Florida Part 2 - God's protection


December 31, 2008

I have many pictures to post from our time in Florida but first want to share how the Lord protected us last week!
On our way to Orlando we took separate cars. Jonathan and Taylor were over 2 hours ahead (given our many stops) when something quite alarming happened. We were travelling on I-95- going about 75 mph in the left-hand lane when all of a sudden our tire blew. As the car began to shake I began screaming "Praise you Jesus!" over and over :). After swerving for several minutes we did a 360 across all 3 lanes amidst a very busy interstate! Preparing for some kind of impact-the car miraculously came to a stop on the shoulder- actually pointing in the right direction- completely safe! Cars pulled over both in front and behind both to help and to attest to the miracle that not one car hit another. If that wasn't enough...how the Lord provided next amazed us.
The car we're driving is used but new to us. We didn't even think to check if our spare had enough air or if we had the needed wrench to change the tire. Little did we know-both were needed. About 5 cars pulled over and no one had the necessary wrench. Mirielle and I were sitting on a bin of Christmas presents on the side of I-95 when we decided we should pray. We simply asked the Lord if He would please provide us with the correct wrench and quickly since it was getting dark. (A side note...we called 911 and were informed that road side service didn't change tires :) ) We finished our prayer and looked up to see a car pulling up! Miri said "Wow He answered quick!" Yes he did. The Lord sent us a naval officer with the correct wrench! He had seen us with our heads down thinking we were distraught! Ha-how wonderful it was to inform him that we were praying and the Lord sent him!
It was at this point when we realized the spare needed air. Bill and our 'answer to prayer' went off to get air for the tire while Miri and I sat on the side of I-95 - now praying for safety! Literally a few seconds later a van pulled over and began backing up towards us. Not the scenario I wanted to find ourselves in! The passenger side window rolled down and they introduced themselves as Christians who wanted to help! The husband handed me his business card and turns out they own a company (sponsored by Yamaha) who offer seminars to train men and women how to use church sound systems! They stayed with us until we were safely on the road.
Within a few moments Bill returned with the spare and we were shortly on our way.
We started our vacation very thankful for the Lord's glorious provision and protection! Isn't God good?

Courtship defined...


December 27, 2008

Some have asked...What is courtship? I found Wikipedia's definition helpful and humorous :).

Courtship is the traditional dating period before engagement and marriage. During a courtship, a couple dates to get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement. Usually courtship is a public affair, done in public and with family approval.

It includes activities such as dating where couple go together for a dinner, a movie, dance parties, a picnic, shopping or general "hanging out", along with other forms of activity. Acts such as meeting on the internet, chatting on-line, sending text messages or picture messages, conversing over the telephone, writing each other letters, and sending each other flowers, songs, and gifts constitute wooing. :)

Julie's mom- Cissy explains it better here.

I know Jon and Julie covet your prayers as they begin... courtship!

Florida Part 1

December 24, 2008


We are so enjoying our time here in Florida! I'll post more when we get home but wanted to post a picture I've been looking forward to posting :).
Here's a picture of our Jon and his girlfriend Julie VanLue~

Merry Christmas Everyone!! Jesus Christ is born!

Pray!



"But whatever your burden, cast it in the prayer of faith on the Lord. Peculiar and heavy though it may be, His strength and grace and love will sustain you. Encircled by His almighty arm, aided by prayer, upheld by the promises, strengthened by His grace, soothed by His sympathy, and comforted by His Spirit, you shall not sink, for it is written, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Winslow

Christmas at the Billy Graham Library

December 18, 2008

Last night we went to the Billy Graham Library with our dear friends- The B's :). It is a beautiful, God glorifying place!

Stop and pray!


Am I alone in feeling too busy? I need to stop...really gotta stop and make time to pray! Spurgeon says it so well!

“Sometimes we think we are too busy to pray. That is a great mistake, for praying is a saving of time. If we have no time we must make time, for if God has given us time for secondary duties, He must have given us time for primary ones, and to draw near to Him is a primary duty,(and our joy!) and we must let nothing set in on one side. Your other engagements will run smoothly if you do not forget your engagement with God” (Spurgeon)

Trip to see the Misero's!

December 14, 2008

We were so excited to be able to spend some time with my cousin Ryan, his wife Tracy and their children Corey, Olivia and Katherine this weekend. It was a wonderful surprise to discover another relative was also visiting! My cousin Mary Lou's son Randall is also stationed at Fort Bragg and was at the Misero's that weekend. We had a wonderful weekend and look forward to seeing them again soon. Please be praying for Corey, Ryan, Randall and their families. Corey is enlisting in a few weeks and both Ryan and Randall will be deployed soon. May the Lord protect them all and use them for His glory! We are so proud of them!!

Christmas story play~

December 11, 2008

Mirielle was so excited today! She played Mary in the Christmas story at co-op. Thank you to all those who helped with the play...it was so precious! I hope you enjoy the slideshow!

Bargains!





One of my favorite places to buy gifts this year is thru Library and Educational Services. You can see them at: http://www.libraryanded.com/. They are currently running a special on Focus on the Family's 19 audio CD's of The Chronicles of Narnia for only $14.99!
As Spurgeon says... "Giving is true having!"

Please pause music- Here's Mocha, Moi, Miri and our Moms :)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Bringing Mary Home...


New friends of ours...the McConnoll's are in the Ukraine right now awaiting the oh so familiar court date! Please pray for their family...for their children here at home, for Mary as she transitions from life in an orphanage and for her new parents who are entering into the glorious life of adoption! Lord bless this dear family!


Biscotti and music!

December 8, 2008
I'm busy making biscotti for the holidays and would love to hear if anyone has a favorite biscotti recipe to share!
















While baking- Josh, Jon and Taylor entertained :)





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Victory Junction Gang Camp- Christmas Fun!

December 6, 2008

Today Bill took Mirielle and her friend Alina to Victory Junction for their Christmas celebration! Richard and Pattie Petty who founded the camp in honor of Kyle and Pattie's son Adam were there today to help in the celebration. Mirielle went to their camp this summer and had the time of her life! We are so grateful for the Petty family!

I'd recommend checking out Victory Junction's website! http://www.victoryjunction.org/.


How can we glorify God during this holiday season?


















John Wesley has something to say!

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can!

What is Christmas all about?

You'll want to pause my music below :)

Cheer Up!


November 3, 2008


Bill and I went to a 'Celebration of Life' (funeral) yesterday. My friend Libby's father went to be with the Lord and it has me thinking about eternity. I read this precious quote from Mrs. Mary Winslow this morning:


"Cheer up! We are now nearer glory than when we first believed. There sits Jesus, once crowned with thorns, bruised and crucified for your sins and mine, in all His ineffable beauty and glory waiting to bid us welcome home. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Heaven is not so far off as we think. It invites us; and it is but a step and we are there! This poor world is not our rest! Heaven is our home, and we are but sojourners here in this wilderness for a while, soon to be away! Cheer up! " (1754-1854)


Let's live for eternity!

Do you have 8 minutes?

December 1, 2008

You'll love Jesus more after seeing this :).
Please pause the music before you watch!