This and That of a Busy Weekend!

We finished our end of grade testing Tuesday. So now I have a high school junior and a sixth grader. WOW! It has been a long school year. But we got through it, Praise the Lord!

I've been uploading these pictures when I can over the last couple of days. It was a busy weekend, with lots to share and lots of pictures!! So sit back and prepare to stay a while, if you can.
Saturday night we had our SIGMA Banquet in our new Banquet Hall. It was great. The SIGMA Banquet was the first thing we've done in there and it was very nice. Thank you, to all the men and boys that have worked so endlessly on getting this building put together for our church.

We had grilled chicken, salad, rolls, and baked potatoes on the menu.

Brother Mark gave the WORD for us that night. It was good to hear from him. He and Mrs. Amy and the boys have moved back here and joined our church this past Sunday. They're picking up right where they left off until the Lord directs them somewhere else. It is so good to have them home!

Next was the awards. Bruce and I were happy to hear that Hannah took the Esther Award, the top scorer for girls, came in second place in the Top Ten high scores, and was on the winning team. Way to go, little Hannah!!

You have to understand this next picture. Clayton just got saved about a year ago and he has been a totally different young man. He's never tried in the past to do anything in SIGMA, but this year he made me proud. Bruce and I were his sponsors and it was an honor to have him on our team. Anyway, he took the Pastor's Award and the Joshua Award and also came in fourth place in the Top Ten. So when his name was called he noticed his mom didn't have her camera and in great wonderment said, "MAMA! WHERE'S YOUR CAMERA??" It just cracked us all up. Way to go, Clayton!

We had three great teams this year. The Hunters, The Survivors, and The Cherokees. James Corriveau was the team captain for The Cherokees, with Brother Mark and Mrs. Jeannie as their sponsors. The Cherokees won top team this year. Congratulations, Cherokees!

The sponsors: Brother Chris and Mrs. Dana, Bruce and me, and Brother Mark and Mrs. Jeannie.

Gary won the Top Scorer for boys, the Psalm 119 award, and he was in first place in the Top Ten. Brother Chris and Mrs. Dana were his sponsors. Way to go, Gary!

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Sunday morning we went to our former church for their homecoming service. It was wonderful seeing everyone after much too long! It has been ten years and we had a lot of catching up to do!! The Lord allowed our family to provide some special music for the service. Mrs. Polly, the Pastor's wife, is still playing the piano.

And this is Pastor Ammons. He is a sweet and precious man. I wish everyone could know him.

There was a fellowship following the service so we enjoyed doing most of our catching up down there.

Sherry was cuttin' watermelon. Doesn't it look yummy?

We had a great time at the homecoming and enjoyed seeing everyone so much! I'm thrilled that we were able to make it this year.

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We had our special Graduation service Sunday night. As always, it was wonderful seeing the graduates and hearing what they feel the Lord has for them to do in the future. It's been wonderful seeing Mrs. Debbie fill in on the organ when Mrs. Joy can't be there. I've enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Debbie I'm looking forward to getting to know her better.

Brother Johnathan has been doing an excellent job with the orchestra. Here lately they have been the best I've heard. And Sunday night they were fantastic!

Our "front porch" boys are growing in number, for sure! Brother Gary, Jordan, and Brother Zoltan are our newest members over there. They're doing a great job.

Missy is doing the signing for our deaf ministry.

Then it was time to honor our graduates. We begin with K-5 and go up to college. We had four k-5s moving up this year.

Brother Mark graduated this year. His brother just got married a couple weeks ago and he will be tying the knot, himself, here in a couple of months. We love Brother Mark and are excited about his future.

Next was our high school graduates. James graduated from Southern Eagle Academy Home School. He received his diploma Sunday night, along with some other awards from his home school. He would like to study architecture after taking a year at Bible college, Lord willing.

Clayton graduated from ABeka Home School. Clayton said he is going to keep doing exactly what he's doing now until God directs him somewhere else.

Raven graduated from Crest High School and would like to pursue a career in dentistry.

Our college graduates were Brother Bradley Richard and Brother John O'Malley IX. Brother Bradley was working with his future father in law in New Jersey, so he missed our service, but he graduated from Ambassador Bible College and we're proud of Brother Bradley. He's a wonderful young man and I know God is going to use him in many ways. He already does.

Brother John graduated from Golden State Baptist College in Santa Clara, California. He will be returning to further his education in Christian ministry. We are very proud of Brother John also and know he's going to continue to do a great job. I know God has something special for him too. He is very enthusiastic about going back to school.

The youth choir always takes part in this service, so we heard from them. Justin sang the lead on I've Got My Mind Made Up.

I cry everytime Clayton gets up to sing. Getting up in front of people is definitely out of his comfort zone, but in the last year, since he's been saved, he does a few things out of his comfort zone, once again showing us what God can do when you let Him take control of your life.

Love to hear Matthew sing. He's always been a quiet young man, and always a blessing.

We heard from Daughters of Faith. They sang I'd Rather have Jesus. What a beautiful song!

We got to hear testimonies.

We also heard from an ensemble. Parker played the piano while they sang Sheltered By His Grace. A song they first introduced at last year's graduation service. It sounded just as wonderful Sunday night as it did last year. Wonderful words and so fitting.

I've been sheltered by His grace, kept in a safe place, surrounded by the prayers of those who've always sought his face...

And in a world of shifting sand, I can hold on to their hands...

for they've guided me in how to run this race...

and as the years go on, I'll be sheltered by His grace.

As they sang, the Lord moved on people to say thank you to those that have been prayer warriors in their lives.

Aunt and niece...

Fathers and daughters...

Bus ministry teen and teacher...

Father and son...

and friends...

Vintage Faith sang also. Love to hear them!

After they sang, Pastor preached a very good message! One I needed to hear for my own self and one that reached out to the lost. After he preached he gave a charge to each of the high school graduates. And then had all of the graduates come forward with their families, the preachers in our church, and the deacons, for a special time of prayer.

After the service the youth group went to the new building's banquet hall for a time of fellowship with the grads.

Each of the high school graduates had a display table. This one is Raven's.

This one is Clayton's. His mom had a video picture montage going on his table. He was such a cute little fella when he was younger.

And this table belonged to James. I loved that MEMORIES frame! I got tickled because they all had jars on their tables for different "funds." I thought that was cute.

We had a good time of fellowship at the after glow and then it was time to go home and crash

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On Monday I set up for a photo shoot with Raven. We did some of her in her cap and gown.

And then we went out around town and grabbed some shots. They all turned out really good, I thought. She's a sweet girl and I had a good time with her.

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On Tuesday I cleaned the house I clean and then the kids and I spent the better part of the afternoon at my brother's house eating pizza and hot dogs, playing Phase 10, and swimming in his pool. It was a wonderful, relaxing time, and I enjoyed it very much!

Tomorrow I will be going to spend most of the day with my mom. I plan on starting a new project over there for her. She has a brick wall and hearth that her fireplace sits on and I'm going to prime it tomorrow. Then in a few days I'll start painting it. This will be interesting, no doubt! But I'm looking forward to it.

And thus concludes this very long post. Hope y'all had a great weekend too!!

Of Busy Weekends and EMT Pinnings

It's going to be a busy weekend!
The children are at mom's house today. Harrison is going to hang out with her while Justin takes Hannah on some errands. I'm doing laundry and getting ready to run to the post office to mail tests and other things.
Oh yes, tests....Hannah and Harrison finished their testing and so we now have a high school junior and a sixth grader. AHhhhh
Tomorrow, I will, most likely, be helping set up for the SIGMA Banquet, which is this Saturday, then a trip to Clover with my friend, Rebecca, and then a graduation in Blacksburg, which I totally forgot about until I was typing this. Shhh, don't tell her. It's going to be a run-run day tomorrow!! lol
Friday is packed with my usual Friday things. Groceries, gassing up the car, running errands.... And then Saturday we'll be cleaning house and getting ready for the banquet.
On Sunday, we will be attending the homecoming at our former church, Liberty. We're looking forward to seeing the people there and having a time of fellowship with them. Then Sunday night is our graduation service. We take time to honor our graduates before the preaching. It's always a great service. And then we'll have a reception for the high school graduates with the youth group.
Congratulations, Raven, Clayton, and James. We look forward to seeing what you do next!
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Justin was pinned last night for his EMT. I didn't get to go. But someone took pictures, so here's a few.

Good job, Justin! Keep up the hard work. :)
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It looks like some doors are opening for him to do something for the Lord this summer. We're praying about it with him. He's been praying about it for a year or so now. He "laid out his fleece" for June 6th. So keep him in your prayers and we'll see what happens.

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Judges 6:37-40, "Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if
the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then
shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it
was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and
wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto
God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let
me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only
upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that
night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the
ground."

Lest We Forget

We had a great Memorial Day weekend.
*Spent some time around the lake on Saturday.
*Took a meal and visited with a friend who just had major surgery.
*Enjoyed a graduation party for a young man in our church.
*Two great services at church on Sunday, followed by a meal at Don's Italian with mom.
*And for Memorial Day, we grilled out hamburgers and spent the day just being a family. It was so nice just chillin' at home with the kids and my hubby. Bruce had to go to work Monday night, but we were able to spend the day together and it was a blessing. We just kicked back and enjoyed each other's company. It was a lazy day, really.

Our Pastor took a few days vacation with his family last week so Brother Johnny filled the pulpit. He is a fantastic Associate Pastor and I love to hear him preach.

Sunday morning he preached "Lest We Forget." His text was from Mark 14:1-9. Unless there is a memorial, there will be no Independence. Freedom is cherished by those who have it and coveted by those who do not.
A memorial is that which preserves the memory of something and there are five things we must remember and do....
1) We must remember the sacrifice that was sufficient. Soldiers gave their lives for this country. Christ gave His life as the ultimate, eternal sacrifice.
2) We must respond to the summons that was sent. A military draft, a call, a command, was or is sent out to soldiers to fight for this country. While we, as Christians, are also drafted, called, and commanded to be soldiers for the cross.
3) We must renounce "self" and surrender to Him. We need to break the box of our pride and selfish will.
4) We must remain in the service that is satisfying. You may not be able to do it all, but you can always do all that you can do.
When we make a memorial for what Christ has done, He will make a memorial for what we have done.

Quick Post...

Justin has been doing some fishing with his friends lately and it's become one of his favorite hobbies, I think. When he called today to say that they were going to be at a lake just up the road, Bruce and I decided to drive up and snap some pictures of them fishing. When we got there he was pulling this "little" carp out of the water.

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It's been a good Saturday. Been busy with laundry, making a dinner to take to a friend who just had surgery, walking around the lake with Bruce, enjoying the ducks and the birds and wild flowers, and then later we'll be attending a Graduation party for a young man in our church. Looking forward to that.

Hope y'all have had a great Saturday and are looking forward to a day in the Lord's house tomorrow.

What Day of the Week Do You Worship?

Before I forget, I put the wrong link up for Hannah's birthday pictures. You can click here, hopefully, and should be able to view them now. Sorry 'bout that. And now on to today's post...

I read a question the other day asking who changed the Sabbath? I really don't know the answer to that question. However, that question got my mind to wondering if worshiping on Sunday is wrong and whether or not God is pleased or displeased with Sunday worship.
I honestly don't know when we, Christians, went from worshiping on Saturday to worshiping on Sunday, but I've been reading about Jewish law and came to the conclusion that no, God is not displeased with Sunday worship. Here is why I think this...
There were/are two types of Jewish law. Moral and ceremonial.
If it is RIGHT or WRONG and is the law written on the heart and conscience of man, then it's considered moral law.
If it's an arbitrary matter without being RIGHT nor WRONG, but a good object lesson on a ceremony, then it's considered ceremonial law.
In Exodus 20, "Thou shalt not steal" is something written on the heart and conscience of man. However, the part about the Sabbath and the kind of altar to be used for sacrifice is ceremonial.
You can't go by just the Old Testament. You have to rightly divide the Scripture, Old Testament and New Testament alike. In the New Testament, there are commandments represented from the Old Testament. These are the ones that are written on our hearts and minds and these are the moral Law. These are the law that God expects us to still adhere to today.
Most people will take for granted that the ten commandments are all moral law. We've taken them out of their original context and memorized them in church settings, such as Sunday school, but the truth is, the ten commandments are a summary of the Mosaic law, both ceremonial and moral. Truth be told, the Bible does not tell us that the ten commandments are any more inspired than any rest of the Old Testament. The entire Bible is the WORD of God and is equally inspired from Genesis to Revelation. To use something someone else pointed out, "The rest of Exodus 20 is as much the Word of God as that part of the chapter which states the ten commandments."
The ceremonial laws had spiritual meaning. They were given to help Jews separate from other people. They had important symbolism, but were given as arbitrary command.
Romans 2:1-16 says that God will judge the heathen who have never heard the Gospel, on the basis of their own consciousness of sin against the moral law, their own conscience bearing witness. They won't know or have a conscience about not observing the Sabbath or eating pork, or circumcising their sons. But the moral law of not killing, stealing, honoring their parents, etc, are written on their hearts and conscience and deep inside of them they'll know they are doing wrong if they do those things.
Those laws that are equally enforced in the New Testament as they are enforced in the Old Testament are moral law and God's morals never change. When you see in the NT where they list all these sins mentioned in the OT also, the sabbath is never mentioned. Why? Because it was ceremonial law, not moral law. God wanted us to take a day out of the week and put everything else aside to do nothing but worship Him. He said to remember it. Too many times we forget the things of God and what brought us to where we are today. We allow life in general to get in the way of a day set apart to just worship Him. Even some modern churches have shut down their evening services for more "family time." The day set apart to God is HIS time. We should be serving Him through that day as a family. That's the best family time there is.
I prefer the Sunday worship, myself. It's what I've always known and there's nothing wrong with that. The majority of Christian churches will have their services on Sunday and I feel better being in His house with His people at my designated time and place.
Another reason I know God is not displeased with Sunday worship is because I worship on Sunday and He is there in a very real and very powerful way. I have felt His Holy Spirit move in our services and have seen Him convict and win lost souls. If Sunday worship were wrong, I don't think He would bother showing up to meet us there.

Colossians 2:16-23 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath day. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom, in will, worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

Friendly

Click here for pictures from Hannah's Sweet Sixteen. We had a great time. Thank you, to everyone that made her night special.

Friendly:

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there
is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24

Another Senior

I had a senior session with Clayton yesterday. It was a lot of fun. He's a good sport, let me tell ya. I got some great shots of him and we'll be doing another session soon. I'm looking forward to that one as well.
Clayton was saved within the last year and a half and I can tell you that since then he has become one of the finest young men I know. I just well up with tears sometimes knowing what God has done in his life. I love this kid! He's a hard worker, has a great sense of humor, and I think he'll do well with his life.

Only God Knows

ATTITUDE

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is
like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

Proverbs 25:28

Mom gave Harrison some laminated cards on a key ring that belonged to daddy. Each one has a different word with a verse that goes with it. So he's been studying and learning those words and verses. I thought I'd start sharing them with y'all too.

We've had a good week so far. Hannah's party went well this past Saturday. There were eighty-three people that showed up and we had a really good time! I have pictures, but to be honest, I haven't even looked at them on my camera, much less loaded them to my computer. I've been so busy editing senior pics for James I just haven't had time. But now since I'm through with that I'll post her party pictures soon. We had plenty of food and drinks and I loved Hannah's music playlist. I love that she enjoys Godly singing and instrumentals.

Today is her actual birthday. She and I spent most of the morning and afternoon shopping. We had lunch at Fatz and then did a little more shopping before heading home. She found some cute things and so did I.

Brother Ben Mayo and his family were at our church again tonight. They've visited a few times recently and they are always a blessing. Pastor always gets him to sing and tonight was no different, except that his son and daughter sang with him. They were so good and we received a blessing from them. I hope we see more of them.

Pastor Goodman preached a good message tonight and then after his message he had some things to say about this man predicting the end of the world on Saturday, May 21, at 6:00. This guy is crazy. But without going into all the things he is wrong on Scriptually, Matthew 24:36 says, "But of that day and hour knoweth NO MAN, no, not the angels of Heaven, but MY FATHER ONLY." There is nothing in the Bible that reveals the Lord's coming. But He could come tonight and He could come Thursday or even Friday.

Are you ready?

Daughters

Brother Daniel taught our Sunday School class this morning. His text was from Psalm 144:12, "That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:"

Although this thought can be put to our sons, I wanted to focus on our daughters, in particular, about the latter part of this verse. "...that our DAUGHTERS may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace:"

A cornerstone is a very important part of the foundation of a palace, or any structure, that is. The rest of the structure depends on the cornerstone so it must be strong. When I looked up the word, cornerstone, I found it interesting that over a period of time, the cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry. It would be put in a prominent location with an inscription on it, indicating the construction dates and the name of the master builder.

In Ephesians 2:20, Jesus Christ is the CHIEF Cornerstone. He is the foundation of His church. Without Him, the church will collapse.

I've read Psalm 144:12 many times, but for whatever reason never made the connection of our daughters being as cornerstones as Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and our daughters are to be Christ-like.

I love my daughter more than any other girl on the face of the planet. Although she and I are becoming friends as she grows older, I still have a responsibility to be her mother and teach her right from wrong. We have plenty of time to be friends when she's an adult. But right now I have to be her mom, polishing her as a cornerstone to be set in place for those around her. Those that build on to her, such as her friends, her children, her grandchildren...their spiritual well-being depends on her spiritual well-being and what I make of it. It's too late when they're grown to start teaching them. It's when they are in the crib that these lessons should begin. It should not be a question to our daughters if we're going to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday prayer meeting. It should not be a question to our daughters whether or not we're going to revivals or special meetings. It should not be a question to our daughters whether or not they should go "here" or do "that." It should not be a question to our daughters whether or not they should wear "this" or have "these" friends. As Christian parents, these are things we are responsible for training our daughters very early on in their lives.

Hannah will be sixteen on Wednesday. Not quite an adult yet. But she still has some polishing left. I could allow her to start making her own decisions. She's a good girl. She has good friends. But she's still only sixteen. And she still needs guidance if she is going to be a strong cornerstone. If I left her alone and did not tend to her spiritual needs as a young girl, then when she is older it becomes too late and much more difficult for her to become a strong Christian.

There are two cornerstones that can relate to our daughters. One is dirty and smudged, cracked and broken. If it is not tended to, its palace will eventually begin to collapse around it. The other is clean and shining, with the Master Builder's name of Christ visibly seen for all who pass by. It is strong and stable and will stand the test of time for many who come to its palace.

As mothers, we should continuously be polishing our daughters and chiseling the name of the Master Builder upon their hearts.

I earnestly pray that Hannah will be a strong cornerstone and that all who witness her behavior and see her testimony will not see "her," but Christ. Anything other than Christ makes a very weak foundation.

Of Senior Pictures and More Sweet Sixteen Stuff

Justin and I took James, a young man in our church, out and about town today for his senior pics. We had a good time and I'm looking forward to showing him all of his great pictures.

James is a good kid. He's working hard at the mission where Justin's first job was and is also involved in our bus ministry. He is a crazy...but we love him. LOL
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Hannah decided on a meal for her Sweet Sixteen party, so I ordered the meat and I'll be cooking the rest, along with the help of my mother-in-law, who graciously offered to make her delicioius potato salad. Bruce's cousin's daughter is making her cake and I'll be picking that up tomorrow, along with some shopping with Hannah, taking her to the beautician to get her hair trimmed, and then home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Now it's time to get ready for church and enjoy some time of singing, preaching, and fellowship with God's people.

A Tuesday Funny

The house was quiet last night when we heard Bruce speak up and say, "Hannah, the city of Oz called. They want their socks back."

Mother's Day Weekend

Our Mother's Day weekend was special. Bruce decided to have our mothers over for a cookout on Saturday. He grilled the BEST steaks. They were delicious. He had baked potatoes with all kinds of fixin's, salad, rolls, and dessert. He pretty well thought of everything.
We bought our moms, each, a new Willow Tree angel for their collections along with some other little gifts we thought they'd like. Mom's angel was listening to a sea shell and Marie's was holding a little boy in her arms. They're really pretty.
I can't remember what Bruce said to crack his mom up, but I loved this sweet picture of them.


And here's one of me and my mom. Doesn't she look pretty in her pink and black?

It was a great time celebrating the lives of our moms and what they mean to us.

When they left, Bruce and I went to an Antique mall we heard about. I enjoyed looking at everything, but nothing really jumped out at me. Bruce found a book there that made him happy. We also went to a book store he likes to frequent. We had planned on going out on a date Saturday night, but both of us had stayed up way too late on Friday night. I think it was after 4:00 in the morning that we finally ended up going to bed. So we went home for a late nap and spent the rest of the evening enjoying some family time.

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Sunday was wonderful. Pastor brought the message on how you never really hear the names of women mentioned in the genealogies, but there were five women mentioned in Matthew 1's genealogy he wanted to preach about. It was so good and what a great message of how God's grace overcame impossible situations in their lives. There was a woman saved before the preaching began and a man saved during the invitation. Praise the LORD!

Mom invited us to eat Sunday dinner at a local Asian restaurant. We enjoyed the food and fellowship, and we ran into a family we just love, who told us about the great service they had at their church. Isn't it good to know that Christ can do His work among His people, even when one group is in Shelby and the other in Kings Mountain? That's how God works!

The evening service was good too. We were able to see three baptized and it was a blessing and joy to see them make that open profession of faith and statement to follow Christ.

I love being a mom and I love my babes! They gave me a necklace and earring set they had made for me, and some other little goodies. And Bruce gave me a gift card to my favorite clothing store. We never, EVER go out on Sunday nights after church because Bruce works third shift and likes to come straight home and chill before he has to go in. But he wanted to make up our date night and took me to Dairy Queen for a burger basket and blizzard out on the DQ patio. The weather was nice and we ran into a lot of people we know from our church and a few other churches in the area. It was great time.

I hope all you great moms out there had a wonderful Mother's Day like I sure did.