Ladies Night at Freedom

The ladies at Freedom Baptist Church planned a special Ladies Fellowship November 5th, 2009. We were very pleased with the turn out and were especially honored to have so many visitors to enjoy the night with us.

Mrs. Dotty, Mrs. Becky, and Mrs. Barbara did a fantastic job decorating the fellowship hall and the sanctuary.

We all enjoyed Taco Soup, Potato Soup, Sandwiches, Meat and Cheese Trays, Lots of different cheese balls, dips, and desserts.

A gold star ornament lay at each place setting. Everyone took a star home.

Lisa and Bethany Monk were our guest singers.

They did an excellent job on each and every song.

Mrs. Martha Crawford of YES Ministries (her and her husband minister to families in crisis) was our guest speaker. I had heard her speak a couple of years ago and I felt like God had placed her on my heart to invite her to speak at our ladies night. This dear lady is very upbeat and happy; quite jolly! But, she's country as corn-bread! I love to hear her talk and her positive outlook and her love and dependence on God are so obvious and contagious. Here are the notes I took that night as she spoke:

Forgiveness

There are 105 topics on Forgiveness in the Bible.

Matt. 18:21-22, Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Forgiveness is:

Something we do in spite of our own feelings.

It is loving that person and believing they can change.

Decision to throw away the Get Even attitude.

Deciding to keep relationship with person with no strings.

Forgetting who is right and who is wrong.

Setting you and the other person free causes us to change.

We have to die to self.

Matt. 5:44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Forgiveness is hard, cost is high, value is higher.

Matt. 6:14-15, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But, if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We have to CHOOSE to LOVE the people who do us wrong.

We have to CHOOSE to BLESS the people who have hurt us.

We have to CHOOSE to BE GOOD to our enemies.

We have to CHOOSE to PRAY for them as well.

LOVE, BLESS, BE GOOD, PRAY!

Have you ever refused to forgive someone?

Nursing a grudge can cause bitterness and hatred.

Col. 3:13, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

She gave examples of Joseph and the Prodigal Son...

Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him...The Prodigal Son's father welcomed him home with open arms.

Whose life are you personally affecting because you won't forgive?

God met with us that night. I had prayed that God would give Mrs. Martha just what I needed. Needless to say, the subject of Forgiveness is not an easy one to hear, and especially not an easy one to heed to. I was helped that night, and I thank God for it. After Mrs. Martha spoke, we all met around the altar and had prayer.

Mrs. Becky and Mrs. Dotty then drew names for door prizes.

One of the recipients looking in her goody bag!

A good time was had by all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

O Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:1

O Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods; for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1-4

O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:26

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: Psalm 92:1

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100

*Thank: be obliged, show gratitude, give thanks, acknowledge, show appreciation, be obligated to, be indebted to, bless, praise, smile on, show courtesy, express one's obligation to,

*Thanksgiving: a formal public expression of thanks to God.

*according to Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus

What are you thankful for today? Count your many blessings, see what God has done!

Happy Thanksgiving from Life By George.

It's Thanksgiving!

I know I'm gonna just have to get over all the comments about "Season's Greetings", "Happy Holidays", etc...but maybe not...I will have to behave myself over it, but I'm glad it bothers me when people don't acknowledge Christ in Christmas. Bothers is a light word...actually BUGS the soup outa me would be more like it. Saturday, Noelle and I were going into the mall and the Salvation Army helper was jingling the bell. Noelle and I both put some change into the pot. When we started to walk away, the nice man said, "Thank you ladies, Happy Turkey Day!" I turned around (nicely) and said, "Happy Thanksgiving to you sir". I told Noelle that he was probably afraid he would offend us so that was the safe statement for him. The irony of it is this: it does offend me when people call Thanksgiving Turkey Day and spell Christmas Xmas, or tell me Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays just because they don't want to offend anyone. I tell ya, I intend to spread the CHRISTmas cheer and take a stand for the real reason for the season. That Reason for The Season came to this earth and suffered, bled, and died for MY sins...It's an honor to celebrate CHRISTmas, it's a good thing to say Merry CHRISTmas! And one more thing: I'm sending CHRISTmas cards, going CHRISTmas shopping, giving CHRISTmas presents, and putting up a CHRISTmas tree. So, from the George home to your home, Happy Thanksgiving! Count your many blessings, see what God has done! (I feel better now!) lol.

Farewell To Snick

Snick Greene George passed away October 17, 2009. He was preceded in death by his Mother Kick-Stand. He is survived by his family, Cale, Noelle, Liesa, and Scot George, his grandparents,

and many many friends. His final resting place is in the backyard of his families home.

I have procrastinated with this post for over a month now. Crying makes my head hurt! But, I decided this morning that I want to write about our dear family member Snick Greene George during this Thanksgiving week. Snick passed away Saturday, October17, 2009. He had been sick for over a year. Snick brought much joy and laughter into our lives from the very first day we lay eyes on this little black puppy! I haven't scanned the pictures we found last week of when we first brought Snick home, but I'll add those later. He was so loving, forgiving, and loyal...and so very intelligent. He was Cale's best friend. I stood on the back deck watching as Cale dug his best friend's grave; just broke my heart. We put Snick in a Rubbermaid Box that we had lined with folded sheets. Noelle wanted something of hers in there with him, so she placed under him a piece of brown silky material that had been cut off her curtains earlier and we covered him with a 'western' cowboy sheet Cale had when he was little. After Cale and Scot buried him, Cale got on his 4 wheeler and went looking for rocks to place on top of the grave. When I went out later, he had the grave covered neatly with rocks. My mother brought some red roses and the little boy and girl statues. She said that way Noelle and Cale would always be out there with him. Scot scratched Snick's name on one of the rocks. A couple of weeks ago I set out some tulip bulbs around his grave. That will cheer us all up come Spring. I told Cale to let us know when he is ready for another dog. He replied that it would be a while. Isn't it amazing how something that can't speak and converse with you takes over your heart and can be so special to a family and touch so many lives outside the family. I'm getting teary, so I will close with this. I thank the Lord for giving us over 10 years with our dear Snick. To read a post about Snick I wrote over a year ago, click here: http://lifebygeorge.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanks-living-pic-4.html

Smile Piggy!

Look what Cale and I saw on the side of the road when we were going down the Natchez Trace a few weeks ago. We pulled over (stayed in the vehicle) and took this wild hogs picture. He just stood there and posed. We drove off and he continued to eat.

Cross Country Camp, 2009

I've meant to blog about this for months now...but never did. Coach Heather held a Cross Country Camp for the Spartans this past summer. The boys camp was from Sunday night until Wednesday afternoon. The girls camp was from Wednesday afternoon until Saturday morning. I think I have my days correct. Cale had a wonderful time. They swam, played games, worked out, and ran. Below are some pictures of that week.

Last Spartan Practice

Thursday, November 12th was the last Spartan practice for the season. We met at beautiful Veterans Park. Instead of running, the team played ultimate Frisbee. Coach Heather divided the teams by age groups so there were actually two games going on at separate places. The kids had a wonderful time playing Frisbee. We parents enjoyed watching them and having some fun of our own. The day had been so nice and warm, but by practice time, it was beginning to get dark and the temperature had dropped to make for a cool evening.

Liesa & Kathy

Lisa Joy and Liesa Jo

I've shared before how the Spartan team and the parents are all such sweet fine people. We've become so close with most of them...I thank God for them all.

Liesa & Julie

The park is home to several duck and geese families.

Can you tell? These two are sisters! Great gals!

The End Of A Great Spartan XC Season

Congratulations to the Spartans for a season well-run and well-done!

I'm so proud of each of you. What an honor and privilege it has been to know you and for Cale to be a part of such a great team. KEEP SHININ'! Looking forward to 2010 XC season.

A special thank you to Coach Heather! This lady puts 110% into this team, for free I might add! Thank you Coach Heather for your time, your encouragement, dedication, care, spunk, and love that you show each and every Spartan from the youngest to the oldest, and from the slowest to the fastest! You are very much appreciated and loved!

The first person I saw when we arrived at the race was this little guy (Preston). His momma had given him a chair and a quilt and he was sitting there so peaceably.

My friend and fellow blogger Marilyn works at Sav~A~Life. I was thrilled to visit with her before and after the race.

The great cause for the day was Sav~A~Life "The Hope Building Project"

This picture was on the wall inside the Sav~A~Life building

Ma Ma G and Cale

The Spartans were interviewed by The Homeschool Channel.

3 generations of runner/walkers!

Mrs. Bobbie finishing the race. Her husband had already finished and went back to cheer her on. This couple has really been an inspiration to me. They are 2o years my senior! Such sweet folks!

Cale with his 3rd place trophy.

We are proud of you Cale!

Coach Heather graciously accepting her trophy.

When we arrived at the Gunnels home for the end of the season party, this swing immediately drew Nora Ann and me to it~ We had a fit over it! We took pictures to Pa Pa G asking him to make us both one.

I loved this shuffleboard/hopscotch drawing!

Notice the length!

Some of us momma's played HORSE.

Here is Lisa Joy shooting with Amy looking on.

And Susan scores!

Lots of talking and visiting going on!

Mr. Gunnels and his lovely wife Natalie were our hosts.

He is welcoming us to their home and about to bless our food.

Lunch with friends!

How cute is this young man...looks like a Kodak moment to me!

Leah