Thought I'd play along...since I learned quite a bit this week through the Winter Blast 2009...aka the-ice-storm-from-some-place-nice-and-hot

Here's what I learned;

...that I am not really much of a pioneer sort

...that we take for granted the luxuries of life...like electricity and hot water

...that you can live without TV, internet, and even cell phones

...that I can make biscuits on TOP of a gas stove

...that 45 degrees really isn't all that cold (compared to 20 without heat)

...that the children will not die if all they have to do is play cards and board games

...that I'm alot less cranky when I go to bed with the sun and wake up with the sun (that's what you do when you don't have lights

...that we are a better family for having gone through the Winter Blast 2009

Surviving

Just a quick update to let you know that I am surviving!

Our town was hit Monday evening with a huge Ice Storm....the older folks in town say they haven't seen anything even close since 1932. Our entire town...of around 28,000 people...were without power for at least 48 hours and many much longer than that. For us, power came back on yesterday....after 4 days. My aunt, who lives in the county, has been told it could be up to 5 weeks before power is restored to them.

The devastation is widespread and needs are great! I truly covet your prayers for my community.

Hubby was mobilized with the National Guard last night, so that they can try to get debris moved and roads cleared so the utility companies can get the poles and lines up again. I have a better update coming...with PICTURES! For now...I've gotta get some laundry done.

Thanks for those of you who knew and were praying!

Unplugged

Ok, Meredith....this one's for you! LOL!

I'm unplugging for the next 24 hours...+ just a tad.

Going to spending time in God's Word & with some godly women....searching for what God wants from our ladies in 2009.

See you Sunday!

Women's Ministry Planning/Prayer

This weekend is going to be an exciting time....

It's our annual Women's Ministry Team Planning Retreat. Not only do I get to get away with the girls, but we get to seek God and plan out the year for the ladies of our church. I love this process! God is up to some big stuff at Southside in 2009...and the women's ministry is just one area where I know He's working.

This is my secondary ministry, but I am still so passionate about women and their relationship with God and each other. I guess because I know what a difference both of those make in my life. I count it a true privilege to have the opportunity to serve among this great team of women to serve the body of Christ. They love God. They love Southside. They love people.

Please pray for our team as we're "unplugged" this weekend and for the planning process...that we would seek God and follow His direction. I'll be sure to update you of some of what God has in store for 2009.

Also, please pray for our Praise Team....God is moving in a huge way there and opening doors and learning opportunities. I am super excited to see God's hand moving! This is my primary ministry in our church and let me tell ya, I could talk all day about Worshipping our Creator God. I cannot think of anything better....that's a whole 'nutha post!

Ok, my bed is calling ....hubby's been three for an hour....

Scripture Memory Take 2

I successfully memorized the first scripture of the year and am on to round 2. Over the next 2 weeks I will be memorizing and meditating on this scripture;

"May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

I've posted it on Beth Moore's blog along with thousands of others who are memorizing scripture this year....why don't you join us?

Girls Night Out

There is nothing like hangin' out with your girlfriends for a little me time. This is starting to become a habit...and I'm definitely not complaining...This past weekend, Misty, Elisha, and myself went to Chilis for dinner and then back to Elisha's for some relaxin' and chattin.'

Elisha, Misty, and Me

Misty & Elisha...don't Misty look snazzy?!

Misty and I have been friends for a long time and know ...well...pretty much everything about one another. I love that. You know? The kind of friends that just know and you don't have to say alot...or you can spill your heart out and they still love you...That's the kind of friends we are and I am loving rekindling that friendship.

Elisha is a new friend and we are fast becoming inseparable. She's my workout buddy and my hangin' on the weekend buddy....we both serve on the Praise Team and the Women's Ministry. She's so honest and real and let's face it, today that's hard to come by. I also love her transparency.

I love girls night...and I love these girls!

Thank You

THANK YOU! I could totally tell that people were praying for us Thursday night. Our "meeting" went way better than I had hoped.

I know many of you are curious, so I'll share as much as I can...

Thursday was the first, of many more, trips to Memphis VA Hospital to meet with a counselor. We've probably needed...ok, no probably...we've needed to do this ever since Q got home from Iraq, but we kept thinkin'..."we can do this, we're ok." Well, push finally gave way to shove, and some recent events have forced us to realize that we can't walk this thing alone. The resources are there and we need to use them.

I have to be honest...I was skeptical about using military services. I was afraid that as the wife, my feelings wouldn't be validated and it would be all about how I need to be more understanding, more forgiving, give more of myself...more...more...more. I'm happy to report that I was wrong. We were very fortunate to be assigned to a Christian counselor and he did a great job in validating both of us and although he didn't have any quick fixes or answers to some questions we have....he did promise to find those answers and walk this journey with us.

You know, my God is good.

Through all the difficulties that we've encountered lately, I still love my husband. I know we have a great thing together to spite our shortcomings. I know that God gets absolutely no glory when we give up, but He gets ALL of the glory when relationships are restored. We have a tough road ahead...trust to rebuild...a new normal to find...but I'm confident that our God is going to show up and show out. Please continue to pray for us....and know this....

God works all things together for good, to those that love the Lord.....Romans 8:28

He will bring me out of this deep pit and give me new life.....Psalm 71:20

Back To Normal

It's back to normal (as normal as we get) around the Bales' house...and I for one...am GLAD!

I love the holidays, but I crave routine and order, and the holidays wreak havoc on both. The kids started back to school on Monday (although they got out early for ice!) and Quentin and I headed back to work. The house is free from holiday decor and actually is almost clean. Blake had a basketball game last night where they suffered their first loss of the year against MacArthur Jr. High. It was an intense game and we lost by 3 points, which puts our record at 12-1. Not bad.

I've started a few new blogs (because I didn't think keeping up with one was enough...lol)....
one of them is my journey through losing weight and I've been much more candid than I ever thought I'd be...even posted disgusting before pictures. You can keep up with my journey at Clawing My Way Out...feel free to offer up some encouraging words.

The third blog is one to collect the poetry and stories that I've written over the years. I've been writing since high school and some are pretty corny, but I thought "hey, what the heck? I'd like to have these in a permanent place and maybe Blurb them some day" So, if you'd like to check that out, it's here, at Inside My Head.

Tonight is church and some meetings...Women's Ministry & Praise Team Leadership...and practice for weekend worship. Like I said...back to normal.

One last thing...my husband and I have a meeting tomorrow night that I would very much appreciate prayers for. If you think of it, could you lift us up in prayer tomorrow night? Thank you so much! I love my blog friends!

A Day For Doing Nothing

New Years Day couldn't have been more perfect. We spent the day doing absolutely nothing and ALL of us stayed in our jammies ALL DAY. There were no schedules. No rushing to get somewhere. No agenda. There was napping. Ordering Pizza. Games. And relaxation.

Here's a few pix of yesterday's Spades game with the kids....

Quentin being silly...he's kinda new at Spades. We were in a tournament the night before and he went Neal holding the Ace of Spades...LOL! He did much better last night against the kids.

Quentin & Mallorye...(like the trash can in the background...ugh)



I was kinda scared to put this one on the blog...we do feed him...I promise! He's trying to do some fancy shuffle thing here...it wasn't workin' for him!

Mallorye...intense concentration...she is a serious competitor.

Final score....508-238....Mom & Dad win! Woo Hoo! No Mercy!

Today has been a housecleaning day for me...Quentin had to work, but I was off..yeah. I think Mal and I are going to watch the Countdown to the Crown on TLC and I've been working on some journals for Quentin's 7th Grade Boys Class at church...but other than that...another lazy day...I love it!

This is a picture from today....a new gas station in town is having their grand opening and have started a price war. Quentin & Blake went out and snagged this picture. 99 Cents!! And it's dropped since then. Wow! The line is horrendous. Amazing what people will do to save a few pennies!

Scripture Memory

The last few months of 2008 have been hard on my heart and soul. I know that God did not call me to a defeated life and that He doesn't want me to just roll over and give up. So today, I have my big girl panties on. I know that when I stay focused on God and my goals that life just seems to go much smoother....not perfect...but better.

I have a ton of goals for the coming year, but one in particular is scripture memory. I'm joining Siestas around the world and committing to memorize 24 verses this year. Very within reach. Mama Beth, as she is affectionately called, is leading the masses in this endeavor. Check it out.

My verse for the first part of January;

You made me suffer a lot,

but you will bring me back from this deep pit

and give me new life.

You will make me truly great

and take my sorrow away.

Psalm 71:20-21 (Contemporary English Version)

I've not used this version before, but I really liked the way it was worded in this passage. So,here's to a new year...I'll be sharing more goals throughout the month of January.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!