The Cross

I thank you Father for the Cross

For the perfect sacrifice.

for the gift of Love only you could give

the gift of Eternal Life.

As so many hurt and feel such pain,

your hope is all that I can share.

So Merry Christmas to this aching world,

May you know your Savior cares.

My Stranger

To the lady at the check out who gave me the $1. Thank you for not waiting for me to awkwardly look for a candy bar to add to my total or scrounge for change at the bottom of my purse. For not making me feel stupid for not having $1 and for actually saying MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Thank you for being kind. For not being a stranger. I hope it comes back a 1,000 fold.

Thank you Jaime and happy birthday.big sis!

I want to tell my neighbor, Jaime, just how special she is. If there is a moment or opportunity for her to serve and love on people, she is the first in line. I have a friend, that Jaime does not know, that just had a baby. And when Jaime found out, she asked me if she could make a meal for her! She is a full time mom and teacher and yet still seeks out ways to serve other people. I want her to know that she is appreciated and loved very dearly!
My sister Amy's birthday is today! I love this photo of us. This was over 4 years ago and such a great day for our family. She looks so pretty here. Happy Birthday big sis!

It's Not Tuesday...

It's not Tuesday, but I am praising God...these two sweet babies came home this week. Born so small and so precious. Momma is home safe, taking care of her babies and I just want to tell God thank you, thank you for these little Angels and their sweet momma who is loving them right now.

My Hubby

I love my husband...he is so good to me. I was in a horrible amount of pain yesterday (this coming from the mom who gave birth twice with NO MEDS and I gave this pain a 6.5 out of 10) and without me even asking, he stayed home from work and let me hide the day away under my covers with a heating pad. I am happy to report that my sinus infection is getting better and my pain is very little at this point, but Iwanted to let him know how much I appreciated that response of love for me!

Thank you Times Two

This past week has been very busy. First, I made it through my first CEF Christmas Market. And for set up on Friday, I could have not gotten it done without my Mother in Law, Sandra. She came over to my house and stayed with my girls for the whole day so I could help with the set up and have no distractions. She has had a lot on her plate lately and I truly appreciate her coming and helping and spending time with my girls. It was nice to know they were having a good day while I was away from them for the afternoon. As soon as the market was over I became sick with the rest of the family. So on Monday afternoon, my good friend Amanda came over with a huge pot of homemade chicken noodle soup and an upside down pineapple cake! Yummy! It was nice to not cook and to enjoy such a great example of love. I love my friends and family and everything they do for me.

Gina

This photo makes me laugh, I was taking a self portrait and Gina jumped in the back ground...classic Gina. Recently we lost a family member to a very short battle to cancer. Gina did something for us that we did not realize was so great until we got to the funeral..she kept Elizabeth! It was my first time leaving her, over night and out of town! But I was totally as ease and completely confident in Brent and Gina's care. She had such a good time that she did not want to leave Mrs. Gina's house. This care was priceless and allowed Brian and I to enjoy time with our family. Thank you Gina.

My Pastor

I truly love and appreciate my Pastor and his wife. They are great examples to us as a godly family. And I cannot imagine being under any other teacher but Pastor Erik. In a world that calls for a PC God and watered down gospel, I appreciate his zeal for truth and passion for Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't underestimate their calling and I thank God that He sent us the Braun's. I know that serving the church is hard and requires a lot. I thank them for the commitment and love they have for the Body of Christ.

www.fouroakschurch.com

My MOPS Family

I have been a part of MOPS since 2006. I can honestly say I am a better mom because of this ministry. With 2 important factors: Christ and other moms. They have blessed me and taught me so much. They have made me feel important to my divine calling as a SAHM. This weekend at MOPS Convention, they showed me even more how much I am loved. Our leaders, Beth and Yolande did a great job in getting us there. And I know that so many of the ladies had a hand in making this weekend so powerful. I love my "family" and I love the ministry of MOPS. http://www.mops.com/

MOPS

I have been a part of MOPS International for almost 3 years now. This is my first year on the steering team, and this is the first time I have realized how much goes into the MOPS ministry.


I have been so blessed by so many ladies involved and I am so grateful. Our leaders, Beth and Yolande are such inspirations and amazing influences in our lives. I am so thankful for them and the MOPS ministry.

Tell Them Tuesday

It has been a while since I have posted on here. Not on purpose, it's just been LIFE. A good but busy life. I still want to continue honoring the friends, family and day to day people in my life that bless me, serve others and do what they can go Honor God. So make sure you tell someone on Tell Them Tuesday just how much you love and appreciate them....

I love you all.

The Riggs Family

I love and appriate this family so much. A family I have never met. I hope you will visit them and just encourage them in all that they are doing for the Lord. Their family is unique and wonderful. Join me today in thanking them, and if you don't know them then here is your chance-
http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/

Mesa

I can't NOT tell her today...she took amazing photos of my girls last week and I am so blessed every time I look at them. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. thank you Mesa for being such a great friend... See Mesa here- http://tellthemtuesday.blogspot.com/2009/06/will-and-mesa.html

And here are my photos!

Leah and Amanda and Gina

I really appreciate Leah and Amanda, I can count on them for anything. We had fun spending time together and watching Gina's boys. They made the day fun, cuddled with the boys and played hard with all the kids. We even enjoyed some Fried Chicken. It's so great to have friends you can count on. We miss Gina and would do anything for her. God has really gifted me with some great friends.

Bobby

I just want to tell Bobby, my brother in law, how much I appreciate him. I invited myself over for the 4th of July, along with about 20 friends, and he took it upon himself to put on an incredible evening. Food and fireworks! I appreciate him always, he ALWAYS gives 100% to the people in his life and I truly love and appreciate his family.

Megan Grace

Today I am remembering Megan, her mommy has not updated the blog yet, but she has gone to be with Jesus...pray for mom, Amber today.

http://piratesandbutterflies.blogspot.com/

more of her story at http://formegangrace.blogspot.com/

My Aliya

This is my dear and long time friend Aliya. It was so great to see her this weekend. It has been way too long. She drove a long ways to see me! Aliya has been a good friend for over 10 years now and I really thank God for her.

E fell in love with her and as we prayed that night and we thanked God for Aliya, she said "No, Aunt Li-Li". We love you Aunt Li-Li

Lindie's Ladies

This is my friend Lindi, she has always been a great friend, but recently has really had a hand in speaking into my life. She coordinated a Titus group for younger moms in our church. We get together once a month and "sit at the feet" of seasoned moms/wives in our church. It has become a safe place for us to confess, cry, pray and support each other. A place where are hearts are challenged to love and serve God more, to be better parents and to support and love our husbands the way that God has designed. I just want to thank Lindi for doing this. It has become a very important part of my life and I am so grateful that she obeyed God's prompting in her heart to pull this together. Thank you Lindi, You are loved and appreciated.

Will and Mesa

These are my new-ish friends, Will and Mesa. The first time I got to really spend time with them was last Christmas for a sleigh ride. I really enjoyed my time with them.

Over the past few months I have spent more and more time getting to know Mesa. And what I have discovered is a giving, loving and faithful friend. She is one of those people who make you feel like you are the most important friend that they have. Then the longer you are around them, you realize how many friends they really have and that they are great at making each person freel special and loved. That is an amazing quality to have. And I cannot help but think that this really honors God.

Beyond being a great mom and wife and friend. She is so talented in many ways. If you have the honor of knowing Mesa, then you know just how blessed I am.

Thank you Mesa for loving me. And thank you Will for not keeping her all to yourself!

My Sister Julie

My sisters are a great blessing to me. I mentioned Amy a while back.... http://tellthemtuesday.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-sister-amy-and-her-hubby-jeff.html But I cannot leave out my sister Julie..and Steve of course. But I think I will talk about him and Jeff more, later on!

Julie has been very active in Elizabeth's life. And now that she is a mommy herself, she is an even better Aunt. Can you believe that is Elizabeth in her arms? (in the first photo) Her little Sydney is so sweet. I miss seeing her more!

Julie has always been a great example to me. Always wanting to live her life in honor to God. She is a great wife, mommy and sister.

Here we are, very pregnant together in 2008. Somehow I got her to help me decorate both of my nurserys! They are both beautiful, if you have ever seen them, it's because of my two sisters that I have the coolest nurserys in the South! (btw, she made the outfit Sydney is wearing with her daddy)

Here we are at her baby shower here in Tally. It was fun getting to see her with her old friends again. It's so weird to think our little girls are in the photo with us, you just can't see them!

And she has become so talented. Staying home with her daughter, she has learned how to do so many things, sewing and decorating amazing cakes! she is so talented and blessed.

So I love my sister. I wanted you to know that today. Tell someone you love, how much you love and appreciate them today. Remember, we are not promised tomorrow, so don't wait too long!

Go and Visit Kayleigh today

http://www.kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/

Details on Kayliegh's memorial.

Good Bye Sweet Girl

To Kayleigh- http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/content/Kayleigh



It was this little girl that inspired my Tell Them Tuesday. I am sitting here weeping, as I know that kayleigh's mom and dad said goodbye to her yesterday. You need to know her story. You need to go and read and see what God did in this little girl. How many millions of people, literally millions, who have been touched by her life. Pray for her mom and dad. Saying goodbye to a child should never be a part of our life. But it is. It does not make God any less God. Any less loving. Any less amazing. They would say, look what God HAS done. She is my Tell Them Tuesday.

Thank you Kayleigh. We will see you in Heaven. Until then, worship at His Throne. And be among the cloud of Witnesses that says..."How Great is Our God".

http://www.kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/

My Sister Amy and her hubby Jeff

The way I feel about my sister Amy is almost impossible to put into words. I feel that way about both my sisters (Julie, your next) Amy has given more and loved me more than I have ever heard of a sister doing. And I love the way she loves my girls as well. She has been a great Aunt along with her husband Jeff, who is a great Uncle as well. They love, love, love on us all the time.

They pray for my family and Amy is always encouraging me to further and deepen my walk with Christ. To seek him fully and to be used daily. They are so much fun and I look forward to every time that I get to go visit them. I just love my sister and Jeff. I cannot imagine my life without them. And I feel sorry for people who don't have sisters like I do. My life is fuller and more blessed than anyone can understand. Especially if you don't have an Amy of your own.