Our trips to Panama City Beach and West Va

Recently we took two trips one to Panama City Beach Florida and the other to West Virginia. We had a great time! We went to Panama City Beach with grandma. It took nine hours to drive there from home. We played the alphabet game on the interstate as we were driving to Panama City Beach. Also we enjoyed lots of beautiful scenery. When we got to Panama City Beach we checked into the hotel and went out to eat on the beach. This was the first time Joshua had ever been to the beach. He loved playing in the ocean with his boogie board. We went on a pirate dinner cruise the next day we were there and we got to see dolphins and play with Pirates! It was an amazing time! Then we played on the beach at night and the next day we went on a dolphin cruise on the sea screamer. This was an amazing boat that had waves in the back of it and the Dolphins would ride on the waves on the back of the boat. Michaela's eyes extremely lit up when she got to see the dolphins coming up to her hand. We would stick our hand out of the side of the boat in the Dolphins would think that we had food to give them so they would come up out of the water and say hello to us! Our trip to Panama City Beach was comparable to Disney World trip.

Then we came home and got ready to leave for Aldersgate 2012 in Charleston, West VA. We worshipped at the conference and had all kinds of frustrations coming to the surface when we were at the hotel room. Finally, on Last night, Josh says he feels that when daddy left, he didn't get enough attention anymore and then Tim came and took it all. It was good to get all of this talked about and we discussed the importance of obedience and how if mama is wore out having to deal with disobedience all the time, she won't have time for good attention.

So on the way home, we talked about things that God was showing us and we prayed. Our family has always been under attack but God has always been faithful. The enemy can't stop what Hod has set into motion!! No weapon formed against us shall prosper!!! We say Lord have your way in us!!

You are learning

This weekend was another turning point in your life.  We have been going through a lot of little things that have been tough.  We are trying to teach you a disciplined life, but I must say that I am a little exhausted.  God has a plan for you to be a prophet to the nations and when God says it, we might as well Book It cuz HIS WORD NEVER RETURNS VOID.  When He speaks it, He speaks the end of the thing and the beginning and middle line up no matter the cost.  That is who HE is!  He loves us and allows us to be a part of this amazing plan.  It blows my mind.  God cannot be contained within any of our boxes.  HE IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT!! Anyway, this weekend, I have had to make you run laps for disobedience and then I used a wooden pattle on your bottom for the first time.  I have used belts but mostly I have used my hands.  The pattle is my friend.  It got your attention.  So now, when you do an action such as back talk mom, disobey me, and such, your consequence is 1 pattle lick.  You do the action, You chose the consequence.  I pray this teaches you quick obedience through suffering.  I have not allowed near enough suffering in your life to teach you the things that need to be learned.  God has a way of opening our eyes at just the right times.  He is bringing this house to order.  There are too many plans that He has put into motion with us.  He will NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE US.  I have prayed on many occasions for Him to do whatever it takes to get us to the places He needs us to be. We GET to be part of HIS PLAN and WILL on earth.  (On Earth as it is in Heaven) AWESOME!!!
Anyway, this weekend, we went to see "Intense Ministries".  This was a group of muscle men that did things with their strength and gave an amazing testimony of the Lord Jesus.  It was great.  The main guy's name was Joshua.  He was a muscle builder that had ADHD and doesn't take his medicine.  It was great!!! God is telling us that it is OK and we are right back on track with you Joshua.  God is brining things to order.  We just get to surrender to what HE IS DOING.  He is so God and we are SO not!!! Keep your heart full of Love and Compassion Josh!  God is going to send you to the nations!!!

Your Baptism

I wanted to share your baptism in here. You were determined that Jesus lives in your heart and you wanted to get baptized at 5 years old. After 5 months of praying and waiting, the day came. As you went down into the baptismal, your eyes caught hold of a family of rubber duckies that someone snuck into the tank before you went down. It was all we could do to keep your attention on the matter at hand from that point on.

U turns to God

Something that you recently grabbed a hold of is that U turns get you to God. I saw this sign and thought of you today!!!

Happy Birthday

Tomorrow you will be 9 years old!! Wow how time has flown. It's been a life with many ups and downs and it isn't always fair, but God has put you in my heart forever. I pray that as you get older that you don't lose your desire to give mom loves! I love your kisses and you always make my heart smile when you love. I get stressed at times but I am just exhausted is all. We will keep praying mama does things in the Lords strength and not my own. I am excited to see what life brings your way. Let's take every gift that God has placed in you and surrender it all to Him! He spoke to me while you were in my womb and I would be a fool to think that my mistakes could ever keep the Word of the Lord from coming to pass! I am believing that God is faithful to perform that which He has spoken over you! I love you Baby boy who isn't such a baby boy anymore!! I pray that this year you take a hold of a deep relationship with God for yourself and that you grow in your hunger to spend time with Him. Please remember as you get older that I havent always been a good mom in my own eyes (too stressed out for the most part) but I have definitely tried to do the best with what life brought us. I have tried to let go of bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, and hatred towards others and to give to those in need. My hope is that I have not done in vain. I may have depended on my perceptions a little too much instead of the Holy Spirit of God. I am learning now though! Heres to many more years of growing together! I love you baby!