Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Do you ever wonder?

Why God?

Do you ever just sit down and ask God Why? This morning as I woke up I had so many why questions running through my head. It was overwhelming. My heart feels heavy and very burdened. I know that I am not suppose to question God but today that little person in my head is working overtime. I would get something started and the next thing I know I am just sitting. Sitting in my recliner, at my kitchen table, on my bed and now at my desk wondering and asking God what the past year has been for...And what I can do with all of these emotions to make myself productive for Him. I know that God always has a plan but today I am not seeing it clearly. The key word is I...I am not seeing it clearly. I am probably like most of you out there a woman that feels like she has to take care of everyone else and leaves her feelings until last. Whether that is good or not that is just how I do it.

Over the past couple of weeks God has been giving me little tid bits of information and this morning they all fell in place. God is so Good. He has let me down onto a cushion that has protected my fall. (no broken bones just a lot of bruises) He has let me down easy I guess because He knew I couldn't stand it all at once. But now my question is why? Has my church not already endured enough? Have my family and friends not been through all they can stand? Have you ever heard the statement, "I came through that situation much stronger." Well maybe this is the reason.

As painful as the past couple of weeks have been maybe God is preparing us for the mission field in the town that we have been planted. I have never felt like where we are is a mistake. I know that there are a lot of people in our community that need to know God and have a church home. God is just preparing His people for anything that we may be facing in the future. Just like a great Dad wanting his children to be prepared.

I am sorry for bringing anyone down today. This I guess has been some therapy for me. I just needed a place to vent where I feel comfortable and free to share my thoughts.

I am praying today and in the future for some healing. Once again our hearts are in need of tender loving care and God will take care of that...AMEN!!!!





Sunday, December 28, 2008

Family...




How Blessed I Am!

Christmas was an amazing blessing this year. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my parents and Christmas Day with Kenny's mom and family. This is how we have done it for the past 22 years but this year God had a special plan for us. The time spent was so special and not as hectic as I remember in years past. The blessings just overflowed this year. Thanks God! I needed a few days of just good family time and as usual you provided.


Wags thinks that he should be able to play this game---Granny Mary and Buttons



Kacey and Pa playing---New pj's for Christmas Eve.


If you look real close here Kacey has pot lids to bang together Christmas morning.


Pa Gene and Granny Mary





The girls did a little cutting up and modeling.

Kenny reading the Christmas Story.


Alycia & Shelby----Cindy & Marjeanne



David wrapped his presents in house plans.



Granny Jan got all the grown boys marshmallow shooters. What was she thinking?

I hated for these two days to end. We made a whole lot of new memories. I am so BLESSED!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Something to Ponder...

Today I was thinking about the new year and what my resolution for this year would be...
  • loose weight (this is always on my list)
  • get more organized
  • keep my car clean (yea right w/kids)
  • stop drinking cokes (this thought makes me nauseous)
  • clean out the garage (Scary)
  • Start being on time. (for Kenny's sake I drive him insane)
  • Keep all the ironing done up

After preparing a list for me to choose from I realized that there was nothing on it that I really whole heartedly wanted to do. (The important word here was wanted. Ha Ha!) And I have learned that in the past if I am not crazy about the idea it will last maybe a week or two if I am lucky.

As I sat and thought it hit me I am going to find a Bible verse to give me inspiration this year. No more resolutions...a verse or group of verses to inspire me to do everything better this coming year. So I started looking. I am going to be looking over the next few days and will tell later but I wanted to challenge anyone out there reading this to do the same.



God is so Good!

Friday, December 26, 2008

The New Year

Looking back to be able to...Look Forward!

I don't know about you but this year has been a doosie. There have been so many ups and downs that I feel a little queasy. You know how you feel after you have been on a rip roaring roller coaster ride.
In this past year I have written all through my Bible prayers to help me get through all kinds of situations. Last year I had gotten a new Bible from my husband that had space to write notes in it on the sides. I think this was suppose to be for notes on sermons from the pastor but for some reason all through my Bible I have prayers written down. Prayer requests that run the gamut. They range from heart wrenching prayer requests all the way to praising Jesus for doing something miraculous.

As I read last night I thought to myself "Wow" what a year! I wonder what next year will bring. I am praying for less bumps and dips and more peeks and highs. If you have not been reading hear long you probably need to know a quick review. This is how this past year has gone...A new year a new preacher a new beginning/A lot of sadness, a lot of gladness another new beginning in July(PBF)...A new job in February at my church yeah!!/A lot of stress due to being on the wrong side and an eye opening view of how I was really viewed...great friendships that started the year off well/ only to be torn down by bad feelings...happy children that loved their church home/sad broken children that can not understand the adults...A beginning in July that was so blessed/an ending in December that has left us broken hearted for all involved...as you can see this year has been very emotional. The emotions at times have just nearly taken control of me and stopped me in my tracks but thank God for his love and comfort to help me through all of the ups and downs. Even through all of this I have such a peace that God is going to take care of it all. You are probably thinking lady you are crazy...Well through all of the madness God has had a way of guiding and providing a peace that is just unexplainable. Praise God!!

This past week we (our church) had an amazing gathering. I showed the pictures on here earlier. It was a Christmas party. Through all of the bumps and bruises we have come out stronger and more loving than you can ever imagine. God has put Providence Baptist Fellowship here in this community for a reason. God has a plan and I am so excited for the upcoming year. I can not believe that through all of this God has taken a sad group of people and gave them so much hope and happiness in our Lord, a staff of three wonderful men and gave them such direction and knowledge of what to do next, an amazing loving lady in the office that is so willing to do whatever to make things go smoothly, friendships that have grown closer and stronger in support of each other and the church, and a group of men that had been voted in many months ago that are so ready to help us move on and accomplish what God has in store for us. When you look at the all that is going on it is terribly hard not to see Gods hand in all of this...AMEN!!!! Our God is always here to provide we just have to be willing to let him lead.

After the past two weeks you would think that I would be ready to just throw in the towel but to tell you the truth I am so ready for the New Year to come and see what God has in store for us. I know that it is going to be amazing...I don't know why I would expect anything less. God is so Good all of the time! AMEN!!!

One of the last prayers that I had written in my Bible I would like to share with you today. This was the week after the resignation of our Pastor and I wasn't sure what to expect.

Dear God...What an amazing morning for you. You have blessed my heart so much this morning. Please watch over us and keep us safe. Keep us on track and for us to see your ways through all of this. I can feel you in control God. I can feel you blessing and healing at the same time through Bro. Joe's words this morning. God guide Tom, Joe and John and help them be strong in the next hours, days, weeks and years to come. Help them to see you so that they may guide us to you so your work in this community will continue. God I love you and can't wait to get started. Amen.

I know everything that happened is not a surprise to God. Everything works for the greater goodness of God and everything can be used for His Glory. Providence will move on and be stronger through our struggles! Amen!!!

God is so Good!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

The Christmas Story

I truly enjoy getting to be with my family on Christmas. We spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my parents and Christmas afternoon with Kenny's mom and family. One of my favorite things that Kenny does on Christmas day at his moms before we do anything is read the Christmas story. I thought I would share it with you. Some of you have probably heard this a thousand times but I know that every time I hear it my heart is touched.


Luke 2:2-14


In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, Which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. and an angel of the lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying.

"Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased?"


I hope today as you gather with family, friends, open presents, and eat wonderful food that you remember why we are gathering. The amazing birth of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas

This was the first year in a long time that I didn't get my Christmas Cards out. Christmas just slipped up on me this year. (I know, I know its always Dec. 25) I hated for the girls not to get their Christmas picture shared with anybody so I thought I would share it here.

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours


For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6


Merry Christmas
The Nolands

Monday, December 22, 2008

Our First...


PBF Family Christmas
Wow! You talk about an amazing night for God! Tonight was our first PBF Family Christmas celebration. I do believe that it was the coldest night so far this year. The wind was blowing so hard it hurt to walk from the car to the home where we were meeting. You've heard the saying, "The wind was blowing so hard it could cut you into." Well imagine twice that bad. You would of thought that the weather would of kept folks away. Not us we were all anxious to meet and have a wonderful family fellowship.









What an amazing blessed night this was for all of us. When we got home I hugged Kenny and told him that, "God is so Good and He is going take care of us." The feeling I got tonight was like your daddy giving you a big hug and that special word of comfort. You know the one where you feel all calm inside.
God is our "Father" and tonight I felt that big hug.
Wow! What an amazing night for God!!!