hurt he cries for his gran gran...

Caleb is an all Gran gran boy..now he loves his meme...but when Gran gran is around Caleb wants all of his attention Even when gran gran is not around, Caleb talks about him. He loves riding in dad's mustang with the top down!

Kaitlyn who started out as Grangran's little girl has recently become more close to Meme...she loves working with her, cooking, and baking...and she thinks that no matter how old she is, she will always sleep in the middle of the bed with them. She is the first grandchild, so in my parent's eyes..she does no wrong! LOL!

My sweet Kyndal loves being outside with her Gran gran and when we go home he has to stay in the same room with her. She loves snuggling up to both Meme and gran gran at night with her little thumb in her mouth.

Braiden , my nephew, loves being outside with his Gran-gran! He also loves anything to do with racing just like Gran gran. But I think secretly Meme has the way to his heart. This boy will eat anything that Meme makes!

Tre', my nephew, well he is a Meme boy. He loves helping her in the kitchen...He thinks MeMe is the next to the best cook...(He said his mama is the best,."cause she makes the best Hamburger Helper!"heehee)

My prayer:

Memories...my prayer is that there will be so many more memories to be made for years to come...

We are praying...Will you join us??

Seeds...

2010-07-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

Seeds were planted this week...

God just calls us to be faithful...He will provide what we need...

Regardless that most of us on this trip could not speak the language..

We stepped out of our comfort zone...

It didn't stop us...

We planted seeds everyday...
We sung praise songs and taught leadershp skills...

We played games that would help us bond with the youth..

And preached without fear...

And 6 decisions were made on this night and...

still after we left the seeds were still coming to harvest..

others have asked to be saved...

One word...

OBEDIENCE...

what if we were not obedient to His call...we would have missed the harvest...

Iglesia Bautista

2010-07-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Iglesia Bautista is the name of the church that we came to serve in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Mike and Anna Doering are the missionaries that are serving with this church. Mike is the pastor of the church. They have three precious kids- Emily, Andrew, and Brett. They were the most wondeful hosts. They graciously opened their home to us during our stay. Anna provided us dinner most nights after our leadership training. They both also served as navigators for us during the day. I especially enjoyed talking to Anna. She is truly the Proverbs 31 wife. I observed her a lot the week we were there and tried to put myself in her shoes. And...I don't honestly know if I could be as compassionate, loving and patient as she is. I do know that she is all of these things and more. She has the patience of Job, she runs her household well, and definetly displays the gift of hospitality. She also is a North Carolina girl!!! And she shares my love for Duke mayonnaise and SWEET TEA!!! Mike is a true man of God and also displays the same virture of having a lot of patience, love and compassion for the people in the DR. Their three kids were also so precious and I was so blessed to be just a timy part of their life during our misson trip. Would you all please add this sweet missionary family to your prayer list. I can't imagine being embedded in a foreign country, and being thousands of miles from family and doing the Lord's work. And I whine and complain about being 6 hours away! They truly love doing what they do in Santo Domingo. I immediately developed a love for this family. Here are a few pics of us with the Doerings and the kids.

Gregg(our worship pastor and leader of the mission trip) Mike Doering, and Hilton
Me and Anna Doering

Emily Doering

Andrew Doering

Brett Doering

Are they not the most precious family?! I am so glad God allowed our paths to cross. The Sunday after we arrived we had children's church that morning at 10 a.m. I was so blessed to observe the kids that attended the morning service. They were all so well behaved and listened so well to the lesson. I watched as older sisters and brothers came in with the younger sibling and took care of them during the service. Some of the older were ones seemed no older than ten or eleven. I mostly enjoyed watching them sing some of the same praise songs that we also sing. But, for some reason I get such a blessing watching children sing about our Lord. After we sung songs, Jessica taught the children's church lesson. She did a wonderful job! It was so interesting to see how God still works when their is a language barrier. Now Jessica can speak and understand Spanish, but during the children's church Anna translated for her. I know personally I was nervous about not knowing the language. But... that did not stop God's will for our mission trip. As I share more with you all about the trip you will see how amazingly that regardless of our shortcomings of not knowing each other's language God still made it where we bonded so well with the people here. I can't wait to share everything that happened on this trip! Please be patient...it will take a while for me to get it all out on here...But I want you to experience just a little taste of our trip.

Can't wait to share on the next post...

Anna and Jess teaching the lesson to the kids during children's church.

Singing and dancing to the music!

This is one of my favorite photos. This little girl could really praise the Lord!

Iglesia Bautista...The church!

Side of the church and painted on it was the list of events that took place at the church.

Dominican Republic Part 1...

2010-07-14T05:55:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics that started off our week! Enjoy the post!

In the Batey, with some sweet and precious little girls!
This little boy kept wanting a hug from me...He was precious!

This and other trash were scattered everywhere we looked

The kids were so excited when we showed up. They couldn't wait until VBS!
Anna who is in the white shirt was explaining to them about the coming week. Her husband Mike and her serve as the missionaries there.

Sorry it has taken me so long to blog about our mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Since we have gotten home I have been trying to play catch up and haven't had a moment until now to post all about our trip!

Let me just say it was probably one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I was so blessed as we served the Lord there. We were the hands and feet of Christ. This is what I love...doing what he calls to do. Being a servant of the Lord doesn't mean just sitting on a pew every Sunday. Now, I know that it's important to attend church, but if we don't ever "exercise" our faith we are missing out on so many blessings and watching the Lord at work.

First, I want to thank my parents for watching the kids. They are going through so much right now. They are definitely being tested with their health. But, they were so determined that I go on this mission trip...little did I know everything they have been having to go through until I came back home. I will post more about this situation soon. Just pray for them. But I know the kids had a wonderful time. I love my parents for sacrificing their time for Hilton and I to go. They really love their grand kids and I am so blessed for that.

As you all know, I am not a fan of flying...But...I DID IT! I will admit I was a little nervous with our first flight out of RDU, but the second flight from Miami wasn't so nerve racking. Our flight into the Dominican was a little delayed, so we arrived later and at night at the DR, so I didn't get to see what the island looked like coming in. But, I will say from the moment I stepped off the plane I was in culture shock!!! First off, I know NO SPANISH...so we totally had to rely on Gregg and his wife Jessica (our worship pastor and wife) for communication. The airport was an experience. We were trying to get our luggage and get through customs, and not get in the way of some of the Dominicans in the airport! I immediately felt like a deer in headlights! It hit me, that I was probably the most fair skin person in the airport along with my fellow team. At that moment I knew what it meant to feel like a minority. I felt a little insecure, but I said a small prayer for the Lord to help me with my sudden fear and anxiety and knew He had me step out of my comfort zone for a reason.

So, then the sweet missionary family, the Doerings picked us up at the airport and we loaded on a bus with all 16 pieces of our luggage and headed to none other than... McDonald's! We travel all the way to a foreign country and end up at McDonald's! Let me say, this first...we got our first experience of what people call"Dominican driving." HA! It was dark outside and I was trying to take in what I could. The traffic was interesting. You immediately notice that no one goes the speed limit. And there is honking, honking, honking everywhere! Traffic lights...not important! The drivers made three way lanes on a one way road...you never stopped at intersection, you just pulled out and prayed we didn't get hit! It was an experience. I couldn't imagine getting away with this driving in Virginia. It was like experiencing road rage here, but for the DR it was just there way of driving. It was quite comical once we got used to it during the week. I was told that you might as well know your car is going to be dented and banged at some point if you live here. I looked at most cars around us during the week and it's so true. Every car looked dented, most cars had scraped paint, and very scratched! So once we safely arrived at the McDonald's I felt almost at home. Well almost...thank goodness Gregg and Jess understand the culture and language or I wouldn't have been able to eat that night. But, it was good. It was a chicken sandwich with fries and a Coke! Yum!

After we unloaded the luggage that carried all of our supplies for our week at the Doering house we headed to our motel. It was called the Micro hotel, and it was very nice. We walked in our room and guess what was on...Fox News! I chuckled about that for some reason. The rest of the channels were mostly in Spanish. I remember as I was laying in the bed that night, I felt so overwhelmed and missed the kids so much. I was so scared as this was my first time in a new country....but I knew that there was a mighty good reason why the Lord opened up this door for me to be there. Little did I know at this point how much impact this trip was going to be on my life...

We took a tour the next morning of the village called, the Batey that we were going to VBS in that week. This tour was my first eye opener of how blessed I am. As soon as we turned onto the dirt path of the Batey, my mouth dropped. I saw trash everywhere and children wandering everywhere. Of course, they were all curious as to why this van with a bunch of people were there. The church, Iglesia Bautista has several ministries down there so I know when they see that van they know something great is about to happen down there. We went to see about the building we were supposed to do VBS in and see what things we may need to get and plan for while there. Immediately, a crowd of children came around. I immediately fell in love. They were precious and I already could see one reason I was there. I knew the kids needed love, hugs and kisses, and most of all the love of Christ. My emotions got a hold of me as these kids would grab our hands and want a hug or their picture taken. They were all so beautiful. I couldn't help but cry as I was definitely in culture shock. I couldn't believe some of the things that I saw. Life in the states was different and I immediately saw how blessed and at times...yes at times selfish and how I take things for granted. My kids, have clothes that match, don't have tears or holes in it, well fitted shoes...many pair of well fitted shoes...these kids probably have one maybe two...I absolutely lost it. But, Pat, one of the ladies on the trip comforted me and told me that the children didn't know of my world. She reminded me that they looked happy and healthy and that we were there to show them how much Christ loved them. She was right...I started looking at them and saw they were happy and the girls had some of the cutest hair bows and looked so pretty. I say this because...sometimes we feel horrible at some of the living conditions that we are not used to...we can become so overwhelmed with it...and we can't fix every situation and take every person in that village and give them what we think they need materially. But, we can give them something better than any material item... We can lead them to Christ. They need a personal relationship with them. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with providing those in need with material things when needed. But, we also need to remember that we were commissioned when we became a Christ follower to tell others about him...

What an exciting week this was, and I can't wait to share the whole week with you. Be patient, as I hope to post something everyday for the next week about our trip. I hope I can describe it the way that I feel inside. I was so blessed on this trip! I hope that you will follow this journey with me.

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Stay tuned...

It's Here!!!!!

2010-06-24T04:43:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that it is time for our mission trip! The time has flown. I want to personally thank everyone who has attended the different fund raisers and also given donations to make it possible for our team of 9 to go.

I am excited, nervous, a little scared...(of flying). But I know that the Lord's hand is on me and He has great things planned. Life for me and others on the team have been a little crazy here in the past couple of months. I personally can confess that I have been tested. Through these trials though I have been growing closer to the Lord.
So, I have a prayer list that I am going to post so if any of you would like to pray for us! Greg Randolph (our team leader) came up with a prayer card and I am going to post it on here now.

I desperately wanted to be able to blog while we were there but noone is taking their laptop. I will just take lots of pics and post a lot when we return.

DR Missions Team Prayer List

Thursday June 24- Team Member: Gregg Randolph/Team need:Final prep &Details

Friday June 25-Team Member: Amy Jeffreys/Team need: Ease of travel

Saturday June 26- Team Member: Bryan Hunsley/ Team need: Connect with the DR people

Sunday June 27- Team Member: Jessica Randolph/ Team need:Ministry opportunities

Monday, June 28- Team Member: Jonathan Shelor/ Team need:VBS in the village

Tuesday, June 29- Team Member: Phyllis Hunsley/ Team need: Good health and Energy

Wednesday, June 30- Team Member: Sarah Balser/ Team need: Leadership training

Thursday, July 1- Team member: Pat Meyers/ Team need: Ladies Ministry night

Friday, July 2- Team member: Hilton Jeffreys/ Team need: Youth outreach day

Saturday, July 3- Team need: Adjustment back to the American culture and lasting results from seeds planted on the field

Please take a moment each day and as you are praying remember the team member specifically for that day. Then ask that the team needs be met for that day as well!

Thank you!

Be the Church

2010-06-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

I love to blog. And I love to read others blogs. I always seem to end up following fellow bloggers whose children are going through trials in their life. I love to pray for these families and it is amazing to me to see how people come together for families who are hurting or in need. I love seeing the church come together and be the church.
Kind of a funny saying...But, seriously God did not call us to just sit on a pew on Sunday mornings and listen about how we should help others. God calls us to act upon the needs of people. People who may not even know you are attend your church or may not even be a Christian. It makes me cry every time I see the hands and feet of God helping to supply a need.

One so called way to "be the church" literally just entered into my life. And the awesome thing is that I do not believe in "just meeting" someone. I believe there is a reason why God allows people to enter into my life. I first started praying for this family when our principal of the school asked me to lift this family into prayer. We have the Prater family in our town whose child, Dylan just found out that he has been diagnosed with a "papillary tumor in the pineal region of his brain."(Copied this from his blog) Dylan attends the elementary school where my kids go. He just finished the 4th grade. Before this morning I never really knew this family. I may have spoken to his mom occasionally at different school functions. She has two other children, daughters, and one is in my daughter Kyndal's class. I can't imagine what Kerry and her husband Mike are going through. I spoke with her briefly this morning and I can already tell we are a lot alike and we will get along great when we do "meet in person." I already love her to pieces! She is such a sweetheart and I can tell she has a strong faith.
Even though I have never been out shopping with her or have a play date with her we connected. WE are moms who want the best life for our kids. I know she is wondering why in the world is she undergoing this "test." I honestly have no answer. I do know that I can let her know that we and others are praying for her and that God knows her heart. I really don't honestly know why we must endure things in this life that we can't answer! Anyway, I also know that I can "act" to help this trial in this family's life.

One such way is to meet some needs of the family. We have such loving people at our church all I had to do is post a Facebook message and people immediately responded. That is why I love Facebook!!!! You can use it for good things! Anyway, we are collecting money for grocery gift cards for the family. You know that she is having to take time off from her job and food is expensive when families have to stay at hospitals. In the future I am hoping that we can help with childcare, household chores, whatever this family needs. But mostly pray for them!It's being the church!

If you would like to help, just shoot me an email!
They have a website set up to keep up with what is going on with Dylan. It is: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dylanprater

Paradise!!!

2010-06-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

Kyndal playing in the sandKaitlyn thinking about life...

We visited where the Grave Digger has a museum

Tre' and Kait helping Meme cook breakfast

I love my kids little feet!

So this post is a little overdue, but my pics were so good I just had to post about our recent trip to the beach! We went over Memorial Day weekend and it was the perfevt little spur of the moment mini vacation. The only downfall was that daring hubby was not able to go. It comes with the territory when you are married to the preacher. I don't mind though, but we did miss him terribly. But, I made a very last minute decision to go and he had no time to find someone to preach for him. I kept swithching back and forth about going, but since finding out about my dad's cancer, well it made me realize that LIFE is TOO SHORT sometimes. And rarely do I ever get to see my brother and his wife and two kids. They were going to be there and I thought it would be a great thing if Meme and Gran Gran had all of thier grandchildren under one roof for the weekend.

So, I quickly packed our bags at midnight, and woke up on Friday and finished cleaning the house, went to my last day of teaching the preschoolers at our church, came home and packed the car and then as soon as the girls got off the school bus we headed out of town! It was a long seven hour drive but so worth it! We had so much fun!

Because of hectic schedules and daily life we tend to take for granted our precious family. Well it was such a precious time having our family all together. We laughed and cooked and played Twister(I didn't get pics of that, but it was hilarious!) and watched cousins play and love on one another.

We literally went to the beach and did nothing! It was the perfect time to go. So relaxing and the kids were all especially well behaved. I loved taking pics of my nephews and laughed at the boys playing and being "typical" boys. I loved watching my parents love on the grandchildren and even got teary thinking that life would not be the same without any of them.

We played on the beach, visited the museum of the Grave Digger monster truck. OK, so my girls were not so excited about that but we do have boys in this family. We flew kites and played putt putt! Kaitlyn got a hole in one!!! She was so excited!

I will post more pics of our weekend get away! Enjoy!

Dominican Republic Mission Trip 2010

2010-06-19T07:45:00.001-07:00

It is amazing to me that our mission trip to the Dominican Republic is upon us. It came up fast! I guess we have been so busy preparing and raising funds for the trip that I didn't notice that we would be leaving so soon!
Our trip will be from June 25th-July 3rd. Hilton and I are very excited to see what God is going to do this week. I have been trying to take these last few days before we go and spend even more time in the Word of God. His word is so sweet! Our worship pastor, Gregg Randolph, who is the mission leader for this trip made the team a small devotional booklet that we have been reading for the past 6 weeks. And, wouldn't you know that it has been exactly what I have needed to hear! The enemy has tried hard in the past few weeks to discourage me and also cause me to back out of my trip. But, I know that God has something special that he wants me to witness on my trip. Since the mission trip dates were announced I felt led to go. That alone is a miracle! For those of you who know me well know that I DON'T FLY!!! I am not crazy about it. I have flown a few times and still not crazy about it. But when God calls you to do something you step out of your comfort zone. I could have chosen to be like Jonah and run and ignore his call. But, God would have made sure that I would not be comfortable with my choice to be disobedient.
Most of us remember the story of Jonah...That was one of our devotionals in our booklet that we were to read. Well at first I thought I was doing well by saying, "Yes, God I will go to the Dominican Republic." But, I have let fears creep in and not totally rely on God to handle them. This devotional convicted me that I need to not worry about our flight to the DR and back, not to worry about my dad(which is very hard to let go of.)and his diagnosis of his cancer, not to worry about my children as they are in very capable hands, and not worry about the language barrier as I speak no Spanish at all!(I took French in high school. My mother told me to take Spanish and yes, I should have listened to her.) I have especially let my dad's cancer diagnosis consume a lot of my emotional energy. I have felt so consumed at times with fear, doubt, and worry over this. And it has seemed like road block after road block have come up just to get the oncologist to see him so we could get further information. (That is a whole other blog post in the future. )
Remember Jonah was afraid and he let that and worry at first stop him from going to the town of Nineveh. I personally couldn't blame him because, come on, those Ninevites were a vicious people. They were known for killing people in horrific ways! But when Jonah decided to be faithful what happened? The whole city repented! So, I am going to be faithful and try to focus the rest of this week and meditate on His Word and look forward to what God has in store.
Later on this week I will post a prayer post on here about specific things you can pray about for our team. We would most definitely appreciate all the prayers given to us through out the week. I am ready to see what God is going to do.
I will end this post with a scripture that a friend encouraged me to meditate on. Thanks Nancy James for that!

Luke 4:18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind to release the oppressed to proclaim the year of the Lord' s favor.

From this day Forward...

2010-06-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

On June 5, 2010 our family attended one of the most sweetest weddings! My cousin Jessica, aka Jesse married the love of her life, Joseph. There were tears of happiness on this day. Even her preacher cried during the ceremony. It was so great to be with family and friends!

Jessica was such a beautiful bride. I loved how she catered her wedding to "fit" who her and Joe are. The bridesmaids had such beautiful black dresses. The flowers were exquiste...the music was awesome! Jesse's dress was BEAUTIFUL and fit her perfectly! The ceremony was especially sweet. After they were pronounced they exited to the song "Happy Together" by the Beatles! I loved it!

Family is so important to me and I was so happy to be a part of this special day. I am almost 10 years older than Jesse and she was a Jr. bride in my wedding. I feel so old now! HA! I am so happy for her and Joe. I love them very much. She really touched me by taking the time to think about my children and what they would eat at the reception. Now I know that may seem silly. But, I remember how stressful planning a wedding can be...so it was touching to me that she thought of what the kids could eat. I guess when you have a child with a food allergy it is appreciative to know she took the time to make sure he would be safe. Did I mention how sweet she is?? LOL!

So after we cried all our makeup off we got to go party at the reception. It was at the Benvenue Country Club and was one of the most tasteful receptions I have ever been to. There was a band and my girls had a wonderful time dancing. When Joe had to take the garter off of Jesse's leg there was a "surprise" for him. It was so funny...She had a gun holster up her leg with a gun....yes I said a gun in it as a gift to Joe. But, it took him a few minutes to figure all that out! It was so funny!

I pray that they have many years of happiness together and remember that marriage is about holiness and a wonderful picture of our relationship with Christ. I am so happy that they both love the Lord. Joseph looks at his beautiful bride in such awe.

Love you Joe and Jesse!

Such a beautiful wedding!
Uncle Greg and Aunt Beth! (Bride's parents..)

Hilton and I

The happy couple!

Kaitlyn's Softball Banquet!

2010-06-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Salem Express

Go #7!!!

Kaitlyn's trophy

Kaitlyn played in her first year of fast pitch softball this year for the Salem Express. I must say that I was so proud of her hard work that she showed at practice and at games. Some of the girls on her team and opposing teams have been playing for a few years. Now, Kaitlyn played coach pitch ball for one year when she was in kindergarten and never played again. I say all of that because, well, let me just say that some of these girls intimidate ME! Especially some of the "fast" pitches that these girls would put across the plate. I got so uptight at one of her practices because I knew that she wasn't as experienced. But, she worked and worked almost every day after school in the backyard with throwing, catching and hitting. Her efforts paid off in the end.

She started out playing in right field and over time her position was moved to center field.At one game she caught a fly ball while playing in center field. We were so proud of her! As the games progressed the coach had come up to us and told us how she really improved in her skills and was so impressed by the improvement. He moved her to play 2nd base in a few games and hopes to start her in a infield postion next year. She also had some really good hits this year! Her daddy and I were so proud of everything she did on the diamond this year!

Her team had a banquet at the Salem Red Sox ball park on June 6th. The girls all got trophies and some of the ball players from the Red Sox presented the trophies to the girls. They also were announced over the speaker system and the team all sat together to watch an awesome ball game that the Red Sox played against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans! The Red Sox won!!!

Afterwards, the girls got to run around the field and Kaitlyn thought it was so awesome!

We are already missing the games, but can't wait until next year!

Jennie and Kaitlyn watching the game!

Kaitlyn getting her ball signed by one of the players.

Her signed ball!

The Ballerina Ballplayer!

2010-06-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

I know I am partial but I must say that I was so amazed at how well Kyndal Grace played in her first year of.... TBALL!!!! She played for the Salem Angels and she was #11...(I am proud..that was my number when I played in highschool!) She absolutely loved playing ball...except for the fact that she got dirty!!! I couldn't help but laugh during her game because she had to get on her knee while grabbing a ball that was in play. After the play, she started wiping her knee off and then started complaining that her white pants were all dirty. Now if any of you know my daughter, then you know she is quite the girly girl! That is why I was so amazed that she played. But, dirtiness aside, she was a tough one. She always played her left field postion well and her coaches all talked about how well she played and that she did exactly what they said! I am so proud of her.

Fielding the ball

Getting ready to run to home plate!

Hitting

One proud mama!

Kyndal was really proud of playing ball this year and already can't wait until next year to play!

Kaitlyn also played and I will post about her awesome year as well in another post!

Flirty Apron Giveaway

2010-06-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

I found a new blog called Amy's Finer Things and she is giving away a pretty cool apron on Sunday! Click over to her page for a chance to win!

Flirty Apron Giveaway

Waiting

2010-06-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

The Waiting Room...Jonny Diaz

So a couple of weeks ago my family and I were told that my dad had cancer in his small intestine....Talk about your my world being shaken! I will never forget the numbness I felt inside. All I could do was cry! Thankfully, they were able to remove it and there was nothing found around the lymph nodes. We are now waiting for my dad to undergo chemotherapy and check for places elsewhere to see if the tumor originated anywhere else and then moved to the small intestine. In fact, it is very rare for this type of cancer to be in the small intestine.
I am asking all of you reading who are prayer warriors and have faith in God to be in prayer as my parents and us go through this journey. I am definetly in a situation that I have no control over. Not that it's a shocker to me or anything. Sometimes I like to think I am in control, but in reality God is in control of everything.
So, the other night as I was on my way home and praying and crying over dad's situation the radio announcer came on and talked about the song, "Waiting Room" by Jonny Diaz. I turned it up and thanked God for allowing this song to minister to me. I hope it touches you if you are going through a trial or not understanding God's plan right now.

Enjoy! Before you click make sure you scroll to the bottom of my page and silence my music I normally have playing!

Stranger

2010-06-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

Yes! I know, I have abandoned my blog now for a couple of months! Life has been absolutely CRAZY!!! Last week as I was visiting my parents, my mother reminded me that she hasn't seen anything on my blog. So I am trying to boot this up again....
So what better way to start than to send out some prayer requests!

Prayer needs:
1. This past month my dad had surgery and had 9 inches of his small intestine removed and it was confirmed he had cancer in that area. It is called Adenocarcinoma. I am asking that you keep him in prayer as we journey through this. He will have to have body scans done and also undergo chemotherapy. We are praying that it is nowhere else in his body because this cancer is very rare to be in the small intestine and hope it didn't start somewhere else only to move to the intestine.
2. For our mission trip! I can't belive that we are about 22 days away from going. Please pray for our team as we are finishing up prep work to go. I will be teaching along with a couple of the other women on the team about family one night. I will also help teach one night at our Ladies Night Out on beauty inside out. I am asking for clarity on exactly what God wants me to say.

Thanks for trying to keep up with my blog eventhough I abandoned it!!! I will try to post a lot more in the coming days and during my trip!

Spring Break!

2010-04-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

Ah, what a really wonderful week our family had over Spring Break! I will be sharing lots of things that we did! Stay tuned....

Southern Savers

2010-04-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

Southern Savers: "Redbox: Free Rental at Kroger
By Jenny · Comments 4 Enjoy a Free Movie night from any Redbox location at a Kroger. Use code DVDKROG to get a one night rental free.
Each code can be used one per credit card.
(thanks Deal Seeking Mom!)"

Resurrection...

2010-04-03T21:53:00.000-07:00

I love this video of Our Lord and Savior! Enjoy!

Our God..Chris Tomlin

2010-04-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

THis song from Chris Tomlin is one of the best praise songs that I have heard him do. Hope you enjoy!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2010-04-01T19:43:00.001-07:00

Here is something that I have always dreamed of owning.....ONE day...I told my husband our 14th anniversary is coming up this month and I think that a Mustang is what you give for 14 wedding anniversary presents! He just looked at me...oh well, I tried!
Seriously, as long as I have ever been given the right to drive I always wanted a Mustang. I have always driven a Ford car or van. But have never owned this sweet ride...
Our church had a car show last fall and one of the men showing his Shelby let me sit in the car and pretend that I was driving it!
I love a Mustang. I think I would look pretty cool riding around in this with three car seats, right! LOL! Seriously, I am perfectly content with my van...and it is paid for! Yea! Dave Ramsey would be proud!
One day, Shelby I will have you. I may be a grandmother, but one day....
What is your dream car?

From the mouth of a child

2010-04-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

I am so amazed sometimes by the wisdom that comes out of my children sometimes. We really need to stop and listen to what they have to say. I need to remind myself that sometimes I need to look at my faith,life, everything in the way that a child does. Adults make things way to complicated sometimes! I know, I overcomplicate everything! I feel like I have to have a plan, list, agenda...blah,blah, blah!

Well, God brought to my life my sweet daughter Kyndal...she is my "free-spirit", laid back, content, loud giggling, tooth missing little girl! She is so full of joy. She laughs about everything and everyone around the block hears that contagious giggle she has. Hubby and I have at times said that she could have been our little hippie flower child! She loves life! She is very compassionate. For example, one afternoon we were leaving the Kroger parking lot and Kyndal spotted a man who obviously was homeless. He was using long plastic sheets as a blanket. It was still snow on the ground, and he was walking away from our car. She immediately asked me if this man was homeless. I told her that he was and she started crying and said, "Mama, you have to pick him up and take him home!" Well, tears filled my eyes...I explained to her that because Daddy wasn' t with us that I couldn't just pick him up. She bawled and said, "But mama how can we help him? He might be hungry and cold?" I continued to tell her that we could try to give him some money for food and tell him how to get to the shelter. I became teary as well. A friend of mine came up with a great idea and I always forget to follow through on her idea. She makes up little lunch bags with applesauce, and other things that she hands out to someone who is homeless. She said she always felt guilty about not taking them to a shelter or having something to give them. I was impressed...because as a female it is dangerous to pick someone up these days.

Anyway, back to my story! As we were going down the road, she was still crying about the gentleman. I reminded her that eventhough we can't help everyone all the time, there are things that we can do to be the hands and feet of Christ. I continued to tell her that we give food to the shelter and water and we donate our clothes. I told her about giving our money to help missionaries. And that we should always pray for people who are hurting.

Later on that night, I was cleaning the kitchen and she brings her coat to me and with big alligator tears she tells me she wants to go find that man and give him her coat. I just cried too and praised God for such a compassionate child!

She has such a beautiful heart! She tells me that when she grows up she wants to be an artist. She draws and writes things all the time. I guess she is learning early what it means to keep her thoughts in a journal. Last night after we cuddled and tucked her into bed I picked up one of her notebooks and read it. I laughed and chuckled and then thanked God that she "gets it"so far as what it means to love Him.

Here are some things she wrote: "God loves me and I love him." "God,God,God..God is good,God is awesome,God is strawng (strong..lol), I love God and He loves me I pray. Amen." "I love you God." "God is my other Daddy." Now that last one is my favorite. The whole notebook is full of things about God. Then she has drawings of crosses as well as a letter to her sister about feeling better and to our dog Cody who really needs to learn to behave!

I thank God every day for her and my other two kids. I am so blessed that they already have a heart for God and compassion for others. I can't wait to see what God is going to do with their life!

Kyndal Grace

2010-03-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

If yo get a moment please watch this video of Zac Smith. I saw this on Kelly's Corner blog. Get out your tissues. To God be the glory!
http://vimeo.com/9796056

A most special man

2010-03-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is my grandmother..AKA Sally Field!

My grandfather, Thad.

Today is such a sweet day! This picture is of my grandfather Thad Browder Today would have been his 74th birthday. I had the most special relationship with him. You see, even though my grandparents were not perfect people they always made sure that the grandchildren knew they were loved. He loved Grammy with all his heart and he was always about family. I was among one of the most fortunate one of the grandchildren because I was able to share a lot of my life with them because they lived closer to our family than the rest of my cousins or aunts. Plus I was older. My other cousins are a little younger than me and were so young when he died they they were not able to share as many things with him before he died.As far back as I can remember they have always, and I mean always were there for any birthday party, school function, whatever...My Grammy still continues on this tradition and she has such a huge amount of grand kids and great grand kids. As the Proverbs say, She is so blessed..what a legacy Grammy has.

Gran-gran as I have always called him went to be with the Lord my junior year in high school..I remember the day as if it were yesterday. About nine months earlier he was diagnosed with a brain tumor called a glioblastoma. Which means budding tumor. It would increase in size every few weeks. Sadly, the doctors gave us devastating news that there was no cure, but surgery would only buy us precious time. I was actually at a softball practice when my dad came and pulled me off the field. I remember being so shocked that it was here. I don't think that you ever are able to cope with losing someone just because you are given a notice that they do not have long to live. If it were not for my Health Occupations teacher that year I would have failed 11th grade. I was so devastated that my grandfather would not be there. I was not a believer in Christ at that time, so I remember being angry and bitter toward any mention about God during those times. I remember praying to God, but angry because God wouldn't heal this great man. But when I became a christian I let those feelings go and realized that God has a plan that he is weaving together. I honestly feel that in some way with my grandfather passing away had a part in my journey to seek our Heavenly Father. One of the most honorable things I was able to do for my gran-gran was I had a letter published in a book that I had written to him about how sad I was to let him go but that it was ok. Because of that they did a special on him and the book at our local television station. That was precious to me! Now, I look back and see that God did hear my prayer and heal him. He is no longer suffering or in pain. It wasn't my idea of healing but it was God's way of ultimately healing him.

We had a very unique relationship. When I was young I remember going to his house and him playing and chasing me around the house. He would always say, "Last one to the car, loves Tracy Vaughn." Now don't ask me who Tracy Vaughn is...it was some inside joke that has always been some what a tradition in our family to say when we were playing around. He would always pretend he wouldn't see me in his favorite chair and sit on me and say, "Where is Amy Sue?" And I would just giggle....We would go down to the Fast Fare and he would buy either M&M's or Mickey Mouse popsicles! To this day I love M&M's and when I got married in honor of my grandfather Hilton gave me a bag of M&M's after they pronounced us husband and wife. On any given Saturday he would come by our house and pick me up and take me to the beauty shop and get my hair done. When I turned 13 he came by the house one afternoon and told my mom he was taking me to go buy makeup. Not just down to Wal-mart and buy Cover girl. He wanted me to have the best. We went down to Belks and he walked up to the Clinique counter and told the lady he wanted all the stuff from cleansers to eyeshadow for me. My eyeshadow was a baby blue and I had pink blush! LOL! Did we all wear blue at that age? Several times I remember him coming to my house picking me up and taking me to my most favorite store... Maurices! Not only did he buy me like a dozen outfits but they also had the jewelry, socks, and shoes to match with each outfit... Now Hilton should know why my love language is gifts!!!!! The most special thing that he did for me was after he was diagnosed he had my grandmother put back some money to save for the prom dress of my dreams my senior year. Unfortunately, he never saw me in it...but it was beautiful...white and sleeveless...I looked like a princess!

Ok,ok...yes I was spoiled! He did it to me...poor Hilton...LOL! I have so many wonderful memories. Not only during those trips was it about giving me gifts, but we also had "talks". With anything I ever struggled with I always felt like I could share them with him. Who knew that God knew what he was doing when he gave me a grandfather to give me such wise advice when it came to handling people. He never knew that I met a fella named Hilton who was going to be a preacher. I have always taken the advice he gave me and still practice it today. One such advice..."Say hello to everyone you meet." "Smile at everyone and treat them the way you want to be treated." The list could go on and on!

My Grammy has stuck to tradition and carries out the job with making sure our family is taken care of. She is a strong woman and I treasure the things that she has brought to my life. I know she loves and misses her husband every day. Sometimes when we are together we will say, "If Gran-gran were here, he would fix this issue..." She is such an inspiration and even though she can't always now be at every function all the children in the family are involved with, I know she wishes she could. We are all spread out the U.S. now. But it never fails, she ALWAYS has a Hallmark card in the mail to every grandchild at every holiday. And it is always signed XOXOXOXOXOXO Love, Grammy. My daughter Kyndal Grace laughs every time and says, " I know this is from Grammy because of the XO!" She is a spunky lady and I call her Sally Field. She takes care of her family and you are not allowed to hurt anyone in her family unless you want to deal with her. She is fashionable and loves Liz Claiborne. I hope I have her wonderful genes and still look so young when I am around her age. She lets the children pull out every Disney movies she has in the house and never raises her voice to them while they are tearing up. She was there for every birth of my children. I thought that when I was having Kaitlyn she was going to get kicked out of the hospital because they were just not doing enough for my pain! I laugh so hard thinking about that. That is why I call her Sally Field...(She reminds me of her in Steel Magnolias) One of the most comforting times I remember her there was after Caleb was born he was in critical condition at the NICU and it was dark outside. I had been crying and was so tired and in so much pain. My parents, and Hilton's family were there. I happened to look up and there was Grammy with my two aunts coming to be with me. Just me! To help me. I am so blessed with a great family!

As for now.....

I know he would have loved watching me on my wedding day marry the man I love. Or for the birth of my children. I know he would have loved to watch my other cousins and my brother getting married. I know without a doubt he would have been overwhelmed with joy and tears of all the great grandchildren he would have had to love on...and possibly would have treated my daughters the same way as he treated me. He would have pulled some of us and my other family back into a reality check when we messed up. Not in an ugly way, but more like a gentle tug while holding on to us tightly...just as our Heavenly Father does. He had a way to just fix things.

For some reason, God needed him on March 30,1994. I know without a doubt we will see him again! I can't wait. I will see him and our precious child, Bailey,that we lost 5 years ago.

Gift...of an Ordinary Day!

2010-03-16T20:01:00.001-07:00

A friend sent this to me...I needed a good cry! Tears have such a healing effect! Get your Kleenex out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0

Prayer for a sister in Christ

2010-03-16T18:34:00.001-07:00

This is what I love about being a Christian! You see, I may not always personally know a person that I am praying for but God knows the person and the circumstances always! Well dear friends in Christ I am asking you to lift this family I am getting ready to talk about in prayer. I am a reader of Kelly's Korner and her most recent post stated:

"Can you please pray for a family in AR. The husband is a pastor in a small town and they have three children. Yesterday the youngest - a 3 yr old boy - was diagonosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. They go to AR children's hospital tomorrow to determine stage and treatment options. They need our prayer."

Well, this immediately caught my attention...being in the ministry as well my heart is always leaning immediately to others who are in the same "shoes" as my husband and I. My heart is broken for this family. As the post stated they will have a tough day tomorrow...But Our Father is there with them.

If you don't mind would you take a moment and just pray....

Here is the blog to this family if you would like to leave a comment for them or to be updated...

www.harperhouse4.blogspot.com

God bless you all!

Top 10 things I love about my husband!

2010-03-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine named Sarah at this blog....http://www.jjjourney.blogspot.com/, challenged her fellow blog friends to do a top 10 of their husbands! She had such sweet things to say about her fella! It inspired me to do one for Hilton...Bless his heart... I rarely post things about him, and I need to do it more. I challenge you to do it to friends!

So hear goes... Drum roll please! LOL!

10. Hilton is probably the most humble person you will ever meet. He does not covet possesions and he is very content with what God has given him.
9. He loved me way before I would even give him the time of day! Hey...before you judge you have to understand that I was very young...18!!! And I thought..."What does a preacher want with me?" Let's just say I wasn't born with a "sign" that said "YOU WILL BE A PREACHER'S WIFE!!!!" LOL! I laugh at the thought that God had ordained a long time ago about bringing us two together...He has a sense of humor...
8. Hilton is a great daddy...He loves his girls and son. He takes up time with them and seems to be more patient with them at times. I love especially watching him with the girls. Nothing like a daddy and his girls. They adore him. He makes sure that he takes time with them individually regardless of how hectic his schedule is.
7. He is loving and compassionate about our marriage, our kids, our future dreams. He dreams big!!! HE knows with God anything is possible!
6. He is my "rock". At times when I am feeling like I am about to have a meltdown, he knows how to comfort me and calm me down. He is the quiet one...(except when he is preaching) Lol! I am the loud one in the family. He reacts calmly...I don't!
5. To me, he is the best looking preacher I know! I love watching him up at the pulpit...He burns with a love for the Lord and telling others about being set free. I love watching him take care of his "flock" at our church.
4. He is not afraid to help clean the house and take turns taking care of our children. He comes home from a long day and still helps me out...
3. Hilton loves his parents and family very much. He respects them and never tries to cause problems within his family. He loves my parents and my family as well. He is constantly praying for them..
2. He is an awesome husband and he spoils me...more than I deserve!!!!!!! He tries to demonstrate his love for me the way Christ demonstrates His love for the church!
1. He loves the Lord with all his heart mind and soul!

Apologies

2010-03-13T07:39:00.000-08:00

It is a beautiful spring like day up here in the mountains of Virginia! I am so looking forward to Spring. It represents such things as life, new birth. It especially holds a most important time for us to reflect what Chirst has done for us. He DIED for our sin. Sometimes I think we don't take into full account exactly what HE did. The bible states he was marred beyond recognition! WoW!

He bore every sin of the world on his shoulders. He died a horrific death...but it doesn't end there...He ROSE on the third day. We have been made new. It is so sad that people reject him. I read a lot and unfortunately a lot of people are so turned off of loving God, because of religion. They believe you have to follow certain rules and the christian life is boring, or hypocritical. Being a christian is not being religious. It is about having a relationship...excuse me, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIOP with our Father in heaven. It doesn't mean we are to not ever mess up...I mess up every day! I think, do and say things I shouldn't all the time. I am very far from being perfet. I have not arrived...but I do strive to be more like Christ.

This morning after breakfast as a family we had a morning devotional together. Or at least we tried to have a morning devotional. With three kids and a dog it can be crazy at times trying to share devotional time! My son who is 4, doesn't quite understand but I know "seeds" are being planted. My daughters, however do listen and some of the devotionals are at times a little hard but I know if I keep reminding them about the Lord one day it will all click! As for the dog, Cody, he is a distraction...he wants to bark right as we are reading or asking questions. At times I get discoraged and think that it's impossible to do devotions with our family, but I don't give up! I know it is important to talk with our family all the time, and have teachable moments with them about our relationship with the Lord. Anyway, back to this mornings devotional....

It was about self righteousness...Have we ever just done things, good things but our motives for them were wrong? Whoa! That one it hard with me....I am guilty of this! In case you need to understand more about self righteousness here is what the devotional said about it. It comes from a devotional book we have called, Dinner Table devotionals from Nancy Guthrie....Self righteousness is the list inside our heads of what we've done or who we are that makes us acceptable to God, and certainly, we think, better than the average person around us.

Our church attendance, our donations to charity, when we think about how "other" people needed to hear that sermon or fix their own lives, rather than seeing our own need for repentance....Um, I am so guilty! You see sometimes we only apologize to God for the bad things we have done. But do we ever ask for forgiveness for the "good" things we do? Do we do things with the right attitude? Or do we do things so others in the church will see what "good"things we have done. If we do things with the right heart then we don't need special recognition...now don't get me wrong...I think it is appropiate at times to be encouraged, but if all we look forward to is a pat on the back when we do things, then we have done it for the wrong reason. It is my desire to always do things for others and not expect anything in return. Boy, I have been so guilty for doing things with the wrong motive! Even with my family....You see, Isaiah 64:6 says, We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. The opposite of self righteousness is dependance on the righteousness of Jesus...that is given to us to make us acceptable to God.

In my own life I do desire to give and do things for others. I love to help people. My heart prayer though is that I get out of the way and let God's righteousness shine rather than my own!

I will leave you with this last scripture to ponder on...

Romans 10:3

They don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

Facebook | 2010 Dominican Republic Missions Team

2010-03-10T15:47:00.000-08:00

Facebook 2010 Dominican Republic Missions Team: "We are hosting a golf tournament at Roanoke Country Club on Saturday, May 22 with a shotgun start at 1:00. All proceeds will benefit the 2010 Dominican Republic Missions Team from Bethel Baptist Church.

Contact the church office (540-389-2376) to register for the tournament.Golf Tournament
A fun way to raise some funds for the DR missions trip
Time:1:00PM Saturday, May 22nd
Location:Roanoke Country Club"

Facebook | 2010 Dominican Republic Missions Team

2010-03-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

Facebook 2010 Dominican Republic Missions Team: "Support the missions team going to the Dominican Republic.

We will be hosting a chili luncheon on Sunday, March 21 after the morning worship service. 'Family Ties' will be providing music entertainment during the event. You can also sign up to compete in the chili cookoff contest - with winners chosen in 3 categories.

Yo...u can purchase tickets through the church office or after services on Sundays.

Cost if purchased by March 14:
$5/person ($20 max per family)

Cost if purchased by March 21:
$7/person ($25 max per family)

Meal includes bowl of basic chili, toppings, cornbread, dessert and drink. Optional hot dog meal for kids. Kids 5 and under are free.See More
Chili Cookoff & Luncheon
Time:12:30PM Sunday, March 21st"

Dominican Republic

2010-03-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

So, as I stated in one of my recent posts, that I am stepping out of my comfort zone...I guess I need to inform some of you what I am talking about.

First of all, if you know me well...you know I do not FLY...I have flown from RDU to Nashville..total flight time 1hour and 20 minutes...I did actually fly this route twice. Once with my hubby to the Southern Baptist Convention and once with a group of friends to a CareNet Conference.

Well, our Worship Pastor, Gregg Randolph and his sweet wife Jess have been showing all these wonderful pics of their mission work in the DR. Well, I immediately felt God calling me to take a mission trip. Funny how God works...It is hard to explain the feeling of being urged to agree to go. AGAIN, I DO NOT FLY!!!!!!!!! But, no matter what I was doing God continually has been working on me to go. I have recently been studying through the book of Exodus and even in that sweet book, I felt God telling me to GO! I, of course was being like Moses and telling God about all the reasons that I couldn't go! LOL! He always amazes me. So, I told Gregg to sign me up, and hurry and buy the airline ticket or I am backing out! HA! Also, the coolest part of all is that one week after being obedient, my trip was PAID IN FULL!!!! Wow! How cool is that! It really pays to listen to our Father...It is a 4 hour flight, but we actually will fly out of RDU(Raleigh Durham) and fly to Miami, then have a layover and fly to the DR. I think I can handle this! We will have a break in the flight, and I will be able to touch the ground in Miami!

I really am excited! It is definetly something new for me! I have never done a mission trip! I am asking God to break my heart and prepare me for this time. Will you please add the mission team to your prayers. We appreciate it! Our trip will be June 25-July 3rd. I will keep you posted on our preparations! We have lots to do before then. I also hope to blog some on my trip!

Below are the names of the others on the mission team.....I am excited that I am able to go on this trip with Hilton. WE have never done this as a couple. He has been on a mission trip to Capetown, South Africa.....in case you didn't know...that is a 19 hour flight! I am not quite ready for that one yet...maybe one day! HA!

2010 Missions Team (L-R) - Pat Myers, Phyllis Hunsley, Hilton Jeffreys, Amy Jeffreys, Bryan Hunsley, Sarah Balser, Gregg Randolph, Jessica Randolph

If you click on the link below you will see a pic of the team! Also, you can click to be kept up to date on the trip!
Thanks!

2010 Dominican Republic

My first baby is now almost a MIDDLE SCHOOLER!

2010-03-09T16:44:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? My oldest, Kaitlyn just out of the blue (not really,haha) has grown up! It has hit me hard in the past month that she is almost done being a 5th grader. She is almost as tall as I am! Which doesn't mean a lot since I am only 5'2! She came in on Monday and told me about how the guidance counselor came in and talked to all the 5th graders about how middle school was going to be. Little tears formed in my eyes as she was telling me. It just seemed like yesterday that she was my newborn and I was holding her in my arms and dreaming about what she would be like.

I am still praying and dreaming for her. Praying that she will always follow God and have a tender heart for the those in need. I dream that she does well in her life and won't endure hard times. But, I know hard times will come, so my prayer is that she will lean on Him during those times. I also pray and dream of her future spouse and pray he is a God fearing man. If only marriages could still be arranged! LOL!

I am posting a pic now of her 5th grade Beach Day. It was a great day and my mom got to come down and spend the day with us. It was so much fun! We had a blast watching the kids dance and play around!

These are the times that I wish life would SLOW DOWN! Don't you? As the singer, Trace Adkins puts it...You're gonna miss this...You're gonna wish those days didn't go by so fast... I already miss those preschooler days with her. Her cute little pigtails flying away in the wind while she is swinging on the tire swing. I miss her mispronouncing words like 'spaghetti', to where it sounds like "sketti", and saying Stokland Neck instead of Scotland Neck. HA! I miss some of the innocence she has. I look back and at the time those early years in her life seemed so HARD! But compared to things now they were the easy days!

Hold your children longer...one day they will be gone and you will miss it!

Deserted!!!!

2010-03-09T16:28:00.001-08:00

Oh my! Where have I been?? I have deserted my blog...since September!!!!!
I really want to stay current on this thing..just finding the time is hard!
Anyway, for those of you who still may occasionally look on here to see what we are up to....
We have a had a very busy winter!
Kaitlyn has finished basketball for Salem Rec! Her team did great! They came in second in the playoffs here.
Kyndal is doing great too and has bloomed in her reading skills. She is now getting ready to start tball!
Caleb, went back in Jan. to Duke to have a food challenge on his peanut...for those of you who may not know, Caleb has been in a study for almost two years now. They pretty much try to get his immune system to accept the peanut protein. His therapy?? Well, it' s pretty easy...everyday he gets 8 drops of this liquid peanut protein placed under his tongue. Anyway, back to his food challenge...DRUM ROLL!!!!!! He passed it! Which means that right now his body will accept him having up to 8 peanuts. We are still not allowed to give him peanut butter right now...we just know that in case he were to have an accidental injestion that in small amounts he wouldn't...well...die! We will go back in July for another challenge to see if he can handle up to the equivalent of 16 peanuts..will keep you posted!
I will also try to post in the near future about some new and exciting things that are going on for Hilton and I. I have definetly stepped out of my comfort zone on one of them!
Keep us in your prayers!

Goodbye Summer....Hello Fall!

2009-09-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

So, where did summer go? I blinked and it was gone! It is so hard for me to believe that it is September! Wow! The weather here has even started to change....This morning as I was leaving to go to the gym my thermometer said it was 58 degrees! Today was so cool and I kept my windows up! It was wonderful! The coolness is bringing to mind of the FALL! I love the fall! The leaves changing colors, pumpkin farms, mums, pumpkins, Harvest Parties! It is especially beautiful where I am because we live in the mountains. On crisp mornings when the sky is clear it is extremely peaceful and serene here. God is a beautiful Creator...He created so many beautiful things for us to look at here on Earth and recognize His Magnificent Ways!
Next week, my kids will start school. This my oldest's last year and then it's off to middle school! It's hard for me to believe. So I leave you with a little pic of one last swim for summer!

Revelation

2009-08-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

Here recently God has been really dealing with me and how I can reach others. I came over to the blog world just really has a casual fun thing to do. But I have been so inspired by many other bloggers to really use this not only to help family and friends know what we are up to....But also to use this as a tool for Him. So I would like to try to introduce to you on Thursdays a new devotional, or Bible verse or some nugget of wisdom that God has revealed to me. I also would like to use this for anyone who would like a prayer request or praise. I am also hoping that more ladies from Bethel who I have not had the full opportunity yet to really get to know will travel over here and get to know the pastor and his family better!
I am hoping that this blog will be an uplifting and Spirit filled, Inspired By God blog! The more I become involved in ministry the more I realize that there are so many folks out there hurting emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Wow! It amazes me how many people we may pass by each day and not realize the pain they are tormented with. And you know, sometimes if we take the moment to let them know we care for them and even talk to them about Jesus, that could be a life changing event for some. You never know who you might touch!
I love to encourage people and I will be honest.... I love it when people encourage me. It makes you feel good that someone cares.
Here are a few of my favorite ideas that I have done in the past. Leave a comment to let me know some of the things you may have done to help others.
1. If you are a drive thru at a fast food restaurant, pay for the person 's mealin the car behind you.
2. Let a mom with young children ahead of you in line....ok, quick change of subject....I don't mean to go on a soap box, but that is a little pet peeve of mine at different events. If you see a young mom, especially if she is by herself, let her in line first or better HELP HER!!!!!! They would appreciate it!
3. When you have someone to deliver great customer service to you, call the manager and let them know. They get enough negativity.
4. Send you mother in law a card on your husband/wife's birthday and thank them for raising their spouse.
5. Let a church leader in your church know you are praying for them and love them. By the way, Pastor Appreciation Month is in October. Now I know I am married to a pastor, so don't think that I am reminding you so we will get gifts! LOL! Seriously, the best gift you could give your pastor is to encourage him, and also show your devotion and love for Christ. I know it pleases my husband so much when he sees others working for the Lord and doing what God has called them to do. We enjoy the eternal things, and not the material things!
6. Send someone who is sick a card or email letting them know how much you love them!

A couple of things I want to ask prayer for:
1. Our church, Bethel Baptist as we are going through the new transition....we are starting two services in a couple of weeks. We are growing and need more room.
2. For us to become more mission focused and that we as a church reach out to our community to help with needs. I am excited by some of the opportunities.
4. For my husband, who needs prayer in getting everything he needs to get done with the ministry here in Salem. We love it here, but at times the work can be overwhelming! For those of you who know him, he really truly wants to be there for everyone and he tries hard! He takes it hard when he can't be at two surgeries or something at once. I don't mean to brag but he really has a compassionate heart for people and loves them.
And for the other pastor's on staff and their families....our Worship pastor Gregg and Jessica Randolph and son, Dawson, Our youth pastor Chris and Sheilia Clowser and daughter, Sam and son, Cameron, Pastory of Care Ivey Adams and his wife, and for David and our Preschool Director Kelley Reese and son, Gavin. Especially loft up our preschool... we are now a 5 day a week school and they are trying to get everything done before we go back in Sept!
5. For several families, the Rowe family who lost a newborn, the Holmquist family who's 3 year old was in a accident at her home and is in serious condition and fighting for her life,for the Ramey family whose twins drowned....
6. Our sponsor child, Ana Elisabeth/
Thank you for taking the time to pray and also for reading my blog!
God bless!
For anyone interested....our church website is: www.bethelbaptistva.com

A Rare Moment!

2009-08-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

What in the world?? Know there is nothing wrong with your eyes! For those of you who know the Jeffreys girls sisters you know that there is definetly some sibling rivalry going on......ALL THE TIME! But, I just so happened to have my camera out at a rare moment, and SNAP I took a picture.

They were laughing and carrying on, and it made me so happy they were showing love to one another. Kaitlyn is such a big sister and I was thankful she was getting Kyndal ready, for whatever...who knows in Kyndal's life. She is always getting ready for something. She is a diva!

I love how Kaitlyn is trying to tell Kyndal in this picture to pucker her lips out so she can apply lipstick!

My prayer is that they will always be close!

Big Boy

2009-08-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

My baby is all grown up!!!!! Where has the time gone! We are officially a diaper free family! That's right, Caleb has graduated to underwear. Lightning McQueen to be exact. We are so proud of him for being so smart about pottying.

I have a confession.... I was dreading potty training him. He is a little on the strong will side...but he was very submissive to potty training. We didn't even use but a few pull ups, and he now sleeps with underwear.

What a big boy!!!!

I have a cute story to go along with this though. For a couple of weeks, he would only "pee pee" sitting down. This past week though, everytime he has to go potty he says, "I wanna pee pee wike Daddy!" Now it may not sound funny to you all reading this, but when you have a whole room full of people and he says this you can't help but laugh a little!

It's amazing to me how much he has changed in the past year.

I am asking for all of my prayer warrior friends to say a little prayer for him though. We are still continuing our Duke immunotherapy for his peanut allergy. His first year is almosy up and in November we will start reviewing his results. It's hard to believe it has been a year. We go back in two weeks to up his dose! I will post more on this later!

Caleb and daddy!

A World Vision!

2009-08-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

As a follower of Christ, I always have a desire to want to go out and do ministry and help others. My personality strives to help those who are hurting and are in need of help. It breaks my heart when I hear of precious souls who are starving, in need of clothes, or a place to sleep. Especially when it comes to sweet little children. I have gone to sleep many times crying over hearing about a child who has been hurt, or is starving, or in just a terrible situation. It makes me hold my children a little closer and give them an extra hug or kiss. I remind myself that God knows the needs and has His hands and plan over the lives of those who are suffering. He is an awesome God, and though we don't always see the "full" picture we don't understand why people have to go through horrific ordeals. My hubby explains it best. Long before we met, when he lived in High Point, NC he worked for a Oriental rug store. They were well known for their rug making and years later as a pastor he was able to relate God to the art of rugmaking.

In a particular sermon he preached about how we don't always understand why we go through trials and tribulations. (I will try to get this out right!) He said we don't always see the "full" picture like God does. He knows the plans he has for us! Jer 29:11 is one of my favorite verses, by the way. Hilton said it is kind of like rug making. He had the opportunity to watch the men that he worked for repair a very nice expensive rug one day that had this huge hole in it. He said that the men had all the material all pulled up and it was chaotic and very messy looking. He was thinking how in the world can this rug be fixed. It is an ugly mess. The men cut and rethreaded, cut, mended, cut, and etc....He later returned to what he thought was still going to be a twisted knotted up MESS only to find that the rug had been restored back to a beautiful and wonderful rug again! Wow! That's how God works. Sometimes we don't understand why in the world people are hurting and suffering, or why we go through horrific situations ourselves. But, my faith tells me that God is up to making something beautiful out of the situation. Even when I go through a trial, there are times that I don't feel like praising Him, but He is still faithful.

Which brings me to my point about A World Vision! You see we love kids...if I could I would have a house of about 10! Ok, maybe...but anyway, back in May, we attended a Casting Crowns concert, and Mark Hall, the band leader, talked about World Vision....ok, so for those of you who don't know what World Vision is....Well. let me quote them.... "World Vision works in nearly 100 countries around the world in partnership with children, families, and communities in need to address the causes of poverty. We help people obtain sustainable acess to clean water, nourishing food, basic health care, educational opportunities, and economic development assistance as and expression of our faith and our desire to model the unconditional love of Jesus." Well my heart just immediately knew we were to sponsor a child. We really felt God was leading us to do this. We are sponsoring a little girl who is 10 that lives in Chile named Ana Elisabeth! She is beautiful. We give $30 a month and we automatically have it drafted form the account so I don't forget to send a monthly check. You see, when we are helping her, we are also helping the community she lives in. 87% of the money that is given to World Vision goes to benefit the children and families in need. Only 8% is is used for fundraising and 5% for management. The really neat thing is tha we have received a letter from our sweet Ana. We also have written her and we can send small little gifts to her. Another thing that we hope to do one day is we have the opportunity to go and visit her...of course, we have to get clearance and be approved from World Vision to make sure the children are protected. You know, to our family $35 is like going out to a restaurant and eating a meal. That is not a big deal to us. But to Ana and other children it makes a world of difference. In their chaotic mess that a lot of these children live in, God is doing wonderful things! People are getting their needs met, and children are able to be healed from disease and have clean water, and attend school, and they are meeting for the first time OUR SAVIOR, JESUS!I am very excited to be a part of this Kingdom Work....
So, if any of you are interested in learning more about World Vision, just let me know. I have been blessed in so many ways already by giving! P.S. I don't even miss the $30! We hope to be able to sponsor another child one day soon...we would like to sponsor one from Africa....hopefully maybe Capetown...that is where Hilton went last year and he has such a heart for the people there! I can tell he misses them....
I leave you with this verse: "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:5

Precious Memories

2009-08-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

Family

Nana and the girls

My parents and grandparents/this is my dad's parents

Gran-gran and me

My grandparents country house

Caleb and gran-gran

Kyndal and gran-gran

I posted this one because this is what I did when I was little! Everyone says she is the spitting image of me! I couldn't find the pic of me in time to post, but it definetly looks like me!

Holding my nana's hand!

Isn't it amazing how things can just trigger a memory? A smell, or a song, even a photgraph can all of a sudden make your brain process a memory that was at one time hidden in that complex organ. This past weekend Hilton and I made a quick trip home to mom and dad's. For one reason, my parents kept the three kids for a week and we came home to get them and spend a little time with our family. Secondly, my grandparents, aka, Gran-Gran and Nana are not in the best of health. It saddens me so much because I remember how active they were not too long ago. They worked in their huge garden, traveled to the beach, went on church trips, etc. Now it is a huge task for them to just go from one room to another or to get out of a chair. Nana is on oxygen and my gran-gran's heart, well, not very much of it works well anymore.

I know, I know, that this is life....unfortunatley. It just saddens me...but I am thankful to know that they do love the Lord and that one day they will no longer suffer when they are present with the Lord. I know that we must all go through the valley of the shadow of death, and we must suffer in this world, and God will provide us comfort when we mourn for our loved ones. But...it has always been very difficult for me to watch a loved one slowly pass.

My grandparents, (who are the ones by the way that caused my addiction to coffee)were the ones who spoiled me ROTTEN!!! I was the first grandchild to be born onmy dad's side and we lived beside them for a while/ I could do no wrong! I traveled with them and went to the beach all the time in the camper with them. Almost every Friday night I was with them.

Well we visited with them this weekend as I don't live as close anymore to just "hop in the car" and go see them. We are now about four hours away now. Well I immediately had memories flooding back....and I shared them with my kids and oh, how my heart was filled with joy of all the memories, but sad with grief that things are so different. For instance, I told my girls that on the fron porch of the house is where I would play games with my cousins and then daydream who I was going to marry. I showed them different things that I remembered about the house and things we would do. Like we would play church in the front room and I would always be the PREACHER!!!! I was the oldest so that's how I got to be the pastor! LOL!... I chuckled as I was telling this one because that must be how I met and married a pastor! God was even preparing me back then! :) Eating Raisin Bran every night as a snack with gran-gran, shelling butterbeans and peas, helping in the garden, playing school and waitress in the back of the house, doing chores with nana, and loving the smell of peach preserves on buttered toast and coffee percolating in the morning, riding home on Friday nights with my gran-gran as when he got off work at Rightmeyer and riding in his red truck. Oh, and going to Winn Dixie and buying eggs on Saturday morning visits to town. They live out in Aurelian Springs...most of you have probaly bever heard of it. It's about 15 minutes from Roanoke Rapids and you only went to town once a week! LOL! Oh I could go on and on!!!!

I really enjoyed sharing these memories and taking lots of pics to start new memories with my kids. I don't know how much longer I will have them but I want to cherish each moment I am able to have. i enocurage you all to cherish everyone in your family and take the time to go see family...especially if you haven't seen them in a long time. It will warm your soul and you will receive such a blessing by taking the time. Life is too short and time flies quickly! So enjoy!

2009-08-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

A Sweet Wedding

This is Megghan Lawrence. (Now Megghan Jones.) Anyway, she just recently got married and the girls and I had the honor of being in it! I was a bridesmaid, (the oldes one, I might add,hee) and Kaitlyn and Kyndal were flower girls. It was a sweet ceremony. The sweet bride and groom sang to each other! Megghan is like a little sister to me. She sings on the praise team with me and also plays on the Bethel softball team. As I said she should have been my little sister. We have a lot of likes....purses, bows, zebra print, singing, loving God,love softball....oh, the list could go on!

Well, as all of you know I cry at the drop of a hat....well this wedding definetly had plenty of puddles of tears. They are a precious couple....Oh, I forgot to mention the groom!!!! Zack Jones....he is a dear heart and you can tell he loves his bride. He also sings and plays the guitar and plays softball for the Bethel men.

It's going to be wonderful to see this couple grow in their love and faith in God!

Enjoy some of the pics I could snap....If I could have hid my camera behind my flowers during the ceremony I would have....but it was not possible!!!

The Beautiful Bride

Kyndal was very excited. Isn't she just beautiful?

Oh my....a beautiful young lady! It hit me hard that Kaitlyn is growing up too fast!

Me and the girls! Whew, the dress fit! LOL!

The happy couple!

Mr. and Mrs. Zack Jones!

Behind!!!1

2009-07-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

I know, I know!!!!! I haven't written in a while! It's been crazy around here! Sorry! I promise to be better! HA! Please look soon for more posts!!!!

Kelley's Party

2009-06-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from a birtday party that some of us did for Kelley! She never had a surprise party, so some of us decided to give her one! I can't believe we pulled it off! ha! Here are just a few pics that we took. And there were lots of giggles! Kelley really had no idea....She actually thought I was meeting with her because I needed to talk to her about something! Joke's on her!

We had a great time.

For those of you who don't know who Kelley is she is the preschool director at our church. She loves on the babies and kids in the hall. She was also a great help to us when we moved to Salem, because I had no idea where we were! I didn't even know where Walmart was....now that is bad! She is a great friend and I appreciate all the things that she does!

Lisa, Heather, me
Amber, Kelley, Teresa

The Birthday girl!

Some of the Randolph family

2009-06-11T05:33:00.000-07:00

This is not such a good pic of my son! He ate cake and I took this before I was able to clean his face! HA! If you know Caleb it is hard to get him to be still for a camera!

Anyway, this is Jessica and her husband Gregg is our Worship Pastor at Bethel. They just came to minister to the Bethel family in February. We have been very blessed by the many things that Gregg is doing with our choir, and Praise Team. Jessica is a nurse and she also plays the flute! She has a servant's heart and a vey humble spirit. I am so excited to have them here. They have a son named Dawson and he is a great kid! He is one and very precious! I unfortunately didn't get a pic of Gregg. He was also taking pics where we were at and I never got the chance to take one! Until I am able to, you can just come worship with us and see him leading worship! LOL!

We have been blessed beyond measure by all the staff at Bethel and their families.

Caleb and Jess...sorry about the messy face!

Dawson

A wedding....

2009-06-11T05:20:00.000-07:00

In September, my brother is getting married to Tammy Boyd. She went to highschool with me and we were in the band together. She also played the flute. This is a pic that I took of them at a cookout that we went to while we were visiting my family in NC. The kids instantly fell in love with her and she seems to have bonded well with my parents and of course Richard. The important thing most of all is that she really loves my nephews Tre' andBraiden. I pray that they will have a great wedding and marriage... I will get to be a bridesmaid and Kaitlyn is a jr. bridesmaid and Kyndal is a flower girl! Can't wait to see them in their dresses.

Quick trip to NC!

2009-06-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

I got to go home to North Carolina for a few days back in May! Me and the kids had so much fun seeing our sweet friends from Scotland Neck! Kaitlyn's friend Olivia was having a birthday party when we went home so we got to play outside and fellowship. Here are a few pics of some of the kiddos that we love back in good 'ol NC! We went home to also see my family and went to a cookout for my brother and his future bride Tammy! I will post something about that soon! While I was in NC, some of my sweet girlfriends and sisters in Christ went out to eat and catch up on life! It was so much fun! We went to TGIFridays, and then to Dunkin Donuts! And yes we had coupons! ha! I loved catching up! The next morning we were able to visit Dawson Church and hug on our sweet Dawson family. It was great to visit and spend some time with my BFF Charlene!Below are just some pics of the kids! Aren't they precious!

Caleb...bubbles! He said, " Wook mommy! "
My bestfriends child, Emma Kate! She is hilarious!

My sweet friend, Sugar's child! His name is Luke and he is a sweet baby!

Madelyn and Kyndal on the trampoline! Madelyn is Charlene's middle girl and she is a doll! Madelyn is Kyndal's Idol! She talks about Madelyn all the time!

Bibbity Bobbity Boo!

2009-06-10T21:17:00.001-07:00

Kyndal Grace was in her second dance recital! She really loves dancing and doing ballet! I love watching her too! If you know my Kyndal you know singing and dancing is her thing! She is graceful for her age and she gets into her positions and makes sharp moves! We are so proud of her! Of course, I cried when I saw her! I hope this is something that she will continue to do throughout highschool!

Kyndal dancing on stage

Three friends who dance with Kyndal!

The princess!

I love this pic of her showing she has no teeth!

Kyndal Grace

Anniversary weekend in Charlottesville

2009-06-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

Mark Hall

Casting Crowns!!!

Michie's Tavern

Inside the Tavern

The food was excellent!!!!

Almost a month ago Hilton and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary! I know! Wow! It's hard to belive! I still love him and I enjoy being right beside him all the way in our ministry. While at times it can be demanding ministry is so wonderful and I can't imagine doing anything else! So anyway, We hardly ever go anywhere with out the kids and we went away for night to Charlottesville, Va! Ok... our actual anniversary is April 5....but we were so busy plus I got Hilton a really awesome present! We got to go see Casting Crowns in concert! That is one of our favorite groups! Now....they were not at all about putting on a performance.... it was a worship service!!!! That group is so REAL! I felt like I could just walk right up to them and start a conversation. They didn't even try to "sell" their tshirts and CDS! (Which is a major turnoff to me, when you have a commercial in the middle of your concert to sell something) Anyway, I didn't know this but the band leader, Mark Hall is still a full time youth pastor in GA! wow! In fact, everyone in the band is in youth ministry! Most of the songs that the group sings has a story behind them. Mark told us a few and it puts a whole new meaning to the song. The only thing that the Mark did talk about was how he and his family give money to World Vision. World Vision is a ministry that gives money to help kids in other countries. It is a legit ministry and most of the money that you donate to your child goes to them! Check it out! Our family has a little girl and we send money to the ministry to help her family. We have the kids involved in it and everything. Anyway that is another whole post! After the concert that night if you turned in your World Vision stuff then you got a "free" book that Mark wrote! It is about his testimony and also about the reasons behind some of those songs they sing! I have cried at everyone I have read so far! You should get the book!

Anyway, it was a much needed trip! We went down the day before the trip and went sight seeing and ate at a place called Michies Tavern! It was the best food! See pics! It was near Monticello and sat back in those Colonial Times. Then we went to downtown Charlottesville... it is a pretty neat city! We can't wait to go back! Here are a few pics!

2009-06-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Summer Break is almost here!
So I am trying to make a calendar for the kids and was wondering what are you doing with the kids? Please leave comments! I am wondering what sort of maybe "cheap" or "free things" you are doing!

2009-05-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

FREE BOWLING IN ROANOKE!

Not sure about this bowling alley but all summer long AMF Hilltop in Roanoke on Williamson Road is having a kids bow free event! Go to www.kidsbowlfree.com.

2009-05-29T20:06:00.000-07:00

Calling Target Shoppers!

So as you all know that I am becoming just a little too "obsessed" with the coupon thing! I can't helpit! My husband just laughed at me tonight when I came home from Target and took a picture to share with all of my friends! But it was such an awesome deal! First off, if you bought 5 boxes of Poptarts you got a target gift card for $5! Then I had coupons for all 5 boxes...which totaled them out to be only .83 cents a box! Woohoo! Then I bought diapers (didn't have a coupon but they were marked down to 6.99 a box, 3 samples of sunscreen that were all free after coupons, 2 men's body wash(free after coupons) and 4 boxes of cereal that only cost .99 cents each after coupons, and a box of velvetta mac and cheese that was .52 cents after couponsand lastly 2 bags of the Hershey's chocolate Bliss candies that after coupons were .99 cents a box!(They are normally $2.99 a bag!!!! Total cost.....drum roll.... after using the gift card it totaled to be $15.28! Not bad considering my diapers were almost 7 bucks alone!

Monticello

2009-05-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Monticello! I was able to go with the Kaitlyn's 4th grade class to tour Monticello and Ash-Lawn Highland as well! It was a pretty fun trip. I really learned a lot about Thomas Jefferson that I didn't know. The kids also had a great time. I have posted a few pics for you all to enjoy. In the picture with my Kaitlyn is her friend Morgan from school.The next week Hilton and I went back to Charlottesville for our anniversary and to see Casting Crowns in concert. Those pics will be posted soon! Anyway, Charlottesville is a pretty awesome place to go for a day trip or overnight stay

2009-05-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

COUPONS, COUPONS, COUPONS!!!!!
I must tell you all that I am into this coupon thing! I love coupons! I am saving so much money by learning the grocery game. It is so worth taking the time to find great deals and matching them with coupons! For example, In the past month I have gotten FREE Kraft BBQ Sauce, and Salad Dressing! Woo hoo! It is so much fun to go to the grocery store now and do this! Hopefully I will be able to continue on my journey to becoming the FRUGAL MOMMy I have always desired to be! hee!

What makes a home!

2009-05-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

My babies are growing up way too fast! This is out Easter pics! I can't believe that we actually got everyone smiling in this one! hee hee!

2nd attempt to blog!!!!

2009-05-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

So I am going to try the blog again! I am hoping that I can keep up with it better this summer. I look at other bloggers pages and think it is great to keep up with what everyone is doing.
Well Summer is upon us and I am looking for some free and fun things for the kids to do! If you have any ideas let me know! I am so glad summer is around the corner! Well I will post more soon!

1st day!

2008-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

So here is the first attempt to try to blog about our family!

We are getting very excited that the Thanksgiving Holiday is upon us! Here is a picture of the kids when we had Crazy Hair day at the church!

All about the Jeffreys

Fair Fun!

All Stars!

I Can Only Imagine

Character of Caleb

Feedburner

Crush!

My "Lil Scrappy" softball player!

Family and change

A QUICK catchup of my life!

Try, try AGAIN!!!

Completely...

Sweet blog, I have missed you!

Praise

Our Hope Endures....

Updates, Updates...

Beachin' It!

Have you ever wondered?...

Servants and a good 'ol Footwashing!

Prayer

Seeds...

Iglesia Bautista

Dominican Republic Part 1...

It's Here!!!!!

Be the Church

Paradise!!!

Dominican Republic Mission Trip 2010

From this day Forward...

Kaitlyn's Softball Banquet!

The Ballerina Ballplayer!

Flirty Apron Giveaway

Waiting

Stranger

Spring Break!

Southern Savers

Resurrection...

Our God..Chris Tomlin

These are a few of my favorite things...

From the mouth of a child

A most special man

Gift...of an Ordinary Day!

Prayer for a sister in Christ

Top 10 things I love about my husband!

Apologies

Facebook | 2010 Dominican Republic Missions Team

Facebook | 2010 Dominican Republic Missions Team

Dominican Republic

My first baby is now almost a MIDDLE SCHOOLER!

Deserted!!!!

Goodbye Summer....Hello Fall!

Revelation

A Rare Moment!

***Big Boy***

A World Vision!

Precious Memories

Behind!!!1

Kelley's Party

Some of the Randolph family

A wedding....

Quick trip to NC!

Bibbity Bobbity Boo!

Anniversary weekend in Charlottesville

Monticello

What makes a home!

2nd attempt to blog!!!!

1st day!

Big Boy