Hmmm...so it's been a little over a year and a half since my last post! Now is as good a time as any to update, I guess.

First of all, after what I thought would take FOREVER, I'm almost at my goal weight!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!! I'm still in shock, I suppose. 99 lbs. down and 111-1/2 inches gone! I can fit back into my high school graduation gown again (I'm still working up the nerve to try on my wedding gown.)!!!




Second, my 'baby', Taylor, is 15 today. Where has the time gone??? She is such a beautiful person, inside and out, and Keith and I are so PROUD of her!!! She is a tenderhearted, comical, very talented young lady, that I love to watch God work through her. Can't wait to see what he has in store for her as long as she stays yielded to Him.



Last, but definitely not least, Mallory finished her last test for high school this week. I'm in shock! I told Keith that I have poured myself into her these last 9 years (for this moment), but didn't realize how quickly it would and has passed. She is a joy, and I'm enjoying every stage of both of the girls' lives!



Needless to say, it HAS BEEN quite an emotional week!!! I've gone from laughing, crying, back to laughing, crying... :)

20 Years and Counting...

Wow!!! Where have all the years gone??? I can't believe we've been married this long. I always thought the Lord would return before I was ever married, and now here it is 20 years of marriage to my best friend and sweetheart (and by the way, I'm still looking, waiting, and hoping for the Lord's soon return - now more than ever).

I cannot say that it has all been easy or even fun, but we have grown stronger together through it all! God's been sooooo good to us.

Keith, you are wonderful, and I would say "YES!!!" all over again!!!

I LOVE YOU MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psalm 35 (NIV)

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

-Helen Keller

Another Teenager...

Another teenager??? Oh noooo! Just kidding, Taylor!!! You are a wonderful daughter to have around, and your Dad and I are so happy to call you ours. We are so thankful that God saw fit to bless us with not just one, but two beautiful girls.

What a joy you have been! The laughter that you have brought to our home is never ending. Your hugs are always appreciated. You have a way of writing that amazes me. I guess that's because I don't particularly care for writing (it was never one of my strong points). Computer whiz, great impersonator, willing to help out wherever needed...

You arrived in our lives, red and quite angry, about 4:40 in the afternoon on this day 13 years ago. It seems like just a few months ago - never dreamed that it could pass so quickly! We're looking forward to watching you continuing to grow both physically and spiritually.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, Taylor (and many more)!!!!!!!!

In Memory of...

There are very special people that come along in a pastor and his family's life, and Donald Rose was one of them. He moved to Quitman about 5 years ago, and I just wish that he had moved into our lives sooner! What an example that he set for us to follow!!!

Keith was privileged to participate in his funeral today, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and it was one of those times that he didn't have a problem finding something good to say. Bro. Rose came into this truth later in life - 58 years of age. From some of the others that spoke, I sat in awe of this man. He and his late wife were givers. Not only were they givers of their money, but their time and energy. They signed over a house (that was paid for) to the church so that a new building could be built, he mowed the church yard, they cleaned the church building... Those are just a few things that stood out to me while listening today. He found out early in his Christian walk that you just cannot outgive God!



Bro Rose was a giver to this nation. He fought in 3 major wars: WWII, the Korean, and Vietnam. He served from 1940-45 and then re-enlisted when needed from 1950-66. It was very moving today hearing "Taps" played and then the 21 gun salute. He definitely loved the USA!



Bro. Rose was 88 this past November, but even at his age, he found a ministry that he could do - media ministry. He made sure everyone that missed a service had a CD of it. He didn't want anyone left out. We would go to visit him, and he would have one of his preaching CD's going. He loved prayer and the Word of God!

He never forgot anyone's birthday, either! My birthday was on the 28th of March, and he made sure I received my card before leaving for Ladies' Conference. There was quite a gift inside. He was teasing me about my "soon to be" age at his last service, and informed me that he had retired the year before I was born!

He definitely honored the ministry and his fellow brothers and sisters. There were always good things that were said about his pastor and church family. He lived for church services.


VFC will miss you dearly, Bro. Rose!!! There will be a great void left in your absence, but thank you for the memories and the example that you set for us.

We salute you not just for your accomplishments in the military, but your highest achievement, the one you told me you over and over that you wanted to be ready for - you've finally made it home!

Today's Service

What a wonderful refreshing! Service today seemed almost electrifying at the beginning, and then if you didn't like what you felt to start with, God changed the flow and it became a deep undercurrent flowing through the place. I had to jump in and enjoy all of it!!!

Melissa Swaim was there with her two children. She and her husband had visited before, and she vowed she would not return - said that our services were a little too much for her! She was raised in a different denomination and wasn't used to the excitement. At the end of today's service, she felt quite differently. Melissa told me that she had found her a church home.

After Keith finished preaching, we had a time of prayer in the altar. When it seemed that we were through, God had other plans. Melissa sat in her chair sobbing. Keith went to pray with her and in less than a minute, she began to speak in an unknown tongue! After she was through praying, she told us that her and her cousin (who invited her) had had a conversation for 2 hours on Saturday about the very thing that Keith had preached on. She went home after their conversation and was thinking on their talk, when a voice spoke to her and told her she needed to come to our service.

Melissa didn't want to leave today without being baptized. The baptistry had been drained and cleaned, but we had it filled in about 45 minutes, and it WAS NOT warm!!! Her husband was called and came to watch. We didn't get home until 3 PM today, but it was soooo worth it!!!

The girls and I are looking forward to Spring Break this week. We had spiritual rest today, now we are looking to get a little physical rest.

Have a blessed week!