Well I Did It - The Big "V"

So, I actually had a "Mother's Day Out" yesterday.  One of my good friends, Sarah, and her husband, watched Adi for me while I ran out and did a few things.  The very first thing I did was meet my husband and complete the big "V" - VOTE!  We are participating in the most important election ever.  But, I have done my part.  Honestly, I haven't followed along with much that is happening in the political world or economic world and I'm ok with that.  I think Americans get carried away at times with politics as a means to have some sort of control in this world.  Is that part of our purpose, to have control?  Anyway, soon our country will be in the hands of a new man and some are frightened by the possibilities.  I, on the other hand, have a peace in knowing that our God is going to make good out of whatever takes place.  We may not see that good in our lifetime, or maybe we will.  

The Shack

For those of you who know me really well, you know that I don't particularly like to read.  If I have some free time, reading a book rarely crosses my mind.  Sad I know, but true!  Recently a good friend of ours let us borrow The Shack by William Young.  It is a fiction story created to answer the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?"  (I got that from the back of the book.)  My husband and I read it at the same time so our sofa became a boxing ring to see who got the book at that moment of sitting and relaxation.  Usually when either one of us begins a book it takes like a month or longer for us to finish it.  This book only took about a week if that.  If you have not read this book, please seek to find a copy NOW!  It is an amazing book full of challenging thoughts.  I won't tell you anything about it because I don't want to ruin any part of your experience reading it.  I think my mind is still trying to work through some of the images created and it truly left me desiring the closeness of God.  A few questions that this book left me pondering:

1)  How many times in my life do I play God?

2)  Whose really in control?

3)  Is there forgiveness if there is still anger?

4)  What good purpose can God work out of this?

5)  Do I have a Great Sadness in my life and if I do what is it?

6)  Will we know our earthly family in heaven?

NOW GO READ IT AND BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE!

For A Good Friend - Byron Kennedy

Byron is Bradey's lifelong best friend, accountability partner, and pretty much a brother.  Their life together started when they were born three months apart.   Their moms were good friends and still depend on each other today.  They grew up together doing all the things little boys do in a small town, plus some.  They went fishing at Mama's tank, played all kinds of ball together, attended Kid's College (I'm sure caused all kinds of trouble for Donna), and sometimes even peed on each other according to Bradey.  Don't ask, who knows?  As they got older, they attended youth group together, went camping occasionally, and played more sports.  Soon they graduated and went to Tech.  Bradey ended up transferring to Hardin-Simmons to play football but the friendship did not change even miles apart.    They made many memories at the lake, spent some nights in the lovely trailer that Bradey lived in, drank Big Swigs , and smoked Black-N-Milds.  Soon, I came along and Byron approved.  He was the best man at our wedding and holds a dear place in our hearts.  He is now a lawyer and currently works at Texas Tech University.  The boys are closer now than they have ever been.  

Throughout Byron's life he has had to face many obstacles in the area of health.  From the time he was a young boy to now, it seems like he has experienced everything that life can throw at you.  Recently he was diagnosed with cancer.  His case was accepted in Houston at M.D. Anderson. He was placed in the best hands possible.  He had to have surgery to remove numerous lymph nodes from his neck.  He is now going through a series of radiation treatments.  He has to have scans performed every three months to make sure the cancer has not come back, but to make matters worse he is allergic to the iodine used during the scans.  Honestly, the list of complications he has to deal with goes on and on.  

Through all of this, every obstacle he has overcome, he has an amazingly strong faith.  Byron has always been that guy who is everyone's best friend, someone that you can always count on to lead you in the right direction, and the guy who knows the Lord.  He is someone very dear to many people in his life.  

Sometimes we don't understand why God places us in the midst of obstacles, where we ask ourselves, "Why God? Why me?"  I'm sure Byron has asked that question more than once.  At least I would if I were in his shoes. 

I have no doubt that God knew this young man would continue to be obedient and faithful through his life no matter what and that in itself has been such a strong testimony to others who know him.  So, whether you know him or not, please pray that the Lord would heal him completely and that Byron will continue to rely on his strong faith and trust that everything is in God's hands.  I do believe that our God is a God of healing.  I believe that He can and He will heal Byron.  So I ask you to do the same.  Please believe this and speak in the name of Jesus that healing will take place.  This journey ahead of him will be a test of faith, no doubt, but also a journey of many blessings!

Birthday Blessings

I have so many things to be thankful for on my birthday.  I don't even know where to begin.  As I turn 26, here are a few of the many blessings in my life:

• My dear husband who has put so much effort and time into this day to make it as perfect as it can be.  He arranged a surprise birthday dinner with our friends at Ruby Tequila's, scheduled a day at the spa for me, purchased the most amazing cake ever made from Village Bakery, took time out of his day to bring me McDonald's for lunch, and he let me sleep in (he does this often, not only on my birthday)!

• My beautiful little redhead, Adilyn, who is 19 months old.  She learned to say "Happy Birthday" recently and that has just made my day even more special that I am lucky enough to receive birthday wishes from my precious baby girl.

• My friends and family who have sent a variety of different birthday wishes through cards, gifts, phone calls, etc.

• My time...The Lord has blessed my husband with a job that provides for us and therefore allows me to stay home with Adi.  This time is so precious to me and such a blessing.  She is like a little sponge that soaks in so much and I feel blessed to be the one that gets to impress upon her the things that will shape her as she grows up.

• My church family is another great blessing.  When we moved to Amarillo we knew nobody.  We found an amazing church which we call home now and we have met so many people who are some of our best friends.  I don't know where we would be without Hillside in our lives.  We both have gotten plugged in to different areas of the church so it is not just some place we go on Sunday mornings.

There are many other blessings in my life, but these are the ones I chose to focus on because they sum up my life and who I am today.  I can't wait to see in 5, 10, 20 years from now what this list looks like.  Even if it is not your birthday, what things do you consider blessings in your life?