Books to Read

Half Broke Horses

Jeanette Walls wrote The Glass Castle, which is a memoir about  her upbringing, and now has written the true-life novel, Half Broke Horses, which is about her grandmother's upbringing. In this book you will get to know Jeanette's grandmother, Lily. Lily was a hardcore rancher, a poker player, a bootlegger and a school teacher, who was breaking horses at the age of 6.  Half Broke Horses is full of wit and tells the story of a tough lady, who persevered, in a time full of hardships.

Read it!

What Difference Do It Make?: Stories of Hope and Healing

If you have read Same Kind of Different As Me then you must read What Difference Do it Make? It is an update on Ron and Denver and also stories of how others are making a difference in their communities.This small book is full of encouragement!

Give Reviving

Father for Thy promised blessing

Still we plead before Thy throne

For the times of, sweet refreshing,

Which can come from Thee alone

Blessed earnests, Thou hast given,

But in these we would not rest

Blessings still with Thee are hidden,

Pour them forth and make us blest!

  Prayer ascendeth to Thee ever,

Answer! Father, answer prayer

Bless oh bless each weak endeavor,

Blood-bought pardon to declare

Wake Thy slumbering children, wake them,

Bid them to Thy harvest go

Blessings O our Father make,

Round their steps let blessings flow.

Let no people be forgotten,

Let Thy showers on all descend

That in one loud blessed anthem,

millions may in triumph blend

Give reviving, give refreshing,

Give the looked-for Jubilee

To Thyself may crowds be pressing,

Bringing glory unto Thee.

What a beautiful song!

Just got back from vacation.....restored, revived, and

refreshed....what a blessing!

Stephen Gordon

We had Stephen lead our music at our youth group's annual Fall Retreat a couple of years ago. We then ran into him this year at RYM (youth group summer conference) where he was the music leader. Our youth were ecstatic that he was there!

This CD is awesome! All of the songs are written by him. Go buy it!


Check out these 2 songs:
Holes in My Heart
Good Decisions

Indelible Grace at the Ryman

I have been wanting to share this for a month now and finally have a little bit of time to do so. My good buddy Nicole invited me to a Hymn Sing by Indelible Grace at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.

The Ryman- If you have not visited the Ryman you must! It was once a church and then the home to the Grand Ole Opry. It is absolutely breathtaking! Some folks that have played there are Johnny Cash, The Killers, Ben Harper, Wilco, Taylor Swift, and Neil Diamond....to name just a few.

The Hymn Sing-
Picture over a thousand people standing and singing hymns, with words that are deeply filled with the gospel. In the words of Nicole, it was glorious!

Indelible Grace started through a Reformed University Fellowship at Belmont University in Tennessee. The singer/songwriters joined our culture with the rich words of our forefathers. If you want a little more history of Indelible Grace check it out here.


Check out the words to some of these hymns: Give Reviving, Jesus I My Cross Have Taken, The Sands of Time Are Sinking, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds, and Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder.

Here are the words to On Jordan's Stormy Banks-

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,

And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.

All o’er those wide extended plains,

Shines one eternal day;

There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.

No chilling winds nor poisonous breath

Can reach that healthful shore;

Sickness, sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.

When shall I reach that happy place,

And be forever blessed?

When shall I see my Father’s face,

And in His bosom rest?

I am bound,
I am bound for the promised land.

There IS something heavenly about singing hymns that all the saints, who have gone before us, have sung.

Crystal Lee and Charlie's Delta Wedding

Here's how it all went down.....

Rehearsal Dinner- After the Rehearsal at FBC Greenwood, Crystal Lee and Charlie had the wedding party and family out at Charlie's grandparents house for dinner and fun. It was an amazing atmosphere. Lights were strung around the big porch, the band was nestled by the pond, and the aroma of catfish and hush puppies swirled through the air.....this is how it is done Delta style. If you have never had Delta fried catfish you are missing out. Here are a couple of snapshots from the night.

Andrew and I with Crystal Lee and Charlie

A couple of the Bridesmaids: Sara Grace, Morgan, Me, Melanie,
and Mary Holly

We finally reunited!
Crystal Lee, me and Lauren

Wedding Day-First thing that morning the Bridesmaids arrived at the Alluvian Spa for brunch and had a choice of either a manicure or pedicure. It was by far one of the best pedicures I have ever received. Then it was time to get ready for the big event! We met at the church mid-afternoon to take pictures before the wedding. Crys and Charlie were able to meet in the sanctuary alone and have their special moment. How sweet!

Crys and her bridesmaids were then able to take a limo ride around downtown Greenwood.
The limo driver had the sub-woofers blaring with rap music,
so we decided to throw up our signs!Then it was time for what we have been waiting for....Crys to walk the aisle!
Of course I don't have a picture of that moment! It is my favorite moment of a wedding....the chiming of the hour.... those doors swing open......the radiant bride is brightly shining in all of her beauty.....the groom in awe and full of joy at the beauty of his bride. Sweet!

The Wedding Feast- After the wedding it was time to head on over to the Garden Club for the celebration. It was a great time to catch up with old friends and also a great time to shake a leg. Here's a couple of pictures from the reception.

Crys and Charlie toasting

Lauren and Me!

Taylor, me, and Rach

Me, Josh, and Crys

Elvis and Morgan

Drew and me!

I absolutely love weddings.....I always think of heaven whenever I go to one.

Smorgasbord: n. an often large heterogeneous mixture

So here's what I have been up to....

I attended Alex's graduation,

went to the splash Pad with the family,Attended Crystal Lee's bachelorette trip to Orange Beach,

Dressed up 80's style,

Taught the 1st and 2nd graders at VBS,

(realized just now that I took 0 pictures at VBS)


Attended a cooking class taught by my mom-in-law,

Watered the marigolds,

Helped the hubs out with College Group,

Sewed quilts with Marisa,

and picked my first home-grown tomato.
Oh and I am going to have another niece in December! Yay, Sarah!

Daddy

When you can't find the light
That guides you through a cloudy day
When the stars ain't shinin' bright
And you fill like you've lost you're way
When the candle lights of home
Burn so very far away

Well you got to let your soul shine

Just like my daddy used to say

He used to say soul shine

Its better than sunshine

I grew up thinkin' that I had it made
Gonna make it on my own
But life can take the strongest man
And make him feel so alone
Now and then I feel a cold wind
Blowin' through my achin' bones
I think back to what my daddy said
He said Boy, in the darkness before the dawn

Let your soul shine

Its better than sunshine

Sometimes a man can feel this emptiness
Like a woman has robbed him of his very soul
A woman too, God knows, she can feel like this
And when your world seems cold
You got to let your spirit take control

Let your soul shine

Its better than sunshine

We all get this way sometimes

Got to let your soul shine

Shine till the break of day

Three of my Dad's music request for my brother to play consisted of Soulshine by Gov't Mule, Melissa by The Allman Brothers and Layla by Eric Clapton.....
anytime I hear those songs I think about my Daddy and my brother singing together.

Sweet memories!

I miss him!