Wow! It's been a while!

Hi! It's been a while since I've posted anything. We've been so busy with ending the AWANA Year, JOY Groups, Sunday school and all kinds of exciting things. I am not going to post any deals tonight because I'm just trying to relax. I just wanted to say a few things...that's what this BLOG is for, right?

First, I am so thankful for my husband and my children. To have a godly husband, is such a wonderful gift. My husband loves and cares and provides for me. He prays for me, encourages me, and makes me feel better when I am down. He always makes me laugh and he is by far, the best father of all time. He is my best friend, I am so thankful for him. I love you, Andy.

Second, my children are my joy! I know, my kids stress me out, just like your kids stress you out. But at the end of the day, is there anything better than to have one of your children look at you and say, "I love you" or ask you to sing "Twinkle Little Star" one more time, or ask you for one more hug. Ryan fell today at church and scratched up his knees and as much as he doesn't want to be my "baby" boy, he always will be. Molly is my princess and Ryan is my handsome Ogie (that's short for Ogre). What joy they bring me. While I'm talking about children, please pray for a sweet couple at our church. Bob and Vivalee Smith lost their only son two days ago to cancer. He was a doctor in Decatur, had a wife and two sons, ages 10 and 13. How difficult this must be for Miss Vivalee to lose her son two days before Mother's Day. Dr. Bob Smith's funeral is Tuesday. Pray that they have peace in such a difficult situation. I pray that the Lord returns before I ever have to go through such heartache of burying one of my children. They are so sweet, so loving, so pure, so wonderful!!! I am so thankful!

Next, I am so thankful for wonderful Christian friends and family. When your day hasn't been great, it's a blessing to have Christian friends to encourage you and lift you up! When your day has been wonderful, it's a blessing to have someone to share that joy with you! I am thankful to all of my Christian friends for their love, encouragement, prayers and for all the fun times. I think it's funny that people think that being a Christian just isn't fun. I have the most fun life of anyone I know and I can tell you that I find that joy and fun in Christ and through my daily walk with Him and through the wonderful husband, children and friends He has given me. It never fails, God is always faithful to His children. He has provided us with such wonderful Christian friends and family. I've so enjoyed being re-aquainted with my cousin Abbie. What joy to know that a cousin I had lost touch with and hadn't talked to in years, has been saved and is raising her children in a godly home. My friend Mandy and her daughter Skylar, as well as my mom and mother-in-law went to church with us today. What a great way to celebrate Mother's Day! That was a wonderful gift. I have a great step-mother who is so wonderful to my dad and the rest of our family. She is a true blessing to us! Our friends Jason and Jessica stopped by for a suprise visit today too. That made my night! I needed some encouragement and we enjoyed visiting with them and playing raquetball, went to Pizza Man and just had a good time with good friends! I remember when we first moved here, I didn't feel like I know anyone and prayed and prayed for God to provide me with good Christian friends and a good church homeand He did. I left an awesome church and great life-long friends when I moved here . God has allowed me to keep those friendships I left and provided me with even more Christian friends. He is always faithful to provide for our needs!

As I close tonight, I'm going to ask you to pray for a few things for me. First, please pray for my Uncle John Smith. He is the pastor at Ten Mile Baptist Church in McLeansboro, IL. He has cancer and has been battling it for several years now. A few weeks ago, he had to have a pacemaker put in and found out he has Lyme Disease. He is still working, preaching and writes a daily online devotional. Please pray for his healing. Second, please pray for my Sunday school class at church. We have a wonderful group of women who come each week to study God's Word. Pray that we continue in our church and Sunday school class to grow in number and Biblical understanding and knowledge. Third, please pray for our JOY Group. This is the Bible study we have in our home every other Thursday night. We are averaging (adults and children) about 18 people per week. Please pray that God would bring more people to our study and help us to learn and grow in Him. Please also pray for my Aunt Colleen who will begin radiation treatments very soon for breast cancer. She is such a godly woman who follows Christ with her life and I pray that she is healed.

Thanks for reading this tonight. I hope you can see how thankful I am to God for my family, friends, husband, children, church, life, and everything else he has given me.