Thankful for.....

........the love of a Mother and daughter.

Carrie

Happy Thanksgiving!

I cannot pass this Thanksgiving up, without remembering a very special one I celebrated with my Sister C two years ago. After Mom's heart attack and she was flown to B'ham, we took turns staying with her. Sister C and I were there on Thanksgiving. After a day at the hospital with Mom, we settled into our hotel room for the night with room service. Complete with double-decker gourmet hamburgers, kicking cookies and a flower;) It couldn't have been any better.....well, except of course Mom at home and we were all around the table eating her scrumptious spread. But, that wasn't God's plan and he more than blessed us by sparing Mom, making us even more thankful!

My guys have abandoned me this Thanksgiving for a hunting trip. Go figure:) Anyways, after chasing a very long rabbit, to get to my point...which is.....I plan on having Thanksgiving with Mawmaw at her Assisted Living home. I'm looking forward to it!

After years of the routine family get together's, I've realized that while that is all wonderful and I miss it, things change. Whether we are having room service or a family dinner around the table, God blesses!

I'm thankful for God's perfect plan of salvation, and for saving me so many years ago. I'm looking for that Glad Reunion Day! He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, children, family and friends. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and shoes on my feet. What more do I need? Not one thing.

I want to wish each and everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Carrie

The Agony Of Defeat!

I'm a sore loser. It's a trait hubby and I have both passed down to the boys. You might think, "it's just a game." Well, it is.....but......what life lessons we can learn from them. For instance, just when you think you are getting ahead, all of a sudden the car breaks down, and everything you had saved up is instantaneously depleted. Because not only did the car break down, the refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer all expired at the same time. Now you are behind and in the hole. What to do? You can't quit.

Our advice to son #1 was that you gain through your pain. If we never had disappointments, we would never turn to God for direction. We would not be able to share that great testimony with unbelievers, that when all the money was gone and the bills were due, an unexpected check came in the mail. And tell about the time when breakfast was provided at our lowest moment, when complete strangers gave words of comfort. It's times like these, we would miss out on, if life's struggles didn't come our way.

Losing isn't fun. What I do know, is that most victory's came from a struggle at some point. Draw from them. Remember the time. Give God the glory!

Keep on keeping on! Never give up!
Carrie

Thankful Thursday

As this year is coming to a close, I've been reflecting on things past. My, my, what wonderful things He has done in my life.

~The Gentle Shepard came one Tuesday night at home....my two sons were saved!
Thank you Jesus!
~My niece and nephew were saved!
Thank you Jesus!
~Sons and niece were baptized together!
Thank you Jesus!
~BIL and nephew were baptized together!
Thank you Jesus!
~Mom is awaiting a heart transplant. I'm thankful she has been able to wait at home.
Thank you Jesus!
***********************************************

Current Praises!

~Hubby and I both have jobs!
Thank you Jesus!
~We are all healthy!
Thank you Jesus!
~The beautiful display of colors this fall!
Thank you Jesus!
~I paid $1.75/gallon for gas last night!
Thank you Jesus!

Something weird just happened; I paused to read my devotion and the title for it today is "Be grateful for your blessings." How fitting! So, I'll end today's Thankful Thursday with a few lines from it.

Only as you look back do you realize that what you have, is much more important than all the things you don't have.
Happiness doesn't come from getting what you want, it comes from appreciating what God's given you.
Instead of whining and complaining about your lot in life, stop and ask yourself, "What would I take in exchange for what I have?" If you don't know the answer, begin counting your blessings and thanking God for them.

Blessings to you,
Carrie

Cardboard Testimonies

My friend SH shared this video with me today. It really blessed my heart. I hope it will do the same for you!



http://vimeo.com/2287111




God is so good,
Carrie

Verse of the day

"Have a sane estimate of your capabilities" (Romans 12: 3-4 Phillips)

God is so good,

Carrie

P.S. I'm I the only one who has never heard of this translation?

Manic Monday

I feel as if I'm on a fast track to nowhere. Life is passing so quickly. The weeks are so full with places to be, things to do, I feel as if I'm on the edge of my seat at all times.....physically speaking:) There is no sense in sitting all the way back in a seat or dare I say prop my feet up, 'cause as sure as I do, it's time to be somewhere else.

Life throws changes our way. How are we going to deal when the curve ball is thrown? Today I choose to wait, pray, keep a watchful eye and then give it all I've got! If you had asked me how I dealt a few days ago, well, let's just say it wasn't pretty:)

When we get stressed out, we break down and allow our emotions to get all out of control. It seems lately I've noticed more anger from people, myself included, over the pettiest things. Why?

Today's devotion hit me hard. It was titled, "Control your anger." Very timely. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, "Get rid of all....anger.....forgiving each other...as...God forgave you."

My prayer is to start every day by asking God to help me act in ways that honor Him.

God is so good,
Carrie

Update on Sister P

I mentioned yesterday about Sister P having surgery today....well, she is on her way home and doing fine. I would go into more details, but since men readers are lurking....she wouldn't appreciate me going into the details;-) Enough said!

Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts!

Carrie

Fphoto Friday...summing up the week

Beautiful flowers picked by Niece S

Family's Old Saw Mill....beginnings of our house

Riding with Pawpaw

Thanks to married to the preacher for hosting Fphoto Friday.

God is so good,

Carrie

Camera: Kodak EasyShare M853

Setting: Auto

Location: Pawpaw and Brother J's pastors

Lordy, Lordy Sister P is 40!

“Life begins at 40 - but so do fallen arches, rheumatism, faulty eyesight, and the tendency to tell a story to the same person, three or four times.”
Helen Rowland quotes (English-American writer, 1876-1950)

“Forty isn't old, if you're a tree”

Love you!

Carrie


Prayer Request: Please pray for Sister P tomorrow. She is having day surgery. Coincidence...turning 40 one day......surgery the next? ;)

Veteran's Day

I would like to say thank you to all the Veterans out there. I thank you and your families for all the sacrifices made, allowing me to live in, "the land of the free." I'm reminded today of my Mawmaw. She always observed this holiday by cooking up this awesome meal for Pawpaw and Uncle R. Both served and fought for this country. We would all gather round the table and she would tell us of when Pawpaw went to war. Also, of how sad and worried she stayed when Uncle R went to Vietnam. I know how calloused her knees were from praying. They both returned home, physically unharmed, but emotionally wrought. I admire her strength. She made it her life goal to make sure they knew that she never forgot.

I'm sad today because she is no longer able to have those dinners. I'm sad today because both Pawpaw and Uncle R have gone on. I miss them. At the same time, I'm smiling because they are no longer suffering and are at home with the Lord. Imagine the feast there. Mawmaw's can't compare....and that's saying a lot!

We may not be gathered around Mawmaw's table today, but the memories are flooding my soul. I hope to one day share with my grandchildren just how Mawmaw honored Veterans Day.

God is so good,
Carrie

"That I may know Him." Philippians 3:10

Have you ever thought of why we suffer? I'm talking physical or emotional. I know I've never known real suffering like Paul, but at some point in our lives, we go through valleys. Who is the first person you turn to? God should be #1 on the list, but who after that? Your significant other, parent, sibling, son, daughter, friend, pastor....and on and on. Whoever that special person(s) are in your life, they want to share in your sufferings. That's how we become intimate with someone. We share everything!

This sentence jumped from the page at me this morning; "I only want to share the good times with you, keep your suffering to yourself." No way, not me. I dare to say none of you would want someone to feel that way about you, or you would say that to another person. I want my friends and family to share their burdens. That's how we travel this road.....together!

Imagine how God must feel when we get that intimate with Him. Casting all our cares upon Him. A true relationship is formed. You can feel love from Him. His sweet Holy Spirit rests in my heart, enabling me to make it another day.

I'm thankful today to call Him my Heavenly Father.

I'm thankful today that I can lean on Him through all life's trials.

I'm thankful today He has placed me among the best family and friends in the world.

I'm burdened with friends and family that are facing tough times now with sickness. I'm praying for them. I'm thankful we have that intimate relationship where we can all lean on each other, and together lift our hearts in prayer for healing.

God is so good,
Carrie

Fphoto Friday

Sing with me, "How Great Thou Art."

9 ......And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food......Genesis 2:9.

Thanks to marriedtothepreacher for hosting fphoto friday!

God is so good,

Carrie

Location: Around the house

Camera: Kodak EasyShare M853

Camera Setting: ISO

Dry Run

Added to say......scroll down

In case you haven't heard.....Mom got "the" call at 4:50 pm yesterday. Craziness abounded:)....which is common in our family:) As the title stated....it was a dry run. We were 15 minutes from the hospital when we got the call. There are just no words to explain the atmosphere in the car at that time. Needless to say, we had to pull over and re-group. It was the antibody factor preventing the match. But, we will not give up. God is able! We are trusting and believing in His Word!

I'm exhausted to say the least. There is something about when your adrenalin kicks in and then it suddenly takes a nose dive:) I'm sure it burned enough calories to cover the DQ stop we made on the way home:) lol!! Yeah...we managed to have some laughs (ahem..sister C) amidst the disappointment. Mom suggested we finish the race, and that we did. We drove right up to the hospital where she was supposed to be. It felt good to just see it all the way through. We all know the short-cut way now, so no surprises. There is a reason for everything. I know it made it so real to me and seeing how we've all been feeling lately, it's exactly the boost we needed. God knows!

I'll leave you with some pics of the roller coaster ride.

Sister P at the helm....she has some mad driving skilz:)

Mom and Sister C

Thanks for all the prayers and everything that you did on our behalf yesterday. We could not make it without all of you! You are such blessings!

I stopped by Mom's this morning. She slept good and seemed to be in good spirits.

Praising God through it all!

Love to all,

Carrie

It was brought to my attention that I never mentioned Dad:) Sorry...I told you it was utter chaos:) When Mom got the call, she told the lady that she couldn't find her husband, to which she said, just get somebody to bring you:) lol!! Needless to say we called him numerous times. To his defense he is a farmer. No explanation needed. When he finally answered my call, I was in such a way, that he was asking me to please slow down, so he could understand what I was saying. He managed to get home and cleaned up, but before he hit the road, we called him.

Brother J and SIL M were in B'ham with their daughter S for her doctor appointment. They were waiting for us. Everything seemed to falling into place.....or to us it did. But our way is not God's way! Thank goodness!

Sweet Holy Spirit

This is my testimony!

Update #2 on Mom is posted below.

Carrie

Mom Update

Update #2 below...

Good Monday to you,

As I'm typing, Mom is in B'ham. She was scheduled for a heart cath and doctor visit today. However, she has had a stomach bug over the weekend. She said she was better and was determined not to miss this appointment. I read this verse in my daily devotions the other day, to which it describes Mom to a tee; " The strong spirit of a man will sustain him in bodily pain or trouble." Proverbs 18:14 At times she gets down, questions, grows weary, but with the prayers of her church/friends and the wonderful grace of God, she regains that inner fight and refuses to give up.

I'm asking each of you to pray for her today. Pray the heart cath goes well and she gets to see the doctor. In her condition as of late with the bug, they may ask her to just simply go back home.

As soon as I hear something from her, I'll update.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We love you all so very much!

Carrie

Update #1.... Just got off the phone with Mom...2:11 pm...and she had the heart cath this morning. She said it wasn't too bad and it showed that she was too dry (fluid wise).... they are instructing her to drink and eat more:)..and reduce the amount of fluid RX she takes. Now she is waiting to see Dr. Kirkland. This may or may not happen. As you know, she has tried seeing him on numerous occasions, to no avail. Good Lord willing, maybe today will be the day! Back l8r with more.....

Update #2....I stopped by Mom's this morning and she looked good. She got to see "the" Doctor Kirkland. God is good! She described him as small in stature, with a very quite and kind personality. He is the doctor who will most likely do the transplant. He explained how he could not get the pic line in her chest. She is just too small frame and her arteries could not hold such a big line. However, they are confident her neck will support the port that she will need with the transplant. Whew!! Also, the pic line meds are working wonders for her. Without them she would be in very bad shape. He is pleased with how well she is doing on them and will not move it from her arm. Mom came away feeling better in spirit too. He told her he is expecting her to get a heart in the near future. The antibody factor, is just that! It is harder to find the right match, but not impossible and has been done, lots of time before. Yeah!! He just reinforced her need to stay as healthy as she can. Meaning....no more losing weight!

I cannot express my gratitude for all your prayers! I'm praising the One who has kept her thus far and will see her through. God is so good! He loves me and loves you so much! There isn't anything to big for Him!