If Ya Can't Stand the Heat........

Designer's Log: Day 57 of Kitchen Remodel-Let the Painting Begin


What!?


REALLY!


Uh, day 5 of Kitchen Remodel....................It feels like a lot longer.


So, I started working on the kitchen on Monday. It has been slow going. Every day I have had to run to town to pick something up. Some of the things on my list from the previous day must have been written in invisible ink. Why else would I've forgotten them?

Yesterday I was finally finished with the demo and all those little repairs I needed to do before painting. Since I had to wash walls & canbinets before starting, and, uh, run to town, I didn't get started priming until after George left for work. About 1pm. Somewhere between 3:30 & 4:00pm, Dyers "Maytag Man" comes to look at my dryer. So that also slows my progress.

Funny thing, the dryer is ok, it was struggling because it had too big of a load. Do you see the humor there that I do? Do you think God was trying to tell me something? Have you ever struggled because you had to large of a load?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls, For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7

So, that was the lesson learned.....here was my little miracle:

I was priming cabinets all afternoon and into the evening, stopping once or twice for a break. The prayer that continually ran through my mind was, "Lord, please give me energy. Please just give me stamina so that I can get all of the priming done tonight and start painting tomorrow." Somehow (*wink, wink*) I just had this drive. I didn't even want to stop. I just kept at it, not feeling the least bit weary. Around 11pm or so, I stained a few more boards, and went to the kitchen to do the last leg of priming. I kid you not when I tell you that I felt fine as the last stokes of my brush went across the cabinet, but when I turned around to lay my brush down for the last time, my eyes became extremely heavy. He got me through to the very last stoke of my brush! And, no one had to rock me to sleep either.

Isn't God good!?!



Well........off to paint.

Giving Thanks

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I am so thankful for everything!!!! Here's my list:

I am thankful for............
Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord. He shed His blood for my sins. He wants to have a relationship with me. Thankful that I do have a relationship with Him. That He is in control and that I don't have to care for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. That He has worked, is working and will continue to work in my life. That He loves me. That He saved me. That He forgave & continues to forgive me. That He is the lover of my soul. That He is my strength. That He is the Great Physician. That He is my friend. That He is my Redeemer. I am thankful for infinite qualities of my Lord to be thankful for.

I am thankful for...........
My wonderful family. My parents who raised me in a Christian home and introduced me to my wonderful Lord. Thankful that they love me regardless and even though I don't deserve it. That they put up with me through the teen years. Thankful that they are two of my closest and dearest friends. I am thankful for my brother. I am thankful for all the childhood memories, most of which include us doing something together. I am thankful that he likes me for who I am. I am thankful for what an incredible man he is. I am thankful for Rhonda, who is truly the sister of my heart. I am thankful that she accepts our crazy family. I am thankful that she is a part of that crazy family. I am thankful for my Mr. & Mrs. Crosson. Only the Lord knows what a special place those two people have in my heart. I am thankful for every single thing they took the time to teach me. I am thankful for their inspiring faith and devotion to our Lord. I am thankful that they were my grandparents. I am thankful for my Mamaw Ann, Papaw Clarence, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Marti, Uncle Randy, Uncle Keith and all of my Dad's side of the family. Yeah, all of 'em! I am thankful that I have grown closer to them in the last year or so. I am thankful for my in-laws. I really enjoy them. I am thankful that they like and accept me. I am thankful that they are fun to be around and not stressful.

I am thankful for............
My wonderful, incredible, honest, trustworthy, handsome, funny, clever, witty, interesting, intelligent, delightful, kind-hearted, giving, hard-working, crazy (in a good way), loving, silly, heart-warming, easy-going, good-natured, giving, helpful, providing, accepting, devoted, God-fearing, soul mate....George William Willis. I am thankful that God created him just for me (and even better than my specifications!) I am so thankful for all he does for me and for the good of our family. I am thankful that he loves me just the way I am and that he never tried to change me, but was actually proud to have me. (Amazing!) I am thankful for his desire to do God's will in his life and in our life. I am thankful for the wonderful husband & father that he is.

I am thankful for..........
My sweet boy. I am thankful for the son of my heart. My heart overflows with pride for what a good kid he is. He brings such joy and happiness to my life.

I am thankful for..............
My church family. My pastor. My brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for my friend Alicia, and her constant encouragement, and her love for the Lord. I am thankful that we can be honest with one another. I am thankful that I can trust her. I am thankful that we have a similiar sense of humor.

I am thankful for ..................
My pets. Scotty & Scarlett. My cattle. Gertie, Trudy, Ironhide, Cicilee. My farm. Oh, how God has blessed me by letting me live in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.

I am thankful for..................
All the "little" things. Having money to buy gas when I need it. Coffee flavored ice cream. My afgan. The quilts made by the hands of my wonderful mother and grandmothers. The ability to make things. The ability to cook. Toilette paper. Moist wipes. Lysol. Deodorant. Hand Sanitizer. Tooth paste. Dental Floss. Soap. Warm-from-the-dryer towels. Soft, clean sheets. The creek that runs around my house. My green cow boots. Fall. Winter. Air conditioning. Cruise control. Rocking chairs and porch swings. Dusk. Dawn. A good frost. A good hard rain on a hot Summer day. Chocolate. Paper and pencils, or pens. God's word. Caffeine-free Pepsi. Flip-flops. Fresh from the garden produce. Fresh cut hay. The smell of the woods. When I see my cat with a mouse in her mouth. Flannel shirts. Sweatshirts (minus the sweat). PJ pants. Old, ragged t-shirts. Many, many other things.......etc. etc. etc.

Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.

FAITH Presentation

Here is the FAITH presentation that we use to lead someone to Christ.

In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to Heaven and have eternal life?
(Can I share with you what the Bible says?)
F-A-I-T-H
F is for Forgiveness.
Everyone has sinned and needs Gods forgiveness.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
God’s forgiveness is in Jesus only.
In whom we have redemption, through his blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7

A is for Available.
God’s forgiveness is available for all.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
God’s forgiveness is available, but not automatic.
Not everyone who says unto me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 7:21

I is for Impossible.
According to the Bible it is impossible for us to get to Heaven on our own.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9
So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter Heaven?

T is for Turn.
If you were driving down the road and someone said to you “turn here,” what would they be asking you to do?
(Change direction)
Turn means repent. Turn away from sin and self.
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3
Turn to Jesus alone as your Saviour and Lord.
I am the way, the truth and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Here is the greatest news of all…………
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
What happens if a person is willing to repent of their sins and confess Christ?

H is for Heaven.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3
Eternal life begins now with Jesus.
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

H can also stand for How.
How can a person have God’s forgiveness, eternal life and Heaven?
By trusting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.

Endless Chatter

I am in a mood where I would like to write something, but there really isn't much to say. I missed church this morning because I have been dealing with sinus drainage all weekend. I don't like to miss, but this morning I was "drained." Ha!

This has been a crazy week. We were in the greatest revival I have ever been to. I felt, still feel, the Lord moving. I was reminded of what my life should be about, and how blessed I am to have the church family that I do. Most, if not all of its members, are seeking a deep relationship with the Lord, and they try so very hard to stay focused on HIM. I am thankful for that.

Then, we find out Monday that Ray has passed away unexpectedly. I never met Ray, but I know that my Uncle Randy is hurting deeply, and therefore, I hurt. It was such a shock to all of us. We were all expecting to hear that David Haley, Denise's husband, was the one that had passed. Well, unfortunately, that is the news we got the following night. I had never met David either, but I love Denise, and once again, I was hurting for her.

I was gone from home every evening last week, except Friday, which is very rare for me. It was a week of extreme highs and extreme lows. Which if you know me, the last year or two, I have been on complete middle ground. It isn't that I don't feel compassion or empathy anymore, but things have been put in perspective for me. I have realized, truly and deeply that God is in control of everything.


One of my favorite scriptures says it all:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8 & 9


Basically what that says to me is, we can never begin to understand or comprehend what God is doing in His infinite wisdom. We can only think on our human level, which usually revolves around us and our plans. God can see it all, has it all planned out perfectly, and HE KNOWS WHAT'S BEST. How many times have you heard that? How many times has that really sunk in? How many times have you really believed it?

If you open a puzzle box and just take out any random piece, that piece looks weird, or possibly unfitting. It may have a little of this object and a little of that. There may be one solid color or a variety. The ends may all be curved with ins and outs, or you may have a straight edge or two. That piece of the puzzle by itself, really doesn't seem to make much sense, does it? Well, when all the pieces are put together, doesn't it resemble a beautiful picture designed by the artist?

Our lives are the same, and we can only focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time, but God sees the whole picture. This is where trust comes in, and self disappears. Sometimes we can see a little section, and it starts making more sense. We think we know then! We think, "I got this one!" Why? Why do we have to know? What does it matter? HE alreadys knows.....and at least we know there's a happy ending.


That also reminds me of another one of my favorite passages, which is also appropriate guven the past week.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiates 3:1-8




Dedicated to the memory of Ray Reynolds and David Haley

Somebody Outta Testify

I would love to be able to describe to you how I feel about my Lord. I just can't even begin. Maybe I can explain it a little better with a story or two......





I have always been someone who liked to have control. I am not a psycho (no matter what my brother says!) that has to have control of other people. I really don't have to even have "control" of what is going on around me. However, I do like to plan my day, answer to myself ONLY, not have any curve balls thrown at me, no kinks in my plan. Well, in the last year or two, I had a wake up call.





My close friends and family know that I struggle with IBS. A couple years ago, it was out of "control." Actually, I felt it controlled me. But, you know what I learned from that.......nothing controls me, not even me. God is in control of everything, and nothing in the world can hold me.





Really, that was one of the worst times of my life. I can laugh now, but even when I was facing surgery, I told George that if the Lord decided to take me, for him to know that I was better off in Heaven than living that hell on earth caused by my flare-ups. It was seriously that damaging to my mental health. Not that we shouldn't long for Heaven and rescue from this world.





If I had to do it all over again, would I?





YES.





Did you expect that answer. When I was going through it, I wouldn't have! In all seriousness, I learned so much through that, so, so much. God showed me that I do need people, and that I can depend on others. He showed me that people really love me and that I need to give them an opportunity to do for me. That was hard. I like to be needed and do for others, but the reverse is.....hard. He showed me how valuable my husband was to me, and how I could need him, depend on him, submit to him, be obedient to him. All of this, I certainly mean in compliance with God's word. My marriage has been strengthened through this. My relationship with my parents has been strengthened through this. Me.....I have changed, and I hope that I have not been strengthened, but weakened.





God showed me that He is in control by completely taking away any control I thought I had. I am so thankful for that! You know I can breath now! I don't have to worry about this or that. I don't have to obsess over the details and stress myself out. As my father-in-law says, "It'll be what it'll be." Profound! Sit back, relax, God is in the driver seat. You could probably even close your eyes...........





OK, that is sort of a past example....now.....one from today......as a matter of fact, this very day.





God is moving in me! As I type, I feel the tears well-up in my eyes. I don't know what all He has planned for me, I don't know what the future holds, I don't know when or how or why. I do know that I like it. I love you so much God! Why do you love me!?!





Our revival started today. Oh, Lord! I really want to live and breath You. As Charlie says I want to be "sold out" for You. I am not worthy, I am doubtful of whether or not I am able, I am scared, I am hopeful, I am cautious, I am not sure if I am ready........I am willing. Oh God! I don't know where you are going to take me. I don't know what it will take to break me. I am scared......Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.





This may sound like a bunch of rambling.....I guess it is. I don't know how to say it. I don't know how to express what I feel. I just know that He is moving in me, and I want to be obedient, and I want to kick "self" to the curb. I am such a loyal person. Now I want to be loyal where and to Who it counts.





God is so good to me!

Huh?

Do you ever feel like no one listens? Did you hear me? I said, "Do you ever feel like no one listens?"

Maybe I feel this way because I have felt misunderstood my entire life. (If my Dad reads this, I know he will get what I'm saying.) I think I am one of the most honest, straight-forward, blunt, cut-to-the-chase type people, but what is it???? Is that just a different language to the rest of the world?

I say what I feel, exactly how I mean it and exactly how I feel it. I do try to be polite and considerate, but I am not manipulative or wishy-washy. You can take what I say at face-value. So, what's the deal?

Blah, blah, blah.....yada, yada, yada.......Is that all anyone hears.

No, I know what they hear.......to quote a Toby Keith song...

"Wanna talk about me. Wanna talk about my. Wanna talk about #1 on my, me mine. What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see......yeah I like talkin' 'bout you, you, you, you usually, but occassionally.....I wanna talk about me."

Sounds selfish. Yeah, it is. Hmmmm....



When no one listens, and you have a lot to say, what do you do?




GOD.

I love you, Lord.

When I get tired of listening and no one returning the favor, YOU always do. Why? Why do you care? Who am I, that YOU are mindful of me?

Thank you Lord for revealing the answer in my thoughts as I typed out of self-pity. Thank you!





I just heard this on tv.....Love will multiply, not divide.


I wonder if anyone who reads this will really hear what I am saying.....

FAITH Visit

Wow!! I had to write about tonight's FAITH visitation. God is so good! He is definitely in the details!

So, we go to church for FAITH class, we are dismissed to go to our prospective homes, and Brother Gary reminds us to take some apple butter. Bill leaves his Bible on the top of his truck while he gets the apple butter. We head down the road, Bill's Bible flies off the roof of his truck! We turn around stop in the middle of the road. Bill is out there collecting his stuff, and the guy coming the opposite way stops. Bill thanks him for stopping, gives him an invitation to revival. Goes to the car that has had to stop behind us, thanks them for stopping, invites them to revival.

Then, we are headed to Willard. We find the home of the people we are wanting to visit. We give them different info about the church tell them if they have any concerns, etc. let us know. We pray with them and we leave.

As we drive off, we discuss what has happened. We know the man is recently saved, but what about the wife? We don't know? Why didn't we ask her? Why didn't we present the FAITH presentation to her? So, about Reedville, we turn around and go back.

Their front door is still open, and they invite us back in. Bill asks the wife the key question....
In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to get to Heaven and have eternal life?

She stumbles a little, and he asks if he can share with her what the Bible says? She says yes. She is so receptive. For the next hour, hour and a half, the three of us share the gospel with her. Bill shares the FAITH presentation as well as other scriptures, we all give personal testimonies. We ask if she is ready to be saved?

Not today.

We talk a little more, continue to share, offer to answer any questions she might have. We give her all three of our phone numbers, ask her husband if he could lead her in the sinner's prayer if she realized after we were gone that she did want to be saved. She never acted upset, she never acted like she wanted us to leave. She was very receptive and even thanked us for taking the time to talk to her about this. Before we left, we asked one last time, "are you sure you don't want to take care of this tonight?"

Not tonight.

Some may say that we failed. Some may say our "techniques" were flawed. Some may say that we were not doing what God wanted us to do at that appointed time.

You know what I say? Praise God!! Praise God for His Holy Spirit!! Praise God for His intervention!!! The seed was sown. We had a wonderful visit. A soul was not saved on this particular visit tonight, but God reigns. He still has a plan, we were still used. We may have been the only ones who benefited from the visit, but we did. We were so blessed by tonight. All we could talk about all the way back to the church was God's goodness! He allowed us to be used of Him tonight. Thank you, Lord!

Well, then, on US 60, we just missed a deer. Bill was on the phone with Brother Gary, and Teri and I screamed as Bill swerved, just missing the deer's ear within inches. At that same moment, the phone went dead. Poor Gary! Can you imagine what he was thinking on his end? Teri called him right back to let him know that we were ok. He was relieved to say the least.

We usually get back to church by 9. Tonight, it was after ten. But, Oh God! wasn't it good!?!?

It was a wonderful night. Tammy, I am praying that you are having a restless night of conviction, and that you will say "yes" before it is too late!

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9

A Day in the Life...

Well, it has been quite awhile since my first and last blog. So, here goes........

Today was a crazy day. I think that once you have commited your life to Christ, passed 30, and have many people that love you, your bad days should be almost non-existent. I agree that attitude is everything. You cannot control your surrounding, situations that are occuring, or the people you encounter, but you can change your attitude. God is in control, and we can be thankful for that. We can be thankful that nothing is left to "chance." It is not about karma, fate, serendipity. It is all about Him. He is in control.

Well, that being said. Today was rough. To say the least.

I overslept. Bad, bad way to start any day, especially for me. I am a morning person, strangely, and I hate to sleep late. I love waking up when it is still dark, sitting in my spot in the living room and opening up the good book. Pulling my afgan over my lap as I eat my cereal and (currently) explore my Beth Moore study, "To Live is Christ." I love the quiet, the newness of the morning, the promise God has given me with this new day.

I didn't get that this morning. Fifteen after ten. Yep. That's what I said. What? I know, crazy! Who sleeps that late once you've finished college!?! Shortly after waking, the phone rang. Lord help me! The caller, my father-in-law, suggested that I wake my sleeping husband to go pick up a load of cattle. Yes, George was still sleeping too, but he had a good excuse. He had devoted 8 hours of night time to AK Steel. How to wake him??? Should I go in and say, "Surprise! You get to go load cattle today!"

How about, "Guess what honey, I don't think you'll have to go deer hunting today afterall! Aren't you relieved!?"

Well, I took the straight forward approach. Yeah, neither of us was very happy. And that's how it started........not so laid back, early to rise, early to the sack......none of that John Denver stuff. As the day progressed, events like uninstalling a washer and dryer, installing a new washer and dryer, first returning the beat-up, not bolted together original washer, and a few choice words from two people who woke up on the wrong side of the bed and some heated up left overs filled in the gaps. Now here I sit. George is back to AK for another midnight turn, and I am at the computer. Tomorrow is church, and as far as I'm concerned, it can't come soon enough.

Goodnight all!

Intro

I don't know exactly why I decided to create a blog. I eventually wanted a place to keep my family informed about our goings on. Right now, there isn't much going on. We kept my father-in-law's cat last night because she was spayed. I think she is thankful that she will not have any more babies to support. Her youngins have been sick of late, and I think they were stressing her out.