to my parents...45 years and counting

You know you have great parents when your adult friends ask you, "Do you think your parents will adopt me, because they are way better than mine?" (I have always said that I have the best parents in the world.) Last night we celebrated my parents 45th wedding anniversary. By the request of one, I have posted the words that I shared with those at dinner last night.

"It's easy for me to understand love at first a sight, but how do you explain love after two people have been looking at each other for years? My parents have spent the last forty-five years looking at one another. Everyone here has been a witness to their union. I have had a VIP Pass for most of it. Trust me the view wasn't always pretty, but it was always entertaining. Together they have survived a draft notice, a tour of duty, pregnancy, child birth, trips to the ER, surgeries, go cart wrecks, slumber parties, girl scout meetings, two teenagers, traffic tickets, broken hearts, school board meetings, job changes, death, menopause, home re-models and shop buildings, the birth of a grandson, and countless cars, dogs, cats, birthdays, Christmas's, and other holidays. During it all they have stayed in love.

From my front row seat I have noticed a few things:

Daddy will eat anything cooked in an Easy Bake Oven, if his daughter bakes it for him.
Mom will let you sit on the counter and listen to you talk about nothing for a very long time.
Mom knows exactly how long to wait after dad sneezes before she says "bless you.”
When dad goes to his shop to "tinker" she gets the first aid kit ready. Trust me there have been a lot of band-aids over the years and one skin graph.
I’ve never seen dad do a load of laundry or the dishes, but I’ve also never seen mom change the oil in a car.
Daddy knows exactly how to push Mom's buttons, just to see the twinkle in her eye.
He knows that she will interrupt him at least once while he's telling a story, usually twice and yet he keeps on talking.
After living in the same house for 33 years Daddy still has to ask where the bowls are. I’m pretty sure the only thing he knows how to use in the kitchen is the coffee pot and the microwave. He says he can turn on the stove to pre-heat it for breakfast, but I’ve never seen him do it. Don’t even ask him about the dishwasher, washing machine, or the dryer.
She knows she will have to wake him up in his recliner to tell him to go to bed.
They have learned to deal not only with their compatibility, but also with their incompatibility.
They laugh together, they’ve cried together, and more importantly they know when to leave each other alone.
They know that the better sometimes comes after the worse.
They both know how and when to say "I'm sorry."

The sentence "I love you," isn't just something they mumble at bedtime. It is what they do every day; with an act of service, in a look, in a kind or annoying word, or sometimes in a gift. Tonight we are here to celebrate their love, the trust they have in each other, the partnership they have formed, the tolerance they have for one another, and the tenacity it takes to stay to together for 45 years.

There is a line in the movie The Princess Bride that says, “This is true love… you think this happens every day?” Well, I know first hand that it doesn't. Let me close by saying thank you for teaching all us here the true meanings of devotion, love, and commitment. I love you."

can't keep a good women down

Sitting in ICU Room #4 I watch a son caress the leg of his mother while she feeds herself banana pudding. They sit and discuss the doctors prognosis and his suggestions for her treatment. With wires and tubes attached to her and machines beeping, I watched the two of them speak with such love and kindness. In one small blink of an eye the son became the parent and the mother became the one in need of her child's advice. He assured his mother that he would take care of everything and not to worry. As he spoke her eye's began to tear up, I realized that the tears weren't really tears, just pride spilling out. She was trying to hide her nervousness with certainty. However, the tone in her voice would crack, she would try to laugh, smile, and hope her son didn't hear the small whimper in her light, sweet Texas draw. I've heard that the women from Texas are made up of grit, stubbornness, determination, vinegar, and sugar. Even in her current fragile condition those traits are easy to see in this Texas lady.
As she lay in the hospital bed recovering from a light stroke, a staph infection, triple bypass surgery, and a mechanical valve replacement she asks me, "Do you like to dance." I answered her with, "I try." The twinkle in her eye quickly returned along with her smile and said, "We'll all go as soon as I get out of this place." I took that as a sign that her strength and spunk never left.
She was moved to the rehab center this week, where her toughness will be put to the test. She has a long road ahead of her, but I have no doubt that it won't be long before this five foot two, go-gettin, gun packin, cross wearin, truth tellin, car burnin, lead-foot drivin, grandma will be back to her old tricks.

you can tell a lot about a girl by her shoes...

I get teased quite a bit about how much I love shoes. Honestly, I rarely leave a store without visiting the shoe section. When a pair catches my eye, it’s the only time I believe in love at first sight. When I slip them on for the first time and take those first few steps in them, I realize that it could be love. The price tag reveals that they are on sale, and then I know its destiny. I love my shoes so much that my daddy built me a six foot tall shoe cabinet to house them in. I currently have 53 pairs of shoes in it. That’s not all of them, but those are the ones that made the cut into the trophy case. There are very few things that make me feel as good as wearing a new pair of shoes.
Marilyn Monroe said, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” I can so relate to this statement. I feel extraordinarily confident, sexy, brazen, and sometimes even smarter in new shoes. I know it must sound silly to boys, but it’s true. Personally, I think all girls feel better in new shoes. If they say different I choose to believe they are liars. Recently, someone told me that I had too many pairs of shoes. He even suggested that I should throw some of them out. After I caught my breath, I started to think that he might be right. Then I quickly regained my right mind, proceeded to tell him, in a very polite way, that he was wrong and it really wasn’t any of his business anyway. That pretty much ended the conversation.
Not that I need to, but I was wondering if there was a way to justify having so many pairs of shoes, other than Miss Monroe’s statement. Then I came across Song of Solomon 7:1, “How beautiful are thy feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter!” Could this be it? Before some of you start judging me for trying to manipulate God’s word, for my own opinion, I know this verse is not God telling me to buy a thousand pairs of shoes. However, He did inspire every word written, I'm just saying. Obviously even God has an appreciation for footwear and thinks a woman’s foot looks good in a nice strappy number. Yes, I’m aware that it may be a stretch, but I’m claiming it. According to biblegateway.com the word sandal(s) is used in 28 different verses (NIV). In Isaiah 52:7 and again in Romans 10:15 it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Why shouldn’t those feet be adorned with a great pair of shoes?It comes down to this, most boys don't understand why girls have to have so many pairs of shoes. I have listed a few reasons boys might understand: We are trying to conquer the world and need the perfect red peep toes heels to do it in. We are tired of being kissed on the forehead, we need the high heels so we don’t have to stand on our tippy toes. The shoes went with the new dress that took your breath away. Buying the shoes was cheaper than buying the gun to shoot you with and not as permanent. Honestly, boys, the truth is that sometimes a pair of shoes really can change your life, just ask Prince Charming and Cinderella.

waiting, serving, and praying

I originally posted this in October of 2008, but recently this verse keeps coming back to me. So, I thought I would re-post it for what ever reason.

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

The above verse is attached to the bottom of every email that my friend, Jenn sends out, replies to, or forwards on. I know other people who do the same thing, one attaches Jeremiah 29:11, another uses Colossians 3:23. A few days ago I received an email from her explaining that her grandmother had passed away and what a strong Christian woman she had been and now she was "reaping her rewards for her faithful service to the Lord," those where Jenn's words regarding her grandmother.
As I read the bottom of her email and came to the verse I started to think about the words "wait upon" and their meaning. It was like someone hit me over the head, that verse doesn't mean we are to sit around watching the clock go tick-tock and wait on the the Lord to renew our strength. No, the author didn't use the word "WAIT" alone, he used the words "WAIT UPON." I might be a little slower than others but, when the two words are used together they take on a verb meaning, "to perform the duties of an attendant or servant." Do you know how many times I have read that verse and never put it together? More than I would like to admit.
It is only then, when we "SERVE OR ATTEND TO THE LORD" that he will "RENEW OUR STRENGTH." For those of you who have ever worked as a Server or hosted an event, you try to do everything that your guest ask of you, without asking any questions in return,in exchange for a tip or reward for a job well done. What if we took on that same attitude when we serve the Lord? Can you imagine if we did everything He asked of us and never asked any questions in return? How would He reward us then? He tells us, "they shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." There is no big surprise here. If we serve him he rewards us, this is not a hard concept to grasp folks.
Recently our pastor spoke about how when you are praying and serving God be prepared for an answer. He used the following example: If you are praying for a job, be ready to receive two offers, because God rewards and gives favor to the people who serve Him. Kevin and I looked at each other knowing that word was for us. You see, Kevin has been looking and praying for a different job for about a year, something with better benefits, more responsibility, more flexibility, and more money. Two weeks later Kevin received two different job offers. Both offers had more responsibility, more flexibility, better benefits, and more money; everything we had prayed for, however, one would disrupt our current lifestyle and be a huge adjustment, the other would not disrupt our life at all. So, this week he started his new job with very little disruption. Usually I would be freaking out a little bit, but not this time. This time, there is complete peace in our house. He is excited about the new position and we know that this was designed by God's hand. It is amazing to me to think that He made it that simple. God and His Word are not difficult to understand, we are the ones who muck it up.

storer or sharer?

We have all heard the saying, "don't sweat the small stuff." I use to worry and fret (Oklahoma word) over the small stuff. Daddy would tell me, "to stop worrying, whatever is going to be will be and worrying about it won't change the outcome." Well, lately I have started to take a closer look at the "small stuff" in my life. What I've realize is what we call "small stuff" is the stuff that really matters and it's not so small after all.
Look around your world. Look at what you have close to you. Right now, I have a blanket, a bible, a phone, and a bottle of water. Those are all small items, but provide warmth, direction, a way to communicate, and nourishment, all which are very big things. What about the even smaller things? I'm talking about when Kyler hugs me and says, "I'm glad that God made you my mom." That statement always causes a tear in my eye. The way I can actually feel my heart skip a beat when Jack touches my hand. The way my mom can smile with her eyes, it is amazing. I promise I've seen how much she loves me and her family through the smile in her eyes. The way Daddy can reassure me just by looking at me and saying my name in his sweet soft tone. I don't know how he does it, but I hope I never out grow that feeling.
How can some thing be so small and simple, but yet have such an impact in our life? It reminds me of the rain drops that are hitting my window. A single rain drop is a very little insignificant thing, but when it combines with other small rain drops that single small rain drop has the capability to cause a great flood. Like the single small meaningless rain drop, the small things in our life, when combined all together, can cause a flood of meaningful emotions.
I could name a thousand wonderful little things that I remember about my grand parents. The one that stands out the most, I didn't spend enough time with them. I'm not sure if I really understood the importance of spending time with family until I moved away from home. Our time has become such a precious commodity we have grown accustomed to budgeting it, sometimes better than our checkbook. With everything we have pulling us in all different directions; careers, kids, housework, homework, grocery shopping, extra-curricular activities, church, family time, honey-do lists, and all the other million things we have on our minds, it is so easy to look up and realize it's bedtime and we haven't said, "I love you, today" to anyone. A small simple four word sentence that can make a huge difference.
I've realized lately that the "small stuff" isn't so small after all. I still worry about the little things, I guess some things don't change, however, now I worry that I may not be giving out as much as I'm taking in. The smallest acts of kindness and sweet words we say to others are sometimes the biggest things that happen to them in a day. I'm trying to do my part and remember to pay it forward. I'm working on becoming more of a sharer and than a saver. When you share a kind word or just a smile, you are planting seeds of yourself in their lives and you never know how the rain will make them grow, but you might be surprised to see how fast a smile will appear. That's when it really is better to give than to receive.

my momma

On this day some fifty-five plus years ago my Nana gave birth to my momma! (I would never tell her age!)
I don't write or talk about my mom much because when I do I start to tear up and that is not my favorite thing, so this will be short.
My grandparents raised a wonderful, beautiful, smart, and caring, daughter and my daddy married her. My mom is the one reason I never wanted to have children...because I knew I could never do as good of a job as she did. I love her more than I ever told her.
I was and maybe still am, a daddy's girl. I spent every second I could with my dad. Given a choice, spend the day with dad in the garage or the kitchen with mom, daddy won every time. My momma never said a word, except, "Go and have fun."
As I grew up we would argue and have our moments of anger, Daddy would tell me that it was because we were so much alike. I hated that then, now it is the greatest compliment...I love you Momma, happy birthday!

4th of july weekend

Yes, I know that it's almost August but I still need to post something fun for July. So here goes...

Kyler and I went to Memphis with my parents, actually they tagged along with us which was awesome! I love that my parents are retired! It's awesome! We had a great time! Why Memphis? It's a long story, but Kyler wanted to see a "real" zoo with panda bears. I know he's a random child, good or bad I think that's the one thing he gets from me. Back to the story, Memphis is one of the four zoo's in the US that has panda's so that's why Memphis. Once we decided on the date Kyler took over! He planned the entire trip, except the hotel, where we went, what we did, and where we ate. He got online and Googled the show "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives" to see what restaurants have been featured so we could eat there! I thought it was very resourceful, but I also took it as a big red flag that I was watching too much Food Network while he is home and have since cut back.
Here are a few pictures from our trip. I have never been a great photographer of fireworks, so yes I know they sorta look like static electricity. Anyway I hope you enjoy and all comments are welcome.

You should have known we would fit in a ball game!

Walk off home run, Redbirds win!

The post game fireworks show was amazing!

Sun Studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, & others got their start. The birthplace of Rock-n-Roll!

Memphis Hard Rock on Beale Street

Dyer's...featured on Diner, Drive-In's and Dives for their deep fried hamburgers! (It was good, but not as good as Ku-Ku's!)

Neely's BBQ, the owners are the hosts of "Down Home with the Neely's" on Food Network! The BBQ Spaghetti was surprisingly yummy!

Memphis Zoo (I love giraffes!)

Swimming Time!

The napping Panda's! They slept the entire time we were there.

Komodo Dragon

The bird house!

Kyler and Dad love these things. I think they stopped at everyone and dropped a quarter in just to watch it go around in circles.

Mom and Dad with the kitty cats.

Me and Kyler taking a break!

time to get a grip

I need to try to re-focus. I have deactivated my Facebook account, I'm trying only to answer my phone, emails, or text messages if they are work related, from Kyler or my parents. I am giving up television, movies, spending time with friends, the only outlet I will have is writing this blog, Kyler, and the radio, I have to have some sort of link to the outside world!

Please don't get offended, I'm not trying to alienate anyone, I just need some space and time alone right now to sort through some very personal issues. If I don't answer your call or get back with you immediately, please leave a message, I'll listen to it I promise. Thanks for your understanding, I love you and

Don't worry I'm fine!

he makes my heart smile!

Some of you have asked how "The Boy" is doing. The Boy is doing fine. He's still here and that's a plus! I have to admit I'm pleasantly surprised, but yet still surprised! I will even tell you that he has met the peeps and they like him! No big underlining meaning there, except that it was convenient.

Actually, Jack and I have had a lot fun the last couple of months. We jammed at the Good Friday Rocks Concert, we stumbled onto a drum circle in Eureka Springs, we shared a romantic evening dancing under the stars, had a thrilling day losing our bellies at an amusement park, we have gone on an all day shopping excursion, we were launched 130 feet into the air by a sling shot, and we paddled around a lake one afternoon. We have a great time together!

It's a nice switch, having someone around that wants to spend time with me. After we spend the day together my cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much!!! I know that sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. The one thing that Jack does that puts the biggest smile on my heart is when he sits next to me in church. The fact that he wants to be there with me is the biggest, simplest gesture he does to show me that he kinda likes me. Well, the fact that he says, "You know I kinda like you, right?" also lets me know.

The last time I wrote about The Boy I ended the post by saying, "I was going to enjoy the ride and pray it's not a train wreck." So far the train is on the right track. I'll be sure to keep you updated!

me and jack at eureka

all in god's time...

We have all heard that “God is never late. He will show up in His own time.” Have you ever wondered how His time compares to ours? In 2 Peter 3:8 the author writes, “…you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord and a thousand years is like a day.” This is one of the moments that I love the Internet! I found the website http://www.gl3nnx.net/ and by using the above verse we are able to see how God’s Time contrasts to Man’s Time. Thank goodness to, because I’m sure I could not have done the math by myself!

“MAN’s Time Line = GOD’S Time Line
1000yrs = 1day
500yrs = 12 hrs
250yrs = 6hrs
125yrs = 3hrs
62yrs & 6 mos = 1hr & 30mins
31yrs & 3mos = 45mins
15yrs & 7mos & 15days = 22mins & 30secs
7yrs & 9mos 22days 12hrs = 11mins & 15 secs
3yrs & 10mos 26days 3hrs = 5mins 37secs 30mili
1yr 11mos 13days 1hr 30secs = 2mins 48secs 45mili
11mos 21days 12hrs 30min 15secs = 1min 24sec 22.5mili
5mos 25days 18hrs 15min 7sec 30mili = 42secs 11.25mili
2mos 27days 21hrs 7min 33secs 30mili = 21secs 5.625mili
1mon 13days 22hrs 33min 46secs 45mili = 10secs 32.81mili
21days 13hrs 16min 53sec 22.5mili = 5secs 16.40mili
10days 18hrs 38min 26sec 16.25mili = 2secs 38.20mili
5days 9hrs 19min 13secs = 1sec 19.1mili”

The current life expectancy of a woman in the United States is 79.5 years, for men it's 74.1 years. Now look at the chart, did you get it? Not the fact that on average women out live men by 5.4 years, God gives women those years to relax. Here is what I was hoping you caught, according to God's watch we have less than 2 hours to do what He has called us to do.

Think about this, Jesus spent 33 years on earth doing the will of God. That is less than an hour in God's world. I have spent more time picking out shoes! Did I just compare the time that Jesus spent on earth to buying shoes? Maybe that wasn't the best comparison, but I'm trying to make a point: our concept of time is so different than God’s. I know I haven’t made some huge monumental discovery, but now the saying, “God will show up in His own time” has a brand new meaning for me. I finally get it. We have previously established that I’m not the fastest car on the track, so no comments will be needed.

When I take a dilemma or question to God and I get an answer within a week, according to the table above, He answered my prayer in less than 2 seconds! TWO SECONDS! If I pray for an issue for a month or even a year before I get a response, “I’m thinking why is it taking Him so long?” According to His clock He answered me in a minute or less! ONE MINUTE! I don’t give Kyler an answer that quick. Are you getting it? How fast do we expect God to answer us?

I know as a parent I want to think about how I’m going to answer Kyler when he asks me a question. I don’t just give him a response because he wants one at that very second. I think about what is best for him, not just what he wants. Why wouldn’t God be the same way? Taking His time to think about what is best for us, in every situation, and how He wants to answer or counsel us. Aren't we HIS children?

As I sit here and type, I have started thinking about the fact that I take time for granted. I think all of us are a little guilty of thinking we have plenty of time. After looking over the comparison chart, in God’s reality we don’t, we have less than two hours. I guess what I'm asking, “What are we really doing with our time?” Are we doing what God asks us to do? Are we doing what He calls us to do? Or are we doing what we want to do because, “life is short and we should make the best of it?”

Life is short and we spend so much of our time running from God out of our own selfishness, fear of being uncomfortable, shyness, or pride. It’s in our nature to be that way, because most of the time the things God wants us to do will more than likely require us to get out of our comfort zone. We are going to have to get up off the couch, put our feet on the floor, and move. If we put the same amount of time and energy into doing what God asks us to do than we spend running from Him, maybe we wouldn’t be so tired all the time.

When He calls us He provides the time, the power, the energy, the boldness, all of the resources to complete the task. We just have to trust in HIM. What are we going say when He asks us to do something, “Sorry Lord, I don’t really have time or I don’t think I have the energy to do that today, maybe tomorrow?” Seriously? What if we don’t get a tomorrow?

It all comes back to Our Time or His Time and which one are we going to set our watch to?

a few perfect days

The late Coach John Wooden said, “You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
A few weeks ago a man that I am lucky enough to call friend spent a week in Haiti helping the victims of the January 12th earthquake. He spent weeks preparing for this trip, gathering much needed items. Bare necessities, like soap and toothbrushes, important things like tents for shelter, medical supplies to help heal the wounded, and fun things like soccer balls and toys for the children that have been left without family and now spend their days either in an orphanage or on the streets alone.
T.J. came to work with us during his last year of college as an intern; we liked him so much we kept him. This January he was promoted to Vice President of our company. T.J. is a young man with an old soul. He is a man of integrity, a man of honor, and a man with a sensitive heart. He is a man that says please and thank you, a husband that calls his wife just to see how her day is going, a man that talks to his grandmother at least once a week and his parents every day. All of those are great qualities, but the one quality I see in T.J. is the way he is diligent to live a life that reflects his love of God; T.J.is a true Man of God.
Below is an email from T.J. that touched my heart:

“All:
This trip truly changed my life and I feel I was the one that benefited the most from this trip!
When we first arrived to Haiti we were told the airport was going to be one of the most stressful times while we were there. After customs we headed out and people swarmed us trying to place their hand on our bag so we will tip them. While we waited for every one's bags we saw 6 close calls to just total breakout fights! We traveled to a gas station because the house was about an hour away from the airport. While I was there a child came up to me and said "Take we with you, I have no father." over and over. He looked so sad. I think the 8 year old was wanting anything we could give him but it almost broke me to tears right there.
We then began the journey up to the house and I was just in total shock of the devastation. The earthquake happened on January 12th and still looks like it happened yesterday. Rubble was everywhere and whereas there were no tents before, now there are almost 50% of the 2 million people living in tent cities across the island. Everywhere you see people taking baths in the streets, urinating everywhere and basically doing anything just to survive. Most people get to eat a good meal every 3 days and they all now have no home, and no job. The smell of the city reeks in most places. There are also people EVERYWHERE. The size of Port Au Prince is no bigger than Northwest Arkansas; actually I believe it is a little more than half the size. There are 2 million people there so literally everywhere I looked I would see groups of people sitting, or walking around. The density is crazy.
Our mission there was to build houses for people that had no house or lost theirs in the quake. We had a lot of logistical issues with building materials but were still able to build 2 houses. The houses included framing, putting a metal roof on, and with the little tools we had we would work from 7:00AM to 6:00PM or so every day. This was so awesome to be a part of because it was very hard work in 115 degree heat index but was very accomplishing. The Haitian people would surround us every day. The kids would play with us and the adults would jump in and help us. They speak French so the language barrier was there, but they just came to work and helped every day. One house we built was next to an orphanage and we got to go see the children at the orphanage almost every day. They were so happy to see us. They are just deprived of love and that was all they wanted from us. They would jump on us, hug us, and just want to play. They had no toys. Literally, they had one toy to every 4 kids and the doll had stuffing coming out of it. It was so sad to see what all we have and what all they do not have. They were so happy though!
The other side of the trip was medical missions. We had nurses and doctors with us and they would travel and set up a clinic every day. I got to go one day with the medical team. I got to take down the person's medical problems and got to see so many people with common problems that they just couldn't get treatment for until now. People with cysts, fever, and nausea, all the way to holes in baby’s hearts that unfortunately were not going to get the treatment they need. I was emotionally wrecked to see this. Having to tell someone they need more help than we could give was bad but the fact that the additional help wasn't there was even more wrecking. They were all so thankful to us regardless of the outcome of the medical visit. We gave meds to them, which would help them get by. We also got to pray with them. I got to pray with many Haitians who were believers and some that were not. I would ask them if they knew Jesus. Some did, some did not, and some were into Voodoo. I've never encountered someone that practiced Voodoo! If they didn't know Jesus, I would share the gospel with them. Some would accept Christ and some would say they didn't want to accept. This was so powerful! They were so grateful and we would show them the nearest church and encourage them to get with the local pastor. Some may or may not follow through but if one or two does, then our job was complete!
The last part of this I wanted to share was some of the stories I got from the help we had from the translators we hired and the houseboy we had on staff. The houseboy, who is probably around 30, lost his wife in the earthquake. He had a couple kids and after losing his job, wife, and house, couldn't feed his kids. He had to give his children up for adoption shortly after because he said that he would starve but wouldn't let his kids starve. Recently Thirst No More hired him on so he now has a place to live and a job. He won't be able to get his kids back but he does get to go visit them every so often. The translators were so awesome to help us. They get paid very little and work with us from dusk to dawn translating and helping with anything we were doing. After the days work, they would literally have to go find a place to live because most of them didn't even have a tent for themselves! Thanks to you guys we were able to provide tents for them along with clothes, backpacks, sunglasses, etc.
I wanted to inform you guys of what is going on in Haiti and to say thanks for your support in prayer and financially. The money (Your) money went to help us provide 50,000 pills, tents, blankets, toothbrushes, soccer balls, etc. to the people there. Some of the giving away we couldn't do, we had to let a 3rd party in our organization do it because we didn't want to show favoritism to one person or group, but I did get to personally see and give soccer balls, a tent, clothes and the medicine away to some of the people there. It was truly amazing to see their faces and expressions on when we gave them something so little to us but it seemed like we were saving their lives. THANK YOU!! You guys made that possible!
I want to leave you with this thought that kept going in my mind while I was there. Those people are so broken. They have nothing, literally a tent and one pair of clothes, fighting to eat and live every day. However, their hope is in Jesus more than ever. They have nothing to look forward to but to be with Christ one day in Heaven. It was very evident to see that. I started thinking about me, and Americans and what all we have. Our hope is everything BUT Jesus. We have so much to look forward to and things to do that we sometimes forget our core of why we are actually here. I encourage you to evaluate what you are truly in hope for and that it is Jesus!
Thank you all so much and I truly appreciate your support.
God Bless, T.J. Lefler”

I know T.J.’s heart, I know that he did not go to Haiti for self recognition he went to Haiti to do what he could to help. There is no way the people of Haiti will be able to repay T.J. or the other groups that went before him or that will go after him. Without knowing it T.J. spent a few perfect days in the heat, filth, and hope of Haiti. He truly is an amazing young Man of God and has inspired me to try to live at least one perfect day week. I'm blessed to call him my friend.

paddle boats, ducks, a creek, and smiles

What a great day! That's all I can say about Sunday. My parents came down to visit and we had a GREAT day! We ate lunch at the Monte Ne Inn where they only serve one southern menu: appetizer of Navy bean soup and crackers, the entree fried chicken, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, and fresh baked bread with apple butter. All served home style and all you can eat. Then, for an additional charge there is dessert! Of course we had to try it, cherry cheese cake, chocolate fudge cake with ice cream, and blackberry cobbler with ice cream. It was slap your grandma good!

After lunch we drove over to Lake Atalanta, which isn't really a lake but it's bigger than a pond. We rented paddle boats, fed the ducks, and Kyler dunked his feet in the spring fed creek. I just thought I would share a few pics with everyone. Enjoy!