Sometimes pictures speak louder than words!

This is why we Celebrate...

Cousins Jocelyn & Brady... Ages 4 & 3

Mumzie

Bill & Mandy's youngest, Jackson 8 months...

Mom & me!

My brother & my mom

Bill & Mandy's Oldest son Brady 3

My Girl Jocelyn... She came into our family through Bethany Christian Services by God's grace.

Jocelyn's Mommy & daddy.

My brother's new TV from Santa

My Satnta stuff!

Christmas Eve @ our house we went to a Christmas Eve service at another church here in town

My 2 best friends came over who happen to be twins... Jennifer & Michelle. This is Michelle's 16 Month old Alex with Macy!

How Amazing!

How Amazing
By: T.J. Ellis
December 24, 2009
©
How amazing that the Eternal One came in human flesh
He made the stars and the heavens in all of its glory.
He gave life by his Holy Breath!
None compare with The Everlasting God above
He is Powerful and Mighty
He is righteous and true
He is Love.
He came to forgive me and you.
He is Pure
He is Light
He is the star, shining brightly in the night.
He came in the flesh as a baby, such a glorious gift for all of mankind.
What an awesome sight that must have been.
The Savior arrived for humanity to witness.
The angels announced the Savior’s coming upon the earth.
The Shepherds marveled with wonder at their words.
Peace itself rests in Mary’s arms.
The hope of sinners has come!
History was made as that baby grew into a man, and died upon a cross to save.
Rising from the grave,
The chains of bondage have fallen away.
All because Jesus came with love so great!

Esther: Called to Pray · Max Lucado

Esther: Called to Pray · Max Lucado

The Gift of Gifts, and a few others...

Google Images.... Read post for info

The Howell Family

Hi Readers:

Normally before I begin a blog, I have usually already planned in my head an least an idea of what I will write, unless of course I'm venting, and then I make no promises. I suppose it is the writer in me, that knows that before I put something out for publication, it must be orderly to some degree I have been known to edit my post more than once sometimes months after a post. I tell you this, because I've never been known as the type to" fly by the seat of my pants" Today I really have no plan. I'm thinking about the gift that began it all today! The gift that changed my destiny forever. The gift that all other gifts cannot compete with. I am not picky about gifts. I would be perfectly okay if I never got another material gift. I tend to be touched more by sentimental gifts like photos or relationships. Let me tell you first about the greatest gift of all others, and then I'll share a few others I'm enjoying!

Isa. 9:6 " http://www.bibleresources.com/ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus truly is the real Gift that Keeps On Giving." The greatest gift of all time is Jesus! Jesus is relevant not just in the life to come, but He is relevant in the here and now! When God came in the flesh, He came to save me from my sin. I often wonder if He saw my face, as He spoke later about coming into to the world to save sinners. The neatest part about the Good News, is that it is available to all people, yet the Invitation is intimately personal! He is my Savior! Whether I recognize it or not, All my expectations are satisfied in him for this life, and the life to come! I am glad I have the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

One gift I got last weekend was the Pleasure of seeing some special friends out of town, as they came to attend a wedding. Their picture is above. Bryan was my high school youth minster, but over time he and his wife Amy became my friends, and gifts from God above. In the picture, is the 2 of them, and their three adorable children who have grown a lot since the picture above When God called them to a church GA two years ago, it was traumatic for me, even as I was happy for them. I still thank God regularly for these special people!

Another gift is the health of my mom as she got a good report from her surgeon yesterday.

2 MATERIAL gifts I got yesterday were: See Above

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

55 and Flying High... Another Part of Christmas!

Mom and her great niece and Nephew(You have seen these kids a lot

Mom checking out her new laptop for her birthday, we got her. 55th Birthday........
Most people say they would never know we are siblings, but we are. We are rarely in pictures together, so I'm glad we have this one. He picked out the great laptop, we both love our mom very much!

It just hit her that there might be a laptop in the box

Jackson, giving a shot for the camera...

She got a little something else to open too.

Yesterday the Lord reminded me how much disbelief can dishonor him, and that He is worthy of my total trust, not just part of it. I read about how Zecrahiah refused to believe and trust God with his desire to have a son even after he had fervently prayed asking for a child. I admit that when I first read this, I'm like duh, how could he not see that his prayer had been answered when Gabriel appeared to him, but then it's like I do the very same thing, no I haven't seen an angel, but I have seen the wonderful mighty acts of God! I have asked God for help, seen it provided and then had the audacity to question where it came from! Lk. 1:12-19 http://www.biblegateway.com/ But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong( drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17and he will go before him( in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news"

Now note the difference between Zechariah's response, and Mary's response to the news that she would give birth to our Savior! Lk. 1-28-38http://www.biblegateway.com/ 28And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."
29But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.
30The angel said to her, ")Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
31"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."
34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
36"And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
37"For nothing will be impossible with God."
38And Mary said, "Behold, the []bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Both of these individuals obviously loved the Lord, the 2 responses may at first seem the same, but I don't think so. Zechariah asked how he could know for sure the angel was speaking the truth about John's birth. Mary was asking how these events would come about given her unique situation. Mary didn't ask to mother the Christ child, she was chosen. She willingly offered herself to be used by God! Zechariah had prayed for a son. Both these people were loved by God, and had faith, but one's trust was instant the other was delayed. There are so many lessons to be learned from Christmas, but all of them point to the same One Jesus Christ. I want to be a willing servant, not a reluctant believer. Is it possible to follow God, and have doubts yes, that is for sure, but we must strive to trust our worthy Savior! If you have insights from theses scriptures you'd like to share, I welcome your feedback. We can be part of a kingdom, that has no end, because The ALL SUFFICIENT SAVIOR WAS BORN! AREN'T YOU GLAD THAT IS JUST ONE WONDERFUL PART OF THE GOSPEL STORY? IT DOESN'T END WITH A MANGER, IN FACT AS BELIEVERS, IT DOES NOT END AT ALL!

voice returning, and Christmas quoteables

Hi Gang:
A portion of this post was created on Sunday.



I may not have an actual voice at this point, because of my sinus infection, but can still blog, I wanted to thank you for your comments last week, as they encouraged me! My mom has a sinus infection and an ear infection! Her birthday is Tuesday. We missed the Christmas program tonight @ http://www.brainerdhills.com/ our church.



A lot of what was going on with me last week can it turns out be blamed on not feeling well and hormones. I've tried my best to track and prepare for such major mood shifts every other month, but I never seem to detect it. It is as though I turn into a massive depressive mess! Okay moving on wink..........



Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! I'm going to post some quotes from "The Dawn of Christmas" book.

"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most." Ruth Carter Stapleton.
"To celebrate the heart of Christmas is to forget ourselves in service of others."- Henry C.Link
Rejoice that the Immortal God is born,so that mortal man may live in eternity." -Jan Hus

Between Yesterday and Today....Blah...

Today I feel like I wish I had just stayed in bed and slept all day. Maybe, it is the nightmare I had that my Mom's cancer came back, and woke up with this sense of doom in my gut. Maybe it is the sore throat I woke up with. Maybe it is because I lashed out @ mom, for no reason, and feel tired, but can give no justifiable reason for the ongoing worn out state I have seen on and off in the last three weeks. Maybe it is because my home health could not come because of flooding. I am angry at myself, because I'm so blessed, and others are facing such suffering, and I'm so selfish. Mostly what I don't get is how yesterday I could feel so well, but there is such a vast difference between yesterday and today! Sometimes I feel like such a hypocrite, but I have to trust that God understands me, and will forgive me for today, and be thankful that tomorrow will come!

Was I dreaming???

It actually snowed in Chatt Town today! Snow almost never happens here, so when it does it is a BIG deal! These are photos shots outside our house, but the ones of kids are at my aunt's house, she e-mailed those today. It has been a more hectic week for me, so I was worn out last night. I went to bed @ 10:30, which I never do, and I took a nap 2 hours today! It was a treat to wake up to snow and homemade hot coca! I feel well rested for the first time this week, What a blessing!

1 year Photo shoot!!New pics added 12/2/09

T.J.'S BED is comfy!

I don't wanna wear the santa, but I'll eat it!

Above begins her basic one year photo shoot!

This was Macy last Christmas when Justin first got her...

Every day or every year?

Spring of 09'

Hi

Above you see a picture of my mom, which you may have seen before.... My mom has been my earthly rock since before I can recall. She is funny, strong, stubborn, fun, loving, wonderful talented and much more. She has battled cancer 3 times and by God's grace is now in remission. I am thankful to all of you who have prayed for her, and who still are!

I know the Bible says God alone is our rock, and this is so true, but I think sometimes he sends earthly things and people so that we can have physical blessings to give us a small glimpse of his reflection. not a perfect one, but a real one. I'm so thankful that God has spared my mom from cancer not once, but multiple times. Her life is so connected to mine, and mine so connected to hers that it is sometimes scary. I am still learning through all this that God alone is my source. I'm not saying I'm the perfect example of how to give thanks far from it. I am also not saying we have the model relationship either, in many ways we are different, in many ways we are the same. I would like to say I have not taken her for granted but I have. I often live in a world of black and white, hot or cold and place unrealistic expectations on the people I love most. I am thankful for the time God continues to give me with mom, and I pray I'll never forget how blessed I am for every day she is on this earth. You truly never grasp the value of a person, until you are confronted with the painful thought of a life without them.

I know tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and of course I will be giving thanks for so many things, but I know as a christian, That real Thanks giving isn't a yearly occurrence, but rather a year round practice. For example, every Thursday my friend Molly has what she calls Thankful Thursday on her blog, and I know others do as well. I would love to be able to tell you that I've been thankful, or that I exhibited thankfulness every day this year so far, but I have not. I was not always thankful last August and through October as I watched my mom so sick. I was not thankful as we begin the journey again last June. I will say though that while daily Thanksgiving is an odd concept for some it is something that has been instilled in me, as though it were second nature, and with God's help, I strive to be one who is a regular Thanksgiver!!! Ps. 116:12 "How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?" The answer is: I cant, however I can live my life in a way that is a living sacrifice to God, in the good times and bad. I can choose to get up when I fail him. I began this post talking about my mom, because she has provided me with the example that Thankfulness isn't a time you set aside to attend every year, but it flows out of the heart on a regular basis! Mom if you read this thank you and I love you!

HOPE THIS LINK MINSTERS TO YOU!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvnTtPdN7W0

Please watch this! I'll come back soon!

New, but Old Prayer

Hi,

It has been a good week for me. I know I said I would post about who Lottie Moon is, but I have other things on my mind. Ps 139:23-24http://www.biblegateway.com/ HCSV. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns."
See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. "

This has become my prayer lately. It seems to convey the condition of my soul right now. I'm going to approach these verse in a different way than I normally would. Lately, I have been craving real intimacy. I know that sounds a little new age I guess but read on. If we are honest, we all realize that our heart's desire is to connect. I've been having these longings that I cannot really articulate. I have tried to ignore it, but I cannot. I've tried to stuff it with food, friendships, and whatever, but the longings still remain. The truth is I desire to be known. I'm terrified of connecting, but it is the very thing I crave. I'm terrified of people knowing the yucky stuff inside me. The anger the pride, the envy, the shame. Some people say they don't need to connect with God or with others, but I beg to differ. I think you need look know further than the number of Facebook accounts or Myspace accounts there are. and yes I have one too. What's my point, people are looking for connection every where Christian or not. The verse above again remind me that God knows me, totally completely. He knows the things that make me tick. He knows my sin. He knows my dreams. He knows my heart hunger as I call it. He is not surprised. He gave us the desire to connect in relationship with him and others. He provided the bridge in Jesus Christ to make this possible. So my new prayer is not a new one, but it is new for me. Knowing that God can and does know my heart, should do a couple of things. It should be a motivator for repentance. It should provide a great desire to know the Lord and point others to the one worthy of being known! So like the woman at the well, I'm relieved that Jesus knows me, and still purses me! So while it scares me the thought of my heart being searched and my concerns to be tested, it brings freedom! What are you thoughts? Do you relate?

All for Missions event!- Who the Heck is Lottie Moon?

Everyone loved this gift bag hand painted by my mom! Isn't she talented?!

This year a large bakery was added to raise funds.

Normally I'm BIG on putting up Christmas trees until after Thanksgiving, but it is a Christmas missions auction.

My Mom's Hand painted gift bags for our churches Lottie Moon Christmas Missions Auction. All money goes to Southern Baptists missions program. I'll post more about who Lottie Moon is later.... She was a woman who had a heart for sharing the gospel, and challeged southern Baptists in international mission efforts. I have a cold right so this will be a quick post.

Truly Blessed!

Hi bloggers:

Hope all is well your way! I am enjoying your blogs! I have many things I could blog about today, it is hard to choose which ones to cover in this post. Thank you for those who have lifted me in prayer, it is a joy to see the faithfulness of God daily. As Thanksgiving draws near in a national sense, I'm reminded of how thankful I am for so many blessings in my life. The greatest of those blessings is the Salvation God provided for me through his Son Jesus Christ! I found myself overwhelmed today by the fact that God offered his perfect Holy Son in my place on the cross. He shed his blood, even to death, that I might taste and live in the wonder and joy of being forgiven by God! www.crosswalk.com Romans 4:7-8 Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. I am reminded today that we who are covered by the Holy blood of Christ are truly blessed beyond grasp, If you are standing in a right relationship with God, then it is putting it ever so mildly to say we are blessed! I have done nothing to deserve such blessing, but God gladly offers it to me because He is God, and He loves me! He offers you the same! Romans 4:21 .
"being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised". As Christians we can rest upon the promise that God's grace is enough to pay for and remove our sin. In the same way, that Abraham was fully convinced that God would give him a son to fulfill the promise, even though from the human point of view it was impossible. Christ has the power and authority to forgive us, and give us the eternal life He has promised! My pastor said once that if God never offered us another blessing, than our Salvation is enough! What a wonderful reality this is, if only our lives reflected it. Romans: 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only path to forgiveness and right standing with God. He invites us to trust him through a step of faith. God offers us the gift of Salvation as well as faith. If we know the gift of salvation, we are truly blessed, and we can celebrate and declare the gift we have, and invite others to embrace the gift too of both forgiveness and faith. I'm so thankful that Christ in amazing love and grace, has given me victory in this life, and the promise of everlasting life to come! Thanks for sharing in my joy, I know many of you know personally of this blessing, and can write about it in regard to your own lives!