"She Loved" My tribute to Sis. Carol Martin

Today the earth lost a wonderful woman of God, Sis. Carol Martin. She had such an impact on my life, her life challenged me to become closer to God. When I needed someone to pray for a special need, I called her. As I heard the news this morning, my heart broke, I didn't want to lose this friend of mine. She had such a love for people, you never felt like she judged anyone, she just loved them, and prayed for them. As I think of not being able to call her or text her ever again for encouragement I need, or to ask her to help me pray about a need, or to get an embrace from her, it breaks my heart. She had a way of making you feel like the most special person in the world. I know earth's loss, is heavens gain. She will never have to suffer again.  She sent me a text message on 11/12/2014, I will share it here....

My Precious Friend, this is my
first text out, but just had to
let you know that I'm ok, &
believing God for victory &
healing! Please do not worry,
God is working through this horrible
trial & bringing good out of it!
This week has been a week of
shocking news, but God's Grace
is amazing! God is going to
work a mighty miracle!!
Love bunches, Sis. Carol

She is healed now! I will forever cherish the message,and also the handwritten letter she sent me just over a month ago, but most of all I will cherish her love for Christ, and the legacy she left behind. She was the most Godly lady you could meet, she was a Proverbs 31 Woman, and "She Loved" Her whole family has been such a great inspiration. I encourage everyone to read and follow their blog, found here www.hopeforthehomeministries.com
Until we meet again.....................



                                                                                   

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+she+loved+sheri+easter&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=20E6E4A57B410EE66ADD20E6E4A57B410EE66ADD

This year in review + things I am thankful for

Today I am Thankful for God......
Today I am Thankful to be saved......
Today I am Thankful that He heals......
Today I am Thankful for His  Blessings......
Today I am Thankful that things are as well as they are......
Today I am Thankful for Family......
Today I am Thankful for Dathan and Tanner......
Today I am Thankful for Friends.......

                                                                                  

My "Thankful" list could go on and on. This year has been a strange year in many ways, there are many things that I did not blog about this year that I could have. We have had some extremely happy times this year, and we have had some extremely sad times this year, I have experienced some deep hurts also. This year has felt like I experienced a "second death" of a loved one. I still haven't figured out why things happened as they did. It's so hard to look at someone going on with life and being treated like the world owes them something, yet when you try to get something done that you feel is only fair you just don't matter anymore, your requests go unanswered and ignored....yes I have lost all confidence in the court system. We the victim will always be the victim, period. On the flipside of this whole thing, God has got me. He has given me strength that has been amazing. Today I am Thankful for strength......

I haven't Blogged about this. Almost a year ago Dathan and I became the Pastor's at the "Glorybarn" (Well he is the Pastor, I am just his faithful sidekick) a year ago we said no way we can't be the Pastor, we are not capable or qualified. I've referred to the saying many times this year..."God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called" We've know right from the beginning that we were in the perfect will of God. Has anyone ever told you how happy you are when you are in God's will? No I didn't say it makes it easy, I said you are happy. Today I am Thankful to be in God's will.

Dathan. The one God gave me in my deepest hurt. I have felt for him so many times this year, he has had to deal with so much stuff through all of this, yet he has went through it with his head held high and supported me. Before you marry a widow or widower you might want to speak with him first, :-)) I seriously think he is one of the best guys on the earth, it was only in my dreams that I dreamed that someone could step in and treat us so good, but he does. He loves Tanner unconditionally, it's not put on, it is genuine. Tanner's feelings are mutual. Today I am Thankful for Dathan.

Tanner. The most amazing little boy ever. Having a child with Down Syndrome is one of the biggest blessing's that God has given me, he is perfect. I look back on the day they were born, the hurt and anger I felt over realizing that he could have DS was overwhelming, then when I received the official diagnosis I felt like I had been wronged by God at the time, was I forever more wrong. I was grieving the loss of his twin dying, then a diagnosis like that you grieve for the child you had planned for.

To my dearest son Tanner

"I Planned"

I planned on having twins "I did"

I planned on having a perfect child "I did"

I planned on having a beautiful child "I did"

I planned on him being humorous "he is" (he is a comedian)

I planned on him loving the Lord "he does"

I planned on him walking "he does"

I planned on him talking "he does"

I planned on him singing "he does"

I planned on him going to school "he does"

I planned on him reading "he does"

I planned on him writing "he does"

I planned on being proud of him "I am" "I couldn't be prouder to be him mom"

I didn't plan on his identical twin dying "he did"

I didn't plan on him having Down Syndrome "he does"

I didn't know how wonderful life would be with a Down Syndrome Child "I do now"

                                                                                                                             Love, Mom

                                                  



     





     Today I am Thankful that I feel Thankful, what if I never returned to just say thanks?

Remember to thank God for something, whether it be big or small, He deserves a "Thank You"! 

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!

"Tis the Season"

I'm not going to lie, I love snow. I am like a kid when the forecast predicts it!  We had our first snow of the season last week, we only got 2-3 inches but it was still pretty. Tanner and I decided to drag out the Christmas decorations today, (yes I know we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet) he was more interested in wrapping gifts which we do not have yet, I seriously haven't bought one gift,  I seriously do not want to think about it either! When it comes to figuring out what to get for people,  I could be a real Mr. Scrooge and not do Christmas at all. Speaking of Mr. Scrooge, that is one of my favorite Christmas plays, I cry almost everytime they sing "God made me special" hope to see it at Branson this year.

In Pursuit of God

For several months now I have had a great desire to draw closer to God. I want to go to a higher level in my Christian experience. I have been in pursuit of a deeper walk with him and lately I have felt him beckoning me to draw nigh unto him almost every waking moment. I have been digging into the Word of God and trying to really study. The Lord is opening up scriptures to me and blessing me through His word. I desire to be a prayer warrior with the gifts of the spirit working through me. I want to be used of God, I want my life to bring Him glory. I want to make sure that my treasure is not in worldly things, Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (KJV) I want to love Him, know Him, obey Him, follow Him, be sensitive to His voice, and be faithful to Him. I have fell so much more in love with Christ in my pursuit of Him. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (KJV) If we pursue God, he will fill us....that's a promise to us!

Just Pics!

My little minion!

Our "deer" friends hanging out in our front yard. One of the reasons I love living in the country!

Tanner enjoying his friends that came to visit!

A Family reunion and Camping trip

                   We took our Camper to the Illinois River Ranch in Oklahoma for a Family Reunion with Dathan's Mom's side of the family. We had a great time, the getaway was nice!

Mr. Handsome

My little handsome guy all dressed up for Sunday School today!

Beautiful Day!

Today was such a beautiful day with Fall like weather,  so we got out and took advantage of it. My Brother-in-law and his boys came over and also my cousin Ted. We put together a deer stand and got it put up. Tanner fell in love with a beagle pup the boys brought over. It was a good day!

Tanner trying to roll the pup down the hill

Dathan and Ted having to much fun! 

Dathan and Nathan 

Tanner and Carter

(Where's Waldo)  I climbed up in the stand and seen a doe standing in the field :) 

I thought this "big tire" bike was great!  I'm not so sure my husband thought so (smile)!!

Tanner had to see the Doctor yesterday, and he also had to get blood drawn.  He was not a happy camper to say the least. 

My awesome little man!

No option.....

This afternoon while talking to God I had this overwhelming longing for heaven....I also realized the seriousness of life and the way I must live to actually attain the reward of heaven.  I realize that I am not going to stumble into heaven by accident,  I cannot go through life and leave God out of it and expect to go. I see so many people caught up with the cares of life and the only time they have anything to do with God is when they are in trouble, once the trouble passes they place God back on the shelf again. What is worth missing heaven for? I can't think of one thing..... imagine dying and going to hell only to realize that you were there because God was not priority in your life, you had lived your life and fulfilled your own selfish desires? So many people think their good deeds will gain them the reward of heaven,  but just because you're a good person and doing goods deeds is not enough.... Good deeds are important along with serving others but it won't get you to heaven alone. God has got to be #1 in our lives,  he won't take 2nd place.  After Dathan and I started pastoring I was cooking for someone one day, and while I was busy in the kitchen I realized that serving others was an important part of our ministry, but that was not the most important part of it... .I can fix chicken soup all day long but I realized that chicken soup wasn't going to save a lost soul or heal someone, but the most important thing I can do for our church is to have a real relationship with God and pray for them. I want to serve God with my whole heart and please him in every way, I want to have a Christ-like spirit. I really really want to go to heaven,  I don't look at it as if I have any other options .... in my eyes hell is not an option, I MUST make it to heaven!

Summer cont.

We are having a great Summer despite the fact that it's super busy!! Tanner is doing great and enjoying his Summer break. His favorite pass time is swimming, playing with cousins and playing on his iPad. 

Dathan and I stay very busy with the church, we never would have dreamed this time last year we would be where we are now, but we are as happy as we've ever been. Being in the center of God's will is where I am content even though sometimes His will requires things from us that seems impossible. 

I hope everyone is having a great Summer. :)

Summer!

Tanner helping Dathan mulch

My nieces Cassia and Lynnsey enjoying cake batter at Aunt Chera's house

Tanner with the Mize twins

Tanner having fun swimming

Lake day

Tanner and I enjoying the lake

He loves to sneak around and use my printer to print all kinds of stuff

"Mother's Day"

I had a great Mother's Day! I love being a Mom to Tanner! I thank God for Tanner, and I also thank God for an awesome Godly Mother, Grandmother and Mother-in-law.
My birthday also fell on Mother's Day this year, our church surprised me with a Birthday party after church on Sunday night, it was a very nice surprise! I can't believe that my twin sister and I are 20 35, where in the world did time go!? I thank God for giving me a good life, I hope I can re-pay Him for some of the blessings!

                                                                     Tanner and I

 

Tanner being silly!

Me and My twin sister, Cindy. (We are really the same height, I must have been slumping in the picture)

I made Perry's Mom a quilt out of Perry's t-shirts for Mother's Day,
this is a quote I put on the back

"The Quilt"