Prepared

"Any area of our life that has no hope is being influenced by a lie.  

There is no situation that I have faced that He doesn't know or

I haven't been prepared for."

"When I embrace fears, I use tools God has given me.

Offspring of fear is hopelessness.  I lose track of what

God has already instilled in my heart.  

"Lord, remind me what You have fought me in the last year. 

I already have the tools, they just need to be drawn out for

this particular problem.  We lose sight of what God has done.

We need to peer into the engagement we have had with the Lord.

Our history has prepared for us tools for the present situation."

"We don't know how to be encouraged in the process. 

We put God on trial to answer the big thing and

He is doing many things.  He asks if we can steward the 

small things like with an acorn.  Every time He engages

me in the process so I can handle the answer without

it destroying me, He is preparing me.  

All of Gods disciplines are so His blessings don't kill us. 

 Discipline comes from God speaking to the heart of the person.  

Circumstances wake us up to listen to the words, to the

heart that put life in us. 

(this section I am trying to remember, it makes me pause

and think about what it means..."his blessings killing us....

ponder kind of words).

"I acknowledge you God.  I trust in your promises and

nothing is outside your care.  

Take a moment on struggle.  You will prosper,

become whole, have strength. Our hearts focus

on him and not the problem."

(Some good words from a podcast)

Mississippi days

So it's a Walmart parking lot picture. I am thinking this was

our anniversary and we of course needed a picture.

Sometimes in the course of a marriage, anniversary's

are celebrated at Walmart.  If that was the case with all

of them that would be a problem, but a few mixed

in just means you are living a lifetime together. 

Meeting with George about work on the houses,

Mississippi life...

Home schooling.

I have to find a new rhythm in a new place.  I would

set out books in the kitchen and then go exercise,

come in for breakfast and books. It was not always

easy but I learned to be flexible and not hold onto

the externals of a classroom as much.  We did what

we could with what we had, sometimes it was messy

and sometimes it was a glorious organized mess. 

Home projects also abounded.  Tia's friends and I

painted two side tables.  

This became a wonderful spot for me and where

I began my wonderful journey of Bridgetown Podcasts

sermons.  Dev and Bobo helped organize it.  

Tia got a pool!!!

Dale and Drew.

Of course, I will follow him anywhere.

Even hot Mississippi runs.

And we are out and about!  Feels good to go exploring.

We went to a cool bookstore Andrew and I had

gone to years before.

Then we found this cool outdoor area with a 

restaurant and some fun outdoor games,

we put it on the list to come back.

We ended at Books-a -Million..super good to 

explore and be out.

Back to the workout!

Another day out....the Children's Museum, which was fun!

Never too old!

We went back in the afternoon for one more round!

And then came the Bass store!

Someone was quite happy!

Another day....the Hazelhurst fair. 

Tia has a funny memory of walking out of one of the store front

and seeing me riding in the back of the train.  She as so

tickled.  We were in a true small southern town on a Saturday!

I will never tire of a quiet moment with a cup of coffee.

Next project...painting it white.

His favorite.  We all found our spaces and places.  It is a good

thing to adapt to your surroundings and in doing so find

those spaces and places where you feel like you..and alive,

inspired, and full.

A pedicure outing with the long way home with Tia.  Thankful 

for her and what she brings to my life.  

Not sure.

Another very fun experience was meeting Paige,

Andrew's cousin.  She shared how much

affection she had for Andrew growing up.

These were her pictures she shared with us taken

at Andrew's beloved grandma's house.

And here we are with Paige and her family sharing catfish.

Time marches on!

Paige and Andrew 

bath time 

Just another wink from the past as we

are in this place of memories.  

It is good for our kiddos to be on this journey with us.