Why NOT Me??

What an INCREDIBLE Week this has been !! Most of you know My daughter was voted as a Homecoming Queen candidate and it has been a whirlwind of activities and fun! We began most of the festivities last weekend and as time went on there was one thing I began to notice....Most of the questions and responsibilities were being pointed towards my daughter and myself. Hmmm, there are 3 Senior candidiates so why Lord would 1 girl be directed as leader? As it became more and more obvious in good and well, not so good ways, there came a point that my daughter was feeling somewhat overwhelmed & a little under attack. Let me explain a bit and show you how God works in ways we can't even imagine! :)

The day after the nominees were announced all the girls attended a meeting to basically lay down alot (not all by any means LOL) of the ground rules and just general information that they would need to know for the week to come ie: posters needed to be made, interviews for the paper and radio, decorating the royal stage, parade, etc. All the girls including the Junior & Sophomore attendants were there EXCEPT for One Senior nominee and she was @ Volleyball. So Jenna gathered all the information and forms and later that evening she came by our house to pick it all up. We all agreed to work on the posters together so that they would all look the same since this was one of the regulations.

One of the girls could not make it and for some reason (still unknown) decided to blame my daughter saying things that were not nice at all and brought Jenna to tears. We happened to be out to lunch just the two of us and this is when she received the Not So Nice text message. She looked @ me with tears in her eyes and said "Mom, Why Me?" Why is she mad @ me? She was @ that meeting and knew about this plus I am not the only one who could have texted or told her, why is she acting like this is my fault???" I grabbed my girls sweet hand and asked her to look me in the eyes. I said "Honey, instead of asking ~ Why ME I want you to ask Why NOT ME? Because God has given you this opportunity, HE has placed you in a position to shine for HIM! To Glorify HIM! To offer grace and kindness even when others might not show the same. I shared that at this very moment she could either choose to join in with the hatefulness and fuel the ugly flames ~OR~ she could be like Christ and turn the situation completely around. I asked her to ponder that when this was all over would this girl be able to say "WOW, Jenna was so kind to me and smoothed out this situation" or "That Jenna isn't at all what she professes to be, she is just hateful as can be!"

We all have situations that arise like this don't we!? The spirit of MisUnderstanding loves to rear his UGLY head and cause Strife and ruin relationships, friendships, and maybe even a reputation!. When we are in a position to either fuel the flame or simply stomp it out with love, grace, and kindness what do we do? What would Christ ask us to do? The Lord allows us opportunities ~ Do we choose to glorify HIM or do we allow our flesh to feel justified and entitled and choose to act in ways completely contrary to Gods Ways?


1Peter 2:11-12 NLT
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world

P.S. My Daughter was chosen and crowned Homecoming Queen this evening! We are so very proud of her! I will post picks next week!

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TGIF

Soooo glad It's Friday!!! WAHOO :) I pray your day is filled with JOY and Laughter!! Join KIM for more funnies ♥

Keep your eye on the score when this is over LOLOLOLOL
OK ~ sorry guys, it wouldn't embed sooo go here to watch
...It's only 1 min.11sec.

Have a blessed weekend my dear friends!

Simple Pleasure ~ after school talks

This week has been probably one of the most Fun, most Exciting, and STRESS filled weeks we have had in a VERY LONG TIME! Suffice it to say it has also been a week that has kept us on our knees and close to the LORD.

We began by having the Big Birthday Celebration over the weekend and then have jumped into all of the Homecoming preparations! Jen has had meetings, decorations to do, radio interviews, newspaper pictures, walk thru practices, homecoming parade, pep rally, and then of course the coronation to attend on Friday, all of this and her regular schedule of school and training each day for football! I might add in here that this is HIGH SCHOOL and if your memories can go back to those days you might remember how crazy High School can be and the drama that plays out day after day.

I have felt the Lord prompting me to make sure and sit down each day with both kids and JUST LISTEN. To let them share their hearts, their thoughts, concerns or just whatever they wanted to share. To really HEAR them and then to lead them to either lay those concerns down at the foot of the cross or to remind them of who they are and how loved they are by the LORD and by us, their parents! That no matter what happens during the course of the day or in the days ahead they belong to Christ and HE loves and adores them! To slow down and think about Heavenly things & not allow the things or situations of this world to get us off track but to Praise God for the positions HE places us in and pray that we Shine for HIM in all things!

For me, my Simple Pleasure this week has been very simply sitting, listening and praying with my Children. I am soo very blessed to be a Stay At Home MOM... ordained by God to have days like these!


Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people Eph 6:7



Today I am linking up with Dayle

I got the Joy Joy Joy Down in my Heart! :)

I got that Joy Joy Joy Joy down in my heart......WHERE?? down in my heart ...... WHERE? down in my heart to STAY!!

Now that I have you all singing with me ;) I will share my JOY with you!!

On Monday it was an Insane day running EVERYWHERE and I got home REALLY late, obviously Having not cooked dinner for my family BUT my SWEET and OH SO WONDERFUL Husband had dinner waiting on ME!!!! Grilled Halibut, baked potatoes, garlic-cheese biscuits...YUM

It was such a JOY to be making these Homecoming posters that will be on the sides of the car while Jenna is being driven down Main Street in the Homecoming Parade. Brian, Jenna & I all worked together making them while Rylee sat in her highchair and colored! JOY JOY JOY


It was such a JOYFUL occasion to find a package @ our front door! My friend Bernie@ OnMyOwn is from Canada and I have shared how VERY MUCH my Son LOVES Canada!! Welllllll ~ Bernie sent Jantz a Canadian Calendar!! Isn't she AWESOME!! Thanks again Bernie for bringing both of us SUCH JOY!!


Today was absolutely Gorgeous outside! It didn't appear as though it would be. It started out raining and dreary but this afternoon it all cleared off and OH MY! It was heavenly. So Rylee and Brian AKA "Papa" went out back and jumped on the trampoline together!!! It just brings me such JOY to see them play & laugh together!!!


Ok get this .....I know I am almost 44! I know I am getting older but seriously when I got an AARP notice to sign up for in the mail I was a little taken back! I mean seriously ???? We got a big kick out of it and nothing says JOY like having a good belly laugh with your Honey! Because believe me ....HE gave me a REALLY HARD TIME ABOUT IT!! ;)


He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy JOB 8:21

Hope you all have a JOY-filled week!! I am linking up with Angel today

I Believe in YOU

I have really been looking forward to this new series titled "I Believe in You." that we began @ Church this past weekend. It's already awesome!

Pastor Craig Groeschel began this week speaking specifically to the "Emerging Generation" Those whom are 30yrs. old or so and younger. This generation, in Pastor Craigs opinion is so "UNBELIEVABLY Driven," more so than any generation before them.
They have such Mission Minded hearts that they literally crave to make a difference...a longing to serve a purpose. Never before have we seen soooo many children doing the work that was placed upon their hearts (by God) to help others in need. You see it in the news, magazines, ministries that serve here and abroad!

He also explained that while this generation is sooo mission minded they also have some VERY strong temptations that cause some of these kids to remain somewhat "STUCK" or not able to move forward to accomplish the purpose they desire to fulfill.
These temptations are:
1) This generation feels ENTITLED! Why? Because we as parents have made certain that they have everything they need or rather maybe what they want! Cell phones at a young age (some kids are upset because they have a Iphone 3G but their best friend may have the Iphone4) The best of everything not just the necessities. We have been there @ every single event and put their needs above everything some even above their spouses! Some have gone into debt JUST so the child can have what they didn't have as children. This leads them to think"They DESERVE to have it all" As they grow up they feel they have to have the same type of house as their parents did at the age of 27-30 but the truth is the parents didn't have that kind of house until their 40's or 50's!
2) THis generation doesn't believe in absolute truth....they can know God but they can live as they want.
3) This generation also tends to postpone adulthood. They want the benefits of adulthood but not the sacrifices of adulthood. They believe Real Life starts later ~ say when they become parents! Yes....that is what a recent poll said! Not when they graduate or turn 18 or 21. NOt when they get their first job or graduate college but they become adults once they become PARENTS.
Gulp! But here is the thing! I know I have said this very thing to my kids and to those whom I know that are newly married....
"Go and do all you want to do before you have kids ~ because that is when everything changes!" Have you said this?

We all need to understand that Ministry and walking in our Purpose starts TODAY ~ wherever you are! We are Gods hands and feet and HIS vessel in which others will see HIM or not. Our kids are ministers no matter where they go! They are the pastor of the class they are in each day or the FCA they belong to. They may be the Pastor of a team they participate in. But in order for them to fulfill this they need to be walking with the Lord and we as parents must build and lead them. Believing in them with every step they take! It all began with God BELIEVING in Jesus. HE KNEW that Jesus would fulfill the purpose of the Cross. Jesus heard the first words of support and belief from HIS heavenly Father when HE was baptized!

Mark 1:11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

I pray that we can all be like Paul ~ Walking with a Power of Influence. Coming alongside others allowing them to follow our example as we follow after Christ! Jesus is the target we pursue. Changing the world as HE does! That Belief that God had in Jesus didn't just affect HIM, it affected all of us....for when HE fulfilled HIS purpose here on Earth ...it was for You & ME!

What a weekend this has been!

You know those weekends where you literally cram sooo many things into it and you can't believe it was all possible!?!?!

THIS was one of THOSE weekends!! We had a wonderful birthday celebration for Jenna, Homecoming decorating to do, Church, A surprise Party for Jenna with her friends, finding a car for her to ride in in the Homecoming Parade on Thursday, Oh ya! cooking and cleaning for 20 people to be here ~ phew!! It has been sooooo much fun, so joyful! We have laughed, cried and sang til we can't do anymore at all! I love it when my family is all together and even though I can't believe I have 2 adults daughters now *sigh, sniff sniff* It was all just soo WONDERFUL!


The tradition in the McGhee household is usually cinnamon toast with candles but This year Daddy made Homemade donuts with cinnamon sugar on them! they were heavenly!!



I usually make the kids a cake or do brownies but this year Jenna asked for a Barbie cake ~ Just like she had when she was around 3 or 4!! LOL we didn't even have any Barbies so we had to go buy one! It was so funny watching her pick one out! They even had Taylor Swift Barbies!! She chose Belle and had the bakery change her dress from Yellow to Blue


No worries though! Jenna made sure the Barbie dress & shoes made it in the decorations! I LOVED it!!


Jenna and her Ry!


Daddy making delicious chicken wings and also smoking some awesome Ribs!


Rylee REALLY enjoyed the cake!! She is soo funny!


Me, Angel and MOM ♥





Jenna wanted a Bonfire in the back yard....Isn't it so pretty! It was the perfect ending to the day! SOooo Relaxing and just sitting and talking with everyone was so special....The Smores were delicious too!


Such Goofiness!


Angel "trying" to take a picture but Dan gave her a hint to make it work....TAKE OFF THE LENS CAP!! HAHAHA & YES she will kill me for sharing this ;) but she loves me anyways :0)~



Rylee and Ty....She has to be thinking.... Hey! That marshmallow wasn't like this a few minutes ago! LOVE their faces!


Jenna's friends! She had a surprise party on Sunday night @ her favorite restaraunt! It was a JOY filled weekend for sure!



Thank you all for your birthday wishes to Jenna! You are all so amazing & I cherish you...each and everyone! I pray you have a Happy and Blessed week!

18 ALREADY???

Our Precious Little Love
You fill our hearts with JOY
and Our Home with Laughter
You were Sent straight From Heaven Above

The years have gone far too fast
We've cherished every stage
your first smile, words, and first steps too
Those memories are in our hearts & will always last

Now we see the Beautiful woman you've become
Your heart, Your Loyalty and Your Love for others is oh so true!
You are more than we ever hoped you be
You shine for Jesus in all you do

Yes on the day so many years ago
The Lord blessed us beyond our dreams
when He placed you in our arms
and said "Take care of her, but never forget ~ She belongs to ME"



Happy 18th Birthday my Sweet Jenna Marie!


































She"s Her Daddy's girl and Her Momma's World
We Love you Jenna with all that we are!!
xoxoxoxoxo

Friday Funnies ~ Morning Prayers!

I am soooo excited about this weeks FF :) I saw this and immediately knew this is what I wanted to share this week! It is sooo adorable :) I hope you enjoy it as much as The McGhees have!!




I'm linking up with KIM today

Simple Pleasure ~ rainy days

Whether it be a refreshing rain after a hot summer day or a spring rain watering the long lost green grass and beautiful flowers we have missed under all that snow from a cold winter.... I LOVE a rainy day



wearing comfy sweats, reading a book, putting on a pot of homemade soup.....YES, I LOVE a rainy day ♥

and even more than that...after the rain....always comes a Rainbow ~ Gods promise! :)

God continued, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and everything living around you and everyone living after you. I'm putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. From now on, when I form a cloud over the Earth and the rainbow appears in the cloud, I'll remember my covenant between me and you and everything living, that never again will floodwaters destroy all life. When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I'll see it and remember the eternal covenant between God and everything living, every last living creature on Earth." Gen 9:12-14

photo credit:Charles Pfeil


Won't you join me today by linking up here

j.o.y.

JOY is.......

thinking something is wrong with my daughters JEEP and then finding out there is NOTHING wrong at all!!!

sweet snuggles all night long from my Rylee and kisses in the morning!!

finding out my daughter has been elected as a HOMECOMING Queen candidate!!! She will be in the Homecoming Parade too! Next week is the Homecoming game :) It's gonna be a fun and festive week! Now....to find a dress!!

my sweet husband letting me sleep in this past weekend :) then making me my favorite breakfast too!

Reading some amazing books and seeing the Lord glorified no matter how devastating the situation! see my bookblog to see what I'm talking about!

How is this for JOY ~

This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple.
Colossians 1:28...the Message

COME ON ~ Join Angel and share some JOY won't you!!