Project 52: Week 6

Paul finally got to meet his nephew last week! It was so good to be with family for Christmas! I love these two pictures of Paul and me with Neil. I will upload more pictures later and tell of our adventures at Christmas.

Our Christmas Card

My sister made this card for us. We were going to use this for our Christmas cards this year, but we never got around to making copies to send out. So if you happen to read this blog, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and happy new year! I'm not sure if I'll be back on this blog until after the new year. So until then, I hope this beautiful season we can all focus on Jesus, and the ultimate gift He gave us...eternal life in Him! Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this horrible, wicked world and shining your Light in the darkness! Thank you for dying for my sins so that I might have life in You!

Project 52: Week 5

This picture was taken the last time I saw my precious nephew, Neil. Yes, it's been way too long ago since I've seen him! I am excited because I will finally get to see him (and of course my sisters, mom, brother-in-law, grandpa and Bea) very soon...in just one week!!!! Try to ignore Neil's and my eyes in this picture. I don't have photo shop and I tried to fix it on Picasa and still we have strange red glowing distorted eyes.

A Good Thought and a Proverb to Remember

"A person completely wrapped up in himself makes a small package."--Harry Emerson Fosdick

"If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself."--Proverbs 3:4-5

Project 52: Week 4

I love this picture of my sweet husband!

A Snowy Weekend

Project 52: Week 3

I know I skipped last week...so this should be "week 4"...but oh well. :) This picture is of my precious niece, Marissa and me. I love my niece so much!!!

Thanksgiving in West Virginia

Paul and I went to be with his family for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed being with everyone. Paul's mom made a great Thanksgiving dinner and we all watched the big Alabama vs. Auburn football game on Friday. Paul and I loved spending time with our many nephews and niece. It won't be long until Christmas! This year Paul and I are going to Georgia for Christmas to celebrate with my family. Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving:
My favorite and only niece, Marissa. She's so precious!!!

Andrew about to play some football with Uncle Paul.

In front of the church across the street from Paul's parent's house.

Riding bikes by Madison Creek

My MIL, sisters-in-law, Marissa and me

Paul and his dad...they are so much alike!

My sweet niece and sisters-in-law...I love them!

Project 52: Week 2

This is our favorite tree in the neighborhood that turns the brightest yellow in the Fall. You can't tell how beautiful it is in this picture because the lighting was bad. Paul took my picture with Bunni. :)

Little River Canyon: Grand Canyon of the East

Project 52: Week 1

My sister has encouraged me to start this Project 52. It's simple...take a picture once a week for 52 weeks and it can be of any random thing or person. I know of Project 365 which is taking a picture every day for a full year. That would be way too hard for me. My sister said that Project 52 is a simplified version of that. Well, here it goes. My first picture for the first week of Project 52: Paul pointing out to me the waterfall at Little River Canyon in Alabama.

A Driving Bull Dog

Yes, seriously, we saw this yesterday!!!! A Bulldog was sitting in the driver's side of a pick-up truck and it appeared like he was driving!!! He even cautiously turned his head slightly to get his picture made...like he was "concentrating" on the road ahead of him. So funny!!!! :)

Remembering my Granny's Birthday today...and Thoughts From a Wonderful Book!

Today, November 3rd, was my Granny Jones' birthday. She is in Heaven now, but we'll always remember her. Granny was such a special person and we all loved her very much.

Lately, I have been reading a book called "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. If you have not read this book, I totally advise you to do so!!! It's one of the best books I have ever gotten a hold of. There is so much advice and wisdom from scripture packed into that book. I want to share a little bit with you right now.
I've been pondering on this:

--"For the weapons of our warfare are not physical, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, Inasmuch as we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:4,5

--"As the King James Version says, As he (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he...Another translation states 'As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become.'"

--Romans 8:5 "For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the Holy Spirit"

This world is screaming to us everyday that the importance of life depends on these things: what kind of job I have and the amount of money I make, what brand clothes and shoes I wear, what kind of car I drive, the appearance of what I look like (am I too fat, too skinny, too ugly, too tall, too short, etc.). The world makes you feel like a loser if you don't have money, power, prestige, good looks and recognition.
Instead, we must look to the Lord and be directed by the Holy Spirit in the way we THINK. We must "set our minds on and seek those things which gratify the Holy Spirit." How do we do that??? Here's how! This is what Jesus says: "If you abide in My Word (hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them), you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:31,32
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. So if we know Jesus (who is the Truth)...Jesus will set us free! We must soak in Scripture every day and pray!!! We must FILL OUR MINDS with scripture and talk with Jesus everyday through prayer.

Ava Maria Grotto

Two weekends ago, my Grandpa and Beatrice came to Alabama with my mom for a visit. We took a tour of the Ava Maria Grotto in Cullman while they were here. It was a very special place to go. We all enjoyed it very much! When we first got there, a monk came up and talked with us! That was the first time a monk ever spoke to me before! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!
Beatrice, Grandpa and me at Ava Maria Grotto.

Grandpa and Beatrice

Grandpa studying the construction of the little village

This picture was very special. My mom's good friend, Betsy, is Catholic. Betsy thinks my mom is like St. Therese in many ways such as appreciating the simple things in life (through gardening, nature, etc.) One of my mom's favorite flowers is the rose. This picture is of the statue of St. Therese and the sun was shining down on that pink rose right infront. I think God gave that moment for my mom to "see and feel" His love for her.

I loved this the most at the Grotto...our Precious Savior on the cross!

I forgot what statue this was. It might have been Mary or St. Frances?