LaJuanah's Journey With Jesus

Ending Out Another Year 2011

2011-12-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

How fast does time actually go? One day can drag by or fly by but a year just zooms through. I cannot believe that I was 64 when LaJuanah and I started on this venture and here we are almost 5 years later staring into another time zone. 2012...........How can it already be here. God has shown me so much in these past 4 and a half years. After 64 years of looking at something one way and building on that particular pyramid I look now and see where I spent too much time building on one thing. And it wasnt just Jesus. It was on an idea, a man made idea of plans and rules and regulations that just boomeranged into a lifestyle that was not fulfilling or encouraging. It just sort of drug you along until one day you realize you dont know who you are, just the man that the people in this organization have made you into believing you are a certain person who thinks a certain way.

I now see some of those men living a secret life trying to fill in the gaps that a normal life would never allow them to have if they stayed in the group. I saw the light, within 24 hours resigned set myself apart from what I now know was wrong. I was scorned, pushed aside, ignored, critized and discarded after 64 years of serving. I now realize God had to totally set me apart from everyone that was in my past and connected to this one religion so that He could show me the Truth. If one person had remained with me and sympathized or pitied me I would have leaned on that person instead of God.

I am now free to search , seek, listen, read, visit or communicate with others and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit I could walk in the ways of the true Saviour, my Lord Jesus Christ. He does not live in a box. He forgives, He loves, He guides, He protects.

Time is short for me now, I am growing older so I must get to the task that has been put before me. Share with everyone that God puts before me to trust Him. Dare to dream big, you cannot out dream God. You cannot live a lie and expect God to bless you. He may leave you to your own for some years but I can promise you the day will come that you will be separated from everyone except HIM and Him alone will you hear.

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN AT ALL?

2009-07-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Well, if you thought you were going to get a great revelation I apologize. I think about this a lot, wondering WHY? About the only conclusion I can come up with is if God is involved we don't always have a PAT answer. In fact most times NOT!

We can look at others and see the things that they have gone through and wondered how did they do that? Anyone that knows Jesus as their Saviour knows that we do all things because of the GRACE of GOD.! He is our strength.

But WHY does GOD allow such painful,hurtful things to happen, even to His children? I can only tell you what I think, which is worth about zero cents in spiritual money.

When we are driving down the highway and we come across a wreck, we automatically slow down, knowing we too were driving too fast. When someone gets lung cancer we start thinking about how long we smoked and should we stop, or someone loses a child and we start really paying closer attention to our own children, or we see someones son becoming an alcoholic or daughter becoming a drug addict...........I could go on and on. After each one of these instances cross our lives we take action usually immediately, but as human beings we eventually forget the seriousness of the deed and go back to our old ways of doing and thinking.

There are a lot of us that are not motivated enough to stay focused to do what God instructed us to do on a daily basis. Be fishers of men, go out into the world and feed my sheep, turn the other cheek, give your last coat to someone who has none, FORGIVE, LOVE and Jesus goes on and on in HIS WORD.

If our world is not rocked.........we tend to stay where we are, content in our little world, minding our own business and hoping no one intrudes.

That my friend is why I think God allows things to happen to people. We have such short attention spans we need constantly reminding that there are people out there that need us, but most of all need Jesus. Get up off your whatever and look around, everyone in your family maybe just hunky dorey right now and Praise God if that is the case. More reason to find a way to be a blessing to someone else. But if you have gone through a tragedy or maybe witnessing a life that is being destroyed by outside sources or substances, find a way to help. Ask God and He will point you to a place that needs many people like you that want to help others find Jesus and peace.

I am reminded that I need to get off my royals and find the place God has for me to be a servant to others. I know God will show me and I pray He will show you also. God is good, He just loves us so much He is willing to let us help HIM touch others. God Bless you and yours,

Heavenly Home....the way we see it maybe.

2009-06-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you Judy Oliver for doing these pictures of Susanne for me. I can't believe you even had a picture of her. I will always love these pictures and have shared them with with everyone in the family. We were very limited to the pictures we had of her anyway because of the fire back in 1989 I think.

Susanne

2009-06-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you Judy Oliver for this beautiful picture of Susanne. I love

you for it always.

We All Need A Motivator............

2009-06-19T13:43:00.001-07:00

SUSANNE LYNETTE PARKER
God is so very good. Just when you think He has done
all He is going to do in a certain situation He shows you He is never finished while we are on this earth. I have just been so enlightened with the people He has brought back into my life these past few days. I know all of you have heard of "Facebook". I have been on it for a few months just sort of playing around and getting back in touch with some friends. I had the most wonderful surprise when one day a precious friend of Susanne's contacted me and asked me to be her friend. Lynn Hathorn, then Eddie McQueen and then Jason Harper. It has brought me back to some very good memories that I thought were gone. The kids have grown up into fine beautiful adults and God has let me know they still remember my little Susanne. If some of you may remember I began this blog in hopes of remembering more about Susanne since it seems that I was very limited to the few memories I had.
It has been 28 years since Susanne went to be with Jesus and today has been a very special day indeed. God used these precious kids to motivate me once again and it has been great. It has been so special to go back in time and remember the good times. So let me say "Thank you Lynn, Eddie and Jason". Just to be remembered is a really good thing. God Bless each one of you and your families.

Tennessee in May 2009

2009-05-21T09:24:00.001-07:00

Kenny trying to water a plant.
Jason is comforting Bunnie.....

Jason is comforting Kim

Ryley and Josie

Brody telling me the time by his new watch

Whitney, Brody and Bun trying out the new hammock

Jason popping popcorn....not easy

Wayne and Jason relaxing

Tori, Ken, Brody and Bun on their way to church

Josie, Brody, Ryley, Tori and Kim way down on the end

Saying farewell to Whitney as she heads to Kanakuk

All in all it was a very full 10 days in Tennessee this trip. We got to see everyone before they all started going their separate ways. We were able to go to the airport to see Whitney off, go to revival at Calvary 4 nights which was awesome. Help Kenny throw his girlfriend a birthday party , Sweet 16, cook a big pot of seafood gumbo, chicken etouffee, spaghetti and even ate out a time or two. All in all it was a great visit and the weather was wonderful, it got down to 32 one night which is what Wayne always looks forward to. ha ha.......

This Is Your Day, Jason

2009-04-26T05:47:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanks for all you do

2009-04-26T04:09:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Mothers Day #2, Another Great Mom

2009-04-25T09:38:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Terrific Mom #1

2009-04-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Gone Fishing

2009-04-13T06:53:00.001-07:00

I have to admit it was really very nice being out on that water with the wind blowing in your hair and looking at all the nature that surrounds you. We saw ducks with baby ducks tagging behind, big white cranes and grey cranes and believe it or not I saw a real live alligator. I immediately wanted to run! I remember seeing them in the movies where they just slid off the bank, go under water and wa-la.................it pops up right beside your boat. Well that did not happen, I don't think the alligator even saw us or was not interested. I was a little shell shock so I did not think to take a picture of this little Louisiana pet. Wayne turned into a different person in that boat out in the water. I could see his whole attitude change, a happiness and joy and total relaxation came over him. It was amazing. He really misses his boat that he had to sell but he is also thankful for the boat he is using now. His dear friends wife, Rosie, has insisted that Wayne take Sonny's boat this summer and use it to fish as much as he wants. It was my first time to ever go out on a bass boat and see first hand all the things that Wayne has told me about. We only caught one little catfish, for some reason the fish just weren't cooperating but somehow it just didn't matter. We both enjoyed the day so very much and even got a little sun and enjoyed a day like no other we have shared before. So if you have a chance be sure and "Go Fishing".

Turner Bear

2009-04-12T17:38:00.001-07:00

TURNER BEAR

Whitney I just found this picture and it made me smile

so big. I know you remember Turner Bear and everyone

else does also. He was one of your best friends for awhile. When I bought this bear for you, I also sent you the adoption papers

and you faithfully named him and took care of him for many

years. I wish I had a picture of you sleeping in his lap. Turner Bear made the trip from Edmond, Ok to Johnson City Tn when you moved. Your dad sat him in the front seat with sunglasses on. It made many a motorist smile. Just another memory I wanted to share with you while we are on this memory lane. Love you, WA

Twenty-one........She's Grown

2009-04-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

Thank's for giving me Whitney!

I was asked to do a little story about the life of Whitney as I remember it to this point. I know most people can only take so much of listening to a grandmother go on and on about her granddaughter! But that is okay. This particular blog is written strictly for Whitney. Feel free to share with me if you would like but this is my little gift to my first granddaughter who is now turning 21 years old. ! Can it be!!!!!

Not too long ago did Ken call and tell me Bunnie had just given birth to the most beautiful little girl ever. From that point on Whitney was mine, I just let Bunnie think she was the mother. ha ha Just joking but Whitney became a huge part of my life.

Whitney came and filled the huge void that was left in my life when Susanne was taken from me. I found out I could laugh and smile and enjoy life again. Bunnie and Ken were so gracious to share her with me and I came alive again.

We were best buddies for many years. We would do everything together when I would visit them. It was wonderful. One time we were riding in the car and I ask Whitney to pray with me about a very special person in my life and she said ok........and she did right there in the car. I was so impressed. We did lots of artsy craftfy things together, baked cookies, stayed up late and watched movies and preachers. Yes, even at a young age she would watch preachers on tv with me.

Then something happened. Whitney began to grow up and she really out grew me. I grieved that process more than she will ever know. But that is the way life is supposed to be and it would have been wrong for me to try to hold on too tight.

She has blossomed into a beautiful young woman that I am so proud of. She is such a blessing to me and all her family. She inspires me, she encourages me and blesses me. You can't write about everything but I can truly tell you I know that Whitney has prayed for me many prayers along with every teacher she ever had in elementary school. Every time she was asked did she have a special prayer request she would say yes, "my grandmother". And I know God heard everyone of those prayers and I can truly thank her for God sending me a wonderful man in my life who loves me so very much. She prayed for this I know.

Whitney you are so very special to me, there are not enough words in the English language to tell you. But I thank your mom and dad from the bottom of my heart for sharing you with me as well as Kenny, Tori and Brody. But you were the one that God used to open my heart and teach me to love and trust again. I love you sweetie and pray God's blessings upon you, more than you can contain. Blessings to you.

Waner

Our Thought Process Can Determine Our Day

2009-04-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Noble,

Right,

Pure,

Lovely,

Think On These Things! Phil. 4:8

We are having a really great conference at our church in Greenwell Springs Louisiana. Roc Collings from Kingsport, Tennessee is bringing the messages and they have really been soul touching sermons. What we allow into our spirit and mind can determine our daily path. If we can just accept the forgiveness that God gives us when we ask Him how much straighter would our path be. The devil does such a trick on us trying to keep us looking back, remembering all the horrible things we have done, holding us captive to the past which keeps us from moving forward. The day we can stand and speak to the devil and refuse to let him take us back, to rebuke him as the Word tell us then can we begin to move in the direction our Lord would have us to go. If you are fighting with your past not being able to forgive yourself after God has already thrown it into the Sea of Forgetfulness you are giving victory to satan. Who wants to do that. Realize what forgiveness means to you, accept it and then ask God to open the doors He wants you to go through. After all God loved us so much that He gave His Only Son to die on the Cross for us................Satan has done nothing but try to destroy us. Satan only has as much control over your life as you will allow him to have. Get free once and for all and walk with the Lord............................

HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER

2009-03-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD, HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!

For the past 2 weeks I have been in Tennessee having some tests run to see if there was a problem. One night I was casually enjoying a bowl of soup with Wayne when all of a sudden my throat shut down...or closed up. I could not swallow or breath. That is a very scary feeling. There was a second when I thought I was a few seconds from seeing Jesus. Well after 2 weeks of tests and going to an ear specialists I found out that I have acid reflux and that a little purple pill called nexium is what I needed. Apparently that was what was causing my hoarseness. Who would have believed? It was a throat spasm that caused my being able to not breath for a little while. I am amazed at how in just one second............that could have been my last breath. A few seconds later I could have been facing the other side of the spiritual veil where my Jesus is with the Father. What a fascinating but frightening thought. I know that if I were to stop breathing, die tonight I would be in the presence of my Saviour Jesus Christ. That is what we all live for , those of us that love Him and put our faith and hope and trust in Him. But to realize that anyone of us could just stop breathing all of a sudden..............are all our loved ones ready to meet Jesus? Is there someone we need to visit with, share Jesus with, pray for or just love someone into the kingdom of God? I know several people personally that have in an instance lost a loved one with no warning. No time to say good bye or I am sorry. No time to ask them if they are ready to meet Jesus. I got a good doctor's report better than I deserved considering how I have abused my body for these 66 years. Our bodies are the temple of God and we should treat our bodies as such. Which means I think we are to love ourselves as we love the church, we are to take care of ourselves, realize we are special, the Lord dwells inside of us and He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ to die on the Cross so that we might have eternal life. His Mercy does endure forever, He patiently waits for us to reach out to Him and accept His way.

Highlights of Our Two Weeks In Tennessee

2009-03-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

Ryley Parker 9 yrs old
Kim and Bunnie

Tori and Ken playing volley ball

Bunnie and Jason in deep thought

Whitney at Ryleys Birthday Party

Jason, Ryley and Josie

Wayne

Pappy Jo and Ryley at Chili's celebrating

Ryleys birthday.

Kim and Josie

Tori, Brody and Bunnie

Beautiful Tori

Tori and Kenny

Kenny

Bunnie, Brody, Wa and Jason

Bunnie and Tori

Bunnie and Jason

Bunnie and Wayne at Tori's Volley ball game.

We Are In His Hands

2009-02-27T20:10:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful picture! How we love to think that HE has us in HIS hands at all times. But then His Word says exactly that, He has us in His hands and no one will snatch us from Him. When everyone else has failed us or moved away or turned their back upon us Jesus is always, ALWAYS there holding onto us, lifting us up. What a wonderful picture to carry in our hearts. None of us deserve such love, such a gift...but that is exactly what Jesus is...a GIFT.

Fascinating To Say The Least

2009-02-21T05:13:00.000-08:00

This beautiful Live Oak tree has got to be as old as dirt itself. I am so fascinated by all these beautiful trees in South Louisiana. These limbs just seem to stretch out as far as they want to, lie down and rest for awhile and stretch some more. If you have ever actually been in a hurricane you then can imagine the strength of these trees. When you get up close you can see where limbs have broken off from the high winds of those storms. But the roots and the trunk are so very strong, withstanding the worst of all the storms, Katrina, and Rita not to mention the others through the years. Double click on the tree to get a close up. I guess that is why through the years we age a little, (that is an understatement) being scarred and stretched and stunted. Some of us last longer, carry ourselves better, hide our scars and still hold outstretched arms to those we love and want to shield and comfort and encourage and give rest. I would so love for those around me to see such strength and endurance in me as I can see in this tree. Absolutely amazing..........................

A Season In My Life

2009-02-20T05:45:00.000-08:00

It is pretty early in the morning and I am not certain how I am going to approach the day. It seems that I can plan but most times something comes up to change my direction. I am in a quiet time for some reason and I feel that I am just supposed to "cool it" , you know, the "Be Still And Know That I AM God". I would love to be going to the "Shack" and visiting with God and sitting down at a table to listen to what He has to say. So I will just Wait on the Lord because I know He has a plan and will reveal it at His Own Time.

48 Years Later

2009-02-16T16:49:00.000-08:00

HAPPILY MARRIED AFTER 48 YEARS OF SEPARATION. LIFE IS GOOD!

1961

2009-02-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

What year was it? This was the year that my life changed and so did Wayne's.

Changes come to our physical bodies but our hearts never changed.

What A Difference A Year Makes

2009-02-13T12:45:00.000-08:00

Oh well!

It Is Such A Pretty Day

2009-02-12T12:50:00.001-08:00

Some times it is just so absolutely gorgeous outside that I just dont' know what to do. Today is one of those days. For this moment in time, the sky is clear and beautiful, the temperature is perfect, it is peaceful and tranquil in the neighborhood, the bills are paid up to date, there are groceries in the house, nothing is broken, no one I know is sick, all is well in my little world. So as I sit here going to talk to God it reminds me of a song that Del Way sings, "Sometimes I Just Want To Praise You", Sometimes just to say your Name........Sometimes I just want to thank you, without asking You for a thing......Oh sometimes I lift my hands to You......and sometimes all I do is cry...........
Everything that I have I owe to You........Lord on Calvary is the Reason Why, When I think the love that You gave, Lord when I think of the Price You paid. Then all the trials seem like nothing when they are compared to dark Calvary.
Oh Sometimes, I just want to praise You, sometimes just to speak your name, sometimes I just want to thank You, without asking you for a thing........................
I know if you have read this far you get the point! Even if all is not well, nothing compares to the day our Lord spent on the cross for Me........for You.....for ALL of us..........To God be the Glory...........thank you Jesus.

Seasons of My Life

2009-02-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

We have all had many seasons in our lives. My life is so different now than it was 18 months ago. In February of 2007 I was working in a small antique and gift shop in Jonesborough, Tennessee and had just become part owner in a year round Christmas shop. It had been one of my dreams to own a little shop in one of the little towns in Eastern Tennessee. Finally, it seemed that things were coming together for me. Jonesborough is sort of like a small Gatlinburg. Lots of visitors from out of state and it was a wonderful way to visit with lots of people. Today I am sitting in a little 2 bedroom cottage in Southeast Louisiana having a wonderful life with Wayne. I never would have dreamed in a million years that we would be sharing a home together. But this has come together in a miraculous way I think. I have always loved Wayne but I have never prayed for him to be back in my life nor has he. God is blessing us in so many ways and I thank Him. Life can change so quickly, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. I have had those life changing times that were not so good and that has made me appreciate all the good times. I try to relish the happy moments and let all those around me enjoy in the good things that God is doing. Suddenly we can find ourselves in a glorious moment that we want to never end and then suddenly there can be a moment where everything is upside down. That is life and God gives us many scriptures to get us through all things. Let me assure you that God wants us to love each other, live our lives for Him, and share His love with all we can. But we are not to judge, condemn or take it as our responsibility to make sure everyone is meeting our standards as trying to be a GOOD Christian. You cannot judge me nor can I judge you. We are all on the same playing field, learning every day how to love. We are ALL Sinners that is why Jesus died on the Cross. So if you think you may have gotten off course and been focusing on others sins instead of your own, let me suggest you take a break and spend some time with self instead of others. Jesus is probably waiting to talk to you.

FOR GOD SO LOVED

2009-02-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Some days are just more meaningful than others. There are days when I get so much done around the house, or get out and visit or just slowly let the day pass without accomplishing too much. Every day is always different, we could not repeat a day if we tried. February 3, 2005 is the day that my precious sister Brenda went to be with the Lord. This has not been a sad day but a day of remembering her. Brenda and I were always close, she was a great big sister. She was so sweet and pretty, never raised her voice or argued. She was a very devoted wife and mother, daughter and sister. Yep today as I remember her she was pretty much perfect. Isn't that wonderful! I truly cannot remember her doing anything that was not right or proper. I am certain that God sees His children the same way. Once we have asked for forgiveness that settles it.....as far as the East is from the West, all confessed sins are thrown into the Sea of Forgetfulness. One of her favorite songs was by Brian Free"For God So Loved The World." You can go to You Tube and pull it up. She called me one day and said "LaJuana I have just heard the most beautiful song, you have got to get it". Tonight I listened to it and as I listened to it Wayne came up to me and just held me. It is as though we were worshipping the Lord right here in our living room. I thank God so much for my sister Brenda and I look so forward to seeing her again. I thank God for Steve and Sherri, Brenda's children and her grandchildren. They are so very special to me and always will be. For God So Loves The World even today, Praise God.

Caring Bridge "Special People"

2009-01-30T21:22:00.001-08:00

All of us have those "Special People" in our lives. The ones that have a special place in our heart and our thoughts. I guess the older I get the more I am reminded of how short this life on this earth is. I also realize how much time is wasted on things that just aren't important. I have been following several people that are critically ill and they have a web page on Caring Bridge. This is a wonderful network that allows the families of one that is seriously ill to stay in touch with friends and family to keep them updated on progress hopefully. There is a young woman named Michell Joyner who has been fighting leukemia for 2 years. The last few months have been so hard on her. She has had the transplant of bone marrow, gone through all the side affects and has been told today the leukemia is back. There is a one year old child named Mari who has gone through the chemo and radiation for months to finally have her eye removed but is now considered cancer free. A young mother of 4 who goes to our church in Greenwell Springs has been fighting breast cancer for the second time. She is so brave and faithful to our Lord believing Him for all His promises He has made her. Another woman in her mid 50's has just found out she has breast cancer and will undergo radiation next week. Now there is this precious young girl 23, who has taken ill and been in a coma since around January 12th of this year. She has gone through many procedures, ups and downs, as her family faithfully loves and supports her and lifts her up in prayers continuously. When you notice all this pain and suffering it makes you realize how very blessed we all are not to be going through any of these major illnesses with any of the "Special People" in our lives. We hurt with all these families and pray for all of them. And I thank God every day that I am not having to experience this pain or suffering. I have been in the place of knowing that my child was on life support, in a coma, responding to nothing or anyone. I have had to accept the fact that this was one of the times that God would not heal Susanne on this earth but her healing took place as He took her to heaven. I also know that there are no words to speak to anyone that is traveling down this road. We are told to believe what we pray for and that we should do so until there is no reason to believe any longer. We should never give up on God to heal our loved ones. We should never give up on God for any reason. Our lives are in His hands always. Life could end at any moment for any one of us, unexpectedly. Every moment that we have left on this earth should be spent in loving our Lord and His people, loving our neighbors and friends and yes even enemies. Love those "Special People" that are in your lives, forget the little petty things that take up so much air space. Most things are forgotten the next day anyway, harsh words, unforgiveness, meanness, etc. are not easily forgotten. A kind word, a prayer, a gift of food, money or clothing are never forgotten. A smile is a great gift to give every one, it generates another smile. A frown or hateful look causes pain and heartache. Which one would you rather be remembered for sharing. Tonight I thank my God for all my family and Wayne's family being well and healthy. That indeed is truly a blessing.

Eternity Is Forever

2009-01-25T18:22:00.000-08:00

This Sunday morning
I woke up suddenly at
5 AM almost in a panic.
I must say I don't do
this very often Thank God! Eternity.."Eternity is a very long time. You cannot turn around and go back if you don't like it. Eternity is forever". "There is no changing your mind once you have gone into eternity." Not an earth shattering statement to Christians that know and understand the Lord and His promise. Heaven and Hell, we all know the story. This morning was like the first time I had heard this, there was an urgency about this that I thought I already knew and understood. Maybe God wants us to be SURE that we understand the true meaning of "ETERNITY". Up until we experience death we can change our eternal state, we can choose to accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and live with Him eternally. On the other hand we can choose to ignore the invitation that is ours for the taking and forever be hell bound, NEVER to be able to change or go back. It is important that we tell everyone we know exactly what ETERNITY really means. We are God's messengers.

Where My Heart Is Today

2009-01-23T05:59:00.000-08:00

This morning I have started my day with my grandchildren on my heart. I don't consciously pick every day what I think I want to keep my thoughts on, it just sort of happens. Today I awoke thinking of

the children wondering what they would be doing today and how they all were. That usually means it is time for another visit to Tennessee. When you see each one of these precious children you see different things, age differences, appearance differences and once you get to know them you see character differences, different personalities, preferences and abilities. I have been so very blessed with my children, Bunni and Jason and so blessed with all my grandchildren. So today I am going to ask God to help me be a blessing to someone else's child today. I can't be with mine but if a door opens that I can be with another child I pray that God will use me to be a blessing to them. Then I know that God will send people to my grandchildren to be there for them in different ways. God is so good that way. The roads just cross over in many ways to reach everyone, God loves us all and provides for us all. Have a blessed day.

Celebration of Brody's 5 years With Us!

2009-01-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

Brody is now 5 Years Old

What a celebration! This young man is now 5 years

0ld and turning into quite a young man. This child

was born on the other side of the world, somewhere

in Russia in 2004. Bun and Ken must be commended

on their persistence to persue bringing this child

home with them. God amazes me how He can

plan years ahead of time while we are in our

own little world the future of one little child.

Brody has touched more hearts than he will

ever know. Mine has been changed completely

since he came into my world. Can you

remember when you were expecting your second

child how you wondered how in the world you

could love another as much as you did your

first child? Bun and Ken already had a quiver

full and now they were CHOOSING to bring

another into their home. Well, my dear

friends Brody was absolutely the icing on

the cake. He has filled every little space that

was empty. There is Chris, Whitney, Kenny

Tori, then Jason's two children, Ryley and

Josie. All these children I love with all

my heart and thank God for them every day. Now

I give thanks to God for Brody! When I thought

I couldn't deal with another, (like it was my choice to

make to begin with) God opened the hearts of all of us

and introduced this precious baby, Brody at 6 months

of age. Bun and Ken have been wonderful parents

to this child, the kids have been wonderful siblings

and his aunt and uncle have been great. My

heart sometimes feels as though it will

explode from all the love I have for all my

children and grandchildren and I now know

that there is always a reservoir of love put

aside for whomever God chooses to put

into your life.

Happy Birthday Brody!

Precious Donna

2009-01-12T18:58:00.000-08:00

I Corinthians 13

LOVE IS......

I f God was to ask me "LaJuanah who do you think

is able to truly identify with my definition of LOVE?

I could immediately say, "Lord, my dear sweet cousin,

Donna, can truly identify with your definition of LOVE!

I have known many people who have a sweet spirit,

and loving nature and desire to be helpful and

minister to others as they have needs. But I can

truly say that Sweet Precious Donna is truly a

great example of one that loves unconditionally.

She has such a great gift of discernment, reaching

out to all those that she sees has a need, a hurt or

is lonely or depressed. Your WORD says:

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous,

loves does not brag and is not arrogant,

Love does not act unbecomingly, it does not

seek it's own is not provoked, does not

take into account a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but

rejoices with the truth'

bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

LOVE NEVER FAILS !!!!

Lord, Donna is all

these things, always doing

and never asking or expecting

anything in return.

My prayer for Donna is that

you will pour out Your blessings

upon her so that her cup runneth over.

Thank you Lord!

PROVERBS 3:5-6

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL

YOUR HEART

LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN

UNDERSTANDING

IN ALL YOUR WAYS

ACKNOWLEDGE HIM

AND HE SHALL DIRECT

YOUR PATH..

Wise Words God has left us, we just

need to take these Words to heart

and apply them.

Another New Beginning

2009-01-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

In The Beginning!

For Wayne and I "In The Beginning" was

a very long time ago, 46 years to be exact. We

had one beginning that lasted about a year and

a half and then it was abruptly stopped!

Immaturity, fear of the unknown, believing

what others were telling us scared us

into making decisions that we now

know were the wrong decisions!

However, we are now in the process

of having a new beginning in many ways.

We are enjoying setting up house in

a quaint little frame house on the outskirts

of Hammond. It has great potential, I think.

Since this is one of two homes we have, the other

being in NE Tenn we have chosen to

keep everything small and low maintenance.

It has been such fun and a wonderful

experience fixing this little house

up. I am so looking forward to

doing the garage sales and antique

shops. We are looking forward to many

days of living and serving the Lord for

as much time as He sees fit to bless

us with.

By His Stripes We Are Healed

2009-01-06T05:55:00.000-08:00

UPDATE;

WHITNEY IS AT HOME RESTING, THEY

ARE WATCHING HER CAREFULLY TO

SEE IF THIS THING HAS BEEN HEALED

AND MOVED ON .......THAT IS OUR PRAYER.

SHE IS STILL ON A LITTLE PAIN MEDICINE

BUT SAYS SHE IS FEELING BETTER AND

WANTS TO THANK EVERYONE THAT LIFTED

HER UP IN PRAYER. THANK YOU ALL!

==============================================

ISAIAH 53: 4-5

Surely HE hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows; yet

we did esteem HIM stricken,

smitten of God, and afflicted.

But HE was wounded for our

transgressions, HE was bruised

for our iniquities, the

chastisement of our peace was

upon HIM, and with HIS stripes

we are healed!
God's Word is TRUTH, and today

I am claiming this promise of HIS

for Whitney. Yesterday she was

rushed to the hospital in severe

pain in her abdomen. The doctors

have not pinpointed the problem but

believe it could be ovarian problems

or appendix. Whatever it is her

family and I are standing on the

promises of God and proclaiming

her healing. We would certainly

appreciate all of your prayers for

her healing. She has gone home

for observation. Since Ken is

and ER doctor they felt it was

ok for her to rest at home until

further treatment was decided.

I will write later on her progress.

Basket Full of Memories!

2009-01-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

Always happy!

Always shares in cooking duties!

Always taking charge in a good way!

MEMORIES IN A BASKET
My Whitney gave me a very unique gift
this Christmas. Whitney and I go
way back to the day she was born.
God gave her to me 3 years after Susanne
had gone home to be with Jesus. Whitney
was the beginning of my healing!. When
I opened this gift, the little brown basket
I was so moved by what I saw. It was small
pieces of paper with a special memory
written on each one. As I read them
out loud I couldn't help but shed some
tears because she reminded me of
things I had forgotten. She also
listed the memories that have just
been made in the past year and a half
with Wayne. She has accepted
Wayne as her grandfather
unconditionally and I love
her so for being able to
do that. She is indeed a very
special unique granddaughter
if I do say so myself. Thank
you Lord for Whitney and all
my children and grandchildren.

Driving Into The Sunset

2008-12-31T18:38:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Sunset
Crosses Everywhere

2007 to 2008 Christmas, Happy New Year

2008-12-27T10:48:00.000-08:00

2007 Christmas in Gatlinburgh, TN
Christmas in Jonesborough, Tn
2008
From our house to yours,
we pray that 2009 is a very
good, healthy, prosperous year
for you and all your family.

MAY GOD'S BLESSINGS BE UPON
US ALL!!!!!!!!!

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

2008-12-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

Greenwell Springs, Louisiana

Magnolia Leaves
Putting on the lights!
Ken, Kenny, Jason

Jason, Kim, Josie, Ryley
Bunnie and Brody

Bunnie, Kenny, Ryley and Wayne

Brody, Ken, Bunnie, Wayne, Whitney

Jason and Kim

Ken reading the Christmas Story

Brody, Wa, Josie, Wayne

Wayne watching the family play Apples to Apples

Bunnie, Whitney, Kenny, Wayne, Ken,

Ryley, Brody watching Tori play

Christmas Carols on the piano

Whitney and Wayne

Josie our little princess

Jason, Josie, Tori, Ryley

Mexican Christmas Eve with

Ken, Bunnie,Whitney, Kenny, Brody, Wayne

and Tori

Wayne and Wa opening presents from

the family

Wayne opening presents from the family

I WILL POST MORE PICTURES AS WE CONTINUE

TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD,

JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE INDEED

A VERY BLESSED FAMILY.

"THE BOOTIE POOZLES"

2008-12-22T18:51:00.000-08:00

Dynel, Tena, Bunnie, Theresa, Denise
Tena, Theresa, Denise, Bunnie
Ron and Tena
Ken and Bunnie

Brittany and Denise

David, Ken, Ron, Bob

"TA DA"

I would like to introduce to my world

the famous Bootie Poozles of Johnson City,

Tennessee. At this moment they are the

only group to claim this name but only

becausethey have been able to keep it the best kept

secret ever. They are famous for giving

great dinner parties, slumber parties, shopping

sprees, birthday parties, but they like

to call themselves "The Accountability Group".

They support each other during the good and

the bad, ministering to each other and

praying for one another as situations

arise. God has blessed each one of

these families and they in turn bless

many others with their prayers, love and

gifts. All are wives and mothers, some are

even grandmothers, the best job in the

whole world.

This picture was taken at Bunnie's

house for Christmas of 2008. Wayne and I

were privileged to participate this year and

consider ourselves very blessed to have

been recognized by this group of ladies.

I don't know if we will be able to be with

this group again during this stay but we

surely did enjoy our time while we were

with them.

NO CABLE, ARE YOU KIDDING?

2008-12-20T16:44:00.000-08:00

Kenny, Tori, Bunni

Waner and Brody Jason, Kim, Josie, Ryley

Jason, Wayne, Bunnie and Tori

Brody, Ryley, and Wa

Bunnie, Kenny, Ken, Tori, Wayne

Jason and Kim

FAMILY FUN

Well, you can tell by looking at this family picture

we are in Tennessee. It is so very different from

our quiet life in our little apartment. Both have

their advantages. ha ha It is just so much fun

when we get to Bunnie and Ken's and Jason

and Kim and their children come over. They have

all disconnected their cable and only watch

select movies so there is no sitting around

on the sofa watching ballgames or sitcoms.

We had just finished eating dinner and I was

checking my email in the kitchen and there

were some funny things so I shared them

with everyone. We had such fun just laughing

and talking and enjoying the kids.

When Wayne and I drove up that afternoon

on our way up here, we pulled into the driveway,

Brody came running out of the garage and

went straight to Wayne's side of the car

anxious to hug his neck. At first I was a

little disappointed but then I thought how

special that was. Brody has not known a

grandfather on any side of any family. He is from

Russia and adopted and Wayne is the only grandfather

figure that is in his life on any regular basis.

Right now Jason, Bunni and Wayne are

sitting at the breakfast table have a great

conversation laughing and just enjoying

sharing. My children have accepted Wayne

into their world with no reservations. I am

so very thankful for that and I appreciate the

love and respect they show him all the time.

I will send more pictures as time goes on.

Entertaining Strangers

2008-12-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for

by doing, some have unwittingly entertained angels.

This has been a wonderful time of exchanging views on the

subject of "The Shack". Most people that have

read the book are moved by it whether they believe

God would actually do what this book says He

does. It is not specifically for those that have

lost a child. I believe it is for all people who have ever

experienced the feeling of whether God actually

does love us. And one might ask "How far will God

go to show us His love. "? Well, the bible is full

of examples not to mention the one about giving

His only begotten Son to die so that we might be saved

from our sins.

Below is another email I received from Jason. We have had

\some great conversations and for this I am so grateful.

I just wanted to share this last one on the Shack. Who knows

what topic we might cover next!

I would like to add to some of my previous emails. I have heard a lot of talk about the Shack and the characters the Trinity portrays. The reason I didn't have a problem with it, is for the simple fact that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have taken on different forms all throughout history. We have read of the descending DOVE, the wind blowing is a sign of the Holy Spirit, Jesus became man to save us, etc. Burning bush, cloud of fire or smoke. God seems to become whatever we need right as we need it. Since He is soo big, I believe He has to take on these different forms to show us He can't be put into a box. God is our King, our Lord......He also becomes our friend when we need one, body guard..etc Jesus, the King of Kings......also He is our savior, guiding light, hope, etc. Holy Spirit, the Helper that came after Jesus, ..... our comfort, our interpreter, spiritual connection to spirit world........you see where I am going with this. In the Shack, the black woman was there as the comforter, later He became the older Father figure because that is what the lead character needed at that moment. I just think it was a great visual, that GOD will be WHAT you NEED, WHEN you NEED it. And He knows what you need...... I also agree with Alma about He wants us to obey and worship Him,,,,, I just though it is easier to hear, obey, pray and worship, once you understand the love he has for us. Recently I have come to believe He loves me more than I had originally believed. That epiphany has made it possible for me to see that I don't NEED to worship him......I WANT TO!

Thanks for letting me share this with you. Jason

The Day The Lights Went Out

2008-12-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

Painting by "WA"

Who would believe it snowed 5 inches in Baton Rouge, LA 2 days ago? I was born and raised here and never saw more than an ice storm. Biggest snowfall in 80 years so the experts are saying. During this beautiful snowfall our electricity went out for over 24 hours! So I had plenty of time on my hands to do not much. In a small apartment there just isn't that much to do to keep you busy. You can only take so many naps. he he he...........

The one thing I had been trying to accomplish was to finish reading the book "The Shack". I finally realized all this snow was just for me. God had to literally take everything away from me except that book and a flashlight! I would pick it up, read a page or two and lay it down. I had read enough to know sort of what was involved and I didn't want to go there.

For those of you that have been reading my blogs from the very beginning you may remember I started writing so that maybe in some way I would be able to remember some of my past. I had forgotten so much about Susanne and I wanted to remember. I knew that when I got into this book I would be taken back further than I wanted to go. Hard to explain this but it is the only way I can say it.

For those of you who have not read the book I will not give it away. It is a book well worth reading even if it is fiction. I had so many things to deal with while walking backwards into the past. I did not have a problem at all with the way God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit were portrayed. Why you may ask? Well, all my life I was taught that God was way way way up there, and I was to be fearful of Him, Jesus was not mentioned much and the Holy Spirit was never mentioned. I went to church 3 times a week, every week until I got married.

I believe the writer of this book chose his characters carefully, trying to stretch our imaginations to reach outside the box we keep our God in. I even saw the humor in the character he gave God. I think it was meant to touch all of us self-righteous, white, Christians and make us realize how we have made God into what we want Him to be, what we can accept and live with. We have limited God so much that He can barely walk outside our churches and bless anyone. We say "God can do this but God does not do that"...........

I know now why I have had to endure some of life's storms and heartaches and disappointments. When things are at it's worst is when I call out to God. If all the bills were paid, we had good jobs, everyone healthy, vacations were a reality, pretty home, nice car........wow. Who had time to remember to pray?

But the day my knees were knocked out from under me, I couldn't stand. All I could do is ask God "Why"!......? Why did YOU allow Susanne to die? I know she is with God and I thought I was over all the anger and other emotions that go with death. A lot of the questions I have been asking myself were dealt with in the book. Some still aren't answered. Even though this book is fiction I felt God talking to me. Sometimes God inspires writings, pictures, storms, people to get His point across.

God is real! God loves us just as Jason wrote earlier. God has my Susanne I know that. I will never know exactly how many people were touched by her death. Had she lived and I stayed on the same spiritual ground I was on I would be so lost in myself.

I finished this book at 12:30 AM Friday morning! Finally! I had finished it and remembered much more than I wanted to. I cried and cried, just remembering Susanne and how sweet she was and how much I missed her. Then I was okay! I could smile and thank God for bringing her back to me for a short period of time and helping me to heal what was still there.

AT 3:30 AM that same morning I woke up. Wide awake! Suddenly I began shaking uncontrollably! I have done this before but when I was praying. This will shock some of you but I can pray in tongues and that is when this would happen. I happened to be sleeping this time though and when I woke up I continued to shake for several minutes at a time. I started to get up so as not to disturb Wayne, but he was already awake and he asked me not to leave. This went on for about 30 minutes. I knew and I believe Wayne knew that this was the Holy Spirit telling me everything was going to be OK.

So you see! God is not in a box of any kind. He loves us and wants to spend time with us. It is ALL about HIM. Not us! Jesus died for us and wants us to remember that! The Holy Spirit loves us and wants to be with us ALL the time. They are Holy, they are ONE and they love us and care about what we are going through.

I started reading this book in June of this year, stopped in the middle of it and have fought to finish it for the past 2 weeks at the request of Jason. Bunnie had given it to me in the beginning and I just told her I could not finish it.

Susanne died May 24, 1985. Twenty-three years ago. I still miss her to this day but I would not call her back if I could. For whatever reason I have had to read this book and backtrack so far I really don't understand! I do know that my son has been brought to some great realizations of our Father in heaven, my daughter and son in law have read the book and been touched by it. God can use anything He chooses to touch HIS children and I can promise you that the devil is not going to use something that will turn you towards God. So for those that think this book is way out there I hope you will give this some thought and prayer and maybe your lights will go out so you can only look for God's light. His light shines through any darkness and shines brighter than any other and last forever!

Seeing Through God's Eyes

2008-12-09T07:54:00.000-08:00

Kenny, Brody and Tori

Josie and Ryley

Kim and Bunnie

AS SEEN THROUGH GOD'S EYES

by Jason Parker

If you pray, pray to see with God's eyes. To see what He sees. This has changed the way everything looks to me.I have always considered pretty people to be pretty... just like the rest of the world. I have always thought a pretty sunset was pretty....just like everyone else thinks....you see where I am going with this. God sees what He has made, through His eyes. It is a totally different world to me. Even rainy days, and cold days, seem beautiful. But the people are what is the most different. I have always been a "nature" guy. I never really was a "people" guy.

My sister.... lets see if I can say this without offending her. She is more beautiful now than any other time in my life. God sees an absolute gorgeous woman, beautiful eyes, glowing hair, amazing smile, wonderful mother, great wife....etc. You probably see where I am going with this too. I always saw my big sister as a mother figure, always disappointed in me for my failures. I saw an uptight, semi-boring, rule follower. I still loved her.....she just wasn't GOD BEAUTIFUL. Now she is, and it makes me smile just to

think of her.

My wife...... I have been married almost 10 years. I haven't been the husband I should have been. I am blessed enough to have a wife that has given me time to get my act together....not that I have it ALL together, just that I am getting there. I thought of her as pretty, smart, and somewhat funny, when I met her. I always thought she was attractive on her good days...and the bad days....well, I still loved her.. ha ha... But really, I saw a good woman to marry........Now- I can't believe I have her. God sees an absolute brilliant woman who is very strong and independent. The perfect mother to the two perfect children God gave us. God showed me how lucky I am to have her and how much true MERCY I have in my life. God cares sooooooo very much about the little things in our life. If you can see what He sees, you realize that you deserve none of it. We don't deserve the breath that is in our body, or salvation. Back to my wife for one last thing.... Kimberly Sue Parker is the most beautiful woman in the world...... I miss her every time I

close my eyes.

I see my nieces and nephews in a different light now. . I always thought the tall one was pretty, the short one was cute, the littlest one as KID cute, etc...you know. Just like most people think of their relatives. Just being nice in most cases....But now, I see all this potential in every one of them. Kenny Jr. is and will continue to be great.... to be around, talk to, just in general. Tori, with one of the most beautiful names there ever was, Victoria Lynette, is stunningly beautiful, and she is still young. She has years left to show everyone how beautiful she is on the inside as well as on the outside. Brody is the pinnacle of what all men want to look like and what all women want to marry. Blonde hair, pretty eyes, great smile. He will be fine in life. Anyway, they just all seem to look different to me. All beautiful in God's eyes because he took special care and time to make each one of us to His exact specifications.

I love my family like I have never loved them before. If I have left anyone out, it is only because the reader of this is probably getting tired of me using the same words to describe everybody. This world, the animals, the people......God made us all for us all. We are to enjoy what He has given us, enjoy His presence in our everyday lives, enjoy friends, family, movies, and motorcycles........ha.......because He loves us so very much, He gave His Son, just to be with us. That is a love I finally have begun to see..... By the way, when you see what God sees, the mirror is not as scary as it used to be. Instead of seeing an overweight, long haired, needs to shave guy.....you see a child of God who is truly loved for being just who he is. Its great for the self esteem.

I have found out that by writing things out it just helps me to understand more clearly some of the things God is doing in my life. Mom has invited me to use her blog and share some of my thoughts with any of you that care to read this. She says that her writing helps her more than anyone and now I am beginning

to understand that.

I have not forgotten my other relatives that I feel so close to it is just that space is limited and I have to write all these thoughts down as I have time. So hopefully I will be adding to this again in the future. Thanks again for any of you that are reading this. It is a great thing to share with others what God is doing for you. later..............................

The Shack

2008-12-07T14:56:00.001-08:00

"The Shack"

I am still trying to get through this book

"The Shack". It is a modern day version of

"Pilgrim's Progress" I think. It seems like every

time I decide I have a few minutes to read,

something comes up and the book gets

put aside again. I am wondering how many

of you have read this book or even heard

of it. Anyway if any of you have an opinion

of it please email me. I know people are

very careful about putting their name

to a blog with an opinion

even though I would love for others

to hear what some of you

think about things. But I would never

post your emailwithout

asking you first. And I have no way

of knowing who leaves a message

unless they choose to give

their name. I do have the privilege of

taking your comment off if it is not nice.

It doesn't have to agree with my line

of thought or faith, just let it

be kind. ha ha

I will post more as I read.

The Shack as Jason saw it!

2008-12-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

Jason and Kim Parker

The Shack, just seemed to put into PLAIN ENGLISH what we have been told all our lives. God Loves US. Really. Anyone who has children should understand this principle. If your children do something wrong, you don't hate them, abandon them.....you still love them. If you have two children, can you decide which one would go to heaven and which one would go to hell? If you were the judge. NO, you couldn't. You want both of them to go to heaven...so if someone has to die to please the judge....the parent would do it for the sake of his children. This is what our Father did for us. A price needed to be paid so He could be with us. Before we were born, while we were sinners, Jesus died for us. Because of the JOY set before Him, He endured the cross. What JOY? The joy of knowing we could finally reach heaven and spend eternity with Him. He is soooo interested in our lives, He put everything on this earth and everything in this universe here just for us. He put mysteries in plants, animals, oceans, and the stars because He knew we would be a curious creature looking for adventure. How did He know that.....? Because we are made in his image....Their image. That's right...God in three Persons......The Trinity... How can you be three but one......We all are in a way...I am one man, but I am a husband, father, son, and a brother. One man- 4 persons. It is okay to pray and thank the Holy Spirit, Its okay to ask for Jesus's Love and ask God for Blessings. They are 3 in 1. So much wisdom and glory couldn't fit into one package could it......FOR NOW, ITS ALL I have GOT!

This is an email I received from my son, Jason, this morning.

I asked him if it was ok for me to share this with my friends on

my blog.

I hesitate to say too much about Jason but I can sum it

all up by saying he surely is special and I love him with all

my heart. Guys get a little embarrassed if mom's get too

carried away if you know what I mean.

I am in the process of reading the "Shack" again. I only got

half way through when I just stopped. I was so reminded

of Susanne so much and I just got bogged down in the

pain of losing her so I just closed the book. This was months

ago. Recently Jason called me and suggested I finish

the book. It had a great impact on him. So because of

Jason I am in the process of reading the book again and

I pray that I will be able to finish it. It is a different kind

of book. By Jason's recommendation I recommend it to

you. After I finish it I will write on it again. If any of

you have read the book and have something you would

like to add please send a comment. I believe Jason would

be interested in hearing others feelings after reading

the book.

HOW MUCH DO WE TRUST GOD

2008-12-02T17:56:00.001-08:00

IN HARM'S WAY
REJECTED BY THE WORLD

ISAIAH 53

JESUS TRUSTED GOD WITH HIS LIFE

Jesus knew when He was carrying His cross on His back what was ahead

Him. He knew that in a short while He would be nailed to that cross to die.

He also knew His Father in Heaven. He trusted everything He had to the God of all, the Great "I AM" to fulfill his Word that had been prophesied for ages. He knew that God's Word was truth. He knew that He would be resurrected in three days and be in Heaven with His Father alive and well.

I don't know how many of us, even though we know the story, the beginning and the end could right now say......"Ok Lord, I truly believe that if I give my life to these crazy people and let them nail me to the cross that I will be resurrected in 3 days and be with you in heaven. Bring it on!!!!"

We speak faith and trust and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ but do we really mean it. Are we willing to accept God's Will when something happens to change our plans. Did we pray enough to know that we have given it ALL to HIM, to do with as He pleases.? Did we pray at all or did we pray OUR will and not give God permission to change our plans if He so chose to do so?

Have you ever wanted something so bad so very bad that you just couldn't say...."Ok God this is how I want it to be but if You have other plans so be it".

Have you ever truly had to face the fact that you could not truly 100 percent turn your children over to God, truly trusting their fate into HIS hands? No one can possibly love my children like I do.!

I can understand this type of thinking because at one point in my life I truly believed that. I know something inside of me knew this was wrong thinking but I could not truly with all that was within me turn my children over to God. I knew I could handle things, I would watch them closer than anyone, I would protect them from everything or I would just make them stay home where I could have total control of everything they were involved in, I had given birth to them and no one could love them as much as I did.

I had to go through a very tough lesson to become a true believer in God being a great guardian for my children, or should I dare go so far as to say "FATHER" to my children A Spiritual FATHER. Now when I look back I cannot believe I was so narrow minded and stupid. Yep, stupid. God made my children, He just used me as human instrument to let His children come into this world. He chose to BLESS me with HIS blessing. How cool is that.

When Susanne died and left this world to be with her FATHER I was devastated. But through all the pain and heartache and loneliness and guilt and all the other emotions that go with this type of sorrow God showed me how much He not only loved Susanne but me also. I learned how to truly trust,

TRUST God with everything. Every breath I take is a blessing. As I watched my sister dying with cancer I saw how precious each breath was. As I watch the beautiful world God has given us to enjoy I am so thankful for my eyesight and pray for my brother's eyes to be healed from glaucoma. I am praying for an 8 month old baby right now who will go to the doctor in the morning to see if she will have to continue chemo or if her eye will be removed due to cancer.

So I know that God has my children Bunnie and Jason, and their mates, Ken and Kim and their children, Chris, Jessica, Whitney, Chase, Kenny, Tori,Brody, Ryley and Josie in HIS HAND and that no one will snatch them from HIM. I also have an extended family now since Wayne and I have married and together we TRUST GOD to hold onto Laura, Amy, and Jennifer and their mates, Brad, Shane and Blake, and their children, Chelsea, Chloe, Gabe, Andie, Reagen, Scott, Tyler and Tanner and little Rylea. Isaiah 54:13 says, "All your children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children." AMEN

There are some really really big problems out there. Not to mention nuclear war, recession, global warming, famines, earthquakes, tornadoes, droughts, etc.........if we really , really think about it, how foolish are we to think we can change any of these things without Our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS. We have no choice than to TRUST HIM with everything. EVERYTHING...........

So, take a deep breath, give it all to GOD, throw HIM a big kiss and thank HIM for all HE has done for you and your family and loved ones and go to bed and get a good night's sleep. After all, tomorrow is another day...............to TRUST AND BELIEVE.......................

LOVE IS

2008-11-30T19:35:00.000-08:00

I Corinthians 13

Love never fails...

Love suffers long and is kind,

Love does not envy;

Love does not parade itself;

Love is not puffed up;

Love does not behave rudely;

Love does not see its own;

Love is not provoked;

Love thinks no evil;

Love does not rejoice in iniquity;

Love rejoices in truth;

Love bears all things;

Love believes all things;

Love hopes all things;

Love endures all things;

Loves never fails;

When I was a child,I spoke as a child;

I understood as a child, I thought as a child;

but when I became a man, I put away childish things;

Abide in faith, hope, love, these three;

but the GREATEST of these is

LOVE!

I painted this on a chest for my grandson

several years ago. My intentions when

I took this picture was to write about all the

cute little things I have painted in the

last 5 years or so. This sweet lady took me

into her painting world and taught me

a little of what she knows.

It opened a whole new world up for me.

I was able topass hours of time by painting.

Then I started giving thingsto friends and family

that I had painted. Helped decorate

a few pieces of furniture etc for my

grandchildren's rooms.

This is the only picture I took of any of

my painted pieces. And as I looked

at it I was so reminded that

this scripture says it all. We must

love.......without love nothing

else matters.

Love is the GREATEST...

Thank you Tena for all the time, energy,

paint, brushes, paint books and advice

you gave to me. It opened a whole

new world up for me. I pray

that God will heal your

hands and that you will be

able to start painting again.

I am trying to teach my little

Tori and Ryley everything

I know about painting................

pass the baton thing ya know.

Love is a mighty great tool to use

when trying to reach people

in the name of the Lord.

THANKSGIVING DAY

2008-11-27T17:39:00.001-08:00

Welcome to our world!

I am so glad that my cousin Donna Lynn and her husband decided to try and have a Family Thanksgiving Dinner on Aunt Vestelle's side of the tree. As I mentioned earlier, Aunt Vestelle is the last of the siblings in her family. There was Uncle Jack who lived in Chicago, Uncle Junior who lived in Baton Rouge, Aunt Lorene, Aunt Evelyn and my mother, Audrey , all of Baton Rouge for most of their lives. Seems as though our pictures are getting smaller and smaller. All the branches that stem from this tree have spread and gone in so many directions that we will probably never get them all together at the same time .
Sam represented Aunt Lorene's family, I represented my mother's family, Audrey, Donna and Opal represented there mom, Aunt Vestelle, and Bernita and Jackie, Aunt Evelyn. Bart my brother who lives in Arkansas was not able to come and Jerry, Sam's brother was not able to come. So we find it is getting harder and harder to have these little get-to-gethers....
We had a great day, the food was plentiful and wonderful and we got some great pictures to help with the memories when our children and grandchildren are looking trying to figure out who all these strangers are. We have so much to be thankful for. My sister, Brenda went to be with the Lord several years ago and we all miss her dearly. Sixteen children came from these 6 siblings, and from that came more than 21 grandchildren, I lost count. I am sure that my brother Bart or Sam is going to write me and correct me on this. ha ha
My point is.......we have to work at staying close to each other and keeping up with what is going on in each other's lives. Today was a good day to do some catching up and renewing friendships and being reminded how blessed we are indeed.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

2008-11-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

My goodness I can not believe it has been a month

since I have written. Wayne and I have just

returned from the Smokey Mtns. where we go to

visit my children and grandchildren. It would be hard to try

to fill in all that has been going on so I will just take

this time to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving

with your families. We will be having lunch with family

on my mother's side. Aunt Vestelle is the only sibling

left and her daughter, Donna, has invited all of

us to her home to share Thanksgiving with them. It will

be nice to see everyone again. I guess the last time

I saw everyone was when my mother died 2 years ago

this coming March.

I have so very much to be thankful for. This coming

March I will be 66 years old. When I think back as

much as I am capable of remembering I am reminded

that the good outweighs the bad every time.

So Blessings on all of you and I thank you for

being my friend.

So Precious To Me

2008-10-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Susanne in 1985

Day of Jason's Wedding to Kim

Day at the aquarium

July 4, 2008

One evening in August, 2008

This is the day the Lord has made. I shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Today I have been brought back to memory lane. The place where we sometimes are taken by circumstance not by choice. I awoke this morning with such a heaviness in my heart. At that first eye opening moment I knew that there was something different, unpleasant, but it took me a second to be reminded. Then it came to me. A couple in our church had been notified of the death of their son. He had been killed in a car accident in Chicago and had died on the operating table. Our prayers are with this family as they travel down this long, lonely, painful road.

I am always so touched whenever I hear about someone that is having to go through such loss and pain. If you remember when I started to blog at the very beginning it was to help me remember things that I just pushed aside after my daughter, Susanne, died. It is such a lonely, painful road to travel after you lose a child. I can truly say that by the GRACE of God did I get this far in life.

I am so reminded of the blessings I still have on this earth, Bunni and Jason. There is no way I can describe the love I have for these two grown children of mine. I thank God every day for blessing me with them. In return they have blessed me with wonderful mates and beautiful grandchildren.

I don't know why God allows such tragedy to touch our lives. There are so many trials that we all go through. Some worse than others. Sometimes I try to make sense of some of this but you can't make any sense out of the loss of a child. Only God knows why He has allowed such a thing to occur so therefore we can only trust in God's judgement, even though we may not agree with it.

I do know though, that every time I experience this pain with someone else I am reminded to be so thankful for the children I have still with me. To never take one moment for granted. To tell them often how much I love them, show them as much as I can and be there for them whenever they may need me.

My prayer for Bunni and Jason has been:

MY CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT BY THE LORD AND GREAT

SHALL BE THE PEACE OF MY CHILDREN.....................

Words are inadequate to try to tell them how much I love them. I pray God understands how grateful I am for them. After 22 years of Susanne being gone, I now know that I am closer than ever to seeing her again and I do so look forward to it. But until that day comes, I pray God will give me the wisdom and understanding and love to be all I can be to Bunni and Jason.

TRUST IN ME

2008-10-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

Lean not to your own understanding

But in all your ways acknowledge Him

And He shall direct your path.

This is what came to my mind as I looked at

this tree in our backyard.

Someone had put these concrete hands

and a ceramic blue bird in the tree.

It reminded me of the courage a little

bird must have to jump out of a tree

believing he can fly. But the hands

show a safety net if you will, just in

case he needs encouragement.

"Jump little bird if you wish, and

I will be here to catch you if you fall."

I know that my Jesus has me in

His right hand and that no man

can take me from Him.

What a promise!!!!

Louisiana Art

2008-10-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Moss Covered Trees
Natalbany River, Springfield, La.
Statues abound......
If you will click on each of these pictures
individually
you will truly get a much clearer view. As
Wayne and I were riding around enjoying
the beautiful country side we came upon
this area of Louisiana. Needless to say
I could not let this go by without
capturing the beauty that is in each
picture.
There just isn't
much more I can say to add to this.

Josie Grace

2008-10-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

Celebrating July 4th!!!!!!
My Bestest Friends, Brody and Paisley

I Like My Hair This Way!
This Is Pretty Cool Too!

Everyone says I look like my Mom!!!!

Wa says I have to smell these things!

I love playing outside.........

Isn't this a sweet smile?

This is really a good hair day!!

Well, here goes...........this is the hardest blog I have had

to do. The reason being is Josie Grace and I have

not spent the time together that I have with the other

grandchildren. She has another grandmother that

gets her every chance she can. ha ha I can't say

that I blame her. Josie has this look that makes me

wonder "What in the world is that child thinking?".

She has such a serious look many times and it

is almost like she can read my thoughts. ha ha

Josie and Brody have such a good friendship. They

play so well when they are together. She is one year

older than Brody so she pretty much controls the

rules to any game they may be playing. She got him

to dress up in one of her little princess dresses one day.

Jason took a picture and sent it to his dad, Ken. Needless

to say Ken texted back and said" stop, stop it now".....

So we got them playing something else.

Although she goes in Brody's room and plays trains, and

cars and beats on the drums and plays the guitars.

Her mom is homeschooling her this year. She is in

kindergarten. Kim told me she was so far ahead in

all her lessons already. She is a very smart little girl,

Really she is. When she was much smaller she had

a small security blanket that went every where Josie

went. I sewed that little thing together so many times,

it was just a piece of satin material with stitching

in every direction. Eventually her mom bought her

another one and convinced her to swap with her.

That wasn't easy.

I remember one time Josie was a very sick little

girl and was coughing continuously. She could not

sleep at night. Jason, sat up in a chair and let her

sleep in his lap, several nights in a row until she

was feeling better. He has done this several times

since because of this allergy problem she has. But

the first time he did this he and Josie formed this

special relationship. She is definitely his little

girl..................... That blesses me so when I think

about that.

Ok Josie, how did I do. This lets me know you and

I have got to spend more time together that is

all there is to it. I love you little girl, and miss

you very much. Love

A Special Birdhouse

2008-10-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

Let's play Frisbee Dad!!!

Special Suit of Armor hand made by Ryley, with no pattern and no instructions...........very impressive!

Ryley loves his mom,

I don't know what to paint!!!!!

Exercising...........

Communion Cups from Jesus Tomb

Birdhouse from my grandson Ryley

I just wanted to share this little

house with you. Ryley

made this for me and painted

it before I moved from Tennessee.

We put it outside in hopes a bird

would make a nest in it but no such

luck. The wind blew it down one day

and Wayne picked it up and brought

it inside and glued it back together again.

I decided then that this little house was

too special to leave outside in the weather

so now it sits in our little dining area where

I can see it every day and remember how special

it is because of who gave it to me. Ryley,

thanks Ryley again. Check out the pictures

I have added Ryley. Let me know if this

is enough. You are a very smart young

man and I am proud of you.

I love you and miss you.

WHAT'S IN YOUR HOUSE?

2008-10-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

Duh?
Peace, tranquility, joy, love?
New Beginnings
Cool, Calm
Fancy, Fancy..........

Precious memories

Mission Possible

Dream Come True
Wonderous Blessings of God
God Knows where everyone of these birds are!!!!!

What did you see in these houses at first glance. As soon as you look at one picture you automatically think you know what must be living inside the dwelling. Of course, the bird house, port a potty and barn are pretty self explanatory, even the church one might think is full of perfect, happy saved people. That would be wonderful if it were the truth, but who is to be in a position to make that judgement.
-

As for the other dwellings, they are homes of some of my family members. One of the homes was the home that Wayne's father lived in all his life and no longer stands. A niece's home, a brother in law, a daughter and an apartment. There is also a huge gorgeous home that resembles a castle. Well, sorry to say none of my family or Wayne's live in that mansion.

Sometimes I think we may look at people the same way.

What we see on the outside of a person is not an accurate

picture of that person. Some people are very good at

concealing their emotions from those around them.

So I am going to try to not be so quick to form an

opinion of someone just by the way they

appear on the surface. Everyone

wants to be loved and needed

and forgiven and accepted.

Life is so short on this

earth, I pray I can

spend what time I

have left serving

my Lord in a

way that is

pleasing

to HIM.

-

Whitney #1 in Conference

2008-10-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry Whit, this is the only picture I have but I think

you are ok sharing with your dad and sister.

I am so proud of you to be

#1 in your conference. Even though I don't understand all

the different K E T and whatever those

letters stand for, I know you are good. I am

listing the stats so those interested can go

to the web page and get the stats.

Congratulations, Sweetie, so proud of you.

Waner

# 21 Whitney Turner

Position: MB
Hometown: Jonesborough, TN
Height: 6'2

{

2008 Season Stats
Rankings (1)
Player Highs

2008 All Individuals Stats
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Click on a player name to view their stats.
Select a Category:
Overall
Stats by DakStats 3000 Copyright © Daktronics, Inc.
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Once Again Let's Meet Chase

2008-09-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

"HERE'SSSSSSS CHASE"

I have to apologize to Chase before

I ever get to meet him. I did a little

blog a week or so ago hinting that

I would love to meet this new friend

of Whitney's. Well It accidentally

got deleted and I am so sorry. I am

still learning a little about this

blogging. Sometimes for no rhyme or reason

things just disappear.

Anyway, dear Chase I still anxiously

await to meet you. I understand

you think Whitney is as sweet and pretty

as I do. I would say you have excellent

taste. Have a great day.

My Baby Tree

2008-09-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

I get such a great feeling every

time I see this beautiful tree.

I picked up about 8 little pods that were just

sprouting about 6 years ago and transplanted

them in Bun and Ken's flower bed of their new

homeat the time. A year later about 3 of them

had survived and needed to be transplanted

again. This tree is about 25 feet tall now and

putsout some wonderful shade. When we are

outside and the kids are playing we all

enjoy the shade that this tree puts out.

I actually feel that I gave birth to this

lovely tree and take a certain amount of

pride in it every time I look at it.

It was a little quarter inch pod when I

planted it and now look at it. God's Word is

like that sort of. You takejust a few words

and plant them into someones spirit and

eventually it just grows and grows

and starts reaching out and covering

someone else with it's wisdom and

power. God says His Word does not return

void, Also that His Word is our sword.

I guess we need to keep His Word

close to our heart ready

to speak it at a moments notice.

A Blast Into The Past

2008-09-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

Random pictures from the past...........

These pictures cover a wide range of time and places. I am very limited to the pictures I have access to on my computer. I tried to pick out some from my earlier years with the children to the latter ones with my mom, sister, brother and grandchildren. I have lived in many places in my life and it seems that pictures are a good way to help me remember some of those places.

-I guess that is what life is, a constant moving of physical locations and spiritual levels of growth. If any of us are the same spiritually today as we were 20 years ago or 5 years ago I think we have missed something. -

When I think of where I was in the beginning of my spiritual life it takes me back to a little bitty church in Baton Rouge. Mission Drive Church of Christ. I only remember little bitty churches when I was little. This church only had about 40 benches, 20 on each side. And that is probably bigger than it actually was. You know how things looked much larger when we were small than they actually were.

I don't have many good memories of my childhood religious days in church. I remember rules, rules and more rules. I don't remember any joyous occasions of worshiping the Lord or any sermons that just brought me to tears when learning what Jesus had done for ME. There was lots of sadness on the faces of everyone that I can remember. We didn't pray to God for healing of physical bodies or financial healing for families that were having a hard time making it. As I recall we were all pretty much in the same boat, living from day to day.

My whole family went to this little church. Grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. My father did not go because he was an alcoholic and just didn't get much out of that little church building. A lot of criticism and judgemental stares and lots of condemnation.

My mother was a very very strict lady of the church. Nothing came before the church. Notice! I said the church, not God, not Jesus who was very seldom mentioned by name............THE CHURCH came first.

My mother died HOPING she would go to heaven, never knowing if she had done enough, believed enough, repented enough, given enough. She truly thought you had to work your way into heaven. That just believing that Jesus died for you and gave His life for you is what saved you was ridiculous. To just believe that HE did that could not possibly be enough to save you. And to be taught that I was one of the very few blessed ones to be going to heaven while millions and millions of people were not because they did not go the THE CHURCH I went to. But then again I was never sure if I was going to heaven either because I didn't "work" hard enough" Duh........................................

We want to raise our children to be better than we were, to be more than we were and are. WE want to uphold ourselves as being all knowing and all righteous and having all the answers. We want to control what our children have access to and what they hear and see. Oh that is in the church though, otherwise we let them watch tv, have free access to computers, all types of music that we cannot even understand the words to, go places we don't know about, hang out with friends that we know nothing about or their families. Truth is our children do need to hear about JESUS, not just the things we have had taught to us since we were children. God forgive me for the things I passed onto my children before HE showed me that HE did not live in a box and that HE did not need me to make up rules and regulations for his children to follow. A church is only as perfect as the people that sit on its pews................................so therefore I would say there are no perfect churchs

I grew up never knowing if I had a chance to go to heaven. Always feeling guilty of everything and never ever feeling "Forgiven" or even hearing about God's Grace or His Mercy.

It truly breaks my heart when I think of all the little ones that are being taught this same theology today. God is a just God, certainly. He holds us accountable for unconfessed sin certainly. BUT...............He loves us and His mercy and GRACE is sufficient to save us and KEEP us saved regardless of how much we work (which I would love for someone to define for me exactly WHAT kind of work is acceptable and worthy of salvation).

I knew all the scriptures, all the arguments, I could hold my own with anyone that DID NOT go to THE CHURCH! I did not know how to share the love of Jesus or how to help someone find their way to the CROSS, to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. I only knew how to tell someone how wrong they were and that they were going to hell unless they believed as I did. May God please forgive me for such arrogance.

Everyone has the right which God gave them to believe what they want. Free choice it is called. I do know that I missed a lifetime of beautiful music, worshiping music, praising music. Thank you Lord for opening the door for me and leading me out into YOUR WORLD.

If we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and SAVIOUR and believe why he died for us then we will love HIM with all our heart and want to serve Him everyday for the rest of our lives. And IF we mess us (which we will I promise you) He is ready to forgive us, love us and remember those sins no more. As far as the East is from the West...........a new slate every time after we confess and repent......No this does not give us an open door to go sin. If we love our Lord we will not want to sin, but we are human and we will sin. Just as you are willing to forgive your child when they mess up our FATHER is ready and willing to forgive us, pick us up and give us those new mercies He talks about,,,,,,,,,,,every morning.

So I can certainly tell that I have come a long way spiritually. No I know I have not reached perfection, all knowing! That would be arrogant on my part to believe I had reached perfection. Heaven forbid! And there are some of you, possibly MANY of you that have not experienced the gifts of the spirit that God tells us about in His Word. Never think you know it all, never stop asking God to show you more of HIM....and NEVER think that you have done too much wrong, sinned too bad, moved too far to the left. I promise God knew you would do that before you were born. HE loves you and has a purpose for you. Trust Him.

Alma, This Blog Is For You

2008-09-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Houston before "Ike"

I just wanted to take this time to share some pictures with all my family and friends that read this little blog faithfully. Wayne and I visited with Alma and Les and their family about two months ago in Houston. Alma is Wayne's sister. We had such a wonderful time. The places that are seen in this blog all except the family picture were taken in Galveston. Alma tells us that these places do not exist any longer. That is so sad. I am so glad that I took these pictures. Her two daughters Connie and Toni both suffered great loss in their homes from the storms. I would like to ask anyone reading this to please keep Alma and Les and their family in your prayers. There are thousands of people that have suffered tremendously from these last two hurricanes.

Alma is such a sweety. Complain she hasn't, moaned and asked "why me or mine" she hasn't, cried and wanted to give up she hasn't. She is one tough lady who just keeps on "going" like the little bunny rabbit on tv. If ever there was a story to tell she could tell it. I am not sure how long ago but she had a kidney transplant after being on dialysis for a long time. She is a diabetic and on insulin continuously. She has a heart of gold, will forgive anyone for anything and most of all loves the Lord with all her heart. Wayne and I thank God for putting Alma and Les into our lives and we treasure their friendship dearly. Family is a very very important thing. Don't let things or situations separate you from the ones that truly love you. Wayne and Alma were separated for many years. Without Wayne's knowledge Alma was asked to get out of Wayne's life and leave him alone. She tried to contact him many times after that but the letters never reached him nor did the phone calls. Wayne has now been reunited to his precious little sister and is so thankful that she understands and forgives him. We wish them the very best and pray for a quick recovery for all of their family in Houston. God Bless you .......................

A NEW MORNING

2008-09-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

What a statement! God's mercies are new every morning..........

Sometimes we just have to open the blinds and look out to see them.

This was what I saw when I looked out this morning. A beautiful sunrise behind some beautiful pine trees and oaks.

Then to my surprise my precious little humming bird came up to say good morning. I was again reminded how blessed I was. God has given me another day.

I sure hope I can be all He wants me to be today.

beauty

2008-09-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks Doc

2008-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

I am sure all of you recognize Bunnie and Ken, my daughter and son-in-law. We have just returned from spending 3 weeks at their home. I can't tell you how nice it is to have a doctor in the house. Since Ken is a trauma doctor he doesn't get excited or into doctoring unless it looks really life threatening so when any of us have this awful cold or back ache he is very sympathetic. But then he is ready to go on with what we were doing. lol I mean this in the nicest way. Until you stop and watch you may not realize how often Ken is asked something about helping someone with headache, muscle ache, tummy ache, tooth ache, constipation, diarehea, pain here and a pain there. I would be nuts if I had that many people asking me questions about sickness and pain. Of course, that is what doctors do but most of them have set hours and an office or hospital. Our dear Ken is ON CALL all the time it seems. He gets phone calls from every where, friends he has known for years that live way off asking his opinion regarding a health issue. He goes to watch my granddaughter play her volleyball games in college and he ends up taking care of the whole team, on both sides sometimes. lol So that is why I can see that he and Bunnie need to get out of town and just DISAPPEAR so to speak. He was in Hawaii on vacation and got phone calls from home asking for medical advise from people that did not realize he was out of the country. He is not the kind of person that just doesn't answer his telephone either. He feels that God has blessed him with a gift and he wants to be of assistance whenever he can. So if any of you know Ken you know what I am saying is truth, and if you don't know him you need to get to know him. He is a fine young doctor who loves my daughter and grandchildren and takes wonderful care of them. I have truly been blessed by him and thank God everyday for him as well as everyone else in my family. God is good indeed.

MANY GIFTS FROM GOD

2008-09-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

"BEAUTIFUL CROSS"

"TENNESSEE SUNSET'

I found both of these pictures to be so encouraging to

me as I looked up. This cross is on the highway going into

Knoxville and the sunset was seen in Bunnie and Ken's

backyard as we were all outside playing volleyball with

the children. God is always showing me things that just

take my breath away sometimes. The cross was man made

but makes such an awesome statement reminding me what

Jesus did for ME............And the sunset was a gift to ME from

God showing me how great HE is. Thank you Lord for all

the gifts you have given ME...............

From the Mountains to the Swampland

2008-09-16T07:34:00.001-07:00

Sharing some fun times together...............

Well we finally have made it back to Baton Rouge after about 3 weeks. I am just sharing a few of the pictures that I took while I was in Tennessee with my family. We had planned this trip months ago so it just worked out that we were gone during the terrible weather here in Baton Rouge. I was reminded so strongly of how blessed we all were safe in the Smokey Mountains while those here in southern Louisiana and Houston Texas were praying for the protection of their families and homes while the Hurricanes.......Gustav and Ike made their way through the south. There are a million trees standing on this road we live on and it looks like a million have fallen. I am sure the expense of cleaning up all the fallen trees and roof damages to homes is going to be extensive. We missed all the lack of electricity and ice and air conditioning not to mention trying to find a service station that had gasoline or a grocery store open just to buy a bottle of water. Sometimes the silver lining in all this is that Wayne and I have only been married for a year and have acquired very little materially. So we did not have to fight the fears of losing a lifetime of material things acquired while reaching the good ole age of 65. We are renting so we did not have to be concerned about having to take care of major damages done to our home or replacing furniture and other belongings because we have very little. It never has been a problem for either of us that we did not have a lot of THINGS. We are just so happy to have found each other and happiness that all the other just never was an issue. But we do sympathize with all those that have suffered a lot of damage and loss. We know they have worked many years to have what they have and it is only right that they grieve over the loss they have suffered. I remember when my house burned to the ground in 1989 in Prentiss, Ms. I went through many emotions. Susanne had died 4 years prior to this so the loss of our home was a big loss but it didn't come close to the loss of Susanne. I guess that is what has helped me to put into perspective the importance of life and things. I would have loved to have taken all my family and loved ones that were here in Baton Rouge and Walker and others close by with us to the safe haven of Tennessee. But I know that is not possible. Some stayed here and spent the complete time ministering to others after the storm had passed. The aftermath is probably tougher than the actual storm in many ways. So our prayers are with all of you that are still recovering from the awful storms. Please call on Wayne and I if there is anything we can do to help any of you.

Blessed Indeed

2008-09-08T07:59:00.001-07:00

We are truly blessed!!!

We have been remembering all our friends and family back in South Louisiana these past two weeks. Wayne and I came here to be with my grandchildren while my daughter and her husband went to see my oldest granddaughter play a volley ball tournament in San Diego, Ca. The timing was really good for us because we escaped having to deal with the everyday aftermath of a hurricane. The storm is bad enough but the afterwards, the no electricity, no air conditioning or being able to cook or go to the grocery store or even buy gasoline for you car. Even though we were thankful we did not have to endure the hardship we have been remembering all of you everyday.

Now we hear there may be another one on the way. Hard to believe that it would hit Louisiana again but only God knows where it will hit. I do not know what our plans are for the next week, we will just have to wait and see as the next few days go by. If there is anything we can bring back down there that you are not able to get now please let us know. We continue to keep you all in our prayers. If there is anything we can do as we travel back to Louisiana please let us know. I am not sure how hard it is to get anything right now. God Bless all of you. We love you, LaJuanah and Wayne

Pray For Those In the Storms Path

2008-08-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

God Bless Our Loved Ones

Wayne and I have been here in the Smokey Mountains for 3 days and will be here another week or so. We did not know that a hurricane was coming and heading towards Baton Rouge at the time we left Baton Rouge. This trip has been planned for about 2 months.

Since we have been here at Bunni's we have found out that a dangerous storm by the name of Gustav is making it's way towards the southern Louisiana coastline. We feel so helpless because we are so far away. Sam, my cousin, has notified us that our church, Greenwell Springs Baptist Church , has been notified by the Red Cross that they will not be able to house 800 evacuees as they had planned because they themselves are in the major path of this dangerous storm. They are so disappointed because they wanted so much to assist their friends and neighbors in the southern area as best they could.

I have several cousins and an aunt that live just outside of Baton Rouge and all of Wayne's children and grandchildren live just outside of Hammond. They had all decided to stay at their homes and make the best preparations they possibly know how to make.

I also have family in southern Mississippi and do not know if they are in harm's way or not.

So I am asking all of you to be in prayer for all those that are in the path of this storm. If you have ever stayed and sat out one of those hurricanes you know the anguish and anxieties and fears that you experience.

Thank you so much for remembering all those in this storm and if you are able to assist in any way now or after the storm I know it will be greatly appreciated. God Bless All Of You.........

LET IT GO

2008-08-26T02:49:00.000-07:00

Has there ever been a situation in your life that you just could not accept? Something that would just cling to your mind and not let go? Most of us think that we cannot control our thought process, but that is far from the truth. Just another lie from the devil. We have as much control over our thoughts as we do what we speak from our mouth. It is a choice.
In Phillippians 4:8 God tells us "Whatever is Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Think On These Things". He is telling us we have a choice, we can choose to stay in the pit of unforgiveness and anger or grief or we can by the Grace of God put our mind on these things He tells us about.
My son-in-law, Ken, sent this to Wayne and I this morning at 1:28 a.m . and I read it at 4:30 a.m. I guess we were both having trouble sleeping.
I wish I had thought of this but the credit goes to T. D. Jakes. For those of you who don't know of him or approve of him I hope you can put your opinion of him aside long enough to read this. There is great wisdom in these words I think. God can inspire any of us to write things................

"LET IT GO"

There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you,> loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see> you,> staying attached to you.> I mean hang up the phone

When people can walk away from you let them walk.> Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.>

> People leave you because they are not joined to you.> And if they are not joined to you, you can' t make them stay.> Let them go.> > >

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person,> it just means that their part in the story is over.> And you've got to know when people's> part in your story is over so that you> don't keep trying to raise th e dead.> >

> You've got to know when it's dead.> You've got to know when it's over.> Let me tell you something> I've got the gift of good-bye.> It's the tenth spiritual gift,> I believe in good-bye.>

> > It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm> faithful,> and I know whatever God means for me to have> He'll give it to me.> And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it.> Stop begging people to stay.> Let them go!!> >

> If you are holding on to something> that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for> your life,> then you need to ..LET IT GO!!!>

> If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...>
LET IT GO!!!> > If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and> see your worth...>
LET IT GO!!!>

> If someone has angered you ...
> LET IT GO!!!>

> If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge> ..>
LET IT GO!!!>

> If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction> ...>
LET IT GO!!!>

> I f you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your> needs or> talents ..>
LET IT GO!!!>

> If you have a bad attitude...
> LET IT GO!!!>

> If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...>
LET IT GO!!!>

> If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take> you to a new> level in Him...>
LET IT GO!!!>

> If you are struggling with the healing of a broken> relationship....> LET IT GO!!!>

> If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try> to help> themselves..> LET IT GO!!!>

> If you're feeling depressed and stressed .>
LET IT GO!!!>

> If there is a particular situation that you are so used to> handling> yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of> it,' then you need> to...LET IT GO!!!>

> Let the past be the past.> Forget the former things.> GOD is doing a new thing for 2008 !!!>
LET IT GO!!!>

> Get Right or Get Left ... think about it, and then>
LET IT GO!!!> >

> 'The Battle is the Lord's!'>

> During the next 60 seconds, Stop whatever you are doing,> and take this> opportunity. (Literally it is only One minute!) All you> have to do is the> following:

You simply say 'The Lords Prayer' for> someone you love .

The Lords Prayer>

> Our Father,> who art in Heaven,>
Hallowed be Thy Name,>
Thy Kingdom Come,>
Thy Will be done,>
on Earth as it is in Heaven.>
Give us this day,> our daily bread>
and forgive us our trespasses>
as we forgive those who trespass against us.>
And lead us not into temptation>
but deliver us from evil.>
For Thine is the Kingdom,>
and the Power,>
and the Glory,> forever.>
> Amen.>

Guess Who Is Playing The Violin?

2008-08-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

This modern technology is absolutely wonderful. I clicked on my computer and saw that my daughter, Bunni was on so I did the "Instant Messenger" thing and wa-la-------we were looking at each other on the screen and talking. That just amazes me. She called Brody over to the computer and he showed me his new violin. He is only 4 years old but he has always shown great interest in any kind of musical instrument, drums, horns, guitars and especially violins. He is now taking violin lessons and doing great. When I listen to the news now and I hear all the problems that is going on with Russia I just thank God for allowing this precious child to get out of that country before it shuts the doors again. Bunni and Ken have had Brody since he was 6 months old. I cannot tell you what a blessing Brody has been to all of us. The process was long, expensive and very time consuming on the part of Bunni and Ken. They went through many interviews, had to give all sorts of information on themselves and the rest of the family, two trips to Russia for about 2 weeks each trip.
I was not too eager for them to add another to the fold but now I thank God they did not listen to me. It is always better to follow God when He is speaking than your mom, always. I just wanted to share these few little pictures with all of you. There are many other children in Russia that are waiting to be adopted. I pray that they will be able to leave that country before a war really breaks out.

Unconditional Love..............

2008-08-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

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I don't know if all of you remember or have even been with me since I started this blog as to the reason I started doing this writing.

I started writing hoping to shock my memory back into action so I could go back to those days of my youth and teen years and early years of motherhood. It has all been so sketchy since Susanne died. For 28 years I never much wanted to go back because the pain has been so terrific. But since Wayne and I married I have wanted to try to remember those days that we shared together because I know they must have been good times. Except for when he broke up with me.

-Anyway, I have been having a ball taking pictures with our digital camera that Wayne's children gave us for Christmas. This morning I started looking back into those pictures and I have been so overwhelmed with the love I see just bursting out of those pictures.

As I looked at each one of these pictures I saw beautiful people that I love and have loved all my life. Everyone of these special people have been such an important part of my life at some point.

-We tend to automatically love all those that we have known all our life and are family. Well what has touched me so while looking at these pictures is the love I see that they all have for Wayne. Most of them, my family especially, have only known him a year. They know very little of his past, only what I have told them or that he has shared with them. Wayne is very modest about talking about his past so the information my children have about him is mimimum. When he does talk much it is usually about his children or grandchildren. Sometimes fishing........ha ha

-This article is not meant to bypass Wayne's grandchildren or children. I can only write about my family, I know them best. As you look at everyone of these pictures please know that I love them dearly and think they are wonderful, but I also know that none of them are perfect. I know that is why when they look at someone; they dont expect perfection, just honesty and trueness (if that is a word).

-They do not judge each other nor have they judged Wayne and I, they have received us both with open arms and helped us in this new life we have ventured out on. I understand there are those that do not feel the same way and they have that right. Some things take time and hopefully they will have how ever much time they need to accept this new path we are now on.

- It is amazing how instantly my children and grandchildren have taken to Wayne. It amazes me. I do believe they can see something in Wayne that is inward, a sincereness to want to love and just be loved. He certainly makes no demands on any of them and in return they do not demand anything of him.

There is something to be said about respect........RESPECT. I believe when we choose to think ourselves better than others that gives us the right to judge others and be disrespectful or rude. We all have the right to disagree and most of the time we do. But we do not have the right to make someone feel less than what God has made them to be. Only God has the choice of passing judgement on anyone.

To love unconditional means to love no matter what. WE dont have to approve of every thing one does but we do have to love them. I can truly say that my children have loved me through it all.................and there has been a great amount of ALL. It took me years to get to the point that I could function like a sane person after Susanne died. Jason was eight years old at the time and I shudder to think of the days and nights that I was wrapped up in my blanket of pain and emptiness. Bunnie had married and moved to her new home with her new husband trying to start a new life after just loosing her only sister. Their father had gone on with his own life trying to survive the only way he knew how and Jason and I were at home alone. Two years later his father had a heart attack and had open heart surgery. Three years later our house burned to the ground and not only did Jason lose a sister, and a sister move away from home and his father worked off; he lost everything materially that he owned. I would say that this was definately a hard time for him. Then when he became 21 his parents were separated and eventually divorced. He could have just said to heck with it.........but God kept His hand on Jason. Thank you Jesus.

Jason and Bunnie had just as many needs as I did but I was not in a position to help them. That is how I know that God's Grace is sufficient, He does carry us when we are not able to carry ourselves or our loved ones. I dont often go where I find myself this morning. I just know how much I love my friends and children for loving me through all my mistakes and sins. Nothing in the world could ever make me not love my family, we need each other to survive in this world.

Bunnie as I mentioned in my earlier blog about her has been so loving and understanding to me. She has such a sweet , tender heart and wants only to be a good wife and mother and child of God. She appreciates the fact that she has a husband that loves her and children that love her. She appreciates the fact that God has blessed her with a brother who she loves dearly and that loves her very much.

Jason and Bunnie have a wonderful relationship with each other. I picture all these strings leading out from each one of my family members and God holding the other end. Bunnie and Jason know that it takes everyone to watch the others to be sure none of those strings slip out and float away. I thank God for the love Bunnie and Jason have for each other. Bunnie has such a depth about her when it comes to understanding people. She has always from day one seen something in Wayne that surprised me. It is almost like she can look within and see the heart of someone. In the case of Wayne she has been right.

-- Jason sent me an email last night that just brought tears to my eyes. It is so hard to see the depth of someone until they actually put it into writing. I know God is blessing Jason in more ways than I can begin to imagine. I can remember the nights in Dallas, Texas that I lay face down crying out to God to touch my son and bless him. There were several scriptures I would speak over him several times a day out loud, ...............I have always known God had a plan for Jason and I thank Him for letting me live long enough to see it.

A man brought a big rock to Sunday School a couple of weeks ago. On this rock it simply said...........Who will be the first to throw this stone? I am sure I have been a part at some point in my earlier life that I was a stone thrower, may God forgive me.

Sam and Karen have been such true loyal christian friends and we will always be forever grateful for their love and understanding. God is surely in their lives and we are so happy for them. I want to thank them for their prayers and love they have shown us. It is so nice to see Sam and Wayne being back where they can enjoy each others friendship.

Wayne and Alma have been reunited after many years of separation. Alma has a heart bigger than anyone I have ever known. She truly loves deeply and forgives and loves unconditionally. Alma has always loved her big brother and she is such an inspiration to him now. No matter how long the separation nothing can destroy the true love of a brother and sister. Thank you Jesus for that.

I have a son-in-law that has absolutely been wonderful to me and now he is the same with Wayne. He realizes the importance of family and does more than his share to try to keep all the strings connected. He has a desire to please God and to serve Him. He loves my daughter with a great intense love. He has been a wonderful husband and father and I love and respect him so.

I have a daughter in law that is so sweet and loves my son with all her heart. Together they have struggled through some things that the devil has tried to throw at them but both Kim and Jason realize where the arrows are coming from and together they call on the Lord to sustain them and deliver them. They understand the power of the blood of Jesus and His name!

-Well, this has certainly gotten out of hand this morning. I truly am writing my heart into this computer. I am so proud of all my immediate family and friends for loving Wayne even though they have only known him for a short while. And thank them for loving me for all the years they have known me. I am sure each one of them has played a part in keeping me close to God and reminding me how very very blessed I am. And if any of you have read this to the end, I hope that some small something will remind you to tell someone how special they are and to try to remember no more the things God has already forgiven them for after they asked Him for forgiveness.

What Do You See?

2008-08-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS PICTURE?

At first glance I just saw a mangled ole tree that was almost dead.
But then as I looked closer I saw green growing out at the tips of the branches. Then I saw something that resembled the face of a duck on the branch protruding from the center of the tree. Then I saw this silly stick person with hands and legs stretched out in all directions trying to run. There is something about this picture that just makes me smile. I guess maybe that is what it looks like to get old and running around in all directions, sort of straggly looking. This picture was taken at the State Capital Building grounds.
This picture made me think of how often we look at something first glance and just see a person that is tired and worn out. But if we will take a few more seconds we may see a person that has put in many many years of time and love and understanding into lots of people. The outside may be worn but the inside is beautiful. And in reverse the outside can be beautiful and the inside be in ruins. I am sure there is a scripture that fits the picture I am trying to paint here.
I was picturing Susanne with her little birthmark on her face. It covered half her face and most of the top and back of her head. When she was little it was so obvious. It was a deep dark red color. At first glance people would stare but as they got to know her it became almost invisible. They could see the little girl on the inside instead of the ugly birthmark on the outside.
Sometimes I think we need reminding to be a little more sensitive to those that seem to have more to deal with then we do. Overcoming any physical appearance or handicap is difficult to say the least. Most of the time those are the most beautiful.

This Is The Day The Lord Has Made

2008-08-19T05:21:00.001-07:00

This is the day the Lord has made

I will rejoice and be glad in it........

If you have been watching the news the past few days

you are certainly aware of all the tension and unrest

in the world. Each one of us has so many loved ones

and needs to pray for I know. I hope that we will

all be able to find time to pray for our nation and

our soldiers that are in harms way at this time.

I have a grandson in Afghanistan and 2 nephews

that are in the military that could at some

point this year be sent over to the middle east.

I pray God will have mercy on this nation

and forgive us of our sins and bless us

once again.

WHO AM I? WHO ARE YOU?

2008-08-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt most all of you have heard the beautiful song by Casting Crowns, "Who Am I?"

The first words are "Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to know my hurt
Who am I that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am
But because of what YOU"VE done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who YOU are............

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind

Still you hear me when I' m calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am YOURS, I am YOURS

My sister, Brenda, heard this song right after she found out that
she had cancer. This song spoke to her so personally. I know Brenda knew that the Lord was with her during her walk with death. The last words to this song is............Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am YOURS
I am YOURS..........

Most of the time we identify ourselves as.......someones wife or husband, someones mother or father, or some one's grandmother or grandfather, or by our occupation if we happen to have one like:
President, teacher, preacher, accountant, doctor or lawyer. But do we think often enough of WHO WE REALLY ARE IN THE EYES of GOD?
This is the true identity we should all be concerned about.

Everyday I have to take inventory of myself and then face my GOD and talk it over with HIM. I want the slate to be wiped clean when HE comes for me. I don't want to have any unconfessed sins in my life, so I daily go to my Lord and ask forgiveness. Why do I feel the need to do this you may ask? Well, I pretty much know who I am. I am a sinner saved by GRACE who is capable of sinning. I try very hard to keep it clean but then the ole "thought process" kicks in. Remembering faults or hurts, rehashing in my mind old conversations or moments of gossiping or forgetting to be kind or not being willing to forgive someone.

It is easier to be Bunnie's mother or Ryley's grandmother or Brenda or Bart's sister than it is to be just plain ole me.........LaJuanah. I think it is important for us to stop and remember WHO WE ARE...........and then remember WHO HE IS...............

As I watched Brenda leave all of us that loved her so very much, I also knew that in a second she was with Jesus, and Susanne and now my mother is with them. Our pastor preached this morning on how glorious the passing of a loved one that knows Jesus. We miss them terribly but I would never ask God to send them back to this ole earth again. I pray that if any of you reading this do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour that you will ask Him to be just that. He loves you more than anyone and HE knows exactly WHO YOU ARE.