thanks, Mary & Kellie

These two sweet gals totally floored me and left me speechless.
Out of nowhere at our church's monthly youth service,

they gave me this HUGE bunch of flowers
for my birthday/'just because.'The picture doesn't really show them all.
I think it was about 5 of those pre-arranged bouquets
from the grocery store.
Needless to say, after dividing them up,
I had a vase of flowers in every room
and we enjoyed them for many days.
Thanks again, Mary and Kellie!

who Jesus is to me

Friday was "Share Your Testimony"
on "Show Us Your Life" @ Kelly's Korner:

I was born to Christian parents.
I learned about Jesus at an early age.
In 1989, my Dad was the pastor of a small church.
One Sunday in January,
after hearing my Dad preach,
I was lying in bed that night
and his message(s) that day weighed heavy on my heart.
It so stirred me that I went to my parents' room,
got them out of bed,
and we knelt in our living room and God saved me.
The peace and joy I felt, even as a small child, is unexplainable.
In my teenage years, I had struggles,
but I'm so thankful that God is merciful and compassionate.
And even when I've failed Him ... He remains faithful.
This is one of my many favorite Bible verses:

Micah 7:18 & 19, "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

He truly means more to me now than He ever has.
As I look back over my life, I see the hand of God at work.
And even in tough times of trials,
God was only using those trials to help me to rely on Him.
Now, I realize my only true need is for Him.
I cannot make it without God ... He is everything to me.

went to Biltmore House

Last Saturday, we went to the Biltmore House,

but not to see or tour the house;

but rather to see hear THIS:and this:and this:and this:oh, and it was nice to see the other guys too:I LOVE Gaither Vocal Band, particularly David Phelps.Thanks to Ashley for the great birthday gift!
It was an awesome concert with only GVB.
(no other Homcoming artist/groups)
It was outdoors on the terrace by the Biltmore House.
I loved every minute of it.

my first experience in canning

These are the first vegetables I've ever canned.

Our little garden and lots of rain yielded many green beans.
So, I canned 12 pints.
I used an easy, easy method. (in the oven)
They all sealed. Now, for the taste test ...

a change in duties

Due to certain unavoidable circumstances,

instead of teaching at camp this year,
I was asked to attempt to lead the Teen/Young Adult Choir.
(50+ young adults (primarily teens))And I must say ... I was nervous, scared, and frightened.
But, I enlisted some talented help
and I couldn't have survived without them.And the choir members were an AWESOME group.
They practiced in extremely hot temperatures.
I caught a few texting every now and then.
And I've even since learned that some of the boys
were looking at a magazine.But, despite it all ... they took practice to heart
and at the evening service - they sung with all their might!I had a fun working with them ... and was blessed in doing so.

more back tracking: more on Youth Camp

Youth Camp is always a great time for seeing old friends.
Leighanna and I attended Youth Camp together as teenagers.
Shared dorm rooms. Stayed up late.
Laughed, giggled, and prayed together.And of course, I feel my age when I see these teenagers
whom I remember being 6 years old!! YIKES!Andrew with his radio station sign.Some of the young folks were so kind and included me in a picture. :)
It's really sad - I am the oldest of the group.And here were the photographers for the group picture.
3 stooges. 3 goof balls. 3 absolute crazies.

Chris and I both tremendously enjoyed camp this year.
He and I did not have to work at all.
The company where Chris works has a 2-week shut-down
at the 4th of July.
And I asked for the time off.
It was a great time of spiritual refreshing,
spending time with God's people,
and enjoying the presence of God.
I am thankful for being able to attend.
Looking forward to TRYC 2011; if God permits.

back tracking: 2010 TRYC, the little people

Our church's annual week-long Youth Camp was July 5-9.It never ceases to amaze me how much prior preparation there is

and then camp comes and it is gone in a "flash."Here are a few pictures of some
of the little ones and kiddos who came to camp this year. Hot days = great time for snow cones.It was Audrey's first Youth Camp
and she also got her first taste of snow cone.It was such a fun, Jesus-filled week.Everyone seemed to always be smiling
and having a wonderful time!Most importantly, God was there
touching lives and changing hearts.

somebody's got a birthday!!

Happy #24, Miranda!
I hope you have a wonderful day.
You are a beautiful person inside and out.
I love you, girl!

prayers lately

Lately, I've been praying about a lot of things.
Praying about Chris' job situation and it's direction.
Praying that I would find a job.
Praying for a health issue or two.
Praying for this circumstance
and praying for that problem.
You know, bombarding the Lord,
with my list of important things.

Then, I felt Him say ... "be patient,
for I am working on you
and issues that have lasting, eternal effects.
I'm using these very trials that you're agonizing over
to make a difference in you eternally."

So, I changed my prayers.
"I trust you, Lord.
I know that You will take care of me.
May my life bring You glory and honor.
And yes, Lord, teach me and change me to be more like you."

black-eyed susan

Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

party at Mama's

On Sunday nights, we love to get together after church.

My mom's has always been a place we love to hang out.
Big yard. Always good food. And a large living room.
Last Sunday night, a bunch of folks showed up for pizza and fun.Alan testing the Fisher Price stethoscope ... "does it really work?"Christina and KlayA mean game of checkers.
H decided to 'sweep' up the rug
when she saw she had no moves left.

There are no pictures of the vicious game of Pictionary
with some pretty awesome, fast drawing going on.
Not to mention some wild, crazy artwork
including a 3-legged moose
and a tennis racket that resembled a chicken bone.
And those All-Plays were extremely competitive moments.

Fun, fun times.

garden

Chris planted and weededOlivia watered and weededBut, God gives the increase.Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of our little garden.

Happy Birthday, Sunshine

Today is my friend's birthday.
She's a true treasure of a friend.

She is such a precious blessing in my life.I enjoy talking about the Lord with her.
It's such a joy to share with one another the goodness of God.
I always feel encouraged after our 'chats.'"Happy Birthday!
May God continue to bless you.
Love much!"

There is no possession more valuable
than a good and faithful friend.
~Socrates

and the birthday surprise guests were ...

2 Flowers ... friends.

(not pictured: Casey's brother, Alan)
Late night fun. River trips. Just hanging out.
Thanks for the "too cute" wooden magnet and flip calendar.
And Casey provided pizza bagel bites and chicken nuggets. (thx!)Stephenses Crew ... friends.

Talented folks. Loads of laughter. Newly-converted river rats.
And thanks Mary for the BUNCH of flowers!Sunshine ... my friend.
(not pictured: her husband and children)

Such an encourager and constant friend.
Thanks for the cute girly magnet.Miranda ... my cousin.
She decorated while everyone was at church.
She became the 'impromptu' party photographer.
(she took all the pictures you are looking at)
We like to go on trips together - enjoy bluegrass - and shopping!
Thanks for the candy (you know me too well) and frame.

Heather ... my sister-in-law.
(not pictured: Swain (B-I-L) and Audrey (baby girl)
She's tons of fun. Always makes me laugh.
There is NEVER a dull moment as long as she's around.
Thanks for my skirt and shampoos!!

And Cheyenne ... my sweet niece.
She's adorable. I love her to pieces.

Bryon and Keith (my cousin) ... the tough guys.
I was trying to be tough too. :)

Ashley and Wesley ... my cousins ... on both sides. :)
Ashley is a great friend and 'sister.'
She and I are David Phelps Phans ALL THE WAY!
And thanks to Ash, we're headed to see GVB TONIGHT!!
And Wesley ... sings great under-the-influence of helium. lol
Alicia ... my friend.
(not pictured: her brother, Adam)
We've known each other a long time.
God's done great things in her life.
And she writes the best FB statuses on a daily basis!Christy ... my friend.
(not pictured: her husband, Roby)
We've shared so much. She's a great listener.
We enjoy eating together, going to church, and playing games.
Thanks for the willow tree figurine and smelly candle.

The Woods (minus Stephen) ... friends.
I love her kiddos ... Kolben calls me "Lily"
She is a sweet friend - who keeps a check on me.
And was the first to wish me "Happy Birthday!"

Thanks to all you friends,
who make my life much more fun, interesting, and such a joy!
I love you all.
You are the GREATEST!
Thank YOU for helping celebrate the beginning of #29!

birthday surprise

Chris pulled off a really big surprise.

He and I both had to work on Wednesday.
I didn't cook dinner
and we 'planned' to grab something with friends after church.
Soooo, after church,
Chris had a 15-minute meeting regarding Sunday School,
everyone left, except for the few wives of men in the meeting.
When Chris finally came out of meeting,
I was very hungry and ready to eat,
but Chris insisted that we take a ladder to my mom's first
that she needed for painting her porch.
I was upset, because after the meeting and driving to mom's,
all our friends would nearly be finished
by the time we arrived to the restaurant.
However, we when arrived at Mom's,
all our friends were THERE on the front porch
and yelled, "SURPRISE"I was so shocked.
And even more shocked when I found out
that Chris planned it all by himself.Ice Cream Cake from Dairy Queen.Sweet gifts from friends."Thanks to mom for hosting the party.
Chris appreciates it and so do I.""Thanks, babe, you are the BEST!
You definitely helped make 29 'not so bad.'"