ringing in the New Year...

The kids and I are attending an awesome worship conference. There is no better way to bring in the new year. The Lord has met us here in an incredible way. Over and over He is ministering to each of us. I am learning to hear His voice. He asked me to go to a quiet place and He would speak to me and oh how He did. I will blog more later on the contents of that conversation.

Don't put God in some religious box, HE wants to be your friend, He wants to LOVE you like noone else can.

More later.

Robin

busy time of year...

I know that life will not slow down until after the new year. The kids and I have been busy, but enjoying each other. Going to ballgames, studying for exams and trying to do some Christmas shopping. I knew this was going to be a hard time of year and it has had its moments. But God is allowing me to find the joy in the season. CHRISTmas is about the beginning of eternal life. The birth of our Lord and Savior and the beginning of all things new. God's new covenant was being made with man. The other day I was thinking of George's actual death, I felt the Lord prompting me not to focus on George's actual dying, but to focus on his eternal life which he is enjoying now. It has helped because the thought of death has finality and regret in it, but thinking on George living out his eternal life brings joy to my heart. I have learned that much of the healing process in grieving is about perspective, it is about a choice. God empowers us to make the choice to see things His way or we can choose to lock ourselves into torment, grief, and unexplainable emptiness. I want to choose the way of life, the way that brings our Lord glory, and when we make the choice the power to walk it out is available.

I love you all. Have a very blessed Christmas and enjoy your families and friends. Keep them close and let them know how you feel about them. Speak it, demonstrate it. Time is short and I know you want them to know how much you love them.

Robin

wow....

The Women's Discovery Weekend was incredible. There were some difficult moments during the weekend but I think that is why God wanted me to be there to aid in the grieving process and coming to grips with the fact that God can truly be my everything. He is able to meet every need and is there at all times. It was good to be on a Discovery Weekend again. It has been three years since I have been involved on one of these retreats.

I led worship, and before one of the session I felt led to share about what our family had gone through over the past two years and give God the glory for His faithfulness. Later that evening a lady approached me and asked if my husband and I owned a rent house and I said yes. Well her sister-in-law rented that house from us for over a year. She was a faithful reader of this blog. One time she printed a story George posted and gave it to her family. Well the lady on the weekend received it and was telling me how God used it to change many of their lives. That was such a God moment. So encouraging. God let me know that He knows right where I am. Every step of this journey is being led by Him.

Robin

hello...

It was a great weekend. Church was awesome and we heard a great sermon. Pastor preached on no longer being under condemnation. It was great.

I have just agreed to lead worship at the Women's Discovery Weekend this weekend. Someone had to step down due to an automobile accident and I got the phone call last night. I am real excited about serving on this weekend looking forward to what God has in store. Please pray for us this weekend if you think about us. God is great in doing what He wants to do. Three or four weeks ago a friend told me,"This next Discovery weekend is going to be powerful and your going to be part of it." I let her know that the team was already in place but I was praying about getting involved again maybe next fall. During the night last night I awoke to her voice in my mind saying what she had told me three weeks ago. I then thought, God you do have a way of getting our attention. I will write more later about the weekend.

Please pray,
Robin

TGIF....

Well another week has come and gone. Time seems to be running faster and faster. We will soon be approaching 2008. It seems like we just brought in 2007. It is so true the older you get the quicker time seems to be flying.

The girls lost their game last night so they don't have to play again until Saturday morning. And it seems we may be done in time to watch the LSU football game. Three more weeks of school and out for two weeks. WOW the joys of teaching. There is nothing like the schedule.

Wednesday night at church was awesome. The Lord ministered to our hearts like only He can. How sweet it is. What do people do that only depend on religion. Jesus is a living, breathing person, He chooses to live in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks pastor for your sensitivity to the Spirit. Our Father just wants relationship. Plain and simple it is about relationship. Reading His word and just spending time with Him.

Have a great weekend. Get some rest and as George always said go somewhere and worship God.

Robin

busy week...

Well this week has started our pretty busy. An away basketball game, church and a tournament this weekend. At least the tournament is at home. No traveling. Today has been a rather lonely day. I just have a sense of loneliness. Only God can help me with that. I have reminded myself several times that the Holy Spirit lives in me and is as close as the mention of His name. And fortunately, He has helped me through. So many times we want to lean on the arm of the flesh and try to find a person to fill the spots in our lives that God so desires to fill. And many times if we look to Him, He will send people to help us out. That is so much better than us trying to seek out things in the flesh to fill the void. Shopping, eating, and many other activities can fill the time but it doesn't fill the void. Only God can come in and be everything for us. A friend that sticks closer than a brother, an ever present help in time of trouble, a refuge, a shelter, a hiding place, a father to the fatherless, a husband to the widow, so many things He is able to be if we will let him. Thanks for listening, I pray in some way these thoughts minister. Be blessed.

Robin

faithful....

Over the last few days God has been dealing with me about HIS faithfulness. I think back to this time last year. George was doing well, we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving together as a family and we were enjoying the life that God had given us to live. It was easy with George to live life daily and to the fullest because his hopes and trust was placed fully in God's ability to see us through. Oh and how God has seen us through. Each day brings with it new challenges, opportunities to trust God. We have choices to make in those moments. We can become inwardly focused on the problems before us or we can lift our eyes to the hills to where our help comes from. If I have learned anything over the last two years it is that Our Lord will catch us if we just abandon and fall on Him. Our circumstances may not change or they may become worse but in the end we can be held if we just let go and fall on Him. His arms are big enough, His catch is gentle, and He holds on oh so tight. A love like this is rarely understood when things are going well and we don't have to place our dependency anywhere. But when our world is rocked and tossed and turned, we can know that there is a solid place to secure our feet and our faith and that is the ROCK our faithful Father. I know this to be true I am not just spouting off truth that hasn't been tested. I have tested it. It is real. It is solid. Let go my friend and find yourself held in big, gentle arms. There is no other place I would rather be.

Robin

Thanksgiving...

Well we are in the middle of basketball. Tomorrow will finish the tournaments for a while. We will be having Thanksgiving Dinner with my parents and George's mom and dad are coming in to celebrate it with us.

Although life can take a drastic change and we can find ourselves in the midst of unbelieveable circumstances if we cast our cares on the Lord he can sustain us. I have daily lived the provision of that promise. There is a comfort in the Lord that sustains. Also when we look to the things in our lives that we are thankful for it keeps tradgedy in perspective. I am so thankful for my kids, my extended family, my job at Hosanna, my students, the roof over my head, my church, my pastor and his wife, the body at Hosanna First Assembly, my friends, my salvation, eternal life, forgiveness of sin, health, knowing Jesus as a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Thanksgiving---we must be quick to GIVE THANKS it keeps us mindful of God's provision.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving...Don't eat too much enjoy your families.

Robin

ball games...

Lauren's team won their game Tues. Starting tonight she will be playing 7 days straight, two tournaments back to back. As we stay busy with sports we still take the time to love on each other, reminisce about George, and allow the Lord to keep us comforted. Pastor's sermon was so good last night and the presence of the Lord was so rich. I am here to tell you that the Lord can be experienced in a very real way. His comfort at times is tangible and His peace is like a blanket. Thank you all for your continued prayers and know that I am also praying for you. There are many needs in our body at Hosanna and we are a family lifting each other up.

Robin

home again...

We are home after an awesome weekend in Kentucky. The kids and I left Thurs. and drove to Natalie's in Tuscaloosa stayed the night and then we all finished the drive to Owensboro, Kentucky for Oliver's wedding. Oliver is my nephew, George's brothers oldest son. It was a beautiful wedding and we were blessed to be with family. We drove 12 hours straight back. WOW I have never done that before. We listened to CD's all the way home. We made it through 10 1/2 CDs.

God was faithful in watching out for us as always. We serve a big God who is able to keep those things that we trust to Him.

One more week of school and then Thanksgiving Holidays. YEHA!!!!

Later
Robin

hope you had a great weekend.....

WOW The Tigers won and the Saints actually pulled off a win. All that's great but let's rejoice that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Eternity is real and it is ours. It is our inheritance. The Holy Spirit has sealed us and we are God's purchased possession for that day, the day He comes to take us home. When all seems lost and it seems we have no answers to the craziness going on around us we have to realize that God is still in control. We have to STOP and make a conscious realization that He is NOT asleep, He is NOT on vacation. He is aware and also able to help us in handling our situations. We probably just need WISDOM which He said he would give liberally if only we would ask. I think our problem, most of the time, is the lack of realization that we even need WISDOM. We rely too heavily on past experience and manipulation in order to have things work out how we think would be best. That's the problem however, since we can't see all our circumstances with eternity's perspective we see very short sighted and don't understand how individual events in our lives line up to effect eternity and our future.

Let's consider Joseph. We must really stop and contemplate the events that lead to the salvation of the nation of Israel. That process didn't just have to do with the timing for Israel as much as it did making Joseph ready for re-encountering his brothers. What needed to be done in his life so he could be trusted with all of that authority. That story excites me. The thought of our heavenly Father working so diligently through our circumstances to prepare us for kingdom work. Oh how we miss things because we allow our circumstances to consume us rather than us by the power of the Holy Spirit saying ok God I recognize this as an opportunity to be prepared----do your work in me. Well I need to go more later on this thought.

Robin

This is a pic from Saturday night at the Homecoming banquet. I am trying to get some pics from the Friday that she was crowned. It was an eventful night to say the least. We have slowed down a little. Lauren has an out of town tournament but I am staying home. I will hit the ground running next week with basketball games. We are looking forward to Thanksgiving Holidays and more down time.

We are finishing the 2nd six weeks of school. Hard to believe that 2007 is winding down. What a year? We have to keep our focused on Jesus and the task at hand to do His will and seek His face. That is all I know. Have a great weekend. Go TIGERS!!!!

Robin

Queen....

Friday night was homecoming. Lauren was crowned queen for 07-08. She was absolutely beautiful. Saturday was the homecoming banquet. She went with a nice young man and had a blast with her friends. They hung out at the house until Sunday at 7:30 a.m. I actually pulled an all-nighter. It was an incredibly busy week and now things will slow down a little. Granny and Paw-Paw came in and stayed the weekend with us. It was great to see them as always.

The chickens are in full swing delivering eggs everyday. Yesterday we got 10 eggs from 10 chickens 100% production, George would be proud of his ladies.

God is on the throne and HE is in control. We trust Him daily and lean on Him moment by moment. Stay plugged in to what God wants to do through you.

Robin

pictures...

Soon I will try to learn how to add pictures to the blog. I will post pictures of Lauren's homecoming. Lauren and her volleyball team won their game last night. They play again Wednesday. It will be Lauren's last volleyball game of her high school career. I know this year is going to fly by and there will be many emotional moments. These are the times when missing George is so evident. When there are things he should be at or doing is when the reality of our situation hits the hardest. But the truth of the matter is I would never want him back in the condition he was in. Now he is whole and healthy and his body will never again have to see death. He has made it. He has gone before us. He is where we all desire and long to be. At least that's what we say when we sing worship songs and when we pray. However, if faced with our mortality many of us cringe at the thought of leaving what we know behind. I have really desired my perspective to change and to see more things in light of eternity. I have tried to allow what we have been through to show me the way. How does God want me to handle certain situations, certain people? How does the Lord want me to use the experience I have been through to help others?

I want to see the Kingdom of God advance. Together we can purpose to do that. If we live each day to the fullest and seek opportunities God brings into our path then we can affect eternity in the here and now.

I love you all,
Robin

Kenny...

Well our dog Kenny is now a resident of Alabama. George's cousin said that she would take him and as busy as we are that was the best decision to be made for us and Kenny. We brought him to Alabama this past weekend. he seems to be making a very smooth transition. He will be greatly loved and allowed much more freedom. We are so excited for him.

This will be the busiest week by far. This is Homecoming week and there is much to do and plans to be made. It will be fun and memorable.

Thanks for all of your words of encouragement and your thoughtful prayers for our family. I love you.

Robin

time off...

Well I have taken some time off this week. It has been good to get things done that I needed to take care of. Lauren and I have some much needed shopping to do for Homecoming and next week is going to be outrageously busy. It's all going to be fun though. Homecoming week is always a blast. Volleyball season is winding down. Next week we will finish up with two home games. Wednesday is Senior night. Lauren is the only Senior on the volleyball team so it will pretty much be a party just for her. That little stinker.

We daily lean on the arms of Jesus and He brings such great comfort. Again I send thanks to all of you who are continuing to pray for us. We feel your prayers and know that the Lord is honoring your request and holding on to us. We love you all.

Robin

DESTINY...

This was something George wrote on Monday March 3, 1997:

I have a destiny---that is farther reaching than my own self. I have a destiny that goes beyond my own greed, my own lust, my own wants and my own desires, my own passions. I have a destiny-- that's bigger than racism and bigotry and hate. It is bigger than pride and position, possession, and income and all of those physical and social trappings, we cling to so desperately. Hang on, oh my soul to the one who guides you, the one who made you, to the one who called you. I have a destiny that is not bound by political rule and governmental boundaries or corporate ownership. Even health--good or bad--cannot prevent my destiny. I want my destiny, I need my destiny. I crave my destiny. I have to fulfill my destiny! It is calling to me--I am racing to my destiny--I can see it dimly in the dawn--my heart pounds, my body struggles, my muscles burn and ask for rest-- but I cannot stop nor even slow down, for I must apprehend my destiny. As thirst screams for quenching--my very being thirsts for my destiny--fatigue cannot stop or dissuade me from my destiny. Depression? move to the left, anxiety? move to the right, for my destiny I have in sight. I command inspiration to come and lift me toward my goal. I command passion to come and fuel the long drive towards my destiny. I command persistence to come and assist me in the pursuit of my destiny. I come against any bondage that would prevent the attainment of my destiny--any of the "petty" frivolities that would entangle and hamper the attainment of my most ultimate desire. As minutes turn into hours and hours into days, weeks, months, and years, I seek my destiny. I will not be relegated to the archives of history. Futility, I damn you ---you are a facade. HA!HA! You are uncovered for what you really are! Nothing! Nothing but a deceptive mirage of sorts put in my path by who knows who, to distract me from my destiny. Yes, my love, I will one day embrace you as a child its mother, I am coming for you and no other only you, oh lover of my soul. I hear your whispers in the night, your call in my soul. I see a glimpse of you in the dawn-but only from within the cleft of this rock--when can I come out and gaze fully into your face? Ah yes. I know I must be patient, but please, don't ever let me go, for life itself has no meaning at all, apart from YOU-- may I dream of you every night, and every day let me keep you within my sight. Above and beyond every single thing in life, I must attain my destiny and nothing can stop me, for it is MY DESTINY.

Enough said,
Robin

be patient...

I do desire to write more. I have been running and running. I hope to take a couple of days off next week. God is so precious in His comfort and peace. What do people do that don't know the Lord or that place their hope in religion.

Lauren made the Homecoming court. Looks like we will be shopping for a suit. I am so excited for her. She is a great kid and I want to brag on her. She loves the Lord with all of her heart and desires to do what He wants her to do. She makes incredible grades 3.975 and plays volleyball, basketball, and runs track. OK enough bragging. What thrills me the most about Lauren is her love for the Father.

Bryan what can I say about Bryan. He also makes awesome grades and is involved with sports. He loves the Lord too and has such a sweet heart. He also has a great sense of humor. From George I'm sure.

God blessed George and I with tremendous kids and we dedicated them to His care. Continue to lift them up in prayer, I can't even imagine what they are going through in losing a father.

I'm going to share more of George's writings. Stay tuned.......

Robin

what a weekend....

I haven't written in a while because Thursday and Friday were two rough days physically. I must have hit the breaking point and feeling exhausted. Thursday I sensed I was having a panic attack and my blood pressure was high. I took Friday off and slept most of the day. I probably needed some down time. I am much better now it seems my blood pressure has come back down. I am still going to see my cardiologist to get checked out, but today is better. I went to the LSU game Saturday night with Lauren and some friends that invited us. It was the greatest. I was in calm mood because I didn't want to push it after Thurs. and Fri. I was not jumping up and down on the outside but I was having a party on the inside However, after that is when my blood pressure began to level off.

Yesterday at church was awesome again. Randy Philips ministered. He does human videos. He acts out songs. It was so powerful. I will type more later. It's time for school.

Robin

words from George...

This is a note that I found that George had written on 4/27/04:

When the insignificant turns to obscurity
the life that once was is no longer even a memory
tasks left undone are undone
dreams unfulfilled are gone.

Just a drop of water, in an endless sea
searching for meaning, a desire to be
something other than insignificant
in the pages of history.

A part of the bigger picture, they say
A small piece of the larger whole
consolation this sometimes brings
no matter, that's just how things work.

It has been decided beforehand
things set into motion are to continue.
Is there anything new under the Sun?

When I read these words I was moved to consider what George was obviously considering when he wrote this back before he was even diagnosed.

Lord, I want my life to count for eternity. I want to build on the foundation with gold and precious stones, not wood, hay, stubble, and straw. This life is a gift, a short time to journey make memories, love people and make Jesus known. The constant struggle to have and make is the enemy of the peace of living and keeping eternity in perspective.

I love you all. We have another busy but fun weekend planned. Lauren and I are going to the LSU vs. Florida game Sat. with some friends.