As summer comes to a close I always get a bit teary at the sweet memories God has blessed us with.....

God never ceases to amaze me at how He places certain people and events in our lives each year...

I like to think that God gives us different "seasons, if you will, to grow us and help shape those around us....

As we begin to come upon a new season in our lives....

I pray that whatever He brings our way and whomever He puts in our path that we use those opportunities to bring Glory and Honor to Him.

I love ya'll!

Strive to be Different!

Radical Christian

"I'm not called"

How many times have you or someone you know quoted this when it comes to missions? It is not uncommon to hear Christians say, "Well, not everyone is called to foreign missions, or I'm not called to foreign missions?"

Since when did we start categorizing what "missions" really means?

I would like to share an excerpt from an awesome book that I've been reading by David Platt, that just might call us modern day Christians out on this subject....

"Where in the Bible is missions ever identified as an optional program in the church? We have just seen (earlier in this chapter and in God's Word, of course) that we were created by God, saved from our sins, and blessed by God to make His glory known in all the world. Indeed, Jesus himself has not merely called us to go to all nations; he has created us and commanded us to go to all nations. We have taken this command though, and reduced it to a calling- something that only a few people receive."

"In the process, we have unnecessarily (and unbibically) drawn a line of distinction, assigning the obligations of Christianity to a few while keeping the privileges of Christianity for us all."

"However, we know that each of us has different gifts, different passions, different callings from God. God has gifted us in many different ways. (some may like to use this as an excuse?) However, each follower of Christ, in the New Testament, regardless of his or her calling, was intended to take up the mantle of proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the earth."

the Great Commission:

"All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all of my commandments."

And lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28

The point?

We all have to stop catorgorizing missions today in our churches if we are serious about serving our Almighty Father.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are all called to GO!

Love ya'll! Strive to be Different!!

My daddy

Daddy's Little Girl....

My daddy is and has to be one of the strongest, hardest working men I've ever known. Then back in 1996, after he had been suffering from severe exhaustion, our family was given some of the most confusing, yet heart wrenching news ever, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Which he had contracted from a blood transfusion back in the 80's before they tested the blood donated.

The doctors gave us little information, yet little hope on his prognosis. I think now, because they just didn't know enough about the disease at that time. Now, many years later, our worst nightmare is unfolding before our eyes each and every day....

I've had to watch the strongest man I know begin to weaken and diminish before me. We always knew that the disease would eventually gain control over his life, but we as a family, had always held onto the hope that he would beat this and if not he could atleast receive a liver transplant and live through this!

As the days unfold and he gets weaker by the day, we've begun to realize his days are becoming increasingly difficult for him to get through. Confusion and weakness has taken a tole on his body and the doctors offer little hope for his future.

As his little girl, my daddy has always been my hero. To watch him go through the pain and see the suffering in his eyes is almost unbearable for a little girl to watch. I value each and every day that I have with him and hold each moment we share dear to my heart....

I pray for God's peace as we go through this journey with him and I pray that as his little girl that I will be able to bear the pain and suffering he has to endure and help him find comfort in our Lord, as only He can give us all through this......

My daddy and me on my wedding day.... (1999)

He was so emotional, yet full of joy for us.....

(2003)

2010
I love you daddy......

Diggin for Taters...

One of my most fond memories as a child was digging for "taters" with my family.

It was like finding little treasures each time you pulled one up!

I love the "simple" life....

"Thank you God for blessing me with such sweet memories and for giving me the opportunity to pass them on to our children...."

May they always enjoy the "simple" ways of life too....

Thought I'd share an excerpt from my journal....

It seems over the past few years God has been dealing with me on my attachment to the things of this world and the dreams that I cling to.

I used to think once I finally moved past a "want" or "dream" that I had conquered it and God had "cured" me so to speak as to "wanting" the things of this world:)

Then, I'd find another hurdle to jump.... repeat process....

I've read this verse many times and always held it dear to my heart but it never fails to draw my attention to the "things" or "dreams" I keep holding on to and causing me to realize that even the "good" dreams, the little white house in the field, has to be laid at His feet in order for Him to grow me and to use me in the way He desires.

I have to let it ALL go, even the sweet, seemingly small stuff in order to follow Him.

"If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it."

Matthew 10:38-39

Love ya'll! Strive to be Different!!

Graduation Day is Finally HERE!!

WE DID IT!!

Britt graduated with a Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary this weekend! We are so excited and elated that he is finally through. It's as if a chapter has come to a close and now we can move on.....

Thank you Lord for sustaining us and walking us through every step of the way.....

I am so behind in blogging, but with good reason:)

We've been having lots of fun in the sun!

Whether we've been helping with yard work at my parents' and grandmas', gardening, going to baseball games and practice, or having playdates with cousins... we've been busy little bees!

Thought I'd share some of our recent pics!

Church "Service Project"

Our children at church have been learning what it means to "serve" in the community and to minister to others. So, we try to lead them in a service project in hopes to teach them how important it is to serve one another. Then they are rewarded the next month with a fun, fellowship outing!

This month they learned to serve by cleaning

at the church and taking care of Gods' house.

Love these children

Maggie had a rough start to this day.
Right when we got to the church she took a
head first tumble on the concrete:(
Poor baby...

Nate and his buddy Drew sweeping
the porch of the fellowship hall:)

Easter Sunday 2011

Nate's growing up way too fast....
My precious Maggie Marie

Our Williamson cousins

Easter Egg Hunt

The Bullock Crew

Garden Days

The green beans are beginning to blossom!

Our garden is coming in beautifully

Let the Summer Fun Begin!

Fun at the Splash Park and Zoo

the water was so cold, but lots of FUN!

Nate and his little Red Head cousin, Dawson

Nate, Dylan, Dawson, and Maggie

I usually go get their cousins atleast once a week and

we like to go have a picnic at the park and just do fun stuff.

Today we had a picnic at Grammy's, shot water guns, caught lizards,

played ball, and enjoyed the sun:)

PLAY BALL!

Anyone that knows my son, knows he is obsessed with baseball!

We stay pretty busy this time of year shuttling back and forth between his practices and ballgames, but we all enjoy every minute of it!

Maggie and her friends watching their brothers play ball.

It's always amazing to me at how we bond with the other families on his team. I'm always sad to see the season end:(

Nate and his long time friend/long distant cousin, Wes.

Yep, they're the same age:)

One of my favorite captured moments

Nate has really bonded with his new buddy this year. Peyton is pretty much as obsessed with baseball as Nate!

PARK FUN

Isn't my nephew adorable?!

Too cute:)

Two peas in a pod...

Nate and cousin, Dylan

Could eat him up!

TROUBLE!

Well, until next time! Hope you're enjoying this beautiful weather

taking each day and living it to the fullest!

Love ya'll! Strive to be different!!