Sunday, August 29, 2010

20 Weeks


Well we are finally half way to meeting our precious Mackenzie!  She is 20 weeks and the size of a small cantaloupe.  Where has the time gone?  Being on bed rest I am so thankful that time is moving right along!  I am so ready for the end of this journey and anxious to begin our new chapter of life as a family of five.  

I am still not feeling her as much as I would like, but she does give me a couple of "thumps" per day to let me know she is there.  


Friday, August 27, 2010

More Practice






I am so excited!  I can not believe that I'm actually making these.  I'm not a very "crafty" person so this is a huge deal for me ha!  I'm ordering a couple of waffle crochet hats, crochet headbands, and coordinating flowers!  I just have to get the "go ahead" from Joseph since he makes the money.  I'm out of ribbon, but I'm hoping to get some this weekend.  Since I'm on bed rest I have to order all of my supplies on line.  Finally something I can do while on bed rest, makes me feel productive!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Perinatologist Appointment

Yesterday Joseph and I went to the Gainesville Perinatal Center.  It was such a calm atmosphere.  I sat in a leather recliner to have my blood pressure taken....very comfy!  They took us into the ultrasound room and we were able to see Mackenzie once again.  I think she is getting tired of everyone looking at her because she was not cooperative at all.  Her face was away from the ultrasound wand, making it impossible for us to see her cute little face.

The ultrasound tech performed a detailed check of Mackenzie.  We were able to see her her brain, heart, kidneys and other parts as well.  Their machine was a little more detailed than the one at our OBGYN.  Joseph and I were upset she didn't cooperate because we weren't able to see her little face in 3D.  Mackenzie is doing great!  All her organs are perfect, and her growth is right on schedule.

The reason we went to the Perinatal Center was to check out my hemorrhage.  We learned that the hemorrhage is not a risk to Mackenzie because it is not attached to my placenta.  That was great news!  But now for the "not so good" news.  As they did my ultrasound they found that my placenta is too close to my cervix (marginal placenta previa) and I'm at risk for pre-term labor.  Joseph asked if that meant that I could go into labor a few weeks early and her response was "she could go into labor now"....  Okay not what we wanted to hear, but they told us that my placenta could still move.  So for now we are praying that my placenta will move away from my cervix and no pre-term labor.  If that happens and the bleeding stops I can go back to my normal activities.  I'm not sure when that will be or if it will happen, but I will continue to wait on the Lord.

Up until yesterday I did not know that I was at risk for pre-term labor.  It scares me especially to know that I am only 19 weeks.  Please keep praying for us.  We still have four months to go and I am praying and believing that we will make it!

"...call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:15

Practice Makes Perfect

I was not feeling very well today.....but I was able to finally give bow-making a try.  A couple of you tube videos, mess ups, and time, but here it is...



My Very First Bow

Mary Elisabeth came home and I was so excited to put it in her hair.....but what do you know she did not want anything to do with it.   No surprise there!

Monday, August 23, 2010

19 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Update


This is our little girl, Mackenzie Eliana.  Today we went to the doctor and had our  "big" ultrasound.  They checked all of Mackenzie's organs and growth.  It all looked great.  She is perfect!  Her heartbeat was good and let me tell you this girl loves to move.  She was all over the place and I can not help but smile as I write this because I am so in love.  In the picture above she had her hand in her mouth, can you believe how amazing that is?  God is so awesome!  


Here is another picture of our baby girl.  We also had a DVD made that we can not wait to show the kids.  Mackenzie looks great and I am so thankful that she is healthy.  She weighs 10 ounces so she is almost a pound.  Let me tell you, she already has us wrapped around her little finger.  I can not wait to meet her.

As far as my status goes....the hematoma is still there.  During the ultrasound they found a new bleed as well as placenta previa.  My mid-wife went ahead and referred me to perinatologist.  We will see him on Wednesday and are praying that he will have some good news for us.  So bed rest will continue...I really hoped to see some kind of improvement, but I know God is good and it is all in His hands.  

Please continue to pray for us.  We are going into my fifth week of bed rest and fourth week without my pay check.  Joseph is exhausted and it's hard not being able to help him.  I am so blessed to have him as my husband.  Him and his mom have done so much in the past month.  Joseph gets the kids up, gets them dressed, takes them to school, works all day, picks the kids up, brings them home, and some days goes back to work.  His mom comes over after work and cooks dinner, washes clothes, cleans my house and helps Joseph get the kids ready for bed.  It is so hard watching them do all this while I sit on the couch, but I am so unbelievably thankful for them.  God has blessed us so much and has shown us that He has everything under control.  Joseph has had more work than he knows what do with (praise God!) and is constantly making new contacts for future jobs.  As every week goes by we are continually in awe of what He's doing in our lives.  

There are days when I feel discouraged and become anxious about the future, but I continue to cast my anxiety on Him.  I can not get down and I can not let myself doubt His almighty power.  Do I believe He can heal my body and make it all better?  Of course He can, but that's not His plan right now and I'm okay with that.    If all of this makes me stronger in Him and brings me closer to Him than how can I complain.  I can not take this into my own hands it has to stay in His.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."  
Romans 12:12


19 Weeks


Mackenzie is the size of a large mango!  Her arms and legs are now in proportion to her little body and neurons are now connected between the muscles and the brain.  The cartilage throughout her body is turning into bone.  All of these new changes give Mackenzie more control over limb movements.  I finally felt a few flutters on Saturday and Sunday night.  Nothing too strong, but just enough to let me know she is there.

"My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2


Saturday, August 21, 2010

Happy Birthday Mary Elisabeth


Mary Elisabeth,

I can not believe you are two years old!  Today has definitely been a rough day for you.  It started with a rough night and a couple of  "messy" diapers.  Followed by waking up at 6 AM in a "not so good" mood.  I made you a waffle, or I guess I should say I toasted a frozen waffle for you :)  ha!  You played in the playroom, colored on my lap, and we sang "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Happy Birthday."  Daddy had to go work so Nonny and Papa Rob came over and took you and bubba out for a ride.  Nana and Papa stopped by while you were gone.  They brought you a card, I'll make sure to keep your money safe for you.  We don't want daddy snooping around and "accidently" putting it in his pocket.  

When you came home you had presents from Nonny and Papa and from Grandmama and Big Pops.  Lots of new cute clothes.  I can not wait to see you wear them.  You had a rough evening, full of crying and tantrums, but you still had a good time.  You and bubba sat on a comforter while Nonny pulled you around the house.  You had such a good time.  Papa let you ride on his leg which you love to do.  After dinner daddy came home and you said good bye to Nonny and Papa.  

Daddy, Bubba, and I sang "Happy Birthday" to you, but you were too freaked out by the lighted candle to enjoy it.  Of course you opted for a blue berry muffin instead of a cupcake, but that's ok bubba ate enough for the both of you.  




All in all I think you had a pretty good day.  I'm sorry momma was not able to do more for you.  I promise as soon as I am off bed rest we will have a mommy and daughter night out.  I love you so much princess.  I couldn't imagine my life without you.  I still remember our first days together, I was so in love with you.  I couldn't imagine loving you more than I did at that moment, but I do.  I love you more and more each day.


On August 21, 2010 you:
  • Weigh between 25 to 30 lbs
  • You love to eat, I mean LOVE to eat
  • You have daddy wrapped around your little finger
  • You know all of your facial features: eyes, nose, ears, mouth
  • You love to sing and dance
  • Your favorite song is the "Itsy Bitsy Spider"
  • You love listening to music in the car
  • All of your 18 to 24 months clothes are getting a little tight
  • You love to "read"
  • You love playing with bubba, but enjoy alone time with mommy and daddy
  • You are about to start Puggles and I can not believe it!
  • You love to say "no"
  • You love brushing your teeth
  • You love chewing gum
  • You love to blow kisses
Mary Elisabeth you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  God created you just the way you are.  My prayer is that you will come to know Jesus at an early age and live your life honoring the Lord.  My sweet princess the following is my prayer for you (this was my daddy's prayer for me):

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. 
Numbers 6:24-26




Wednesday, August 18, 2010

18 Weeks


This week Mackenzie is the size of a sweet potato.  At 18 weeks she has become amazingly mobile, passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing.  I should be able to feel her very soon.

Monday, Joseph and I went to my weekly appointment.  As always I had an ultrasound, which I look forward to every week.  But this week's ultrasound nearly scared us to death!  The ultrasound tech (I really should know her name we see her weekly) set the ultrasound wand on my tummy.  Normally as soon as we see Mackenzie she is bouncing all over the screen.  Monday she was very still and her heartbeat was at 60 bpm.  I kept asking our ultrasound tech why baby wasn't moving and I could tell she was trying to discreetly keep it together.  She finally excused herself and went to get our midwife.  Joseph and I just looked at one another and I confirmed with him that I wasn't imagining things.  "She isn't moving is she?"  I asked him.  My mind goes crazy and all I can think is "I'm losing my baby!"  I am trying very hard to not breakdown and as I look over at Joseph I can tell he is doing the same.  Tiffany (our midwife) and the tech came back in and Tiffany asks me to lay on my side.  She assures us that this sort of thing happens and it's probably the way I was laying.  In a couple of minutes Mackenzie's heartbeat is back up, but her movement was still slow.  The tech looks at her to make sure she's okay and lets us know her heart's four chambers look good.  After an appointment like that, Tiffany decides to continue our weekly visits.  She wanted to set me up on biweekly visits so that I would not have to come in as often.  Since I am not feeling Mackenzie on my own she decides to stick with weekly visits.  

Joseph and I leave the doctor's office speechless.  As we left I became more and more anxious about Mackenzie.  Not being able to feel her move makes me worry more.  I am so scared and feel so helpless that she is inside my tummy and I can not hold her and make everything better.  All I want is for the next 20 weeks to fly by so that I can finally see her and hold her in my arms.  

I am reminded everyday that my trust has to be on God.  As soon as I take my eyes off of Him, anxious thoughts and fears come tumbling down on me.  I can not take my eyes off of Him, I can not!  

My mother in law called me tonight as she was leaving our house.  She was listening to a preacher on a CD and something he said made her think of me.  "Spirituality is most deeply developed in the desert."  I'm in the desert, bed rest that is.  What better opportunity than to seek God's face, be still, and listen to His voice.



"So do not fear, for I am with you;  
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10



Sunday, August 15, 2010

Happy Birthday to my Little Brother...

...who is not so little anymore!






"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11



Gooooooooo Dawgs!!


20 Days!!!!!!!!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Lazy Saturday Morning

We let the kids stay up a little later last night thinking that they would sleep in this morning......well we were wrong!  Bright and early at 7:00 AM, Josiah and then Mary Elisabeth were up and going.  We spent the morning being lazy....that's all momma can really do at the moment ha!  






Joseph had a few jobs to do this afternoon and now he is out unlocking a car as I type.  Praise God!  He has definitely shown up since I've been on bed rest and not bringing home any money.  


We also had our new dishwasher put in this morning.   Since I've been on bed rest Joseph and his mom have done the dishes.  I know they are happy that we finally have a dishwasher that works!

This afternoon Beth, the kids, Nonny, and Papa Rob all came over.  Beth and Nonny fixed dinner, it was delish!  BBQ Chicken, Beth's pasta salad, rolls, rice, and salad with Beth's dressing.  It was soooooo good.  The kids had a blast playing with each other.  I'm really upset at myself for not taking a picture of Cooper and Josiah.  They were both wearing their spider man suits.  It was too cute.  Clay and sissy had a good time too, they hugged and loved on each other, sooo sweet.  Clay was excited to see Uncle Jojo.  Beth said that was the only reason Clay wanted to come was to see his Uncle Jojo.  Thank you Beth and Nonny for dinner and taking a couple of hours out of your Saturday to come and help us out.  

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17


Happy Anniversary



Happy 28th Anniversary to my wonderful parents!

"But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined togethertogether, let man not separate."
Mark 10:6--9


Thursday, August 12, 2010

Tattooed On My Heart

Since I've been on bed rest I have read a lot.  Everyday I come across a new bible verse that speaks to me.  Today while reading Philippians 1:6 and 1 Samuel 1:27 I looked for a piece of paper to write them down.  Then I thought...."I'm going to lose this piece of paper."  Not only am I already forgetful, but put together with my pregnancy brain I would lose it.  So what better way to record them than on my blog!  Here are a couple that have spoken to me so far.  My hope is that you will be encouraged as you read them too!

"being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" Philippians 1:6

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." 1Samuel 1:27

"The Lord bless you and keep you; 
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful
I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

So for all of you followers, all 7 of you, comment and let me know what verse or verses have spoken to you lately.   You can do it!  It's not so hard just go to the bottom of this post and click on "click to post comments!"  If you don't have one of the named accounts, scroll to anonymous.  Write in your verse and submit!  If you submit it under anonymous, make sure to sign your name at the end of you comment!  Now that wasn't too hard was it? Open to non-followers also ;)  I love God's word!

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8





Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Mommy's Day Out

This morning I had an appointment with the cardiologist.  What I was thinking when I said yes to an 8:00 AM appointment, I do not know!  Thankfully we made it on time.....well sort of....more like 15 minutes late, but thankfully did not have to wait too long to see the doctor.  I went in, they checked my weight 127lbs (thank goodness, 3 weeks of sitting on the couch and I'm still on track).  Next was my blood pressure, 100/50.  Thank God!  That's the highest it has been in weeks.  They did an EKG, which was normal and then sent me to the hospital for an echo cardiogram.  They also gave me a monitor to wear for the next 30 days.  Whenever I have a symptom, I have to press a button and then call in to send in my results.
The echo cardiogram was so neat.  They hooked me up and we were able to watch my heart on the screen.  It was amazing.  Joseph and I both thought about how perfectly God designed us.  All of our organs and their functions as well as every single hair on our head were perfectly designed by our Creator.  I just had to stop and Praise God!  Can I get an AMEN??!!
Think about our bodies for a second.  Think about all of the birthmarks, stretch marks (if you are blessed with them like me ha! Joseph calls them my battle scars from having our babies), every hair, every nail, every tooth, every wrinkle, every little detail....God knows them all.  Of course He does because HE created us!  Oh can you feel the chills! Makes me want to get up and do a Hallelujah dance and shout Praise God!  That's my God! He knows me completely and He knew me before I was in my mother's womb.  There is nothing that I can keep from Him, all my thoughts and desires...He knows them all!

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  
You Know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thought from afar.  
You discern my going out and my laying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord...
...For you created my inmost being; you knit me, together in my mother's womb.  
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
your works are wonderful, I know that full well..."
Psalm 139:1-4; 13-14






Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Bed Rest

I had a doctor's appointment on Monday. I came in and signed in at the front. The nurse called my name and did all the usual things. Checked my weight, which is always higher there than it is at home....I don't get it. She checked my blood pressure 87/62, lower than last week. My blood pressure is normally between 110 and 115. After going to the bathroom, they took me straight to an exam room. Tiffany came in and tried to find Mackenzie's heart beat with the Doppler. I was so freaked out when she couldn't find it. I forgot to mention that I was up all night the night before "googling," and on mommy boards. Something I shouldn't have done because I only freaked out more when she couldn't find the heart beat. She took us to the back waiting room until our name was called. The ultrasound tech found the heartbeat right away, nice and strong. Mackenzie was all over the screen doing flips and bouncing around. It was so good to see that baby girl was okay.

The hemorrhage is still there and still on the larger side. So same instructions for me....bed rest. They went ahead and referred me to a cardiologist to check on my blood pressure and the constant dizziness. It's hard to function when I'm so dizzy.

We went to the front, scheduled an appointment with the cardiologist for Wednesday at 8:00 am and scheduled our follow up for the following week with Tiffany. I will be spending my birthday at the doctor's office. At least I'll be out of the house and off the couch!

So here I am, back on the couch trying to make the hours go by. I've got a couple of ideas for projects that I will be working on, as soon as Joseph gets me the materials. I'll post pictures soon!

Praying for a good appointment tomorrow morning and waiting patiently on the Lord.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:7



Monday, August 9, 2010

17 Weeks

Mackenzie's skeleton is hardening and changing from rubbery cartilage to bone. Her umbilical cord is getting stronger and thicker. Can you believe her little fingers and toes already have their own one of a kind prints? Just another part of God's miracles.

I still can not feel Mackenzie....I'm getting a little impatient. With everything going on, I just want to be able to feel her. I guess for my own reassurance that she's okay.

We were able to see her on the ultrasound again today. She is an active little girl, flipping around and putting on a show for us. It was so sweet....I'm so in love already. I thank God for her and ask him to keep her safe from all of the complications that I am having. I know that my love for her is great, but it doesn't compare to God's love for us. It endures forever.


"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever" 1 Chronicles 16:34






We Made It

Well we made it through the first day of 2 year old preschool and 3 year old preschool. Thank God for a smooth morning! Joseph and I woke up and while I got dressed he got the kids ready to go. I was happy to get to come along since I had a doctor's appointment today. Joseph had them all ready and all I had to do was fix sissy's hair. She kept her bow on for me too! Although as soon as we pulled up to the school she said, "mama...bow." So it came off, but I actually got pictures with the bow in her hair! We are making progress! Here are a couple of pictures in front of the house. I am so proud of my little ones and can not believe how fast they are growing up.




We pulled into the school and the kids looked around and checked it out. As we pulled into the parking lot I could feel myself getting emotional. But I kept it together. Josiah does not like to see me cry and I really did not want to make him upset. We walked into the school and Mrs. Bonnie showed us to their classrooms. We dropped Josiah off first.....okay so I know I'm on bed rest, but I couldn't just sit in the car while my little one's walked in with daddy. Mrs. Bonnie introduced Josiah to his teacher and he started to tear up.....I thought to myself "oh goodness we are both about to lose it, right here right now....keep it together Maggie..." Well we did it! We kept it together. The teacher took Josiah over to the other kids and he did great.

Next we took sissy and thankfully they were in the middle of serving breakfast. All we had to say was "sissy you wanna go eat." She shook her head yes and in the room she went. Thank goodness for food it makes sissy all better ha!

Joseph called and checked on the kids around 11 am. Mrs. Bonnie said they were both doing great.

They both had a wonderful day. Josiah came home telling us all about the puzzles and cars he played with at school and asked us if he could come back tomorrow. He's also walking around asking us to smell his hand.....he says it smells like his school and it smells good ha!


On the ride home....all smiles


She took her paci out to smile for the camera

Thank you Lord for watching over my kids today and everyday.

"It is better to trust in the Lord for protection than to put confidence in man."
Psalm 118:8





Sunday, August 8, 2010

The Night Before...

Playroom is clean
PJ's are on
Teeth are brushed
Vitamins taken
Nightly Prayer time is done
Kids are tucked in their bed

We moved their bed time from 9:30 to 8:00. They both start day care tomorrow. I thought I'd be okay.....it's just daycare, but I'm slowly discovering I'm not as okay as I thought I would be.

Praying for a smooth morning!

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23



Philippians 4:19


During breakfast this morning I was able to get some daddy/daughter time. I'm so thankful for my daddy. Through out the years I have learned so much from him, but during the past few years I have come to admire him even more. With all that he has been through, he always looks at the positive side.

He kept telling me to look at the positive side of everything that was going on in my life as he does with his. He then quoted Philippians 4:19. Of course all advice from dad is based on God's word.

I'm so thankful for his life, and thankful that he is still with us. Over the past few years there were moments where I felt he wouldn't make it much longer. But God is awesome and powerful and has done wondrous miracles in dad's life. As I saw him walk across my living room, without his walker or cane, I couldn't help but praise God for what He has done and is still doing. Dad is such an inspiration to not only me, but to all of those around him. There were so many people that tried to bring him down and make him feel inadequate to continue to preach, but "boy did he show them!" He is still kicking and preaching the word of God and I am certain he will continue to preach until the day our Lord calls him home. That's a man of God, that's my daddy. I love you dad!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

Monday, August 2, 2010

16 Weeks



That's right, you guessed it! Mackenzie Eliana is the size of an avocado this week. She weighs between four to five ounces, and she's four to five inches in length. Still a lot to go! The bones that are now in place in her ears probably means she can hear my voice. The little muscles in her little body, especially the ones in her back are gaining strength so that she can stretch out more. She can also perceive light even though her eyelids are still closed.

I am feeling much better, the nausea and all day sickness is pretty much gone. I go back to the doctor in the morning and will have another ultrasound. I'm praying it will go well and I will be back at work on Thursday.

I still can not feel Mackenzie's kicks. I am so ready to feel her move in my belly, it's one of my favorite things about being pregnant. I try to sit very still and hope that I will feel a flutter or a kick, but nothing yet. I'm sure I'll start feeling her very soon and I can not wait.

I continue to thank God for his daily care for us. This pregnancy has been a tough one, not only physically, but emotionally. I feel like I have been on a roller coaster. At times all I can do is worry that she is okay, but I'm brought back to Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." I was so excited to read it this morning during my quiet time. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, I can not wait to see Mackenzie and finally hold her in my arms. I am already so in love with her, I can not imagine the day I get to finally see her and hold her.

"My Soul finds rest in God alone;
My salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2


Mary Elisabeth


Absolutely Gorgeous!


"...He is good; His love endures forever." 2 Chronicles 7:3


Fire Drill at 4 AM


Our smoke detector decided to go off this morning at four in the morning. Needless to say it scared Joseph and I to death. Josiah was in our bed and sissy in her room. As soon as we heard it, Joseph ran to get sissy out of her bed and I headed down the hall. The scariest part, is that our light at our stairs had an Orange Reddish glow. Maybe it was in my head, but I expected to see flames when I walked downstairs. Thank the Lord, everything was fine. We still do not know why it went off. I don't think Joseph and I have ever jumped out of bed that quickly.

As we put the kids back in our bed and calmed Josiah down, I could not stop thinking about the "what-ifs." What if the house was up in flames? What if we were stuck upstairs as the downstairs was burning? What if, what if, what if? All I could do is thank God that we were all safe and there was not a fire.

As Joseph and I talked this morning, we both agreed that there were a few things we needed to do to be ready in case of an emergency. We do not want to be caught unprepared.

I am thankful that if something would have happened to us, we would be opening our eyes in heaven and face to face with Jesus. Are you prepared? Is Jesus Christ your personal Savior and you know without a doubt that if you died today, you would wake up in heaven?

You may say, "man she's gloomy" because I talk about what would have happened if we would have died, but you see, I'm not afraid of death. I have a Savior who is Jesus Christ, who died and suffered on a cross for my sins and yours too. He did all this, so that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life with Him. I do not have to be afraid of the "What-ifs," Because I know who I believe in and He is almighty and powerful and has saved me from the depths of Hell.

No matter who you are, what you have done, what you have not done, Jesus loves you. He wants to come live in your heart. All you have to do is recognize that you are a sinner and you can not save yourself, know that you need a Savior who is Christ Jesus and ask Him to come into your life. He offers us salvation for free, it's His gift to us and all we have to do is accept His gift. When you do, believe me He will come into your life and be with you always. He will comfort and bless you all of the days of your life. Who better to have your back than Jesus Christ Himself, who died and rose again, who suffered a horrible death, who was mocked and ridiculed and did all this for you and for me.

Are your prepared? Are you bombarded with the "what-ifs" of life. Give your life to Jesus and you will never have to worry about the "what-ifs" again.

"One Holy Lamb washed my sin away
One sacrifice paid a price I could not pay
One holy lamb, one great I Am
One seed of Abraham
One holy lamb washed my sin away"

"But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8




Sunday, August 1, 2010

Hold on to Your Seats.....

That's right folks hold on to your seats because this story will make your jaw drop and fall over, if you are not sitting down. The Lord never stops amazing us and continues to bless us.

As most of you know, Joseph started North Georgia Lock and Key last year. When he started the business he had to start from scratch. Little by little God continued to provide and showed us that this was God's will in our lives. To start off, Joseph knew that he was going to need a car programming machine. It's a machine that programs the key to it's respective car. A brand new programming machine's cost is $9000.00. Obviously not something we could do at the time. Joseph was still with the police department and I was staying at home.

Joseph was able to find an off brand machine from China for a couple of hundred dollars and decided he would start with that. The machine worked great, but he quickly discovered that there were a few makes of cars he could not do. For example, he could not program Dodge or Chrysler models. It was hard for him to have to turn down that business and became frustrated every time someone would call with a certain make and model he could not do. He would repeatedly tell me "Maggie, think about all the money I'm losing. I have to figure out a way to get that machine". I kept telling him to be patient and that the Lord would open a way, but for now to be happy that the machine worked on the other makes and models.

A couple of months ago the company that leased Vince's (Joseph's dad) locksmith business could not stay open. Joseph was able to take back most of his dad's equipment and stock. He was so excited to be able to have their old programming machine, it was exactly what he needed. When Joseph tried to use it, it did not work. He sent it back to the company to get an estimate of the repair costs, and discovered it would cost $2000.00 to fix or he could upgrade to a new machine for $4000.00. Still too much for us to spend. He told the representative to keep the machine there and he would try to get it fixed later.

Well almost three months later he receives a call from a representative with that company. Short and to the point he basically told Joseph that he "got tired of looking at the machine" and fixed it himself. He repaired the mother board, updated new cords, added the newest program (that retails at $900.00), and he shipped it out to Joseph for FREE!!!!! Yes you read it right, for FREE!!!!!! He told Joseph that he knew times were tough and he should receive the machine in a couple of days.
The machine is updated with all the latest programs and ready for Joseph to use.
As Joseph told his mom the story he said "mom I lost so much money turning down customers." To that his mom responded, "yeah but you just made it all back."

I think it's taken me a few days to write about this because I still can not believe it. Even as I sit here and write this, I am still in awe of what the Lord did. There are times when we are so frustrated and feel let down because things are just not going our way, but even in those times God is working. He's working behind the scenes and preparing great things for us. There were so many days when Joseph would come home frustrated because he was not able to program a car or a car lot called someone else, but little did he know that God had something BIG waiting on him. He just had to be patient. Better easier said than done, patience is hard!

I am still speechless at what God did and I know that is just a little bit of what He will do. There is no doubt in my mind that when we honor him and are faithful to Him he rewards us. Being a christian is hard stuff, we are looked down on and not included sometimes, but the final prize is worth so much more. Worth more than being in the "in crowd" at work or compromising whats right to have a "little fun" night out with the girls or guys.

This morning in Sunday school, Kirk talked about the day that we will lay our crowns down at God's feet. How wonderful to know that all the sacrifices that we made through out our life, all the people who came to know Jesus because we shared the gospel with them, all the times we passed on the opportunity to go have some "drinks" so that we would not be a stumbling block for those around us, all the Sunday Falcons football games, braves games, we missed because we preferred to be in church, and I could go on and on. All of those things will not compare to that final moment when we are face to face with our Jesus, we are given our crowns and then lay them at His feet. That, is worth so much more than what the world can offer us now. All those things will pass away, but God always stays the same.


Programming Machine


"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:2-4