good times

These past few weeks have been very busy. Adam & I have been strugling to be everywhere we need to be so I thought I would share some highlights.

1) Weekend at the lake-Adam and I spent the weekend at Lake Lure with my cousin Caroline and her "friend" Ben. We had a blast. From a sunset cruise to dinner at Larkins on the Lake it was filled with constant laughter. Saturday we traveled to Asheville and enjoyed the glorious world the Lord has given us.

2) Homecoming at NGU. I am the Campus Ambassador advisor for the campus which means I keep students busy with lots of work for the Admissions office. This past week with them was so much fun. On Friday night we went to a haunted trail. I was terrified but I acted brave. It was a wonderful time of bonding through fear! :)

3) The best time of all was the Fall Festival at our church. Adam rented an inflatable obstacle course, we had a trail ride, face painting (thanks to me & Rachel), games, & food galore! Oh yes there was candy too. I was a fairy. I couldn't resit dressing up. The kids loved seeing me with a blond wig and fairy wings.

Adam & I are so blessed to be living the life we have. So bring on November! This month is my favorite. My birthday, Thanksgiving, & Christmas around the corner.

Blessed be the horn of our Salvation

Zechariah's Prophecy
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit (BC) and prophesied: (BD)

68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, (BE)

because He has visited

and provided redemption for His people. (BF)

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation [s] for us (BG)

in the house of His servant David, (BH)

70 just as He spoke by the mouth

of His holy prophets in ancient times; (BI)

71 salvation from our enemies

and from the clutches [t] of those who hate us.

72 He has dealt mercifully with our fathers (BJ)

and remembered His holy covenant (BK) —

73 the oath that He swore to our father Abraham. (BL)

He has given us the privilege,

74 since we have been rescued

from our enemies' clutches, [u]

to serve Him without fear

75 in holiness and righteousness

in His presence all our days.

76 And child, you will be called

a prophet of the Most High, (BM)

for you will go before the Lord

to prepare His ways, (BN)

77 to give His people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins. (BO)

78 Because of our God's merciful compassion,

the Dawn from on high (BP) will visit us

79 to shine on those who live in darkness

and the shadow of death, (BQ)

to guide our feet into the way of peace.


I wanted to share what the Lord shared with me tonight. I am slowly going through a Beth Moore study and I wanted to shout with joy tonight with what I am learning.

"Blessed be the horn of our salvation! Jesus Christ was the ram whose head was wrapped in thorns (see Gen. 22) to secure God's blessing for all who would recieve it. The very heart of the gospel is realizing that God not simply provide a sacrafice for us but instead of us. That is the good news. There is only on way to recieve it after we have understood it- with profound humilty and gratitude.

No matter what is going on in my life and in the lives of those close to me He is going to provide. I am determined to let him have my fears that are all around in this time of question.

Dear Lord~ Only you know the concerns that are on your daughters heart. I give them to you. Take them all, from the ones I might could handle and the ones I have no chance to solve. Protect those that I am burdended for. Help me to encourage them and be there for them. Please move in their hearts and Lord I claim you salvation on their lives. Thank you for providing a sacrafice. Fill my heart, my home, and may everything I touch leave your mark and not mine. I love you. Amen

The Thrill of Brazil

I haven't had a pedicure in a long time and tonight I splurged on myself. I had a little bit of tramatic news today, everything is good but still tramatic. I needed to relax and be by myself. So off I went to relax. My toes are most always red and on our wedding night my toes were sports car red and tonight I am the Thrill of Brazil...to bad Adam doesn't feel like his own thrill of brazil. We are still recovering from our colds. A hacking cough and snotty noses aren't too romantic. Oh well I could just stare at him forever anyway.

More Fall fun

sigh

Let me start by saying I respect what I know about Ellen Degeneras because I don't feel like she pushes her beliefs on her tv show. She is always funny and polite and does her job. Well I am watching E tonight which I have to admit is a guilty pleasure and see her sobbing on tv over a dog. I love dogs and most animals but lets face it and hope no one kills me on this one. Its a DOG. Not a human. Basically she is devasted because she adopted a puppy, couldn't keep it, and gave it to her a family friend. Well in the paperwork from the adoption agency she is to only give the dog back if he doesn't work out. She is outraged because the dog was taken from these kids and now they are upset. I understand that its hard if a puppy is taken away. But why oh why are people not outraged and crying about the children starving across our nation or other major injustices. Why are we concerned over a puppy? Tonight I was convicted about caring about what celebs are doing. I should be much more concerned with worldy happenings not what is happening in tinsel town.

Now that all thats off my chest. We have a busy week. Next week is homecoming at NGU. Adam is sick with thte cold that I had last week. Except he is much sicker. Hopefully he will be ready for the full weekend we have planned with Caroline and Ben. The Lord has been busy at church. Adam received a raise, Awana is growing and maintaining, and the youth keep us as busy as ever. I pray the Lord will continue to bless us as week seek Him.

old friends

Three years ago this week Adam and I began our service at Reedy River Baptist Church, in Greenville, SC. The Rev. Rodney Jeanes was the pastor at the time serving beside his wife and at the time 4 young babies. Joseph, Reanna, Ryan, & Jason. Ralinda, his wife, was 8 months pregnant with Jayln. Jayln Grace Jeanes was born Oct. 4. I fell in love with that child from the moment I first held her. She loving called me " Mommy me" as soon as she could say it. Jayln knew my love for her and Adam knew my love for her. Of course I loved the other 4 just as much but J and I have a bond.

Last Dec. Rodney and Ralinda left RRBC and now after a long journey are in Easley, SC. Well last night the gang got together. We laughed and played until midnight. J and I had a blast she now calls me Emily which breaks my heart but her love for me hasn't changed. Now she even loves Ad. In fact they had a ball together last night. She chattered away with him and he loving tossed her about and answered to her every whim.

Lately women have been on my mind. From my sister, to Kayte, my sis in law, to my mom,to my cousin Jessi finding out they were having a girl, and everyone in between. But I wanted to get my love also to all the women who have impacted my life young and old. I love you and I appreciate you. I long to be a Mom and you have helped me to wait on Jesus to bless and I know He will.

fall fun

Puree

Today is our Fall break at NGU, so of course I am sick on my day off fighting this head cold. But I did get to watch Oprah. Jessica Seinfield was one of her guest, promoting Deceptively Delicious, her new recipe book. The book is focused on puree...yes...puree. Basically she hides good veggies in her kids food. WOW I need this for me. I have the worst habits. I think I might try it on Adam and see what he thinks. Anyway if you want to check it out, go to Oprah.com and you will see the link for Jessica Seinfield. I will keep you updated on our new puree recipes.

Power of Prayer

The four people in this picture are some of my favorite people. The women in the middle of these precious boys is my Mom's best friend, GB. On her left is Reid, behind is Hatcher, and in her lap is Harrison. In July of 2001 GB's husband Bill died suddenly in the middle of the night. Harrison was 6 months old. I knew her personal strength all my life. Last month she left for a year long mission trip with "the boys." I recieved an email this morning from my Mom this morning and I wept with joy for these four. In this picture they are at the breakroom at the International House of Prayer where they will be for about 4-6 months or until the Lord tells her otherwise. From here they will go to Thailand and work at Im Jai house (an orphange) for however long. I must admit I am envious. Could I do this? Could I trust God after He didn't save my husband from death? Could I just take my 3 boys and trust him to take care of me? Well GB trusted and below is the email that she sent. I hope you are blessed by reading this.

International House of Prayer
Kansas City, MO
September 30, 2007

I am awestruck by how God continues to work in my children. Attached are several photos of us this past week.

Photo 1 – Harrison
Harrison is next in line to pray for the Island of Fiji. He did not know where or what it was and asked me, “What should I pray?” I responded, “Ask God, He will tell you.” His prayer: “God bless the children and give them the sword of your spirit.” He has become quite the prayer warrior here.

Photo 2 and 3: Reid and Hatcher praying for healing.

Graham Walsh taught our class on Wednesday about the power of healing prayer. At the end he prayed over individuals in our class. Many were healed, including myself for neck pain I’d had for at least 4 months. Reid is helping Graham pray for a man’s knee, he had a 50% reduction in his pain level. Hatcher (photo 3) is praying for a Korean woman who was on crutches and in severe pain. Her leg grew about 1 inch in length as the group prayed and watched. She walked around afterwards (without the crutches) and kept nodding her head looking slightly in shock.

Reid has had 2 different occurrences of someone walking up and prophesying over him, both words were almost identical. I see that he is taking this knowledge of what God has in store for him in a very serious and deep way.

Photo 4: As a family we helped usher at one of the services. The boys especially liked wearing the vests.

Photo 5: Taking a break from the prayer room at the coffee shop next door. What a special time for us to be together in worshiping the Lord and learning deeper truths of God’s word.

We pray for Cherokee County every week. Tonight Reid prayed for you over the microphone. Join us in praying for our county to be a place so filled with the presence of God that visitors notice it when they drive into the county limits.

God’s blessings to you all,

Gloria and boys