Happy Hump Day!

Wow I went 5 days without writing anything I am so sorry I have nurtured sick kids, sick husband and myself for the last 2 weeks so I guess it just all came to ahead before we knew it.  With that being said the Newsboys and Newsong concert was amazing.  Jaclyn and Aaron had never been to a concert before so it was nice to see them smile and really enjoy themselves.  Bobby (the traveling pastor for one of the bands) is a really good friend of Paige and I's so we were able to talk with him and get pictures with him and the band.  He has a great website called JesusCafe.com its sort of like a blog and prayer page that he started a while back so if you want to join please Google Jesus Cafe/Bobby Joiner and join his website there's alot of information there.

So on a funny note we had to take the Christmas tree down because the cats were ruining it by living in it.  We found them in a tree in the wilderness so I guess it brought back old memories for them lol....Needless to say I need to get them some sort of cat tree made just for them so they can play in it.  They did nothing but knock the ornaments out and break them all.

On a more serious note I have had to do some thinking regarding gloating and revenge.  I remember a saying that I absolutely love and its "before you embark on a path of revenge,,,,dig two graves" someone who has done some real harm to me and my husband about 7 years ago had some life lessons handed to her by the state bar and I couldnt help but be a little bit gleeful about it.  It was really shocking how our flesh takes over in all these emotions when we feel like we have to "right the wrong" in our lives.  Now I can sit here and tell you all that because I am a new creation in Christ and now that I am a "good Christian girl" that I dont entertain these thoughts but the truth is that when we are wronged our flesh has this uncanny way of wanting you to resort back to old behavior.  I like to say "give Jesus a try, if you dont like him the devil will always take you back" the truth is the devil is always waiting, always finding a loophole in our character, always lying in wait ready to take us down but with Gods help we can ask for forgiveness for those thoughts, move forward and pray for those who need guidance.  At the end of the day why am I any different than she is?  I always fall short of Gods glory, daily to be exact but I am thrilled that I have a savior that helps me through it.

Many Many Blessings Always,

Mandi

His Glory all the time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week......

I have had a really good day today, God is showing himself through other people and I am glad I shut up long enough to listen.  I am so excited to go to Newsong and Newsboys tomorrow with the kids.  I don't seem to always hold their attention like I did when they were babies and now that they are teenagers its fun when I get those few moments where they think I'm "cool" I am sure you can relate......

Had a great conversation with a woman named Cathy today.  It amazes me when I see such spiritual growth in others.  Sometimes I look at the "easy way" and think "wow I could have done that" well needless to say it's nice to share with others and she seems to be a remarkable woman.

Well that's it I have nothing else.....I don't know how to get people to look at this blog and invite them as friends but I look at it as a journal, where I can see my own growth and share with others my testimony and thoughts.

Blessings Always,

Mandi

Friday is on its way!!!

Well I must say I have really bad luck.  I have been dieting with Medifast for almost 3 days and have lost 6 pounds but the bad luck is that I have the stomach flu and don't feel good at all!  I understand luck has nothing to do with it but what else can I say lol........

I love praise and worship, I feel the closest to God when I pray for his favor, lay on the floor and listen to songs from everyone from Third Day, Kutless, Hillsong you name it.  I just love love love to hear about God through others song writing.  With that being said Scott and I are taking the kids to Franklin this Saturday for the Newsboys and Newsong concert.  They also get the treat of going to the Fun Factory and out to dinner to.  I am so excited because I love to see the kids watching others praising God.  I remember when we took my daughter Paige and youngest son Michael to Winter Jam 2010 in January of this year and the entire Atlanta concert arena was filled to the max and I remember Paige saying "I cant believe that this many people believe in God, this is so great" I just loved that about the experience.  We live in such a small town and our church are all members of the community and a few visitors every week so this was just wonderful.

I hope you are all doing well.  I hope you are all embracing the love and God, living in his Grace every day and loving everyone you come across.

Blessings,

Mandi

Wow!! By his Grace we have been Saved.....His love endures forever

Sorry I am a few days late on posting a new blog, I have had sick teenagers and I haven't seen my house so silent the last few days as it has been with everyone sick.  The good news is I have been able to get alot of homework done, housework and even some free time to spend with God (now that we should make time everyday for)  I have to say the last few weeks I have counted my blessings and thanked the Lord for all he has done for me.  I say this because my pastors sermon on Sunday was one of those sermons that you feel is the "elephant in the room" type sermons.  It was about watching our tongues and what we say to people.  Not just any person but our loved ones, our kids, our neighbors.  Do we say things in haste, do we say them to hurt someone, do we do it to make ourselves feel better?  We all do this, he dislike our in-laws, we gossip about others, we say "my life would be better if......"

Jesus was a perfect entity he was not born of sin but in his short ministry he was capable at any time of saying "I don't want to die for these people" or "I am going to turn my back on my father and do what I please" but he never did.  His flesh was torn from his body, he was crucified and murdered by the very people he was sent down to save but yet he had nothing but forgiveness in his heart for us.  WOW I don't know about you but that's unconditional love he gave us salvation if we only believe.  I don't know about you but that's good stuff AMEN!!

Many Many Blessings,

Mandi

God is Always Good!

So instead of Scott battling a cold he has now given it to me and I am miserable.  I had a rough night and don't really feel good but what else can you do.  Take meds, drink lots of water and sleep, sleep, sleep.  So I have finals and past due assignments due within the next two weeks so lots of lots of homework and trying to get better is not something I am really good at.  I am a big baby, I am demanding and not easy to live with when I am sick and therefore my poor hubby needs lots of prayer. 

Our Pastor Steve and Joyce had lunch with us Sunday after services.  I must say they are so knowledgeable about life, the word and genuinely care for others.  If all else I strive to be just like them for now I am selfish with my time, need to have more patience and don't always have my priorities in order ( I procrastinate) and to them they enjoy coming to my kids high school games, attending special events not only for our family but other members of our church.  Sometimes I just sit back and watch them interact with others and truly see a couple in Gods grace at all times.  I can only hope to be that way when I am older.  I don't know what God has in store for me but I have a feeling its going to be something amazing.

Mandi

How do you feel about blogging?

Well its been a busy and weird day.  My baby girl (not really a baby anymore she is almost 15) went to her Homecoming dance tonight she looked amazing and so grown up.  Got some much needed sleep today 6 hours worth of nap time to be exact and then went grocery shopping so my day was uneventful.  I am excited to go to church tomorrow.  Scott and I usher and then take our pastor and his wife to lunch.  We do this often so that we may reflect on our spiritual growth and things we feel we need to work on.  Its funny sometimes, if you would have told me 3 years ago that I would be putting Christian feedback on my Facebook Page, have a blog regarding Christianity and writing a book on Christian Testimony I would have bet the house on the fact that I wouldn't be doing these things.

God has a plan, I just have to stay quiet long enough to listen to what that is and what my purpose is.  When I find it, I will scream it from the rooftops and follow him with an open heart.  Until then I plan to fake it until I make it so to speak.  I love God, he saved my life and for that I could never repay him.

Finally Friday

It has been a trying week to say the least.  I just need to spend the next few days staying on my knees and asking God to guide me in my thoughts.  I have to remember that Christ died for each and everyone of us even those I don't like and those I seem to have a hard time forgiving.  I always say to my kids over and over again almost like a broke record "there is nothing you could ever do in life to make me stop loving you" and its important for them to realize this because they see the lack of reconciliation on Scotts side of the family and I hope they never feel like it is their fault.  Some woman are never meant to be mothers.  Some woman are so mean and nasty that they do things their way or no way.  I am just so thrilled and blessed that my husband has turned out to be the most amazing man in the world.  He is the complete opposite of his family and the complete opposite of those who bring their kids in the middle of things.  One can learn from him on how to parent a child.

Well we are leaving in a few moments for Asheville.  We are watching Third Day in concert and I am so excited.  I need some praise and worship time in my busy schedule and what better way to share that then with my favorite band, favorite food (p.f. changs) and my favorite person in the world my loving, amazing husband who would do anything for me even if it meant standing with thousands of Christians in the middle of a concert and hour and a half away from home.....how did I get so lucky I will tell you God simply put God has blessed me with this life and even though it doesn't always goes as planned it is still mine and I will hold onto it as tightly as I hold onto my Bible.  With prayer and lots of love to you all always I sign off until tomorrow.....

God Bless,
Mandi