Allen's 35th Birthday!

On August 2nd, Allen turned 35!!!! When I was thinking about what to do for Allen for his birthday, what would make him smile and know how much he is loved, this is what I came up with and I think it worked!!!! So for his birthday, I dressed the kids up in their LSU gear and we drove to Highland Village, picked up a dozen cupcakes from Sprinkles (yummy!), then drove to Allen's office in Pasadena to surprise him. I meant to get a picture of this, but it didn't happen (so sad!).  He was so happy to have us there and he loved being able to show off all his precious kiddos! I love the fact that his family are so important to him and simple things like us coming to his office are what he values and cherishes. So in celebration of my amazing husbands birthday, I thought I would put together a list of why he is so special...not a complete list, because there are way too many reasons, but here are my top ten.

1.  I love that he loves the Lord and you can see that in how he lives his life.

2.  I love that he is a man of great integrity.

3.  I love that everyday, he tells me he loves me, numerous times.

4.  I love that everyday (when he's in town), after all the kiddos are in bed, we cuddle on the couch.

5.  I love that he is an AMAZING father! I love to watch him snuggle with, play with, tickle, feed, go on "bear hunts" with, sing with, dance with and most importantly, pray with our precious children.

6.  I love that he never complains when the house is in shambles, the dishes aren't done, dinner is not cooked or I didn't get done what I said I would.

7.  I love that he always makes time for me when he's working or even playing golf and I love that we talk throughout the day constantly.

8.  I love that after 8 years of marriage, he is still the sexiest man on earth!

9.  I love that he loves his family with a passion.

10.  I love that his friends are very special to him and he is a loyal and true friend.

Happy 35th Birthday Allen! I am eternally grateful to God for giving me the gift of you!

Prison Ministry

Several months ago I embarked on a journey that I know is going to shape me and change me in ways that I cannot even fathom. When I heard God calling me to start serving in prison ministry, as a mother of three small children I wanted to make excuses about not having time, but the voice of the Holy Spirit was very loud and clear.

Every Thursday night I travel with a group of ladies to a women's prison that houses around 2200 inmates. We have a Bible Study with as many as 56 of these precious women. We love on them and share with them about God's redeeming love and listen to their struggles and many deep hurts. Although the world has given up on them, God hasn't!

As I look back at my own past, my failures and my disobedience, I am reminded of the fact that no one is too far gone and no one is not worth it. I am thankful for the stories in the Bible of people like Saul/Paul who persecuted and killed Christians, the thief on the cross, David who committed adultery and the many others that God redeemed and changed their lives. I am in awe of how He can take our "yuck" and make it beautiful through Jesus!

One thing that I have had to come to grips with in all the endeavors God calls me to is that I am not in charge of the results and I cannot depend on them for satisfaction. I just have to be obedient and know that my faithfulness is what God requires of me. The harsh reality that goes along with any ministry is that we live in a fallen world, one that wants us to fail as Christians. A world that would love nothing more than to suck us into the pits of addiction, chain us to fear and worry and drown us in bitterness and anger which keeps us from the freedom in Christ that God has planned for us. These are the reasons that most of these women are in the situation they are in, not because they are any different than you or me, but because they got caught in their sin and the earthly consequence was prison time.

I am so thankful to those of you that are reading this post. I am praying that it blesses you and touches your heart and that you will commit to pray for me in this ministry and pray for the ladies that I am ministering to.

Here are some specific prayer requests:

• Please pray that God will heal their deep hurts and that they will move forward from their pasts and make godly choices in the future
• Pray that when they get out that God will put some amazing godly women in their lives to help them and that they get plugged into am amazing church that teaches God's truths
• Pray that when they get out that they will stay away from people and things that would get them into trouble and could cause them to make bad choices
• Pray that we will show them God's love and that He will be glorified
• Pray for our safety and protection

Our Adventurous (Crazy) Child

Here is Joshua's first, but I'm quite sure it will not to be the last, black eye. He is our adventurous child and at 7 months he has already mastered the art of crawling, pulling up to standing (which includes lots of falling), getting into drawers and everything else he can get his hands on, and last but not least annoying his big sister. Just a while ago I heard the all too funny sound of Kyleigh yelling "Mom, Joshua is in my room, get him out!" I was just outside her room and I knew he was in there...I was just waiting for the inevitable.

Sewing

I LOVE to sew! It is what I do to relax and get away (away, meaning my sewing room). I started sewing after Kyleigh was born because I love all those boutique clothes, but I'm too frugal (cheap) to pay the prices. So I decided to start making them myself. There is an awesome website www.youcanmakethis.com that sells sewing patterns that are in .pdf form which has made sewing so much more delightful for me. No more rice paper patterns...Hooray!!!!!

Supermommy!

I LOVE this picture! Mainly because it makes me look like a "SUPERMOM"!!!! Life is definitely busy these days, but they are only little once and I am going to treasure every precious (crazy) moment! My relationship with the Lord and prayer life is what keeps me going and He is the giver of strength, patience and all those other things that mommy's need!

"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him..." Exodus 15:2

Sweet Jacob

I just went into the boys room to check on them because I heard Joshua playing in his crib. This is how I found sweet Jacob. Sleeping with only his shirt on...no diaper!!! He was sleeping so peacefully and I sat there debating whether or not to wake him to put his diaper back on, but alas my desire for him to not pee everywhere won out and I woke him.

Jacob & Joshua's Baby Dedication (June 27, 2010)

This morning Allen and I dedicated Jacob and Joshua to the Lord and committed ourselves to raising them up in christian home that teaches them to love the Lord. What a blessing to be able to honor God in this way!

Jacob means: "Benevolent"
Scripture: "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:17

Joshua means: "Bringer of Truth"
Scripture: "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it...this one will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25