Drum Roll.....

I apologize for being late with the winner announcement of the new Selah CD. Life has been happening....smile...and sigh.

So without further ado....let me introduce the winner..........Deedra! This CD is awesome and I prayed that God would pick the one that He wanted to have this. Enjoy Deedra!!

Changing gears just a bit....

Just for the record......Hornets are, "TEAM OF THE WEEK!" I've never cried at a football game before, but this much needed win, made my eyes sweat just a wee bit and my vocal chords got such a workout they are currently on strike. All worth it!! I'm so proud of the boys and coaches! They have really worked hard this summer and they deserve it!!

Carrie

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!

Nineteen years ago today, I sobbed and nearly passed out on stage taking my wedding vows, on the same day Mom was celebrating her 46th birthday! We can't remember dates, so we try to cram as many celebrations on one day as possible;-) As for the sobbing and passing out, I really wanted to get married, I'm just a little on the nervous side;-) I thank God everyday that Hubs didn't leave me that day at the alter, while looking at the bride of Frankenstein;) I can imagine the thoughts that was running through his mind while he was looking into my Tammy Faye eyes and holding my elbows to keep me from tipping over;-) Memories!!!

All pun aside, my heart is so full this morning. I received such a blessing on the ride into work this morning. If you haven't purchased the new Selah CD, You Deliver Me....you must! With each song, I took a stroll down memory lane from our dating years to the present. I saw hardships, sickness, death. Those valleys then turned to laughter, joy and love.

Through it all we had to depend upon His Word.

Through it all He was there.

Through it all we had each other.

Happy Anniversary Hubs! Looking forward to the rest of our lives together!

Happy Birthday Mom! A little bird told me you got a "card" for your birthday!! I might as well tell it, since Dad announced your age to the church Sunday;-) Way to go Dad!

Carrie

P.S. I haven't done a give a way in a very long time. With it being Mom's birthday, I'll do what she loves to do...give. Leave her a Birthday wish and you will automatically be in the drawing for...yes....the new Selah CD! Winner will be announced Wednesday!

Anxious

Anxious. That seems to be the norm lately. On every hand there is some crisis, be it health, jobs or family/children, I sense that overwhelming feeling. It's the kind that will make you physically sick. But God's Word tells us not to be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6

How fitting, again, that God sends the right devotion(s) my way. In fact, 4 whole days were devoted to just this. I want to encourage myself and everyone who is facing an insurmountable task before them, or facing sickness for themselves or loved ones, carry these promises from God's Word in your hand, hearts and mind:

1. Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid or dismayed...for there is...with us...our God to help us. 2Ch 32:7-8 AMP
2. I will rescue you...declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. Jer 39:17 NIV
3. Fear not..When you pass through the waters...they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Isa 43:1-2 NKJV
4. Be not afraid or dismayed...for the battle is not yours, but God's. 2Ch 20:15 AMP
5. In the world you have....distress and frustration; but...(take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted)...I have...(deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you) Jn 16:33 AMP
6. Our fears for today...worries about tomorrow...even the powers of hell...nothing in all creation will...separate us from the love of God. Ro 8:38-39 NLT

It's up to us how we handle our fears. Fear is a good thing. Fear should be a healthy respect that produces positive reactions/outcomes.

Praying for all those listed on the prayer request bulletin at church, and for others who were not.

A little update on Mom: she has a cold and will be in B'ham tomorrow for her monthly appointments at the transplant unit. So, we are believing this "cold" won't turn into anything more serious and all is well.

Love and prayers,
Carrie

You know you are old...continued

Does anybody recognize my mistake on Son #1's b-day cake?

Who do you feel sorrier for...me or son #1?

Carrie

You know you are old when.....

I've been hit by the organizing bug.

With baseball behind us, I feel the need to purge...like giving my closet an enema kinda purging. Free it of all unused items, and make it user friendly. Why after baseball you ask? When baseball season lingers on all summer long, the house goes to pot. Blogging gets tossed to the wayside...you see the pattern;-) By the time it's over, I feel the need to wipe the slate clean, organize something and slap some paint on. This years project...our closet. I would show you the before, but it's too scary, so when it's finished, I'll post the after. The before....just picture a walk-in closet with the classic rod down each side, with 2x4 shelving. Not poking fun at the craftsmanship, it was the thing back 17 years ago. And has worked very well, I might add. You may ask...if it ain't broke, why fix it?



Two words.... closet maid!

I'm still an old-school kinda girl so when I saw this........



I had to order one. I found this one at amazon.com....on $12 bucks! It will be perfect to hang handbags, ties, belts, scarves, etc. That way we will still have a touch of old school with the new.

I just had a funny thought. Hubby and I have had some senior moments here lately;-) So, we've been coming up with, "you know you are old when....." statements. For example, we went rafting over the weekend and was so sore the next day, we could barley walk. We were sitting at the table drinking coffee, me a watered, sweetened version of coffee, and hubby looks over at me and says, "you know you are old when you are sore from rafting and having to put fiber in your coffee." I add today, "you know you are old when you get all excited over a expandable coat rack and closet maid."

Carrie

Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory

Hey everyone..long time no see:) Just wanted to stop in and say hi and let you know all is well. It's summer and we've been crazy busy.

I woke singing, "Rise and shine and give God the glory." Complete with hands motions and all. After the day I had a work yesterday, I needed pepping up. And that song will do it!

I wonder if taking a week off work is worth it?

Yes, it is.

We had the most fantabulous time! No reservations, no GPS, no schedule. Just a $10 Rand McNally , and we were off. We started out in Nashville, TN and ended up in Cincinnati, OH by week end, with Louisville, KY and Milltown, IN in between.

I was reminded also, there is no place like home. Home to family and friends. Why is it that after you've been gone, everything looks different? You seem like a stranger in your own home and town. Funny but true. Then once you are back at work, reality body slams you, and you feel all normal again.

If you are wondering about Mom, well, she is fine:) She did a happy dance after her last antibiotic IV. Way to go Mom! Now she is feeling better and we are praying each day brings her strength and healing.

Carrie

So true.....

Eugene Petersen writes: "Every day I put love on the line. There's nothing I am less good at. I am far better in competition than love; far better at responding to my instincts to get ahead, than at figuring out how to love another. I'm schooled and trained in getting my own way. And yet I decide every day to set aside what I do best, and attempt to do what I do very clumsily-open myself to the frustrations and failures of loving, daring to believe that failing in love is better than succeeding in pride."

Deep isn't it. I had to re-read it a couple of times. My favorite is the last part...."failing in love is better than succeeding in pride."

When I read this I thought of the game we lost last night. What does this have to do with a ball game?..not really sure..it just reminded me that competition is just that. I love a good game of baseball.....don't get me wrong. It's just competition tends to bring out the worst in me. Mr. Petersen just reminded me that I would rather lose a ball game playing fair and square, with sportsmanship in tow, than win the state championship. Not that the other team cheated last night, however, I felt we were ripped on a call or two;), maybe the other team were using illegal bats:), sorry for the rant there...but I'm proud of our team for holding their heads high and giving it their best.

Oh what lessons we learn from the agony of defeat!

Really, being watchful of our words and honoring Jesus in all we do, even in defeat, we will be over comers!

Carrie

Mom's Home!

She's back! And proud of it. Mom got home from the hospital late Friday afternoon. After a few attempts, they finally got the new pic line in. She has quite the supply of antibiotics that Dad has to administer (via IV) every 24 hr. and another one every 8 hrs. Dad should be grandfathered in as a nurse by the time Mom gets a new heart. I have to brag on him some, he has really been a trooper and takes really good care of Mom. They hardly ever let us help them do a thing.

So for now, Mom is catching up on some much needed rest and sleep. Hopefully after the 2 week antibiotic regimen, she will be back to where she was before the infection. Continue praying that this pic line will work until she can get a new heart.

I just want to thank all of you for your prayers. Would you please whisper a prayer of thanks to God. I give Him all the glory!

Carrie

Ice Cycle Pickles

Ingredients:

Cucumbers
Salt
Cold Water
Alum
Vinegar
Sugar
McCormick Pickling Spice

Directions:

Cut up cucumbers and place in a gallon size jar. Cover cucumbers with cold water. Add 1 cup salt and let set for 4 days. On the 4th day rinse, add 2 Tbsp. alum and cover in cold water for 24 hrs. Rinse and add vinegar (no water) and let stand for 10 days. Drain (do not rinse). Put pickling spice in a coffee filter or cotton cloth and tie with a string. Place pickling spice in jar and then add 3 cups of sugar each day for 3 days.

They do not have to be refrigerated. However, I like mine cold and keep a quart jar of them in my refrigerator at all times.

I love, love these pickles. I use them in tuna/chicken salads, on hamburgers, or just eat them with meals. Charlotte, my MIL, taught me how to make these. Thank you Charlotte! They are super easy to make!

Oh...the wax paper hats on the jars is not necessary....but my lids are getting old and I didn't want rusty stuff in my pickles;-)....plus it serves as a handy dandy label to keep me on track of the day I need to rinse/drain them.

Enjoy!

Carrie

PS...Mom is still in hospital. Today is the day for the new pic line. She will be coming home tomorrow, Lord willing. Say a prayer for her today. She is dreading this procedure, but looking forward to it all at the same time.

Work in Jesus' name

The following is another timely devotion from, "The Word For You Today."

"....take a moment at the beginning of your workday when you sit down at your desk or your computer or in your home, and invite Jesus to partner with you. Tell Him, "Today, I'm not going to work by myself." Any time throughout your workday when you have a tough problem, ask Him for help. When you have a difficult decision to make, ask Him for wisdom-then listen and be really open. When you find your energy flagging, ask Him for renewed strength. When you find your attitude turning negative, ask Him to re-orient your heart. ....every few hours as you're working, pause two or three minutes. Thank Him for His help. Hand Him your worries. Ask for His energy. Every moment is an opportunity to be with Jesus. When you forget-and you will, when you mess up-and you will, remember this really important rule: there's to be no beating yourself up! Every moment is another chance. God just keeps sending them. That's grace. Every moment of your workday is a new chance for you to be with Him."

"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Colossians 3:17 NIV

Thank you Jesus for sending your Word to me today!

Carrie

PS....Mom is still hanging in there. Praying, God willing, tomorrow will be the day for the new pic line. The place on her arm looks better. It is drying up and peeling, so hopefully both are good signs. It looks like it will leave a scar. But as Mom put it, "what's another scar."