the hem of his garment

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Matthew 9:20-22

I was reading my morning devotional Thursday and it was about the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed. All she did was touch the hem of his garment and he felt the healing flow go out of him. How amazing is that? That blows my mind and is one of my favorite accounts in the Gospels.

Another thought crossed my mind while reading the devotional though. How often do we just settle for touching the hem of his garment? Yes, he is that powerful that one, small touch can heal you. We are given the authority to touch much more than that,spiritually speaking. Jesus intercedes for us and we do not have to beg. We can touch his healing hands,not just his garment. Just something to ponder.

Happy 4th of July everyone! Have a safe day! Remember freedom is never free! Thanks be to God for Jesus and his sacrifice!! Thanks be to God for our brave men and women fighting for our freedom also!

Mary, what were you thinking?

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:26-35

I wonder what was going through Mary's head when the angel told her she would conceive of the Holy Spirit. Especially her not being formally married. It said she asked the angel how could it be since she had not known a man,but I wonder what else went through her mind? She was going to be looked at as shameful and sinful. How ironic? The girl who would bring the Lord Jesus into this world looked at as shameful and sinful. The very thing that would save people from their sins,would be looked at as disgraceful. Wow. I wonder if abortion was around during that time,would Mary have aborted Jesus? Can you imagine that? Where has our society gone? What is our society thinking? I can't imagine her having to tell Joseph that she was pregnant. I've always wondered what she was thinking and how she was feeling. I am reading the birth of Jesus part by part this week and just letting things really sink in. I'll post on it through Wednesday. I am so thankful and grateful for the birth of Christ. A tiny baby would bring my redemption. Mind blowing.

God Bless!

what's been happening around here

It has been so cold this past week and I just love it! None of us have been sick this past week and we're all better,thank You Lord. I hope every one's week and weekend has been good. Ours has been very good despite some bumps in the road. I just can't believe it's almost Christmas Day! I love the cold weather! It was very cold early in the week and our hometown in Mississippi even got a little snow. So did the North part of Mississippi in Jackson,Laurel,and Hattiesburg I know. That is just crazy! The deep south never gets much snow,well not in Mississippi,Alabama,or Louisiana-they also got snow! Mike was working all week except Friday. He was doing a detail with the FAP team. He really enjoyed. They strictly look for drugs on the highways,but can still write tickets like a regular road Trooper. We've been praying about if that is a change we need to make. After working with them this week, he feels that it is and so do I. It's more family oriented and laid back in a way as far as time. I know that doesn't make sense,but you'd just have to hear it in person when I explained it. So when another position comes open he's going to put in for it. We'll both be relieved. There was a spot open back in May of this year,but we just didn't feel it was time to go that way yet. It was hard saying no because we were just really battling somethings. We do feel release now and God willing he'll get on when it's His timing. My husband is a very patient man when it comes to making decisions. Sometimes I get annoyed because I think he isn't moving fast enough,but most of the time he is led by the Spirit and is right about not jumping the gun. We balance each other out so much,it's really neat!


We got our truck back Monday and the heater works wonderfully! It put us over a little with our account,but it was needed. My Mother and sister came to visit me this week too. It was nice. I miss living so close to them. My sister and I used to be inseparable. Oh the memories we have! We had a good time. We went to a shoe store,Big Lots,and to get a donut at Krispy Kreme. It was short,but fun. While he was working and Daniel was napping I started wrapping Christmas presents. I absolutely love doing this! Oh I love Christmas time so much! It's just something about the air,don't ya agree? The warmth,family coming together,and celebrating Jesus' birth! This is my most favorite time of the year!! I even wrapped while Daniel was awake and he just played,of course I was on the bar wrapping or else he would have ripped the paper to pieces. I put on some Christmas music,baked cookies,and wrapped presents. Daniel had fun watching me dance and sing. He loves music,so he was having a blast! I love singing the Christmas songs,not just the "fun" ones,but the serious ones. I mean, if it were not for Jesus' birth where would we be? He could not have lived a perfect,sinless life. He could have not been crucified on the cross. He could have not been raised to life again. So we would be in essence hopeless and hell bound. I praise God for his birth. I know that it isn't written in stone that Jesus was born on December 25 and there isn't a way to know the exact day,but it is the day Christians have put aside to celebrate it. So me and my family will do so! I cannot wait to teach Daniel all about Jesus and what the real meaning of Christmas is. It is not about getting,but giving. I just can't wait!

Friday Mike had off so I washed some laundry and then we took a little trip. We attempted to go across the bay again. We made it this time without Daniel being sick! We went to Bass Pro Shop. Oh that place is amazing! Daniel loved all the animals and the aquarium. There were some major fish in that tank! We had a good time. This coming week is our date day! Oh I am so excited!! Our plans have not been set in stone yet. We may go to Belengrath Gardens, the Magee Farm,or make a trip to Hattiesburg,MS. It's about 2 1/2 hours away,but we love it there. When we were dating, we went there a lot,since my college isn't far from there. We'll see. I'll be sure to let ya know how it went. Onto other things. I only have a few more gifts to get next week and all the shopping will be done. I've got everything that I've bought wrapped and under the tree. I also found some recipes for Christmas Day at the families. I found a Pecan Pie and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Peanut Butter Pie. Oh yum! I cannot wait to make them. I have a Sugar cookie,Peanut Butter cookie,and Oatmeal cooking recipe too. I want to decorate the Sugar cookies and use my cookie cutters. I want Christmas to also be a fun time for Daniel and we will make it fun for sure! Yesterday I went shopping with my MIL and SIL's. We had a blast and always do! I didn't buy anything,but they were doing some shopping. They found Daniel a rocking horse. He loves those things and it's the only big thing he'll be getting. Nana bought him a couple of shirts and a pair of cute shoes too,but for now. Oh and I found a new love! Pretzel sticks! Oh I hate pretzels,but these cinnamon pretzel sticks were too die for! Robyn bought some and let me have one,I was hooked after that. I also found out I love stir fry! I cooked it last week and fell in love. Although Mike doesn't like it that much,I do and I'll cook it for myself. It's easy and simple. Daniel liked the vegetables in it. Well, this was just some rambling. I must go fix supper and play with Daniel. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Just random thoughts

Tomorrow we are taking our truck to the mechanic to get the heater fixed. We're so grateful that God led us to a man who said he would fix it for $350 opposed to $600. Thanks to those who prayed. Mike is also off 2 days and we will enjoy them. I'm not sure when everyone else puts up there Christmas tree or whatever you put up ( I know some families who put up a cross). We like to do ours on Thanksgiving Eve,but Mike was working. So we will be doing that tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm very excited,though I just hope Daniel doesn't try to turn it over on himself! I've been teaching him the word easy when he goes to hit (just playing,but still) us in the head or when he goes to tear books up. He's catching on,but forgets too. It's amazing to watch him learn. I really don't know what else to decorate my house with,any ideas? I have my table mats that are Christmas themed and some candle holders,but other than that I just don't know what to put out. Believe it or not we do not have a Nativity Scene. We are getting one this month though. Some of ya'll know how much we have struggled with money since we have been married,but thanks be to God this year we haven't struggled so much. We actually had money early on and I started shopping for gifts the first of November. I only have a few more to get and I'll be done. I love to give to others. I love Christmas and birthdays particularly. I love to see the expression on others face when they receive something they really want or need. We are also going to do a Christmas package for a few children with Voice of the Martyr's. It is $25 per box and it contains different materials.

My mother-in-law and sister-in-laws have been coming to church with us the past few Sundays. They have really enjoyed it too. We're so glad! We love our our church! They are so mission minded,but not only to overseas missionaries. They do so much reaching out in the community. They are so abundantly blessed too. When you give,God will bless you and they are living proof. We love our worship leader(they call him minister of music) and the choir too. We both were raised in smaller churches that only had one man leading music so it's different,but in a good way. I wasn't accustomed to loud music until I started going to the Full Gospel church and I love it loud! (not too loud,I like to not have a head ache haha) The choir at church is amazing! I would love to sing in it once Daniel is older. We also love our Pastor. He used to be a high school football coach,youth leader,and has pastored for quite awhile. We knew the first time we visited there,that it was the church God wanted us at. Bro. Terry preaches with conviction and if God changes what they have put in the bulletin for his sermon,he follows God's leading. He blesses us each time we are there. He is doing a series on Signs of the Times right now. It's the 3rd Sunday into it. Last Sunday he preached about Israel and this Sunday he preached about the reviving Roman Empire. It is really scary and at the same time exciting,to see how close we are to the return of Christ! The clock is really ticking down. I am not sure if a lot of Christians know that or not,but we are very close to the the return of Christ. I am not even sure if some would admit it or really ponder on it. It's something we've been thinking about a lot this past year. I do believe I'll see the Antichrist arise in my generation (I believe in the rapture,I'm just saying in general it'll be in my lifetime) and Christ will return before I die. That used to scare me. But now it doesn't. With all that is going on and what will be going on in the future with our newly elected president, I long for Christ return. Not only for those reasons,but I simply love Jesus. It will be wonderful to finally see this man that I have put my faith and trust in. To see the God who created me in my Mother's womb. This God who has healed me,protected me,provided for me,and loved me, I will finally meet. I will be no longer distracted by the world,but will be totally focused on him and there will be no distractions. How glorious is that?! How awesome is that?! Too much for my small for my mind to really fathom.

Have a blessed week!

Oh and our 2nd wedding anniversary is coming up on December 4th! Wow,it's been an amazing journey!

Favorite song

I bought the new Casting Crowns cd Thursday and it is so great!! I love this group! They're so real and anointed! One of my favorite songs off the cd called the Altar and the Door is called The Word Is Alive. Oh I love it! It really ministered to me this morning. I wanted to share it. Check out their new cd and their other previous cd's.

Looking out from His throne, the Father of light and of men
Chose to make Himself known and show us the way back to Him
Speaking wisdom and truth into the hearts of peasants and kings
He began to unveil the Word that would change the course of all things

With eyes wide open, all would see

The Word is aliveAnd it cuts like a sword through the darkness
With a message of life to the hopeless and afraid
Breathing life into all who believe
The Word is alive
And the world and its glories will fade
But His truth, it will not pass away
It remains yesterday and forever the same
The Word is alive

Simple strokes on a page
Eternity's secrets revealed, carried on from age to age
It speaks Truth to us even still
And as the rain falls from Heaven, feeds the earth before it returns
Lord, let Your Word fall on us and bring forth the fruit You deserve

With eyes wide open, let us see

Chorus)*PERSON ON MEGA PHONE*The Bible was inscribed over a period of 2000 years.
In times of War and Days of Peace.
By Kings, Physician, Tax Collectors, Farmers, Fisherman, Singers and Shepherds.
The Marvel is that a library so perfectly cohesive.
To be produced by a diverse crowd.
Over a period of time, which stagers the imagination.
Jesus is his greatest Subject.
Our good is designed and Glory of GOD is its Greatest end.(Chorus)

The Word is alive
And it cuts like a sword through the darkness
With a message of life to the hopeless and afraid
Breathing life into all who believe
The Word is aliveAnd the world and its glories will fade
But His truth, it will not pass away
It remains yesterday and forever the same
The Word is alive

The Word is alive
His Word is alive

Do you believe the Word is alive? Wow! I mean those words on the pages of the Bible are alive as you and I are. That is just so awesome! It still leaves me in awe sometimes. They aren't just words,but they are alive and they speak life into our dry souls! Amen!

What's a favorite passage of scripture or verse you have?

Be blessed!!

I started another blog,it's on my Profile page. It's a picture blog!