Red lights and Religion

Ever since I turned 16, I have tried my hardest to be the best driver I can be. I had a rough start, my dad, my brother and even Jim can attest to that. There are certain laws, guidelines and regulations we have to follow if we are to master the art of driving. There are some observations that a good friend of my mine recently reminded me of.

Whether I am in Munford, Alabama or Harrisonburg,Virginia...Memphis,Tennessee or Savannah,Georgia...rules are rules.
Questions:
1. When I come to a traffic light in Oxford, AL, that is red I will stop. When I travel to Panama City Beach, FL...will I stop if the traffic light is red?
2. When I see an upside down triangle that says YIELD in Birmingham, AL, I will slow down and check for oncoming traffic. When I am in Memphis, TN...will I yield if I see the same road sign?
3. When I am traveling from Talladega, AL to Munford, AL and I see a speed limit sign that says 45....I drive 45 mph. When I am in Piedmont, AL...will I travel 35mph if that is what the speed limit sign says?
By now most of you are saying YES! So what?
Now ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I respect man more than God?
2. When God tells me to stop, will I do it...or will I run right through it and take my chances?
3. When God tells me to yield not to temptation...why will I rush out without heeding His word? Am I that brazen to speed ahead not even checking up?
4. When God sets limits and boundaries for me to keep me from spiritual, emotional, and physical sickness...why do I say it doesn't matter? I won't get caught this time right?
This week my dad came home to the Lord. He has been missing in action for a while now. He struggles to attend the worship services faithfully and to put God first in everything he does. He doesn't have the support that he needs to successfully do that. He has made excuses claiming he was too tired and struggles with His attitude. I can't express my appreciation for his tender heart and his honesty. I expressed to Him that his children are grown but they still need a godly father and his grandchildren need a godly grandfather if they have any hope of making it to heaven.
God knows as well as many of you that I struggle to have the proper attitude at times. I am too tired to concentrate at worship services at times. I try and will keep on trying to examine and work on myself daily. I pray that my dad will receive the support and encouragement he needs. Thank you daddy for loving the Lord.
What do you say? Isn't it HIGH time to give more respect to God than to man? 

First Gospel Meeting Since Transplant

WILL YOU COME TO HEAR THE TRUTH PROCLAIMED? Only 59 days after receiving a new heart, Jim will do his best to preach and teach the good news. Please come and support this effort. Don't support the man but the message.

Jim will be speaking at the Munford Church of Christ 143 Main Street Munford, AL  36268

Meeting times are as follows:  Sunday 9am, 10am and 5pm & Monday - Wednesday 7pm (July 21- July 24)

All Clear!

We received the phone call yesterday evening that Jim's 8th week biopsy was clear. NO REJECTION! His blood work looked great and heart cath numbers were good. We are feeling so happy and so blessed. Thank you for your prayers! TGBTG!

We did it!

Julianna and I cut off our hair to donate. It was a big step for the both of us. We pray that some child will be able to have beautiful hair and feel confident no matter what trial they are facing. So thankful to God for this opportunity.

Anniversaries

People celebrate anniversaries of all sorts. People celebrate their marriages, maybe when they brought their first home, when he got his first sets of wheels or the first time she ever got to shave her legs...haha!

For me I celebrate various milestones through the year. The little things and the big ones. Every year I am thankful to be married to my high school sweetheart. Every year I celebrate having my van that has been paid for for years now. Every year I celebrate when we moved into our house. We usually take pictures or have a special meal or a special prayer of thanksgiving is offered up at that time. 

Every Thursday is now a special anniversary...on July the 18th, Jim will have had his new heart for 8 weeks...that is two months...56 days...is it real? I am still trying to take it all in. 

We are so thankful. We continue to offer our thanks and pray for the donor family each night during our Bible Time. Without it, Jim would not be here with me. He was so close to slipping away into eternity. I know all to well that that would have been a much better and sweeter place to be. God through His infinite wisdom has plans for our family. Special plans for Jim. I try to treasure each day. Though I am not doing a very good job at it. 

I have cut grass...I am cleaning out closets and rooms. I feel so ashamed to have so much stuff. Life truly is not made up of things but of the precious memories we create with each other. What a world it would be if we all lived within our paychecks and did without all the "necessities" of life. I believe we would all suddenly realize how blessed we are to be able to go to church and worship the True and Living God. I believe children would act better and they would want less. I believe parents would love their children more and would sleep better knowing that life is better when it is simple. 

If you think about it each day is an anniversary. Each day is a reason to celebrate. If you can breath you can Praise God! If you can open your eyes then you can see His marvelous creation. You are one of His greatest creations. If you can hear then whisper a pray of thanks for what you have before you. Do you hear the rain dance upon your roof or the laughter of good friends? If you can smell then is there a rose bush blooming or a tall pine tree nearby...sniff it up. If you can feel, then hug someone...hold their hand...pat someone on the back. God gave you that sense for a reason.

I celebrated a very special anniversary Sunday. I will share it with you soon. Keep on praying and believing. Don't put limits on God.

Thank you God for one more day with my "preacher man!"

Just 45 days

Just 45 days after receiving a new heart. Jim taught the adult Bible class at the Ironaton church of Christ and then that night we drove to the Glencoe church of Christ. He preached his first sermon there. The encouragement and love we were shown was humbling. We had a great meal and fellowship afterwords. God has blessed us and continues to show that His people are the best people in the world. Thank you is not enough. Thank you for everything everyone and anyone has done for us. TGBTG!

It's good to be home

Sign by Julianna. It was amazing.

Leaving UAB to go HOME!

In the car...on the way home.



Balloons, streamers, signs, WOW what a welcome.



Homemade decorations by Julianna.

Bella missed Jim. He was gone for more than 60 days.

My superheroes.

Cameron and Bella bonding.

Julianna made a super long bubble.

Cameron, hula hoop and homemade bubbles.

Special bows for special girls

The 4th of July Firework Show at Pell City.

Jim, Julianna and our dogs. The dogs are hiding because the fireworks scared them.



Julianna and Bella...red, white and blue buddies.