Good Weekend

Hope you all had a good weekend. I had a nice time with my family. Zach had football and scored a touchdown, made the weekly trip to Wal-Mart, watched the Red Raiders and the Longhorns take care of business on the football field and Hayden, Shawn and I put together a Halloween Haunted House. Hayden had been driving me crazy for weeks to get one. It was fun to put together and Hayden was very proud of his creation. Here are a few pics of Hayden's creation. Have a good day all!

The Voice of God

For the past several weeks my mom and I have been going to the Women's Fall Bible study at The Heights. The study we have been doing is "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer. In the past couple of weeks I have come to realized through my life how many times that God was trying to speak to me but I just didn't or wouldn't hear.

I go back to when I first realize that I didn't hear God or just wouldn't. I think the deaths of people starting during my junior high years began my destructive cycle that continued through high school and into college. There were deaths of classmates, classmates parents and my own sister, Melinda. We lost Dion, Randy, Robbie and Perry. Then there was my brother-in-law Steve, Shawn's mom, Sue and sister Alicia. Then adult friends of Shawn and I, Casey, Carl and Shane and my step-dad, Jerry. Then ultimately my dad. When I look at this 20yr period of time in my life it was not that I did not believe in God and not that I was necessarily angry with Him but that I just ignored Him.

There were so many times that I know He was talking to me and trying to help direct me but I thought I knew what was best for me. Hanging out with friends, going to parties, just staying busy was my way of dealing with things and helping me drowned out what He was trying to let me know. The ignorance of youth. It is amazing that more of us don't get lost forever. It is only by the grace of God that we make it through. I am so thankful to Him for not losing me forever and now days I listen, I hear and I really try to do what he is directing me to do. I am trying to remain obedient in my walk even though I know I stumble sometime, I know he is there to help me up.

"Obedience will always produce benefits that far outweigh the consequences of disobedience." Priscilla Shirer

Don't Be Silent

My family and I were just discussing the other day how we are not seeing political yard signs or bumper stickers displaying individuals choices in this presidential race. Is it that people are that unsure or just too embarrassed to let others know who is the candidate of their choice?

Well, I have made the decision not to be one of those silent few. Have I been overly excited about the 2 choices for this election? No way. However, after studying and reviewing what these two individuals represent and stand for, I feel my choice stands alone, John McCain.

I know that it may not be the popular choice, but for me, it is the correct choice. I know I may catch some political backlash for this choice but that is what makes America great, we have a choice.

During this time of uncertainty, pray for Americans to make the choice He wants to lead us to. Be Strong and don't be silent.

Disappointment

Those of you who have read my blog often know about the academic struggles of my oldest son. Zach is a severe dyslexic that struggles daily with reading and math. We managed to get through the TAKS hell of last year just to move in the uncertain world of junior high (we all remember those horrific days).

The year started promising enough. Zach finally got the amount of homework under control and has some decent grades going for this six weeks. However, last week he got his big first disappointment of the year. After a reading screen the school does, Zach did not score as well as they would have like, tell us something new(this is not our first rodeo). The school decided that he would have to take a reading intervention class. Zach is ok with having to do this but what he is not ok with is that he had to be taken out of band to do it. This pretty much devastated him. He really liked band. Zach realizes he is different then other kids. His disability can not be seen by looking at him. Trust me, he knows he is different.

When Zach was younger it was a little easier to reason with him. Now that he is almost a teenager, man he is angry about this. We have discussed how it is just how he was made. That we just have to work through it. He questions why he was made this way even though he will tell you he knows this is his testimony but he said he just doesn't know how it will all come together for him. He has told me a number of times that he would trade all the athletic ability that he has been blessed with just to be able to read well. That is a huge statement coming from a soon to be teen boy in this crazy for Friday night football state of Texas.

I know in the end it will all work out for him. It is just hard as a mom to see him struggle through it but having the understanding that he has to face this struggle and overcome it. Even though I can help and pray him along the way, this is his fight he has to face and win. I know I won't always be there to help.

SYATP 2008

This morning was the annual time for See Ya At The Pole. A grassroots movement of America's youth coming together at their school's flag pole to pray.

Zach has been ready for this for weeks. I worked last night but I have some wonderful co-workers who allowed me to leave a little early so that I could get him to Shallowater for the 7am gathering. (Thanks ladies).

It was great to see so many teenagers taking control of their salvation for their generation. It was encouraging to see so many adults there to support them. Zach and I discussed the presence of God there but we also felt Satan was doing his best to throw some kinks in. There were giant mosquitoes that I am sure could eat a small child all over. However these young people stood firm in their convictions.

I have such hope for this generation rising to the occasion in bringing the following of Christ to the forefront of society. Stay strong in your convictions and faith and thank you for letting me be a part of it.

100 Year Flood

The 100 year flood Lubbock experienced last week was impressive. Luckily I didn't really have to get out in it on the initial day. However last Friday I did attempt the Wal-Mart on 4th street knowing even before I got there that it would have some water issues. It has always, even from the beginning.

This particular Wal-Mart was built on the former Treasure Island golf course. It was a great little 9 hole, par 3 course with lots of trees. It was much more appealing to the eye than Wal-mart is but I guess that is growth. This Wal-Mart was built when I was pregnant with Zach. The first big rain we had after it was built, before it even opened, the store flooded. Not just the parking lot but the whole store. Flooding will always be a problem in this spot and I always wonder how much money is washed away for Wal-Mart since there is such little parking available during these times. Not that they can't afford it.

Sept. 11th--Mixed Emotions

These flags are placed every September at Kastman Park here in Lubbock by Murfee Elementary students. I know it is only a small gesture but I am glad that American State Bank makes it a point to do this each year in remembrance of the 9-11 victims. These flags are an awesome site as you drive along South Loop 289 in Lubbock. It is a beautiful site but then you remember that each one of those flags stands for a lost life and it is very humbling.

I remember the initial Sept. 11th. As I took Zach to kindergarten there was the report of the 1st plane hitting the World Trade Center. I thought to myself, " I guess some small plane must have had some mechanical problem." Then I got back home just in time for the 2nd plane. I was then mesmerized in front of the television just trying to make sense of what was going on. Then in late morning I get a call from Shawn, "Hmm, Happy Birthday" in an unsure voice. Yes, everyone, my birthday is Sept. 11th. The rest of the day, as well as the next several weeks was spent in front of the television with the rest of American trying to make heads and tails of it all.

As the years have passed, I have received unusual responses when others find out it is my birthday. Most of the time the response is, "Oh, I'm sorry" or "What a day to have a birthday." I guess for the first couple of years these responses bothered me. But now my response is that it was my birthday long before it was a national tragedy and to be honest even though my birthday is know as one of the worst days in American history, I look at it as a privilege to share that day with such people who gave their lives.

As this day continues please remember and pray for our troops as they do the duty they need to do for our country and show respect to those families who have lost loves ones. Never forget what they have done for us.