Hello....

Hello....is anyone still out there? Does anyone remember me?

I started to apologize for my blog absence, but you know...sometimes life is more important than my world in a box...and it's ok to take a little break ...

So much has happened over the past few weeks that I barely know where to start.

(1) There was the Ice Storm from Hades (which I still need to upload the pictures and share with you so you will believe me that this was a bad...bad storm! We were without power for 4 days...my aunt and her family were without for 22 days and there are still people who do not have electricity yet!! That's a long time people!!

(2) I started a new Bible study by Beth Moore....Esther, It's Tough Being A Woman....it's been rockin' my world. My first AHA quote from the book is this..."let God heal our world-torn souls and make us experience His security in our reality. Stay open to all the ways He wants to speak to you about becoming more secure in your world." This was big for me! My reality may not be pretty or exactly as I'd like it to be, but I can be secure in my God and that He has a purpose and a plan for my life....these trials and struggles are not in vain. I don't need to rely on myself or others for some fake security or happiness. I need to rest in my Savior's arms and know that He holds me safe and secure. Another great thing I'm learning is that "God is never more present than when He seems strangely absent." I'm living this one right now. I know God is there...even when I can't feel Him or hear Him. I just have to wait and listen for the whisper.

(3) God is working in our Praise Team and I'm super excited at what He has in store for us this year. He is challenging us...both on a technical level and of course in our spiritual walk. He's opening up opportunities for us to attend some conferences and to grow our ministry. I can't wait to share with you as God blesses our team.

(4) We've had the privilege of hosting our friends from TN...John & Melissa (and their kids...Chastity, Dakota, & Destiny) while they visited Arkansas this past weekend. They arrived on Friday and were able to stay until Tuesday. I enjoyed visiting with them and sharing meals...I even shared with them my favorite dish...Frogmoor Stew (aka Low Country Boil)...which was shared with me this past summer when I was a guest at someones home in S. Carolina. Pay It Forward. They went to church with us on Sunday and attended our Small Group Sunday night...and Melissa was able to go to Bible Study on Monday night with me....which was awesome, but not as much as the chance to just talk....ya know...girl talk.

(5) On a more somber note, two women from our church...pillars of the church....graduated to Saint Hood this past week. I loved both of them dearly. Mrs. Joan was healed in Heaven of her Colon Cancer. She fought an incredibly brave battle of around 3 years. Her and my mom were diagnosed at around the same time and both underwent treatment at the same time. Although my mom's has stayed in remission, Mrs. Joan's came back. She still wore a smile and believed God had it all under control. I've known Joan for nearly 20 years ( her son and I dated briefly in high school), but not until I came to Southside did I really get to KNOW her. She always wore a smile and encouraged me each week when I would see her at church. Her daughter-in-law and I have become best friends and were actually out on a girls night out the night Joan went on to be with our Lord. This family is really like my family....The second lady I've known for even longer....Ms. Glenda's daughter Lisa and I have been best friends for a LONG time...and went to school together. Although her battle with brain cancer was short, it was no less brave. I've never seen someone fight with such dignity. Even in her darkest hours before brain surgery, knowing her time on earth was short, her thoughts were toward others. Both of these ladies will be missed, but I'm a better person for having known them.

I'm sure there are other things that I've forgotten.....oh yeah....like....
(6) Mallorye got a job! and...
(7) Quentin remembered Valentines and got me a digital camera...not the nice SLR one that I really, REALLY want, but a nice point & shoot...which is great since Mal washed my old one in the washing machine...they don't hold up well to that...lol....and....
(8) we're still going to counseling and so far we haven't killed each other. We're learning a ton about communication and relating to one another. We have a ways to go, but it's a process.
(9) basketball season is over! and Blake's not playing baseball this year (what the ??) so I have nothing to do!! Woo Hoo! I may get some scrapbooking done!

Ok, I'll try to keep up now....sabbatical over... I think. And I will get those ice storm pictures up here soon...maybe this weekend since I have nothing to do!

Have I mentioned I have nothing to do?

Probably shouldn't have mentioned that, huh??