Being Southern

I am from the south, Mid-South to be exact. I was born in Memphis, TN, in the Baptist Hospital. My people are all from Mississippi. There is even a Peter Brown Hill somewhere there (which is my Daddy's name). We moved from Memphis when I was 9 to Texas. But many things of the South remained in me. I built my house to look like the ones from my childhood. I didn't realize it until I went back to my cousin's wedding and thought, "My house looks like these." It didn't look like a Texas house at all. There are certain unspoken rules and traditions that are Southern that I cannot shake. I say all of this because of the movie, "The Blind Side". Leigh Ann Tuohy has so many qualities that I find terribly familiar and wonderful. See, we like things to be a certain way. And that is not a bad thing. We like our homes to be run a certain way, our children to act a certain way, and have high expectations for ourselves. We will fight to the death for our families. We love our families. I think we get a bad rap, but I walked away from that movie so proud of my heritage, especially of the women. We can get some things done, can't we? I am grateful for that tenacious spirit, just do it attitude, and good taste.

Olivia's Tenth Birthday

My baby is double digits. It was a decade ago that I gave birth to her. It is hard to believe it has been that long. What a blessing she is to me. We had her friend party today. They are a great group of girls. We had a blast!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for my kids. Alex is a senior. I cannot believe how time has flown. We were just walking him into Mrs. Stroope's 1st grade class at Nebbie Williams Elementary. I still remember all his classmates from that year. I volunteered at the high school today and saw some of those sweet faces. I have such a love for them. He had a good first day and said all but one of his classes were blowoffs; which is just what he wants. Beth started 6th grade and it just seems like yesterday that she would have to be driven around to go to sleep. She loved her day, her schedule, and especially having lunch with her friends. Olivia started 4th grade. She was just born, it seems. She loves her teachers and gets to have PE with her good friends. All around, we had a good day. Now only 186 left!! Yahoo!

Worship at FBC Carrollton

My youngest and I went to see Travis Cottrell at FBC Carrollton one recent Sunday night. It was wonderful. We had a ball worshipping! We were able to get a picture afterward with Travis.

My daughter was just amazed at my sanguinity (I don't know if that is a word). We were coming out of the bathroom and two of the members of the praise team were in the hallway. Julie, one praise team member, and I just hugged like we had known each other for a long time. She and I could be dear friends if we lived by each other. I do believe that God does that for us; He can make us friends just for that moment. (I loved both of the girls, but Julie was the only one I hugged; she must be sanguine too.) They were so sweet to my daughter, liked my dress, and shop at TJ MAXX! I love that!

We had a great night of worship. Then, we got to see a wonderful lightning show on the way home. Incredible! God is good.

Summer at the park

Here are some pictures with the new camera of my girls at the park. I'll have to get Alex to go one day and get some of him.

New camera

Richard had been looking at new cameras for while. He really wanted a Rebel digital, but the cost was a little pricey. We happened to be at Target one day and they had them on clearance. We got it! The lenses from our 35mm Rebel even work with it. Here are some practice shots.

30 years of a body of believers

When I was a 9 year old little girl, we moved from Tennessee to Texas. We joined First Baptist Rockwall. Not long after that, our family joined with 6 other families to start a mission church. We found a spot to meet (which happened to be a bait house), cleaned it like crazy, and got ready to have worship. It was call West Rockwall Baptist Church. We took fliers all over the neighborhood by our new location to invite people to come. We were a small group of ordinary people, who believed in and prayed to an extraordinary God. He answered our prayers. People actually came to our little church. I think the first family to join were the Ballard's. Rick Ballard became our Sunday school teacher.

I met my husband that first summer. He and his brother walked to our church to help fold bulletins. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I laughed like crazy at them. Folding bulletins had never been so fun.

Some of my fondest memories are of our eating together. We had Sunday nights at different houses. Lucy Thomas made homemade croutons. I still make them to my children's delight. We had Wednesday night supper at the church. Camille Bateman made chalupas for that. We had picnics at Uncle Pulleys, and Carolyn Bryan brought rolling pie. I know there were so many other wonderful dishes, but these are the ones that stand out in my mind.

We hired a pastor that next year. His name was Steve Stroope. He wore famolare shoes and drove a stick shift car. He had a beautiful wife named Marsha and two precious little girls, Rachael and Lydia. They were 4 and 2 and were into strawberry shortcake. They bought a house down the street from us. They too were ordinary people who believed in and prayed to an extraordinary God. And God once again answered our prayers. People came to know Him through our little church.

Brother Steve(what we called him then) was a ball. I had never been around a grown up who was so silly. I remember running through Six Flags with him, dropping my napkin to pray, and laughter. There was so much joy in our little group.

We changed our name and built some buildings. I don't remember all of that so well, because it wasn't that big of a deal to me. I do remember some biblical truths that are in my marrow that were taught by Rick Ballard, Dowell Loftis, Larry Caudle, and Steve and Marsha Stroope. Truths that are lifeblood to me.

I grew up in this body of believers. I was married by Rick Ballard to my husband that I met that summer. My husband and all 3 of my children were baptised at what is now Lakepointe Church. I've watched babies be born, friends and family pass away, and many joys and sorrows. I adore this body of believers and count it a privilege to be an ordinary person who believes in and prays to an extraordinary God with them. As we worshipped at the park last night, I could see the steeple of First Baptist Rockwall. What a wonderful ending to celebrate 30 years of Lakepointe to see the symbol of the beginning of our body. What a sweet spirit in that place. Sweet Holy Spirit, stay right here with us filling us with Your love! Greater things are still to come! I believe!

June 15 verse

For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5 NIV

June 1 Verse

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Memorial Day

We are so grateful for those who have sacrificed for our freedom. We have had a near perfect day, eating hot dogs, hamburgers, old fashioned fudge pie, and koolaid. I think I will pass out from the sugar rush. The boys are swimming, the girls are in from swimming and I am relaxing. It is a good day. Thank You to the One Who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our absolute freedom.

Gardenias and Magnolias

These are from our yard. The rain has given us so many blooms. They smell wonderful!!

May 15 verse

"Be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV

I don't ever wan to forget what God has done or let it "slip from my heart". I love that phrase. I think that is how it happens a lot; we move on and it slips away. I pray this as a prayer for me and my family.

Opie

In 1993, we purchased our first home. Of course, no home would be complete without a dog. So, we went to the pound and got a beagle/welsh corgi puppy. We named him Opie, and he was delightful. He slept with us every night. He lived through eating half a bag of ant killer, jumping out of the back of a moving truck, and a tussle with an unknown wild animal. He moved to Pennsylvania with us, went on vacation with us, and was there through many of life's ups and downs. He was our friend, my husband's and kids' first dog. We loved him. He passed today and we are sooo sad. We won't forget this wonderful companion we had for all these years. We miss him terribly.

May 1 Verse

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

It is through obedience that we are freed. I did something very minute, but something that I knew I needed to do to walk in obedience last night. After I got home, I went for a walk. It was as if I could feel God's favor, His smile on me. The frogs, crickets, birds, peacocks were all praising Him and I joined them. He is good!! Forever and ever!! What sweet freedom when we trust and obey.

April 15 Verse

"Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces."

Psalm 34:5

Good Friday

It is the day that our LORD and Saviour died on the cross. I pray that we all reflect His sacrifice as He bore our sins. "By His wounds we are healed"; I am sooo grateful.

We are going to start our search for milkweed today in observance of new life that we have through Him. I can't wait to have caterpillars and butterflies!!

Happy Good Friday!!

Olivia's program

Jim Caviezel

The actor who portrayed Jesus in "The Passion" spoke at our church tonight. It was wonderful. What I loved was that he is Catholic and used different vocabulary, but conveyed the same beliefs that I have. He was inspired by the Holy Spirit with what he had to say. I love the unity that God gives His people. I also love that he risked his career to make the movie and risked his health while making the movie, a movie that changes lives-can we say that about any Die Hard or Indiana Jones? He spoke of how our nation will fall without moral fiber. He spoke of the injustice in abortion for the unborn. He spoke of living in TRUTH, not feelings. I told him we had that exact discussion this week. We may feel one way, but Truth says something different and we walk in Truth. He spoke of how parents need to pray with their children. Dads need to pray with their sons; that is how they learn. It was a great time to see someone from Hollywood who shares our faith.

April 1 verse

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

James 4:17

OUCH!!!!

Alex at Amigos

Alex played guitar at a restaurant Sunday night. Here is a little part of it.

Mid March Verse

"Do not repay evil with evil nor insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

1 Peter 3:9

This verse came the day after I had yet another talk with my kids about their words to one another. I am praying this scripture hard for all of us.

Spring Forward

Tonight we spring forward!!!! That means that summer is on its way!!

Scripture memory for March 1

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded, you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."
Hebrew 10:35-36

Father/daughter date night

Richard, Beth, and Livi went to Father/daughter date night at church last night. The girls are getting so big. Beth is almost as tall as a grown up!! Alex and I went to a vintage record store and to eat at El Fenix downtown for our mother/son outing (Sorry our picture is so blurry!). It was a good night for all.

Tonight we are having steaks from our friend's ranch. We bought 65lbs of grass fed beef from him yesterday. I am so pump and can't wait to see how they taste. They are some beautiful t-bones!! I'll let you know how they turn out. Hopefully, we won't stink at cooking them!!

BTW: They were great!!!

New planter urns

Got these lovely urns at Sam's Club Saturday. I think they are great!

We live out in a semi-rural area. Yesterday, our next door dog came knocking on the back door to play with my dog at about 8:30 in the morning. They are best friends and love to play together. I let my Shai (pronounced "Shy") out and a few minutes later heard excessive barking. I opened the door to hear my next door neighbor shouting "no" at my dog. (Of course I was still in my pj's, but had fortunately put on a sweater, so it wasn't so obvious.) I looked up to see two large coyotes gazing our way. Thankfully, my neighbor ran my dog into my house. My dog really thought he was going to take on these 2 coyotes. Whew! No more free time for the little ones these days!

Camp Grady Spruce

Just got home from a week with 11 precious 5th grade girls. They were awesome!

I have bathed and gotten a little warmer; I am now ready for a good nights sleep!!