So where have I been?

It has been awhile since I last blogged.

OK...it's been a long time since I last blogged. I just really haven't taken the time to sit down and write like I use to. I have been just relaxing which I haven't done in quite a while. I have also been doing something I haven't done in a really long time...READING.

I am not what you would classify as a reader. I like a good story, but I rather see the movie most times. I know...lazy! One of my favorite authors is Nicholas Sparks. I got hooked on his books after watching the movie "Walk to Remember." I began reading his books and absolutely love every one of them. I can pick up one of his books and usually finish it within 1-2 days. After that book is complete I usually am at a lost for what to read next.

However during some time off at Christmas, I picked up a book series that most of my family finished years ago. In fact, the book series I have is my grandmother's copy. It is the Zion Covenant Series by Bodie Thoene. I had started book one at least twenty times through the years, but this time I forced myself to stick with it for the first few chapters. It took me a couple of days, but I finally found my self enjoying the characters and storyline. Once I did that, I finished the book in a matter of days. I picked up the second book and finished it in two days. The third in three days. I am slowing down with book four, but I am still really enjoying the story.

I didn't realize how much I really do love to read. Once I can connect with the characters, I am lost in their world. I found that I really do like that escape every once in a while. I curl up on the couch with my blanket wrapped around me and tune everything else out. I can't believe how fast the time goes by. I think it has been only 1/2 hour but it is 2-3 hours later. My poor family couldn't find me sometimes. I would just hunker (yes, I just said hunker) down in a corner of the couch and just would just lose myself in the book totally oblivious to what was going on around me.

I am making a promise that I will continue to read, but I promise to blog too! It was a nice break, but I really did miss the connection with those ladies I follow and talk with. Hopefully you missed me too!

TSMS - Revelation Song

For 2009, worship has become a priority for me. If anyone has seen my blog, you know that music is a huge part of my life. I really feel like music is a way for God to talk to me and for me to talk with Him. However, lately it has really been about making sure that I am turning my focus on Him more than I have ever before. I want to hold nothing back.

This song has just been on my heart. I really love this song when we sing it at church, but I have found myself just listening to it during the day at work and at home while on the computer. He is so worthy of praise!

I just hear this song and I think of heaven. I just know this is what heaven is going to sound like!

Urgent Prayer for Betty

Betty on left, Melissa on right

Just before Thanksgiving I began posting about Betty, my friend Melissa's mother. Melissa sent this email out requesting urgent prayer for Betty. Please be in prayer for both Betty and her family.


Here is the update below:

I am writing to you for more prayer! My mom got the results of the body scan today. The tumor in her lungs has grown significantly and the lymph nodes on both sides of her neck are cancerous and the cancer is going into the brain. She has to have a brain scan tomorrow to see how far it has gone into the brain. She has told the doctor that she does not want radiation because they told her the radiation on her neck would burn her esophagus and she would have a lot of pain eating, drinking and just in general. Then also with radiation on her brain can also cause memory loss so she does not want to do that. She was told with the "chemo pill" she could have up to 6 months but if it is not working - may not be working since the tumor has grown so much while taking it - that it could literally be anytime - she told me 3 to 4 weeks. I am not sure where that time frame came from - she is actually taking it better than I thought but she is still having a rough time. They have moved a hospital bed into her house because she is having a very hard time breathing and at night she has to be elevated so she can get some sleep. That is really hard on all of us. We know that God is the only answer right now. I keep saying that I can be strong in this, but when I get information like this - I wonder how in the world can I be strong? She is my mom, my best friend, my biggest supporter, the grandmother to my kids and the best ever, too and then the great grandmother to my precious little grandkids and they will not remember her! That is so hard to even think about! Please pray for her and for all of us. At a time when we need to be praying the hardest it is so hard to pray. I begin to ask HIm for healing and fall apart. I am trying to have faith but then feel like maybe I need to pray for strength to get through and be able to be there for my kids. Ok, I am rambling. I will update when we know about the brain scan - please just keep her in your prayers!

Here is a picture of Betty at Thanksgiving with her children and grandchildren and another with just her children (my friend Melissa is the one on the right side): ALL PHOTOS BELONG/HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO USE BY MELISSA REEVES

TSMS - When I speak your name

For the first TSMS post of 2009, I am posting a song that our church sang last Sunday. It really became our anthem for 2009, even though we hadn't officially started 2009 at that time.

2008 was suppose to be a "lucky" year, however it has been anything but lucky for many. Going into 2009, I believe God has something awesome in store. I just know that something big is about to happen. What...I have no idea, but I know someone who does.

This song states it all. Mountains are moved, chains are loosed, darkness flees in the name of JESUS! Miracles happen in the name of Jesus! Thank you God. We wait for great anticipation for what you are going to do in 2009.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family who check the blog.

We want everyone to remember the true reason for this holiday - Jesus! He is the best gift that anyone could ask for. He is the only gift we ever need!

Treasure your families. Enjoy the memories.

Laugh a little more.
Love a lot more.
Live.

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 12

On this last day of the 12 days of Christmas, I saved the best for last, at least in my book..."O Holy Night." This has to be my favorite Christmas carol. It truly was a holy night. The night our saviour was born to save us. What better Christmas gift can I ever get. It is a gift that doesn't stop giving! Thank you Jesus!

As you gather with your families, I want to wish you a very blessed Christmas! Remember the true reason for the season, our heavenly father's birth.

Day 12 - O Holy Night

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 11

As we get closer to this blessed holiday, I find myself wondering how Mary was feeling. She was probably tired, exhausted, wanting this baby to come just as most women entering their 9th month of pregnancy. But did she really know what was in store for this child. We all have hopes and dreams for our children, so they achieve and some never come to pass. Did Mary have her own dreams for Jesus or did she just know that this child was never really hers? Did Mary really know what was going to happen or did she stumble along like the rest of us?

Mary did you know...

Day 11 - "Mary did you know" by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd