Updates
February 2011
If you are alive, you are seeing signs of our Lord’s return like never before! The creation is groaning and things are falling into place at what seems like the speed of light.
My family has been watching, talking and praying about all the events that surround us. As a family we have discussed our job during this time. What are we as Christians suppose to be doing as we prepare for our Bride Groom?
I want to encourage you to look around you. Do you have friends and family members that need Jesus? We have made a prayer list and are commiting to pray and watch for opportunities to share Christ. This time on earth is so short and eternity is something that we have difficulty understanding. Please look around you and see the work God is doing. Watch for those God is calling to Himself and be ready to share with them.
My oldest son Mark was married in September. As I watched them prepare I was again reminded that I want to be ready for my Bride Groom. He is coming! Get Ready!
I Thessalonians 4:16-18 ”For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”
July 25, 2010
As I was adding to my speaking engagements on this website I noticed that my update page was over a year old. I cannot believe that much time has passed. Much has happened since I announced the news of my upcoming grandbaby. Luke Douglas was born on November 17, 2010. He is healthy, happy and already 8 months old.
I continue to travel and meet many of you. I am honored to hear your stories, see God at work in your lives and be strengthened by our new friendships. It is amazing to see how quickly God seals us as sisters when we meet.
My health remains strong and my entire family rejoices at this miracle. I appreciate all of the prayers you continue to offer on my behalf. God is answering those prayers. My immune system is a constant problem, yet I have experienced very little illness. My doctors cannot explain it, can you? Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!
The big news is, my oldest son, Mark is getting married in September. We are all excited and see Lisa (his wife to be) as a perfect fit. God has granted them the opportunity to move back to Knoxville and I will have my entire family back together. What a blessing!
I pray that you will take some time to enjoy your family. Thank God for each of them individually and pray for them. God truly answers prayer.
May 6, 2009
I have had an amazing few months! The Lord has given me the opportunity to meet many of you throughout the country. It is always a joy to share Him and what He is doing and has done.
I want to share with you today some wonderful news! I am entering the world of grandmothers! Yes, it is true, we are going to have the first Alexander grand baby in November of this year.
Easter weekend my son Stephen and his wife Carrie presented me with a porcelain egg. Inside was a locket and when I opened it there was an ultrasound picture of my first grand child. On the locket they had engraved I Samuel 1:27 “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted my petition which I asked of Him.”
During one of my more difficult times of illness I shared with Carrie that I wanted to see one of my grand children. When I realized what I was seeing in that locket, I looked at Carrie and she said, “God granted your request.” Of course what followed was lots of screaming, laughing, crying, hugging and even the family ‘dance of joy’!
Yesterday Carrie invited me to go to the doctor with her. Together we saw an incredible miracle! The baby was moving, growing and I think he/she waved at me! We both cried and marveled at the God who forms us in the womb.
I am so grateful God granted my prayer. I am even more grateful that He has given two Godly young people a child to raise to honor Him. I pray every day for this new baby, physically and spiritually.
Thank you for letting me share this news with you. Take time today to celebrate our Creator. He truly is Worthy of our praise!
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March 3, 2009
Spring Time
I know you are with me when I say, “I love this time of year!”
I was reading in Psalm this morning and David was pointing out each detail of our world and the fact that our God made it all! Springtime is the time we notice the beauty of the world our God has made.
I love to see the green coming and the flowers blooming. One of my favorite things to watch is the finches in our back yard slowly turning bright yellow. It is truly amazing and the handiwork of our God.
This morning I asked God to keep my ears and eyes open to His creation. I want to be grateful – I want to praise with the creation the wonders of my God.
Don’t miss the opportunity to join in the resounding chorus of the earth proclaiming
He is Alive! He is Creator! He is God!
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December 2008
God, Bring Me a Godzilla
As we raised our boys we faced the same question that many christian parents face. What about Santa Claus? What were we going to teach and tell our boys?
We decided to treat Santa Claus like any of their favorite cartoon characters. We had Santa salt shakers and ornaments. We took time to read to our boys a book called, “Santa, Are You for Real?” It was helpful in teaching about St. Nicholas and how he helped people.
One of the things my husband and I decided was not to tell the boys that things under the tree came from Santa. We wanted them to know, that “every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above.” As a result, even though they sat on Santa’s lap at the mall, we would continually remind them, that everything we had came from God.
When my oldest son Mark was three his new baby brother was born. It was around Christmas and we considered his new brother a wonderful gift. As always with a newborn, I was kept very busy. Mark was very helpful but our one on one time was definitely rare.
One day while taking care of Stephen, i realized that Mark had disappeared into another room of the house. He was very quiet and that could mean trouble! I quickly went into the hall and noticed the door to his room was almost shut. I quietly went to the door and looked in. There was my three year old son on his knees in the middle of his room. He had his head down in his hands and I heard him say, “Dear God, would you please bring me a Godzilla for Christmas? Mom says you can do anything. Thank you. Amen.”
It was the sweetest moment for me, because it was the first time I had ever heard Mark pray alone, on his own. It was also a terrifying moment because I did not know what a Godzilla was, but knew I had to find it!
After searching, I found it was a two foot tall, plastic, green monster. Not the kind of thing I wanted to buy my three year old. Yet, I did.
On Christmas, we left Godzilla unwrapped under my beautiful tree. Mark came to get us up early and the four of us went to the living room. Mark was leading the way.
When Mark reached the living room he came to a dead stop. He stood very still and stared at the tree. Then he looked back at us with big eyes and said, “Dad, Mom, God heard me! God gave me a Godzilla!” He ran to the tree, hugged that ugly, plastic toy, looked to heaven and said, “Oh thank You God, I love You!”
This Christmas remember “Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God.” Stop and tell God - Thank You, I love You.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU!
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SEPTEMBER 2008
Hurricane Ike!
I just went to Houston for my cancer check ups. I never look forward to this time because the testing is a long, extensive, uncomfortable process.
This visit presented a new adventure. I finished all the tests on Wednesday and when we arrived at the home we were staying in, we began to hear about hurricane Ike. Every channel on every station was announcing the coming of this hurricane.
We looked outside at the beautiful blue sky and sunshine and thought, what hurricane? Our hostess at this point began to make preparations. We went to the grocery and stood in line for over an hour. We went to the gas station and sat in line for what seemed like an hour . We were told over the news that our neighborhood was to “shelter in place”. Apparently, that means, STAY PUT! We began to tape windows, check tree branches, get water, fill bathtubs and wait.
A few hours later the power went out and the storm began. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The noise was a roar and the wind/rain unrelenting. Six or so hours later we went outside to see what looked like a war zone!
There is much I could share, for example, have you ever cooked vienna sausage over a sterno can?! I did not even know they still made vienna sausage! The above details may or may not interest you, but let me share some of what I learned.
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:1
Are you making preparations? Are you going to be caught unawares? We need to ask God to prepare our heart’s for Him. We need to ask God to help us prepare our friends and family by sharing His Son with them.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happend to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” IPeter 4:12-13
Storms are going to come our way. We can count on that as a fact. We can also count on our Lord to get us through the storm. When you feel like your life is a war zone, rejoice! God is getting you ready to reveal His glory!
When we finally got out of Houston, the power was still out in the home we stayed in. As I sat on the plane and thanked God for air conditioning, I thought about all the difficulties we faced without power.
I was reminded that I am never without God’s power! What a wonderful gift! My God is in control, not surprised and never shaken. I missed the electricity, but I will never have to be without the power of my God! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
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