Strongholds

Our pastor was preaching about 'strongholds' in our lives. Funny, in the past, that word has always made me think of things like: alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography.... you know, the REALLY 'bad' sins. (I say this sarcastically).

But this time, I realize strongholds can be other things: fear, sorrow, unforgiveness...

Both lists hinder your relationship with God and therefore keeps you from becoming what God has intended. I struggle with the latter list.

Many people have adviced me on the situation going on with Andy. They say "God loves him more than you ever could, so trust Him to take care of him", "Andy doesn't belong to you, never did " . "I have to give it God". I know in my head that is what I need to do, but my heart isn't willing, not yet. So, I struggle with fear, sorrow, unforgiveness.

So, what am I going to do about it, you ask? Kick myself in the rear and get my act together. Find scripture that will help me find the strength to keep going. KEEP PRAYING.

Maybe then I will be able to let it go.

Whose the best Hubby in the world???

FRED IS!!!

For Valentine's Day, Fred made dinner for the 2 of us at home... we had steak, shrimp, baked potatoes, and home made 'jello' cake. It was wonderful. And all this from the man who, for many years, vowed to boycott valentine's day because it was NOT a holiday but a day that the card companies invented to get rich. He has come a long way! He even wanted to give out little valentine cards to the folks in our Sunday School class.

Prennatt Wedding

This post is mainly for Stephany because she couldn't come to the wedding. But those of you who knew the Prennatt family, enjoy!

The Ceremony area

Mr & Mrs Fair

the bridesmaids bouquet

Chris asking blessing over food and speaking to the groom & bride, He cried!

The table settings

Wedding Cake!

The reception area (everyone was in line for food)

The couple's dance

The couple's table

The dress!

We have rappers in the house!

This is what the youth did this past Wednesday night... It was called Mega Wednesday, a high attendance emphasis. They had a guest band and gave away prizes... the 3 guys are the youth pastor, the middle school pastor and the guy who makes all the videos.
Jason, I thought you would like this since you used to do some crazy stuff in youth...

true Love Waits

this is another video that a young guy at our church made for the youth... I think they are showing in during Disciple Now weekend...
I work with the girl in video at our MAC (gym) at church. I told her I was so impressed at how she could keep a straight face. She said it took about 10 takes for her not to laugh! Oh well, the finished product was good...

<

Happy Valentine's Day... early

Well, Fred and I went to Best Buy on Saturday and decided to our Valentine's Day gifts early...

I got a laptop....

And so did Fred!...

Best Buy had some deals on Compaqs so we jumped on it... his has more 'stuff ' but my screen is bigger... that's the extent of my knowledge of laptops, sorry.

I am still getting used to not using a mouse, but the worse part is that I sit on the couch and it totally sucks my life in! Before you know it, I haven't moved in 2 hours! Fred says it is just a 'new' phase and it will wear off. I hope so! But in the mean time, it's fun!

Ribs and football

On a lighter note, this is the 1st year we aren't having a Super Bowl party... weird. But that didn't stop by hubby from cooking some good food!

He has been smoking ribs since we got home from church.

he made something called 'bacon explosion' that his brother told him about...

So, even if it's just the 2 of us, we are going to have a good time!

Life

I realized I hadn't blogged in a couple of weeks. Part of the reason was I just wasn't up to blogging because of all the 'stuff' happening.

Nothing really has changed. Andy is still gone, I am still missing him so bad it hurts. I hadn't seen him since he left on the 18th of Jan., so I asked Fred if we could go see him play at his district's final game for the school soccer team. It was all the way in Sarasota on Friday night and the weather was going to go down to the 30s. But I have an incredible husband who knew it was important to me, so we went. I got to watch him play, which by the way, was an amazing game!
We left as soon as the game ended. I didn't really want to have an 'awkward' moment with him. I just wanted to see him. He did make it to church today (don't know who got him), so that is good.

Mom was taken to St Joseph's hospital on Monday. She had a bladder infection, and after a few hours, they sent her home. I took her home with me to watch her overnight. Tuesday afternoon she got bad again and we went to Brandon Hospital. She spent 5 days there and got to leave yesterday. I had her spend the night with us again and I took her home this afternoon. We had already talked about her moving in with us and it was decided on June. But I think we are going to move it up to the end of March.
I have to get educated on diabetes and COPD. I have to learn all about the meds she is taking, the treatments she needs, and all of the services she has. She is getting more and more confused and I just can't rely on her to tell me what needs to be done. I think she is starting to realize that, though she is still quite stubborn and unyielding. So we are all going to learn to adjust.

Prayers will be appreciated as I have a lot to learn about patience and mercy. While at the same time learning to let go of my son who has decided he doesn't need us for anything in his life.
I KNOW God is trying to teach me something, but I am not liking it.... maybe I have a bit of my mom's stubborness....

For Thou O Lord

This past Wednesday we had Pastor Fred Lutter from Franklin Avenue Baptist in New Orleans speak at our church. It was a "Super Bowl Rally" sponsored by the Tampa Bay Baptist Association. He was pretty good, but again, our choir sang a song that ministered to me.
The only good video I could find of "For thou, O Lord" was of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir... darn! I guess you will have to suffer through it... hehe