Merry Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulder. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

The Promise of a Our Savior:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

O Bethlehem...from you shall come forth the One who will be ruler of Israel

Micah 5:2

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.

Psalm 72:10

Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him.

Psalm 72:9

Immanuel. God With Us.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Matthrew 1:18

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem with Mary. While they were there, the days were completed for her to deliver. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

The shepheards returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.

Luke 2:9

I Remember How to Cook!

I actually haven’t forgotten how to cook! It has been so long since I’ve gotten a chance to cook that I was afraid I would forgot how to measure or even turn on the oven but as it turns out, I remembered! Last night I celebrated Christmas with some very sweet friends with an ornament swap. We decided on breakfast for supper (one of my personal favorites). Our hostesses, Katie and Alana, had bacon and pancakes and the rest of brought other dishes.

My mom shared this breakfast casserole recipe with me last year for New Years Eve and it was delicious!
2 cups seasoned croutons
1 pound sausage, browned and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheese
4-6 eggs
2 cups milk or half and half
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown the sausage, crumble and drain

Layer the croutons, sausage and shredded cheese into a casserole dish Mix and eggs and milk and pour over dry ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and place in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes

Delicious!

Christmas Ornament Swap 2010

Christmas Bravery and Courage

The Christmas season is a time for sharing and giving to others. Seeing the look on a loved one’s face when they open that perfect gift from you is exciting, and knowing that you have made someone’s day just a little bit better has a special happiness attached to it like nothing else.

My friend Blythe and I got a chance yesterday to help give to some families who deserve it the most. Blythe’s dad is a Hoover firefighter and they are helping sponsor some military families for Christmas. People have been bringing gifts to the fire station for weeks for this project along with others.

Toys R Us trip!

When we got to the fire station David took us to a room filled with toys....and by filled with toys, I mean toys were stacked everywhere….and by everywhere, I mean not organized! First things first, get a system. Done! Sort. Done! Once the toys had been sorted by gender, age, games, books, etc. We began grouping for the specific families we knew about. We also pulled out some toys that we will take to Childrens Hospital later this week. Finally, the rest of the toys, games, books, etc. we left in their neatly sorted piles awaiting more families, groups, etc. who will have the opportunity to make a child’s Christmas.

I was sorting toys for the specific military families we knew about and just found myself imagining the look on a little boy’s face when he sees his brand new bicycle or how excited a sweet little girl would be making brownies for the first time in her brand new Easy Bake Oven. I was also overwhelmed by the thought that several of these children may be experiencing Christmas this year without one or both of their parents because they are serving in our military around the world. Sacrifice and commitment are concepts that the children of soldiers learn early in their lives. So this Christmas when you are with your family, please remember to say a prayer for the families who are separated by miles and oceans because their loved ones are defending our freedom around the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njIDBfNZ1RY

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

I love teaching Kindergarten Sunday School! December is such a special time to be with children as they experience Christmas and seeing the holiday through their eyes. We have a special opportunity the Sunday before Christmas each year to remind our preschoolers of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas. Happy Birthday, Jesus! Our preschoolers dress up as the characters in the Christmas story and help act out the story as Mrs. Stephanie tells it and sings some songs. At the end of our play, we sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. When we got back to our Sunday School rooms after the party each child as a small cake to celebrate. I had a dream, Joseph. I don’t understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that’s what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They’d gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren’t for Jesus. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They’d decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful. Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don’t think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn’t it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone’s birthday if they don’t know Him? I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone was so happy, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus - not to be wanted at His own birthday party. I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible if it had been real.

Author unknown

Supper Club!

Every Wednesday at 5:30 I can be found with the same people….loving life with Supper Club. Kaylie, Blythe, Kristen, Meagan and I started meeting together every week during the summer of 2008. It is a friendship ordained by the Lord and He has held us together. I am so thankful for the blessing these best friends are in my life as we share our hearts together weekly.

Blythe, I feel like we’ve know each other forever but our friendship has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. I love having a friend and roommate who understands what life in the classroom is like. We can laugh together…and cry too! You never fail to listen and you’re thoughtfulness goes above and beyond, always looking for ways you can help others. You are the Princess of Encouragement!

Kaylie, your sweet spirit radiates in all that you do. You have a heart that chases after the Lord and continually seeks to know Him. You touch hearts every day and leave the fingerprints of God on those lives. Thank you for being a living example of dying to yourself and living for the Lord. You unashamedly challenge yourself to continue to seek, grow in and know our Savior and by your living example you challenge the rest of us to do the same.

Kristen, I love you K-Dilla! I am so excited to be walking this new journey in life with you. As the first member of Supper Club to get married and now become a mommy you are showing each of us what it means to love the Lord, then your husband and family and still recognize the need for accountability and fellowship with other believers. You never side step an opportunity to present truth to the world with grace, love and humility. Thank you for teaching us what is the Proverbs 31 newlywed and new mommy looks like.
Meg, you have a heart of gold and spirit of humility. God has graced you with the gift of mercy. You will drop everything you have to pick up pieces for a friend without a moment’s hesitation. You are a living example of loving others more than yourself. I know that I am a better friend for the time I have spent with you. Thank you for being who you are and loving others. You are a blessing!

One last picture....I LOVE this picture because it's just us. Please notice the right side of picture, lined up, paying attention, all smiles, ready to go. Those of us on the left...well sometimes we struggle....and have enough ADHD in us for the whole group!

I thank my God everytime I remember you. In all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy becuase of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart, whether I am in chains or defending and comfirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11

Day 6: El Hakkadosh -- "Holy God"

"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Host; the whole earth is filled with his glory." Isaiah 6:3

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

The Bible does not describe God as “Love, Love, Love” or “Faithful, Faithful, Faithful” or even “Almighty, Almighty, Almighty.” It does empathize that He is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Holiness is the only attribute of God ever tripled.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

God’s holiness is more spectacular, immaculate, compelling and fearful than we could ever imagine.

Holiness:
1. Perfection – His righteousness is pure and absolute
“The Holy God shows Himself to be holy in righteousness.” Isaiah 5:16
2. Separate – God is uniquely set apart from the rest of His creation – He is exceptionally uncommon
“To whom then will you compare Me, that I should be like him?” says the Holy One. Isaiah 40:25
3. Illustrious – To be holy is to radiate and shine brightly
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness, tremble before Him, all the earth!” Ps. 96:9

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Ultimately, God’s holiness is a fearsome yet fascinating mystery. It’s a reality that is beyond our comprehension or understanding. The beauty of God’s holiness attracts us, yet also causes us to utterly tremble at the same time.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;

Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Serving the Least of These...

Being a part of the GAP (Graduates and Professionals) class has been a huge blessing in my life. Late last summer, we were approached by a wonderful group of women in our church who basically wanted to spend time investing in our lives. They have spent time with us, led us in devotions, and built relationships. It has been an joy for us to get to know them as a group and individually.
Tonight we celebrated Christmas, continued to build relationships with one another and served a loving ministry. Bronnor’s Blankets honors the memory of one of our preschoolers who went to heaven early in his life. Various groups of all ages have worked together over the last several years to create blankets to go home from the hospital with newborn babies whose parents may not be able to provide them with soft, warm blankets.

Each blanket is delivered to the family along with a knitted bonnet. Most importantly, each blanket is prayed over by those making them, asking the Lord to bless this sweet new baby and his or her family.

For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. I Samuel 1:27

It Takes a Village to Build a Village

I have the greatest friends in the world! I wrote a while back about an amazing group of friend who came to school to help my kids carve pumpkins. Well, this past Friday some more amazing friends came to school to help my kids build gingerbread houses. It was an experience for everybody and I think everybody really had a great time! It meant so much to know they each took time during a busy workday to spend an hour working one on one with one of my students so he or she could take home their own gingerbread house. Thank you Matt, Kaylie, Lesley, Amber, Kristin and Ryan! We couldn’t have done it without you!


Matt and Tyler worked on this house together. Matt explained that it is the first ever gingerbread house to have a retractable roof!



Kaylie and Loryn had a great time and became fast friends! After Kaylie left school, she sent me a message with the number of marshmallows Loryn ate in the building process…let’s just say I’m glad she wasn’t hanging from the ceiling on her way to the carpool line.





This was Lesley’s second time to visit our class. She and Haley carved a pumpkin together in October. This time she and Colby built our only gingerbread house with a snowman out front.



Amber also came to carve pumpkins. Haley couldn’t handle the gingerbread, so we made Rice Krispy treats in the shape of houses for her. These are Amber and Haley’s Rice Krispy house creations.




Kristin and Morgan worked hard to keep this house standing. Please notice also that Santa is already climbing onto the roof of this house. It survived all the way to the end of the day!

Ryan helped Wyatt carve a pumpkin and now he has helped him build the most structurally sound gingerbread house ever. Seriously, it could have withstood a hurricane. You may notice the lack of decoration on this house compared to the other. Wyatt had a system of a piece of candy for the house and 2 pieces for himself.

Thank you so much friends! Everybody was so proud of their gingerbread houses….best Fun Friday of December ever! Love yall!

An Original Bama Belle

Last Sunday night TLC premiered their new reality show, “Bama Belles” which follows the lives of women living in the “rural” south Alabama town of Dothan. I could not wait. My mom is originally from Dothan, actually Napier Field/Midland City, but Dothan is the closest place with a traffic light. We still have family in Dothan and spend time there often. I enjoyed the show. I thought just like with everything else there were some parts that were a bit exaggerated but overall it was a fair picture of southern women…women who can run around like crazy chickens with their heads cut off one minute and welcome guests into their homes with open arm and bright smiles the next, women who love Jesus, their families, and college football, and of course, women who can “throw together” a meal that makes you want to slap your mama out of seemingly nothing.

I am blessed to be a member of a southern family and know these women.
I am especially blessed by my relationship with my Aunt Helen. My Aunt Helen is one of my favorite people in the whole world. Because my grandmother died when I was 9 and my Aunt Helen and Uncle Verbon have grandchildren my age, I have looked to her as a grandmother rather than an aunt. She is precious to me. Like the southern women I described she loves Jesus, her family (she and my uncle were married for 55 years before he died and had a relationship that I pray to have one day), and Auburn football.

My uncle passed away in December 2005. The following summer I was blessed to have the opportunity to travel with Aunt Helen on a 14 day senior adult trip to the northwest with First Baptist Dothan. Yes, I went with 50 senior adults on a trip across the country for 2 weeks. It was the chance of a lifetime for me. We saw Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Mount Rushmore, and visited the only 5 star restaurant in South Dakota. By the way, the only 5 star restaurant in South Dakota is right above a casino. My precious Aunt Helen never passes up a chance to play the slot machines even on a senior adult Baptist church trip. We were a little late for dinner that night, and I had to be the one to explain why to the Senior Adult Pastor. He wasn’t exactly amused.

Aunt Helen has taught me many things…how to play Blackjack, love the Auburn Tigers no matter what, when to walk away from a slot machine, and how to fry cornbread, just to name a few. Fried cornbread is amazing! If you’ve never had it, you should!

My relationship with Aunt Helen has changed over the last couple of years. Shortly before my uncle died we noticed Aunt Helen was forgetting things, directions, etc. Over time, it became very clear that Aunt Helen was experiencing the onset of Alzheimer’s. A couple of years ago Aunt Helen moved to a new home in Dothan called Grove Park. It wasn’t an easy transition but definitely a good decision. Aunt Helen was able to be a part of a community at Grove Park. She participated in activities, played games, and made friends. She and I also got into a little argument one time with another resident over who actually won a BINGO game…let’s just say competitiveness runs deep in our family. The time has now come to sell my aunt and uncle’s Sequoyah Street home. The home they have lived in, laughed in and cried in. My cousins gave me Aunt Helen’s cast iron skillet a few weeks ago from her kitchen. I can safely say it is easily one of the best gifts I have ever received. It is a precious reminder of the lady who touched my heart, made me feel like her own, and taught me about life, love, and how to be a southern lady.

Thank you for priceless memories Aunt Helen! I Love You!

Day 5: Adonai Yahweh -- "Sovereign Lord"

He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

A literal translation of Adonai Yahweh would be “Lord, Lord”, however, the translators have chosen to use the word “sovereign” to represent, “Adonai Yahweh.” This translation indicates that the Lord is the supreme Lord .All things are under His rule and control. Nothing happens in this universe without his direction or permission. The name “Sovereign Lord” indicates that He is the God who works not just some things, but ALL things after the counsel of His own will.

God is sovereign over the entire universe.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19

God is sovereign over all of nature
God is sovereign over angels
Do you not think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels. Matthew 26:53

God is sovereign over Satan
God is sovereign over human beings
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. Psalm 57:2
I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Romans 9:17

God is sovereign over animals
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. Psalm 104:27-30

God is sovereign over chance
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside of your Father’s care. Matthew 10:29

God is sovereign over politics
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he disposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:20-21

God is sovereign over the free acts of man
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

God is sovereign over sin
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

God is sovereign over salvation
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9

I love the fact that God is sovereign. That very thought is the source of eternal hope, confidence, comfort and joy. His sovereignty means I can trust Him. When the ugliness of sin seems more than I can bear; when my heart is broken; or when everything seems out of my control; I can anchor my trust in Him. I can rest in the knowledge that when all is said and done, He is in control and holds me tightly in the palm of His hand. He will accomplish His purpose. He is sovereign. He is God.

Thank You For Being a Friend....

Happy Fall yall! I just really felt the need to say that. I love Fall…football season….soups….chill in the air….and HALLOWEEN!!

Halloween kicked off a week early this year at the Miller’s house. Amy and Alan host a Halloween party every year and this time it had a 70s theme. I had not been putting together my costume because I had been holding out hope that I would be in the Lovliest Village on the Plains watching the good Tiger stomp the Bayou Bengals, but it didn’t happen. That meant though at noon I had no idea what I was going to wear to the party and the game came on at 2:30 so I had to figure something out quickly to be ready to go before the trees were white at Toomers! One phone call to mom and it was done. She arrived a short time later with dresses that my Lalou had worn in the 70s. I chose an orange one and the rest is polysester history.

We have a pumpkin carving tradition in Supper Club, so the Wednesday night before Halloween we all carved our own original creations on K-Dilla’s back porch. We started this tradition 3 years ago, which by the way, was the first time I ever carved a pumpkin. I don’t have pictures from this year but I’ll share a few from the past couple of years just to give you an idea of the depth of our talent.

2008

2009

Friday afternoon I had some very sweet friends come to school to help my kids carve pumpkins. We tried doing this last year and quickly realized that everyone needed their own helper, so amazing friends to the rescue. Each of my kids left that day with their very own pumpkin! It was basically the greatest Fun Friday ever….I wonder if they want to come back for gingerbread houses at Christmas?????

I had little girl who was absent, but she was very excited to see that she still got her own pumpkin when she came back to school. Thanks Ryan! Thank you Jason, Ryan, Amber, Callie and Lesley!!! And yes, we dressed up for Halloween, I don't usually wear Lalou's dresses and go-go boots to school on Friday!

On to the main event….October 30th, the 3rd Annual Monster Mash GAP Halloween Party. This has gotten serious over the last couple of years, especially once prize money got involved. The Supper Club girls decided to go as the Golden Girls (by the way, Sophia is wearing another one of Lalou’s dresses and I am wearing the dress she wore in my parents’ wedding): Now we planned this weeks ago, but of course we were last minute and by last minute I mean Saturday afternoon putting all the finishing touches on our costumes.

Rose

Blanche
Sophia
Dorothy

And the winners are:
(Group Competition)
The Jamaican Bobsled Team

The Golden Girls

Tetris (yep, like the game)

(Individual/Duo Competition)
Waldo
Richard Simmons
The Chilean Miner and his Mistress

Travel down the road and back again.....