Catching Up During A Busy Time

It's been a while since I sat down and spilled my guts (so to speak) and actually wrote something instead of just posting pictures and commenting on them.  The past two weeks have been busier than usual; Much busier!  I don't even know where to begin this post.  I guess I can start 2 weeks ago, May 15th, my cousin Mary's daughter Michaela's wedding day.  She had asked me to be her photographer!   I take pictures as a hobby with my $100 dollar Samsung camera; I am in no stretch of the imagination a wedding photographer!  I told Michaela this, but I told her I would do the best I could.  Her wedding was to be at 2 p.m. at a beautiful cabin in Walnut, so we got there a few hours before to take lots of pictures.  I will share a few of those pictures with you in this post.  The wedding was lovely and it was extra special to me because there were family members there that I had not seen in around 10 years.  Ya'll know how hyper I get!  Needless to say, by the time we left Walnut that afternoon around 5, I was spent!  On the way home, I noticed my gum on the bottom right side was throbbing.  I blamed the throbbing on my sinuses and took a couple of ibuprofen and didn't think much of it.  By bedtime that night, I knew it was not my sinuses; something was wrong!  I slept very little that night.  I took Tylenol and ibuprofen every 4 hours that Sunday and anxiously awaited for 8 o'clock Monday morning to arrive so I could call my dentist.  Sunday night, on the way home from church, we had just pulled into the Sonic at Fulton and my phone rang. It was one of our church members, Mrs. Dotty.   Her sister in law Candace, another church member, had a heart attack and was at the hospital.  We left right then heading back to Amory hospital.  While I was on the phone with Mrs. Dotty, her husband, Bro. Herman was on his phone and got news that their sister in law had passed away. Very little sleep Sunday night.  Monday morning, I called my dentist and they told me to come in at 11:45.  He took an x-ray which showed a perfectly fine tooth!  He said that since I didn't have a cavity or an abscess, it must be a crack down in the tooth.  He gave me some anti-biotics and pain medication and told me to try that first and if that didn't help, I'd have to go to an endodontist for a root canal.  That night I went with Scot to visit one of our church member's nephews in ICU, and then stopped by my best friends house to give her birthday gifts to her.  When we got back in the van, I told Scot that my tooth was worse.  Before, it was just the gum throbbing, but now I could actually tell which tooth was hurting.  I got very little sleep that night.  Got up Tuesday morning, called the dentist again to see if that would be normal, and ended up getting an appointment to see an endodontist.  This was Tuesday, and they couldn't see me until Monday, so I stayed on the anti-biotic and pain meds and tried to be very careful with what I ate, etc.   Tuesday night was visitation at the funeral home and I felt so upset because I didn't feel up to going.  I was to sing at the funeral the next day and I sure wanted to be able to fulfill that wish, so Scot, Noelle, and Cale went to the visitation. I stayed home and cooked a cake and some other dishes to take with us to the church the next day.  Our church family prepared a meal for the family to eat after the funeral.   The funeral for Mrs. Candace was very special, but of course, very sad.   We love our church family very much and from my heart I can truly say that when they hurt, we hurt.  Our prayers continue for Doyle, Jason, Lindsey, and the rest of the family.
After the funeral, Scot and I visited another church member, Mrs. Sue who had some tests done that week.  She didn't know it at that time, but the very next day she would be in the hospital awaiting open heart surgery.  Friday morning, Scot went to Tupelo for her surgery.  Once again, I stayed behind...not only due to the fact of being loopy on pain meds, but my mother's first cousin had passed away last Wednesday, and Mother and I were asked to sing at his funeral Friday. There is so much sickness and sadness sometimes.   I got a phone call that afternoon saying that all had gone well with Mrs. Sue, in which I was so very thankful for.
Our dear friend (one of my 'other' children) Claire and some other friends of my children were graduating from high school last Saturday, May 22.  Scot, Noelle, and Cale attended the graduation.  I stayed home and prepared clothes for Sunday and rested. I didn't want to overdo and be unable to go to church the next day.   Scot grilled that afternoon. 
Sunday, May 23, our precious church family recognized Scot and our family for our one year anniversary at Freedom Baptist Church and presented him with a beautiful card and a generous gift.  They also took us out to eat for lunch.  We went to River Birch Restaurant.  We had never eaten there.  We enjoyed it very much.  May 24 was our actual one year anniversary date.  We praise the Lord for giving us a place to serve.  The people at Freedom have been nothing but kind, encouraging and loving to us.  We appreciate them very much. 
Now, on to Monday.  Cale and I got up and went to Tupelo to Dr. Cosby to have my tooth checked.  He took another x-ray and once again, NOTHING!  He agreed with Dr. Nix that there must be a crack down in the tooth.  So, Wednesday morning at 9:15, the much awaited, much needed, but much dreaded root canal began!   After the procedure, I felt great!  Noelle went with me that day; actually, she took me!  I told her to choose where she wanted to eat because I was still numb and wouldn't eat much anyway.  We stopped at Pepper's, where I got a small bowl of potato soup and some tea.  She had wanted to look at some dresses in JC Penney for several weeks, but hadn't had an opportunity to go, so I told her I would be fine just to browse in that one store...so off to the mall we went.  She bought one of the many dresses she tried on and we headed home.  I still felt fine!   I was a bit tired by the time we got home and decided to lay on the couch just for a few minutes, ended up taking a nap.  I got up, went outside and walked around looking at my plants and flowers, still feeling good.  I talked to some of our church members and told them how great I felt and I was so glad the pain was gone.   Thursday morning, I woke up to another story!!!!!  I was in great pain!  First of all, my bubble was busted because I had such high hopes of getting back to normal, and secondly, I was hurting so bad, I couldn't think straight.   I took my pain medication, put ice on my jaw, and laid around all day hoping to feel better so I could attend my cousin's graduation in Falkner.  We went to the graduation.  I held a soft throw on my face and laid my head back all the way there.  I enjoyed seeing our family at the graduation.  BTW, congratulations to Megan!  After graduation, thankfully the crowd had all scattered from the bleachers down to the court to visit with the graduates.  My family was still standing in the bleachers talking to my cousin and her family.  I turned to take a picture, my foot slipped (it was pouring rain when we got there) and I lost my balance.  Had Noelle and Scot not grabbed me, no tellings what I'd be posting about today!  I got so tickled at Cale on the way home.  He said, "I thought, Momma is falling, I can't get to her, WE ARE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL!"   Another night, very little sleep!   Yesterday, I decided to just lay around, although that is getting old and on my nerves, and I decided to not chew much, even on the opposite side.  Seems like I'd hurt worse after I'd eat even with me chewing on the left side.  I had soup for lunch and a banana shake for supper.  I kept ice on my jaw off and on all day.  I DID SLEEP LAST NIGHT!    So far today, I am feeling a tad better.  OK, the point to this post;  well, one of the points to this post is this:  I do not like being to where I can't go about my rat-killing, as my Mother would say.  I enjoy doing for others, I enjoy working in our home and yard, I enjoy going and feeling happy and yes, I decided that my 'hyper-chipper' self is a good thing! During times like I've had the past two weeks, it's made me appreciate the times that we are so busy.  Sometimes I get so tired and wish we had a week or so that we didn't have to do anything, but busy is good, as long as I feel good.  I'll do my best to just enjoy it from now on.  

Clay & Michaela Hunter

May 15, 2010

The pretty flowers my parents sent to me.

My faves: daisies and roses!

2010 Graduate Megan McMillin and her sister Michaela

Noelle, Graduate Claire Wilson, and Cale

Cale, Graduate Sam Gable, and Noelle

Graduate Leah Pharr and Noelle

Very pretty and sweet card from our church

celebrating our 1st anniversary at Freedom.

Lunch at River Birch

Wow, this is an extra long post; more like a short story or something, but that and then some is the past two weeks of my life.    I'm so thankful for my sweet husband and children who have done their chores and most of mine during this time, and for my precious mother who sent me some flowers to cheer me up even though she's been under the weather from taking a fall last weekend.  I'm thankful for friends and our church family who would text, email, or call me just to say hi and to check on me.  I sound more like I had major surgery instead of a tooth ache and root canal, don't I?    I'm also thankful for the quiet times I've enjoyed with my Lord. 

During this time, we have also been busy planning some special events at church, one of which is next week.  We will have a special Family and Friends Day.  Also, our children have decided to plan a 25th wedding anniversary reception for me and Scot.  So, we have 4 short weeks to get that together.  Scot and Cale have also been working in the garden alot.  What can I say?   Even in the valley, God is good.  So much sadness in this world, but what a comfort to have sweet peace and joy down in my soul; even on those days I feel like I'm good for nothing, as I have felt alot the past 2 weeks.  There really is joy in serving others and God.

And On Cale's Farm...

there were some chicks....e i e i o!

With a cheep-cheep here and a cheep-cheep there!

Home 'TWEET' Home

This bird house is located in the middle of my rose garden....I have noticed a bird flying back and forth from our neighbors yard to the birdhouse for quite a while now.  I described the yellow breasted gray bird to my neighbor and she said it is a Yellow Robin.  Friday afternoon, I heard alot of 'Tweetin' coming from my rose garden....I looked inside and saw....

Is this not the 'tweetest' picture?!

Thursday This~N~That: EXCUSES

Happy Thursday to all of you in Blogville.

First of all, I have a confession. I forgot to blog here last night. I remembered it all week until last night. I have all kinds of excuses: I helped my son mow our yard yesterday afternoon, which is very very rare; I was just in the mood to mow. I knew it would more than likely stir my allergies and sinuses up, but I wanted to just get out there and ride in my yard and think, plus I wanted to help Cale out. He does so much for us each day. Scot came in from work and installed my new dishwasher and worked in the garden until Cale and I finished the yard. I was totally covered in dust and grass particles, so I had to take a shower before I prepared a quick supper of sausage, eggs, and biscuits. Back to the sinus and allergy thing; yep, had to take an allergy pill which lulls me down a bit. I read a while and then went to bed forgetting all about blogging!

EXCUSES! My excuses or REASONS for not blogging are true and legitimate! What about my excuses (Reasons) for not reading God's Word like I should? What about my excuses (Reasons) for not praying like I should? What about my excuses (Reasons) for not witnessing like I should? What about my excuses (Reasons) for not being faithful like I should? What about my excuses (Reasons) for not serving others like I should? Hmmm. We all use excuses or reasons like: I was tired; I overslept; I work alot; That's my only day off; I have enough to do without doing for others, etc. All of those are probably true and legitimate, but I doubt know that doesn't cut it with God.

Yesterday, when I thought about my duty to post on KJV Blog Directory, I should have scheduled in time to go ahead and do it. Instead of reading a book for pleasure last night, I should have taken my Bible to bed with me. Oh, and here is MY main problem...RUNNING LATE ON SUNDAY MORNINGS! We seem to have such busy weekends and by Saturday night, I'm pooped, so sometimes I don't have all of our clothes ironed, etc. We drive 45 minutes to church, and being that my husband is the pastor, we do not need to be late! (NOTE: Even if my husband were not the pastor, we would need to be on time) The solution to that problem is to plan ahead and prepare for Sunday one day during the week. (My husband just amened me right there) Just like my name is on the KJV schedule, my name is on that church roll, which means that is where I am suppose to be every Sunday morning for Sunday school! Just like my name is on the KJV schedule, my name is in the Lamb's Book of Life which means I have some RESPONSIBILITIES. I am responsible to be faithful to God and others, read God's Word, pray, serve, and witness.

I Thessalonians 5:17- Pray without ceasing.

Mark 16:15- (words of Jesus) Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Galatians 5:13-...but by love serve one another.

II Timothy 2:15- Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Hebrews 10:22-25- Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Matthew 22:37- Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Maybe sometimes it is good for us to mess up. It helps us to try harder and to do better. By the way, we are but human, so we WILL mess up from time to time, but let us strive to be the very best we can be for God, knowing that He gave His very Best for us!

God Bless Your Day.

Until next time (on time),
Liesa
 
Note:
Life By George friends,
I invite you to visit  http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/  for some wonderful devotions by some great godly women.

Mother's Day Weekend, 2010

We began celebrating Mother's Day Thursday night, May 6 at New Union Baptist Church's Mother-Daughter Banquet.  Pictured above: Scot's Mother Nora Ann, Scot's sister Kim, and me.

Lots of good food catered from Swamp John's

(BBQ/Chicken fingers & all the trimmings!)

The ladies decorated the tables in different themes again this year.  Nora Ann and I sat at this "Chicken" table that Melissa decorated.  Pictured above is Melissa with her mother and mother in law.  There were tables with these themes also:  Teacher, Candy, Flower Garden, Hawaiian, American, Truck driving, Ocean, Music, etc.  All were very pretty.

Sisters: Brinda and Nora Ann

Pastor's wife Tammy

I failed to get the speaker's name, but she was a blessing.  She testified to the fact of God's faithfulness and goodness during times of sickness.

Sarah Fowler with her sisters and mother.

Their harmony was very pretty.

Sarah also sang a solo; one of my favorites: Alabaster Box.  She did an excellent job.

Saturday evening, we met my parents at Belmont Restaurant for supper.  We gave my mother a card that sings when you open it and some shopping money!  The song the card played was "Blessed" by Martina McBride.

After we ate and visited a little while with my parents, we went to Scot's parent's house.  We gave his mother a  pretty card and a book written by former New Union Church Member Chadrick Black.  He wrote a wonderful book, The Greatest Harvest.  Scot and I encourage everyone to read it.  Chad and his twin brother Chan were just little boys when Scot and I married.  We are so proud of him.

Sunday morning (Mother's Day), our church presented beautiful pink carnations to all mothers.  Scot would call on the family member (husband, son, or grandson) to present the flower to their special mother.

Some of the sweet mothers.

Bro. Harold even got on his knees to his bride of almost 50 years.

Doyle and Candace

Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey

If the mother didn't have family there, Cale presented them with their flower.

Scot preached a wonderful message titled "Some Things My Mother Taught Me"

Here comes the funny and sweet, yet tiring part of our day!  Ya'll know how I like to eat and shop at Cracker Barrel!  Well, my family was going to surprise me with a Mother's Day lunch there.  Remember that we drive around 40 miles to church....Cracker Barrel is another 30 or so miles from church....so here we go...Family is thinking that by the time we get there, the crowd will have thinned out a bit....WRONG!  We waited for an hour...and then another 40 minutes to get our food & DRINK!   I laughed and said "I'm really going to enjoy this if I don't pass out from hunger first!"   The store was so crowded, I couldn't shop, so Scot and I just stood still and talked.  Noelle and Cale went back to the van waiting on us to call them when our name was called.

We all survived...had a very good time together...and lunch was very delicious.

After we left Cracker Barrel, we drove back to Amory hospital to meet Eli Presley Reeves and to visit with his family.  Eli was born Saturday night.  His family are members at our church.

This tag struck me funny when I saw it in the hospital parking lot.

Bro. Harvey Ware (Missionary) preached at our church Sunday night.

Bro. Ware's friends Mr. and Mrs. Wren visited also. 

Our family, Bro. Ware and the Wrens enjoyed supper at The Plantation Restaurant after church.  And once again, the restaurant was packed with mothers and their families!!!

"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"  was playing loud when I opened my pretty Mother's Day card from Noelle and Cale.

Noelle gave me this boat paddle.  I saw it when we went to Memphis week before last.  I am hanging it over the bath tub in our guest bathroom.

A closer look.

By the end of the day, this was the best smile I could muster up...I was so very exhausted from a busy weekend.      Also included in the weekend was CHENM graduation that I volunteered at, Scot and Cale's camping trip Friday night and part of the day Saturday, grocery shopping, etc.  It was a good but busy weekend.   I'm thankful for all the wonderful mothers in my life, especially my mother and mother in law, and for my precious children who call me mom...mommy...mother...mumsy....mommaliesa....

Thank God For Godly Mothers

10. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

~Proverbs 31:10-31