Life can change in an instant

Some people know know that Michael's aunt Orene has brain cancer & we have been asking for prayer for her. She recently took a fall down some stairs & hit her head. The decision had been made to put her in a nursing home, but something in me just couldn't stand the thoughts of it and we decided to bring her home with us for physical therapy in hopes that she will heal & be ablt to return home. Each day she seems to get stronger & do more, praise the Lord. Please keep her in your prayers. This isn't easy yet she is working so hard. I can't imagine what this must be like for her.

Each day I spend with Orene it makes me more thankful for every tiny blessing in my life & I thank the Lord above for it all..nothing is to small to be thankful for. I am thankful for my my health & the health of my family, home sweet home, being able to talk,speak & see...put one foot in front of the other, breathing, self sufficiency, and most of all my salvation. This whole situation makes me realize how fragile life really is & how quickly life as we know it can change. As I observe daily a frail,once highly independent woman it changes my outlook on life and the depth of thankfuness I have.

Please continue to pray for her..I see God working before my eyes daily.

35 day photo challange-Day 35

My favorite part of this day.....comming home after a long day of cleaning at Granny Cantrells.

I was going to be lazy and watch some Grey's Anatomy with the Hubby, but since it'll be a rerun tonight I think I will just take me a nice hot buble bath and chilax..

35 day photo challange-Day 34

Favorite Summer memory...Trip to ZOO Atl. with Ay & Micheal with Eli in my belly (O: Michael & Aly had said a prayer on our front porch for a baby after I had miscarried 6 mo. before.  SWEETNESS!!!

35 day photo challange-Day 33

Something creative...In his book Cure for the Common Life, Max Lucado tells a story of a woman who taught his Bible class in TX, when he was a child.  He states the kids would have rather missed the ice cream truck than Sunday School.  Max says, "Here is why I tell you about her."  She enjoyed giving us each a can of crayons and a picture of Jesus to color.  Each having thier own can containing about a dozen crayons this teacher told them to take the crayons she had given them and color Jesus.  They didn't borrow crayons from others they used what was given to them in thier own cans " and that was the fun of it", Lacado stated.  She ask the kids to do the best they could with what they had, no blue for the sky?  Make it purple. If Jesus's hair was red insted of brown no one would mind.  She taught them to paint Jesus with thier own colors....God made us likewise, he loaded your can.  He made you unique.  God gives gifts, not miserly, but abundantly.  Not randomly, but carefully:  "to each according to each one's unique ability."  No one else has your talents.  God elevates you from common-hood by matching your unique abilities to custom made assignments.  This story from Lucado's book is an eye opener for me.  I desire to use my unique gifts for the Lord in the way he has planned.  I want to use what God has given me to the fullest for His purposes and color Jesus with my own colors ......

35 day photo challange-Day 32

Some where I go regularly is Free Chapel, Gainsville, GA.  Our family has been attending Free Chapel since November of 2009.   I rededicated my life to the Lord there Dec. 2009.  Then after the corperate fast the following Jan. 31, 2010 our daughter Aly accepted Christ into her heart.  Pastor Franklin is an anointed man and has leaders and teachers under him with the same anointing and heart for God.  There is no place near this place like this place.  We are growing so much in the Lord and gaining knowledge and understanding.  Tonight Michael & I will begin Free Chapel's  Phase I School of Discipleship, taught  by Pastor Chad Craig(foundation for growth and a secure foundation).  Then we will take the following PhaseII-transformation for change & putting off the old ways, Phase III-formation for establishment and putting on the New Man,  Phase IV-impartation for purpose and life in the vision,(each phase lasting 12 wks) then we will recieve our certificate for completion in the School of Discipleship and Small Group Leadership.  The purpose of the SOD is to help with spiritual growth.  Classes address Biblical teaching for each phase of spiritual development.  Thier goal is to establish believers  in the faith, in the character of Christ, and functioning in thier gifting(s).  It provides a solid Biblical foundation as well as a path for future ministry development.  We are so excited to be taking this step to further our understanding and knowledge, so that we are better equipped to get involved, step out, and help others.  Anyone interested in SOD can go to schoolofdiscipleship@freechapel.org

35 Day photo challange-Days 30 & 31

                                                        J.B. PawPaw (w/me)

                                                   Paw Paw Rush (w/me)

Paw Paw Cantrell at Michael & I's wedding

I decided to do days 30 & 31 together, one day late of coarse.  Photo of someone u miss-day 30 and a photo of someone from your family-day 31.  I chose to do these together becuse the someone's I miss are family.  They are 3 of my grandfathers. I believe they are in a far better place than us though (O:

35 day photo challange-Day 29

Photo that can always make me smile....

This picture is of my favorite dog Bobo(a rotty) & myself.  Bobo was given to be by my friend Jeremy from BlueRidge when I was 17.  He was my big baby boy...when Michael & I started dating he started acting out.   Once he cornered Michael on my front porch in the pitch black dark(the lights weren't on), grrowwling at him.   We also found Bobo on the hood of Michael's brand new truck one morning, along with some scratchs...ooopsy!

In this photo if you will, notice the brave girl with the snake on her(me-laughing) and then notice how I am having to hold tightly onto Michael to keep him in the picture.

35 day photo challange-Day 28

Something I am afraid of...my biggest fear is that I am holding myself back from what the Lord has for me and people placed in my life.  I am driven by fear(which isn't Biblical at all for a believer, I know). I am so afraid of making the wrong decision or saying the wrong thing that alot of times I just don't say or do anything. I do not want to act on or say anything based on MY emotions.  I pray for boldness and desire to be used by the Lord, but I am so afraid of misrepresenting Him that I don't move or speak up the majority of the time.  In my heart and head I know that the Lord is with me.  My problem is that I don't want to offend anyone or make them feel judged.  At the same time I am so sick of keeping my mouth shut and feeling like I am letting God down.  I know He is standing in me, rooting me on...I need revelation knowledge in knowing what to say, when to say it and how it needs to be said.  I need to know when I neeed to say something for the Lord that it is what He wants said and it's said how He intends.  I need to know how to recognize the Lord's guiding hand and voice when it comes to speaking out. I do not want to be disobedient, I want to follow Him in all he asks and know that I am doing His will.....

35 Day photo challange-Day 27

A photo of yourself and a family member....well here's a photo of my family.  I love them so much, even thought Michael looks kinda silly in this one.  He was trying to sit up straight & ended up looking a bit uncomfortable.  Hehehe! What a cutie....a truck full of young boys drove by yelling "Aweee" , LOL!

35 day photo challange-Day 26

Something that means alot to me me is .....

                                                                 .... my time.

The good Lord giveth and the good Lord taketh away....I am sick and tired of feeling like my time isn't used to it's fullest and to fulfill the Lords purpose for my life.  I am tired of wasting so much of my time on useless petty things; such as spending to much time being hurt/wounded, bitter, angry, nosey, worrysome, anxious, & jelous, or being judgemental and critical of others-when I know I have things I need to work on myself.  I want to use my time while here, to it's fullest for what the Lord purposed my life for.  My time is important, it means alot to me and the people I am purposed to touch for the glory of the Lord.  I want to enjoy my life knowing I am fulfilling my purpose.  I don't want to take advantage of or look over the small simple things in life and be thankful for everything and everyone in my pathway, for they are there for a reason.  Time is precious and I don't want to waste a second of it, for it isn't just mine it is His too.

35 day photo challange-Day 25

My favorite day, April 29, 2000.  The day I married the my true LOVE!

Married at the Darnell House in Talking Rock, GA.

The cake

                                                                  Mr. & Mrs. Gibson

35 day photo challange-Day 24

Something I wish I could change.....

I remember back in the day, when folks would offer to wash your window and pump your gas.  The 7-11 would give free bubble gum when you'd pay....ahhh, those were the days. 

Precious memories, how they linger....

35 day photo challange-Day 23

My favorite book comes from the book, The Bible.  I love to read my giant red letter edition Bible my Granny Cantrell gave me.  There is just something about the red letters that always instantly attract me to them.  The book, The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, was written by Steven K. Scott yet inspired by Jeusus words.  This books content is nothing but what Jesus said, the words written in red.  The are catorgized for easy access in any situation for people to use in daily life for strength and growth.  The first thing I want to know when questioning something is what the Lord said about it and I am always drawn to those red letters, just something about them....

35 day photo challange-Day 22

Something I wish I were better at...hmmm, only thing I can think of is my public speaking skills or lack there of.  I don't like be the center of attention in a room.  I would love to be able to speak without freaking out and breaking into cold sweats.  Especially when it comes to sharing my faith or testimony.  It seams that everytime I open my mouth to speak about God, it never fails I always break into a flowing spout of tears.  I dare not complain though...I pray each day that my heart always be tender when it comes to the Lord.

35 Day photo challange-Day 21

As I sit tring to figure out something in my life I wish I could forget, I  think of only a few things I wish I could forget.  Then I was reminded that had each and every event in my life not occured as it has up to this point in my life, I wouldn't be the person I am today.  I would choose to forget nothing, I am who I am for a reason.  Now I am moving forward and seeking the Lord and what He desires for me to do with who I am and use my talents, gifts and scars to help others.

35 day photo challange-Day20(yesterday)

The place I have always wanted to go is Hawaii....

35 day photo challange-Day 19

Todays challange is image of me when I was little. I don't have to many pics of me when I was little, which may be why I am a picture taking freak with my own family....but here are a few of my favorites.

Me at a birhday party.

This is a image of my 1st cousin Donnie Lee Cantrell with which I share my Birthday with.  We were born on the same day, March 5, one year apart.  I guess he really shares it with me since he was born 1st...

Momma & I on my dad's yellow dirt bike.

My daddy & I.

This is my favorite picture of me, it is stuck to broken glass.  I was crying )0:

Me a little older in my favorite cowgirl boots...they had little finger holes to pull them on with...I am told I would cry when made to take them off.  I wanted to sleep in them.

35 day photo challange-Day 18

Today asks for an image of my biggist insecurity.  For me, that would be myself.  I spent years feeling like I didn't know who I was or what I wanted to do with my life.  I spent alot of time asking myself questions that I had no answer to.  I have discovered that I don't know what's best for me and major decisions are not mine alone.  I have a Lord and savior that baught me for a price and it wasn't cheap.  My body is not my own, it belongs to the Lord(1 Cor. 6-8 is wonderful reading).  I am comming to understand I was not born for me, but for the Lord's purposes.  He has fearfully and wonderfully made me with talents and gifts that are to be used for His glory and purposes.  The world spends alot of time pumping up peoples egos, telling them that they need to be themselves, be independant and different.  Well, that's all true,  to an extent.  We are all raised by imperfect people who in some way influence who we are, what we do, how we act and respond to situations.  We are surrounded by imperfection and are influenced each day by the world and the imperfect people who surround us.  I am reading a wonderful book called "The Common Cure for the Common Life" by Max Lucado.  This book backs up some things the Lord has been showing me in my studies, Max writes, " Use your uniqueness(what you do good-TAG talents & gifts given by God), to make a big deal out of God(why you do it) every day of your life(where you do it).  At the convergence of all 3 you will find the cure for the common life:  your sweet spot.  What you were put here for.  God packed you on purpose for a purpose.  You can not be anything you want to be.  But you can be everything God wants you to be."  We can live with the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.  I am on a mission to live my life to it's fullest for the glory of God, to go after the Lord with all  me heart. I can have and do, what He says I can have and do, anything less would be unacceptable. I take Him for His WORD, my God doesn't lie.   Less of Me and more of you Lord, you are the potter & I am your clay, mold me and make me! 

35 day photo challange-Day 17

Todays challange is something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.  That for me and my family,  would be changing churches.  As hard as it was for our family, I have to say it has made a very huge impact on me, in me and in my family.  When you feel the Lord leading you in a different direction you have no choice but to follow.  Doing what He asks isn't always easy and we struggled with it for a while, but once we followed the Lords lead and visited Free Chapel we knew without a doubt what the Lord was asking was best for us.  Within 2 months, on December 9, 2009, I rededicated my life to the Lord.  That next year we joined in on the fast and during it we had so much to happen for us you wouldn't believe it all if I had time to list it.  But most importantly on the final day of the fast, January 31, 2010, our daughter Aly recieved Christ into her heart....All I know is this one act of obedience has made such a huge impact on myself and my family.  My one piece of advice to anyone in the process of making a major decision would be to pray and ask the Lord what he would have you to do, and no matter how hard it might be for you, just do it.  Prov. 3: 5-6 says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all you do aknowledge Him and He will direct your paths...God always knows best.

35 day photo challange-Day16

Todays photo challange is someone who inspires you.  My choice of a person that has greatly inspired me is my grandmother, Joann Elizabeth Brown....

I know her life hasn't been perfect or the easiest, as no one's life is. We all have things to forgive and overcome.  I have watched her overcome and be a good example for so many people.  I  believe she'd do anything for anyone.  From a young age I always felt drawn to her caring, loving, understanding & kind spirit.  Until I grew in the Lord I really didn't understand what that STRONG drawing was, now I know that the Lord has been shinning through her for years and using her to show everyone Him and His love, she truely exhibits the fruit of the Spirit.  I couldn't ask for a better grandmother and mentor.  This lady right here is the real deal, she has brought so many to the Lord and shines in His grace, love and peace.  I really couldn't possibly put into words what I think or how I feel about my Granny Brown and how much she means to our family.  I am thankful that the Lord blessed us with her, to God be the glory (O:  I believe she has no idea the impact she has made in many lives.  I love you and you are true inspiration!!