Vacation...Day 4

On Monday, we decided to visit the pool right outside our window.  So we ate a quick breakfast in the room (much cheaper than room service) and headed out.  It was practically empty for quite a while.  I guess most everyone else headed to the beach first thing.  About 11:30, we went in, got dressed and headed out for some lunch.

We drove to Fernandina Beach and ate at the Subway.  Then we popped into Winn Dixie to buy some lunch food for the rest of the week.

When we got back, we decided to explore some of the shops on the resort.  Jenna went dressed in her bathing suit (for easy beach access when we returned!).

After we explored a little, we went to the beach and ended our day there.  It was great fun and because it was later in the afternoon, there was barely anyone on the beach.  All week the beach was not crowded at all.  We were very pleased.

In the evening, we drove to historic Fernandina (think historic Franklin) and enjoyed some seafood at a little place called the Marina.

This was a picture of the marina (the place, not the restaurant) that I took.  I am very happy with this picture.  I turned the flash off, but used the railing nearby as a tripod and I think it turned out wonderfully!

It was late again when we got back so we hung out at the room.  It was a very relaxing night.

Vacation...Day 3

On Sunday, we had an early dinner planned with our Jacksonville family planned for 3pm, so we wanted to eat a big enough breakfast to tide us over until then so we ordered room service again.  And oh heavens at the food!  I thought about taking a picture of it, but I didn't and now I wish I had.  There were yogurt and pancakes, bacon galore and bagels and cream cheese.  There was really enough food for a family of 5 or more.  And we sat on our balcony and ate breakfast.  It was heavenly.  This was our view from the balcony of our room.  Another view a little to the left and you can actually see the ocean.

We then got ready to go to the beach for the morning.  Jenna played in the waves, Katie played in the waves and Steve played in the sand.

 About noon, Steve headed in to get Katie washed and Jenna and I followed and got showered and cleaned up.  We met Tracey, Charles and Charley at Schooners in St. Augustine.  If you remember (and I'm sure you don't, because no one really cares as much as I do), they introduced me to Schooners last year when Jenna and I spent a week in St. Augustine. They refuse photos, so I hijacked one from their Facebook page.  They very well may unfriend me now, but it's worth it to show you this family I love so much!

After we finished with dinner, we wanted to hang out some more, so we drove to a nearby mall to walk around.  That didn't last long though because on Sundays, the malls close pretty early, so they kicked us out, but not before visiting the chocolate store!  We also stopped at WalMart to pick up a few things for the week like breakfast items and beach chairs.

It poured down rain while we were there and after we left, but when we got back to the resort, it was completely dry and this proved to be true anytime we encountered rain while away from the resort.  Because St. Augustine was an hour and 1/2 away, it was late when we returned and so we just hung out in the room until bed.

Vacation...Day 1 and 2

We just returned from vacation in Amelia Island, Florida.  I didn't post about that because this is a public blog and I didn't want the world to know my house was empty.  But I will share with you a little about our fun vacation before I forget.

My mother would be so disappointed that I wasn’t completely packed for vacation at least 2 weeks before we were set to leave. But I think I did pretty good. I had to work on Friday but had planned to leave after lunch. My thought was that if I could get on the road by 2pm, then I’d feel like we were doing good. Using MapQuest, I found a Hampton Inn in Macon, GA and made a reservation since we were planning to drive about ½ way on Friday afternoon. Steve was going to run the van in to the shop to get a small oil leak fixed before we left. The shop originally told him to be there at 7am so he was going to do that, then come back and pack the van and then pick me up from work and we’d head out. Thursday night, the shop called and said just to come in at 10. So Steve packed up the van before he left, drove all the way out there just to find that the wait was 3 hours to even start on it. NOT. GONNA. WORK. So, he and Jenna got some lunch and then came on to the office. I finished up my work lunch and then we got on the road.

I think we actually got on the road at 1pm Nashville time, so that wasn’t too bad. An hour before my goal and WAY better than an hour behind which is what I figured it would be. However, I had really busted my butt and put in some hours at work that week so I would feel good about leaving. If you can believe it, we hit very little traffic going through Atlanta and found the hotel easily. I gotta give Hampton props (actually, I think Hilton owns them). I have not yet stayed in a bad Hampton. I’m sure plenty of you have, but don’t tell me about it (unless you know I’m going to the same Hampton!). There was some kind of large group staying there with a bunch of teens who play tennis. The lobby was full of adults and kids but the front desk clerk was super friendly and made me laugh. The room was nice and clean and despite the large number of kids, tweens, teens and adults, we never heard any running or loud talking at all.

After checking in, we ate at Cheddars.  I was very excited since I'd never eaten there before.  But the service wasn't great and neither was the food.  We were kind of disappointed.

None of us slept that well, but I guess that’s to be expected when you are in a different bed than your own. I finally got up at 8am (which is 7am home time) because my back was killing me and I couldn’t get comfortable. I showered and by the time I was done Steve, Jenna and Katie were up. We enjoyed a yummy, free continental breakfast at the Hampton, checked out and got on the road. We did OK until the GPS took us down these backroads to get to our destination rather than the interstate. We made a quick backtrack and only lost about 20 minutes.

We arrived to the resort at about 3:15 Eastern time, but the room wasn't ready until after 5pm so we took time to fill up with gas and just look around the resort.  Once we got checked in, we did the obligatory walk to the beach where Jenna pretends she is not going to get wet in her clothes, but ends up getting soaked.

Once we got back to the room and her changed and us unpacked, we ordered room service (which was DELISH!) and then got in bed...

Book Review: Blind Hope

I'm a tiny bit behind on this book review because I had saved it to go with me on vacation, but it was worth the wait!

Blind Hope, written by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher, is wonderful book about Laurie and her journey through her broken dreams and the healing that came from rescuing a dog in need.

Without revealing too much of the plot, Laurie's life dreams are shattered when she comes to work for Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch where broken horses and broken children come to find healing.  Laurie ends up rescuing a dog in need but soon realizes that her dog, even though blind,  is rescuing HER.

"As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn't see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God's grace even for imperfect and selfish people - and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known."

This is the sweetest story and especially touching if you are an animal lover and this book is a TRUE STORY.  It is an easy read.  I started the book when we were leaving the beach and had it finished before we stopped for lunch.

As with all my book reviews, I have a copy to share.  If you are interested, just leave a comment below.  First one to comment gets the book.

If you want to purchase the book, please go here and order...

New Look

So, I gave my blog a new look.  One of these days, I am going to either fork out the cash to have a professional do it or I'm going to win a free makeover.  Yeah.  Someday.

I'm trying to do better about blogging. I realize I have really slacked off.  We have been totally off our schedule this summer.  And speaking of summer...WHERE DID IT GO!?  It's almost over.  I mean, we are literally just a few weeks from school starting again.  Yowzers.

Steve got his books and access to his online classes today.  To say he is overwhelmed is quite an understatement.  It's been a long time since he was in school and so he's a little...well, overwhelmed.  I can tell you we'll be doing a lot of praying over the next year!

I'm very ready for this week to be over.  We have plans on Saturday with an old high school friend and her girls at the Adventure Science Center.  We are looking forward to it.  I just hope it's not too crowded since it will be cool inside!

Delinquent

I am feeling very delinquent this evening.  It's been forever since I posted and there's been quite a bit going on.  Things that I should have blogged about, but just didn't.  Summer is kicking my butt.  I can't seem to get on a good schedule.

I finally got a bunch of my pictures uploaded from my camera, but once I loaded them to Ritzpix, I deleted them from my PC.  So this post is going to be pretty stinkin' boring.  But I guess there are 1 or 2 of you out there that still check to see what's going on with the Taylors so here you go.

Jenna did get baptized back several weeks ago.  We had a fabulous turnout of family and friends.  It was a very exciting time for us. 

Steve has had no luck finding a job even though he continues to try.  Thanks to a friend of ours, he got hooked up with some online classes and by this time next year, he will be a certified professional coder.  With ObamaCare, that's going to be a position that will hopefully be in demand.  The other blessing about this is that the government is paying for his training.  He should start in 2 weeks.  It's going to be tough seeing that he's been out of school for so long.  But he can do it and we are very excited for him to get started.

The upside of unemployment is that Steve and Jenna have gotten to spend quite a bit of time together this summer.  Being the planner I am, before school was out, I sat down and filled the whole calendar with stuff to do almost every day of the week.  From library visits and bowling to swimming and the Adventure Science Center.  Amazingly, it seems to be working.  We are staring down the barrel of school starting again and they haven't killed each other yet!

I've been working a lot since I can get to work super early not having to drop Jenna at school or camp.  It's wearing me out, but I'm getting stuff done.  If there's one thing I can say for Healthcare Reform, it's that it is keeping me gainfully employed.

From a spiritual front, the Lord has been speaking to both Steve and I individually and as a couple.  We have been SO blessed while he's been unemployed.  I know I've said it before, but again, I can't possibly detail all the times God has shown up in remarkable ways.  I still worry though.  Some things are hard to change.  And oh-so-painful!

Other than that, we are looking forward to our family vacation (thank God for vacation accounts that are automatically deducted before I ever see my paycheck!) at the beach.

School starts in a month.  I'll be the mother of a 3rd grader.  So many exciting things going on! 

Sell it!

As many of you know, I have been very convicted on how I am (or am not) supposed to raise money for this mission journey I am taking to South Africa.

I felt like I should not actively solicit funds for this trip.  An opportunity arose recently to host a Gold Party.  If you've ever seen those corny commercials on TV about bringing in or selling your gold and were skeptical, well, then this is for you.

A year or so ago, I found myself in the same place but a friend of mine had a party and in a show of support for her and to check it out myself, I went.  If you knew me as a teenager, you will recall, I wore rings on every finger and sometimes more than one.  So, I loaded up all those rings that I haven't worn since I got engaged (a girl has her priorities!) and took them to this party.

And I walked out with $350 cash.  C-A-S-H!  I'm not joking.  It was stuff I would never have worn again!  So, to help those of you like me and to earn just a little money for this trip, I have decided to have a gold party soon.  Because of the nature of this party, I'm not putting out the details on this public blog, but if you think you might be interested in coming, shoot me an email at sandras_junk@charter.net (or my work email address if you have it) and I'll get you the details.

I will admit, I have invited about 50 folks already by email and have gotten very low response for a variety of reasons.  There is a possibility that I will not have enough folks in attendance to make it worth having, so if you are interested OR if I've sent you an email invite and you haven't RSVP'd, please let me know ASAP.

And finally, I've had several people ask me if they can just donate directly to the trip and the answer is of course.  If this is something you feel led to do, you can do it online at https://public.serviceu.com/payment/default.asp?OrgID=8568&PaymentID=3047 and just select the S. Africa September (VBS) trip and enter my name in the field for the recipient name.  You can also make a check payable to Brentwood Baptist Church and put my name and "South Africa mission journey" in the memo line and send it to myself or the church.

More to come......

A year ago...

I've often used the phrase, "My how time flies!" or "Where does the time go?"  Today is no exception.  A year ago today, my Daddy joined my mother and Mary in heaven.  I remember the day like it was yesterday, mostly because that's what it feels like.

How can you go from celebrating your child's entrance into this world 9 years ago yesterday to mourning the exit of one you love today?

I've had several comments and posts about how we are doing with the recent loss of my brother, Danny.  All I can say is that we are coping.  Each of us in different ways.  But we continue to mourn the loss of what was and what was not.

But in this, I take hope...

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”-Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

Wounded

I've been bad at blogging lately, but summer is kicking my butt.  I am all off my schedule and still struggling to find my groove.

I did some thinking this morning on the drive in.  With Jenna at home during the summer, the drive in can be quite boring.  I think this morning was the first time I really had time to myself to process what happened last week with the loss of my brother.

I find myself vascillating back and forth between being terrified to die and leaving my family prematurely and feeling drawn towards heaven.  I'm not suicidal, so don't misunderstand.  But just the thought of being with family that I love and have lost and not having so much pain is definitely a desire.

I admit, I am good at faking it.  On the outside, I can smile and say I'm fine and thank everyone for their words of sympathy and support.  And occasionally I'm good enough to actually make myself forget for short moments at a time.  But inside, I'm wondering why. 

Wondering what God is wanting me to learn through these last few years. 

Wondering when it will stop. 

Wondering when things will go back to normal for me. 

Wondering if I can even remember what normal is.

Outside I might look "fine".  I say the right words and smile in the right places, but inside...I'm hurting.  I don't like to hurt, but it lets me know that I'm still alive.  As long as I can feel pain, there is life in me.  In the song by Natalie Grant, "Held", she talks about Christians not being exempt from pain in this world.  I'm not the exception.  But I know that God is walking me through all of this.  While I don't understand why, there is a reason.  And at some level, I have no choice but to trust Him.

It's funny, but I find God speaks to me so much through music.  I so missed my calling to be a performer because I do love music.  Today I heard the song "Better Than a Hallelujah" by Amy Grant.  Now, I'll admit, since she went mainstream, I've not been a huge Amy Grant fan (and it had NOTHING to do with her going mainstream...just thought her music changed too much).  But the words to this song just touched me.  Because I have satellite radio, I was able to listen to it several times.  The words spoke to me.  And maybe they speak to you too.

God loves a lullaby

In a mothers tears in the dead of night

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

God loves the drunkards cry,

The soldiers plea not to let him die

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah.

The woman holding on for life,

The dying man giving up the fight

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what's been done,

The silence when the words won't come

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah.

Better than a church bell ringing, Better than a choir singing out, singing out.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah.

Another Loss

Yesterday we found out that my brother, Danny, passed away in his sleep. 

Danny and my brother David are the sons of my mother and her first husband, Carl, who was killed in an explosion when my brothers were very young.  When my mother passed away in 1992, Danny basically disappeared from all of our lives.  I guess ultimately, he just didn't know how to handle the loss of his only remaining parent.

For years, I've wondered where he was and what he was doing and whether he was even alive.  He missed my graduation from college, my marriage to Steve and the birth of Jenna Grace. 

Back last September, he found me on Facebook.  He reconnected with me and the rest of my family and while he was living in Indiana, we spoke periodically and he came down after Christmas to see us and meet Jenna.

We received a call yesterday that he had passed away in his sleep probably several days ago.  He was not in great health but he was only 53.  I'm saddened to have lost this brother who I had just reconnected with, but I know he is in a better place.

My remaining brother is devastated.  Please pray for us during this time of loss. 

Blog Review: Life In Spite of Me

It's time for another blog tour.  This one is one that you aren't gonna want to miss!  Life In Spite of Me is written by Kristen Jane Anderson.  It's her life story.

Kristen was only a teenager when she decided she wanted to die.  But God had marvelous, and miraculous, plans for her life...

"Why does my life have to be so painful? What’s wrong with me? It’s not going to get better. It could all be over soon, and then I won’t hurt anymore."

Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression. One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.

But Kristen's story doesn’t end there. In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living. Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.

This book is a must read.  I started it on a Friday  night and it was finished by Sunday afternoon.  Kristen's story is one of recovery and redemption.  I wish I could tell you about what happened when she lay down on those railroad tracks that night...but you will need to read it for yourself.

You can read the first chapter here or watch a video about the book here. 

I am giving away my copy of this book.  If you are interested, please leave me a comment or send me an email at sandras_junk@charter.net.  First one gets the book!



This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

YARD SALE TODAY!

After much hard work and help from friends (Emily, Sherri, Susie, Rachel, Lindsey, Steve, Amy, Aimee), the yard sale is about to happen!

If you are a L or XL in women's clothing or 8 1/2 or 9 in shoes, you need to COME OUT!  There is so much good stuff (most of it donated) that you should NOT miss this sale.

Plus, it's for a good cause...sending me to South Africa on a mission trip in the fall.  I'm excited to see how God shows up today.  He's already blessing us with good weather!

Hope to see you!

Weekend plans

Well, the weekend is finally here and I had told myself I was going to enjoy this evening reading and hanging with the family and then tomorrow is going to be spent going through everything and getting ready for the yard sale I'm having next weekend to help fundraise for my mission trip to South Africa. 

As you might have read earlier on my blog, I have ceased "official" fund raising.  I have gotten the question, "Are you still going to accept donations if people want to help" and the answer is "YES!"  I am very much in need of donations and will gladly accept donations.  However...I am not going to actively solicit anymore.  I can't explain why except I had an increasing uneasiness about asking and the minute I made the decision to stop, it was like a huge burden lifted from my shoulders, so I know without a doubt it is the right thing.

Speaking of donations, if you have "stuff" that you'd like to get rid of, you can donate it to me for my yard sale and I will hopefully sell it and the proceeds will go to my mission trip.  Thanks to my friends Susie and Emily who have already donated.  I don't have any grand expectations of how much we'll make next Saturday and honestly, with the way our summer is shaping up, I'm thinking if it rains, we might just have to drop it all off at the Goodwill!!! 

Honestly y'all...I HATE yard sales.  I know, I know...so many good deals to be had, but I just don't have the patience.  My mother was a yard sale queen.  Every spring she had a yard sale and my entire family put stuff in it.  She KNEW how to do it too.  She'd raise tons of money and we were in a great spot at the corner of two roads that pretty much everyone had to cross to get through the neighborhood.  Here, we are in the back of the neighborhood (which we love!) and no one comes through here unless you live back here...so I'm wondering how much foot traffic we'll have.  Whatever.  I can't worry about it.  I'm going to have the yard sale.  And I'm gonig to have it next weekend. 

Unless it's raining. 

And then I'm going to the Goodwill.  :)

But now, I'm off to clean out my closet.

Happy Mother's Day

As most of you know, I lost my mother to cancel when I was 18 and she was a mere 55 years old.  4 years later, my Dad remarried a wonderful angel named Bertie.  And while she'll never be my "mom", she has filled that void since she came into my life and I think of her like a mom.  She is the only "Nana" on my side of the family that Jenna will ever know and unfortunately, the only one she has left.

In 2001, I because a mother myself and my life has never been the same. Outside of finding Steve, Jenna is the best thing that has ever happened to me. 

And then there's my "surrogate" mother, my sister Teresa.  She's old than I am, but she has VERY much taken on the role of "mom" in my life.  She sends me Mother's Day cards, inquires as to the well being of my family, gives me advice (that's usually very good) and sometimes questions my actions (in a Christian way).  I believe she treats me the way my own mother would have treated me had she been alive today.

So, to Bertie, Teresa and all those other moms out there, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  I hope it is a wonderful one.

We Are Nashville

A friend of mine sent this link to me (thanks Lisa!) and I think for all 3 of you that read my blog (especially my out of town friends), it's worth the read.

The historical flood that hit Nashville has been glossed over by the national media and many of us aren't too happy about it.

This guy puts it into words better than anyone else I've read lately.

Radical Blog Review

Are you ready to get Radical?  I'm not joking.  If you aren't really ready to hear some tough stuff and be changed, then read no further.

A few weeks ago, the Bible Study I'm in on Tuesday nights started watching a series of sermons by David Platt from The Church at Brook Hills, which is a mega-church down in Birmingham, Alabama.  Being from a similarly situated church, let me say, watching these sermons is not easy.  On the tails of Crazy Love, it's hard.  REALLY hard.  And then a few weeks ago, I was presented the opportunity to review David Platt's Book, appropriately entitled Radical:  Taking back your faith from the American Dream.   There is also a companion book called The Radical Question  which is available in small packs for you to hand out to friends, family or church members.

What I've learned so far through this book and watching the series of sermons is that we have modernized scripture and somehow made that OK because it's the scripture that makes us uncomfortable.  My friend Leigh Ann explains it better than I can in this post. 

"It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily... BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU?"  Certainly not I!  (ok, maybe I'm a little closer to it since Steve's been unemployed!)

"In this book, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus. Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment --a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring."

So the question is, will you do it?  Are you ready to get Radical?  Because if you are, then you need to get this book.  But I will again warn you...be prepared for change.  We did not get to where we are today overnight.  It's taken generations to develop this love of materialism "stuff".  It will take generations to move the dial the other direction where things no longer matter, but the lost and suffering do.  Why not let it start with you?  With us?  Let's do it.  Let's get Radical!

Normally I would have an additional copy of the book to give away, but this time I only have one copy and I'm bequeathing it to my dear friend and Bible Study leader for introducing me to this Radical way of life!  Thanks LAS!

However, if you are interested, you can read the 1st chapter of Radical here.  And if you just aren't sure, you can actually request a FREE copy of The Radical Question here.

Disclaimer:  This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

A few things on my mind...

There is so much more I want to say about these thoughts in my head, but I don't think I'm where I need to be to feel comfortable spewing ALL my thoughts.  :)  So, for your reading pleasure (no sarcasm there!), here are my random thoughts and questions...

*I think people are more mean than they used to be.  I don't know if it just seems that way because God is dealing with me on being nicer or what.  But some people around me who used to be nice are now meaner than before and the mean people seems substantially meaner.  Again, probably not best to elaborate much here.

*Why is it that the blogs I follow (and there are a lot of them...I'm a blog 'ho) are just now starting to realize the devastation in Tennesee?  I know this isn't Katrina, but to the people whose homes and worlds were washed away, it's their Katrina.  That bothers me.  I do read a couple blogs that have noticed...check out MckMama's blog and what she's doing to help. 

*Does it seem that people are taking this Crazy Love and Radical (stay tuned for more Radical) stuff to heart?  I mean, everywhere I look there are people changing their lives.  I read a variety of blogs whose authors come from every part of the nation so it's not just the Church at Station Hill or my Bible study girls...it's everywhere.  Several of the blogs I read are downsizing their homes, cars or adoption needy children.  I am wondering...what is my part in this?

*Fundraising...I'm feeling quite guilty (?) about asking folks for money for South Africa.  I'm not sure that "guilty" is the right word...uneasy maybe?  I'm feeling increasingly uncomfortable about asking for monetary donations, donations for yard sales or to buy something.  I'm still praying about this but I'm thinking perhaps I will have my yard sale, close out my Scentsy party (thanks for your orders by the way!) and then maybe do a gold party mainly because a) my friends are buyers so I know it's legit and b) because it actually makes YOU money.  And yes, I've done this before and so has Rachel and we both walked away with a pocket full o cash.  So it's legitimate and gold prices are high right now.  Anyway...I think you will see less of me asking for donations.  I'm feeling like maybe God is telling me to just trust Him.

*My good friend Katelyn is traveling to China today to visit a friend who teaches English there.  She's not a fan of flying and so she's asked for prayers.  Pray for her to have a safe flight and trip.  She's pretty special to me for a variety of reasons so indulge me in this if you will.

OK, that's it...now stay tuned for something RADICAL!

Got Junk?

Because if you do, I want it!  And if you don't, then now is the time to clean out those closests and garages!!!

In order to raise money for my mission trip to South Africa, I'm having a yard sale in which all the proceeds will go towards my account!

I have decided (just moments ago) that I'm going to have the sale on Saturday, May 22.  I know several of you have been doing some spring cleaning and have lots of "stuff" that you need to get rid of.  If you had just planned on throwing it out or taking it to the Goodwill, please consider allowing me to put it in my yard sale.  If it doesn't sell, then I will gladly take it to the Goodwill for you.

No items too big or too small.  You don't have to price it or hang it or anything.  The only thing you have to do is figure out what you don't want or need in your house and that's it.  We'll do all the rest.  The only thing I ask is that if you have something that doesn't work, please let me know.  I don't want to sell someone something that doesn't work and not tell them that up front.

Because I have lots to do (including cleaning out my own closets and garage!), if you could let me know if you have stuff for me no later than the weekend of May 15, that would be great!  I can arrange for a pick up at your convenience.

Of course, I would love for you to come shop my yard sale as well!  :)

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head...and Thanks....

Well, it's still raining here in Nashville...Right now in the Hill, it is still coming down hard.  There is a forming lake in my neighbor's yard, but hopefully it will stay far down the hill from us.  I never have feared flooding much, until now.

I have watched hours of news footage and you would not believe the flooding...I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes.  We drove around yesterday afternoon while it wasn't raining as hard and even in our area, there are many flooded areas and washed out streets and driveways.  I just found out that Centennial Hospital is under 3 feet of water.  Almost every interstate is closed at some point.  This is unlike anything I've ever experienced before.

Has anyone else noticed that the world has experienced almost every natural disaster in the space of about 6 months time?  Earthquakes, flooding, volcanic activity, tornadoes etc.  It's a little freaky if you ask me.

Of course, yesterday afternoon, Jenna and I ventured out in the virtual monsoon to buy groceries.  Because you know...we're crazy like that.  We visited CVS, Walgreens, Publix and Kroger.  And we got wet.  Anyway, on our way out, I drove past the mailbox and grabbed the mail because I knew no one was going to be walking out to get it.  I just threw it in the passenger seat and drove on.  When we got to the first stop (Walgreens), I decided to get all my coupons together so I could jump out as quickly as possible.  I flipped quickly through the mail and that's when I saw it...

Someone reading is smiling to themselves right now because they know what's coming next.  I "recognized" the handwriting immediately.  I put recognized in quotes because the writing really is unrecognizable.  It is very obviously written awkwardly to keep us from knowing the author.  But it was the same writing as the first time we saw it.  It was a card...with not only another $100 gift card to Kroger, but also a $25 card to BP.  I was once again humbled and thankful.  God has used someone to teach not only Steve and I about provision, but also Jenna.  She was with me and immediately started shouting, "Is it another one?  Is it another one?  Open it!  Open it!"

I don't know who this person (people) is (are), but if you are reading, "THANK YOU".  Through your generosity, God is teaching us about letting go of the control and trusting Him.  I have started  "pay it forward" list so that sometime after Steve gets a job and we get back on our feet, we can begin thanking people by paying it forward to someone else in need.  And I am so anxious to get started!  So many generous friends have stepped up to help us out.

So, while the rain comes down (and yes, it's still coming down), I'm counting my blessings.

"There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way."

Words: Dan­i­el W. Whit­tle, 1883; first ap­peared in Gos­pel Hymns No. 4.
Music: James Mc­Gran­a­han

Scentsy!

Fundraiser for South Africa!

As many of you know, I am going to Cape Town, South Africa in September on a mission trip (ok, y'all...to be honest, when I sit and dwell on that sentence, I almost hyperventilate!). If you haven’t heard and want more information, you can read about that here or here.

I have to raise $2600 for the trip so as part of my fundraising efforts, my friend Carrie has offered to let me use her new business! She has just begun selling Scentsy and let me tell you, these things are pretty cool!

Scentsy began in 2003 with the powerfully simple idea of aromatic candles…but they aren’t the traditional candle. With traditional candles you have to worry about making sure they are blown out, keeping your kids away and quite honestly, some just don’t hold their smell while burning. Scentsy candles solve all that. With Scentsy, you purchase a warmer which melts the wax heated, not by a dangerous flame, but by a light bulb.

The warmers are very reasonable and come in a variety of designs for every taste. The candle blocks are $5 for 8 blocks and there are TONS of scents! These look great in homes, but also for offices where you can’t burn a candle. I have had one in my office for a while and even with the bulb turned off, the scent lingers weeks after.

Carrie has generously offered to give me a portion of the proceeds from everything I sell to my South Africa account! If this is something you are interested in, please let me know and I’ll be happy to answer any questions! I have catalogs and a sample of every scent available, so if you would like to try something before buying, let me know!

If you are local, you can order online at https://carriegermain.scentsy.us/Home. On the left side of the home page under the heading “My Open Parties” is my fundraiser. Click on the “buy from party” and anything you order will be credited to me. If you order online, you will have to pay minimal shipping charges but this is a great way to order a Mother’s Day gift or have it delivered to your home for out of town friends that want to help out! You can also order directly through me and avoid shipping. We do have the ability to accept checks, credit cards or cash!

Thanks you in advance for your support and PLEASE forward this blog address to your friends who might be interested in buying. The party closes next Wednesday (May 5), so order now! There is no obligation to buy…if you wish to help but can’t right now, there will be other opportunities!

P.S. For my Bible Study girls, I can bring the sample scents to study Tuesday night or they will be at Rachel’s Pampered Chef party on Saturday!!