Thank you for your prayers. My brother had the MRI and CAT scan yesterday and it shows that he has a herniated disc, on the 6th vertebrae down. The Dr. is going to have him use a neck harness to try to heal it for a month in hopes he won't have to have surgery. Please pray for him though because when he had all of his brain surgeries to fix the AVM they never replaced the bone plate on the base of his neck in the back. This harness fits around your chin and pulls the neck or head up from the back base of the head, where he has no bone protecting his brain. I'm sure the doctor knows what he's doing since it is his neurosurgeon, but I just still ask for your prayers as he uses this thing.

Anyway, on a lighter note we've just been having fun this morning. Emily still has a pretty bad sinus thing going on, but I hope will get better soon. I hear her waking up now (she didn't sleep long). I hope you'll enjoy these pictures from our morning.

Well it's Wednesday, the middle of the week. I always have loved Wednesday's ever since I was a little girl. I don't know if it was because of church on Wednesday night's or if the week was half over or what. Anyway, we are just doing the usual today. Emily however is coming down with a cold I think so that's not fun. She's so irritable and cries at everything. Please pray that she doesn't get another ear infection from this.

As we were outside yesterday enjoying the 65 degree whether God showed me something neat. We were making our little laps around the yard and I happen to notice a tree that looked dead. Yeah I know all trees look dead in the winter, but I decided to break off a branch just to check. Not to my amazement I saw that the tree was not dead but very much alive. God brought to my attention real quick the spiritual emphasis of this--how we as humans are dead, in our transgressions, but through belief in Jesus Christ we have life. He also showed me that sometimes we as Christians can look "dead". We may not be thriving in our walk with the Lord, and feel powerless, but if we have Him in our hearts we are very much ALIVE. Isn't that neat to think about, that no matter what we "do", He still is ALIVE IN US.

As we continued our little walk around the yard picking up every rock out there God just showed me more of His glory through His creation. I hope that you will find one thing today that shows God's glory.

Sleepy Morning

Well this morning is a sleepy morning. In fact the whole weekend was one too. I had a Sunday School conference to lead in Warner Robins Saturday morning, and after all the preparation for that and the actual conference itself I was wiped out the whole weekend. The director of missions for the Rehoboth Association called me last Wednesday and said he needed someone to do the children's sessions, because who he had backed out last minute. You know me, I can't say no to someone whose desperate for a teacher. I'm really glad I did it, and was so excited to go and do it. We looked at the methods of teaching by Jesus, and learning styles of children and how we all learn in different ways (go Howard Gardner).

Besides that we had a pretty restful weekend. I hope and pray you each did too. I'd like to ask for prayer for my brother Jason. He goes this Wednesday for an MRI and CAT scan for his neck and shoulders. He's been having alot of pain, and numbness for several months and his Neuro surgeon has him scheduled this Wednesday to get checked out. Most of you don't know this but my brother had an AVM (arterior venious malformation--spelling?) type of brain anerism (spelling again?? it's early ok), back in 1999, so he's been real concerned as to what this pain it. He has a shunt and we pray that it is not something related to that, or anything else that would require surgery. Please pray for him as he travels to have this done in Tupelo, and that he will have a peace that everything is ok no matter what happens.

There's a picture of him below holding Emily. Thanks for your prayers. Hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Ouch, that hurt!

How many of you have been in this position...someone says something to you that really hurt your feelings. They may, or may not, have realized it, or meant to, but it just happened. This happened to me this morning, and I've really been seeking the Lord's direction in it. God brought this verse to my attention as I have been in the Word this morning. "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27. I think this is something that I struggle with daily, but I am reminded that "people", no matter how much we like or dislike, should not determine our attitudes and responses. I pray that I will bring glory to Him in all conversations, circumstances, and in all I do, regardless of whether I have my feelings hurt, or I'm in a bad mood that day.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you, who ever reads this and hope that it will encourage you as it did me this morning (or afternoon by now). I hear little bit waking up so my time has been limited on blog today.

Look at this little smile below, and hopefully it'll make you smile!

Is it Tuesday or Monday?

With the holiday yesterday it feels like a Monday morning. I know you are all thinking, "why does that affect you since you stay at home?" Trust me, a monday feeling day is one no matter whether you work or stay at home. Monday is the day to "re-train" kid(s) and get them back on the weekly schedule that you let slide during the weekend.

Anyway enough of that. Well we did not get any snow on Saturday, and my conclusions about Macon and it's location on the earth's latitude and longitude are correct. I won't get into all this because you'd have to NOT be from here to understand it. I really had hoped we'd get to see some flurries but it just didn't happen. My family, HOWEVER, in Mississippi got to see a lot of it. Too bad we are there huh! Just kidding.

We joined a church Sunday and really are excited about it. I know a lot of people probably think we didn't visit very many churches, but we really feel God has led us to this church. They have a wonderful young adult class and music ministry so for that we are very excited. Glenn's granddaddy's goes there too so that is special. Now he can see his great-granddaughter and show her off at church each week. We are just thankful for this body of believers whose hearts are service minded.

Here are a couple of pictures of Emily Sunday as we were waiting to go to church that evening (temp. was in the 20's remember!). Have a great Monday...um I mean Tuesday.

Fun in the Cold

We are looking out for some more "winter" weather again today. I guess the kids are saying, "why on a weekend?" We may or may not get snow with this front, but if we don't at least see some flakes my conclusion about Macon is correct, (I won't put what that is on this blog).

We had a nice day yesterday and a special friend came over to play, or entertain, Emily. Hannah and Emily had a blast. It gave me a little break too and I could actually get some of my Friday cleaning done without a little one chasing me trying to tear and dirty up what I had just cleaned. God is so awesome and I am so grateful for Lynne and their family. As we left Mabel they were the only ones to really call and check on us. Leaving a church and not having another one to go to is something new for Glenn and I, so this whole process has been different. It's been fun though as we pray and listen to where God is leading us. We had a wonderful time last night as we went to dinner and bowling with the young adults from the Sunday School class we've been visiting. God is so good!

Well as I wait on the snow I'll try not to look too hard out the window for fear I'll scare it away. Have a great cold weekend! Hopefully I'll have pictures of some white stuff this weekend. Hopefully is the key word!

Enjoy these pictures of Emily and Hannah from yesterday.

No Snow Today!

As I wrote yesterday I said I would let you know if we had any accumulation of ice or snow...well we didn't. I know that there were many children upset this morning as they peaked out their windows only to see rain falling from the sky. I have to admit that I was rather sad that we didn't have anything "stick" last night. We did however have a lot of sleet yesterday afternoon, and several areas near here had enough snow to see it. Here's a picture of the ice we had (before the rain came and melted it all), and the squirrel who didn't let a little cold weather stop him from eating his supper.

Sorry these pictures are a little blurry, but it was hard to make with him moving so much.

Isn't God awesome in how He brings us just what we need just when we need it. This whole "hope" of snow has reminded me of how people in our world have their "hopes" set on worldly things, instead of the One true hope of Christ. My prayer for myself & you today is from Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, BUT be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approved what God's will is--His good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Hope you all have a wonderful COLD day!

Winter is Here

For those of you who know, in the South, we really don't have much winter, but over the next couple of days it's going to feel like it for sure. We are forecast to have some sleet later this evening and tonight. I know that the school's are crazy today. I really would hate to be a teacher, because every kid is wound up and excited about the fact that it might snow or ice tonight. Us adults (especially those of us who have lived in the South all our lives) know that the chances of us getting any accumulation of ice or snow is very slim. I know this makes me sound like a pessimist, but it also should teach me a lesson about hope and faith. Maybe this is why Jesus said that we must have child like faith in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus knew the amazement and faith that children have. He knows how children are born innocent and that they believe anything is possible. How awesome it is to have faith like a child. I pray God will give me this kind of faith and hope each day.

Who knows? We really might be iced in tomorrow. I'll make pictures if it happens and get back with you then. Until then just meditate on the idea that we must all have child-like faith in order to see Jesus in heaven one day! Have a wonderful COLD day.

Good Monday Morning

Well, it's Monday morning, and a typical one too. Emily and I both woke up "on the wrong side of the bed". Gratefully God is gracious and everything has smoothed over so far today.

As I quit my job back in October, I was worried that I wouldn't know what to do being at home all the time. Well over the past few months I've found out that there's plenty to do with cleaning, feeding, cooking and so on. Last week I prayed and asked God to show me if there's something else I need to be doing. I don't just mean something to do to do it, something worthwhile. Isn't it amazing to hear from God so soon! Over the weekend He has been showing me that I need to complete a children's book I started writing back when I was in seminary. He also showed me that I need to focus more on studying His word and from that He will show me anything else that He wants me to do. I know this sounds a little simplistic, but I guess it has to be for me. Anyway, I ask your prayers as I begin to write and illustrate a children's book(s) in the near future.


On a lighter note here are some pictures of Emily, her 16 month ones, that I took this weekend. She loves the camera can you tell!

Emily loves to make pictures with the self-timer, can you tell!

Emily's 16 Months

Well Emily turned 16 months today. I know for some that means nothing, but to me it does. Every month on the 9th I always think back to the day she was born, September 9th. It reminds me of what a blessing her life truly is. We didn't spend the day celebrating, we just did the usual: wash dishes, unload dishwasher, gather up trash (since it's Wednesday), take naps (her not me), eat lunch, play outside, take more naps and so on. Emily did try to eat a gourd today. It was a broken off piece of gourd that we have on our deck, and I guess since it did look sort of like a cookie she thought she try and taste it. Needless to say she didn't get to taste much. Oh the fun we have.

For anyone reading this I just wanted to share some of the stomach troubles I've been having and send this out as a "warning". I went to the Dr. yesterday and he said that I have Gastritis, and possibly an ulcer. The cause is most likely because I was taking too many Ibuprofen over the past several months for my migraines and TMJ. Hmm, something to think about before taking another pain killer huh. Anyway I just wanted to share this bit of information for whoever wants to know.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week. We've been able to enjoy some beautiful weather lately. I hope wherever you are that you have too. Just a few pictures to enjoy (I'm a visual person so I always have to insert a picture).

This little gown was mine when I was little

Emily and Daddy enjoying the pretty weather.

Happy New Year

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and now we are looking into a new year--2008. We had a good trip to see family over Christmas, but as fun as it was it was tiring. Emily, Glenn and I were all sick at some point during the past 2 weeks (I was just sick the entire time). Everything happens for a reason though. Why is it when you're down and out you seek God a little bit harder (or at least that's the case for me). Maybe that is why we get sick at different points of our lives, to bring us closer to Him during the process. Hmm...something to think about.

Well enough sad depressing things like being sick. We had fun this Christmas with Emily, it was her 2nd Christmas, but her first that she really could do anything. She got more presents than I can imagine this year. She got 4 riding toys: an Auburn tricycle from her uncle Randy, a 4-wheeler power wheels from her uncle Jason and aunt Rhonda, a little horse bike from her Mamaw and Papaw, and a big rocking horse from "Santa". Whew, we're really going to get our exercise chasing after her on all these toys. On top of all that she got tons of clothes and other learning toys. I've had to spend days reorganizing to have room for them. Well enjoy these few pictures from our Christmas.

Group picture at Glenn's parents: Randy, Great Grandaddy, Marsha Ann, Gary, Barbara, Emily, Glenn, Jennifer, and MaMa (Mary Walker)

Emily with Granmama on her new tricycle

Emily with her Uncle Randy on her tricycle he gave her

Emily on her rocking horse Christmas morning (she didn't know what to think about the presents right when she woke up).



Group Picture on Christmas day at Jennifer's grandparents:
Papaw Costilow, Dawn, Lindsey, Emily, Mamaw Sherry,
Mamaw Costilow, Rhonda, Jason, Brandy,
Thad, John Michael, Brennan, Bill, Gail, Becky, Larry, Jennifer
Glenn and Papaw Mack



Four generations, Sherry (mamaw), Virginia (mamaw C.), Emily, and Jennifer


Emily outside on her Power Wheels 4 wheeler from her uncle Jason and aunt Rhonda



Emily on her rolling horse that her Mamaw and Papaw gave her.


Glenn with Emily at our bonfire, Emily didn't get to stay long because it was so cold. Her papaw ate all the hot dogs too (or at least dropped them in the fire!)


We had a country concert every night. I played the dulcimer, daddy played the washboard, Jason played the home-made bass, Glenn played the guitar, and someone else would do the spoons and jug. You think I'm joking but I'm not, we have a lot of fun when we go to Mississippi! I have it on video but don't know how to put it on the computer!