Monday, June 28, 2010

Almost Forgot!

A month from this past Friday, Christen will be flying home. Of course, the prayers for this day is for a safe flight, for her to find her connecting flight safely and that God protects her during the layover also.

What did I almost forget to pray about?? Her coaches!! I was cleaning off the counter Friday night and saw a random soccer camp mailer (we get them all the time). The back had pictures of the soccer coaches of that particular camp and it hit me that I had not prayed for the coaches that will be traveling with her. I pray they are Christians and that they will be a positive influence on Christen and her teammates. I also pray for their safety and that their judgement is sound and Bible based.

I'm still praying daily for Christen and her trip. All these things I've mention here, I will continue to pray for.

Christen is feeling much better! It was an ovarian cyst and it did rupture. Poor kid, I hope and pray this is the only one she'll have to endure.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Far and Away Con't & Father's Day



If you haven't read the blog from earlier this morning, please read it first. :o)
My mother was able to meet Christen at the walk-in clinic and she was there to talk with the doctor too. With that said, I must proclaim that the chaperone's: Carol & Maria are AWESOME! I know they are treating Christen just like they would one of their own kids. But I just felt better knowing my mother was there.


They took blood and urine samples and both came back OK. The Dr. left it up to Christen. They are thinking it's cysts. If you're not familiar with them, let me get you up to speed on them (or at least how they affected me). They come and go. One day you're in pain and it may last that day or longer and then, *poof* the pain is gone. The Dr told her that if the pain got worse, or did not get better, that she could come in at 9am for an ultrasound. My mother is taking her in the morning. Christen told her she didn't want to take any chances because she wants to healthy enough to go to Sweden.


That's my girl!!


Now, on to Father's Day. We had my dad, my brother, his daughter, my brother's girlfriend and her two kids over on Saturday. We made burgers, hot dogs, my potatoes, beans and my brother made homemade brownies and homemade ice cream! Fun was had by all. :o)

Sunday, I treated Jon and Christen to a movie. He chose Iron Man 2. It did not disappoint.




My Dad is NOT fond of getting his picture taken.



My Dad did manage a smile for Christen though. :o)





My niece is on the left, my brother's girlfriend's daughter is on the right. They are fast friends!




I met Alex for the first time Saturday. He's such an awesome and sweet kid!!

He had a blast in the pool. :o)








My brother and his girlfriend. I've know this chick since high school! They make a cute couple.




And finally, Christen & Jon before we set out for the movies. Please don't hold his scraggalie beard and long hair against me. Believe me, it's against my wishes!!! :o)

Far and Away

Christen is on a youth camp/mission trip this week. She's about 5 hours away from me. My mother lives in the town where she is, but she's working in a town about 8 hours away until Friday.

I get a text from Christen last night that stated: "I feel horrible"

Now, you must know that she is not a complainer. Especially when she is at a place where she is having tons of fun. So, I knew to take that complaint to heart. After speaking with her and one of the chaperone's, we decided for her to go straight back to her dorm and sleep. If she still felt bad in the morning, they would take her to the infirmary.

I don't have to tell the mothers out there how helpless I felt at that moment. My first instinct was to hop in my car and go get her. But that really wasn't feasible. Jon was driving through there today on his way to the Star Wars Museum in Huntsville, so I knew he could check on her today.

I sent her a text her this morning. She slept a long time, but when she woke up, she still didn't feel her best. She couldn't talk much b/c she was eating breakfast. Afterward she was headed to the infirmary. So hopefully I'll hear from her soon.

This is what I worry about happening while she's in Sweden. At least we're only 5 hours away right now. But I have to stay strong in my faith that God will take care of her. She has a wonderful Father who loves her and will protect her. I need to keep that in my heart.

So, my prayer for this day next month is the same that I'm praying for today. I pray for God to keep her safe and healthy and feeling well.

***Just found out my mom IS back in town. So if Christen needs her, she can be there for her! God, you are awesome!! You answered my prayer and I praise You for it!!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Monday


I try not to get online over the weekend. I have my blackberry and that's enough. I'm in front of the computer enough during the week.


One month from today, Christen will be halfway through her week playing in The Gothia Cup. I pray for her to have endurance and to listen to her coaches. I also pray she has bunches and bunches of fun!!!!


This morning, I dropped her off at church. She will be gone for a week on a youth camp/mission trip. Their youth camp is a mix of camp and missions. She'll choose a track and she'll work on that track all week. She could choose to serve in a nursing home, day camp for kids, construction, etc, etc. Last year they went to Nashville, TN. This year they'll be in Alabama. I'll miss her like crazy but she's in good hands and I know she'll have fun. This week, I pray she becomes closer to God. I also pray that God reveals to her the next step in what is His plan for her life. She's had times when she believes He wants her to be a missionary. I have no clue. All I can do is pray for His will. I hope this week brings her closer to what her calling truly is.


Friday, June 18, 2010

Day 2

One month from today, Christen will have set her feet on foreign soil for the first time. She'll be taking in all that the Youth World Cup will have to offer in Sweden. I am so excited for her!!

Today, I pray that she keeps a level head and stays with her group and coaches. I also pray for safe transportation from the airport to where they will be staying and playing. I also pray that she has a ton of fun!!! I pray she makes lasting, Christian based friendships that will carry on to adulthood. I pray she stays safe and injury free. And lastly, I pray she doesn't forget us in all the excitement and remembers to call home!!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

One Month From Today


One month from today, my baby girl will be flying from North Carolina to New Jersey, then from New Jersey to Sweden. Wow....


So today I pray for her safe travels. I also pray for her to find a Christian friend within her group (hey, more than ONE Christian friend would be amazing). I pray they support each other and that everyone arrives safely to each destination. I pray that Christen remembers to stick with the group and not to wander off or to get distracted. And finally, I pray for peace to wash over me and for me to stay strong in the faith I have of my protective Father.


Those are the prayers I'm praying today.






This past weekend was a great one. Christen and I were able to spend time with my mother's family. Fun was had by all!! Enjoy these couple of memories that I was able to capture:











Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I Must Have Faith





One month from tomorrow, my 15yr old daughter will be flying out to Sweden to play in the Gothia Cup. It's basically the World Cup for youth. If she gets her way, she'll be the goal keeper for whatever team she is assigned to. (365 Sports is the company she'll be traveling with)


That's right, she's going without knowing anyone else. She'll meet her teammates for the first time (in person anyway) on July 14, 2010. Is she nervous or scared? Nope. Am I??? YES!!!!


I've had many times in my life where I knew, without a doubt, the ONLY way I made it through was because God was carrying me every step of the way. There was no way I could have made it through on my own. This will be one of those times.


Prayer will be very important during the time she is traveling, playing, sight seeing, etc. And I have been praying sporadically for our trip to North Carolina to drop her off and of course for the many trips she'll have to take to get to her desitination and back home again. I've also been praying for her to not lose sight of her Christianity and to keep Jesus as the focus for her trip. I know, she's going to play soccer, it's not a Mission trip, but it could be!


I'm going to start saying specific prayers for her daily now that we are just one month away from her trip.


Today, my prayer is for safe travels for Christen, me & Jon as we drive from South GA to North Carolina. I also will pray for nice weather for the drive there and back. And finally I will pray for our attitudes to be positive and that we will enjoy each others company to the fullest extent!




2 Samuel 22:3-4 "The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies".

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Beckham to the Rescue

I really, really, really wanted to post pictures of my weekend here today, but I forgot my memory card. So..... yeah....


I figured my dog, Beckham could help me. He's a really good helper! He'll clean up bits of food that fall to the floor. Nevermind that sometimes he'll help the food get to the floor. He also still loves to test the pool water for us to make sure the temperature is just right. And just in case you don't want to get in the pool, he'll make sure you get some water too by standing right beside you while he shares the wealth and shakes.


So, without further adieu... Here's the latest mobile picture of Beckham:


Yes, that ball is way too big for his mouth, but he doesn't care!! He loves this ball. He will chase it around the house and pounce on it like a cat. He'll even stalk it... Really makes me wonder if a cat is somewhere in "the woodpile" as my grandmother would say.

Friday, June 11, 2010

No Set Plan

I started to write here on Friday, but one thing after another happened and somehow, some way, it's not Friday anymore! How in the world did Monday get here??

The weekend was a great one. Christen came home Friday from her Mission Trip w/ our Church. They went to Brunswick, GA and she helped with Backyard Bible Club and Beach Missions. She had such a great and blessed time. I'm so very proud of her and can't wait for the update in church. I'm hoping lots of pictures will be shown!

My mother came to town this weekend and we were able to hang out with her some. She lives in Birmingham, Al. So she's about 5hrs away from us. It was really nice spending time with her and hanging out with my family. I plan to post some pictures soon, but right now, our laptop at home isn't being very nice.

The title of this blog: No Set Plan, refers to me really not having a set thing to write about. Ever have one of those days? Just flying by the seat of your pants? That's me today! I'm making it through the day on a wing and a prayer. Whatever comes my way, my Father will handle it because that's how we roll!

Be blessed everyone because there's no other way to be.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

"You Just Don't Care"

I guess I should be used to it. Customers saying hurtful things because they failed to do what was required of them and their policy cancels. They don't want to blame themselves, so I'm the next best thing. But the customer that told me today: "You just don't care" really cut me to the quick.

It's not that I didn't care. I did what I was supposed to do. It's hard to go above and beyond when I'm not told all the circumstances. We have over 2000 customers, so it's really hard to keep up with each and every one, but I do my best.

The thing that keeps running through my mind now is: "What if she ever visits my church, sees me up in the choir loft and because she feels like I'm not a good person, turns around and walks out?" Now, I know that I can't help what happened. I know that she has fallen on hard times and is just looking for a scape goat, but it truly hurts my soul to know this woman believes that I don't care about her.

So, I'm praying about this. Not much I can do with someone so hurt and unwilling to listen. I'm praying that when she levels out a bit, God can give me the strength to do what I need to do, if it's anything at all.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort...." II Corinthians 1:3,4

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Wow.... Long Time, No Write!

You'll have to excuse my lack of blogging. Haven't really felt up to par lately. Long story short, had a biopsy in a very tender place. Normally I can handle pain very well. I have a high tolerance, but this has really gotten me uncomfortable. So I haven't been in the mood to write much, which is a good thing because I'm afraid I would have complained a bit too much!


The biopsy was done last Friday, the results and check-up are this Friday. My pastor came up to me yesterday and asked: "Have you heard any good news yet?" What an awesome way to put it! So I answered that no, I will be getting my good news on Friday. It's all in God's hands. No matter the outcome, it's all for His glory!!


I know it's not officially summer yet, but Christen is out of school and still running me ragged. She decided to try out for her High School Softball team and the conditioning/practice started this week. She's.never.played.softball.before. Seriously, never.... Unless you count the annual family Easter Softball game.


Apparently though, she's doing well. The girls have welcomed her and so have her coaches. I was worried about that to tell the truth. The only exposure I've had to school sports is soccer and with our school soccer team, it's not really how great of a player you are, but who you know. I hate to say it, but it's true. We don't suck up to the coaches and we don't make our presence known, so Christen is kind of tossed to the side even though she is the best goal keeper. (even the goal keeper coach last year was puzzled as to why she didn't start on Varsity) It's a breath of fresh air to see that the softball coaches and players are welcoming her and complimenting her and showing her the rules. Many have asked why she's never played before. One coach even had her showing the other girls how to do agility drills because she saw how well Christen was doing them.


All that being said, we've had a tough week with Christen, nothing I need to get into on here, but please pray for her to make the right decisions. It's oh so hard to make the right decisions as a teenager. If only she would allow God to be in her decisions, but I know that's tough too. She's such a great kid. She just doesn't understand that one wrong decision could determine the rest of her life.


This is the month my maternal family celebrates birthdays. Most of our birthdays occur in May, June & July. I've been asked to make my famous roasted potatoes. (it's so simple though!! dry ranch dressing packet, makes the whole thing delicious!!) I was just going to go to Wal Mart and get my potatoes, but guess what??

One of my customers, Mr. Wright, came by today with a bag of red potatoes and all I paid was $2!!!! More than enough for birthdays and some left over. God knew what I needed and He clued in Mr. Wright. Now we're all happy!