~In the world, but NOT of the world~

I open this blog with PRAISE GOD..and THANK GOD! I am so thankful to my Father for ALL that He does. I have been struggling with some things lately. I have been a Chrisitan since I was a very small girl...saved in a very small country church that my Paw-Paw started many years ago. I will be really honest and transparent when I write this. I knew right from wrong, I knew I didn't want to go to the Hell that our preacher at the time, Bro. Erby, preached about. I knew that the way to get saved and prevent that was to ask God into my heart. Being a Baptist, a lot of people have the feeling that we believe "once saved, always saved". Well, that is pretty much what I got out of everything I had been taught. I knew that after I got saved, and was baptized, and everyone went through the line shaking my hand and hugging my neck telling me how proud they were of me, while music was being sung, that I was to live for God. I saw people testify, and even had my chance by standing up dearing a "testimony" service and saying "I love the Lord" really quick and sitting down. I thought I had done a good thing, b/c that was what everyonelse was doing. Many, many years went by and I spent the majority of my childhood and teenage years in that church. I am not in ANY way going to knock that church or degrade it in anyway...that is not the purpose of this blog....I learned many things in that church..all of the great commandments, all of the scriptures, the typical VBS pledges and songs..and saw many people give their hearts and lifes to Christ! Praise God for that church! Throughout my high school years, I will be the first to tell you that I did some things, said things, participated in things and well, am just ashamed of alot I did. I never went to jail, did anything totally illegal, or hurt myself or anyonelse (well, physically). I did try to be cool..I remember several times I would spend the night at a friend's house and several would be partaking of alcohol (there's the not TOTALLY illegal part)..we were underage..and I would have a wine cooler in my hand most of the night. I never got drunk off of one..now, I sometimes would act drunk to fit in..or even pour half of it out, b/c I would be accused of "babysitting my drink". I would usually stay the night..and in the morning step over drunk individuals laying in the floor as I walked to the door b/c my mom and daddy were honking their horn for me, so we could go to church. I would get in the car, head to church and sit on the pew Sunday in and Sunday out, not always feeling guilty. I would always justify it in my head, b/c I was at least in church..I mean, hey half of the other friends were not even there. So I was doing something good...right? Every now and then, the guilt and grief would be so much I couldn't handle it, I would go to the alter and pray and ask God for forgiveness...no true repentance, b/c I would hang out and try to please the same people again (people that I know I will answer for one day..b/c I didn't live the life I should of in front of them..oh, if I could go back!). Now, one might say, WHERE WERE YOUR PARENTS?? That's where the "saying things I regret" came in. I would lie to them about anything to get to go or hang out with those friends. So, please know, they are reading this blog for the first time as you are, and are probably learning a lot of things they wish I was not writing about. I know that I was saved a long time ago, but it was not until really right before Brylee was born that I realized being a Christian doesn't just require me saying I am a Christian..it requires a lot more..it requires a lifestyle change..a lifestyle change where you are different..set apart...scattered. I really didn't learn that growing up(lack of programs to enhance Bible Study etc.), (my parents and family are no longer at that church..they left during my teenage years due to the church not accepting my relationship with Kenny and are at a fantastic church where they are growing...Brylee was dedicated at that church..totally loving and reminds me alot of Hillcrest, where we are now) My parents have always been good examples of true Christians..just at the time, it didn't seem cool to do that..even though I had a lot of respect for them...Since Daddy was the head deacon at our previous church, not seeing eye to eye with some folks would only create chaos, something God does not desire, so after much prayer, Dad felt it was time to move on. I, although knowing God would take care of us and that my Daddy wouldn't do anything without feeling totally led by God, thought things would never be the same..in fact used that as an excuse for not going to church as I grew older....here we are many years later, and Daddy is a deacon at their church..has taught SS, training union and AWANA..and so thankful God has placed them where they are. I am praising Him and loving Him for placing us at Hillcrest where we are constantly fed by a man of God who is obedient and preaches the Truth.....At church tonight, which I will get to in a minute, Bro. Billy referred to us as Paul did as strangers, set a part in the world, scattered...We are in this once born world as twice born Christians..in the world, but not OF the world! So many times have I heard that message..but lately, I haven't felt "in" in certain situations..and if you are not in a certain group, then you don't get included..or you are left out...I know it sounds totally high schoolish..but I think our sinful nature wants us to feel liked or included. But at the moment I think I don't fit in b/c I do not partake in many of the things others do, I also know that my God is there with me and that He takes care of us and gives us encouragement as He did tonight with the message...I want to be different..I want others to say, wow, something is different about her..a good kinda different. And you know when I think about "not being asked to do something", I pray that they know my answer would be no thanks, and that I don't do that...Kristen sang a song tonight.."Keep Me in Your Will"...which says..keep me in your will, so I won't get in your way..put me where you want me..if I should ask for things I want..just give me what I need...and when I complain from time to time..Lord, Forgive Me I pray...so Keep me in your will, so I won't be in your way..that song played as I went to sleep EVERY night while in my apt..at Athens State..it always comforted me and sang me to sleep. Tonight it brought back many memories..that let me know He has me where He wants me..He will give me what I need..and He will put me where He wants me (again, thanks Kristen for being obedient to the Lord and singing that song!). And with a friend like Jesus, how can I go wrong...I have come to realize that I was right..you are saved one time and only one time..but God calls us to be different and to live for Him all the time..and honor Him in ALL we do..KUDOS to Bro. Billy for preaching what the Lord laid on his heart tonight..I know it was what I needed to hear and to encourage me to try and live for Christ as best as I can!!!!I pray that you all have a fantastic rest of the week..Scottsboro..here we come!!! So unbelievably excited to see mom and dad..and others..seems like it has been forever! LOL

No School Until 10!!!

**********UPDATE**********NO SCHOOL FOR THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Growing up as a kid, I remember waiting on the tv news to come on and say, "Scottsboro City Schools will be closed today, or Scottsboro City Schools will be delayed 2 hours"...especiallly if we had snow..That meant one thing...NO SCHOOL! Well, as an adult, I have to say, I love my job, and I am very thankful that God has blessed me with it, but I secretly get a little excited when school is delayed or closed. Now, don't get me wrong..we don't get much snow, well any snow here, so that usually means bad weather if we are out of school. But, this morning, I woke up, Kenny began his routine of bathing Brylee, and all of a sudden out of nowhere..his Nextel starts beeping...it is the High School principal saying all schools will be delayed until 10 am this morning. What? Kenny had to do a beep back with "Come again"...and he of course repeated what we thought we heard...to which he replied with a 10-4. Yes, even though I am an educator and I love for my kids to get all they deserve and trust me with all that is required these days, it takes every second in the day, I did have a smile this morning. :) The following picture is of Brylee's "About Me" poster I worked the weekend on and the second pic is of her enjoying cartoons while she waits for 10 oclock to come! For a Monday, it has started of purty good!

Rain, Bored = Pictures

Since it rained all day yesterday, we put on a dress and took a few photographs. Wanted to share our lovely with you...by the last pic, she was DONE!!! As you can tell!!! Enjoy our little "booger"!

WHO ARE YOU???

***Before I blog..if you will notice..I have a "tracker" to the left of my page..it tells me where you come from when you come by my page..I have had visitors from New Hampshire, Scottsboro, Auburn, Huntsville, Colorado, Atlanta and those are just a few to name..but no one leaves any love! Come on people..comment me...:)


Well, here's a blog dedicated to another Sappy Saturday..not as bad as it was expected to be with FAY coming our WAY!!! But did rain most of all last night and some today..and it isn't over yet! So, Brylee is napping, I am trying to do about 5 different things at a time, and yet the thought of blogging as distracted me again. Or should I say, the computer has distracted me..I am helping a friend find some last minute addresses for our 10 year reunion..and I have discovered that some of our class just doesn't want to be found! PERIOD..I mean...we have called, sent things that come back, myspaced, facebooked..and we still have a good 30 people to be found. I know she is stressing, because we don't want to leave ANY one out..because Every person we graduated with has a special place in our class and it wouldn't be the Class of 1999 without everyone! So, that has taken up a good part of my morning..and making Brylee's "All About Me poster.." I will post the finished product at a later date..I am super proud of it! We are just lazying around today and are so enjoying it! Kenny thinks he is Obama's right hand man..now..since he is on the text messaging list for a direct text from him..and found out at 2 in the morning who his running mate is..He cracks me up..like probably millions of others didn't get that same message! This election..well, all I can say, is not the best election we have ever had..I am not excited about either candidate..honestly..I like things about both of them..but then I don't like other things about them..so I will be glad when it is over. On the subject of work, I absolutely LOVE my school kids this year..they are so funny! Can't go into a lot of details on here b/c of privacy issues..but lets just say that some keep me on my toes..and keep my tummy laughing! So innocent, so loving and just plain good is in most of our children these days! I love that God has placed me at HH and that he allows me to work with the kids I work with. They are as good for me as I am for them! Such blessings! Thought I was getting some sort of a virus last week, but it seemed to go away..and we (Brylee and I) do have a head cold..so we are trying to shake that off. Pray for Brylee on Sunday..we got a post card from her SS teacher (who we are VERy thankful for)..she is a precious lady...and they will be dressing as Doctors in class..not sure what theme it is for or where it is going,,,but ever since we took Brylee to the ER and they did unpleasant things to her..she HATES doctors...so she may Hate SS in the morning! LOL I have got to run..b/c I have tons to do while she finishes napping..but I have to share this! Also, again, if you haven't read the blog to your left..about Audrey Caroline..I encourage you too..she is awesome!!

*My friend bought a gold cross necklace for her little girl. While at daycare..another child bit it and swallowed the cross..Tiff thinks he has Jesus in his heart now! and She also said he might be "crosstipated"...I thought that was the funniest thing I have heard in a while..just a little humor for your Saturday.

Sappy Saturdays

There is nothing better than a rainy Saturday afternoon with nothing to do..especially after a week of work. We woke up this morning..I went back to sleep after morning routines..and then Kenny and Brylee got ready to go on an afternoon date to the movies. They had a blast..and Brylee questions as she is about to go out the door, "You going with us Mommy?"..."No, I think I will stay here..."..to which Brylee replies, "Well, then, you can clean up the house and My room, Bye..Love you" HA! She cracks me up. So I did get the living room, kitchen and some laundry finished, but I DID NOT clean her room..she is getting big enough to do that herself! :) She came home from the movie and decided that it was "COLD" because it is cloudy outside and put on her Adidas outfit that is winter attire. We had original plans of a birthday party in Dothan for today, but of course it rained. I worked on the invitations for my brother-in-laws baby shower today..and am super excited at my creation. I can't wait to get them out for the party to welcome little Jaden Christopher! So here's to sappy Saturdays with drippings of rain! Oh yea..tomorrow our new choir director (well, new choir director based on if the congregation votes on him tomorrow) will be here tomorrow for his first service..exciting times in the life of HCBC!!

Love, Peace, Busy and a Blog all Over the Place!

I knew I would stink at updating this thing once school started! :) Hopefully in a couple of weeks, I will be back to normal..I do have a PRAISE report..remember Sadye, the princess with the tumor? Well, she is home today..actually came home yesterday, they did surgery which removed her kidney, but got ALL the tumor. She had her first chemo and will go back every week and then every 3 weeks (I think). So, all in a week, this little girl has went full circle and touched so many lives by showing the power of God and prayer! I know they are rejoicing as a family!



Our nights are pretty booked these days..on Tuesday, I will begin one of my last classes before I have my master's, I am taking 2 classes this semester..and I will have 1 more with comps and practicum! So pretty excited here...haven't been in a hurry, but am glad to see the end in sight! On Wednesdays, we do gymnastics 4:30-5:30...Children's choir 6:00-6:45...and Mission Friends from 6:45-7:30..while church is from 6:30-7:30...and technically, I should have my rear back in choir practice which will be till 8:30...so when I get motivated, that will be our Wednesday schedule..I really like choir..I really do..but I also really like sitting and worshipping with Kenny thorughout the service..kinda torn here...so pray for me on that. Once basketball starts, that will take up most other nights. We have faculty meetings on Mondays...and Friday and Saturday..we are all over the place! I hope you will understand my lacking in the blog area. :)



Sometimes I wonder why God allows unpleasant situations..you know..it isn't enough to really complain about, but just enough to test your faith and those spur of the moment words you would like to say and almost do, but are so glad you didn't when it is all over! Does anyone understand what I am talking about? I won't go into detail..b/c I don't want to create an even more unpleasant situation..but it is something I have dealt with before, and seem to be there again. I wonder if He wants to make sure I am the person I claim to be..or if my faith can waver..and OFTEN, I fail. I mean..I am not talking life or death situations, or anything too terrible..just enough to get you...just daily run ins with people or persons that irk you! And get under your skin...I found a devotion while cleaning out my email..about dealing with difficult people..and I thought it was ironic that I hadn't read it before..it was still bold in my inbox..thought I would share in case others deal with this as well....

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
When asked what he considered the most valuable skill in employees, the financier John D. Rockefeller replied, “The ability to get along with people!”
One of the most important skills we can develop as we walk with Christ is knowing how to love troublemakers. If you learn how to interact with difficult people, then you’ll be able to pour your energy into areas of ministry rather than constantly putting out fires of conflict.
Here are four methods Jesus modeled when he encounter difficult people:
1. Realize you can’t please everybody. Even God can’t do that! Refuse to play games (Matthew 22:18).
2. Learn to say no to unrealistic expectations. Confront them by “telling the truth in love.”
3.NEVER retaliate (Matthew 5:38-39). It only lowers you to their level.
4.Pray for them (Matthew 5:44). It will help both of you. Let God speak to them.


I pray that you all have a great rest of this Thursday and a FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!

~Busy..Busy..Busy~

Whew..I am tired! School began last week..and it has been one thing after another..everyday getting up...things to do at night..and today..and it has been a major adjustment for all of us. Before I begin with us..I do want to ask that you remember a family from Scottsboro in your prayers..Corey, Regan, Wiley and Sadye Webb..Sadye is a 3 year old little girl and they found a tumor on her kidney..she had surgery today to remove it and the outlook is positive..but I know they would appreciate any and all prayers going up! They set up a caring bridge site for her so that you can leave them thoughts and keep up with the process... it is www.caringbridge.org/visit/sadyewebb . I hated to hear this news and it always is a little closer to home when your children are the same age.

We had our first gymnastics meet today..and Brylee did so well..it was hilarious...on the beam, which was first..she was a little hesitant and shy..she got up well, looked at the crowd and immediately put her head down as she performed...on the floor..the coach for her team was not her regular coach..so she just told them what to do instead of doing it with them..so Brylee, her little creative self, created her own routine..done a fantastic job..just not the routine...She did great on the bar routine too! We were very proud..she ended up with 3 ribbons and a medal that she was proud of too! When we got in the car, she said, "Hey Momma, that was the BEST gymnastics EVER" LOL

School is back in full force as I said..we are up to 800 students K-5 with nowhere to put them...our trailer is finally in order..and actually, I like it :) Not much else to blog about..in fact, I am afraid it might slow down a little from here on out...unless something "blogworthy" comes up! Hope all of you are doing great!

Nick Bradley

***UPDATE*** I just got a call letting me know that Nick is now in the States in Washington. Chantel and her father should be there by now..they were flying up to be with him..SO...again, God answered our prayers...apparantley..the bomb should have blown everything to pieces..but the SUV he was in had a metal plate and it went off below him..but threw him from the vehicle..so again, a few cuts, bruises, lost 3 fingers...but is ALIVE..only by God's hand! Thanks for praying!


Below is a bulletin I received from Natalie Manning Garner...This is devastating news to all..I want to ask all of you to remember them in prayer and to pray for Nick and his surgeries, the doctors taking care of him, his sweet wife Chantel, precious baby girl..and for safe travels home. I can't imagine what they are going through...but I pray that they will feel God wrap His arms around them and keep them safe!...I am so heartbroken ......


Please everyone keep Nick Bradley and his family in your prayers. He is the husband of Chantel Dawe Bradley. They have one daughter, Khaila, who is 2. Hes been in Afghanistan since March and was hit by a roadside bomb last night. This is a horrible time for this family and they will need all the prayers that they can get. Just pray he makes it through all his surgeries and gets back to the states safely. I dont know what God has planned for this family, but I know he does everything for a reason. They are all very special and dear to my heart, and I hate to see such pain in their lives. My heart aches for him to be so brave to take on the job he does and fight not only for his families freedom, but for everyone of us.Thank you for taking time to read this! May God bless you all!!