Poured Out For Him

The song I have chosen for today is taken from a live worship session at Christ For the Nations Institute in Dallas. For any of you who are not familiar with this awesome training center, it is an interdenominational missionary organization founded by Gordon and Freda Lindsay. My husband and I have always loved this school and have attended many conferences held there over the years.

Something that is very unique to this missionary training school is the powerful praise and worship. Students from every nation are trained not only in the word, but they also grow in their worship life as well. Some of the greatest worship music sung all over the world originated from CFNI.

The Alabaster Jar is an incredible worship song. There is no story in the entire bible that illustrates the heart of true worship better than this one which is found in Mark 14:3:

“Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.”

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal knowledge of him. For we are to God, the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. (2 Corinthians 2: 14-16).

(Please remember to mute my music!)





This alabaster jar
Is all I have of worth

I break it at Your feet Lord,

,

It's less than You deserve

You're far more beautiful

More precious than the oil

The sum of my desires

and the fullness of my joy!

Like You spilled Your blood,

I spill my heart as an offering

to my King

Chorus:

Here I am, take me

As an offering

Here I am, giving every heartbeat

For Your glory take me

The time that I have left

is all I have of worth

I lay it at Your feet,

Lord It's less than You deserve

And though I've little strength

And though my days are few,

You gave Your life for me

So, I will live my life for You

Worthy, WorthyYou are worthy

Worthy is the Lord

Please join us over at Signs Miracles and Wonders.

A Little Confession...

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.” Psalm 107:15

I don't know about you, but receiving God's "unfailing love and wonderful deeds" can be difficult many times. Really, we do not deserve such great love, yet He has chosen to freely give it to us.

I fail; I fall; and often feel so feeble as I try to walk this walk of faith. No matter how far I fall short, the Lord continues reaching out to me daily with His “unfailing love”.

So on this Thankful Thursday, I want to thank my gracious Heavenly Father for loving me in spite of the fact that I am often…

selfish
lazy
preoccupied
undisciplined
unforgiving
judgmental
and yes, moody

Well, you get the picture, just a mess without His presence.

Today, once more I ask God for His mercy and grace to cover me. I ask Him to speak to me through His word and take away this stony heart and give me a heart of flesh! I ask Him to draw me closer with His loving-kindness, where I can be changed more and more into His image and likeness.

“Father, forgive me for all the times I think I am deserving of anything apart from you. Thank you for the price you paid so I can walk in true freedom. Break the grip of sin that so often holds me captive. I realize that it is your unfailing love that sustains and upholds me daily. I will proclaim your faithfulness and wonderful deeds all the days of my life.”

Please join us over at Sting My Heart today!

Standing Tall

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18

Just a quick note about the picture. This pony was abandoned by her owners after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. She was taken to a farm that was being used as an Animal Shelter, but unfortunately once there was attacked by a dog and nearly died. Normally euthanasia would have been the most compassionate alternative, but Molly's intelligence and her strong will to live was undeniable. The doctor was so moved that he agreed operate on her to try and save her life. Amazingly she fully recovered and was later fitted with a permanent prosthesis. Now, wherever Molly goes her story inspires hope and courage, and she always leaves all who meet her with a smile.

This story and picture was taken from The Cancer Crusade. Thanks Cathy for allowing me to share this.

Seems like I've been drawn to animal illustrations these last to WFW's!! Thanks for stopping by today. Join us over at The 160 Acre Woods for more WFW.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

On this TSMS I'd like to dedicate this awesome to song to all the wonderful men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have and are still presently serving our country. Memorial Day is a good time to reflect on the sacrifices and services that these great American soldiers and past veterans have made for all us. I've heard it said many times,

“Freedom is never FREE”.

How true that saying really is, for we know that through out all of history freedom has come with a heavy price!

I'll never forget when the song I’ve chosen first came out. My son Jason was serving in Afghanistan. Oh, what a time of learning how to truly trust in God like I had never done before. I cried and cried each time I heard it, and the chorus became my daily prayer:

You are good

And you're brave

What a father that you'll be someday

Make it home

Make it safe...

(And God answered all those prayers!)

~Please remember to mute my music first, thanks.~

In closing, I’d like say that above all, we cannot forget that the greatest price ever paid for freedom was paid at the CROSS. To think that Almighty God sent His only Son into a sin-filled world to lay down His own life that we might be free.

I pray you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! Thanks for stopping by today.

Please join us over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders as Amy's brave husband is hosting today! He even dedicated a song for her, ahhhh, how sweet!! Hope you have a great time at the conference Amy.

A Lesson In The Dark

(Thankful Thursday is just below!)

It was on a dark night at the mission compound in Haiti where I discovered the power and protection in the simple name of "Papa." There were many lessons to be learned and memories that would last a lifetime, but on this one unusually dark night, I was about to experience something that would have profound affect on me for the rest of my life.

For the rest of this exciting story, please join me over at the Internet Cafe today!

~Thankful Thursday~

On this Thankful Thursday I'd like to thank God for the awesome opportunity I had to join the Internet Cafe' Team! At first I was very nervous because there are so many gifted writers who participate. I wasn't sure I would fit in or measure up at all. However, I was relieved to learn that the Cafe' isn’t about literary expertise, but its more about sharing what is in your heart and what God has taught you for the benefit of others. Whew...so I took the plunge and joined!

I hope you enjoyed the devotional today!

♥I'm thanking God daily for His divine protection over my family and friends.

♥I'm thanking Him for my church family.

♥I'm thanking the Lord for all the many wonderful friends I've met here in blog-land, and I'm praying one day I'll have the opportunity to meet many of you!

♥I'm thanking God for the daily opportunities I have to bring Glory and Honor to Him!

PRAISE REPORT!!!!! Nick did well with his surgery!!!! Thanks for your prayers♥

♥And finally, I’m hoping that you will have a wonderful Thankful Thursday today!

Please join us over at Sting My Heart to see what other grateful hearts are saying!

Got Burdens?

I received this funny picture in an email a while back. I could not get this image out of my mind! If your plate is just too full, give it over to Him! He's patiently and loving waiting for you to release your problems to Him.

He

is

ABLE!!!

Join us today over at 160 AcresWoods!

Would you pray?

Hey Ladies,

I'd like to ask for you to join with me in prayer for a special family that I recently met. Tammy's son, Nick, has a brain tumor, and will be facing his 6th surgery this coming Wednesday. After going through this same crisis with my son Jordan, I know what it is like sitting in the waiting room waiting for news from the operating room. You feel so vunerable and helpless as the doctors are operating on your child. Only by God's grace and the prayers of others can you survive these kinds of trying times.

Please believe with me that the doctors are able to do a complete resection, and that Nick’s recovery will be without any complications. He has endured so much, yet he and his family’s faith remain strong. Surgery is scheduled on his 13th birthday. If you would feel impressed to drop by Tammy's site and let her know you are praying, I’m sure it would really be an encouragement to her and Nick.

Thanks also for your prayers last week for Hannah, my friend’s daughter. She is recovering well, and has an amazing attitude after enduring such an emotional trauma loosing her finger. This is a wonderful testimony of God’s faithfulness. Even in this we are convinced that all things are working together for good in her life. She is going back to the doctor today to complete a skin graph on her second finger, which was also damaged in the accident but thanks to God was able to be saved! Please continue to keep Hannah in your prayers as well.

Max Lucado once said:

Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


Lord, you are our refuge and our fortress. Please place your ministering angels all around Nick, and guide the hands of those physicians as they operate. Give Tammy and her family your peace that passes all understanding during this time. Comfort, uphold and strengthen them. Father you promised us in your word, if we call upon your name and pray you will hear our cry. We commitment this into your hands. In Jesus name, Amen.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Happy Saturday my friends!

This would have to be one song that always puts me in a great mood. I hope you enjoy it.!

Please join us over at Signs Miralces and Wonders today!

God is so GOOD!

♥ On this Thankful Thursday I'd like thank God for healing me. Yes, it's been 5 days now since I've had a migraine headache and my TMJ is so much better. I'm shouting out praises to God!!! Thank you sweet Jesus! I am thankful that we have a heavenly Father that loves us and cares about all the details of our lives! Also, thanks to all of you for your prayers and encouragement these past couple of weeks.

(This is me praising God with Blonde hair and glasses, only graphic I could find quickly!)

♥ I would like to thank God for helping my son and daughter in law sell and buy a new home in less than two weeks. With the housing market the way it has been, this is nothing short of a miracle! They desperately needed more space with their 3rd child on the way, and God answered our prayers in a marvelous way.

♥ I'd like to thank God for continually watching over my children, especially Joseph who now lives on the other side of the world. He loves Taiwan, his students, and his life there. I'm so grateful for God's continual protection over him while we are separated by so many miles.

♥ I'd like to end today with a prayer request for all of the families that have been affected by these latest rounds of tornadoes, earthquakes, cyclones, and all of the other natural disasters that have occurred both here and abroad. We are truly living in perilous times. I pray the Lord will raise up an army of intercessors for needs that surround us daily.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Let's join some other grateful hearts over at Sting My Heart.

PS. I just got a call from a very close friend, and her daughter was in an accident today and lost a finger. I'm heading to the hospital now to meet them for surgery tonight. Please agree with us things will go well, and there will be no infection and God would be with this family! Thanks so much♥

I'm Clean!

Join us over at over at The 160 Acre Woods for more beautiful pictures! Thanks for stopping by today♥

Do You Need His Touch Today?

When I read today's quote, my mind went in many different directions. Just reading this first chapter in Mark, we see Jesus touching so many people, and in every case their lives were totally turned around. When Jesus saw the vast needs of humanity, he was moved with great compassion.

I don't know about you, but I am a “touchy-feely” type of person. I will usually greet you with a hug, and I won't let you leave without one either. There is just something about being touched that makes me feel loved, valued, and comforted.

I've read that there have been studies and experiments that show the simple act of touching another person results in slowing the heart rate, dropping blood pressure, and even speeding up recovery from illness. The fact is that touching, in an appropriate and acceptable way, can calm fears, comfort hurts, and convey caring in ways that words can never do alone. Oh what wonders a simple hug can do!

So here in Mark we see Simon's mother–in–law in bed with a fever. I'm sure this was not an ordinary fever, but in fact she was probably very ill. We pick up the story with today’s quote:

Mark 1:31a ”So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.”

I can just see Jesus stooping down by her bedside and extending his hand toward her.

The hands of Jesus, what wonderful hands they are!

Hands that reached out to people from every walk of life. Hands that touched the untouchable. Hands that that raised the dead. They were hands that fed a throng of hungry people. Hands that reached out to Peter on the stormy sea and lifted him up as he was sinking beneath the raging waves. Hands that were folded in prayer as he cried out to His Father for strength the Garden of Gethsemane.

And now these very same hands reach out across the span of time to touch OUR lives through his Holy Spirit today. My life has been touched and comforted by those nail scared hands on so many occasions. Do you need a touch today? Reach out to Him. His hands are outstretched. Jesus will touch and will help you in your hour of need!

I couldn't resist ending these thoughts today with one of my favorite songs by Nicole C. Mullen, “One Touch”. I trust it will minister to you in a special way.

(Please remember to mute my music player first!)

Please join us over at Beloved MaMa's to see what other's have written on this quote.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend this Mother's Day! Thanks so much for stopping by.


This Saturday I decided to choose a song from the first C.S. Lewis movie, 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', because I think the these stories tell such a powerful story of the battle of good and evil. (I also love SCC, and the lyrics of this amazing song!) I'm really looking forward to the release of 'Prince Caspian' this week; the second installment in this series. I hope you enjoy these beautiful scenes from the first movie. My favorite part of is when Aslan (the Christ like Savior of Narnia) defeats the White Witch who held Narnia in a winter for one hundred years.

I'm so blessed Jesus has set me free! I know that one day in a twinkling of an eye, our Savior and King will come back for us who are waiting and watching, and bring us into his heavenly kingdom forever. Praise God!!!

(Please remember to mute my music before playing, thanks!)






Please join us over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders to hear some other great songs today.

Motherhood...The Lighter Side

♥A woman invited some people for dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I wouldn't know what to say," the little girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say" the mother said. The girl bowed her head and said, "Dear Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"



♥A mother was listening to her child say his prayers "Dear Harold." At this the mom interrupted and said wait a minute, how come you called God, Harold?" The little boy looked up and said, "That's what they call Him in church." You know the prayer we say, "Our Father who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy name."



♥One day a space shuttle crashed to the ground in the yard of a preschool. When he finally struggled from the wreckage, the astronaut shouted, "I'm free!! I'm free!!" At this point one of the children that was standing there shouted back, "Big deal, I'm four!"



♥A Sunday School teacher asked her class, "Does anyone here know what we mean by sins of omission?" A little girl replied: "Aren't those the sins that we were supposed to commit but didn't?"



♥A little boy went to the store with his grandmother and on the way home he was looking at the things she had purchased. He found a package of pantyhose and began to sound out the words "QUEEN SIZE." He then looked at his grandmother and exclaimed, "Look Grandma, you wear the same size as our waterbed!"



♥"The "Joy Of Motherhood": What a woman experiences when all the children are finally in bed.



♥The only people who are always right about the proper way to raise children? Those who've never had any.

♥THINGS ONLY A MOM CAN TEACH!♥

Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION:"Just wait until your father gets home."

My Mother taught me about RECEIVING:."You are going to get it when we get home!"

My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE:"What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"

My Mother taught me LOGIC:"Because I said so, that's why."&"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

My Mother taught me HUMOR:"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My Mother taught me about GENETICS:"You're just like your father."

My mother taught me RELIGION:"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me IRONY:"Keep crying and I'll *give* you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about STAMINA:"You'll sit there until all that spinach is finished."

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: Don't Exaggerate!!!"


Hmmm, have you ever heard one of those lines?

To The Greatest Moms I Know...

~My Precious Mother~

Who can find a virtuous (excellent in all forms) woman. For her worth is far above rubies. Strength and honor are her clothing. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31

On this Thankful Thursday I would like to thank God for some of the most wonderful, dedicated, and selfless moms I know, who have been so influential in shaping the lives and character of their precious children.

First, I want to thank God for my own mom, who is now with Jesus. She is and will forever be close to my heart♥ There is nothing I do or say that has not been impacted by her remarkable influence in my life. I miss her more and more as the years go by. She was the greatest example I have ever known of what it means to live a self-less life, and the most generous woman ever. I love you mom...

I’d also like to honor my husband's mother as well. She was such a gift to me and I’ll be forever grateful for the son she raised. She is also now with Jesus. My advice to all of you who still have your mom’s is to enjoy them while they are still with you, and let them know how special they are each and every day!


Also, I would like to ask you to keep in prayer some very exceptional mom's who will never again experience a Mother's Day in the quite the same way. These are courageous young women that I personally know and love, and who now have children in heaven. Each holiday is filled with many different emotions, but I think that above all of them, Mother's Day must be one of the most difficult.

Today I would like to honor four of these amazing ladies who have taught me what true faith, courage, and devotion is really all about.

♥ By now I'm sure most of you reading my blog know what a special relationship I have with Tonya Nason. Tonya and I met at St. Jude while our son’s were undergoing treatment. Not only did we become best buddies, but so did our boys. If you have not had the privilege to get to know her, please stop by Safe In His Arms. She's warm, she's witty, and she has an astounding passion for Jesus. I love you Tonya, Happy Mother's Day to you!

♥ The next mom that I've come to love and admire is Heather Duckworth. Heather has stolen the heart of so many. As she journaled about Jacob's battle with cancer, Heather recorded the largest number of visits to her site in the history of Caringbridge!! Can you imagine? Well, you would only have to read one entry before you're officially hooked. Her love for Jesus, her children, and her unique spirit of Joy permeates all she does and writes about. I'm so blessed to know her and to be called her friend. Stop on by and visit Heather at Faithful Froggers and you'll see what I'm talking about!

~Heather & Donnie~


♥ Another special friend that I have connected deeply with is Susan Pauxtis. I also met Susan through Caringbridge. Her brave son Timmy fought a courageous battle with brain cancer. From the very first time I dropped by to visit their site, I was captivated by her writing and her love and dedication to the cause of fighting these horrible childhood diseases. Since Timmy went to be with Jesus, Susan and her family started a Foundation in his honor. She recently sponsored her first “Timmy Tour De Shore”, which raised over, $70,000.00 to help fund research for childhood brain tumors. They have already set the date for the next one in October. Susan has been a tremendous support for all of us mom's who are still in the battle. I love you Susan, and I pray your Mother’s Day is one filled with beautiful memories of sweet Timmy.

~Susan & Timmy~

♥ Finally, I'd like to end by honoring one other special friend of mine named Dawn. As you might have guessed by now, I first met Dawn through Caringbridge also, but I finally got the privilege of meeting her in person while Jordan and I were at St. Jude for one of his six-month check-up’s. Getting together with her has become one of the highlights of my regular visits to St. Jude. She works as a Volunteer at Habitat for Hope, encouraging, visiting and bringing dinners to needy families who are staying in Memphis while their children are in treatment. Dawn lost her precious son Shae to cancer 7 years ago. She continues to bless me and countless others in so many ways. Happy Mother’s Day to you Dawn, you are a true blessing.

Yes, these are my many heroes. These are the brave one’s who never gave up in the face of insurmountable odds. Who stayed the course and ran the race set before them. They are champions who remained faithful until the very end. While it is true that their precious children are now in heaven, they never lost the battle. What a glorious passage we find in 1 Cor. 15,

“…when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I would also like to wish all of you a great Mother's Day! I've never met so many dedicated, loving mom's. I continue to glean from each one of you, and it's been such a joy getting to know you all.

Please join us at Sting My Heart to see what other grateful hearts are thanking God for.

A Door of Hope

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.Hosea 2:14

I'm not feeling so great today and was not planning on on doing a post. I thought however I'd just see what today's quote was, and oh my, was I ever tagged by the Lord!

The first thought that came to my mind as I read this powerful scripture was a quote by C.S. Lewis, that I'm sure most of us have experienced in our lives. He wrote,

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain..."

There is no greater love story in history then that of Hosea and his adulterous bride Gomer. It was an allegory to show how much God loved Israel, and that she was the apple of His eye. His love knew no bounds, and he continually reached out for her even when she was unfaithful to Him.

I can't read this story without feeling the immense love of God, and a heartfelt gratitude that can not be written in mere words. How many times have I run away and disobeyed Him, yet His love

would not let me go...

.
I'm so blessed that God cares enough to draw me away from this world, and get my attention fully on Him. Just like a stubborn, strong-willed kid, I need God's loving discipline for correction and direction in my life. David wrote in PS. 94:12,”Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law..."

In Hebrews 12:15-16 it says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

I love how this passage in Hosea continues with a beautiful promise from God when He said in verse 15,

“ There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.”

Yes, this is what follows after God lures us away by His love. It is true that He will speak to us, correct and discipline us, but in the end He will reward us with blessings and hope.

For 400 years there was a dark silence. The prophet Malachi wrote the last words between God and Israel and books were closed. But then the silence broke on that glorious day when the angels heralded the birth of the Lord Jesus. There was an announcement that a new door of HOPE would be opened to the whole world. Jesus confirmed He was the fulfillment of the promise made in Hosea when he declared, “I AM THE DOOR!”

God is ready to break the silence in your life. If you are in a season of being lured away, don't resist. God is always calling us to come closer. He has something wonderful to give us if we will only yield to His call, and not resist His loving discipline. Just listen for His tender voice speaking to you in your desert, and surrender your whole heart to Him today.

Join us over at Titus 2 Women today!

"The Crazy Way We Met"

As my fiancé and I were driving around one hot summer afternoon, an argument broke out between us. A few blocks before reaching my home, I asked him to just stop the car so I could get out and walk home.

I needed time alone to think things over.

We had been dating for over 5 years, but things were not going very well in our relationship. New yearnings were stirring up deep inside of me. I was feeling that God was calling me to a deeper commitment to Him, and my fiancé was not feeling the same way at all. Earlier that day we had discussed how much time we should be spending in church, and what a total surrender to Jesus would mean in our relationship. I was ready to completely yield everything to the Lord, but that was just too much for him.

Things were beginning to slip away for us, and I was at a crossroad in my life.

“It’s all for Jesus”, I announced as he pulled the car over to the curb. “Will you join me?” There was no response as I stepped out of the car and began a walk home that would change the rest of my life. Climbing up the long winding stairs up to my bedroom, I knew that God was calling me to yield all to Him. This time I was ready to answer and as I knelt by my bed I whispered this simple prayer.

“Dear Jesus, I want to give you all of my life. I want to live completely for you. Lord, I do not know another Christian so would you please send me a friend to walk along side of me and teach me more about you?”

The next morning my alarm clock went off, and I was awakened by what I thought would be my favorite rock station. It just so happened they had a one-hour Christian show on Saturday mornings called “The Rock That Doesn’t Roll”. As I listened, a song came on called Stephanie that caught my attention. I have a sister named Stephanie, and this song was about a girl who needed Jesus. I was so moved, and was thinking how much I would like my sister to hear this song. My hope was that she would also want to give her all to follow Jesus the way I did the night before.

I finished getting ready and headed off to work feeling like things were really beginning to change.

Once I arrived at my job I could not get this song out of my head. I wanted to buy it for my sister to hear. I had never bought a Christian record before; I didn’t know the name of the album or even the artist. All I knew was the name of the song. Undaunted, I started calling all the secular record stores I was used to dealing with. One after another I kept hearing the same thing, “I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of the song you are looking for.” Ready to give up, I called the very last place I could find in the yellow pages, Logo’s Bookstore. I had never heard of it, but they said they carried records in the ad so I decided to give it a try.

A friendly enough voice answered the phone. I said, “I know you probably can’t help me, in fact, I don’t even know what I’m trying to buy. All I know is I’m looking for a song called Stephanie that I heard played on the radio early this morning.”

“Well, I actually do know what you’re looking for. The artist that recorded that song is Bob Ayala, and I just recently saw him in concert. We have that album here, but you will have to hurry because I am getting ready to close the store."

When I arrived at the store I was greeted with a warm welcome and a smile that melted my heart. I will never forget. The young guy was ready to help me in any way he could. After finding the album I came for, he helped me pick out my first bible and an arm full of other goodies.

The Lord answered my prayer from the night before and sent me that friend I had asked for. Two weeks later on July 4th, Rick asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Little did I know when I called Logo’s Bookstore that the the guy who answered the phone would become my lifelong partner, the best bible teacher, lover, and the father of our five wonderful sons. Yes I truly am thankful that you kept the store open a little late for me that night in June of 1977 Rick Amato! My life has never been the same. I love you. On August 12th will will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.

~Bob Ayala and wife~

Just a footnote. Seven years after we were married, I was able to personally meet Bob Ayala and his wife at a Christian rally in Washington, DC. I shared with him how his song Stephanie was used by God to help me meet the guy who would become my husband! He was thrilled to hear that story of how God used his song to bring us together.

Please Join us today over at Chrysalis to read some exciting love stories! Thanks so much for stopping by today♥

It's A ...

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.” Psalm 127:4

♥On this Thankful Thursday I'm so thrilled to announce I'm going to be a grandmother to my very first GRANDSON! My son (Jason) and daughter in law (Kristin) called me yesterday thrilled share this awesome news. So, after three of the most adorable grand-daughters, it's time once again for trucks, cars, frogs and dinosaurs. We are all overjoyed to say the least.

♥I'm also thankful for a very caring dentist, where I've been spending lots of time these days. Yes, I'm still battling headaches and more headaches. TMJ has become a household word around here. I really need a miracle, and if you would, whisper a prayer for me. I'd greatly appreciate it.

♥I'm grateful for my son's safe arrival in Taiwan, and how happy he has been. Joseph is teaching 5 year old children English and the kids in his class just adore him. He has already rented an apartment, purchased a motor scooter to get around town, and of course bought a new guitar which he loves to play. He said the people are wonderful and the cost of living is very low compared to America. He also continually reminds me NOT TO WORRY! Unfortunately, I can’t help it , but I have learned to trust God with all my kids. Thanks so much for your prayers, I desperately need covet each and every one.

♥Finally, I'm thankful for my husband who unselfishly serves us in countless ways each day. He will have the chance to get away this coming weekend to attend a men's retreat on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and a golf game is included in the package! (Don't you just love men's retreats?) The weather has been beautiful, and I'm sure he will have a well deserved time away.

Thanks once again for all of you out there who take time to stop by and check in on me. Your comments are a blessing to me; I love getting to know you all.

Have a Happy Thankful Thursday!

Join us over at Sting my Heart and see what other grateful hearts are praising God for.