“A holy regard of God” by Charles Spurgeon “Free, full, sovereign pardon is in the hand of the great King. It is His prerogative to forgive, and He delights to exercise it. Because His nature is mercy, and because He has provided a sacrifice for sin, therefore forgiveness is with Him for all that come to Him confessing their sins. The power of pardon is permanently resident with God. He has forgiveness ready to His hand at this instant. ‘But there is forgiveness with Thee that Thou mayest be feared.’ This is the fruitful root of piety. None fear the Lord like those who have experienced His forgiving love. Gratitude for pardon produces far more fear and reverence of God than all the dread which is inspired by punishment. If the Lord were to execute justice upon all, there would be none left to fear Him. If all were under apprehension of His deserved wrath, despair would harden them against fearing Him. It is grace which leads the way to a holy regard of God, and a fear of grieving Him.”

Keep a Quiet Mind

Today, 2 of my favorite people collided...Mary Kassian wrote a blog about keeping a quiet mind and she ended with Amy Carmichael's poem.  It's been an emotional week for me and I needed this encouragement and challenge today.  I thought you would enjoy it today too.

GIVE ME A QUIET MIND


When winds are blowing, waves are rising, falling
And all the air is full of dust and spray;
When voices, like to sea birds’ plaintive calling,
Confuse my day;

Then, then I know Thee, Lord of highest heaven
In newborn need discover Thee, and find
Nought can discomfort him to whom is given
A quiet mind.

When hopes have failed, and heavy sadness crusheth,
And doubt and fear would weave their deadly spell,
Then thought of Thee my troubled spirit husheth;
And all is well.

In midnight hours when weariness ignoreth
Heaven’s starry host, and battle wounds are mine,
Then Thy right hand uplifteth and outpoureth
Love’s oil and wine.

O Blessed Lord, beyond the moment’s sorrow
I see above, beaneath, before, behind–
Eternal Love. Give me today, tomorrow,
A quiet mind.

Fresh Grounded Thoughts

In March of 2010, I went to a conference where I was introduced to Jennifer Rothschild. I believe I have introduced her here before and I still owe you a book review of her book I read earlier this year but I can't tell you how much she has meant to me and how God has used her in my life to encourage and grow me. Each month she writes a blog called "Fresh Grounded Thoughts". I want to share this month's post with you and pray you are encouraged!


Your Rear Guard      

Life really is a journey, isn't it?
 
There are stretches when we march on fearlessly-times we feel indefatigable.  And there are slices of wilderness we wander through that simply wear us out and make us feel like we won't make it.  
 
We often can't see the final destination; we simply march on out of trust.  Because the journey is daily and long, there are many times we can become fatigued.  
 
When the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness for so many years, there were those who wore out.  There were people who couldn't always quite keep up.  It was because they were tired, weak, infirmed or maybe even lazy.  Because they lagged at the rear, they were exceptionally vulnerable to the enemy attack.   
 
For that reason, the tribe of Dan (Exodus 10:25) was tasked with pulling up the rear.  In other words, they were the "rear guard."   They were there to protect the tired stragglers from being such an easy target for the enemy.  
 
We're no different from those Israelites.  We journey.  We get tired.  We can find ourselves straggling and barely making it. Sometimes it's because we're just overwhelmed; sometimes it's fatigue or sickness that drags us down.  Sometimes, we even get there on our own-our inattentiveness or laziness can put us in prime position to become easy prey.
 
Just like the Israelites needed the tribe of Dan to protect the rear while they journeyed, we, too, need protection as we journey through the stretches and slices of our lives.  That is what God does for us.  He becomes our rear guard.  Isaiah 52:12 says," ...For the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."
 
Just think of it--God Himself is your rear guard.  He protects you from a frontal attack because He shields you, and He covers your back because He is your rear guard.  What a beautiful picture!  
 
If you find yourself in one of those long stretches on your journey where you're struggling or straggling, look behind you.  You will see that you're not alone, but rather, protected and preserved by God Himself.  
 
And, God not only offers protection, but He also gives a promise..."Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)  I love that!

Happy 38th Birthday Shane

Shaneman had a big birthday this year!  We both took a vacation day on the day and decided that from now on, we will definitely be taking vacation for our birthdays...it was GREAT!  He got to sleep in and then we packed the car and headed to Gadsden to eat at his favorite restaurant, Maters Pizza Emporium...

Shane's Mom, Grandmother, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Jim, Tyler, Cassie and Isaiah joined us to help us celebrate!  He loved it!  

After that we made our way to Little Rock for the weekend where we had more birthday celebrations...my sister and Dad both had birthdays last week as well.  Shane wanted Whole Hog BBQ and The Flying Fish for dinner.  We got to play games, watch movies and just laugh with the family.  It was such a great weekend.

We came back on Sunday and finished our fun at the Blues City Cafe in Memphis.  Apparently Tom Cruise eats there in the movie, The Firm.  It was good food and a different atmosphere.  

It was such a fun birthday celebration and I totally enjoyed the time with my husband.  I'm so thankful for him and the 38 years God has given him.  I pray for many, many more and that he would be used greatly by the Lord.  I love you Shaneman!!!  

Bob Riley

No, not that Bob Riley, but my grandfather, Robert E Riley.  He just happens to share a name with a former Alabama governor...small world huh?  My Pawpaw Riley is now in the presence of the Lord, rejoicing and complete.  He died on July 19th in Garner, NC.  Pawpaw was a brilliant man, my Dad described him as one of the smartest men he ever knew.  He was married to my sweet grandmother, Sybil until she lost her battle to cancer about 14 years ago.  I have numerous memories of visiting with them when I was little...I remember him always wanting to cook us big breakfasts on Saturday mornings.  I remember him being so proud of his garden and the produce it produced and even more proud of his compost pile.  :-)  I remember going to his company, APC, and the smells of coffee and cigarettes.  Although I don't really know all of his accomplishments I do know he had several patents in his name, he helped to engineer the Indiana Jones Show at Disneyland and he invented something about a computer chip.  He loved us and he loved the Lord.  He would take us to church with him when we came to visit.  They had a gold VW bug in his garage for many, many years.

My dad along with my aunt and uncle were able to be with him in his final hours.  Dad said that they sang some hymns before he breathed his last breath.  They had a memorial service on Friday in NC and then we all congregated in Clinton, MS to bury him beside my grandmother.  I'm thankful for this man in my life.  I am confident I am who I am because of this man and his influence in my life.  He will be missed but I will one day see him again.  Praise the Lord!  

Rain and God's Mercy

Tonight it is raining and we have lost power. I read this as a friend's status: today was a fresh reminder of God's mercy, "for It rains on the just and the unjust alike.". God, who is rich in mercy, has seen fit to give us some rain tonight and for that I am thankful! So since it's raining and no power, I decided to blog from my iPhone blogger app...so forgive any typos! :-) It's been an interesting spring for us. Tornados came through our area at the end of April, although we were unhurt, my heart was definitely hurt for the people in my area! Rubble has been hauled off but there is still a lot of broken people! Another change has occurred for me! About 5 weeks ago I knew I needed to make a change in my physical life and by God's grace I have! I decided to take advantage of my flexible work schedule and started going into work between 6 and 6:30. My friend Jennifer was enlisted and I joined the gym that she has belonged to and we started meeting 3-4 times a week to exercise together (praise God that she used to be a trainer And has some awesome skills in the gym). She has been a Godsend and a GREAT friend! We have worked hard and there have been tears...ok lots of tears on my part but this week I saw some results to this lifestyle change...I've lost 18 lbs!! I'm thankful that God has allowed me to see some quick results and it has brought great encouragement to me. PLUS...I feel a whole lot better!! I also have been eating much better and its still yummy! :-) Pray for me in this new adventure! And be thankful for the rain tonight too!! 

Saturday

So it's been a gorgeous day here in the Ham and we were busy! The great news is I sat with 2 of my favorite ladies this morning and discussed being anxious and frustrated...anyone guess what book I'm reading? :-) I then went to Aldi for our weekly groceries. Shane sent me a text that he was getting off early so that was great news for our Saturday! :-). I made calzones for Shane and he is enjoying them now! I love that man! He has been great this week for me!

So I'm posting this from a blogger app...we will see how this posts!! Off to properly prepare for tomorrow! Talk to you later!

Pawpaw

Last Sunday I got a phone call while we were getting ready for church...It was my dad telling me that my grandfather had died.  My mom's dad had died about 10 minutes earlier from complication from Alzheimer's.  Shane called our pastor and a few close friends to let them know.  I cried and then sat and remembered what a special man he was.  I'd like to share a few with you. 

My Pawpaw was a church usher at their church.  I remember he would always leave before us and when we got to the church he was standing there with a bulletin for us and we got Certs out of his pocket.  He was very dedicated to this service. 

When my family lived in New York we got several shipments a month from Granny and Pawpaw...they were boxes filled with food staples/supplies (I remember ketchup).  What I didn't realize when I was little was that was God's way of providing for our family.  It helped keep my mom's grocery budget down and food on the table.  My grandfather was a food broker and so he was able to get these items for us...it was awesome. 

I also remember watching the newest granddaughter, Sarah-Kate, through the baby window at the hospital with him and him tearing up.  He loved us all so much...all 10 of us. 

I remember him singing Christmas carols with us very loudly.  He also was Santa and passed out the Christmas presents every year but always asked for a helper. 

He kept a box cutter with him at all times due to the work that he did...we joked after the funeral that we should have buried him with one.  :-)

One of the best memories I have is that he and Granny were at my house when my dad's mom died.  She also died on a Sunday morning and he was there to grieve with us.  It was such a special, special time to have them there. 

He loved my Granny so much.  For years she never had to pump gas b/c he made sure her car was always full of gas.  It was so sweet. 

The week has actually been a good week.  We left for Clinton on Tuesday for the visitation and then the funeral on Wednesday.  It was good to cry and laugh with family and friends that remembered him.  My uncle started out the service on Wednesday morning and talked about how Bill Turner was a simple man and how he was so joyful b/c of his simple faith in Christ.  He did a great job.  Their pastor, Dr. Belser, then spoke to us from 1 Peter and how we have hope even in death.  We walked into the service singing "To God be the Glory" and then a lady sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and then closed the service with "The Lord's Prayer".  We watched the casket get loaded into the hearse and then headed to the cemetery.  My dad did the small service there and again reiterated the hope we have in death and the need for salvation.  A funny thing is my grandfather is buried under a pine tree.  He spent a lot of his spare time at their home picking up pine cones and sticker balls off his property from the pine trees that he had...so now, they will cover his grave throughout the year.  Not that he is there to know this but it was comical to us. 

I know this is a scattered post but I wanted to be able to remember it in the future.  Thank you for your prayers this week, they have definitely carried us through. 

Looking forward to the day where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Weekend in Review

I'm going to start a new goal for me...posting about my weekends.  We'll see how long I keep it!  :-)  Hopefully I can get into taking more pictures with my Iphone and then can post pictures too!  :-) 

This weekend was a real treat!  I only worked for 2.5 hours on Friday and took the rest of the day off...it was GREAT!  My Dad, Mom, Beth (sister) and Paul (bro-in-law/awesome mechanic) came to visit.  It's a long trip for less than 48 hours together but it was such a joy to be with them. We had dinner in on Friday night and they brought a birthday cake for me (more on that later).  We played a game of Mexican Train and laughed a lot!  Saturday the girls went to Aldi (mom has to go there every time she comes to visit)  and the guys checked out the car and installed my new cabinet drawers...yay for organization!  We went to Firebirds for dinner and then went back to their hotel to watch Secretariat.  That movie was so good and I was reminded again how important it is to finish what you start.  And it was a BEAUTIFUL day...did I say gorgeous b/c it was!  It was perfect treat for the last Saturday in January!  Sunday morning we met for breakfast and said our goodbyes...always sad to leave but I was thankful to be going to see my other family at church.  We sang Great is Thy Faithfulness today and I cried.  I mean who can read these words and not? 

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

We went to lunch with friends and topped off our evening buying Keurig...from Amazon...with my Swagbucks and my steal from DailyDeals!  WOOHOO!  Now to finish off the night with my book.  Great weekend with great family and friends!  Hope you had the same!  Bring it on Monday! 

Happy Birthday Granny

Today my Granny is 77.  She might not have wanted me to post that age, but I love it.  She is the classiest lady I have ever known!  She has had jet black hair ever since I have known her...and she never dyed it! She was with me when I was told that my other grandmother had died from cancer.  She brought me soup and grapes when I was sick in college.  She has been married to my grandfather for almost 60 years and is now going through a separation with him that is oh so hard, not a desired separation but b/c of his dimentia and need for constant care, it is necessary.  She loves the Lord and knows the importance of prayer.  She loves to play games with us when we are all together.  She still walks at least a mile (I think it's more) every Mon thru Fri with one of her best friends...unless it's too cold!  She is amazing and I am so glad that she is still with us!  I love her dearly and pray for her often!  Happy Birthday Granny!  I love you SO much and am so thankful for the blessing you have been in my life! 

New Year, New Goals

See, I told you I'd be back...it's the 1st, I'd say I'm doing pretty good on the promise! Haha! Anyway...I don't really make New Years Resolutions but this year I want to share with you a goal of mine...reading. Yes, I can read, but have not made it a practice, a discipline to read often. My husband is a true bookworm and you will find a book in his hand (or ear) whenever he is on down time...he loves to read...anything and everything. I on the other hand tend to read my Bible in the morning and sometimes another book that I am going through with a friend. This year I want to read more. So I want to read and then post about them...I won't give endings away but will share what I learned in them or enjoyed in them. If I can read a book a month, in addition to what I'm already reading, I think my goal will be met...so that's my goal...12+ books by 2012. Here is what is currently on my list...

Lessons I Learned in the Dark by Jennifter Rothschild

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

Do you have any suggestions for me? Feel free to share and I might pick a few.

Happy New Year to all!

Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days --you would not believe if you were told! - Habbakuk 1:5...I pray that God is doing something amazing in our nations this year! I can't wait to see what He has in store!

So let the old year die with a fond goodbye...

2011 will be here in about 10 days. 10 days…where did 2010 go? I have been absent from the blog mainly because I never really felt like I had anything earth-shattering to share…and I still don’t but I realized that it’s not about the earth shattering moments in my life, it’s about God’s guidance through each 24 hour day that I should be sharing. So 2011, here we come and I will be so much better about blogging about the little things that happen at the Lodge and in the Jackson home. This will be a quick trip down 2010 lane for the Jackson home...

Shane on nursery duty @ church.

The main thing I can say about 2010 is that God has proven faithful once again, mainly as He continues to complete the work that He began in us (Phil 1:6). I’m not there yet but God is definitely working and that is encouraging. One thing that He has shown me is how blessed I truly was in growing up in the house I grew up in. My parents were not perfect but I got a really good “deal”. J Feeling safe and loved in my home was something that a lot of people did not have and it humbles me that God was so gracious to put me in that home where I had parents that loved Him more than me. I pray my home will be the same for our children one day. This leads me to another event …In March I went to a True Woman Conference in Chattanoonga…WOW is all I can say! I met for the first time a lady by the name of Jennifer Rothschild…needless to say…this woman is AMAZING! I basically cried and dealt with a lot of things as she spoke in the general session, basically allowing lies to creep in to my heart and not fighting them with truth of the Scripture. I then went to a breakout session where Devi Titus spoke on the table and what an important part of the home that is and how at the table is where God works. It really motivated me to have a presentable table in my own home, one where we can bring our trouble to God at the end of the day. We haven’t totally accomplished this every day but we are working on it as well.

Abby's new favorite thing...Sips N Strokes

The BIG event in the Jackson home in 2010 was that Shane went full time at The Apple Store. Many, many years we have prayed for God to give Shane a job where #1 he would be providing for his family and #2 that he loved. We are working on the loving part but he definitely enjoys his work at Apple and being able to provide for our family. He is currently working on the business team at the store and sends out emails and performs tasks that involve their business customers. God has been so gracious to send people into Shane’s life that have offered to give him rides to work this entire year. Also the Birmingham transit system has now accepted his application to ride the paratransit bus…let’s just say that the bus needs some improvement and some SERIOUS prayer for Shane to ride it again after his first try.

Date night @ the 3D showing of Chronicles of Narnia

For me, the year has been busy with work. Many days have been long but the Lord’s mercies are new EVERY morning! God is good. I have really developed some deeper friendships from some sweet girls at church and have been thankful to bear some burdens with them and they with me. God is so good to give us what we need when we don’t even know it! He has done just that this year for us. Sprinkled throughout are some pictures of us enjoying our Iphones…can’t live w/out that thing I don’t think.

beach time in May

We are headed to Clinton, MS to spend some time with my precious grandparents and other family for Christmas. It will be a great time of fellowship but probably also a sad time for us. My grandfather’s alzheimer’s has gotten worse and is just not doing well. We are thankful for what he given to our family and trust that the Lord is faithful even when it is the end of your life. We pray this time will be sweet as we remember that God Himself became flesh so that He might dwell with us and we could see His glory. (John 1:14) MERRY CHRISTMAS…to any that might still read this!!!

setting my table

my bro-in-law, Paul, and Shane enjoying the waves

Teresa and I @ ACB Christmas party

Day 1: Gen 1-13

Some verses that struck me this morning...Gen 2:5-6 - no rain yet and God still provides for the nourishment of the trees and plants of the eart...by a mist...not a mist from the sky but a mist from the GROUND!!!! Why do we so often doubt He will provide for us?

And Genesis 4:6-7----God is asking Cain why he was angry...and God says "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." We must master our sin...just like our pastor said Sunday morning...we must conti...nue to put away sin. Our SS lesson also went with this on Sunday...purging out the sin in our midst...but it must begin with us!

Praise God that His word is living and active!

90 Day Challenge

So some friends and I have made a pact to read through the Bible in 90 days. Some of us have never read the entire Bible before (including me) and it's about time! I'm excited and nervous about keeping up with the rigorous schedule but if I can be on facebook every day, I can read 13 or so chapters of the Bible! My prayer is that God will open up my eyes to see Him more clearly, even in parts of the Bible that I have never read. I hope to journal through these 90 days, probably not every day but close to it to remind myself of what God is teaching me through His Scriptures. Anyone want to join us? The schedule is below:

Day 1 Genesis 1 – Genesis 13:18
Day 2 Genesis 14 – Genesis 26:35
Day 3 Genesis 27 – Genesis 38:14
Day 4 Genesis 38:15 – Genesis 49:33
Day 5 Genesis 50 – Exodus 12:51
Day 6 Exodus 13 – Exodus 25:40
Day 7 Exodus 26 – Exodus 36:38
Day 8 Exodus 37 – Leviticus 10:11
Day 9 Leviticus 10:12 – Leviticus 21:12
Day 10 Leviticus 21:13 – Numbers 4:28
Day 11 Numbers 4:29 – Numbers 15:21
Day 12 Numbers 15:22 – Numbers 26:27
Day 13 Numbers 26:28 – Deuteronomy 1:25
Day 14 Deuteronomy 1:26 – Deuteronomy 13:18
Day 15 Deuteronomy 14 – Deuteronomy 28:52
Day 16 Deuteronomy 28:53 – Joshua 6:19
Day 17 Joshua 6:20 – Joshua 18: 28
Day 18 Joshua 19 – Judges 6:21
Day 19 Judges 6:22 – Judges 18:19
Day 20 Judges 18:20 – 1 Samuel 6:21
Day 21 1 Samuel 7 – 1 Samuel 18:30
Day 22 1 Samuel 19 – 2 Samuel 1:27
Day 23 2 Samuel 2 – 2 Samuel 14:33
Day 24 2 Samuel 15 – 2 Samuel 24:25
Day 25 1 Kings 1 – 1 Kings 9:14
Day 26 1 Kings 9:15 – 1 Kings 20:12
Day 27 1 Kings 20:13 – 2 Kings 8:15
Day 28 2 Kings 8:16 – 2 Kings 18: 37
Day 29 2 Kings 19 – 1 Chronicles 4:12
Day 30 1 Chronicles 4:13 – 1 Chronicles 15:29
Day 31 1 Chronicles 16 – 1 Chronicles 28:21
Day 32 1 Chronicles 29 – 2 Chronicles 14: 15
Day 33 2 Chronicles 15 – 2 Chronicles 28:27
Day 34 2 Chronicles 29 – Ezra 4:16
Day 35 Ezra 4:17 – Nehemiah 7:3
Day 36 Nehemiah 7:4 – Esther 4:17
Day 37 Esther 5 – Job 12:25
Day 38 Job 13 – Job 31:16
Day 39 Job 31:17 – Psalm 8:9
Day 40 Psalm 9 – Psalm 33:22
Day 41 Psalm 34 – Psalm 56:13
Day 42 Psalm 57 – Psalm 77:20
Day 43 Psalm 78 – Psalm 101:8
Day 44 Psalm 102 – Psalm 119:80
Day 45 Psalm 119:81 – Psalm 150:6 (Praise the Lord!)
Day 46 Proverbs 1 – Proverbs 15:16
Day 47 Proverbs 15:17 – 28:28
Day 48 Proverbs 29 – Song of Songs 3:11
Day 49 Song of Songs 4 – Isaiah 10:13
Day 50 Isaiah 10:14 – Isaiah 25:12
Day 51 Isaiah 26 – Isaiah 37:38
Day 52 Isaiah 38 – Isaiah 49:16
Day 53 Isaiah 49:17 – Isaiah 63:19
Day 54 Isaiah 64 – Jeremiah 6:30
Day 55 Jeremiah 7 – Jeremiah 17:27
Day 56 Jeremiah 18 – Jeremiah 30:24
Day 57 Jeremiah 31 – Jeremiah 44:18
Day 58 Jeremiah 44:19 – Jeremiah 52:64
Day 59 Jeremiah 53 – Ezekiel 7:27
Day 60 Ezekiel 8 – Ezekiel 21:32
Day 61 Ezekiel 22 – Ezekiel 33:20
Day 62 Ezekiel 33:21 – Ezekiel 45:12
Day 63 Ezekiel 45:13 – Daniel 7:14
Day 64 Daniel 7:15 – Hosea 9:17
Day 65 Hosea 10 – Amos 5:17
Day 66 Amos 5:18 – Micah 5:15
Day 67 Micah 6 – Haggai 2:23
Day 68 Zechariah 1 – Zechariah 14:21
Day 69 Malachi 1 – Matthew 9:8
Day 70 Matthew 9:9 – Matthew 1930
Day 71 Matthew 20 – Matthew 28:29
Day 72 Mark 1 – Mark 10:34
Day 73 Mark 10:35 – Luke 3:20
Day 74 Luke 3:21 – Luke 11:13
Day 75 Luke 11:14 – Luke 20:47
Day 76 Luke 21 – John 6:15
Day 77 John 6:16 – John 16:4
Day 78 John 16:5 – Acts 6:15
Day 79 Acts 7 – Acts 16:40
Day 80 Acts 17 – Acts 28:31
Day 81 Romans 1 – Romans 12:21
Day 82 Romans 13 – 1 Corinthians 12:31
Day 83 1 Corinthians 13 – 2 Corinthians 13:14
Day 84 Galatians 1 – Philippians 4:23
Day 85 Colossians 1 - 1 Timothy 6:21
Day 86 2 Timothy 1 - Hebrews 8:13
Day 87 Hebrews 9 - 1 Peter 2:25
Day 88 1 Peter 3 - Jude vs. 25
Day 89 Revelation 1 - Revelation 17:18
Day 90 Revelation 18 - Revelation 22:21 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's holy people."

Will you hold me accountable?

Amazing Grace

About a year ago, a dear, dear friend sat in our home and reminded us of verse 4 in the hymn, Amazing Grace. It reads:

The Lord has promised good to me
His Word, my hope, secures.
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Ever since then, those words have been sung over and over again in my heart and reminded me of God’s promise that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6) Even though it hasn’t always been fun or felt like it was good for us, it was ultimately for our good and His glory. Charles Spurgeon said, “Some people have learned to trust the smiles of God’s face, but they must also learn to trust the blows of His fists.” By God’s grace, I have used this quote to spur me on to keep trusting in the Lord and His promises. “Blows” hurt – no matter who you are, whether they are physical or emotional, they still hurt but trusting that God is working those blows for your good, help to endure them. God’s faithfulness has constantly been proven in our life over and over again. God has never failed us, even in the low times we have had in the past 5 years---and may I say that He NEVER will…Praise the Lord!!!

Well last night we received a “smile”. Shane is now an employee of Apple, Inc. He will be working as a “specialist” at our local Apple Store (for those that know, he will be wearing the turquoise shirt). We are very excited, needless to say, Shane is ECSTATIC! In a way, this is our morning. For so long we have been in the night, for the past few weeks, we have seen some dawn and now we are truly in the morning. Once again, God promised us in Psalms that “joy will come in the morning” (Psalm 30:5) and it has. I can’t even begin to tell you enough how thankful and grateful I am to you that have prayed over and over for us, even those that have recently met us…thank you for bearing this burden with us. I am confident that God put each of you in our life to spur us on, to encourage us to press on! To God be the glory we have pressed on! I would covet your continued prayers as Shane learns a new environment and we work with the Birmingham transportation system! Needless to say…I think Shane will have A LOT of podcastable (is that a word?) opportunities in the coming weeks.

Thank you Lord for your constant provision in our life. Thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ who have served me and ministered to my soul. Thank you for my pastors, who have come alongside Shane and I and challenged us and encouraged us to press on. Thank you for their constant teaching that God is sovereign and working all things for our good and Your glory. Thank you for my parents who brought me up in the fear of the Lord, who were a walking example of trust in their BIG God. Thank you for teaching me just how BIG you are at a young age. Thank you for grandparents that have prayed and taught me the power of prayer. Lord, help us be light to a dark world in the coming days and weeks and months to the people that we encounter through the Apple store. Our prayer is that we will be a sweet aroma to You.

Cooking 101...Tuition Free

So Shane and I have started cooking together. It started about 2 weeks ago when he got a french press for his birthday. Since I have known him he could master the George Foreman grill and the microwave but he had never learned to boil water...so we started there. But since we started we have boiled water, made turkish coffee and last night we made spaghetti!

Boiling water to use in his french press he has mastered - basically because we are using a tea kettle that whistles but there are several days when he makes his coffee when I'm not there.

Turkish coffee...that's hard! Here is a picture of the coffee pot...

Yes, that's what it really looks like! Basically you put your water in the pot (about 1/2 way full) and then you put it on the stove and let the water boil. Once the water boils, you take it off the stove and put 2 scoops of Turkish coffee in the pot. You stir it and then put it back on the stove but you have to "watch" it and when it foams up you take it off and stir it again. Put it back on the stove, let it foam up one more time and remove, then you pour it into these demitasse cups (the ones on the left). I don't drink coffee but Shane says it is STOUT! :-)

Last night was spaghetti...we starting from browning the sausage to putting the sauce on top of the noodles...he did GREAT! But it was definitely more time consuming!

I'm not sure what is next on our list to cook but I'll let you know...and hopefully take some pictures of Chef Shane! :-)

I have learned several things in trying to teach someone to cook...

1. Always be positive!

2. Multi-tasking when cooking is hard when you can't see!

3. I don't cook with "times"...I cook with how it looks and a gut feeling.

4. I don't measure spices...I just shake a few shakes and then I add more based on taste and how it looks.

Any suggestions on cooking would be GREAT! Oh and this is our new motto!

Sweet Caroline...

At 5:42 pm last Thursday, in Rocky Mount, NC a little girl was born into this world. At 24 inches long, she is an answered prayer to many that have prayed for her. She is gaining two parents that love her and know that she is a gift from the Lord. Her mother is one of my best friends. Her mom and I became instant friends when she took the time to call me when I was about to move to her town. I will never forget the day in Collierville, TN in 1997 when my mom told me I had a phone call and it was this girl named Erin from Mobile, AL. See my dad had just accepted a position at Dauphin Way Baptist Church and I had met Erin once…I think it was at a reception. Anyway, she called, told me she was praying for me as we moved and looked forward to me being at their church. I cannot tell you the Godsend that she was. I really feel like God gave her to me so that it would be a comfort and an easy move. I have cried with her, laughed with her, played Phase 10 with her (I don’t think I EVER beat her at that gameJ), and we spent many a Friday night together. Erin was the first friend I found after I got engaged, she was a bridesmaid in my wedding…she even stayed with me the night before my wedding, even when I got a little over emotional. I love her. She is such a great friend and will be such a great mother. She has trusted the Lord in ALL things and especially in having a baby. I’m so thankful that the Lord has seen fit to give Erin and David a BIG desire of their heart, proving that He keeps his promises. They have delighted themselves in the Lord, and He has given them the desires of their heart! Praise the Lord! So without further adieu…here is Caroline Emigh Stanford, weighing in at 7 lbs 4oz and measuring 24 inches long (WOW!)…Congratulations David and Erin!

Meet George Jetson...

Do you remember the Jetsons and their flying cars? And their robot maid? What about the doors that opened by going up and down instead of out and in? Well last night the Jackson family and the Riley family made it into the Jetson’s world…well almost. We had our first official Skype dinner! It was the BEST! Shane and I set the computer up at the end of our table, Mom and Dad set theirs up right where we would be sitting! We all had wings and cake and I got to see everyone open their gifts. It really was cool to be 7 hours away and still get to participate in birthday festivities.

What’s next for the Jacksons in the Jetson world? I have a feeling it will be just as fun!

More Pictures...

As you gave the ring to one another and have now received it a second time from the hand of the pastor, so love comes from you, but marriage from above, from God. As high as God is above man, so high are the sanctity, the rights, and the promise of love. It is not your love that sustains the marriage, but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Letters and Papers from Prison, 27–28

Pictures are from Anita Wilson... In Due Season

Going to the chapel...

AND WE GOT MARRIED!!! As Beth and I left the house on Saturday morning @ 6:30, we sang with my mom that song...in (of course) 3 part harmony. It has been on all of our phones since March...it was GREAT! Now it has to come off! :-)

We had SUCH a great time! Leave it to my mom and her team to make things as easy as possible. The wedding day was an example of how a wedding should be...calm! Mom had several comments of "I have never seen such a calm mother of the bride!" That's my mom! She worked so hard to have her "team" in place so that the day of...it was peaceful. A peaceful MOB makes a peaceful bride! It was a GREAT service...God was glorified and now Beth Riley is now Mrs. Paul Kay! YAY! Beth and Paul left for Hawaii yesterday morning and I am assuming they made it! I will post some pictures later but I will leave you with this one. Beth wanted something different for when they left! I think the wedding wands turned out GREAT!!! Anita Wilson is the photographer...her blog is http://in-due-season.blogspot.com/ She does a GREAT job, not only as a photographer but as a mother and wife!