Good Song

I heard this song on Air 1, and the words hit me like a ton of bricks. How satan works under the radar, like sugar in a baby tooth, slowly rotting away and we don't know until it is rotten from the inside out. The sugar turned out to be poison. What about everyting we tolerate on TV, in movies, radio, commericals, video games? The Victoria's Secret commercials? Graphic previews to violent movies?(some previews have scared Aidan to death) Drake making out with 2 girls at once on "Drake & Josh"? Beating cops with my skateboard on the Tony Hawk video game? Everytime Sonic dies on the "kids" game he says damn? Being promiscious will happen, just accept it as normal growing pains and move on? I could go on and on. I feel like I am made out to be a religious nut or a prude for trying to keep my kids from not being desensitized to stuff. I stink at remembering scripture, but I know God tells us not to put unGodly things before our eyes. Who knows human nature better? It is so hard not to things slide with me or my kids these days.

CASTING CROWNS--SLOW FADE

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Praise

Slaton came by this morning to visit! We talked with him and let him know how much we love him, but these things are what we feel we need to do/not do for him to have some self-motivation. He seems to be in okay spirits, which makes this easier on us, mainly on Jeremy. I thank the Lord for watching over him while ge figures things out on his own. Our God is awesome!

Growing Pains

Whew, what a week. It has been a whirlwind, but I can't exactly say why or what I accomplished! Well, we finally had to cut the last apron string on Slate. We have been struggling so hard trying to get him on his own two feet. It's been like me standing on a table and trying to pull up a grown man by sheer force--yeah, not workin'. The only thing in the world he seems to care about is his cell phone and girlfriend. Not a job, gas, family. . . .nothing. So we dropped the blade. Quit paying for his cell. His world has come crushing down. Nevermind he has no job, no money, no gas, no way to pay the rent, etc. He is just frantic about not having his cell service. He just can't imagine why they won't put the number in his name (nevermind we have told him a million times all the gory details of how jobs, money, and checking accounts are required to obtain these things!)

It is a very scary feeling. He called to chew on Jeremy about it from a blocked number. So, by his choice, we cannot get a hold of him. We have to wait to hear from him. Sux. Well, he is going to be 20 in June, so I think he has had enough chances and help from us to get started, and he has not done it. He is still trying the whole batch of excuses and guilt trips he always does--so hard to fend off the evil spells of teenagers--must have invisble shield engaged--help!

Okay enough sarcasm for tonite :-) Seriously, if you can remember to slip Slaton in your prayers, please help us pray for protection over him as he goes through these "growing pains".

New Year, Looking Back on 08

Well, we rang in 2009--all I can do is pray for this coming year to end as well as 2008 did. Believe me, in January of 08, I wasn't sure that was going to happen! Just to sum up some personal challenges God took us through; Jeremy's 2nd major surgery in 10 months, Sage leaving again to his "mother's", getting Slaton to Graduation, Financial toll of surgery and recovery time, Sage & Mary taking us to court for child support THE weekend of Slaton's graduation, cleaning out and selling my Nano's house, Jeremy's ongoing recovery, the accidental death of Jeremy's brother's best friend and brother-in-law, Slaton moving out on his own. Reflecting on these things all at once reminds me how God has carried us and gives my fears for the coming year a good kick in the butt!!

Thanks Amy & Aunt Carrie for watching my boys during Jeremy's surgery (Both times). Thank you Misty, who always made sure we had food! I want to thank my parents for their finanical and emotional support during the surgery. Also, to all of Jeremy's family and clients who brought food, took the boys, visited Jeremy, to Dr. Gentry who did Jeremy's surgery knowing we would have to pay him out, and most importantly, the PRAYER WARRIORS I know were out there praying for us.

For all of the drama and worry, we were able to squeeze in a family trip with the Lester's to San Antonio in the fall. That was fun and a mucho needed break from reality!

God is amazing and good. History was made with this year's election and it still gives me chills remembering when I heard the announcement. We still have more of a chance in this country than most around the world of living a safe, healthy, and joy filled life, and I thank God for that and pray it stays that way. And I usually have to remind myself daily, or I would give in to pure terror after a few hours of the news. . . . .

Road Trip

On the way to and from Dumas today, this piece of song stuck in my mind, Holidays are going to be hard for so many people this year. . . . . .

Sometimes it’s in an instant

Sometimes we wait for years

But it comes down to the moment when faith eclipses fear

Your wandering is over The other side is real

You’ve broken through Your mountain

And mercy is revealed

His mercy is revealed,

yeah Yesterday is long Gone ….

Toby Mac, "Suddenly"

Book--The Shack

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to go hear the author of "The Shack". He was in town and had an impromptu luncheon at a church to sign books and speak. My dad gave me the book to read before he read it. Needless to say, I could not put it down! In one day I read it. I had the author sign it to my Dad. Staci went with me. She is a new friend who I met through Amy and we had both loved the book. She is also a new Christian, and so fired up for the Lord--she reminds me of how the fire has dwindled in me and I need to get it going again!

The story of how God worked to put this book out blows my mind. It was really cool to hear that story from the guy who wrote it--not even intending for it to be anything but a story for his children outlining his healing process from years of turmoil and loss. It is hard to explain how the book has such an impact on people. I was sobbing, for joy and sorrow, guilt and hope, begging for forgiveness; it stirred up places in me I didn't know were there. For me, it brought God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit into a whole new light. It also made me look at Creation in a very different way. I am going to give my dad the signed book so he can read it, but I am still buying me a copy because it is something I will want to go back and re-read many times. My Dad and Aunt are going through such a shattering loss with their Mom, (Nano) I hope this book can somehow remind them of the comfort the immense Love of God provides.

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
Proverbs 4:23, NLT

This verse came in my email box yesterday. And I pray for God "to protects our hearts for Him" when the boys & I pray at night. It just scares me how hard this is going to be in this day and age as they grow older. I watched Dr. Phil earlier with Alek because it was about risky teenage behavior. Some new hallucinogenic drug that is legal, the choking game, crack called "cheese" or "strawberry quick" because they want to appeal to younger kids(actuall strawberry quick is added!). The knot in my stomach gets intense thinking about what my boys are going to face in the coming years, I feel so helpless. I felt like Alek talked openly with me and he understood what I wanted to tell him. He is only 10, and I am having to talk with him about drugs and same-sex couples. . . . . can you imagine this conversation with our own parents? Back then they just said it's wrong and don't do it or accept it. Heavin forbid we tell our kids being gay is wrong!!! Uggghhhh, anyway I won't go off, but it is really on my heart how much prayer these generations need to find their way thru all the crap out there that can stomp on their futures.

I also wanted to add I really had fun at "Birthday Club" last night. Thanks Amy & Amanda W. for inviting me in a few years back. I feel blessed to have a group of great Chrisian women I can go hang out with, laugh, and just have a good time! Never really had that before. . . . .