Choose to Laugh!

I choose to Laugh!!

Would I choose to be normal? Sometimes- but that gets too boring around my house.
I love change and I love to laugh. My pastor's wife in Little Rock, and a mother of 4 as well,
told me there are always going to be moments where you have to choose to laugh or cry.
I have had to choose laughter these days because sometimes the hyper-activity of our household
would bring me to tears!! But really, it's awesome- here is a moment I chose to laugh:

Since we all were off celebrating the first day of the Christmas holidays yesterday, nobody got
to bed before 11 pm. Too bad we had to wake up for our Upward Baskeball/cheerleading game for
8 am. Everyone was happy, but Troy and I were racing to get in the car on time. We forgot Lauren's
pom-pom bag (thank God she didn't cry), I had to spoon-feed Joshua his breakfast (Troy's delicious eggs,
strawberries, and raisin toast); We forgot to charge the video camera so we had the power-converter plugged
into the car so we could charge it on the way. To top it off, everyone was thirsty, so Troy in his quick thinking
raced out the door with the entire jug of orange juice and plastic cups. 1/2 down the road, we were serving the
kids like a continental breakfast- Do you want more? Troy brought his electric razor so he is driving to the game holding
a jug of orange juice between his legs, and shaving- In the middle of his shave, he ran out of battery juice!!
LAUGH or CRY?? Pretty good moment to cave in! I asked him, "How many people do you know driving down the road
with a jug of juice!??? His reply, "MORE THAN YOU THINK!" I had to believe it is probably true, and laugh!!!

I learned that what makes the difference in your life is not the problems that come your way, but the way in which you
respond to them. We don't always get it right, but we can all learn to laugh a little bit more!

My dear friend Kelley moved to Heaven

My dear friend Kelley moved to Heaven. For those of you who don't know, Kelley Foret was one of my dearest friends and stood in my wedding. She was the first of my beautiful friends to walk down the isle!! Troy and Kelley knew one another since grade school back in New Orleans. Their families grew up together and Kelley and I met after Troy and I started dating. We shared many rooms on out trips to Destin. Kelley was (and still is) so full of life. She was a constant party. We used to have so much fun cutting up over our on "In Living Color" jokes-We frequently called each other at random parts of the day to talk about the things of God. When Troy and I were ever "on a break", she would be the first one to encourage me by saying "God has a plan and you are in it." Those words are always ringing inside." She developed a rare cancer and fought hard for her life. I cannot understand with my mind how this happened, but my faith is strong in the Lord and I am so glad she is not in pain anymore. Heaven is becoming a very clear reality for me. I know she is there and it won't be long until we are all back together! We love you Kelley.
You are a treasure...

Are You Dreaming of the Year 2009?

When Troy and I were dating, we always brought in the New Year at the night watch church service, and then went back to his
parents to celebrate and pray with family. But many years later when I was 8 months pregnant with Lauren, my second, I remember it was storming so we decided to stay home. Troy and I separated and we each had alone time with God to pray and get direction for the new year. When I was by myself upstairs, I finished reading the entire book written by Casey Treat (How To Fulfill Your God-Given Destiny). It changed me! Troy and I had frequently talked about committing ourselves to full-time ministry but never made a decision to do it. This night was very clear- All roads lead to Rome...If I ever doubted it before, everything in my life pointed me in the direction of this life-long calling that we were to pursue it for the year 2003. Troy and I met up together around the 12:00 mark. He confirmed to me that the Lord told him the very same thing. What an awesome revelation of truth and understanding we got that night about how to really bring in a New Years! From them on, we have done our best to spend our New Year time of celebration with each other and especially with the Lord.

I am excited about today, but I am also excited about the future and what is to come in the year 2009. I am steady in faith and not moved by what is going on in the world around us, even though it seems crazy at times. I am ready to receive a new word of revelation and learn about God's plans and visions for the Loveteam for the year 2009. Be encouraged. God will do the same for anyone who asks! I believe He has a plan and purpose and CLEAR direction for what each of us should be focussed on for the upcoming year. (Matthew 7:7)

Victoria

What a beautiful friendship! Victoria and I were roommates at LSU. She couldn't speak English yet and
I couldn't speak Spanish- Living together was so funny! Somehow this was a divine thing. Victoria and
I were like sisters and ALL our families felt the same way about each other. She eventually learned more English than I did
Spanish and we were able communicate- I had a chance to visit Venezuela and live with her precious family for 10 days.(When I got back, Troy and I finally got engaged!) I was so happy she got to walk through the wedding with me, but we have not seen
each other since Christopher was small, 7 years ago. Someday soon we will get back together! I know we are sisters for life though. One day Troy and I hope to do ministry work in the South American regions. Until next time Victoria, Happy birthday NOVEMBER 5! You are loved

The next Generation

Today we are celebrating the home-going of Ruth Stockstill, the co-founder Bethany. When I was younger in college and Troy and I were dating, I used to sit back and admire the 3 generations serving and worshiping together- Pastor Roy and Mrs. Ruth, Pastor Larry and Mrs. Melanie, and all their 6 children. To be able to witness the fruit of their labor is so encouraging as I am raising up my 4 children. It especially reminds me not to get discouraged if I don't see the whole picture. We are all co-laborers for the kingdom and we will not always see everything, but we will hear "well done my faithful servant." So, for the seeds she has planted in all of us, I praise God that I got to witness her life and it encourages me to be stronger in my walk with the Lord and strive to plant seeds into my own, the next generation.

Interesting, because last night I went to the Live the Dream conference at HPC and April S. spoke- Joel Osteen's sister. She had a powerful word about fighting the good fight of faith because it is teaching the next generation what to fight for- we are warriors for Christ. It was based on her experience when her mom (surely everyone has heard this story) was diagnosed with cancer and was given 3 weeks to live. She came home looking deathly, and April witnessed her parents praying and standing in faith for her healing. Of course, the end of the story is that she is still living and just celebrated a birthday last Wed.- She outlived her husband! God is so good. If anyone gets this update, Please pray for KELLEY, one of our best friends who is battling cancer in the hospital right now. I believe in the miracles of God for EVERYONE. I cannot let other people's circumstances change my faith in God's Word. By Jesus Christ's stripes we WERE healed and I will believe that for Kelley today. Please join your faith to ours. She needs a miracle in the next few days.

Check out the HPC conference live on the web. I think you can get there by healingplacechurch.org

Who is your "sauce"?

Really, it's who is your "source"- Dr. Cho from South Korea pronounces it "sauce"!
Just a thought question for me today. I have heard so many people raising the concern of what is going on in the economy. Definately it is a wake-up in our
spiritual lives, to know who our source really is-God or this world? Our pastor
said that the nation is experiencing a shaking- we understand that since we just lived through a hurricane season-but the shaking of our nation relates to the fall of all the things man has trusted in-Money, power, modern conviences, even people are falling from their high places! I guess I can now SEE how God is proving His goodness to us in these days. When you see a tree that has some brown leaves and broken limbs and something SHAKES it, all those parts of the tree that are disconnected fall and those that are healthy and connected to the main parts stay the attached. I think that is a true picture of this passage of scripture when Jesus says,

"I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2)

I believe in the LOVE of God first. If there is a wake up call for our nation to turn to God, God will do everything in His power to draw his family back to Him.
So I am not blaming God for every horrible thing that goes on in the world. But I do think He is needing the body of Christ who is connected to rise up and declare his GOODNESS- spread the good news of Jesus, love our neighbors as ourselves, forgive others, live a life of integrity, you know! I hope for all my friends and family that you trust God as your source, no matter what the gas prices are or what the stock market does! We have a promise that is GOOD and we need to let those around us see our confidence in the Lord in such a time as this.

"Think about what you are thinking about!"

I was reading a great book by Joyce Meyer that addressed how we are to be cautious not to let
our minds wander or wonder too much. Perhaps in a normal day, we get focussed and begin
working on something meaningful but our mind wanders down another thought path! Anyway,
it was an encouraging word to know that we do have the strength to take hold of our thoughts and
turn them over to God. Most of the time He is trying to give us the insight and direction that we
are really in search of for our day, but we won't get it we wander down 3rd Street and we are supposed
to be on Main! Just a thought!

R U a Real Tiger? Guess where this pic was taken!

Geaux Tigers!

LIVE LIFE!

I have discovered that life is what YOU make it, not what you want others to make happen for you. As a young mom, I have to decide each day when I wake up that today will be great and that God has something awesome in store... So instead of waking up tired and frustrated because of all the responsibilities that come with life, I have learned to chill out and just have fun! No matter how many times I clean my house and make it perfect, it doesn't stay that way for longer than 30 minutes! I don't want to live my life stuck in a closet trying to get organized-I certainly appreciate those who have the natural gift of order, but the order I want in my life begins with my priorities- GOD, FAMILY, and then EVERYTHING ELSE!

Here are some things that make my mornings go smoother!

1. Read your Bible and pray before the kids wake up. It will set the tone for your day.
2. If you have time, take a walk around the block. It is so peaceful and getting out of the house will change your perspective!
3. Get some good music going in your house (I couldn't live without our family ipod)
4. Welcome your family in the morning with a happy heart, especially your husband! A warm cup of coffee with our Bibles on the patio is our favorite date. We discuss our lives, the future, and even our daily schedules- who drives carpool, what we will do for dinner, etc.
5. Some days I just want to lounge in our pj's and hang at home- other days I just need to throw on my coolest jeans and go shopping- KNOW YOURSELF- don't get stuck in the house every day and don't run your family crazy because you are so BUSY! Balance is the key.
6. Forgive and Live! Don't get hard on yourself because you aren't perfect. We are running a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes we get ahead and sometimes we fall behind, but thank GOD, we are still in the race and it isn't over! KEEP MOVING and don't give up!

Fall is here!

The thing I love about the fall, besides the beautiful landscapes and cool breezes, is the mark of "change." Fall reminds me that it is okay to let go of things and look forward to the new season of life! Sometimes transition is difficult, but if our hope is in God, then we know it will be good!

My favorite things about fall!

1. LSU TIGERS FOOTBALL!
2. Back to school!!!
3. Beautiful leaves and landscapes on Highland Road
4. Great shopping
5. New jeans and cool boots
6. Being outside with my family
7. Hollidays at the Centroplex

Hurricane Season! Welcome to Louisiana

what a welcome back to Louisiana- Hurricane season- these are a few pics the morning after the hurricane- we weren't supposed to be out on the road, but we had to get the kids out of the house and there was NO WHERE TO GO! We were so blessed with no damage to our property- not even one branch- people all around us had damage but we were fine! The night before, Troy and I took prayed with the children and blessed our home- I am so glad they were able to witness God's answering our prayers- what a testimony for them to remember- the only problem was that we had no power for a little over a week- hardly a problem- it brought families and neighbors OUT of their houses and together- I saw people reading on their porches, families taking walks, laundry hang-drying outside- it was like living a week in "the good old days!"






The above picture is my awesome husband heading up disaster relief at the church. The first few days they passed out
over 1,000 batches of water, tarps, and supplies-Bethany is such a giving church.

"Today is the first day of the rest of our lives!"...A famous motto in my house. So, today is my first day to blog. It seems
fitting for me since I love my family, I love to write, and I love to communicate the goodness of God and what He has done
in my life.

I Miss You Julie!!! Our Trip to the Grand Opening

My Father, The Hero

On the beach flying kites. What a way to enjoy being with family!













For those of you who don't know, my father lives near the beach! He is a veteran pilot of the US NAVY
and I am so very proud of him. He is also an expert sailor and knows more about sailing than ANYONE.
(and he's not afraid to admit it either!)
We got the chance to visit the US Naval Aircraft museum with him on this trip...what an honor!

J Mac at Perkins Rowe- Oh, the many faces

We took these at Perkins Rowe, my new favorite place to shop. We were just hanging
out with friends from our staff back in Little Rock. I love that I finally have a camera
that can take quality pictures of my children now! (Thanks Papa and Bella)

A day at Nana's Pool

Little Einstein's Party!! J Mac turns 3: We had a blast. We celebrated with good friend and family, and of course, Bella's chocolate cake!

Happy Birthday!
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Easter 2008

This is our first Easter since 2002 to be back home! (We miss
you Hamiltons!!! Thanks for being our home away from
home!)
We made it to church Sat. night and had a traditional Easter
meal with family. The only egg hunt we had was with all
the neighborhood kids. Take notice of J Mac's face when
he discovered someone was messing with his "Easter stuff!"