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!

'Tis The Season....

Tis the season to be...sick..fa la la la la la la la la!

Our son in law began his first round of chemo. So for the next 16 weeks he will be in a fight to kick this cancers butt! Thankfully after a week in the hospital, he was released on Monday night. We as a family are teaming up to help raise funds to help Sarah and Jason cover their medical cost. Our son Jordan just announced he will be doing a marathon next fall and all proceeds raised will go towards Jason's medical fund. He is now looking for sponsors to join him in this great opportunity! The other opportunity is their Go Fund Me account. Please share their Go Fund Me page with others! An update has been added to keep everyone in the loop so that you can pray for his specific needs ....Keep Praying!  We welcome any fund raising ideas you have, so please don't hesitate to message me.

Here are the two links that will be supporting Jason and Sarah with any medical needs :

Go Fund me!!!!

Marathon-Team Jason!

Monday night we found ourselves back to the hospital. This time with our daughter. Diagnosis...flu! Finals week and flu do not make for a great week! I'm sure after a few days of bed rest she will be back to her spunky little self. The thoughts of the flu in our home around this most wonderful time of the year is not something I have been dreaming of! Or desiring! Especially with Jason's immune system being compromised. Until all the babies are in the clear from this flu bug, there will be no "To grandmother's house we go!" for Sarah and Jason.  I do not like this season right now. However with each season comes change and each change prepares us for the next season. A season to embrace life, lifting my eyes to see God move and perform miracles. To know the love He has for us. To live each day as though it were our last. To love others without condition. Learning to see the beauty in all this. Truthfully...It's all about Jesus anyway! He is the giver of life.  He is the one who gives us hope and a future!

Thank you all for praying with us! Though our eyes may not see the BIG picture yet...I do know our God is faithful and He does have a great plan!

So until this storm is over...We are going to keep praising Him!   Hallelujah!!!!!

Good Good Father !

Many days walking the road of faith can be a difficult task. Just being a mom to my crew fills my life with endless pulling and tugging. My heart so full that my mind and body can't keep up. A good good full though. A road I walk as my Father draws me deeper into my walk with Him. Sometimes I need a good reminder of His faithfulness.

Here is a post I wrote on my Facebook wall a few days ago....

I have seen many prayers answered in the nearly 50 years that I have been alive, many great and small. Those small ones always amaze me the most! Yesterday I was praying for someone, asking the Lord to really encourage them and show them how great He is. How He really does love her and has her future in His hands. Well He did! Something as simple as a recognized song to brighten her day in a place where it was so unexpected! He is a good good Father! So, don't discount those small prayers.They really do matter!



From the moment my children were born I have prayed for their future spouses. I thought my heart was full with my 9...but my oh my! I really hate the in-law word because we have gained some amazing kids! I think of them as my own.They have come into our family and embraced the chaos with love and a little mercy thrown in there. They have a place in my heart right along with our own children. I sure hope they know how much I love them!

These past few weeks our family has begun to walk the road of a cancer diagnosis. I say "our family" because when one walks, we all walk! Our daughter and her husband are beginning their second year of marriage with a Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosis and are starting with his chemo treatments this week. With endless days of doctors visits and hospital stays, these two have continued to serve without skipping a beat. Never missing one moment to show God's love to others and impacting lives that will last for eternity. I hope this medical community is ready for this duo!

Sarah and Jason have served our community and their families with endless hours of giving and selfless open handed love! Even in this illness, they continue to be the servants that they have always been. Now we all have been given a chance to serve them, to show them that same love. I have watched as friends and family have gathered together to pray, give and love in any way they can. With an illness of this magnitude comes great need. A fund has been set up to help them with medical cost so they can fight this disease. As most of you know they were in the process of interviewing for a promising job out of state with a church. Most of their plans for this next year are now on hold until Jason is well and God says go!  

Here is a link to their Go Fund Me account that has been set up to help with medical cost and any needs they have. To help free Sarah to help and serve her husband. 

More than anything please continue to pray for Sarah, Jason and the Holcombe/Webb families. We are eternally grateful for all you are doing to be the hands and feet of our good good Father!



GO FUND ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Young Bride...

One thing I always stress about is...Did I prepare my children enough for adulthood? I remember being a young bride at the age of 18.Though my vows were meaningful and true... I'm not really sure I understood the totality of them all! After 31 years of marriage I'm just beginning to understand what each of them truly entailed.Most brides think they have an idea of what a grand adventure of  marriage really looks like.However in reality, until you step across that threshold, the real view of becoming one is so much more than one could imagine!The in sickness and in health becomes real and the beauty of serving one another turns those ideals into reality.This past week our daughter...a new bride...has been placed onto a road of reality. A road chosen for her. A road that she lovingly walks beside her groom as they face the road of cancer together. Each marriage will experience a trial or two at some point along the way. I know my husband and I have had our fair share and I'm sure there will be many more. I wish I could take this part away from my children! But I can't! For whatever reason God has chosen Sarah and Jason to walk this road. To experience total dependence on Him.To look upon His face and see peace and rest.To see His hand work mighty miracles.To see Him turn their mourning into dancing!

Dear Young Bride....
I was thinking today how blessed I am to have you in my life! I have felt and watched you grow from the very beginning of your infinite soul. Raising you has been a grand adventure with all the ups and downs of life. I have always said you were by far my easiest child to raise. Although,we have had our moments. I can laugh about them now! Your quiet spirit and your loving soul are a beauty that shines through your giving hands. Watching you love others through your daily living makes my heart smile! Guiding you from childhood into adulthood carried a great responsibility and weight upon my heart, with hopes that I had prepared you enough for life. I guess a fear all moms carry with them until they breathe their last breath. A trust I have to place at the feet of our Father in Heaven,that He has perfected you to travel the journey ahead.

Well...Life happens and dreams change. God guides and He provides. He walks us through our darkest days and celebrates with us in our grand adventures. This past week has been no surprise to our Heavenly Father. You have been thrown into the in-sickness part of your marriage vows a lot sooner than any bride would expect, really never considers during the early days of her marriage. But here you are on this grand adventure! A road, a journey that is preparing you for a future unknown. A part of marriage I wish I could have prepared you for sooner. A part I wish I could make go away. But a time in your life that one day will all make sense. A dark time that you will be able to smile upon one day and say....Now I see!

Sarah... You are a blessing to your husband.  I believe God has been preparing you all along for this very moment. He has equipped you and given you all that you need to walk the path before you. He has not left your side! He has placed others beside you to lend a helping hand or encouraging words to build you up. Keep your eyes upon Him for He is perfecting you and making you into that great jewel!  Though the in sickness part sucks right now and the nights become very long, one day you will understand and that joy will return!

This chapter came to mind for you today. Sing praise to the Lord and give thanks for one day soon you will be dancing!

I love you so very much,
Mom

Psalm 30.....

1         I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,

And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You,
And You healed me.
3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.[a]

4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.[b]
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.

6 Now in my prosperity I said,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

8 I cried out to You, O Lord;
And to the Lord I made supplication:
9 “What profit is there in my blood,
When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it declare Your truth?
10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever

A Journey Unknown....

I remember Sarah sharing with me about this young man she had met..."Mom, he's the male version of me!" she said, That statement couldn't have been more true! Except that he would always walk in our door ready and willing to help with dishes or whatever I needed help with! Large family probs! I have seen nothing but a heart to serve in this young man since the day we met. More than three years later, I see that same heart!

 One year ago our family celebrated as Jason and Sarah tied the knot and joined our families together! This fun loving tattooed goof ball of a young man is now my son in-law and calls me mom! I have watched as they have served our community as youth ministers and poured out their lives to show others the love of Jesus. I have watched as they have loved our family and made themselves available whenever I needed help. Yes...They are more alike than the "Mom he's just like me" statement could have ever explained!

Now it's time for us all to show these two the love of Jesus and serve them....
This past week our daughter and son received some unexpected news, a diagnosis of Lymphoma. Tomorrow Jason will begin a few medical proceedures to get him on his way to good health. Though this journey may be frightening with all the unknowns, we serve a God who has every detail of Jason's being already in the palm of His hand! He is Jehovah Rapha...the God who heals!

What you may not know is Jason and Sarah were in the middle of an interview process with a church out of state. That is now on hold. Please be praying for their finances as well as Jason's health. Please pray for our daughter Sarah, that God would equip her to be Jason's greatest cheerleader during this journey. Please pray for our familes as we team up to serve them however we can with love and support.

All of their needs as well as this diagnosis is not a surprise to our heavenly Father! Sarah and Jason's futures were surrendered at God's feet the day they chose to follow Him. So together the journey continues...in sickness and in health. This jouney is and will be a testimony of the grace and love of a Father who loves Jason and Sarah more than we can comprehend.

Thank you all for your prayers! During this week of "Thankfulness" I am thankful for each of you!