Try Again...

Brian and I are in desperate need of a getaway. We had planned to go to Mt. Magazine State Park last Friday night, but we ended up cancelling our reservations due to Stephen being sick and Skylar's recent school meltdown. But we haven't given up. We have rescheduled for later in October. Hopefully by then the leaves will be changing, making for an even more spectacular trip. If we actually get to go this time, I will post pictures.

Also, after much prayer Skylar seems to be moving past her problems with school. She still has reservations about going, and definitely isn't as excited about it as she once was, but at least the tears and wailing seem to have subsided for now. We still don't know what got into her. Maybe she was just testing the waters to see how far she could push us? I am continuing to pray for her that she will once again love going to school, but for now I will accept the answered prayer of her not throwing a conniption fit every morning.

Seen on a Church Sign

Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

Thought provoking, isn't it? If you can't forgive me, you end up bitter, and I go on with my life...

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26

Fireproof

It's not often that I want to go see a movie, but I really do want to see Fireproof. It opens today. If you haven't heard of it, I ask that you check out the trailer. It is from the same people that made Flywheel and Facing the Giants, and I expect it to be just as good.

Change of Heart

Skylar has had a change of heart about school. She absolutely loved it at first. She couldn't wait to get there each day. Now all of a sudden she doesn't want to go. She cries every morning as soon as she gets up. She cries when she gets dropped off. She even cries during the day in class. We can't get her to give us a reason for this change of heart, and it has me worried. We have sat down and talked to her. Her teacher has talked to her. The principal has talked to her. We now have asked that the school counselor talk to her. I pray that we get to the bottom of this very soon, and it is nothing serious. There is nothing as heart wrenching for a mother as to have to walk away from her child who is crying for her to stay.

Race for the Cure

It's about that time again. Just a few more weeks until I hit the streets of Little Rock for the Susan G Koman Race for the Cure. Once again Brian will be joining me as a participant of the Three Miles of Men. This is such a worthy cause, and I know that each of us has been touched by this dreadful disease in one way or another. So if you have been touched and would like to help work toward a cure, please consider making a donation here.

Wanna Buy a House?

It is official - our house is listed and ready to show. If you know anyone looking pass along this link.

Keep on Keeping On

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 - Just a reminder if we keep doing what we know is right, we will receive our reward...never give up!

Never Give Up on the Seed You Plant

“One day I decided to quit.... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality..... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo," He said.

"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit," He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others . The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come," God said to me. " You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you Happiness. Bad days give you Experiences. Both are essential to life. Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going! Have a great day! The Son is shining!!

The Hair Cut

Update on the House

Well an update on the house. We made another offer last week and he accepted. So our house is now for sale. If we can sell it we will be moving. It's really kind of exciting and scary all at the same time. We are in the process of moving some of our stuff to storage just to make our house show better. I am also trying to finish up the bathroom painting project I started 3 weeks ago.

I am trying not to be anxious about it. We have prayed that God would direct us in each step of this process. We have also prayed that if this wasn't His will, that He would close the door completely. The door hasn't been closed, in fact it is open wider than before - our offer has been accepted even though our first offer was "too low to even counter" and we didn't raise our offer much. Interest rates are dropping right now, which will make this move even more affordable. The most convenient mini-storage facility had an immediate opening. These are all blessings to me. It also goes to show that God's timing is so much better than ours. Had he countered our first offer we would probably settled on a higher price than we got this time. We would also have had a much higher interest rate than is now available. I am now just praying that God has a family picked out for which our house will be perfect. I know if it's His will, that buyer will be directed right to our listing.

On a totally different note, Skylar got her hair cut last night. It's now about 5-6 inches shorter. I think it looks really cute. It hits right at her shoulders. I will try to post a picture next week sometime. This is the first real haircut she has had. We have always just kept the ends trimmed, but we were all tired of her hair dragging through her food, getting tangled, and always looking stringy just minutes after it had been brushed. It should be much easier to care for now.