Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Daniel 2:21 (New International Version)

21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.

So there are some things changing in my life...my kids are getting bigger and more self-sufficient, I've become more and more involved in church and community activities, and I've made a lot more friends with whom I can hang out and go places or do things. All in all, these changes are for the better. I've kept to myself for far too long, mostly out of grief and stress.

I also believe that the Lord has revealed to me that it's OK for me to move forward in another part of my life...I am actually dating someone now. I guess you call it dating...we've been going to eat with the kids or hanging out at the house with the kids for a couple of weeks now. He's asked me if I am interested in dating him, and I said yes. We've never been anywhere alone together yet...I am still kind of apprehensive in some ways about the whole "dating" thing. It's not like it was 20 years ago, then again I'm not who I was 20 years ago either. It seems so weird to me. I guess when you are with a person for almost 18 years and then in an instant they are gone, anyone else would seem strange to be around. I think it's best that we get to know one another as great friends first and foremost. Maybe I'm scared...or worried about the boys...or all of the above. God will let me know what to do in His time, I'm certain.

Anyway, enough babble. Here are a few more pictures from the pumpkin patch. These little faces are what make everything worthwhile!! :)

Workin' at the Car Wash...

Ephesians 6:6 (New International Version)

6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

The 4th grade Sunday school class at FBC Terrell had a car wash today to raise money for the Just One R.O.C. fund...they worked for 3 hours, washed and dried 26 cars, and made $326.00, which will be doubled due to our matching fund, so in total it was worth $652.00 for the R.O.C.!! The kids worked so hard and had a lot of fun. They also talked with Mr. Shannon and Mrs. Crystal about how they were not only raising money for our church, but also learning to be good and faithful servants of the Lord with their ministry. They are such awesome kids! Shannon and Crystal are truly blessings in our lives, our church, and our community. :)

Herding Cats

Luke 18:16 (New International Version)

16But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

What little cuties I have in the day care this year!! These are just two of the smiling faces I got to spend the afternoon with today. We went on a field trip to Rockwall's Pumpkin Patch. We had a group of ten 2 and 3 year olds. It literally was like herding cats...they all wanted to go in different directions as fast as their little legs would go. I was so tired by the time we got back to school!!!

Above you see Mr. A. and Mr. J. They were happy to pose for my camera. I have TONS of other pictures but I am too tired to go through them all tonight...we had a football game and 5th quarter at the church tonight, so I'm about to pass out any moment. Tomorrow is a busy day with the fly-in and the kids' car wash at the church. If you need your car washed, come by the First Baptist Church of Terrell between 12-3 and the 4th grade class will wash your car for a donation to our building fund. Dirty up the car really good before you come, though...my boys need to do some serious scrubbing!! :)

Conquering Fear

Job 39:22

22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
he does not shy away from the sword.

It's been six weeks since I've posted...so much has been going on with home stuff, school stuff, church stuff, LIFE stuff...it's so hard to get everything done in just 24 hours a day! I haven't had my camera out that entire time for the most part, until yesterday. I have to share with you some pictures from the adventure some folks in my Sunday School class took, and I was there to document the event for posterity's sake!

There was a group of six of us who traveled an hour and a half to New York, TX, which is about fifteen minutes the other side of Athens...and went to visit www.goziptexas.com to ride the cables in the trees!! Zip lining is a fairly new sport to Texas, and this is one of the few places in Texas to get a true zip line experience. They have nine lines, and the longest is 900 feet long. Imagine hanging 2 or three stories up in the trees, zipping down a cable hooked to a harness around your rear end. I thought they were nuts...but I digress. I still have some unconquered fear to deal with, so I opted out of zipping this time. I took tons of pictures and have decided that I will do it myself next time I go.

The place is just GORGEOUS. If anyone says there is no God, they need to go there and just look at the breathtaking beauty around them on top of that hill. It was so peaceful. It was such a blessing to go with good friends to experience such a great time.

It's kinda pricey...$60.00 for six lines, $80.00 for all nine, but worth every penny according to my friends. Go and judge for yourself...I'll doubt you regret it!