America

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Psalm 33:12

America, The Beautiful

by Katharine Lee Bates - 1913

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,

Whose stern impassion'd stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine ev'ry flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness,

And ev'ry gain divine!

O Beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam,

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

If my people, which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves, and pray,

and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Diamonds In Life

A friend loveth at all times...

Proverbs 17:17

Wednesday, June 23rd, I met my long time friends Michelle and Karen at our local restaurant for lunch. Michelle, Karen, and I started to school together. We were all three in the same first grade class. We were in school together all twelve years! After we graduated from high school, we went our separate ways of course. Life happens and it's hard to keep in touch. Karen married first in 1984, I married in 1985, and Michelle married in 1986! We all have a son and a daughter each. Karen already has a daughter in law! Michelle moved away with her military husband, so she and I haven't seen each other over six or seven times in the past 26 years. She was home visiting her family in between moving. She and I were expecting our daughters at the same time, and again four years later, we both were expecting our sons the same year. Michelle is a teacher, Karen is a florist and singer, and I am a pastor's wife and home school mother. It's amazing where life takes us! Karen lives in our hometown, so she and I see each other more, but rarely take the time to visit. Last Wednesday was such a bright spot in my life!!! I was like a little kid all morning long anticipating the luncheon with my dear friends. They arrived at the restaurant before me; I found them in line and we all shared hugs and smiles! My forty-four years felt like twelve all over again! I remember what I got to eat, but I honestly don't know if I tasted it. I was sitting there trying to take in every precious moment of the time with my friends. I wanted to engrave each word, smile, and detail into my memory. We sat there for two hours enjoying our time together. We were ecstatic when our first grade teacher, Mrs. Judy came in to eat! As she was leaving, she sat down at our table and visited for a while. She made a huge impression upon my life when I was just a little six year old girl. I had a grand experience in first grade which made me look forward to second grade and so forth! I thought she was the prettiest lady I had ever seen, and she still is today! She was telling us her age the other day and I honestly hope I look half as good as she does when I'm fifty, much less___________! lol I tell you, I sit here amazed and just get chill bumps all over when I think about all the people God has let me cross paths with. I can hardly contain myself. I love people-always have... People like Karen, Michelle, and Mrs. Judy will forever hold special places in my heart. If only they could look inside, for there are no words to express it.


Michelle and Karen catching up!

Diamonds in my life.

Time can't take away anything that has already been given:

Your treasures from days gone by are treasures still;

your most precious memories will always be.

We learn, as we go along,

that happiness is not one big, beautiful jewel we can hold-

or lose- in our hands.

Each one of us is an hourglass.

And in course of our lives,

we get to keep the diamonds that come our way among the passing sands.

~Douglas Pagels

How Does Your Garden Grow?!

My parents home.

Daddy built this house. I lived there from the age

of six until I got married at the age of 20.

My daddy's garden.

This picture was taken several weeks ago.

It's even prettier now.

I had planned to have a small garden this year, but

after we found out we would have to move, I knew

I couldn't have one. My daddy planted one for me

at his house. We are reaping from his hard work.

The size may not show on the picture, but

this cabbage was almost as big as a basketball.

It was wonderful cooked and shredded for cole slaw.

Beans, tomatoes, and squash.
Yum!

My Pa Pa Jess

I think of my grandparents daily. Although all of them are deceased, they were just such an important part of my life, I still feel so close to them. Pa Pa Jess was my daddy's daddy. He was a royal mess! Even as an old man, I thought he was just the cutest thing! Mischievous is a great word to describe him. You couldn't sit beside him without him reaching over and showing you how a mule eats corn by squeezing your knee, which would send us to the other end of the couch, because it tickled so much. He was always making jokes and kidding around. Pa Pa was a hard worker too. He worked on the railroad, did carpentry work, and farmed. My Cale has some actions and ways like Pa Pa Jess, which thrills me to no end. Pa Pa's birthday would have been Tuesday, June 23rd. God blessed me with special grandparents. Death may have separated us for a season, but according to each grandparent's testimony, I believe we'll meet again to be separated never again. Happy Birthday Pa Jess! (and try to behave!)

Indeed, Life Is Good!

Scot and I had a nice anniversary the 22nd. My parents gave us the grill pictured above.

Our children gave us a gift card from 'Olive Garden' which we enjoyed Thursday,the 25th. I ate calamari for the first time. Our church family gave us a generous love gift June 21st. Scot kidded and said that he was using his half to go on a new gun! Wait, maybe he wasn't' kidding! Ha. We also received many beautiful greeting cards, a JC Penny gift card, candle, and picture frames. Scot and I are very blessed with wonderful family and treasured friends. God has been tremendously good to us the past 24 years, and for that, we are truly grateful.

Scot and I decided to try a restaurant that we had never eaten at before. We chose 'Atlanta Bread'. The food was very good; that won't be our last visit.

Bistro Chicken Press (left)

Bella Chicken (right)

Potato salad, pickles, and chips

Chocolate cobbler for dessert

(Cracker Barrel)

After our meal at Atlanta Bread, we shopped a while at

Lowes and Staples, then stopped in at Cracker Barrel for dessert!

Happy 24th Anniversary to my sweet Scot.
And yes, I'd do it all over again!

Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go

...Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:16-17

Liesa ~N~ Scot
6-22-85

Happy Father's Day Pa Pa G.

I'm thankful for Gordon, my father in law. Through his day to day life, he showed Scot how to be a godly husband and daddy. Gordon is a very tender hearted, kind, hard working family man. Scot tells a funny story from the pulpit. He said that when he was growing up, his daddy and mother went to church every time the doors were open. He said that if he (Scot) was sick, his daddy would tell him to go throw up. After Scot would throw up, Gordon would say, "Now, don't you feel better? Let's go to church!" I don't know if all that's true, but Scot's point was that his daddy saw to it that his family was in the house of God regularly. As Scot says, the family didn't get up on Sunday mornings and vote on it! Gordon is a man of few words, but his life has spoken loudly in a blessed way to all who know him.

Happy Father's Day 2009

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he

delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be

utterly cast down: for the Lord unholdeth him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a

man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.

Proverbs 1:5

...blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 84:12

The just man walketh in his integrity:

his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7

...yea, I have a goodly heritage.

Psalm 16:6

Daddy's Hands

Me & My Daddy!

I remember daddy's hands folded silently in prayer

and reaching out to hold me when I had a nightmare.

You could read quite a story in the calluses and lines

years of work and worry had left their mark behind.


I remember daddy's hands how they held my momma tight

and patted my back for something done right.

There are things that I've forgotten that I loved about the man

but I'll always remember the love in daddy's hands.

[chorus]

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin

Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.

Daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand

there was always love in daddy's hands.


I remember daddy's hands working til they bled

sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed.

If I could do things over, I'd live my life again

and never take for granted the love in daddy's hands.

[chorus]

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin

Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.

Daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand

there was always love in daddy's hands.

Psalm 112:1-2

Praise ye the Lord, Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the
generation of the upright shall be blessed.

A Good Read

Cale and I went Father's Day shopping Tuesday. While browsing in the Christian book store, I passed by a new Elizabeth George book. (or at least it was new to me) And lo and behold, it was on sale for under $7.oo, so I happily took that as a sign that I was supposed to purchase the book! I'm already glad that I did buy it! I've only read two chapters so far, but I've already been blessed and encouraged. I've been reading books authored by Elizabeth George for many years now and there is not a bad one in the bunch.

Now, as for the book...The title within itself is very intriguing. Following God with All Your Heart.

Here is a list of the sections in the book...

1. Becoming a Successful Woman

2. Becoming a Courageous Woman

3. Becoming an Exceptional Woman

4. Becoming a Humble Woman

5. Becoming a Contented Woman

6. Becoming a Confident Woman

Some quotes from the book:

God's Word is a map

you can safely follow

as you travel through life.

Take the first step in faith.

You don't have to see the whole staircase,

just take the first step.

(Martin Luther King Jr.)

When we disregard God's Word,

disobey Him,

or fail to believe in His promises,

we experience defeat.

We must believe in

God's plan for us,

lock in on it, move forward,

see it through, and finish.

Then we'll know God's brand of success.

At the fork in every road,

choose the road that

brings you nearer to God.

Realize the impact of your obedience. What is God asking you to do? Obeying makes a huge difference, beyond what you can think of or dream of. Imagine what the world would be like if... Noah had said, "I don't do boats." David had said, "I don't do Goliaths." Mary had said, "I don't do virgin births." John the Baptist had said, "I don't do baptisms." Paul had said, "I don't do letters." Jesus had said, "I don't' do crosses!" and what if... Joshua had said, "I don't do Jordans."

The chapters I have read so far comes from the book of Joshua. She compares our obedience, battles, and success with that of Joshua's. I don't want to give away the entire book, but I do hope to wet your whistle to read some of Elizabeth George's works. Even if you don't wish to purchase them, just an hour or so skimming over them in a book store is well worth your time.

Pray for me as I do my best to

FOLLOW GOD WITH ALL MY HEART!

Our New Church

Freedom Baptist Church

My wonderful pastor

Sunday, May 24, Freedom Baptist Church voted Scot in as their new pastor. We had been without a church for about 9 weeks. A God-called pastor is happiest when he has a church to pastor! We thank God for getting our name to the people at Freedom Baptist Church and for placing us there to serve and work. The members have all been so gracious, generous, and kind.

Teen Camp 2009

Well let us all go back to that old landmark

Let us all go back to that old landmark

Well let us all go back to that old landmark

Let us stay in the service of the Lord

Well let us kneel and pray in the old time way

Let us kneel and pray in the old time way

Well let us kneel and pray in the old time way

He will hear us and be near us

We'll be given bread from Heaven

Tell the story of His glory

It will warn them, it will turn them

It will save this old world from sin and shame

(From The Old Landmark)

Cale went to teen church camp June 1-5 in Alabama. It's the same camp his dad attended when he was a child. After Scot and I married and moved back to Alabama, we would attend the night services at this camp. Now, Scot's generation has children at this camp. Cale had never been to camp, so this mother was a bit concerned. We went to the Wed. night church service last week, and Cale met us with a hug and a smile. I asked him if he needed more money for snacks, and he said, 'No Mom, I've only spent four dollars, they feed you good here! We get seconds!' That was very important to my Cale! He had made new friends, enjoyed classes, singing, and preaching, and had swam, ran, and played alot of basketball. It rained Thursday. They had a mud fight after the rain; and had a 'redneck paintball fight' with marshmallows, mustard, and ketchup. Sorry I missed out on that! I'm thankful for the Light that keeps shining brightly at this wonderful camp each year. I'm glad Cale got to experience the same thing his dad did around 30 years before. Same place, but most importantly, THE SAME GOD!

Cale introduced us to one of his new friends, Ryan, better known as 'Happy'

Youth leader/song leader Jarod with New Union's youth

Mrs. Tammy, Tage, and Bro. Greg

(New Unions Pastor and family)

Noelle Treats Us

If you read the previous post on Life By George, you know that Noelle was certified as a teller week before last and that one of the gifts she received was a generous visa. She had been telling us for several months that when she finished her class and got a visa, she was using part of it to take us to eat at Outback. She has eaten there one time with the bank, and Scot and I had eaten there one time several years ago. Our family loves to go out on weekends, and to make it more doable, we don't eat places that cost $20.oo per person. We also try to frequent the local restaurants too, so Chili's and Santa Fe is where we go if we want to splurge. Of course, most of you know, Cracker Barrel is my favorite! Anyway...Scot and I told Noelle that we'd pay since she'd done so well with her classes, etc., but this is something she really wanted to do, so Saturday, May 30, we pick our friend Claire up and head to Outback in Tupelo! We had moved the week before and we were all exhausted and a bit stressed. Getting out and being together without being surrounded by boxes and having something to pick up and move was a treat within itself. We all let our hair down and had a great time! Scot and Cale ordered steak, Claire ordered a shrimp-pasta dish, and Noelle and I ate Alice Springs chicken. Of course, we had to have a Bloomin' Onion! When the waitress brought the ticket out, she naturally handed it to Scot, who pointed to Noelle and said, "That belongs to her tonight!" What a generous daughter we have! We had such a good time together. Of course, Outback was a treat, but we would have had just as grand of a time at Mickey D's, because we were together! Thanks Noelle-the food was delish and the laughs were just what the doctor ordered!
Girls can be soooo silly!!!

Yep, plum silly!

Yummy bread. No one cared for it except me!

I could have eaten the entire loaf!

The famous Bloomin' Onion!

Cale & Noelle

Noelle & Claire

Mom and Dad are all smiles!

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Noelle Is Certified

My daughter was a teacher's ideal student in school. She loved books, learning, and she was self-disciplined to boot! I, as her mother and teacher, knew that she could go on to college and be anything she wanted to be. Her dream job is that of a 'domestic engineer', but God has not answered that prayer as of yet. Noelle chose to not waste her time sitting around waiting on God to answer her prayer, but she did not have a desire to go to college. Most people could not understand that decision. After she graduated from high school April 27, 2007, she began looking for a job; but not just any job. She put in an application at several banks and libraries. After she put her application in at Community Spirit, she came out and said, "That's the bank I am going to work at." They were not hiring at the time, so she worked at the local restaurant and as a nanny for our neighbors two children, and she did so joyfully. In August of that year, I had surgery that limited my work for six weeks. Noelle and Cale took over everything. It was amazing and such a blessing. I think they did a better job than I do! When Noelle's feet hit the floor in the mornings, she'd start a load of clothes, and then go on in to her daily routine. I was never embarrassed about the house when visitors came. Noelle would call or visit the bank every 90 days to let them know she was still interested in working there, and finally, February 11, 2008, the bank called her. She's been there ever since! She loves her job, she adores the people, she never complains about it and is always up and ready to go in. Noelle had been working a couple of months and the bank graciously offered banking classes to the employees. Some of the classes were at the bank and some of the classes were on line. Noelle took those classes and as of May 27, 2009, she is a certified professional teller, which came with several goodies including a framed certificate, name plate, restaurant gift card and a generous visa. Her dad and I are so very proud of her. We are most proud of the Godly young lady she is and for following the path she felt God was calling her in instead of listening to people's opinions. Noelle applies Proverbs 3:5-6 to her life. She has trusted God with all her heart and leaned not on her own understanding. She has acknowledged Him and He has kept His promise and directed her ways. Noelle is a blessing to our home and from what I hear around town, she's a blessing to all those at the bank that she works with and to the people she serves. I would not be a prouder mother if she had graduated at Harvard or Yale! I tell you folks, I say it yet again: Do what is right, honor God, trust Him, follow Him, He is ever faithful and true! Congratulations to my Noelle JoBeth! Your dad and I are so very proud of you.

*note: Noelle will begin another class when it's offered

Mr. Bolton presenting Noelle with her certificate.