My Ya-Ya Hat

I asked my dad to send me some pics of my ya-ya hat since they only described it to me on the phone. Isn't it beautiful? I love pink!!! Thanks for playing Dad!!!
Don't you love the cross on the back...if you look really close you can see the chicken bone hanging in front of the pink feather!!! Yea, I know...we need to get out more!!! =)

Now You Know

Okay...you guys have always wondered what happened to me? Well the picture above is my mom, my nana, and my aunt "T" - there need be no more explanation. They made themselves (and me) hats for our family reunion in June. This reunion has only be going for three years at Lake Whitney. We gather with my nana and her three brother's families for three days at the lake. Oh...back to the crazy ladies with the hats. They made "Ya-Ya Sisterhood" hats for the occasion. Each one is personally designed with a very unique chicken bone hanging off the end. Yea...we have class!!! They decorated mine for me since I live 8 hours away. They personalized it with tulle, rhinestones, ribbon, and bling-bling (all my favorites)!!! I love my family!

Outside Fun

My pictures are out of order...these should be at the end!!! Drew and Kade after they played outside with Daddy!!! They love their night routine. 7:30 is a bath, then warm milk with honey, a movie and 8:30...lights out!!!
Drew's new bath hair-do...
Drew playing outside with his ball. He loves to throw it up on the roof and wait for it to come down. Now, I wonder who taught him that?
Drew riding his tricycle!
Drew's face after he threw the ball on the roof!
Kader's blowing a kiss to Daddy in the hot tub. The boys were glad to see Ronnie when he came back from the trip he took with men from our Sunday School class. The men went to Lake Brownwood and had a blast!!! Drew had a hard time when Ronnie left. He slept with a picture of his daddy. He put it on the pillow next to him and would say, "Daddy, please come home!"

Drew in the hot tub...he was talking about the "big bubbles"
Kade tearing up an ice cream cone!!! Kade loves to eat. He will eat thing at any time!!!
Drew eating a cone! Yes I have noticed, my kids never have any clothes on in any pictures. What can I say? Ronnie and I were the same way growing up. Ronnie and I also sucked our thumbs and so do the boys...genetics are pretty amazing?!!?
My sweet Kaders. He was dancing to the song the John Deere gator push toy was playing.
More dancing...the boys love to dance. Their favorite singers are Taylor Swift and Veggie Tales! The other day we were listening to Taylor Swift's song, "Picture to Burn", and of course the boys were in their undies. Kade starts turning in circles and laughing his head off. We all grabbed imaginary microphones and were singing. Yea...we need to get out more!!! =)

Eye Appointment

Well I don't even no where to begin. The appointment did not go well. The findings were inconclusive because the doctor and Drew did not get on very well. I am too tired to go into details...let's just say the appointment consisted of Drew crying, Kade crying, me swatting Drew in the bathroom stall, and all of us crying on the way home!!! We are going to wait 6 more months and try another eye doctor who is better with kiddos. Thanks for your prayers and calls today!!!

Get your Birthverse

My friend Shannon showed me this website - http://www.birthverse.com/ - go check it out...you type in your birthday and they give you your birth verse!!!
My verse is:Matthew 5:16 NIV
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Ronnie's is: 1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

Drew's is: Hebrews 10:19 NIV
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus."

Kade's is: Titus 1:2 NIV
"a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time"

Luvin' Me Some Kairos!!!

This morning the boys and I went to Brownfield to attend the Kairos meeting for the Rudd Unit in Brownfield. The men go in and minister to the inmates for four days; the women cook three meals a day for the inmates and workers and pray over each inmate and speaker. It was so refreshing to be there among all denominations, all ages, all races...we were just worshiping our God. One man said, "It isn't about religion, regulations, or rules...it is just about loving Jesus!" Amen!!! I have to admit, I was kinda "numb" to the prisoners, but after listening to a few of the testimonies of the men who have been released I realized...they are God's children too!!! They were babies once, pure and innocent. They just didn't have anyone that loved them enough to teach them right and wrong. They talked about being in isolation and coming to know Jesus on their knees and praying to Jesus from under an overpass. The Spirit of the Lord was so thick in that gymnasium today. The music was phenomenal...Drew and Kade were singing with their hands help up in the air...they had the "joy, joy, joy, joy, down in the their heart!"
Ronnie is going to work it as well...he was unable to attend the meeting and I'll blog about that later. I think I am excited about cooking with the women. I just pray God won't ask me to wash dishes...I clean toilets, sweep, etc...but I HATE washing dishes. Most of the women, also called Angels, are a little older than I am, but when I see them I don't see a single wrinkle, but I see beauty, love, and godly wisdom. I am praying that I talk little and listen a lot that weekend because there is so much I can learn from them.
One thing an ex-inmate, Brother Buck, said today that really touched my heart was that when he first heard about Kairos on the inside he thought it was just a bunch of rich white folk showing pity on the poor inmates. After he met workers like Jim Gregory, Rodger Bennett, etc. he realized these guys are "real". He said they've been the same from the time he met them in prison till today. That just struck me, "Am I real all the time? Am I the same person on Tuesday as I am on Sunday?" I pray my friends and family would say yes...but most of all I pray when I meet my Maker that He will say, "Dawn, you were real!"
Another thing Brother Buck said was that Our God is an Awesome God!!! Well, we all know that, right? But he took it even further and said our God has too be awesome, "I am sitting in this gym worshipping Him with you guys...ya'll use to be my victims." I was just rolling.
Okay...I am going to tell one more detail from the meeting. I was blown away by a young man named Mark Gregory. He is a 19 year old man going to LCU...I was astounded that a young college student can be selfless enough to be at a Karios meeting on a Saturday at 8:00. But there was more to Mark...I don't know if it was seeing how much he loved his family (who were all working the Kairos together- all four of them), or how well he sang, or that when he got up to introduce himself, I could see the love of the Lord gushing out of Him. I thought to myself, "This is what I pray for my boys...to be godly men, selfless, with a love so strong for the Lord that when they walk into a room they light it up with the love they have for Jesus!"
Do you want to help...well, you can first pray for the inmates and workers. The Kairos is July 10th. You can also donate to the building fund. They are trying to build a bigger facility for the Kairos. You can leave me a comment on this blog, and I'll get you all the information.

Marriage Study

The girls in our Sunday School class are starting a summer Bible Study. We decided to focus in on marriage and chose Love and Respect for the reading we are doing at home. During the class we will be listening to Marriage on the Rock by Jimmy Evans. We had 13 girls sign-up!!! Our meeting dates will be on Mondays at 9:00 p.m. We are stealing the idea of a late night study from our friend Trey Morgan. Please be in prayer for these girls.

Amazing Grace

Definitions of grace - "unmerited favor", "God's riches at Christ's expense" and the new one I studied yesterday "God abounding toward man". The text says you can visually see God's grace if you "Imagine yourself standing still while God runs or abounds toward you with everything that pertains to life and godliness." I just closed my eyes and saw God just bringing me everything I need to experience joy and peace, and Him implorin and begging me to open my eyes and accept His gifts.

I was studying last night about Ephesians 1:2. "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." I have to admit something here...I usually skim when I read...I like the meat and not all the details, so when I read the intros to Ephesians, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, and Colossians, I have missed this identical introduction in all of them. If I had paid more attention I would have realized in each one the word grace comes before the word peace. We all know God's word is perfect...even the numbers he uses like 3, 7, and 10. So why didn't I notice this before? Well the text I was reading explains it like this, "people are so wrapped up in their own self-efforts that they never have peace. They remained frustrated. They are trying to work to please God. However, the thing about working to please God is that you never know when you have done enough or performed well enough to meet His requirements...But, when you understand His grace, when you understand that God has already done all the work, then all you need to do is receive His gifts of grace. All the pressure is off, and peace is the result." So simple...so cool!!!

Wonderful Weekend

Well I have to say...I had the best weekend!!! Ronnie took the boys to Childress to see his parents Friday and I was all alone...oh yes, the sweet silence!!! Friday my friends Holly, Stephanie, and Amanda helped me put together the troop bags and tote them down to the sanctuary...then I came home, put on Fox News and scrapbooked until my back started hurting from leaning over! Saturday morning I woke up at 9:30 (I haven't slept that late in my own bed in over 2 years)!!! I took my time waking up, read my new Bible (I am studying Ephesians - the class I talked about this past January), ate breakfast, and then just listened to the birds chirping in the front yard. Vacuuming, sweeping, and cleaning the bathrooms only took me an hour b/c when I finished no one was undoing my work. Then I blogged, checked emails, and got dressed for Emma's 3rd Birthday Party. I partied until 5, shopped at Bealls until 7, and ate Subway. I continued to scrapbook while watching the Wedding Date and then met our Sunday School class at Amanda's house to watch the UFC fight. It was my first experience watching the fights, but I have to say it was enjoyable. Between the fish tank overflowing, Ryan getting a new motorcycle, yelling "hit him" at the television, seeing George St. Pierre, and talking about God I would say we are a pretty "cultured group". Amanda pulled out her 9 mm gun while we were watching the fight...one of the guys said we are perfect examples for Barak's bittergate comment (clinging to our guns and faith.) He He!!! I think I enjoyed the company the most!!! It was so nice to visit with adults and not have any kiddos around. I felt young again!!! I got home around 1:30 because five of us stayed up talking about our testimonies. We are so blessed with genuine, unpretentious, loving, and, most importantly, godly friends. Friends that lift us up and hold us accountable...
Sunday morning it got even better...we had a GREAT Sunday school class with a new visitor from Brownfield. The GA girls presented a slide show at the beginning of church. Then the sixth grade girls explained the agape and prayed over the boxes. A friend of ours, Casey Potter, gave his testimony. He was saved in 2006 after he was hurt in an accident. When he finished talking about God sending him an angel and answering his prayers in the burn unit, the entire congregation stood clapping...not just for his salvation, not just for his courage to get up and share his testimony, but because we serve an amazing God!!!
This evening the boys got home around 3 safely, Praise God!!! We hugged, we kissed, we got right back in the car and went to Lubbock to our Sunday School teacher, Kevin's, 40th birthday. So here I sit after a long weekend, tired but my mind is rejuvenated. I think I will be a better mom this week because I had time to just take a deep breath. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the silence this weekend. Thank you for filling my cup back up after this long week. You alone are worthy of all my praise. Amen!"

Agape

I googled Agape love: ask.com says, "Agape is pronounced "ah-GAH'-pay". It is a Greek word. Found first in the biblical New Testament, agape expresses the spiritual, not physical, love of God for his people. It is an unconditional love and concern for others. Agape is a love that accepts everyone for who they are. This is the same love that God expressed for us through the death of Jesus Christ, His Son (1 John 4:9,10). It is a selfless love. Everyone has capacity for agape love. "

The boxes the G.A.'s prepared for the soldiers contain a bag of agape. My friend Stephanie found some encouraging phrases for the soldiers and then the Spirit led us to connect those sayings to scripture. It is our prayer that the Word will lead some of these soldiers to Christ. As for the ones who already know Jesus, I pray they will be strengthened by God's Word. As we were packing the boxes, the girls were so pumped about the agape...when you open that bag you can't help but feel the Spirit of the Lord.

There are seven pieces of paper say the following:

Have a lifesaver to remind you that that’s what you are.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Here is a yellow ribbon so you will know you will always be supported till you come home. “Be confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Here’s a Starburst to give a burst of energy on days when you don’t have any. “The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Here’s gum to help your unit stick together. “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

A match to light your fire when you’re feeling burned out. “You light a lamp for me. The Lord my God lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” Psalm 18:28-30

A piece of rope, for when you reach the end of yours, this will keep you going a bit longer. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

A cotton ball to give cushion when times get rough. 1 John 4:4 “You, dear Children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

A laminated camouflage card with Psalms 91 and the steps to salvation on it. This was donated by Jerry Redding.

Busy Week

We had a busy, but extremely blessed week:
1. I gave a talk about my walk, or 4th days, Tuesday in O'Donnell. Everyone asks me if I think I did well, but I can't really remember a whole lot about what I said, just the feeling of peace and confidence in who I was speaking about. I could feel God speaking through me, and I am so thankful that God has given me the gift and opportunity to share what He has done in my life. I have to thank my Sunday School class for lifting me up in prayer and I want to send a SPECIAL thanks to Casey Potter, Tanner Grey, Ryan Crutcher, Jim and Amanda Dukatnik, Ronnie Jenkins, and Stephanie Hodge for driving 75 miles to support me.
2. The GA's at FBC raised enough money (almost $2000) to put together 120 bags/boxes for soldiers overseas fighting. I am so proud of them I could burst. Each bag contains 2 magazines, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, candy, letters, pictures, agape (I will post more on this later), and a DVD the girls put together for them. The girls will be praying over the boxes this Sunday...God is good, all the time!!!
3. We took Drew to the doctor today and we are going to follow up with an eye specialist the 28th...his left eye is pulling in (otherwise known as being cross-eyed). It is in the early stages, but Dr.G wanted to get it checked out further. I am not really worried about it...I just know without a doubt, my God is bigger than this problem.
4. I got a new Bible today...woohoo!!! I have been using Ronnie's NLT Study Bible non-stop. I don't' think he minded except I had it when he wanted to read it and I was writing in it. It has taken me six years to find the Bible I know I'll have "for life" and the icing on the cake is it is really pretty - it is blue and brown w/ silver pages. I can't wait to start highlighting my favorite Scriptures and writing revelations in it.

I Will Praise You In This Storm

Talk about a post that moved me to tears. Can you imagine your baby girl only living 2 1/2 hours and praising God for the life he gave you. Please take the time to read this blog. Angie and Todd, a singer in Selah, give God all the glory for creating thier baby girl, Audrey Caroline. Audrey was only in the world for a short time, but because of her and her parents many people are speaking the name, Jesus, today. You don't have to have a long life to make a big impact. Thank you Angie!!! Glory to God!!!

All Aboard!!!

I now have two more friends blogging...
Check out the Youngs and the Franks!!!

A Few More Things

Okay...As I was cooking Body for Life stir-fry and folding the third load of laundry today, I had a few more thoughts to add...

1. I think Oprah is a wonderful person, but I can not support her television show anymore. I watched a link Holly had posted on her blog after I read an entry on Charla's blog and it reaffirmed the nudge I had been feeling from the Holy Spirit this entire last year. I am praying for all those poor people she is leading astray with this "New Life" ministry. That is why, as Christians, it is so important for us not only to know about our God, but to know our God personally through His Word. Hosea 4:6 talks about God's people being destroyed because they lacked knowledge.

2. I read Trey's Blog again today...yes, I am officially a Trey Morgan groupie. I have been meditating on it all day. He talked about giving 5 compliments to every 1 criticism in your marriage. I remembered hearing Jimmy Evan's say the same thing in his conference "Marriage on the Rock". He commented, and I am paraphrasing, "Who has ever been inspired to do more by constant criticism? If the only thing your husband does right in your eyes is button his PJ's, then tell him ten nights in a row how awesome he is at it..." I am committing to be a 5 to 1 wife this week!

3. I laid down last night and was so overcome by God's grace I started to cry. I thanked God that I have two healthy boys, and when I lay them down at night I don't have to worry about a bomb striking our house or the government coming in one day down the road and taking our 10 year old boys away to go fight in a war. I am so thankful I live in America.

4. I love my husband...Ronnie and I have been sick the entire last week. He has managed to go to work, help me with the boys, and help me around the house. He has been so kind and appreciative of me...I know he won't read this, but just in case he does, "Thanks, and I love ya!!!"

5. My friend, Aimee, is hosting an exchange student in her home next year. Vicki is a sixteen year-old girl from China which just happens to be where their adopted daughter, Audrey, was born. Aimee really inspired me when she said, "My spiritual gift is hospitality, and God is giving me a chance to use it..." Vicki and her family have no religion. How cool is it that Aimee and Freeman are going to have the chance minister to this sweet young girl for 10 months!!!

A Few Things

1. I have had three great friends start blogs in the last two weeks. Look under "Blogs I Like" at the right of the screen and check out The Friedel Family, The Crutcher Family, and The Rodriguez Family!!!

2. We've spent the last week sick. I don't know how we managed it, but Ronnie, the boys and I pulled off one more virus before the sick season ended.

3. Please pray for me as I get ready to give a talk at the Emmaus Community meeting next week. I am very anxious.

4. Praise report - My father-in-law is retiring from his job at Childress ISD. God is opening new doors for him and hopefully this change will improve his health!!!

5. Praise report #2- The GA's at our church have raised over $1200 for their "GA's Love the Troops" project. Glory to God!!!

A Post From One of My Favorite Bloggers

I LOVE Trey's blog... I am always searching for Christian books about improving your marriage. I just recently finished the CD series "Marriage on the Rock" by Jimmy Evans. I HIGHLY recommend it for all couples. Lea, Trey's wife, just posted this:

"Hello bloggers! Hopefully Trey hasn't built this up so much that you will be disappointed. I liked all your suggestions for my post. I especially loved the suggestion made by an anonymous person to post about "Ten Way's to Stay in Love for 20 Years" (and hopefully more)! Here are some things Trey and I have learned from our 20 years of marriage...

WORSHIP & PRAY TOGETHER. Statistics show that couples who attend worship services together are less likely to divorce than those who don't. Praying together builds intimacy and communication by sharing you innermost thoughts together before your Lord and creator.

READ THE BOOK HIS NEEDS HER NEEDS by Dr. Williard Harley, or better yet, take the 8 week seminar. We attended a training seminar and have led 4 of these 8 week seminars. I believe it is the best thing we have done for our marriage.

DON'T SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU MAKE. Financial problems are the #1 cause for divorce in America. Living within your means and striving to be "debt free" will greatly reduce stress in your marriage. Another "must read" is Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. (Better yet, take the seminar and apply the principles.)

UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT YOUR DIFFERENCES. Trey and I are polar opposites. Some of the very things that attracted me to him before we were married were the very things that drove me crazy after we were married. For the first few years of our marriage, I made us both miserable by trying to change him. It wasn't until I understood and accepted that he is exactly who God made him to be that I could overlook some minor things and truly love him for who he is. Yes, I'm going to suggest another book, but it has made a huge difference in the way I view Trey and other people. Personality Plus by Florence Littauer teaches why people are the way they are and points out the strengths and weaknesses of every personality type.

KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN. How can you remain "one" if you never share your thoughts, concerns, and plans with one another? We have found that going walking together is one of our best times for communication away from interruptions. (The exercise is an added bonus).

BE LIKEABLE: I think we all go through times in our marriages when we love each other, but we just really don't like each other. Thankfully for us, those times have been infrequent and temporary. Things like grouchiness, moodiness, negativity and annoying behavior can cause us to become unlikeable. Nobody likes living with someone who is unlikeable. Proverbs 21:9 & 19 say that it's "better to live on the corner of a roof or in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife". Strive to be likeable.

FIGHT FAIR: Disagreements are inevitable in marriage, but try to keep your attitude in check. Watch your words, tone of voice and body language. Don't hold grudges or keep bringing up each other's past mistakes. When you forgive you also need to forget!

DATE OFTEN: It's very important to get away from the kids and just spend time focusing on each other. Be sure to include a weekend getaway occasionally! Husbands, it's extra bonus points for you if you're the one who lines up the babysitter and plans the date.

SHARE MANY COMMON INTERESTS: Play together and be best friends. It's okay to have separate interests, but be sure you have more common interests than separate ones. I have learned to love things like camping, football and NASCAR and our relationship is better for it. Whatever your spouse has an interest in, try to develop an interest in it as well.

LOVE & RESPECT IS ESSENTIAL: A Ladies Bible study I attend is reading a Focus on the Family book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs called "Love and Respect." The verse we're looking at is Ephesians 5:33 that says, "Each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband!" This isn't a suggestion, it's God's command. The love spoken of here is agape, unconditional love. This kind of love is doing what is very best for the other. The passage also suggests the respect must be unconditional. If I respect Trey unconditionally, he will love me unconditionally. The more Trey loves me, the more I respect him and the happier we are. "

Thank you Lea... Check out Trey's blog!