Heavenly Ramblings

Well we have actually been home for a week, and if you have been reading my hubby’s blog you would know that. This is actually the first day I have had to sit and answer emails, and post on my blog about our trip. We could not have asked for more from God. We had beautiful weather, wonderful sites to see, and the kids were fantastic. Yes even our two year old rode the whole trip and was very good.

Over the next few days I am going to post some pictures from the trip so you can see the sites that we saw, however, I must say, pictures do not do them justice. The sites that God allowed us to see we just a small part of His magnificent beauty. Richard and I stood, looking out over the Grand Canyon and marveled at the idea of how small we actually are in this huge vast world that God created for not only because it pleased Him to do so, but also for our enjoyment. Even as long ago as the Grand Canyon was created, He knew we would one day be standing there looking at it. Here are a few of the pictures that we took of it.

Then we started our trip home via route 66. Talk about an adventure. We made our way back through the petrified forest and the painted desert.

We made our way through Oatman, AZ and fed the wild burrows. Oatman used to be a gold mining town and they used the burrows to pack stuff in and out of the mine. When the mine closed, they just took the halters off and turned them loose in the mountains. They made there way down the mountain to Oatman where tourist can buy bags of carrots and feed them. One store owner made the comment she thought they had bottemless stomachs because they get carrots in by the truck load and they always eat them.

I will share more pictures and stories tonight and tomorrow. Kiddos are calling for me and Hubby will be home for supper soon. Be back later to share more.

Bobby McFerrin was a one hit wonder back in 1988. It was the first accapella song to reach the number one spot on Billboard’s top 100 chart, and it held for 2 weeks. (And no honey, I didn’t pull that from the part of my brain that remembers stuff…..I had to look it up) Here is an excerpt of the lyrics:

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy……

Don’t worry, be happy
Don’t worry don’t do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don’t bring everybody down like this
Don’t worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don’t worry, be happy

You can ask my husband; I worry about everything. I worry about money, whether I am a good mom, a good pastor’s wife, a good daughter. But most of all I worry that I will not make God happy. And I realize that God looks down on me for worrying and sends me trials and blessings to make me realize that all I have to do is trust COMPLETELY in Him and all my worries will go away. This is one thing my husband has trouble drilling into my head. Not to worry! As I was working on my discipleship lesson today I realized that we are not much different from God’s people back in Biblical times. We still try to do things in our own time and in our own way. This, my friends, is my greatest struggle with day-to-day life.

Richard’s philosophy is if we NEED money for something, God will provide it. If we NEED to take a vacation God will provide a way. If we NEED a new car God will see that we get one. And although I do agree with that ……sometimes I just WANT things in my time, not God’s time. Here are some truths that God has revealed to me this week.

Don’t worry about things that have already happened. Reader’s Digest (which I read in a doctor’s office this week) that “most worries are reruns.” Why worry about the past? Things can’t be changed, food can’t be uncooked, decisions can’t be undone, words can’t be taken back….etc. Paul learned to put the past behind him. In Philippians 3:13-14 he says, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”. If sin is involved, we should cleanse it in Jesus’s blood and then go on.

Worrying about things that MUST happen. All the worry in the world cannot change some things for they will happen anyway. We are all going to die; we are all going to make mistakes; so why worry about it and why not just let it happen? Worrying about it isn’t gonna change the outcome. Things still have to happen.

Then comes my worst feeling. I can’t even enjoy things when they are good because I know things will get bad and it will not be long before I have to worry again. They say 85% of what we worry about might happen…never happen. So why waste time? Time should be invested in working for God’s Kingdom instead of worrying.

We must learn to concentrate on today instead of worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. In Philippians it tells us to forget things of the past (3:13) and in Matthew it tells us not to worry about tomorrow (6:34), so that only leaves today. Yesterday is like a canceled check; tomorrow is like a promissory note. Today is “same as cash”! Would you spend cash loosely? No, we take care as to how we spend our cash. So why not take care of how we spend today?

God wants us to walk in the light He gives us and not to worry about the darkness ahead. When we get there, He will be there waiting for us and providing a way for us to get through it. God’s light ALWAYS overpowers the darkness. We just have to be willing to let His light shine. It is kind of like headlights on a car. When we are driving at night and our destination is 100 miles ahead, the lights do not light the whole way…..they only shine a few feet in front of the vehicle so we can see the way. As we move forward the light moves forward and stays ahead of us. God’s light works the same way helping us live one day at a time.

A minute of prayer is better than an hour of worrying. Jesus spent an entire night praying but never spent one minute worrying. His example is worthy of imitation.

Worried? Let God handle it.

Just as I am certain that there will be storms in my life, I am also certain that God will provide for every storm I will ever face. You have heard the expression bad things happen to good people? Well as my husband preached from the pulpit last Sunday, either the glass is half empty or half full…how ever you want to look at it. If you are an optimist, you look at the glass as being 1/2 full. If you are a pessimist, you look at it being 1/2 empty. Which would you rather be? Which are you? If you look at the glass being 1/2 empty there is no room for you to grow spiritually or otherwise. If you are looking at the glass as being 1/2 full then you are telling the Lord FILL IT UP! I try to be a optimist, and am learning more and more how to do that. Diligently studying God’s Word teaches me more and more everyday. However I tend to be more of a pessimist, waiting for good things to come to me instead of trusting in God that they will come. Recently God has revealed to me that every storm is an opportunity to trust in Him. He delivers a heavenly perspective when challenging times arise. He wants us to see the challenge as He sees it..not how we choose to see it within our humanly flesh.

So how can we learn to trust in Him during the storms in our lives? Five simple steps that God has revealed to me have helped in my spiritual walk.

• Living a pure life.

In Titus 1:15 it says ” To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” (NIV) Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil. (Some see the glass 1/2 full, other see it 1/2 empty) Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil. The pure, those who have surrendered their life to Jesus, learn to see goodness and purity even during the storms in their lives. But the corrupt (the nonbeliever) find evil in everything because their minds and hearts color even the good they see and hear. Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and His word, and you will figure out more and more goodness during the storms of life. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. The word pure is mentioned in the bible 108 times. The phrase Pure in Heart or Pure Heart is mentioned 11 times. I think God was serious when he said to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”.

• Seek God’s understanding

Understanding is only as good as where it comes from. Human understanding is limited. God’s understanding is infinite and unspoiled. Our greatest lessons are learned in the greatest storms. I know you have heard that statement many times — but are those words a living reality in your life.

I read a story recently about a teacher who was asked a question by one of his students who had come across Deuteronomy 6:6, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” The student asked, “Why does it say to put God’s commandments upon our hearts instead of in our hearts?” The wise teacher responded, “It is not within man’s power to deposit truth directly into his heart. All we can do is place truth on the surface of the heart so that when the heart breaks, it will fall in!” I found his answer very profound for a small child’s mind. As children our hearts get broke more often than not. Every circumstance that results in a broken heart, is designed to produce more truth, greater self-control and fresh understanding of God’s amazing grace and providence. We can face every storm with confidence, knowing that God will redeem it for understanding and truth!

• Learn to be patient

Whew! This is a big one for me. I must confess that I am not the epitome of patience! In fact, I hate to wait — on anyone or anything — which may very well explain the presence of certain storms and trials in my life. Richard says I don’t pray enough for patience. I don’t EVER pray for patience because when I do God’s sends me a storm to give me some. LOL

James 1:2-8 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)

I tend to consider it pure joy when I can escape trials in my life, but James tells us that trials can and should be faced with patience and an attitude of joy. Not joy for the trials but joy in the trials! Don’t miss this vital truth. I often wonder when I have escaped a trial, what I missed learning from the storm that God intended for me to learn. What joy I missed out on. What fantastic story of faith and courage I missed to be able to tell a lost soul. Trials are a test, a measurement of growth. Patience gives God time to work in our lives. We, as humans, go to great lengths to avoid trials and try to protect ourselves from the storms of life. As a result, we are spiritually immature. God will not build our character without our cooperation. He will not work in us without our permission! We must surrender! We must invite Him to work and then by faith, patiently embrace that work in our lives.

• Practice Kindness to others

When bad things happen, we cry out in desperation for someone to care! More people come to Christ during a crisis than at any other time. When we are caught in the midst of life’s storms and we are hurting, we do so for selfish reasons…we want to feel better, so we gratify the flesh without thinking of how it hurts others. God doesn’t want us to do that; He does not want us to make others feel sorry for ourselves in our time of need…because this hurts God’s heart. I often wonder just how amazed we will be when we get to Heaven and find the unlikely, unknown but devoted servants of God exalted above all others — rewarded for their quiet and often unseen acts of kindness.

Others in need constantly parade before us day after day but we don’t see them! We are too busy to see the storms He sends our way. We view them as intrusions, annoying interruptions in our very important schedule. These uninvited and unscheduled guests may very well be divine appointments sent by God. The warning of Hebrews 13:2 is scary. “Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it.” How many angels have we missed because we were too busy!

• Experience and practice love

We not only need God in the midst of the storm, we need each other! Learning to build healthy relationships is crucial to a God filled life. When someone is disappointed, disgruntled, or displeased with us, we have a choice to make — to honor God by waging peace or entertain satan with conflict in relationships. God is committed to unity. If we don’t make “every effort” to fight discord, a storm may come to help us do so.

What storm is raging in your life today? What step do you need to take in order to experience His strength for that storm? Our Father stands ready to meet you in your darkest hour. He longs to wrap His arms around you until the winds die down and the waves are gone. Right now — surrender. Celebrate the storm that dashed your battered life on the shores of His unending love.

My mother gave birth to her 4th child.  After having 3 boys it must have been a welcomed sound for the Dr. to say “It’s a girl!”

With all the ups and downs of a mother/daughter relationship, ours has stood the test of times and we have remained close to each other not only in miles but in feelings.  Now that I am older I appreciate  my birth and my mothers raising of me alone more and more each day.  She sacrificed alot to bring me up to be the person I am today.

And just who am I you ask?

I am a person who…

• Is a child of God who for some reason loves me no matter what.  Every time I fail Him he just reaches down and picks me up and says “welcome home My child, I am here for you”.
• Loves the Lord with all her mind, soul, strength, and body, and strives everyday to grow closer to Him and learn to trust in Him without fail.
• Is finally happy in a marriage that I can share my desires of knowing and walking with the Lord daily.  I could not have asked for a better choice from God for the gift he gave me in my husband Richard.  He is a true man of God, who’s only desire is to preach the Gospel to lead other to Christ.
• A mother to 13+ children (all step and foster kids included) who I would lay down my life for any one of them.  They are all beautiful children and I praise God everyday that each and every one of them have come into my life and left footprints on my heart.
• A teacher to my daughter Kelsey.  We enjoy homeschooling so much.  We spend the day together hashing out math and other subjects that aren’t on OUR priority list.  LOL  But nonetheless we get them done.
• A Nanna to this beautiful child:

Ok I realize it has been exactly 2 months since my last post…but let me tell you I almost forgot what it was like to breathe much lest post on my blog. So a few updates on the Davis household.

• We had a wonderful Christmas, filled with joy in celebrating the birthday of the Christ Child. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and hung a cake ornament on our tree with His name on it. My whole family (well practically the whole family…23 of them) were at the parsonage for dinner. We sat around 3 huge tables put together and ate family style, passing dishes around the table like a family was supposed to. Everyone seemed a little bewildered about this but they soon caught on. LOL
• In November, one of our foster children left and we had a very quite month. It was a welcomed break and I got quite a few things around the house done. Bedrooms changed around, the kitchen got a face lift, and I got caught up on my crocheting and reading.
• The end of December in the realm of all things being equal…we got 3 more additions to our home. They are very cute kids and are up for adoption. We have discussed this option and have decided that we aren’t able to accommodate them all three at this time. They will be 3 little ones that are going to be hard to let leave the house when the time comes. If anyone is interested in adding these three beautiful children to your family, The are girl 8, boy 7, and girl 4, email me for pics and more information. They are wonderful children that have just been dealt a bad hand.
• School is back underway with Kelsey. We have done some cleaning of the school room and reorganizing. Not sure we like the new floor plan yet but we are not moving it again till the end of the year. LOL (yea right, those of you that know me know I LOVE to move furniture)
• Richard has been appointed a third church to the parish. This comes along with the retirement of Byron Byrd from Pleasant Grove UMC. Three churches, three sermons, three services, and more people to call our family. We sent out 260 Christmas cards this year. It is a pretty safe bet that those numbers will go up next year. Next year I think I will do address labels, at least for our return address. My arm was cramping pretty bad after addressing all the envelopes. But what a joy it was to get comments and returned cards from some of the parishioners that we haven’t even had the opportunity to meet.
• Oldest daughter Briana, lives with her father, and continues to do well in school receiving very excellent marks on her report card. WAY TO GO B!!! Hard to believe she is a sophomore this year! Her and Andrew continue to be an item. I really like him. He seems like a good guy.
• We finally acquired a second vehicle. It is a little S10 pick-up and Richard is driving it back and forth to work so I can have the van for hauling the 5,000 6 children that live in our house around. Isn’t he a great guy!!
• Ima and Catlynn continue to live with us and are we are both proud and feel privileged to have them a part of our family. Catlynn is continuing to grow like a weed and keeps her “Nanna” on her toes. Ima has a friend who happens to be a “boy” and Richard and I informed her that he passed the test of being grilled by her parents. He came out for supper the other night and Richard and I asked him lots of questions and he never seemed bothered by any of them. (including Richard asking about his spiritual life)

So there you have the important updates anyway. Sorry for the absence in the blogging world but I finally sat down to breathe and write a few things. I hope things are back to normal so I will have time to write more. Did someone say normal? What is that?

God Bless!

Forty five years ago my wonderful knight in shining armor was born.  I am convinced he was sent here by God to rescue me.  I wasn’t in a tall tower, or stranded out on the ocean or ship wrecked on a beach, but I was lost in the world.  I didn’t think that I was worth loving or even worth being alive.  Then Richard came back into my life and showed me what the true meaning of love was.  He showed me that you have to have a relationship with Jesus before you can grow in any aspect of your life.

He was always there for me in high school supporting me and loving me.  He often rescued me from a demanding world, and made me feel special.  His love has touched me so deeply that I really can’t find any words to express the love I feel for him.  He has made my life complete and whole.

Now with that being said…what would a birthday be without a little embarrassment?  So baby here it is!  This is what my knight looked like when I met him.  Kinda geeky huh? Just ask him he will tell you.  He was a major geek in high school.  But I fell in love with him and have loved him my whole life.

Isn’t he a hotty!

 Thank you baby, for loving me for who I am and thank you for being there for me.  Happy birthday my knight!  I am so proud of you and honored to stand beside you and call you my husband.

I will do him the honor, and show you a picture now of my “Preacher Man”…t0day.

That’s My Baby!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!

I PRAY THAT ALL YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS COME TRUE.

 YOUR WIFEY,

JEANNIE