My Prayer from Ephesians 6:10-20

Lord Jesus, please make me strong in You, and in Your mighty power. Lord Jesus, in obedience to Your Word I so desire to put on the full armor of God, so that I can take my stand against the devil’s schemes. My struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. So I will put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes I am able to stand my ground. I will stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. I will also take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. I put on the helmet of salvation and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And I pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With that in mind, please keep me alert and always praying for all of the saints. I also pray for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. I pray that you will bless me to declare it fearlessly, as I should.

HEADLINE NEWS: Susie Q Makes Bail

(AP) The Humane Societies "Prison for Wandering Cats" issues statement about Inmate #13, Susie Q, being freed on $80 bond. Sources close to the former inmate say she is not currently showing any appreciation for her freedom, and are concerned about her potential return to the big cat house. More on the life and times of Susie Q, the corruptable cat, as this story develops.

Sam, 2005 Math Olympian

Sam places 4th in the Regional Math Olympics

Great Job, Samuel!

Two Handsome Guys!

Samuel and Daniel

One Fowl Cat

If Susie was a boy, we surely would have named him Tom!

Just Me and My Girls!

"Pop!" "Pop!" "Pop!" POPCORN

Aimee is Definately the Life of the Party!

Miss Maggie in her "Dracula" Days!!!

Look closely... See those beautiful little teeth coming in on top! Oh my Maggie, my precious baby! And now, to think that all you want to do is grow another year or two older so you can have me pull them out for you!! Time is flying by, and you are growing into being such a beautiful young lady!! I love you, my little "Count" Maggie Pie!!!!!

Erin Gets Aunt Carol All "Straightened" Out!

As Daniel says, "Who are you, and what have you done with my Mother?!"

Baseball's Finest...

Joseph scores 2 runs in yesterday's game!

GO WARRIORS!!

GO JOSEPH!!!

God's Power MADE PERFECT in Our Weakness!

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

You have formed and molded us, saved and transformed us to be vessels of your light and glory, temples of your Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 6:19). Though we are weak, you are strong! (1 Corinthians 4:10) Your power is made perfect in weakness! May we yield today in our weaknesses, so that Your power may rest on us! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). May we all be yielded vessels for Your glory! May it be all about You, Lord, and not about us!!

Joseph

A prayer for Joseph...

Lord Jesus, thank you for Joseph. He is a gift from You to me, and I hold tight to this precious child, Your blessing.

Thank you for placing Your Holy Hands over Joseph. I see You guiding him, directing his path, and blessing his heart with desires that are from You. Thank you for shaping him into the young man that You desire for him to be. Thank you for pouring Your blessings over him, and his life. Thank you for the gifts You have given to him so abundantly.

Lord Jesus, please continue to direct Joseph's path according to the desires of Your heart. Speak to him, and give him the wisdom to hear Your voice. Guide his heart and his mind as he grows older, and makes life choices and decisions. Help him to desire to honor You in all that he does.

Thank you for Joseph's faith in You, our Most High God. Thank you for giving Joseph the gift of eternal life, a journey that began for Joseph over ten years ago now. Thank you for the gifts of Your Spirit which are so alive in his life. Bless him as he seeks to follow You, all the days of his life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Precious Girls

Practicing the Miss America wave...

Miss Sara Elizabeth... Happy Birthday Angel Baby!

Happy Birthday, Sara Elizabeth.

I love you, my precious baby girl.

February 13, 1998... One of the hardest days of my life, but also one of the sweetest. You were born still to me on Earth, but born alive into the loving arms of Jesus.

Sara, you are thought of and talked about all the time. Your brothers, sisters, and I all know that we will be reunited in Heaven, and we talk about meeting you, and recognizing you immediately! What a glorious day that will be!

Valentine's Days have been bittersweet since you came into my life. Today I will put a vase of beautiful flowers on the table in your honor. That's all I can do right now... but honoring your memory and your life as a gift from God is foremost on my heart today.

My heart rests knowing where you are and who you are with. I'm listening for that trumpet sound, it won't be long now... and then I will be able to tell you once again how much I love you.

I treasure this poem written by Linda Parker. The Lord gave her these words on the morning of your Memorial Service.

Mom

A Hug or Two

What can one say to comfort a loss so deep?

A life given in love, now fallen asleep.

Who can know the sorrow or pain

Of losing a little one before she came?

How do we come to say goodbye

To one who put a star in our eye?

Thinking of the love we would share

With the little one God put in our care?

Dear Father in Heaven, abounding in love

We look to you for grace from above.

Give us a glimpse of Heaven where she

Will laugh with joy on Your Holy Knee.

Help us in time to entrust back to You

This precious baby we have loved true.

In Heaven she'll have no tears to cry

Knowing she is the apple of her Father's eye.

To your arms of unending love

Our little one has flown free as a dove.

We wait for the day, You'll call us Home too

For she will be waiting for a hug or two.

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Happy Birthday, Samuel!
I can hardly believe that you are 11 years old today! The day you were born was one of the most precious days of my life! I was so proud of you then, but I am even more proud of you now! You are growing into being such a nice young man. You are a lot of fun to be with, Sam! I love it most when you laugh... especially when the giggles sneak up on you! We're going to have a great time celebrating your birthday on Friday night! Now, you guys all have to be in bed and have lights out at 10:00pm, ok?? (STOP LAUGHING!) Ok, I'll tell you what, for your birthday, I'll let you stay up a little later... but just a little... as long as you'll let me whoop you and your friends in a Tetris game, or two! I'm looking forward to those root beer floats as much as you are! I love you, my Samuel!

Mom

Grandma and Papa

Grandma and Papa, we love you!

Daniel Smith

Oh my Daniel, what a leader you are becoming! I hear your strong leadership qualities as you pray. The strength that is so a part of your prayertimes touches my heart, and the hearts of all who hear your faith. I shouldn't be surprised at the strength of character God has given you, as you were named for your great grandpa, a mighty man of God, a pastor with a heart for the saved and the lost. It is my prayer for you, that God blesses your life with a passion to serve Him in all that you do. When I think of you, I also remember the favored prophet of our Most High God, Daniel. May YOU have faith like his, and wisdom that knows no earthly bounds. Daniel Smith, I love you... Mom

Miss Katherine Laura

Katherine has a heart of gold! There is NO other way to put it! She is a delightful, caring, beautiful young lady.

Katherine has a love for God that is evident in all that she does in life. She desires to live her life full of faith, honor, and devotion to her Savior.

Some of Katherine's favorite things are to play with her sisters, and friends Kali and Hope. She likes to eat pizza, and turkey dinners! She likes to play Rummikub, and with her Dancemaker.

Miss Aimee Faith

Sweet Aimee Faith... fashion princess, budding artist, and creative thinker! Also, beholder of a very gentle, sensitive heart. Aimee is kind, compassionate, and loving. She is truly a sweetheart.

Some of Aimee's favorite things in life are Chinese chicken, anything PINK, paints and crayons, her new coat from Papa and Grandma, Care Bears, and Polly Pocket.

Aimee's smile is precious as she's now missing her top four front teeth!

Aimee makes everyone smile, especially her big sister, Katherine. Her best friends in school are Lauren and Sara, and she loves Kali Jo like a sister.

Aimee loves the Lord Jesus with all of her heart.

Miss Maggie Jane

Maggie Jane is such a sweetheart! (Although if she heard me say that, she would correct me, and tell me that she is a "pumpkin.")

Maggie's favorite "person" is Dora the Explorer. Her favorite color is PINK! Her favorite "job" is to be my kitchen helper! Maggie's favorite animal is the horse. Maggie especially likes to sing songs, and be silly.

Maggie loves to go to preschool! She has made many friends there, and her teachers are so special to her. Today she will be taking her brand new backpack to school with her and she has a very proud grin on her face about that.