Blessed be the name...

Never have I seen an amazing group of people come together like I have over this past year. Love being poured out for a newly wed couple facing a very scary time during a health crisis.Prayers being said for healing and provision as they face a road unknown.

November 2015 ...Our son in-law was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Our community has bound together as we have all jumped in to support Jason and Sarah through love and prayer.
Our son Jordan ran a full marathon in October in honor of Jason. His commitment to train and run this 26 mile race, was all for love. Training that took place as he continued to work as a 4th grade teacher and welcoming baby #2 just a few weeks before the race. Watching the teamwork of Jordan and his wife Kayla, as she lovingly supported him through this act of love. Her mom and dad joining team Jordan,as they too poured into this race with love and support. Countless people giving to the Go fund me account that was set up for Jason and endless hours of prayers said before our Father for endurance and strength for both Jordan and Jason... No amount of thank yous will ever be enough!

 We have a hashtag #runforjason to document the journey that has taken place. Also a Facebook page  "Run For Jason", where updates have been documented. We as a family are taking a stand beside our son and showing him we are in this for the long haul and we will be cheering him on!

I am thankful for Jason's mom and dad who have been a rock for Sarah and Jason! The support they have been for our daughter...no words of thank you will ever be enough. My prayer is that they would feel the power and love of Jesus.That He would hear the cry of this mother and father's heart for healing for their son.Thank you for sharing Jason with us! He has changed our family for the better!

Yesterday our family gathered at the Hope House for a time of Praise and worship. Kelley and I set back in awe of the beauty of our children as they gathered to show their love and support for their sister and her husband. Today Jason entered the hospital to begin his marathon. He and a team of Emory doctors will work together to rid his body of this awful disease. Please pray for Jason as he will be given very strong doses of chemo to prepare his body for the stem cell transplant. Pray for endurance and strength to keep his eyes above the waves and on the one who holds him in the palm of His hand...Jesus!

Blessed be the name>>>> Click on this link for a taste of our time as a family!

Thank you all for joining our family on this journey! I  pray we will all get to see Sarah and Jason smile and dance real soon!

Here is a link to the Go Fund Me Account if you would like to give. 

More than anything PRAY! Keep praying until God says stop!

Fear has no place...

September 2001 fear gripped our country at the hands of terrorists who tried to steal our peace. I remember sitting in my home as I watched the result of the evil hate for our nation. Fear gripping my own heart while knowing my husband sat in a downtown building that could have been a target at any moment.

April 2007 our small community was gripped with fear as a Student strapped a bomb to his chest and walked into the front office of our local high school. Inside those walls held our beautiful daughter as she called from her cell phone, telling us she was hiding in the school barn and the school was being evacuated. Kids running wherever they could to hide from the fear that was disrupting their world that once held peace.

2014 held another grip of fear in our community as several weeks of countless bomb threats and evacuations held our school system hostage.

Our world has not been the peaceful world that I remember growing up as a child. A peace given as a gift because of our service men and women who chose to fight for our freedom. A time when our country acknowledged that we were a God fearing nation. Our nation's eyes have turned away. We are no longer a Nation under God. My children may never know a day without fear from the evil that was bred from hate. They must now live in a world where hate breeds death. Where something as simple as going to a local mall is now a target for mass destruction.

Today a young lady, whom I've known her whole life, called to tell my daughter not to  come near the mall because our local mall was a scene of a imposed threat. A threat of a mass shooting. A place where just a few days ago our family walked through the many stores, dreaming of things and stuff. Well I was too late! By the time she got the message she was already there...inside.  Fear gripped, she sped walked to get to her car. A fear that no young lady should have to feel! Not in rural Georgia! Fear gripped this young lady as she waited to get the OK to close her store's door inside the mall. Waiting inside. Watching and praying this threat wasn't real. Watching men in tactical gear roam the floors of the mall and standing guard outside the doors of her store. The day ended without the threats being carried out. However, the fear remains of what could have been.

This afternoon, across the ocean, another group of innocent lives lost inside an airport in Turkey. Fear once again has a grip.  A fear I face this next week as I welcome our son home from far far away and send our daughter off on a beautiful journey across the deep blue sea!

The grip of fear is an endless road that leaves you hopeless. Leaves you cowering in a corner of the moment, with no sense of control or direction. Blind to the fact that the only option is the one who brings peace.

Fear has no place at the sound of His name! When eyes are met with His, the world as we know it disappears... Fades. He came to bring life. Peace. Rest. When you know Him you know that perfect peace. His name...Jesus. I met Him as a young child and have seen His hand on my life for a very long time. He has walked with me through some very dark fear filled times and some very beautiful ones. As a child I remember my mom always reminding me to call out His name when I'm afraid. When I have no words or direction. When all seems hopeless, cry JESUS! She is a wise woman!

Our world will never know that perfect peace this side of heaven. Until then....I will keep crying Jesus!
Because it's in Him that fear has no place!

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Blast from the past! Leap Year Treasures!

Our love for old things and reminiscing about things and stuff from the past....that's what leap year has become for us. A tradition I hope to keep! A time to challenge each other to set goals and reach for your dreams. To know that time does change all things...even handwriting!

  Leap year 2012 was a fun little project we pulled together at the last minute. The younger three girls added little pieces of themselves to fill our time capsule box. Letters to their future selves and pieces of their hair. Drawings and the Local front page news were added for a reminder of the past. All taped in a shoe box and placed in the attic, to wait for the grand reveal! Knowing that the moment was fast approaching, I fought off many requests to open the time capsule early. I'm so glad I did! Their excitement was a beautiful thing to watch today as they read their letters from long ago 2012.

As I listened to these young ladies write letters for 2016's  time capsule, I couldn't help but smile and see how much a small thing could bring so much excitement. Their conversations were quite funny as they talked of all the things they wanted to tell their future selves. Challenges and goals they wanted to accomplish over the next 4 years. Almost sounds like they are running for president! Maybe they should? I anticipate 2020's time capsule will be even better as we reminisce of all the treasures that are stuffed within the box. Letters written from an old friend much younger than themselves.

However, their time together laughing and anticipating their future goals was the best treasure of all!