5K's-Run Cale Run

This was the Spartans first practice since last season. It was so good to be reunited!

Some of the Spartan boys are shown above.

Cale and Forest

Our friends, Mrs. Lisa, Natalie, and Bethany surprised us at practice and came to visit with me. We walked (and talked) while the XC team ran. After practice, we all went and ate supper together at McAlisters. Bro. Tony met us there. Supper was delicious and so was the fellowship.

April 18, 2009
Amory RR 5K

Cale, Josh, & David

Josh getting his award

Cale waiting patiently for the Sweet Tea 5K to begin.
April 25, 2009

After the race.

(He came in 1st in his age group and third over all)

May 16, 2009

Tie-Dye 5K

Heather and daughter with their kitten

Roans hat was a bit big! Ha.

Awww, there she is!

Roan, Olivia, and Leah

Cale and Scot before the race

Start here!

And they're off!

First time around course...

Second time around course...

Third and final time!

Cale after race

Door prizes and awards

Julie was Queen. She came in first in the ladies division.

I loved the broccoli scepter and the veggies award.

Contentment

I was flipping through Secure in the Everlasting Arms by Elisabeth Elliot yesterday. A paragraph caught my eye. It reminded me of Hebrews 13:5: Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Now, read the last 8 words beginning with 'thee'. THEE FORSAKE NOR THEE LEAVE NEVER WILL I! How rich is that! Scot says that verse is good coming and going. Here is the paragraph that I want to share with you:

E.B. Pusey (1800-1882) suggested rules for those who wish to gain contentment that surely reflect Jesus' own attitude:

1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even the weather.

2. Never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstances in which thou are not.

3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another.

4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou doest thyself.

5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. "The Lord will provide."

The Old Wicker Coal Basket

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:16-18THE BIBLE AND THE OLD WICKER COAL BASKET

The story is told of an old man who lived on a small farm in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his old worn-out Bible.

His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it; and what I do understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"

The grandfather quickly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster the next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the old wicker basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch him try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather, the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See, Papa, it is useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything; but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out."

Moral of the story: Take time to read a portion of God's Word each day; it will affect you for good.

--Author Unknown

When We Don't Know What To Do

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Life happens! We travel over mountains and in valleys; come up on some major pot holes at times, and there are days on our journey through life that we just have no clue as to what to do. Ever been there? I have. To be honest, I'm there now. My family has been on street "Don't know what to do" for about two months now. My husband and I just decided that since we didn't know 'what' to do, we just wouldn't do anything. First of all, not doing anything goes against both our grains. We are doers, we are fixers! But, may I testify today and tell you that God has been faithful. We've had that peace we read about in Philippians 4:7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
This is how I've prayed: "God, if we need money, provide it. God, if there is some place we need to go, open the door. Open doors no man can close. Close doors no man can open. I don't know what to ask for, but You know what I need. I ask you to supply those needs. Give us wisdom, give us peace, and make the path You'd have us travel plain." He has answered over and over again the past two months. He has shut some doors, He has opened some doors, He has supplied our needs, He has provided us with peace and joy, He has been more than enough! Looking through my human eyes at the pot-hole we came upon in life, I would cry and be very discouraged. When I look at God's Word and put it all in His hands, I have that peace that passes all understanding. I didn't understand, I still don't, but God does. Sometimes we know what to do during a situation, sometimes we don't. When we don't, just be still and let God move. When I'm down to nothing; God's up to something! Just as the Shunammite woman answered Elisha's servant; I can most assuredly say, It is well.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be encouraged!
Liesa

*This is the post for today at KJV Blog Directory.
http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/

Mother-Daughter Banquet 2009

Noelle and I attended the annual Mother-Daughter banquet with Scot's mother at New Union Friday night. We were very blessed in so many ways. The fellowship was a delight, the food was delicious, the tables were so creative and pretty, and the speakers were very encouraging.

The picture above is of the members of our family that attended. My niece Chrissy came, but she wasn't there when the pictures were taken. Seated from left to right: Scot's mother, Layla, Aunt Brinda. Standing left to right: Me, Noelle, Kim, and Lori.
I love this picture of Ma-Ma G. So happy!

One of the speakers, Mrs. Jan sat at the garden table with our family.
(Lori decorated this table. We all got to bring home a pretty petunia and book mark)

Melissa (left) decorated her table with cleaning supplies! She cleans the church. Everyone got a kick out of her creativity!

The 'bank' table!

The 'Spanish' table

(Linda gave me an avocado from the basket, I made guacamole with it!)

Mrs. Carolyn at the cake table. Mrs. Wilma made and decorated the cake.

And the winner was... Anna with her 'Roll Tide' table.

I didn't get a picture of all the tables. There was a 'nurse' theme table. I loved it.

Mrs. Carolyn decorated it with lots of neat things and each place she had a medicine bottle with the scripture from Proverbs about A merry heart doeth like a good medicine for the prescription label. There was also tables with 'Thomas Kincaid' theme, 'Lighthouse' theme, 'Ocean' theme, etc. Everyone did a terrific job decorating. We enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken tenders, BBQ, Cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans, and rolls. The dessert table was sinful! Lots of strawberry and chocolate desserts, yum!

Yes, this is the pastor's wife, Mrs. Tammy! I have finally met my twin kindred spirit! She is so much fun; a royal nut, in a good way of course!

Mrs. Tammy and her family love to camp. She decorated her table in a camping theme, and even sat up the tent (with cricket sounds) beside her table! Very neat.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Proverbs 31 Mother.

She deserves an arm-full of roses,

She's satisfied with a hand-full of weeds.

Just An Old Fashioned Momma

Walking the straight and narrow

Closer to God every day

That's the way it was back in the olden days

But now we're fanatics

If we raise our voice and hands

I'm just an old-fashioned momma

Heading for a better land.

I'm just an old-fashioned momma

Living in a modern world

Trying to lead the way

For my son and little girl.

I feel out of place

In this old sinful world

I'm just an old-fashioned momma

Living in a modern world.

Who you are and what you have's

Important these modern days.

Our worship is so organized

The Holy Spirit can't have His way.

I'm often asked my title

If I'm a career girl?

No, I'm an Old-fashioned momma

Living in a modern world.

(words and music; Liesa G. George)

What an honor, what a privilege;

Just to be called Mother.

A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love

by: Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's love is something

that no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendoured miracle

man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence

of God's tender guiding hand.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary By George!

Scot's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 1, 2009. The celebration was held Sunday, May 3, 2009 at the Arts & Entertainment Center in Red Bay, Al. This was a day we all had anticipated for several months. The rain came down and the thunder roared for a while yesterday, but it turned out to be a not so rainy afternoon. There was a big turnout of family and friends. The guestbook says 140 people attended, but we know of some that didn't register, so we are guessing around 150 people joined us for the celebration.

I am sharing some pictures that I took, but due to mingling and not being able to get good pictures due to so many chandeliers and mirrors, I will be sure to post more pictures in a few weeks when we get the professional photo's. Food consisted of chicken salad on croissant rolls, ham and turkey sandwiches, fruit tray with dip, cheese and cracker tray, and of course wedding cake, homemade mints, nuts, punch, and water.

The Arts & Entertainment Center

I am thankful for my in-laws. First of all, I'm thankful to them for raising such a fine young man that would become my husband and an outstanding daddy to our children. I'm thankful for them being a fine example of faithfulness to God, family, church, and friends.

Congratulations to Gordon and Nora Ann, my wonderful father and mother in law.

The church sign

Beginning at the far left: a display of pictures of Scot's family, to the right are some older pictures of his parents grandparents, etc.

Nora Ann and Gordon years ago

Scot's sister displayed pictures of her family on this table.

There were also pictures of Nora Ann's parents and siblings and Gordon's parents and siblings.

Meagan & Noelle sat at the registry

Cale, me, & Noelle

Noelle, Scot, & Cale

Scot with his sister Kim

Approximately 150 people attended the celebration!

There were people gathered at the TV the entire 2 hours!

A DVD of pictures over the past 50 years played continuously.

The songs on the DVD were "Through The Years", "Forever and Ever Amen", and "Deeper Than The Holler"

They received many nice and thoughtful gifts.

Okra Salad

Scot's Aunt Brinda prepared this dish for a church potluck a few weeks ago. I could have made a meal off it. It's wonderful! I had her email the recipe to me.

Okra Salad

1 1/2 pounds breaded okra fried brown and drained ( may use more okra if you want a big salad.)
2 large tomatoes chopped
1 green pepper
1 bunch green onions (I use blades and all)
6 slices bacon fried crisp and crumbled
dressing
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar
Heat this until sugar is melted. Cool slightly.
I fry my okra and put it on paper towels to drain. Then I chop all the other ingredients together and pour the heated dressing mixture over it. I toss the okra in last. Can be made a few hours ahead of time to eat but won't be good made the night before it is to be eaten because the okra will get soggy....enjoy.