One Million Arrows

Everyone has books on their bookshelves that are the books that are keepers. . . the books you won't depart with . .. the books that won't be thrown into the yard sale pile or the 'donate to Goodwill' pile. . . the books that you go back to time and time again to read, reread, scan for the parts you underlined. . . you guys know what I'm talking about? Well, I have one more book you MUST add to your collection.

The title is enough to catch your attention. . . "One Million Arrows". . .then you scan further down "Raising your Children to Change the World". . .Seems like every parents dream?Right? Yet, what an overwhelming and daunting task!!! I know there are certainly days I can't even get my kids to do their chores and schoolwork, much less gear them up to change the world. . .

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!

As I was reading this book I felt as if I was having dinner with a dear friend and we're talking back and forth how we want to make a difference for the kingdom of God, how we want to raise our children who love the LORD with all their hearts, souls, mind, and strength whose goal is changing the world for the LORD. Julie writes in such a way that she gives very practical ways to start you on your way to "raise children who change the world". I felt so very encouraged each time I would put the book down, yet also very geared up and determined.

So, what if you don't have children, or your children are grown and gone, or you think it's too late, or you're a single parent, trying to do it all on your own? This book is for you too!!!! You are still responsible for raising "arrows" for the "mission". It's never too late!!! Julie offers hope for you and let's you know what you can do to raise "arrows" .

She even goes further. . . what about your spiritual children? Yes, we all have spiritual children or at least SHOULD have spiritual children. These are the children who we aren't raising in our homes, loving on each and every day. These are the children that we play a part in their lives by either teaching, discipling, and/or supporting financially so they can be taught the Word. Again, you MUST read this book!!!

One more thing that I just love about this book. . . ALL the proceeds go to benefit an orphanage in Haiti!!! You know how I know Julie is legit and she's not just putting this out there trying to make people buy her book? Because she is living proof of a Mom raising "arrows" for the "mission". She tells a story how she and her husband, after building their dream house, sold it to build an orphanage in Haiti. She's the real deal!!!! Her story just spoke volumes to my heart (as those of you who've been reading my blog for awhile know my husband I bought our dream home a little more than a year ago)!!! She gave up the 'American Dream' to invest in eternity!!! WOW, WOW, and double WOW!!!

"Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Time is short and lives are at stake. Right now, God is inviting our families to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage hearts to make a radical difference. One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. If we want our kids to discover their purpose, if we want them to live with passion for the Kingdom, if we want our family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission...and leave a mark for eternity." (Julie Ferwerda)

You can order her book from www.amazon.com or click on the toolbar on my blog to check out her web site. Please order and read. I promise, you will not have wasted a single penny. Your money will support orphans and. . . I can almost guarantee you. . . you, too, will be geared up to raise "arrows" for the "mission"!!!

She's a Riot

All week it has been project organize and throw away here at our house. These moods don't strike me often, so when they do, I'm all over it. I got Ash's room all cleaned and organized, and after 3 bags of trash later, it's clean as a whistle.

Today was Hanna's room day. I went through all of her clothes to sort out all that she'd outgrown. I had them in a big pile and told her to put them in garbage bags.

As she was working on this for me she blurts out, "I feel like I'm on 'What not to Wear'". She's only 6 years old I tell ya!!! That girl is a hoot and a half!

It's All About Perspective

Jon is always telling me that. I even find myself saying that to myself and to others quite often. Really, though, life is truly about perspective. Jon and I have been dealing with much lately. . . in the way of relationships . . . more so in the area of finances.

No job. One month's salary in the bank. A ton of bills. It can weigh you down. Last week Jon and I, along with family and friends, were praying over a job Jon had been offered. He actually only applied for the job because it said, "No high pressure sales. Excellent costumer service." This fits my introverted husband. Wanna know what it was? A car salesman. However, the add was very misleading and just basically lied.

He was told to show up Friday for training and literally did not make the decision until the very last minute. We truly believe it was the right one. No one we've talked to since making this decision has made us believe this was the wrong decision. That was our biggest fear. . . making the wrong decision.

Thankfully God has provided for our family in other ways. We will be okay financially for a little while. . . but no free spending. . . I mean I literally had to cancel a girls' day out with some of my best friends to have an $8 pedicure. That is how tight this ship is right now. That's okay though.

I've been camping out in James 1. Little did I know I would have to use these very words to encourage my little sister last Thursday.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower." James 1:2-9

In a family full of sisters this is the way it works. When something is seriously going on with one of us we are calling one another like crazy (mama too). Then if not one answers their phones, we're calling the husbands (poor things, I know it drives them crazy). Although at times I literally want to scream when my home phone rings, then the cell, then repeat 4 times. . . I really wouldn't have it any other way.

Last Thursday my little sister (the preggo one) was diagnosed with preeclampsia. She was sentenced to bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy (she's 30 weeks) and told they would probably have to take little Emory (or Emmy poo as Aunt 'Chele has been calling her). We were certainly all alarmed and didn't take this lightly. I teased her though and told her where God had me in my Bible study in James 1. . . that we should all be full of joy b/c of all our trials. Kris said, "Yeah, let's have a joy b/c of our trials party". I told her I'd bring the Gwantley (sp???) hotdogs b/c we were broke.

Today we found out Kristen has a virus called CMV. It is typically contracted from the elderly and small children (she's an occupational therapist who works at a nursing home and a part-time children's minister assistant). The thing with this virus is more than likely it will be transmitted to Emory. Although Kristen refuses and told her hubby NOT TO DARE look on the internet . . . her big sister did. Kinda scared me...made our finacial problems not so very important anymore.

When I talked with Kris today she was in pretty good spirits considering the circumstance. Of course, Mom is worried. Quite honestly, I think we all are.

We serve a mighty big God. This has not taken him by surprise and we will praise Him NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME IS!!!! God is still on His throne. His fingerprints are all over our lives, and, yes, He has knit Emory together whether she be blind, deaf, with cerebral palsy or mental retardation. And we will praise Him because all of His works are wonderful. He has seen her unformed body and ALL of her days are written before one of them comes to be. (Psalm 139:13-16).

Our family would certainly appreciate any and all prayers.

How to Celebrate Turning 4!!!!

Have you Mama make you a Super Mario cake, made as preservative-free as possible. . . because right after Jesus, you love Mario best.

Invite your cooler, older cousin who can sometimes aggravate the mess out of you. . .

Have your sweet sister and cousin gaze at your cake and wonder what a cake made with goat's milk is going to taste like.

Gaze at the pretty candles. . . can't wait to blow them out. . .

A little smoke, but not nearly the smoke from Uncle Jon's birthday party a couple of weeks ago.

Open your Mario book bag from super cool, Aunt 'Chele and Uncle Jon. Trying to pretend like you were surprised and 'you'd wanted this your whole life' because you saw your present earlier in the day.

Hoping your preggo Aunt KiKi doesn't eat all the birthday cake.

Having Nanna and Papa and Nana T. come and celebrate 4 years of your life.

Hoping Aunt 'Chele will stop calling you "Beans". . . knowing that nickname came from a surprise of Mom's 30th birthday. . . 'cause you spilled the beans. . . with "Aunt 'Chele out there".

You know Aunt 'Chele has to ham up a picture. . .

Having a sweet Mama that worked so hard all day to get your birthday party ready. . . on top of having some health issues. . .

Being a sweet boy and letting the girls play your new monkey game you got for your birthday. . .although the grownups did decide it must be a game that trained terrorists. . . pretty scary for a bunch of kids. . .

Forgiving your Aunt KiKi when she fusses at you because SHE wants to be Mario at YOUR birthday party.

We all love you so much JS!!! Happy Birthday Buddy!

P.S. Melissa, please don't KILL me for putting these pictures on here!

Random Thoughts

No catchy title here. Just wanting to document and remember some things going on in our lives right now.

• I'm putting Noah's Ark for sale today. Gas is way too high, especially since I've wanted to escape to SSI over the last 2 weeks and spend the whole summer down there. I actually told Jon the kids and I may head down there without him. He said it was okay. He's super swamped with getting a house on the market. However, I couldn't leave him. My own self-induced guilt couldn't go to our very favorite place on earth without the love of my life. . . so, here the kids and I stay.. . sorry, I digress. . . back to Noah's Ark. She's super clean and we've put her at a really awesome price. If she sells GREAT, if she doesn't that's GREAT too, 'cause she really is my dream car :).
• Back to SSI. . . We are going to SSI in about a month or so with some of our dearest and closest friends. I'm so excited about that I could literally do cartwheels around my house. It's our family and 3 other families. I wish we could ALL just spend all summer down there!!!!
• I've been a little blue the last few days. I really am not a "blue" kind of girl. I feel pretty happy most of the time. Thing is, I wish I could blame it on PMS. . . can't though. . . I really wish I could just pinpoint what it is. I am feeling a little better as the day goes on, but I still feel like a little dark cloud is following me around.
• I'm really grateful for the time I've gotten to spend with my parents lately. Between helping them move and riding to my nephew's birthday party (2 hours away), I've really gotten to be with them alot. I'm so very blessed to have a Mama like I do. She loves me to absolute pieces. . . even at the ripe age of 33. . . and will drop anything and everything she's doing in a heartbeat for me. She'll also shoot it to me straight!!! We've had a lot of fun over the last couple of weeks.
• Jon and I have a really big decision to make by Friday morning. Any and all prayers for wisdom and discernment will be appreciated. I'm so thankful for the people who are carrying this burden with us. I love y'all!!!!
• I'm loving the once-a-month cooking meals I did with my friend Jennifer. It is wonderful to just pull something out of the freezer and pop it in the oven. It's allowed me to sneak in watching "Glenn Beck" while dinner is cooking.
• Although our life is really in such disarray right now, I don't know if Jon and I have ever been as close to the LORD as we are now. We are growing and things are certainly being thrown our way to test us. He sent me a text today that said, "I luv you now more than ever." (I don't say that in a boastful way. . . I just want to remember it when I'm old and gray).
• I'm thankful that God is confirming over and over again a call He has placed on my life. I'm the kind of girl that needs reassurance like that.
• I'm learning to listen more intently to the Holy Spirit. . . knowing that when I make "excuses" for something. . . then more than likely I have no business doing it. Sometimes I can be pretty hard headed.
• We're finished with school and have had some lazy days here at home. It's been great, but I do like to stay busy (maybe why I'm blue?!?). I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE POOL TO OPEN!!!!
• I wish I was the person to invent silly bands. These people are making a killing. . . gotta be. . . b/c my kids have bought enough to last them the rest of their lives.
• I love how last week my sweet Ashley came to me and said, "Mama, I really want to study my Bible. I just don't know where to start." She and I've started a Bible study this week. I pray my kids always want to know God's will and God's ways.

Enough for now. I think I may whip out my sewing machine today, or maybe not?!? Maybe I'll read a book?or work on a 500 piece puzzle with the kids?or take a bike ride? or ALL of the above? Ohh. . . I feel my blueness leaving me as I get geared up for busyness. . . ha!ha! Not really, just tryin' to be funny. I'm telling you this, I don't like this feeling of BLUE!! I'm hoping it will shake from me soon.

Oh No, it's the Big 4-0!!!!

When 2010 hit I knew this was the year Jon would be turning 40. I'm a birthday girl. I LOVE THEM!!! But, the big birthdays. . . I especially love!!





So in January I started thinking and planning what I would do to celebrate. A surprise party really isn't Jon's cup of tea. You see, unlike his darling wife, he does not like to be the center of attention. But, my man loves to vacation.





So. . . I started checking into cruises. Oh baby, I picked out this 5 night cruise to Mexico!!! I started savin up my money. . . and BAM. . . no dice. Unfortunately, we have to scrimp and save every single penny we have right now.





However, I couldn't just let his 40th birthday come and go and not CELEBRATE in a very big way.





The next thing that came to my mind was a surprise party.





Now, there is no way I could've pulled off this thing on my own. I had LOTS of help.





Doug helped me get him out of the house and back into the house.


My mom made the cake.


My dear friend, Lisa, made MOST of the food. She loves to cook and was glad to do so. Everyone LOVED all of her goodies. She clearly outdid herself.


Jon's parents came and made sure my yard looked good. They weeded my flower beds, picked up limbs, etc.


I had other friends offer to help bring something, but I really wanted this to be an event that everyone could just sit back and enjoy. However, when they all got here, I did put them to work -Hee!Hee!





Remember, a few years ago when I planned to surprise him with a trip to Grove Park Inn (can you tell I like surprises?). Remember he found out?!?! I can hardly ever surprise the man, even with a Christmas present. So, I really wasn't too sure how I'd ever pull this thing off. I really felt like Sherlock Holmes except rather than trying to solve a mystery, more like create one.





THE PLAN





I knew Jon would be suspicious as soon as he saw cars in the driveway. I'm all the time having get-togethers here at the home. The day before his party was the big homeschool conference. I told him some moms were coming over to discuss what they bought at the conference. To not make me a liar, Lisa and Faith and I DID discuss what we bought.





Doug scheduled for he and Jon to run at his house at 3:30 that afternoon. He left the house. I screamed to all the kids (we had 2 of the kids' friends here with us), "Operation Surprise Party is in Effect." We all started boogying. . . pulling out decorations (from suitcases, cabinets in the garage, hiding place in the laundry room), putting out food, putting out plates/cups/napkins. I was bubbling with excitement.





Everyone started arriving. I put just about everyone to work. I everyone park on the side lot of our house other than just a few cars Jon would expect to see.





When Jon and Doug were finished running Doug texted me to let me know they were on their way. Jon's sister arrived just in the nick of time. She literally got here just a minute or two before they got here. When I saw her car, I ran and said, "Come in, quickly. They're coming."





We all anxiously go into our kitchen 'cause I knew Jon would come in the back door. He walked in.


We all yelled S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E!!! He said at this point he was thinking, "What are we celebrating?"

After greeting everyone he ran upstairs to take a shower. I followed him to make sure he wasn't going to divorce me.

Here are lots of pictures from the party. They are in no particular order.

My sweet nephew started hiding as soon as they got here. Bless his sweet heart. After about 45 minutes he started to give up. He wanted so badly to jump out and yell surprise!

Check out Hanna's tongue as she's eyeing the cake!

Those are 40 candles. . . trick candles. . . which means FUN!!!!

The kids and I put a tribute to Jon on poster board. . . a "Jon through the years".

Some of the decor that hung from the ceiling.

Hanna and my sweet niece. My sister drove all the way from Columbia, SC that day.

Putting them to work. I have such GREAT friends!

Mama and the girls putting candles on the cake.

Lisa, Ms. Chef Extraordinaire, made Jon's favorite dessert. There were 2 of these. See the "4" spelled out with grapes? The other one had an "O".

One of the tables of food.

More food. . . See the girls in the background? This is where we were looking to watch for him to arrive.

Me and Gigi (Jon's mom). She's so precious and wonderful!! I'm so very blessed to have wonderful in-laws. Gigi also brought a good bit of food. She has a thing with these hats these days. She just got back from SSI and has several of these in all different colors. Must be an island thing?

A little mingling before the party.

Sweet girls.

Me and my sister-in-law, Holly. Doesn't she and Jon look a lot alike? I think Hanna favors her alot.

More 40 decor.

Jon and Doug. . . a pair of "deuces".

Me and Lisa. Such a precious friend to me! Lis, I COULD NOT have done this party without you!!!

Lisa and Tim. . . They were Jon and I's first friends when we moved to Griffin (or Jon moved back). I just loved had God has kept us together all these years. . . what is it? 11 or 12 years now?

Me and my sweet friend Jen G. I am so blessed by her friendship and her family.

Nanna and Hanna

Darren and Karen. Really sweet people. Darren and Jon are in the same core group together. I just started getting to know Karen at the pool last year. Very sweet folks.

My parents.

Jon and Greg. This is Jen. G's hubby.

Melissa took so many pictures for me. Thanks girl!

Holly, Jon, and Lee. Jon is the baby.

Jon and his best friend, Stacey. They've been friends since ???, well since they were little. Stacey was in our wedding. He lived above us in our first apartment. He's like family.

Holly and Granddaddy. A precious, precious picture!

Meanwhile, my brother-in-law, channeled his inner kid and kept alot of the kids busy outside playing football. My friend, Jennifer B's, son said, "Mama, I really liked him. He was so much fun. He's like a big kid."

What happens when you blow 40 trick candles out again and again? You get a smoky room.

Jon wanted Alec to help him blow them out. Alec blew out his gum on the cake. . . gross!

40 candles sure will light up a dark room.

The Birthday Boy

Candace, Angela, Suzanne

Barron, Greg, and Tripp

Jon, Melissa, Doug