It is official!

We have officially made the transition to Faith Covenant Church of God! We discussed things with Pastor Gilbert last Wednesday night. He welcomed us with open arms. We tried to explain the best we possibly could, how we just felt that God was leading us there and had been for quite some time. How "little" things just seemed to fall into place, along with the "big " things. LOL! We have had some difficult moments, after all ....its hard leaving home. But we feel strongly that God has bigger and better things in store for all three of us. Kalyn is doing extremely well, better than we ever hoped. I watched her Wednesday night as she ran and played with friends, and again on Sunday morning. She has fit in perfectly. She was running, smiling, and talking to several other kids. I just had to smile at how God amazes me thru her. Steven and I felt like a boulder had been lifted from our shoulders. On Sunday morning, we truly felt like we could rest easy. We are where we belong. No more trying to figure it out on our own. God has placed us where He wants us. Can't wait to see what all He plans for us!! Oh, by the way, Steven and I told Pastor Heath and Sis Hayley that we would assist them in their student ministry any way they need us. HERE WE GO!

Winterfest news

We returned last night from Winterfest/Smoky Mtns. Winterfest was wonderful! We had an awesome time. If any of you ever get the chance to go, I highly reccommend it. Amazing to see 20,000 young people worshipping with all their might. Nothing like it! Friday night was the best service to us. Jentzen Franklin preached on the Spirit of Python. He actually had a 16 foot long python on the stage with him. He talked on how Satan slowly squeezes the life out of you, one breath at a time, just like a python with it's prey. That's what we are---the devil's prey. We have to be on guard and not even let him close or else we loose our breath until we die. The entire arena sat motionless, completely quiet during his whole message. It was the best sermon I have ever heard Pastor Franklin do. On Saturday night, Casting Crowns-my absolute favorite group- and Eddie James performed. During Eddie James's part of the service, he had some of the young people from his home testify. Several testified of being delivered from drug addiction, pornography, but the one that caught my attention was a young man who testified of being delivered from homosexuality. I danced at my seat! He said " No matter what the world tells you, you are NOT born gay." He said lots more, but you get the idea. Tommy Bates preached a great lesson. He talked about "affirmation" and how if a young man is not affirmed by his father, all sorts of things happen, like abusing women, homosexuality, etc. If a young woman is not affirmed, she may turn to promiscuity, homosexuality, etc. It gave me lots to think about, especially trying to raise a young woman of God. Sunday's service was good also. Reggie Dabbs preached a sermon about Gomer. His point was basically that our lives do not have a price tag. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us with His blood. Now, it is up to us to not make His purchase of us be in vain, for nothing.

We were so happy to run into some friends---Sis Terrie, Shay, Caleb, and Courtney. We actually sat with them Saturday night and Sunday morning. It was great to meet their youth group and leaders. We were welcome and felt right at home. Thanks guys! We miss ya'll. Love ya more than we can ever say.

closing doors

This past Wednesday night was our last of teaching the children's class. Bro Skipper met with us after class and said that he did not feel comfortable with us doing the class if we were not going to continue to attend on Sundays. Steven and I told him when we resigned that we would continue the class until they found someone else to teach it. I did not want those young people to be without a class. They are too dear to be thrown away like that. So he said he would have someone to sit with them. I hate that I am not going to get to say "goodbye". That was the only thing I asked for, that I would be able to say bye and help with the transition of a new teacher for one class period. I guess God knew that I could not stop teaching the class on my own so He found a way to stop it for me. He has closed one door so He can open another one. I am going to miss those kids terribly, but I look forward to what God has in store for me and my family.

Our insightful girl

Our family attended the burial of a brother of a high school friend last Friday. Just as the funeral was ending and they were starting to the cemetery, it started to rain. We sure didn't want it to rain on them so Steven asked Kalyn to pray that the rain would stop. He said he didn't think it rained another drop. That girl can get some prayers through, I tell ya! She has gotten us through more than once.

One night this week, Kalyn and I were sitting in the floor playing a game. A commercial came on TV, something about seeing changes with our new president. I kinda snickered and said" I haven't noticed any changes yet." Kalyn said "I have. We've changed churches." What could I say? She is right. Her life has been impacted also, turned upside down and slightly chaotic at times. I guess we have experienced more changes lately than I realized. And more yet to come.

Happy Valentine's Day

Steven, me and Kalyn usually do something as a family on Valentine's Day. This year, Steven and I went out to eat as a couple. It was very nice. We had a very good time, just the two of us. My parents watched Kalyn while we went to Chili's. On Friday night, the three of us went to eat at Buena Vista. This picture of Steven and Kalyn was taken there, just sitting across the booth from me. I love this picture of both of them. They look so happy together!!


Steven gave me a beautiful silver cross necklace for Valentine's Day. I tried to get a picture but it didn't turn out so well. Maybe you can see it.

I am so lucky to have him in my life. I still remember our first Valentine's Day together. I was a student at JSU and he drove down to see me. When I answered the door, there he stood, leaned against the door frame, in his leather jacket, holding a large bouquet of red roses and a box of candy. He looked so handsome! I think I fell in love with him at that exact moment. He simply took my breath away. I think my heart actually skipped a beat. He was.....and has always been.....the love of my life.

Burning leaves

Our entire family has been dealing with some kind of sickness for this past fall and winter. It seems like we just can't get rid of it. When one of us feels a little better, it hits another one. So, Steven is normally very particular with the yard but this year, he just hasn't felt like fooling with it. Our yard was still covered with leaves ( and I do mean covered). Since the weather was so nice on Saturday, we decided we would work in the yard. We raked leaves and raked leaves until I was sore. When we had a pile, I would load them in a wheelbarrow and move them to an even bigger pile so we could burn them. When we got tired of raking, Steven decides to set fire to the large piles of leaves. We didn't know if they would burn because some of them were still wet. So, as Steven sets fire to the pile, I keep raking, trying to get as much as I could. Well, let me tell you, the leaves burned alright. We meant for the fire to be contained in the small area of the pile. That didn't happen. Luckily, we were both watching it, so it didn't hurt anything. Steven had the waterhose ready in case it got out of hand. But once it had burned a large area of the yard, we just decided to let it keep burning. Now, we have a HUGE burned area in our backyard. It covers most of the backyard. It was kinda funny. I'm sure it was funny to Kalyn who stood on the back porch, watching us the entire time. She was not about to get anywhere near those burning leaves. She was too busy protecting her precious pets.HAHA

Letting go

During our class time last night at church, Steven and I made the announcement that we would no longer be the teachers of the children's class. We shed lots of tears. Those young people are so incredibly special to us. But as much as it breaks my heart to let them go, I know they will be fine. They are all so annointed and blessed. I have tremendous hopes for each of them. I look forward to the future when I will hear great things out of each one. I know God has a plan for all of us, and I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He will continue to pour out His blessings over this amazing class. I am so proud to have been a part of it. They taught me more than I could have ever taught them. Steven and I will teach the class until they find someone else. We do not want these kids to be left without a class or somewhere to go. Last night, we had 16 kids in attendance. I started with 4! It is awesome what God has done. He has truly blessed us.

We also explained to Pastor Skipper that we feel the call of the Lord leading us in a different direction. We are not sure what God has in mind, but He knows. It is finally time for us to trust Him. We have told Him "no" so many times before. It is time for us to "just let go and let God". We have faith that He will lead us and place us where He wants us. We place our family in His hands.