I Know the Plans I Have for You

My daughter, Hayley, is turning the page to the next chapter of the book the Lord is writing for her life. She starts college next week at Christ for the Nations (CFNI) in Dallas, Texas. We head out early tomorrow morning for the long drive south. It has been a busy time the past few weeks planning, purchasing, packing and praying. In all that she had to do to get ready for her trip, she graciously and creatively re-designed my entire blog..even with new music.... I love the crisp, clean, uncluttered design she implemented. It encourages me to not neglect writing daily nuggets and getting behind like I have. "Mom!" she exclaimed.."you haven't blogged since October 2009!"  Oops. Really???

It looks like I will have to give her my username and password so she can assist me along the way while she is in Dallas. 

We are all so excited for the plans and future the Creator of the universe has for Hayley. The steps He will continually direct her in as He orchestrates every minute detail second by second.

I am so thankful I serve a Lord who wants to be intimately involved in our family's life that He so precisely unveiled the plans for CFNI.

Someone asked me not too long ago how could we let her go so far to college? I simply replied, "Don't you know the center of the Lord's will is the safest place to be?" And it is.

Hayley is our treasure, and we are going to miss her like crazy..... but more importantly, she is HIS treasure.....was His first.... and He loves her with a crazy love! 

"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen." 

Jeremiah 29:11-12

Come, Now is the Time to Worship

Happy Fall!

I love this time of year. Crisp and cool days, beautiful colors, pumpkins, harvest, caramel apples, stews and soups, football games and time with friends.
One of those friends, Brandon Crawford, aka 'Chief Musician' is a Worship Pastor here in NC.



Our family had the pleasure of meeting Brandon when he was in 7th grade. The Lord had already planted the annointed musical gift in him.... playing any type of keys and singing.He became a part of our family, and still is today. We never imagined the Lord one one day use our children to help him minister!


Our children are all true worshippers. Our daughter plays keyboard and sings and our sons play drums/bass and electric, acoustic and bass guitar. Pastor Brandon played a key role in the Lord's plan for their musical gifts to be used for His glory.

All 3 play for the church praise and worship team, Camp Quest and other ministries as they are needed. Our oldest son is the bass player in the band, Ecclesias.





Our daughter, is prayerfully considering becoming a Worship Leader as the Lord opens the doors and reveals His plans for her future.



All three will join Pastor Brandon at The "Fuel For The City" ministry outreach scheduled for Sunday, October 18th - Tuesday, October 20th in Durham, NC.

Come and worship with us if you are in the area.

More information can be found at:
www.churchatsouthpoint.blogspot.com

Harvest Time

I love harvest time. Those tiny plants and seeds put into the ground with faith have blossomed and become what the Lord intended.

I found this beautiful harvesting basket on a long prayer walk early one foggy morning. It was no longer wanted by it's previous owner and tossed to the curb with some other 'treasures.' Abandoned and needed a new home. Isn't it beautiful?

I harvested these glorious herbs the day after a much needed rainfall. Some of the treasures include: coneflower, yarrow, tansy, pineapple mint, lemon balm, comfrey, black-eyed susan, rosemary, and dill.

My grandmother, Angie Lee, was a renowned herbalist in her small mountain town. Much of my passion to learn more about the medicinal and culinary uses of the God-given herb has been inspired by her.

I dried all of these herbs by my kitchen fireplace and will transfer them to glass jars for future use. Check back in a couple of days to read my next post which will include many of the ways I plan to use each herb.

I truly serve an awesome Creator.

Rescued

This word has echoed throughout our home the past several weeks. Our daughter became passionate

about participating in "The Rescue" a worldwide mission to bring attention to the abduction of

the innocent boys and girls under the brutal leadership

of Joseph Kony. He is the notorious leader of Uganda's rebel guerrillas, the Lord's Resistance Army. They are called invisible children for many people seem to have forgotten them.

I plan to have my daughter to do a guest blog post on this story very soon.

“He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!” Psalm 22:8

I am so thankful to the Lord Jesus for eternally rescuing me at the age of 14. It didn't take me long to soon realize that He is ready, able AND willing to rescue me daily. Minute by minute. A rescue from busyness, guilt, shame, procrastination, selfish ambition, complacency........the list goes on and on.

And on.

Rescue: to set free from confinement, danger or evil.

to deliver. to redeem. to ransom. to reclaim. to save!

Are you like me and need rescued? Maybe you have never made Jesus your Lord and Savior. I promise you it will be the best decision you will ever make. Jesus wants to rescue each of us from the pit and give us a life of freedom in Him.
Or maybe it's that repeated occurring sin that you just can't shake? It could even be a rebellious teenager or a marriage that is on the verge of collapsing. Jesus wants to rescue you from that too.

To redeem you and deliver you. He is no respector of persons and desires for all of us to live a victorious and full life in Him.

I need Jesus to come to my rescue continuously and so thankful that He is a faithful friend...One who never leaves me alone, but leaves me His Word to stand on.

Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help.

Proverbs 24:11

He Has Risen Indeed!

Resurrection Sunday-The Twelve Voices of Easter

Our family has enjoyed this presentation from Back to the Bible entitled The Twelve Voices of Easter.

http://www.backtothebible.org/articles-by-woodrow-kroll/the-twelve-voices-of-easter.html

Each one is 5-7 minutes long. As we listen, we google images of each character for of an artist portrayal. I pray you and your family have a wonderful weekend as we celebrate our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Unlikely Friends

Meet Marmalade, our newest addition to an ever growing menagerie of furry friends. My daughter adopted her about 3 weeks ago and the bunny wasted no time in getting to know our family. We soon discovered that our cat, Willow, had become her trusted friend.

They hit it off right from the beginning.

Whenever friends or family come over, they all seem to congregate in our 16 year old daughter Hayley's room. It is so inviting, cool (both in decor and temperature) and a relaxing atmosphere. So, guess where Willow introduced Marmalade to first? You got it!

"Marmalade, I told you this was a cool house and family," said Willow, "these humans really take care of their furry friends. Hey, but keep that under wraps, we don't want the other animals in the neighborhood to hear about this. I'm telling you, this place is too good to be true. When it's cold outside, we get to come inside where it is warm and when it is really hot outside, we are extremely comfortable here in the air-condition. Come, let's you and a take a quick cat-nap before dinner."

Ahhhhhhh, pure bliss and relaxation...not a care in the world.

"You are right," said Marmalade, "I like this place....I think I will burrow under this blanket awhile before dinnertime. Care to join me?"

"I just think I will," Willow sleepily replied with a huge yawn, "right off hand, I can't think of anything pressing I have to do."

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3: 15-17

Trash to Treasure: Distressed Furniture

I love finding other peoples 'trash' and turning it to treasure. Having a daughter who has the same passion and creative flair makes the hunt so much more enjoyable!

We found this neat cabinet and originally painted it a mint green to use in our one and only bathroom in this 1800's house. My daughter handpainted one of my favorite Bible verses on it...Revelation 21:5...He makes ALL things new!

We decided to give it a 'makeover' one Friday afternoon. First we used a sandpaper 'sponge' and went over it once with that. My daugher then took candle wax and rubbed it in all the places that would normally look worn/used first. We then used

semi-gloss Valspar (OOPS) paint and painted

two coats. We just found a color we liked and went with that.

I use to stress, but as my daughter says, " It's just paint mom and if you don't like it, we will just go back to "Oops Paint" and you can paint over it."

Freedom!!

From.the.mouths.of babes.

Why didn't I think of that?

I'm a lover of all things distressed/shabby Chic/cottage/eclectic look, so after letting the 2nd coat of paint dry well, I got my (actually my husbands) easy to use hand sander and begin to sand the edges of the curio....being careful not to sand every single last edge.....we wanted it to look used. worn. not haphazardly painted.

I love the way the original transormed color peeks through where the candle wax was applied. The wax doesn't allow the paint to adhere, thus giving the distress appeal.

The new curio is now unveiled in it's original spot sporting the new, sassy and chic transformation. Simple and easy. Done in less than an hour. However, I did have great help from an extemely talented, creative, persevering sixteen year old inspiring designer as my right-hand 'man.'