Looking Back

Here we are....the last day of 2010. What a year it has been!

* I married my best friend in the wedding of my dreams!
* I became pregnant three months into my marriage with a little boy!
* I traveled to Israel with my husband, my parents, two sisters, and many friends.
* I was able to sing more this year in revivals and concerts than ever before.
* I saw my little sister graduate from High School.
* I watched another little sister follow the Lord in Baptism.

.....what a year!

Now, we look ahead to 2011. It will be the year I become a Mommy. It will mark Grant's and my 1st anniversary. It will be a year of singing, ministering, writing, recording, witnessing, and leading people to Jesus.

We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we DO know Who holds tomorrow. Our ever-faithful Lord and King will guide us through 2011 just as He led us through 2010. And no matter what may arise, He will continue to be faithful and true. As we end 2010, let me encourage you as well as myself, to take 2011 and redeem the time. Grab hold of this coming year and make the most of it. Sing and preach louder. Serve Christ more fervently. Pray without ceasing. Be steadfast in the faith. Read the word, obey His voice, and follow wherever the Lamb may lead.

Happy 2011, everyone! May it be a year of a closer walk with Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2a - "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."

On Top of the World!

I have to give a big CONGRATULATIONS to one of my best and dearest friends, Sarah.

Why?

She is engaged!!!

Asked on December 28, 2010 by her beau, at the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado, over 14,000 feet up....it isn't much of a stretch to say that she is literally on top of the world!

I have watched their love story unfold and it has been incredibly exciting! Her example of purity and faithfulness has always inspired me and I couldn't be happier for my sweet friend! I have spent countless hours online, on the phone, and in person with Sarah praying, talking, dreaming, and encouraging. We have talked about the "What If's" and we have wondered together why it is always so difficult to trust God in every area of our life. It is always hard to surrender and let go of something you want and place it in the hands of our Father...and leave it there. But as it has been proven: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17)

He is faithful. He always has been. And He always will be. And once again, He reached down and brought two lives together.

So, CONGRATULATIONS Sarah and her soon-to-be-husband, Ben! May the Author of Love who has brought you this far, rain His blessings upon you and lead you, guide you, and strengthen you always.

Our First Christmas

Thought I'd post a few pictures of our first Christmas!

Our home!

Our beautiful tree!

Special ornaments

Our stockings. Grant's, mine, and our chocolate lab, Gracie

My husband hung mistletoe!

Christmas Eve



Monday Meanderings - 12/27/10

So how was everyone's Christmas?? My first as Mrs. Grant Lee was wonderful! Fun, crazy, meaningful, memorable....fabulous. Now, it's on to CLEANING THIS HOUSE and putting away all the stuff we got!



Bible Study... Proverbs 31

Memory Verse... Proverbs 12:4
"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones."

Husband Encouragement...
♥ Clean....this....house.
♥ Have a healthy meal for him when he comes home.
♥ Laugh!
♥ Be easy going and try not to wear my feelings on my sleeve

Train Them Up...
* Continue to read to baby Nathan every day.
* Continue scheduling when he moves and when he does not.
* Pray for him and with him
* Begin planning for nursery!

Personal Goals...
* EXERCISE this week
* TRY to write in journals
* Get some rest

New Habit of the Month...
* Clean bathrooms at least once a week.

MUST Do...
* Clean the house
* Finish laundry
* Put up all the Christmas gifts
* Reorganize if needed
* Practice violin

Zone...  the whole house

Menu

M - Steak, baked potatoes, veggies
T - Deer steak, cajun fries, green beans OR corn
W - Vegetable soup
Th - Chicken fettuchini
F - Homemade pizza
S - Church food
Su - Sandwhiches

FUN THINGS!
* Resting
* Catching up on email
* Planning Nathan's nursery!

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. A warm house
2. All the love that was shown this Christmas
3. God's blessings

Merry Day-Before-Christmas Eve!

So it's Christmas Eve EVE! I am so looking forward to this weekend!

Seeing ALL of my family. Celebrating with my husband's family. Spending time together for the first time on Christmas Day! It's going to be a memorable Christmas.

Last night, Grant and I FINALLY took a few Christmas pictures. Inspite of being rushed, tired, and completely inept to taking self-portraits, they turned out pretty good! Here are three of my favorites:

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! As you enjoy the food, fellowship, family time, carols, presents and stockings, do not forget about Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, who came to this earth to redeem us from our sin. Let us not forget that it wasn't about the baby in the manger, it was about the Highest of Kings coming down to be born in the lowliest of places, making Himself of "no reputation" but taking on "the form of a servant." It's not just about shepherds coming to see, it's about being changed by the Gospel and telling everyone about it! It isn't about the kings from the east who brought gifts. It is about US giving to the Lord; the giving of our time, our talent, our money, our family...our very life. Let us not become like the inn-keepers....let us roll out the red carpet and invite Christ in. As the song goes, "Let every heart prepare Him room."

Don't forget to WORSHIP the Lord this Christmas. I don't want to simply "remember the reason for the season," but literally praise Him for who He is and what He has done for me. As Mary said...

My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.....
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation....
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts....
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree....
He hath filled the hungry with good things...

....For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Praise be to HE who came down for me!  Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Story, as Told by Facebook

Lots to Do! It's Christmas!!

Better watch out
Better not cry,
Better not pout
I'm tellin' you why.....

Why?

Because CHRISTMAS is THIS Saturday!!!!!

 Lots to do, lots to do!

Deer chili is in the crockpot, cookies are in-the-making, I have to finish wrapping the presents, try to finish cleaning the house, put up the laundry I just folded....busy busy. Sometime before Thursday, I want to TAKE A GOOD CHRISTMAS PICTURE WITH GRANT. *sigh* Maybe tomorrow?? Somehow find time to really rest, relax, and enjoy my first Christmas as a wife. Busy, busy!

10 Things I Love

Today, I have been trying to think of everything that makes me happy; all the things that make me smile. Some days, when Satan lunges out at you, it is good to remind yourself of all the blessings God has rained down upon you. From the biggest and sweetest, like salvation, forgiveness, freedom and joy, family, friendship, and love to the simple things like chocolate, photo albums, and window shopping. Of course, there is the obvious: my husband makes me smile. My baby boy on the way makes me smile. My family makes me smile. My sisters can create instant laughter and hysteria on command. My cousins, when we are all together, provide ample entertainment and I love being with my aunts and uncles, hearing stories of when they were younger. My Church family and my best friends also bring a smile and a sweet joy to my life. There are obvious things I love but, today, I want to name 10 different, not-so-obvious-things that bring a smile to my face.

1. Squirrels - An odd way to begin a list, I know. But since I married and moved, I have taken great delight in squirrels. Why? Because we have a family of them that live on our property. I see them climbing up the tree in the front yard, playing in the grass, investigating the back porch and playing "catch" on our roof. They are cute. And they make me smile.

2. Flowers - I'm a girl. 'Nuff said.

3. Ice cream - Who doesn't like ice cream?? Summer days, winter days... it doesn't matter to me. I love making myself a bowl of yumminess and enjoying! Want to know my favorite? Blue Bell's Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla. Take my word for it, it will change your life....

4. Tender hugs - I love hugs. I love them from friends and family and from my husband. On good days and on bad days, in the morning and in the evening. I love hugs from those I love.

5. Music. I love music but there are some days when I LOVE music. You know those days when you are driving down the road and the perfect song begins to play on the radio and suddenly you find yourself weeping, worshipping, or shouting the lyrics at the top of your voice? Yeah....

6. Smiles from strangers - I'm from the south. Here in the south, we wave to each other as we pass them on gravel and country roads, we say "y'all," we cook with grease, we drink sweet iced tea, and we smile as we walk past each other. Southern people are just NICE....(well...usually, anyway). And I love it.

7. Books - You can ask my husband. When we walk into Mardels or any Christian book store, he must restrain me and hold me back from running down the aisles. He usually puts me on a time limit. Does it work? Occasionally. But I love books. They make me smile.

8. Baby animals - Years ago I had a kitten named Wonka who, unfortunately, couldn't stay out of the dog's mouth. The dog wasn't trying to hurt Wonka, he just liked to shake him around. Well, after several episodes of that, we noticed that Wonka's growth was....well....stunted. He would remain a tiny cat forever (at least until he endured one shake too many). I loved it. I love small animals, baby animals. If I had my way, I would freeze a puppy or kitten or bunny in time, keeping them small and cute and adorable. Unfortunately, that can't happen, but it's something I would love!

9. Dresses and skirts - I'm a country girl and I wear jeans. But there is something about a dress and/or skirt that makes me feel like a lady. I love the beauty that comes with flowing skirts and the elegance and grace it brings out in a girl...or, in ME, anyway.

10. Christmas! - No, it's not because Christmas is just a few days away. It is not because there are decorations everywhere. It's not because Christmas music is constantly playing, lights are on the houses, or because Christmas commercials and movies are on. I just LOVE Christmas! I love the lights, the tree, the music (*sigh*), the hot apple cider and hot chocolate, the wrapping paper, baking cookies, the hope of snow, the excitement, the traditions my family has...I love it all! I love sitting down with "White Christmas" or "Holiday Inn." I love the stockings full of fruit and candy. I love decorating. I love watching "The Nativity Story" and remembering the reason we celebrate!


What simple things do YOU love?

Monday Meanderings - 12/20/10

One Christmas down, and......a few more to go! :) It's been a busy week with a Christmas play, Christmas shopping, and Christmas a week early in Louisiana. Now it's on to the week of Christmas!!!!



Bible Study... Luke chapters 1, 2, and 3

Memory Verse... Luke 2:11
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Husband Encouragement...
♥ Love him in every way possible
♥ Compliment him more
♥ Laugh!
♥ Enjoy our first Christmas together!

Train Them Up...
* Continue to read to baby Nathan every day.
* Continue scheduling when he moves and when he does not.
* Pray for him and with him

Personal Goals...
* TRY to exercise this week
* TRY to write in journals
* Get some rest

New Habit of the Month...
* Clean bathrooms at least once a week.

MUST Do...
* Bake for the Christmas party - tonight!
* Clean kitchen
* Finish laundry
* Finish all Christmas wrapping
* Bake a few more Christmas cookies
* Somehow find the time to take a Christmas picture with Grant

Zone...  the whole house

Menu

M - Christmas party finger foods
T - Deer steak, green beans....and other stuff. ;)
W - Vegetable soup
Th - TBD
F - Christmas Eve dinner with my family
S - Christmas dinner with hubby's family
Su - TBD

FUN THINGS!
* My grandmother's annual Christmas party tonight!
* Visiting with cousins!
* Christmas baking!
* Seeing friends and family this week!
* CHRISTMAS!!!!

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. Family time at Christmas!
2. Spending time with my husband
3. The Light that came into the world 2,000 years ago

It's About the Cross

Scripture for the Week -- 12/19/10

Luke 1:30-31
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."

Cookie Fun!

Monday Meanderings - 12/13/10

Whew...

It's been a busy week and an even busier weekend, so I am dragging today. I have a list of things to do but I can't seem to make my body move! Hopefully, I'll get some energy soon enough to get some things accomplished today.

Bible Study... Luke chapters 1, 2, and 3

Memory Verse... Luke 1:49
"For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name."

Husband Encouragement...
♥ Practice music with him more
♥ He gets busy, distracted, and tired. Be understanding.
♥ Compliment him more.
♥ Laugh!

Train Them Up...
* Continue to read to baby Nathan every day.
* Start scheduling when he moves and when he does not.

Personal Goals...
* Exercise more
* Write in journals
* Work on book

New Habit of the Month...
* Clean bathrooms at least once a week.

MUST Do...
* Clean kitchen
* Finish laundry
* Finish all Christmas shopping
* Go to the post office
* Crusade meeting tonight
* Begin Christmas baking
* Somehow find the time to take a Christmas picture with Grant

Zone...  the back porch

Menu

M - Mexican casserole
T - Dinner in Memphis
W - Vegetable soup
Th - Food on the road
F - Dinner at my grandma's
S - TBD
Su - TBD

FUN THINGS!
* A Christmas play in Memphis on Tuesday!
* The trip to my grandma's in Louisiana
* Christmas baking!
* Christmas shopping tomorrow!

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. A warm house
2. Christmas cookies
3. The love of my husband 

The Camouflaged "Buck Girl"

So..... I got a deer!

A striking 8 point, to be exact!  "Hooray!" for meat in the freezer, and a big "Wooohooo!" for a girl with a gun!















Not to sound like a feminist (because the whole concept disgusts me), but I am enormously proud of "my mad blasting skills."

*grin*

Every year, at the time of hunting season, I think back to the verse in Psalm 42 that says, "As the hart (a deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." I think about how when a deer is shot and/or hurt, it goes directly to water - a life source - and how we, as Christians, should do the same. THIS year, however, I have thought about more than just that. I've been out hunting a lot this year, trying to "scout out" my first buck. I did a lot of things to get him....

* I dressed in camo, disguising myself.

* I went to great lengths to conceal my human scent (which grossed out my girly self).

* I tried to walk as carefully and quietly as I could through the woods.

* I hid amongst trees and bushes.

* I did my best to be as still and as quiet as possible.

* And on top of all that, my husband used a deer caller to lure the old buck in.

We pretended to be things we weren't. Trees and bushes (hence the camouflage), a doe and a young buck (aka - the deer caller)....  Doesn't Satan do the same? Does he not use bait to get our attention and trap us? Does he not manipulate us, lure us, entice us, and tempt us all because he wants to destroy us? YES, he does. My husband is a hunter. He hunts deer, squirrel, duck.... he uses bait, he uses decoys, he uses many things to trick the animal he is after. And Satan does the same thing to us. He stalks us. He learns what attracts us and then camouflages himself to be something that he most definitely is not. When he sees us out there doing a work for Christ, he uses all his evil tactics to bring us closer to him and his "gun" or "bow" or "fishing rod," and farther away from the safety of Jesus Christ. He's quite the hunter, if you will.

So, with that in mind and in closing, let me repeat the words of Peter....

1 Peter 5:8
"Be sober (serious, watchful), be vigilant (awake, on the lookout for danger); because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"


Let us take heed. Otherwise, we might, spiritually, end up like my buck....

Auld Lang Syne

One of my favorite Christmas songs....

Monday Meanderings - 12/06/10

The first Monday of December! Frost on the ground, Christmas music playing, a full list of events and "Things To Do," family gatherings coming up, food to bake...have I mentioned how much I love this time of year?! Ah well, here is today's meandering...


Bible Study... Luke chapters 1, 2, and 3

Memory Verse... Luke 1:46-47
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

Husband Encouragement...
♥ Practice music with him more
♥ He gets busy, distracted, and tired. Be understanding.
♥ Be careful not to nag him or think only of myself.
♥ Be his best friend, even when I'm "tired" or "frustrated"

Train Them Up...
* Continue to read to baby Nathan every day.

Personal Goals...
* Exercise every day this week. (I am slooooowly getting myself motivated back into working out.)
* Write in journals
* Work on book (Been suffering from writer's block. *sigh*)
* Continue working on "Silent Night" on the violin (It's coming along!)

New Habit of the Month...
* Clean bathrooms at least once a week. (I'm going to keep this one for another month)

MUST Do...
* Make a few business phone calls
* Clean kitchen from top to bottom
* Clean out and re-organize the pantry. It needs to be done!
* Get ready for three Christmas concerts this weekend
* Have all laundry completely done by Friday evening
* Get the house ready for my family this weekend!
* Crusade meeting tonight

Zone...  the back porch

Menu
This is very tentative, but this is what the meals look like for me and baby. My husband will be eating very lightly again this week.

M - Chicken pasta and broccoli
T - Vegetable soup
W - Egg sandwich
Th - TBD
F - Concert #1 - Church food!
S - Concert #2 - Church food!
Su - Concert #3 - Church food!

FUN THINGS!
* Singing this weekend
* My family coming up!
* Wrapping Christmas presents
* Christmas baking!
* Possibly hunting some a couple of evenings
* Practicing and writing music

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. A warm house
2. Christmas baking
3. Feeling baby Nathan move! 

Scripture for the Week -- 12/05/10

Matthew 10:8b
"....freely ye have received, freely give."

Gonna Eat for Christmas

Our home, all lit up for Christmas!

Christmas candles!

Our beautiful tree

Me at 21 weeks

It must be Christmas.

I have Christmas goodie recipes everywhere, a list of "To-Do's" right in front of me, Christmas music playing, and my kitchen smells of cinnamon and nutmeg. I am trying a new recipe of Christmas-style pancakes. I will let you know how it turns out after I taste it! By the way, a big "Thanks!" to those of you who have commented, Facebooked, and emailed me Christmas recipes. I have a list of things I want to try and make including, but not limited to, peanut butter fudge, chocolate peanut butter balls, cinnamon popcorn, cinnamon dip, and apple butter cookies. We'll see how it goes!

You all know it is the norm to eat during the holidays. Eat....and eat....and eat some more. Well, I came across this funny song and laughed until I thought I may have to lie down. Very true! Enjoy the humor!....oh AND the Christmas food!

Don't want tinsel, don't want bows

Don't want Rudolph's shiny nose

I'm gonna eat for Christmas

From my diet I will stray

But I'll workout the next day

Gonna eat for Christmas

It's a time for giving

Won't you give me mashed potatoes and ham?

It's a time for sharing

Are you gonna polish off those yams?

I don't say this to be nice, I'll have more black beans and rice

Gonna eat for Christmas

At the family shindig, gonna be the Christmas pig

But I'll leave some room

I'm planning quite a buffet

Please don't throw away that leftover food

Cause when you're stuffed it'll always feel like

Christmas to you!

You Said It, Linus!

Who DOESN'T love Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang? Well, here is a bit of Christmas truth, a "warm fuzzy" for all you Peanuts lovers!




Wooooo! AMEN, Linus! I don't know who played the voice of Linus, but he should get an honorary Emmy for that! It's so good to know that, even in the midst of Santa Claus and Frosty, the true meaning of Christmas is still there - available via Charlie Brown! This classic comes on television every year....make sure you watch it!

Christmas Treats, Anyone?

It's.........DECEMBER!!

Holy cow, where has this year gone? It has definitely flown by! Now it is time for Christmas carols, Christmas trees, lights, candy, Christmas movies, and fireplaces! And it's time for the annual Christmas baking. Every year, I bake assorted cookies, but I am wanting to try other Christmas treats this year.

Any suggestions?

What are some of your favorite Christmas treats?