Time Has Come!

 Well, the day has come. This blog has come to the end. A new journey. A new chapter has begun. I hope that you will come on over and see me. Don't miss out on what the Lord has planned. If you have been with me for a while, I can't tell you how much I appreciated your comments, your stopping by and just seeing what was going on. There is joy in the journey. Come on over!!!!!! Here is the button. It will link you on over. You can find me on Facebook to!!!!

Welcome to Amory

Well, we are finally in Mississippi.  I have unpacked boxes until my hands are sore and swollen. (Thank you old age..ha).  We are getting settled in.  WE LOVE OUR NEW HOME that THE LORD HAS BLESSED US WITH!!!!!  It is exactly what we wanted.  We have space. We have a beautiful yard.  We have wonderful neighbors.  We have met a few people and everyone is so helpful and so very nice.  It is much different from the big city of Greensboro.  At times a little to different but we just LOVE it.  We are so THANKFUL!  We are just BLESSED!!!! 

Kaleb has started school.  He loves his teacher and his school.  He is ready to go every morning.  We are having to learn about doing homework but every night it gets a little better.  His school is great because it only has K-2.  That is just wonderful!!!!!!  The principle is super nice.  I've even put in an application to work there as a Sub or Teacher's Aide.  I'm super excited.  If I am going to work, better to do it according to his schedule, right?

Bo "officially" starts work on Monday.  He's had all the fun pre-employment stuff done.  Even attended a meeting the other day about payroll.  How fun!!!!  They are all super nice and can't wait to have him there.  I am sure they will just love him!!!!

Me, well, I'm not working at present which seems VERY strange but I am just soaking in every single moment.  I am just really seeking the Lord in what He wants for me.  I'm just along for the ride.  It's very different but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  It is just amazing to see what the Lord has done and what He has provided.  I don't doubt one moment that He orchestrated the entire move!!!  There is no such thing as coincidence.  I don't believe it that.  My Lord is a Lord of detail!!!  I have seen Him provide what seems silly like moving boxes.  Change court dates. Force us to stay one extra day to do things correctly and have everything done right. He gave us 4 families interested in our condo IN THIS MARKET!!!!!  He provided a wonderful trip with time to spend with family and friends. He is our PROVIDER!!!!  He is just amazing!!!!!!!

Please be in prayer for us this Sunday.  We will start the journey of finding a new church to go to.  Cornerstone will ALWAYS be home but 20 hours of driving on Sunday don't seem very possible.  We have had several people tell us to please come and visit.  They go to different churches of different denominations and some non-denominational.  We will do our research, of course praying and follow THE ONE who brought us here.

Yes, this blog will be closing shortly.  Of course there is a new one in the works.  I will post the link and all the information as soon as we are finished.  It's going to be wonderful and Traci is wonderful!!!!!!!

Thank you for continuing on this journey with us.  We are excited!!!!!!!

Pam

P.S- Running will resume on Monday!!!!!!!!  I can't wait!!!!!

BIG-HUGE-NEWS

I have been on this blog since 2008.  SOOO much has changed and so much has happened.  I have really been praying about what to do with it.  In those times, it felt like the Lord was telling me what I already knew in my heart. 

IT"S TIME TO CLOSE!!!! 

NO WORRY-----He gave me the name/title for the NEW BLOG!!!!  I can't wait to see what He has in store.  I have the name that He gave and then He gave me the description the other day. 
I am going to be working with a fellow Facebook/Blogger/Designer for the new one. 

PLEASE KEEP WATCHING and the link and informaiton will be up VERY soon!!!!!!!  I hope you are as excited as I am.....

Chat with you soon!!!!!!!!

Pam

Update

I am once again amazed at how He works.  Things have been at times totally overwhelming and wondering what else could happen. 
The last 2 weeks have brought on several issues that we didn't see coming.  Children, circumstances, fear, overwhelmed, questioning why, wondering if we had lost our mind and a million other thoughts.  I can honestly sit here and tell you that HE IS WORKING!  Even in the midst of the craziness that has happened, there was an underlying peace. An indescribable calm.  It was one moment at a time and seeing Him work, you can not help but just be amazed. 
He was not surprised.
He never left.
He loved me anyway.
He is in control.
He has a plan for us.
He is our strength.
He is our refuge.
He is my Heavenly Father.
He is my friend.
He is a GOD OF DETAIL!!!!

He is in the midst of all the details of this move. I am hoping that I can share more at a later date and really share with you what all HE has done!!!!!!!!

For now, I challenge you.  LOOK FOR HIM!!!  SEE what He is doing!!!  AMAZING!!!!!

Pam

Welcome to Mississippi!

Welcome to Amory Mississippi

Welcome to our new place.

Best BBQ in Amory

Main Street and there are actually stores on Main Street

Main Street shopping!!!!!!

Typical neighborhood street.  Big yards!!!!!

Local grocery store.....yes there is a Wal-Mart

Bo's enemy.......very few red lights......lots of these!!!!



New McDonalds

At our hotel

Beautiful place to stay!

Pickles Drive-In.....excellent food

Silos on the country club golf course

Country club neighborhood

Local Resturant

To this city He has called us!

Hope you will come and visit!!

He is SO AT WORK!

I stand amazed. At this time, there are days when in my prayer time, I can't utter a word. They just seem so inadequate. I just sit there. Incredible!

They always say that when you look back, you can see where He was working.  I was pondering that the other day and thought I would share them.  Let me show you my Jesus at work.....

I had applied 2 times to get on a "home-unit" at work and didn't get either one.
I had not registered for my run in October. Every time I say down to do it, something would come up.
I had not made it to the school for Kaleb's final paperwork.
Due to our schedule, Kaleb was not going to be able to attend Triad Christian Academy like we had planned.
I hadn't registered for the 5K with the hospital.
I was going to participate in a Holiday Show at the hospital but for whatever reason couldn't seem to get the paper work to get signed up.

Looking back, it was Him.  He was in control.  He was paving the way.  He was clearing the road and taking care of my schedule when I didn't even know it.  He did the same thing last year with school.  Oh, if I would just wake up, see Him and His plan, I would not have nearly the worries. 

He is amazing!  I love Him!  I cant wait to see whats next!!!

Pam

Lord Moves-Follow

Well, we went to Mississippi.  We followed what He asked for us to do.  We talked. We prayed. We waited.  The waiting just taught us to trust and lean. 
Today was the day.
Today was the answer.
Today the call came.
Today the papers came.
We are going to Mississippi.
I still can't believe I am writing this. 
I don't know of a time since the day Kaleb was born that I have seen my husband bouncing off the wall.  It has been incredible. Confirmation and confirmation and more confirmation have been given.  We are a bit overwhelmed at what all has to happen in the next few weeks. 

God is good. We are excited. We look forward to having a lot of you to come and visit. There is absolutely NOTHING that we have done. We give this all to Him!!!!  We are excited to see what He has for us to do.  WOW!!!!!

Pam

The Writing On The Wall

I am always amazed when I hear people say things like....
"God doesn't do this or that any longer, that was the old testament."
"God doesn't do this or that any longer, that was in the new testament time"
I am not sure who decides and choses what the Lord can do or not do.  I'm not one that would be willing to say that.  I believe He can do what He wants, when He wants and that is the way it is.

In the Old Testament, there was writing on the wall.  He chose to use that to speak and I truly believe He can do that again if He so chooses.  I experienced it today.  I have no doubt!!!!

As you know we were in Mississippi this weekend.  What an awesome place that we were able to visit.  Small town feel with some awesome people.  Even got to eat a resturant called Pickles Drive In and had the best fish sandwich I have EVER eaten.  It was such a treat to be here.  All of that being said, we were able to go and visit the Elementary School that Kaleb would attend.  I just loved it.  All the walls on the hallways are different colors.  So very bright, cheerful and such a teaching environment.  It was great!!!!!!  Walking around the corner to head down a hallway "IT" was there.  We have been praying and seeking the Lord about this entire event.  This was not something that we were looking for or had plans for but the Lord does. 

Bo was in his interview and I was with Robin, our Real Estate Agent.  We toured the school.  This is a public school.  This is not a "private" "Christian" school.  Painted on the wall....."I know the plans I have for you".  I just had to have a moment and stand there.  I was completely awe-struck.  I knew this trip was for a reason.  I knew without a shadow of a doubt that we were to come and I know that if things proceed as we believe, that we are following the Lord to such a place as Amory Mississippi. 

I do not believe in chance.  I do not believe in luck.  I believe that the Lord is in control and is ready to blow our minds when we change our focus back and place it where it should be.....ON HIM!!!!!

Here you go.......

It has been an incredible week.  A week full of surprises, of moments of WOW, moments of "you have got to be kidding me" and just being overwhelmed at His presence.  If I were to go running today, I'm not sure that I could do so without tears of joy running down my face and trying to keep my hands down.  I'm sure I would be running with raised hands.  I have no doubt.  

I had not shared this with anyone here on the blog or on Facebook.  Some know and some don't so I chose today would be the day to share.  Bo and I are going to Mississippi in light of being called to a job for Bo.  The was not something that we went looking for.  We both are very blessed here.  We both have great jobs and we are settled.  Life is good. We have great friends here.  This was something that was a complete suprise.  The great part is that the Lord was not suprised. He knew.  We will be going to a formal interview and the opportunity to look around and see the area and what they have to offer.  We have not made a decision yet but we know what direction we are headed. 
We are excited. We are seeking the Lord.  We are seeking His direction. We are confident in His leading. 

We have an incredible Sunday School class.  We have become very close.  We share. We learn. We pray. We laugh. We fellowship. We love on each other. We dig in the Word and we are watching Him grow each of us.  We shared with them when this journey first began.  Today, knowing that we will be going to Mississippi for the interview, this precious group of men and women that we love so dearly, gathered around us, laid hands on us and prayed.  The power in the room was almost mind blowing. 

We went to worship after Sunday school and once again, the Lord just kept confirming over and over.  We ARE to go on this interview.  My heart is leaping out of my chest just writing this post!  We both felt and knew without a doubt we were going.  To close out an incredible praise music time, preaching and even baptism, we got to the last song.  I thought I was going to drop to my knees right there on the floor until Bo grabbed my hand we headed to the altar. With tears rolling, Forrest and Tristan praying, we had answers, we had direction, we knew that we knew that we knew, we were being obedient in going to Mississippi on Thursday.  WOW!!!!  That was all Bo kept saying and I was just speechless.  All I could do was just grin.  AMAZING!!!!  My God is wonderful!!!!!  I have included the song that Dennis and the praise band closed with. 

We don't know what will happen during this trip. We don't have the answers to so many questions.  Yes, we even wrote them all down.  The key is that I know the Lord has the answers.  I just trust Him. Trust Him!  Just give me Jesus!!  We would love your prayers.  We will keep you posted on this journey.  There is peace in Him!!

Pondering,
Pam

Brain Dump

We are having so much fun in our Sunday School Class at church.  We had 2 couple visiting this weekend.  It's exciting to see what the Lord is doing .  It is just amazing the difference it has made.  We had a social on Saturday night at one of the members home and it was so much fun!!!!!

We are studying the book of Acts and the start of the New Testament Church and it is so very exciting.  You can't help but not wanting to miss what we will be talking about on Sunday.  Our schedule is typically nuts.  We hit the ground running on Saturday morning and don't stop until Sunday night.  I have to say that even in the midst of the busy life, I wouldn't miss Sunday school for anything.  There is something new. There is something to share.  There is that Ah-Ha moment it seems every week. 

One of the thing that has amazed me is that how what we are talking about in Sunday school will roll over into the worship service.  Whether it is what Pastor Rick is preaching about or the worship songs that Dennis has chosen.  It is just nothing short of being powerful. 

We have started having a Contemporary Worship Service.  We have guitars, drums, singing, clapping, hand-raising and a sense of freedom in worship.  My love of contemporary Christian music and even the old gospel and old hymns, this is just perfect.  If for some reason, I am in need of the Traditional, that is an option.  It's interesting because when the Contemporary Service started, I really wanted to go to that particular service but Bo was more the Traditional and I agreed that would be fine.  I'm excited to say that he said on Sunday that he really likes the Contemporary.  I could have just shouted right there in the truck.  We love it!!!!!

We talked this past Sunday in Sunday school about being sold-out, in-tune, and listening to the Holy Spirit.  How sometimes we go off on our own little tangent.  Sometimes the Spirit will lead us to say something to someone and we don't say anything.  We just go about our way and we don't speak with boldness.  It really made me examine my life and my words and thoughts.  I realize that this post is a little choppy but I just needed to share it with you.  He is speaking and I have a choice.  I can listen and obey or I can listen and go another direction or worse, I can choose to ignore Him and think I can handle it.  I know what I am to do.  What about you?  Where are you at?

Pondering,
Pam

Knees

Pinterest Post

My friend, Sarah, over on her blog posted a bunch of great "sayings" that she had found on Pinterest.  Of course, that got me thinking and I have decided to follow her lead. Not only on this blog but also on my other blog of fitness as well. 
These are just some of my favorites that I have seen and put on my boards.  They are encouraging and something I like to go back read and read.  Hope they encourage you today!!!!!!

Be encouraged today!!!!!!!!
Pam

Trust

"If God can bring blessing from the broken body of Jesus and glory from something that's as obscene as the cross, He can bring blessing from my problems and my pain and my unanswered prayer. I just have to trust Him." -- Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham calls Anne, the best preacher in the family!)

I saw this on Facebook and could help but share it!!!!  One of my favorite speakers!!!!!

Broken

This morning was one of those mornings.  I received a text.  I was shocked. I was so broken.
The song that has the line in the lyrics that says...."break my heart for what breaks yours".  I felt like I was experiencing it this morning full force. 

This week I was on Facebook and received a message from a sweet friend that her husbands brother had taken his life. No one saw it coming. No one had any idea.  They were at a loss. His 14 year old son had found him.  They did find a journal and evidently he had been planning this for a while.  The precious family and all of the questions that surround such a situation as suicide, I can not imagine. That precious young man who found his Dad. Oh, I just pray for them.  I was just heart broken.

I went on Facebook last night and one of my BFF's from high school had changed to "divorced".  I have been praying and praying for her family and so hoping it would not come to such but it has.  Oh, my goodness what a gut wrench it was.  She has 2 sweet and beautiful children.  I'm just praying for healing and strength.

This morning I was dropping off Kaleb at school and received a text.  Another sweet friend from high school.  His wife said she wasn't happy and it was over.  He's hurt and angry. My heart just ached for him.  It was just a shock. I had been praying for his marriage as well.

As I sit and write this, I'm overwhelmed with hurt. I don't have a clue about the suicide and how to even come close to praying for them but the Lord knows my heart. For my friends, D and T, I hope they know that I will be praying for them in the coming days.  The Lord is in control and just pray that they will rest in Him.  I will be praying!!!!!! Love Y'all!!!!!

Pondering
Pam

My Heart Shared with Ben and Brittney

I have been knee deep in training and learning new computer programs for the hospital.  Training and training and more training to the point of dreaming about it.  Yesterday was a day I had been waiting for.  Ben and Brittney were scheduled to meet their little girl Lila Grace. 

They had arrived at the hospital a little after 6am.  I was actually still at work on third shift at the hospital.  I stopped in to see them before I left to go and take Kaleb to school, change clothes and head back to the hospital.  They were all smiles and ready to go.  Brittney of course looked as beautiful as ever and Ben was doing what Ben does.....working.....(that goes back to Parker's birth..haha).  I explained I would head home and be back in about an hour or so.  Nurses were getting everything settled.

I received a text that they broke her water and we would wait and see if Lila would do this on her own.  About an hour later, she had chosen to stay put.  Not going anywhere.  Her nurse, Jen, was awesome!!!!!  She came in and started the pitocin.  Brittney had done this before and we knew what was in store.  Brittney did what she had to do. Ben supported her in every aspect.  At times, I wondered if I should be there because they were so in-tune with each other.  It was just beautiful to watch.

We brought out the ball.  She bounced. She relaxed. She bounced. She relaxed.  It was her time. It was their time.  Lila was on her way.  We succeed at using the ball for a while.  The nurse even came in at one point while Brittney and Ben were in their zone and quietly stood the side of the room and said nothing.  Just stood there and watched.  It was amazing and I was so grateful and thankful for her respect for Brittney and Ben.  Brittney opted to get get checked and we were 6 cm and she had chosen an epidural this time.  They were just about waiting outside the door and it was placed so very quickly. 

I returned to the room and she was resting comfortably.  Jen, the nurse, was checking her BP and making sure she was comfortable.  Ben and Jen rolled her on her side.  She was resting for about 5 minutes and then I saw that look.  That look on a Mom's face that says...."Oh something big just changed".  Pressure.  LOTS OF PRESSURE!!!!  We let Jen know and sure enough.  IT WAS TIME!!!!  We called family and texted family.  Lila Grace was on her way. 


Lila Grace- 7 pounds 11 ounces and 20 inches long- Pure Blessing

For Ben and Brittney- There are no words on this planet that can thank you enough for the joy and privilege of being allowed to be present for the birth of ALL 3 of your children.  I am so very richly and truly blessed.  Even though, I am not able to attend deliveries like I have the past 3 years, this was an amazing way to close out my career.  I will forever be grateful!!!!!!  I wish you all of the best and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for your beautiful family!!!!! 

Labor and Love,
Pam

When He Speaks

Today we were back to the "norm" of running around as we usually do.  I was riding in the car in the midst of a million errands that had to get done today.  My focus was not where it should be and I could feel it.  Not only mentally but physically and emotionally.  Kaleb wanted to listen to his CD in the car that has all of these really cool, short, and easy to learn Bible songs and most of which, he has learned and will even sing along.  Precious!!!!!

I love listening to him when he sings those songs.  It is one of my treasures for sure.  Today, Kaleb fell asleep in the back seat.  I was singing the songs and not realizing that he was not.  I never changed it even after I realized he was asleep.  It was at that time that I realized and listed to what I was singing.  I was singing the old Sunday School Song of "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho".  If you know it you are probably singing it in your head.  Anyway, on of the lines in the song says something to the effect
"Go blow those ram horns for the battle is in My hands."
Now to the average person this may not seem like a huge AhHa moment.  For me this afternoon it was!!!!  It was the Lord using a simple song from a child's song to tell me..."I got this. Let me have it."  I know that we all like to say that we turn things over to the Lord and then we get up from our knees and pick it back up and try to "help" Him.  Well, that is what I have been doing.  I lay it down and pick it up and try to help. 
He has this.
He knows better than me.
He loves me.
He is in control. 
It took a child's song
and
He can use anything. 
Thank you Lord for speaking to me. 

Pondering,
Pam

One Of My Favorite Books

I'm in the process of reading 2 books actually.  One book is by Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser called Skinny Rules.  Lots of stuff that I already knew but lots of new stuff as well.

 The other book is one that I have read so many times and every time I read it I find more in it.  It is one of those that makes me think about how I would react. What I would do? What would my thoughts be? I'm always humbled reading Corrie Ten Boom's book The Hiding Place. 

Its just one of those books.  I thought this would be a good place to share some of my favorite quotes out of the book.  The quotes are very thought provoking for sure and really cause you to think.  I think that part of the reason that it seems to have me thinking is because of where I am at this time.  I'm in New Orleans.  The place where Katrina hit.  Majority of what we have seen has been rebuilt and/or cleared and cleaned.  Every so often you run across a building that is still boarded up.  There is also the Super Dome.  It was almost breath taking and over whelming at the same time. Every time we walk down the street or go for a ride, I can not help but wonder how much water was here?  Was it in the house? Was it up to the roof?  Those that lost their lives. Those that lost everything.  What would have my response been?  Makes you thankful and grateful for sure!!!!!! 
Now for some of the book.....The Hiding Place

-Today I know that such memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.  I know that the experience of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do.

-Betsie and I knelt down by the piano bench.  For what seemed hours we prayed for our country, for the dean and injured tonight, for the Queen.  And then, incredibly, Betsie began to pray for the Germans, up there in the planes, caught in the fist of the giant evil loose in Germany.  I looked at my sister kneeling beside me in the light of burning Holland.  "oh Lord, " I whispered, "listen to Betsie, not me, because I cannot pray for those men at all."

-"I don't know," she said softly. "But if God has shown us bad times ahead, it's enough for me that He knows about them.  That's why He sometimes shows us things, you know-to tell us that this too is in His hands."

-But Betsie put a finger on my mouth.  "Don't say it, Corrie!  There are no 'if's' in God's world.  An no places that are safer than other places.  The center of His will is our only safety-O Corrie, let us pray that we may always know it!"

These are just a few.  I will share more as I continue to read!!!!!!!  If you have read the book, what were some of your favorites???  Feel free to share!!!!!!

Pondering,
Pam

Time is Just Flying!!!!!

I am once again amazed at what all the Lord is doing.  I can see Him in different areas and once again it just blows my mind and it is almost overwhelming.  Does that make sense?
I have been overwhelmed lately just with life in general.  You know those days when you just want to all just stop for a while so you can breathe?  That is where I have been.  All most to the point of tears on some days because I just wanted to relax.  I knew that vacation was coming. I knew there would be time to rest. It just wasn't coming fast enough for me.  I would just pray and ask for more and more strength because there was no way I could do it on my own.  He would graciously supply. 

For the first time in weeks, I can say today that I am actually relaxed.  I mean to the point of almost feeling like a limp dish rag, in a good sort of way.  There has been no schedule. There has been no work to call to see where I am going. No stress of the day.  Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!

My friend, Danielle that I work with at the hospital, comes up with some of the best ideas and recipes that are good for you, taste great, and are simple to make.  She and her husband, Adam, have Team Genetics.  They have so inspired me to push beyond just what I was doing and really taking it to the next level.  She probably has no idea just how much.  I am doing more now than I have ever done fitness wise and it has been a real challenge but one I believe I was ready for. 

I wrote my "plan", Transformation From the Inside Out".  Finally getting it on paper was just wonderful and I keep adding more and more.  My sweet friend Tara is giving it a try and I'm encouraging her along the way.  I'm excited.

Kaleb has graduated from Pre-K and now we are on to Kindergarten.  Kyle is on his own and I am so missing him but he is doing a great job!!!!  Tonya is ready to start her GED on-line.  I'm so proud of her!  Dylan is the Little Monkey and growing every day!!!!!!!  Life is good and I'm so blessed and so very thankful!!!!!!!

Pressing On,
Pam

Living Word



This is what reading and studying the Word feels like!



H.S

We had one of those lessons yesterday in Sunday School that really makes you stop and think.  This post is short.  I'm still mulling it over. 
We always name God.
We always name Jesus Christ.
We call the Holy Spirit....."it"
Why do we do that?
Are we afraid?
What are we afraid of?

For sure something to ponder.......
Pam