Weather Update

Hello All, its that time of year here in the good old state of Arkansas. Springtime is very nice and beautiful but occasionally we go through a season of tornado weather and fierce thunderstorms and flash flooding.

Last night was pretty okay, we just had thunderstorms early in the night and it stormed pretty solid this morning. We did have a little scare this am around lunchtime the tornado sirens went off and we had to assume evacuation mode. For all of you SAHM's I envied you today. Today while I was sitting in the stairwell of my office building, my children were at school in evacuation for a little while. Its the worst feeling in the world to know that there is a potential natural disaster going on and your precious ones are afraid and possibly in danger and you are miles away under the strong arm of attendance rules and regulations. God is blessing though. He kept my little ones safe and sound and he kept my FDH safe and sound.

If you look at my count down I actually have 65 days to go before my wedding and planning has become a little more manageable. I am still in prayer and decision on a cater. God worked it out that we were able to find a nice photographer that was so thrilled with our story of courtship and our "no touching stand" that he volunteered to take engagement pictures so that we could see his work and so that he could find creative poses to photograph all for free. I was thrilled and happy with the results, so all in all we were blessed to find a wonderful photographer who was excited about our courtship and the Godliness thereof and wants to be a part of our special day.

Now moving on along to my actual feelings about my impending marriage, well there are so many emotions that I am dealing with, fear, frustration, anticipation, excitement, love, did I mention fear??? I am afraid that I won't be a good wife. I am so used to being a mom full time, that I sometimes wonder how in the world am I going to add wife to my plate. Don't get me wrong I am looking forward to the challenge, but I do have a quiet fear, a Godly fear that in some way is keeping me humbly before him for help and guidance. I am learning in practice the art of womanly submission. It's not a bad thing, it's wonderful but I will say that it requires tons of effort. Some may say that it should be effortless, and I agree but when you have been used to making all decisions, it requires some gentle reminders from God that total decision making is not your place right now! So, pray for me, that I continue to remain humble and ever learning what it takes to be the wife I have so long waited to be.
Stay Blessed and Encouraged-smfg

100th Post!!!

Today is my 100th post and I am so grateful to God for allowing me this outlet to praise him, make new friends, encourage others, and come in contact with so much divine wisdom from so many people from across the world. I was looking at my feed map and am touched daily by the different visits from across the world. I am truly blessed.

I planned on typing this elaborate post last week, but as I sat huddled up in my bathtub with my two children while we experienced out first ever real live tornado last Thursday night I was hit with a new perspective; I was overcome with thankfulness and awe of just how mighty the hand, no the finger of God is. Last week, there was a tornado that ripped through my community and left a path of devastation. The funny thing is, this particular tornado was different from any I have ever seen or witnessed. Normally, I am just on the tornado watch end, but the city that I moved to last year just so happens to be in our tornado alley, so this was my first time experiencing one close up. I was expecting high winds and hail and such, but this night the air was still and quiet, and had it not been for the warning sirens I wouldn't have even known to look out for anything. My kids automatically went into the bathroom and I stood one foot in my bedroom, one foot in my bath watching the news as they gave street by street directions of the tornado's path. When I heard them say that it was headed in my direction, I was thinking " this must be the quietest tornado ever" No sooner as the words left my brain, I hear a ripping crack of thunder and a blinding ray of lightning as if the heavens were opening, and the storm gates flooded. This tornado was surrounded by the thunderstorm, you couldn't see it because it was hidden by a blanket of rain and hail. I literally was able to experience the calm before the storm. But there was no loss of power, just a really intense thunderstorm and then it was gone.

Little did I know that about 1/8th of a mile from my house ( practically in my back yard) the tornado ripped through a housing community and trailer park. The lightning struck a gas main that set off fires destroying over 70 mobile homes. I stood out on my balcony and watched the ball of fire and the fire department extinguishing the blazes. Soon after we had to leave because another storm cell was heading our way and I live on the 2nd story of my apartment complex so my FDH who had just gotten off work decided that it would be best if we waited the storm out at one of our friends homes. It was late and dark when we returned home, but the next morning on my way to work I was able to see the damage, and I was so humbled at what I saw. I showed my girls and I told them this " This is why mommy serves God, do you see how he protected us!" There were trees uprooted, homes leveled, and many people displaced. All lived in a development right behind us. The tornado skipped over us and went right behind where we live. I serve an awesome God. There were also church members of mine who were fellow shipping at another members home, and the tornado touched down in their neighborhood. They came out to see uprooted trees and debris, but not a single one of them suffered any damage to their vehicles or the home. God is truly good to his people. I am still claiming his goodness, because this is just the beginning of the season for us, as a matter of fact we have tornado like conditions forecasted for tonight and tomorrow.

funnel clouds hidden in the rain
Lightning right before the storm
areal view of the storm damage on my street
entrance to the community behind my apt bld
more storm damage

Sometimes we hear of disasters on the news and yes we may say a prayer, but so experience the awesome greatness of how God moves and works will forever be a humbling miracle for me. Above are some pictures of what happened behind my house and I will dedicate my 100th post to my heavenly father who once again spared me an my family from known and unknown dangers. I would also like to once again thank all of you for reading and leaving comments. You make my day brighter! Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged-smfg

*photos taken from arkansasonline.com and fox16com

Spring Break and Putting It All In Perspective

The end of spring break is almost near, so I am taking a couple of days off to spend with these precious angels of mine.

Chocolate Drop and her famous toothless smile *smile*Nee Nee Pooh in all of her sweetness- I only have 10yrs left *sigh*


My perspective- Thank You Lord!

They are at grannie and pa-pa's and the plan was initially, that while they were gone,I would redecorate ( really a nice way of saying clean their room) their room. I thought initially about just getting rid of all their junk and making it easier for them to manage, and then yesterday I read this post (please read) by Crystal over at Biblical womanhood. This poor sister lost her dear husband of only 10 weeks in a unexpected boating accident. Wow, I thought, I am getting married to the man I love in less than three months, I am fretting over wedding plans and the attitudes of others whom I will never be able to change, and this poor woman just lost her husband of only 10 weeks. The Lord was faithful in sending me a reality check! Life is too short to be overly concerned with the cares, the messes, the never ending to-do lists. Their room can wait, we will redecorate it together. So I encourage you all to spend the remainder of the week in honor of Kristy and her husband, by spending dear time with those you love. Forget all the aimless chores and tasks that you won't remember once they are not around. Be blessed and stay encouraged! Have a wonderful weekend. And please if you have a moment, stop by and visit Kristy's blog to leave words of encouragement during this difficult time for her.

RE-POST: In The Twinkling Of An Eye

Friends, I wanted to share this with you as a continuation of yesterday's post. Thank you Terri, Diane, and Llyah who prayed with me as if we were coffee mates without even knowing my the details of my desires.....

1 Corinthians 15:52- In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
twinkling of an eye graphic from art.com
I was thinking today about how amazingly fast God works in our lives. One moment we can be at one place in our lives and the next moment within a twinkling of an eye we can be in another. It could be good, or bad but God's work happens so fast.

I think about my past life and how dead I was to Christ, and how in the twinkling of an eye once I asked my sins were cast as far as the east is to the west (Psalms 103:12).
I think about in the twinkling of an eye I become an adopted daughter of an heavenly father ( Ephesians 1:5) . With that adoption, I receive all of the benefits ( Psalms 68:19) of being his child.

I think about how wonderful it is that I can feel like I am waiting years for a blessing but how one day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day ( 2 Peter 3:8) - In the twinkling of an eye I receive my requests.

I think about how amazing it is that in the twinkling of an eye, years ago God created a man hundreds of miles away that would cross paths with his daughter and that decades later they would both share a testimony that would strengthen their love for him . And how fast forward to two years ago God allowed this man to be witnessed to and invited to a church by another saint so that he would meet a group of young friends that would keep him encouraged as he developed a longing for the benefits of being God's adopted. Its wonderful how this same man accepted Christ, lived a holy consecrated life so that he could hear the voice of God.

I think about how breathtaking it is that in a twinkling of an eye, God humbled his daughter who was tired of wandering about in a land of hurt and confusion, so he led her home to Him and allowed her to cross paths with a group of young friends at her church who would encourage her to "stay strong because God has a better life for you."

In the twinkling of an eye, God showed this man a woman who was praying for exactly what God was forming him to be. And how without his/ her knowledge God was shaping this woman into the help meet that he was praying for.

In a twinkling of an eye God planted a seed of a holy friendship that soon developed into a deep love in this man's heart for this woman and showed him the way to find her as she was hiding in Christ.

In a twinkling of an eye, God planted seeds of love in that same woman's heart for this man as she started to see his unshakable walk with God, and she started to see traits in him that she was praying earnestly for. In this same twinkling of an eye and under guidance of his pastor this man made a phone call that would change her life forever.

In the twinkling of an eye on Tuesday January 15, 2008 at exactly 8:55 am her phone rang and she heard these words that made her cry: " Jamala, I wanted to let you know that I believe that God would have for you to be my wife and I would like for you to pray and fast with me so that we can both know for sure God's will"

In the twinkling of an eye, my God showed me concrete Scripture that this was his will for my life.

In the twinkling of an eye, I talked to my daughters about it, and the response was "Yeaaaahhh, mommy God really does answer prayers, we were praying for him to be your husband" , (Yes, God does hear the silent prayers of children even if their mommies have no clue what they are praying for in their "head").

In the twinkling of an eye, I went from a single mom desiring a mate, to a courtship approved my God.

In the twinkling of an eye as the weeks progressed I heard those words that I have been so longing to hear: "Jamala I love you, Will you marry me???

In the twinkling of an eye, I said YES!!!

Never give up hope that God has forgotten you, or that he doesn't see you because in the twinkling of an eye your life can be changed above all that you could even imagine( Ephesians 3:20) .

To Be Continued.......

The Power Of The Daddy's Girl

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18.
daddy's girl graphic from art.com

Just how powerful is the daddy's girl bond?? We read so many stories and studies about how important it is for the health of a woman's self esteem for her to have an unshakable position as a daddy's girl. If there were ever any evidence as to the truth of this, then it is now unfolding in front of our eyes. Recently I wrote a few posts about the idolization of pop culture, and how it is detrimental to our young children. I wrote this post at a time when a certain pop star and family was having a virtual breakdown in front of the entire world. Every time you turned on the TV, or logged on the Internet, or even passed by the newsstands in the local supermarket, there was some type of news about this poor girl and/or her family. My heart went out for her, I prayed for her as if I knew her personally. I prayed for her children who so needed their mom to sit down and put them first. I followed the news about her not because I am a fan, but because I can see the strong hold that the enemy has on her life and how children look up to her and other stars in her position and it burdened me.

But then, an awesome thing happened!! Her daddy decided that it was enough to see his little girl drug through the mud, so he stepped up and did what should have been done a long time ago, against her will he took control of her life. He realized that she was not acting as a mature adult, but as a confused child. She was not choosing the right friends, nor was she making the right decisions, so he against her will, and in the midst of public scrutiny became the head of her life right now.

The outcome; well she has seen her children twice, she's sleeping, she isn't in the media crying for attention by doing outlandish things, and she seems to be regaining a small sense of peace and normalcy. If only she would embrace the power of being a daddy's girl to her heavenly father, I wonder then what her life could become.

I said all that to say this, little girls need that relationship with their daddies. And this natural need parallels our spiritual need to be a Daddy's Girl. Women who don't have a husband as the head will continue to need that unshakable relationship with their fathers. Also, we as women all need that relationship with our Heavenly Daddy to fill that void that the enemy is so longing to fill with detriments. If there is no biological father in your life, then I can only recommend that you deepen your relationship with your what I like to call the "True Biological Father"- (God). He only lent us earthly fathers, and since he created us I like to think of him as our biological father.
Just as I depended on my dad growing up, (and I still do) I depend on God even more. And I am grateful that my dad would always point me to my heavenly father, even if were something simple that he could fix. Every little girl should have this, but if this is not the case, then we as mothers need to be in a position that we can teach our daughters to fill that void by cleaving to the Almighty Father.

I could go on and on about a subject that has already been proven, but for this moment I want to share this snippet of encouragement that I received as I watched the progress of a troubled star unfold. Maybe, just maybe this will send a message to all other parents who feel the need to support rather than nurture and guide their children's dreams.

All in all there is nothing wrong with being a Daddy's Girl especially when your father is the All Powerful God.

Stay Blessed and Encouraged-smfg

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY/ HUG CHALLENGE!

hug graphic from art.com
I wanted to take a quick moment and wishe everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Today is a day that I like but somewhat dislike. I hate the commercialism of Valentines Day and the value system that is placed on this one day. My motto is " Love like everyday is Valentine's Day" So with that being said I won't continue to sound like a VDay basher. I will move on to the next subject. My Hug Challenge.

Of course when I told my girls about it they were estatic. So all morning I was hugging and I am down near half. Needless to say tonight is going to be a busy night. All in all I wouldn't trade the grins and laughter for anything. I may have to try this more often. Its contaigeous.

To my special Valentine's, I love you! You are the best things that have happened in my life. I will always thank God for the gift of unmeasurable, unconditional, and pure love. I am truly blessed!

Have a wonderful day full of love and if you think you have no one to love or who loves you, then reflect on Christ the one who loves you so much that he died for you. Think of your self today, make it a point to say to yourself 5 good things about you. Please don't fall into the trap of letting balloons, hearts, chocolates, bears and all that other stuff define your worth. If you don't get anything from a person then guess what, TREAT YOURSELF!!!!!

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged and remember that GOD LOVES YOU!!

It Is Better To Give

Today God blessed me to be able to do something that I had been told I couldn't do in the past, and just accepted that I could never do it. Today, I donated blood for the first time!! I know it may seem like a little thing, but for me it was a big blessing. Long ago when I tried I was told that my low iron, and my being below the weight guidelines would make me ineligible to be a donor. That coupled with my needle phobia always served as the perfect excuse for me to run the other way whenever there was a Blood Drive . But in light of my post yesterday, I just decided that I was going to refocus my life and try new things. My boss is a die hard Red Cross supporter, and today 30 minutes before our blood drive was to end, he asked if I were going to at least go try.... How could I say no to at least trying? So I walked over, answered my questions, and before I knew it one painless needle stick later I donated my first bag of blood. I feel good, and I thank God for allowing me to physically enjoy this experience.

The Reason For It All!

graphic from art.com
In case I don't get to post again or you don't get to visit my blog before the Holiday, I wanted to take a moment to first thank you for your contributions to my ramblings, musings, and thoughts. I wish each and every reader a Blessed Holiday Season for which ever holiday you celebrate. It has been a wonderful couple of months blogging and I am excited about the year to come. Lord willing I hope to hear from you all throughout the holiday season and even more in the new year. Even if it is just to say I am still alive! I plan to continue blogging during the holiday if time permits as I am on vacation through the first of the year and my time is promised to my precious babies and my family! Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged! Remember that Jesus is the reason for this season!smfg

Dust of His Feet

Nahum 1:3The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

I just wanted to Thank the Lord for all that he has done for me this week. I thank him for his protection from the fiery darts of the enemy. I thank him for his keeping power. I thank him for being faithful to his word. I thank him for VICTORY! I took this picture( and a ton of other cloud pics) on a flight this summer after being grounded for 12hrs due to a severe thunderstorm. Once we were able to we had to fly through storm . As much as I love to fly this time it was scary and turbulent but once we flew above the storm the view was breath taking. I sat in awe thinking WOW I am flying through the dust of God's feet! He is walking above me! How humbling, how awesome, how spiritually refreshing! As I thought about storms that I went through this week, I thought of this picture, and how just as I was able to fly through storm clouds naturally, he guided me through them spiritually and both times I was able to be experience the awesome power of flying through dust of his feet.
Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged! smfg

The Lord's Mysterious Ways

I was talking to a friend yesterday about how the Lord works in mysterious ways, and during this conversation we were expressing our specific knowledge of his mysteriousness. Later I decided to look up the word mysterious, or its root word mystery because those who know me know how my thought process works, and once I have a thought, I have to dig deeper until I have my epiphany- So here goes, Webster has plenty of definitions for mystery, but the very first one is what jumped out at me: a religious truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand.

Wow! Only by revelation!!! That really got my brain juices flowing! See, I am an avid mystery novel reader, I have loved sleuthing since I read my first Nancy Drew book, and normally I would figure out the "who done it" before I finished reading the book. However I have never and will never be able to figure out the Lord and his mysterious ways- why?? Well I am not supposed to, I couldn't even on my most genius day figure out the easiest mystery of the Lord. Isaiah 55:8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. He doesn't want me to know.If I knew then I wouldn't need to have faith in him.

The second definition of mysterious according to Webster is exciting wonder, curiosity, or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify. Which is exactly how the Lord wants us to be when he blesses us, or when we see the work of his mysterious ways. I mean think about it, how much glory would people give him if we could figure him out every his every angle, every move? It wouldn't be much fun to receive the mystery of his blessings!

When the Lord catches us off guard, he receives our true, most sincerest, most genuine praise. He normally catches us at our neediest, and the funny thing is, sometimes we don't even know we are needy, but he does and he delivers better than the USPS. The only thing we need to know is that he works, and that he is always on time which will forever be a mystery because again Isaiah 55:8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

I know we all know this but I just felt so encouraged to stop trying to figure things out and continue to relish the religious truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand and the exciting wonder, curiosity, or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify the Lord and his mysterious ways.

God is So Wonderful

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 15:57

I thank God for being the Wonderful, Almighty, On-Time God that he is. I thank him for never ever needing my help when it comes to taking care of my needs or fighting my battles. I thank him for knowing so much more than I can ever imagine to know. I thank Him for the undeserving benefits and blessings that he bestows on me daily. I thank God for his benefit of hope, faith and love. I thank him for allowing me to love him, I could not love him if he didn't find my love worthy! I thank him for VICTORY over the devil and his powers of darkness! He is everything to me. I thank God for being a Child of the King!!!! Take time out today to give thanks to The Almighty, for he is surely worthy to be praised!

Psalm 68:19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Psalm 103:2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psalm 116:12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
Psalm 140:13
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Think on the Little Things

Sorry friends for not posting earlier today. Today has been the typical Monday and for me quite busy day full of hustle and bustle. Both of my little angels are under the weather and my weekend was uneventful due to the main water pipe bursting in my neighborhood so we were without water for the majority of the day on Saturday. (Thank the Lord for my new appreciations of the little things in my life- mainly running water!)

I was reading a devotional today that I thought was fitting to share. It is a quote from Norman Vincent Peale:

"You are a creation of God, unequaled anywhere in the universe.....
Thank Him for yourself and then for all the rest of his glorious handiwork".

Enjoy the little things of God today. Tell your children about the little things that you are thankful for, teach them to start appreciating all those things we take for granted.

Stay encouraged and be blessed

A Stand Firm Child

It is a fundamental fact that if you want something repeated unexpectedly, then say it in front of a small child. Children will say the most profound things at the most unconventional moment however; there are some moments when what comes out of their mouths makes you a very proud mama. My six year old is a very vocal, outspoken child, she hears everything you say and sometimes what you think. I have often been before God on guidance on how to channel her outspokenness and not stifle it. I do believe that it ( her boldness) is a gift and I find myself sometimes asking God for some of what she has. My job as her mother is to teach her what and what not to say, how to say it and when.

I have no fear of her being a follower or buckling under pressure because she takes her stand.... albeit trouble or no trouble she takes her stand! At school the other day I was questioned by her kindergarten teacher " Do you celebrate Halloween? " My response " No, we don't celebrate Halloween" She then proceeded to tell me that my daughter was very "adamant about not coloring jack-0- lanterns and other Halloween pictures" She said Erin stood up and said firmly " No, I can't color that!" "We don't celebrate Halloween in my mommy's house." " God would not be pleased with me if I color that, it is part of Halloween" I couldn't hide my smile (and my laughter) when I told her of my biblical convictions against this secular holiday. I said very simply " I will talk to her about how she said what she said, and how she could have said it better" I wanted her to know that I supported my child in her stand against what she believed to be unpleasing to God, however I will teach her how next time to do it more gracefully. Through the course of the conversation, I found that they kept trying to tell her that it was fall pictures instead of Halloween. Thank God I didn't raise a child void of understanding. The more they kept trying to twist her beliefs the bolder she became. Some may think I should have reprimanded her.But I want her to have the boldness and firmness of Paul durning Acts, when it comes to the things of God. She knew what a jack-o-lantern represented and that it was simply not fall, but Halloween. I asked if she were disrespectful, she was not, but she was firm!!

The fact is that our children listen to us... we may think that they have selective hearing, but they listen. If they see you living what you speak, and you help them to see, understand, and accept your stand for God, they will take a firm stand with you. I thank God for guiding me in teaching my outspoken child how to remain firm and bold about the teachings and convictions that I have in my household.

Statistically single mothers seem have the highest number of vulnerable children, but as Godly mother and wives of God, we don't have to fit in this mold. Our children don't have to be another statistic. Why? Because we have an instruction book ( The Bible) and we have and instructor ( God) who will help us steer our children around pit falls. I have to hold fast to the thought that its not just me raising my children, its God, then me, the same can go for you and your household. Continue to raise your children under the leadership and fear of God and they will continue to stand firm and bold against those things that they know are unpleasing to God.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

My Inner Child

Today I decided to take the day off from being a grown up and spend the day relaxing and bonding with my children. So often we single mothers neglect to synchronize our inner child and we become so engulfed by adult lives that we can neglect the little joys of life. Do you remember when life was so simple, before the cares and worries of this life?? Even Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. What better way to keep this humbleness of mind and spirit than to once in a while surround ourselves with our children and come down to their level. Children live for the moment, not the to-do- list, or the must complete now or the world will end tasks that we as mothers let consume our lives. As a matter of fact, their existence is the very reason why we become so consumed with the stressfulness of parental responsibilities. Sometimes if we try to see things through the eyes of a child, we may receive a spiritual epiphany, a glorious Ah-Ha moment that can bring us closer to God, or give us instant edification. So let us remember to be like the child that Christ so ordered us to be. Take a day off to be silly, be simple, live for the moment and tune up that inner child before our children grow up and leave us struggling with memories.... Have a blessed weekend.