Finally!!!!

It has been way too long! I decided to spend some time updating since Branton is sick and we will be home today! The boys are getting so big. Branton is almost 22 months and Barrett will be five in March. This past month has been a whirlwind. God has really allowed me to have a thankful heart and spend some time reflecting on the positive instead of the negative. Praise number one, we are still living in the house we are staging as we are finishing up on building. It's looking like we won't have to move twice in the midst of everything. Praise number two, Barry's work has been such a blessing. He truly is building a business. He has been working so hard for our family and I am so proud of him. Praise number three, I am finally over the sickness of this pregnancy and we cannot wait to find out what this little munchkin is.

I keep telling myself that I can't wait for '09 to be over but in all realization I needed to stop for a minute and reflect on God's goodness. We truly do have so much to be grateful for. I am ready for the year '10 for sure because I am excited to see what it holds.

"Where Do I Begin?"

As I look back over the past month I can't help but think what a whirlwind it has been. We have experienced some of the hardest weeks ever. The one thing that keeps coming to me is that I can't wait to see what is on the other side of all the hardship we have gone through with friends. I know that without a shadow of a doubt that God has something so great in store.
We do have some exciting news for once! We are expecting baby number three come May. I will be eight weeks this week. We went to the doctor last week and saw the heart beat so that was very encouraging. I will say that I have been a lot more fearful this pregnancy and have been super sick. Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and trust in the Lord's unfailing love.

"Grant Her Peace"

"And the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thoughts, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 Weymouth

As I researched a little about peace this morning I found that it is associated with someones well-being and security. Security is such an important aspect to be able to proceed in life. My prayer is that today Kirsten will feel a tremendous amount of PEACE that truly surpasses all. Pray for her heart today and that the Holy Spirit will surround her through every second of the day. PEACE! "GRANT Her PEACE."

"Will it Ever End"

I am so ready for all this suffering to stop. I know deep in my heart that we have to endure it so that we can cling to our almighty Savior but it is still so hard to watch and experience. I can't help but think, God is Good! God is Good! God is Good! But right now I am having a hard time believing that. As I got the phone call yesterday about our dear friend John Carlton I literally fell to the floor in disbelief. This isn't suppose to happen to one of my best friends. "NO LORD, PLEASE NO!" Please pray for my dear friend Kirsten and her precious boys as she is about to approach some difficult days ahead.

Psalms 138:8
"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me."

"Make New Friends but Keep the Old"

This past weekend a group of us girls all got
together in Fayetteville to celebrate Brooke and Lindsey's 30th
Birthday. We all had such a wondeful time catching up and
staying up late even though we forgot what those days were like.

The old roomies minus Alyson. We missed you

Alyson!

"And Life Goes On"

We are on our way to take Barrett to school. Branton
is so excited because he gets all Barrett's toys to him-
self.




He is getting so big.

Barrett's first week of school.

"A Word From My Sweet Sister"

This is something I just received from my sister and thought it was so good that I wanted to share it with all of you.

"Some things really spoke to me a few weekends ago when I was able to attend our church's women's retreat.
Seems like lately we have all been bombarded with bad news and many trials and suffering of our friends and love ones.

In one of our talks, I felt like God was talking directly to me after what all we have gone through lately. It was on "Suffering".

As Christians we can count on suffering in our lives, God promises that to us. Suffering is not, in itself and essential good. BUT..... Suffering is ordained by God, and is intentionally used by Him (God) as an instrumental good. We can count on it so should be ready for it when it does come our way. We will suffer!

Suffering can sometimes be Gods designed and appointed means of judgment. Isaiah 10:5-19, Numbers 16:31-35, 41-50
Suffering can be used to call his wayward children back to him. Proverbs 3:12
Suffering can be an appointed means for the growth and strengthen of believers in Christ. Romans 5:3-5
Suffering can reveal human weakness so Gods glory may be on full display. 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
Suffering is simply a necessary and expected part of ones discipleship to Christ, in that it will prove and test our allegiance to, and hope in him ALONE! This is made to make you like Jesus! 2 Timothy 3:12

Nothing will EVER ever enter your life that is not for His glory or your ultimate good!!!!!!!!!!! Romans 8:28-29

Clinging to these truths gives me such HOPE in our trials and suffering times.

The Joy will come!!"

Thanks Ivey! Such wondeful words and what a great reminder!