Picture Me

I have been tagged for the "Picture Me" by Tiffany one of my new blogger friends. Thanks Tiffany! I'll make this my Almost Wordless Wednesday.

I choose this picture because it's getting close to our anual Christmas Tea again. Each year I meet with a group of some of my closest friends to have tea and a great time of fellowship. This picture was taken at the "Windsor Court" in New Orleans! Ahhh, what sweet memories, and great tea.

I'm now going to tag my friend Tonya Nason at her new beautiful blog, "Safe In His Arms", if you would like to play, just post a picture of your self and tag someone someone else to keep this going.

Happy "Almost Wordless Wednesday" to all of you!

Pouring out my heart to him...

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

Psalm 62:5-8

Teach me Lord to find my rest in you. In the midst of the business of my life, be that refuge I can come to, that rock and fortress I run into and find safety. Give me a faith that will never be shaken, and let it always bring glory and honor to you my King. You are a mighty God, and my trust will always be in you. Thank you for another day I can spend with you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

A Day at The State Fair

This weekend was the opening of our State Fair here in Baton Rouge. My husband and I, along with my daughter- in- law Kristin took our grand-daughters to the fair. What a perfect day it was! The weather was just beautiful, sunny blue skies, and the girls laughter and joy was just the perfect mix. A day I'll always treasure.





"If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first." ~Lois Wyse

A Prayer...

THANKFUL THURSDAY

“At times when our own light goes out and it is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ” - Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

I think Thankful Thursday will always be my favorite day to post. I have so much to be thankful for, but really don't we all? There are many places I could go with this topic today, but after I read this quote I received in a daily devotional, I decided to dedicate today to a very special friend.

Today I would like to thank the Lord for Tonya Nason. Over 2 years ago, we meet through Caringbridge. For those of you that are not familiar, this website was set up to keep loved ones and friends informed during illnesses, treatment, and difficult times. It is a great place to give and receive support, comfort, and prayer from many people.

I am not exactly sure how I stumbled on to her son’s (Brent) site, but it was one of those "ah ha" moments for me. She was so BOLD in her faith for the Lord, so passionate about her love for Jesus, and her humor during the most difficult days of her life, captured my heart! During that time in my life, Jordan had just completed his radiation treatments for a brain tumor, and was on a 3-month check-up routine. Brent and Jordan were both patients at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. When I met Tonya, I was in a real dry place in my walk with Jesus. My candle was burning dimly until it was reignited by Tonya's passion. Yes, like the quote above so perfectly expresses, her spark rekindled my faith, my zeal, and excitement for Jesus again.

I am just so grateful that I found such a wonderful friend in Tonya, and had the chance to share a time with her amazing son Brent, who is now sitting at the feet of Jesus. I learned so much as I watched them fight their battles so bravely. Yet despite all of this, Tonya continued to encourage me and hundreds of others, as she became so transparent in her walk with Jesus.

I would like to end with a poem I recently found, and I want to dedicate this to my friend Tonya on this Thankful Thursday.


As we walk our path of life,
We meet people everyday.
Most are simply met by chance.
But, some are sent our way.

These become special friends
Whose bond we can't explain;
The ones who understand us
And share our joy and pain.

Their love contains no boundaries.
So, even when we are apart.
Their presence enhances us
With a warmth felt in the heart.

This love becomes a passageway,
When even the miles disappear.
And so, these friends, God sends our way,
Remain forever near.


Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." (NLT)

Thank you Tonya Nason for being that friend to me!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Now, isn't she beautiful?

“Three Words or Less….”

Becky at Blogmamma's recently posted:

"I saw this piece on Good Morning America Weekend Edition on Saturday where they took some video from the show "iCaught" and it was really neat! What they asked people to do was described their week (or feelings of that week) in three words - yes, only three words! What turned out was something truly beautiful…

She is asking us to post a picture or video of our three words and go back to her site and post them there. This is going to be a fun way to see what we come up with!

Here's mine:

Praise God!!!!!

Making Room For God

In Psalm 132 3-5 it says:

"Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.


Our lives are filled each day with activities, tasks, and obligations. On many days I find myself lacking a single free minute. How many times do I get so busy that I leave God out of my life? David says he will not sleep or enter his house until he finds a "place" for the Lord. Is there a place for God in your life today?"

"In the heart, the home, the assembly, the life. Everywhere we must find or make a place for the Lord." -C.H. Spurgeon

I Surrender

Last night we attended the Mercy Me concert at our church. Wow, it was incredible.

God's presence filled the place as we worshipped Him all together.

Lord I pray you would daily reveal your self to me...

(you will have to turn off my music player to enjoy this video)

I long for your embrace
Every single day
To meet you in this place
And see you face to face

Will you show me?
Reveal yourself to me
Because of your mercy
I fall down on my knees

And I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender to your love

You're everywhere I go
I am not alone
You call me as your own
To know you and be known

You are holy
And I fall down on my knees

I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender to your love

I surrender to your grace
I surrender to the one who took my place

I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender:

I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender to your love

WHAT ARE YOU TRUSTING IN TODAY?

I was going through some old devotionals I have saved and ran into this one. Thought this would bless you. What a powerful reminder of where our confidence should be. Enjoy...

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).

~ Father in heaven,

There are so many things that promise to be my confidence if I will trust in them. Finances promise security. Looks and the right wardrobe promise self-esteem. The right job promises success. The accumulation of great "stuff" promises fun. Yet we know all these things are fragile. The promises, though often fulfilled for a time, can end up hollow. We know too well the stories of how these things can all be fleeting.

Thank You for reminding me in Your word, that there are many things I can put my trust in... yet the ultimate is to trust in Your name. All that Your name encompasses will stay with me and never become fragile or hollow.

* Thank You that You are my Provider. I trust in You today to meet my need.

* Thank You that You are my Peace. Encase me in Your peace today which passes understanding.

* Thank You that You are my Rock. When all around me feels like sinking sand You alone provide a firm place to stand.

* Thank You that You are my Shepherd. Lead me today in paths that You have prepared for me.

* Thank You that You are my Healer. Touch me where I need healing both physically and emotionally.

* Thank You that You are God Almighty. With my God I can scale the walls in front of me.

* Thank You that You are my refuge and strength, my strong tower. I run to You to find the strength and shelter I need today as I face the winds of life.

* Thank You that You are Father God. Encase me in Your loving care today. Thank You that I can trust in the name of the LORD my God! Remind me, by Your Holy Spirit, to live in this reality today. By Gail Rodgers

So, what does it mean for you to trust in the name of the Lord? What are some ways your faith has been heightened?

Thankful Thursday

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done." - PS. 92: 1-4


What an awesome privilege it is to give thanks and praise to the Lord most high! We are so blessed to live in a country that allows us this wonderful freedom. There are so many places in the world that do not allow their people to openly declare their faith in God.

My husband and I have been able to go on several mission trips. It was on my first trip to Russia that I truly understood how wonderfully blessed we were to live in America. On one occassion we were able to preach the gospel in a town that had never heard the message of Jesus Christ before. Can you imagine? The response was over-whelming...Many lives were touched, many were saved and healed.

I remember looking out of our window at the lights of Moscow and feeling so far away from our family and friends. It was then that I realized there were millions across the vast land of Russia who were raised in a communist and godless society that never had the chance to know the truth. I took a deep breath and began thanking God for the riches of His many blessings, knowing that what we so easily take for granted here in America is like a dream that will never come true to multitudes of peoples in this world.

Yes, Lord you do "thrill me with all you have done for me". I will forever sing for joy and give thanks for your many blessings.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

"Around and around we go, the fun does not stop!"

I've Been Tagged!

Ok, I've been tagged! Amy Bayliss from In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 has asked me to name 8 Things From My Kitchen. I think I'll choose some things I enjoy and use alot. As a mom of 5 sons you can only "imagine" how much time I have spent in this room. I learned the old saying is really true, "A way to man's heart is through is stomach!" Really the kitchen is one of my favorite places. I grew up in a large family as well, so much of my childhood was spent watching my mom cook! There are so many things I could name, but I'll narrow it down to these:

1) My big pots! Yep, even though I only have 2 sons left at home, I still cook in huge volumes. Now I just have more to freeze and enjoy later!

2). I guess my freezer would come next. I could of never survived without an additional freezer. Not only do I put my extras in there, I love to shop the sales and stock up!

3). A few years ago I was invited to a Pampered Chef party. That night I bought something that I now could never live without. It was this awesome "spreader", (not sure what the actual name for them is?) I love using them to make sandwiches, butter toast, spread icing, and the list goes on. I now have 6 of them. No turning back to the traditional butter knife for me!

4). I just moved into a new home and this is the first time I have a convection oven, oh my! I was never great a baking, but now I'm having lots of fun. There is nothing I like better than a perfect crust.
5) When I cook, there is an ingredient I put in all my gravies. Growing up, my mom taught me how to make a roux. But now I can say good-bye to my skillet. All you need is some Tony Chacherie's Instant Roux Mix, and talk about a rich, nice thick gravy, hmmm, makes me hungry thinking about it. This stuff is a life saver for busy mom's.

6) I just love my cypress cabnets. They really set the kitchen off and this naturally beautiful wood is so popular down here in the land of the great cypress swamps.

7) I always need lots of cooking supples, and my pantry is the place I go. I think I have two of everything in there - like Noah's ark.

8) Whenever I have a few minutes to just sit down and relax, I love to have a nice cup of hot tea and watch the beautiful humming birds zoom in and out for a sip of nectar from my feeder just outside the breakfast area window!

So, tell me some things you enjoy in your kitchen?

Seeking After Him...

The more I seek you…the more I find you

The more I find you…the more I love you

I want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand

Lay back against you and breathe, feel your heartbeat

This love is so deep…it’s more than I can stand

I melt in your peace, it’s overwhelming…

Thankful Thursday

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:18

I'm so excited about today's post! I've looked forward to this for a long time, this will always be my favorite day of the week. I just have so many things to be thankful for, it would take a lifetime to share all of them. So, I'll just get started now, and each week continue to add on to this never ending list.

I'm so thankful first to have Jesus in my life. Where would I be without him?
(But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.(I Corth. 15: 57)

I'm so thankful for the parents the Lord blessed me with. Although they are now with the Lord, there is never a day that goes by I don't think of them, miss them, and remember all the many things they taught me.

I'm so thankful for my sisters and brothers. God could have not choose a better family for me. I love you Steph and Mary, you've been such rocks in my life.

I'm so thankful for my children. Truly they are a gift and heritage of the Lord. Each one of them are so unique and wonderful. They are the joy and delight of my life.

I'm so thankful for Rick, my precious husband. You have been there for me since the day I met you. Your patience has been invaluable. Thank you for leading me, teaching me, and guiding me closer and closer to Jesus. You've been such a great dad to your 5 sons too!

I'm thankful for my precious daughter in law Kristin. God truly knew the right woman to bring into my life after so many years of being the only female "Amato" in this house. Together we can conquer anything, (like every mall in town, you are so much fun!)

I'm so thankful the Lord blessed me with 3 of the most beautiful grand-daughters, oh my, what a reward for raising all boys! It just doesn't get any better then this.

I'm so thankful for friends. Lord, I could not walk this journey alone, so you've hand-picked some of the sweetest, kindest, generous women in my life. I do not know where to begin expressing my deepest gratitude for each of them. I feel so rich, and so honored to know these awesome women. Thank you Jesus.

I'm so thankful for all the mighty prayer warriors you have placed in my life as we faced Jordan's brain tumor journey. I could have not done it without all the prayers and words of encouragement. Your support carried us through, literally.

I'm so thankful for the good report we received this week at St. Jude! YES... Jordan's tumor remains stable!!!

Finally, (for now) I'm thankful for a new friend you placed in my life, Amy Bayliss who was so kind to take time out of her busy life to help set up this blog. Yep, I could have not been able to make this post, without you! You were a God-send, and I'm so grateful.

Wordless Wednesday

Life is great as a princess!

Heading to Memphis

My son Jordan and I will be flying out Memphis first thing in the morning.

For those of you who do not know, my 21 year old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 16. It's been a wild adventure, but the Lord has been there each and every step of the way.

Going back to St. Jude is bittersweet for us. We enjoy seeing the many wonderful people that took care of us, and friends we've made on the way. Walking down those halls bring back so many memories, and so many faces that are no longer here with us now. Never would I have ever dreamed I'd have a child who was a patient at St. Jude.

I grew up watching those specials on T.V. and many times I had to turn it off, it was just too sad.
We have been among the surviours. I'm just so grateful, but always cautious not to let my guard down. I read a quote by Jennifer Rothchild recently that sums up things perfectly:

“Embrace the adventure of completely trusting Him, for He is completely trustworthy”...

Heading out for another adventure, please believe with us for those wonderful words, all things remain STABLE.

Launching Out!

" But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you"...Isaiah 43:1-4



Wow, what an awesome promise and declaration to each of us! I choose this as my theme for this blog because there are so many precious promises packed in there. Knowing that I am truly "HIS" brings so much comfort and reassurance. I am so blessed to be called by our loving Father. I pray you have the same confidence as well.

I thought I would try out blogging after a few years of journaling on Caringbridge. For those of you who don't me, welcome! I would love to meet you, and walk along side of you as you journey on the path the Lord has set before you.

I don't know a person who has not been through deep waters or rivers of difficulty, but I do know my God is faithful, unchanging, compassionate, mighty and always ready to extend His loving hands outreached to you. I'm not sure what direction this blog will go, but I do know I want it to be a place you can come to and find comfort, encouragement, and yes, my crazy humor.

I'd like to ask you to share a time you have known you were truly "His". In Revelations 2:11 it says: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony". I know my faith is so strengthened as I watch others overcome! Looking forward to hearing how God has blessed your life.