Tag: spring

Do the Work

I am thankful:

~ for baseball, baseball, and MORE BASEBALL. (And finally got to see Samantha play softball!) It’s a busy season with constant practices and back to back games, but we are loving it.

~ for zesty buffalo and blue cheese chicken wraps.

~ for wonderful friends who walk beside me in good times and bad. What a blessing not to walk alone.

~ for 2 special birthdays this week! First we got to celebrate Josh: a down home Southern meal of mashed taters and country fried steak. And yellow cupcakes with chocolate icing of course!

And then the self proclaimed Birthday Princess herself, Miss Tatum K, who was very proud to turn 5!

After much back and forth, she settled on a menu of homemade pizza, salad, and CHIPS! And for her dessert, she remained true to her love of both sweets: confetti cake and lemon pie.

Cake? Pie? YES!!!

If you are new-ish around here, back when Tatum K was a baby, she would chant and beg for cake and pie in her high chair, banging the tray with a fork in each fist like a little pirate. And when I asked her if she wanted cake or pie for her 2nd birthday, without blinking an eye, she replied, “YES!” So it’s been cake AND pie ever since! Love that spicy girl!

2021
2020
2019

~ for a Giddyup and Whoa order of epic proportions! We have an order for 67 signs, due in 2 weeks! It’s all hands on deck around here!

~ for a successful kickoff of our Annual Gold Network of East Texas Oncology Clinic Toy Drive.

We have several drop off locations across East Texas, and will be collecting until May 15. A small toy, craft, or gift card is such a small thing to us, but such a blessing to kids of all ages going through cancer treatment. Just a tiny incentive to make them smile through the hard. We were blessed to benefit from a Camp Gladiator Super Saturday this week. An amazing workout group collected toys and funds to support the toy drive. You can drop toys at any of our locations, or give online at www.goldnetworkoet.com/donate and we’ll do the shopping for you!

Current drop off locations (looking for more!!):

RDA Pro-Mart 2318 Judson Rd Longview,Tx 75605

Big Daddy’s Stereo 2624 Bill Owens Pkwy Longview, TX 75604

Vogue Salon 3000 Gilmer Rd Longview, TX 75604

Bombshell Salon 522 Titus St, Gilmer, Tx 75644

Village Salon 1118 W. Panola St., Carthage, Tx 75633

Serenity Salon & Spa 2500 East End Blvd. North Marshall, TX 75670

Faith Veterinary Clinic 206 W Duval St Troup, TX 75789

Caring Hands PPECC 3001 Spur 124 Highway Tyler, TX 75707

Kingdom Veterinary Clinic 15051 County Rd 1103, Flint, TX 75762

I was so encouraged during my Bible reading this morning. As so often is the case, I read a Scripture for like the millionth time, and it suddenly stood out to me like never before. In 1 Chronicles, David is talking to his son Solomon about the monumental task of building the temple, and he says, ““Be strong and courageous, and do the work.” I read it again and again. I told Josh, “If this is not our family motto, I don’t know what is!” It’s really that simple. Be strong and courageous, and DO THE WORK. We have to be willing to work. Everything isn’t always going to just fall into place. We all have to do hard things. Make hard choices. Make hard changes. We can’t sit idly by and watch as life passes us by. BUT GOD! The Scripture goes on to encourage, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” (1 Chronicles 28:20). We do not labor alone or in vain. He is with us always. He sees. He cares. He has a plan. But He expects us, COMMANDS US, to do the work, to put our hands to the plow. To extend ourselves expectantly, knowing that He is moving with us. I hope this encourages you as much as it does me. We personally are in a season right now where it is time to be brave and do the work. He is faithful. And I can’t wait to see what He has in store!

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalms 145:17-18)

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Psalms 143:8)

“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.” (2 Samuel 22:29-34)

Spring

I am thankful:

~ for each one of you. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone still reads these blog posts, but here you are. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words and prayers after last week’s heavy post. This life is filled with much we can never understand, and the suffering of children is at the top of that list. Our HERO families continue to put one foot in front of the other, facing each hard challenge as it comes, because they don’t have a choice. Thank you for your continued prayers for these precious families.

~ for the glorious arrival of Spring. The sun soaked days are good medicine. Elephant ears are forcing their spikes from the earth, fresh flowers on the front steps, and our freeze-ravaged azaleas are trying their best to shine. Even my resurrected orchid has pushed two more stunning blooms!

~ for baseball! It’s been several years since the big boys played ball, and it’s finally Gavin and Sawyer’s turn. We’ve got multiple practices. and multiple games every week. It’s a daily affair. Late nights and sandy shoes.

It’s both boys’ first time to play, and we could not have asked for better coaches for their first experience. They love Jesus and are so kind and encouraging when they work with the teams. It’s so fun for Josh and I to watch them having so much fun!

~ for ooey gooey magic cookie bar deliciousness. I haven’t made them in years…how did I forget how WONDERFUL THEY ARE?

~ for a wonderful night for Cooper for his Junior Prom. Isn’t he so handsome? How is he so GROWN?

~ for such a special chapel play for Sawyer and his class. Sawyer had a very important part: the role of Jesus! Who knew Jesus could have worn glasses and had such a cool hairdo?? It still stops my heart to see him doing all the normal, healthy KID stuff we never dared allow ourselves to hope for him.

~ for the yummiest cheesy instant pot lasagna. New recipe was an instant favorite.

~ for the cutest little April Fools in all the land. We love Jolly Joke Day!

~ for a house full of young folks (how old do I sound?) as we hosted the youth group this evening. Such a neat group of kids.

Life is such a rollercoaster, and I feel like I’m holding on for dear life. BUT GOD. I know He knows. I know He sees. Good days and hard days and impossible days and everything in between. It seems like every time I blink everything and everyone has flashed forward. I just remind myself to breathe Him in deeply, and exhale with thanksgiving. A day is coming when He will wipe away every tear. He is faithful. There is an order to all things.

Thanks for giving thanks with me.

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalms 62:5-6)

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” (Psalms 13:5-6)

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”(Hebrews 10:23-25)