Puppets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I am excited to announce that the Puppets that were donated to us from Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Athens Tn made there debut along with Rob (The Red Head) from Clear Springs Baptist Church.  Listen to those sweet kiddos giggle. I am so thankful to the churches who donated the puppets and also those who played the puppets Everyone of you are the reason for those sweet giggles on this video. Our God is a awesome God.

Our God is so Faithful!!!

         I am completely overwhelmed as I sit here and write this.  God is so faithful. A few months ago I felt the call to start a puppet ministry on Wednesday nights at Beyond Borders For Christ  . The problem was we needed puppets we didnt have any. I knew no problem was to big for my God and if He was truly wanting me to start this ministry He would provide everything as long as I took the first step. So I did I sent out emails to a few churches back home. Not long after We received Rob. A Puppet from Clear Springs Baptist Church. He made his debut a few weeks ago and the kids were so excited. I would have loved to have a whole bunch of puppets but I was satisfied with Rob He was a great start and I was so thankful for him. At the same time I sent out the first emails my mom also sent a letter that was put into the Mcminn-meigs Association of Baptist Links. The letter was asking if anyone had any puppets their church no longer used that they would like to give for my puppet ministry. I figured no one would answer so today when UPS pulled up with 5 boxes addressed to me I was more than shocked, But nothing could have prepared me for what was inside those boxes .

   Now you may realize why I am overwhelmed. God is so Faithful. He had a plan all along. James Mason the Pastor at Rocky Mount Baptist Church read about us in the links and contacted my mom. She kept everything a secret from me so I could be surprised when I opened the boxes. This church donated 25 puppets!!!!!!!!! Im not sure they will ever know what a blessing this is and will be for the children who will very much enjoy this new ministry. Words cannot even describe how I feel right now. God is so Good!!!!

My 1st Black Friday

  Well I did it. After saying I wouldnt. I went black friday shopping!! Oh I have been involved in plenty of black fridays but not shopping. Working at the lovely Wal-Mart and it was horrible. Grown women in fist fights and all. I must say it was awful and I was talked to like I was a dog but It was the most entertaining day ever!
   So this year We went with some friends like a bunch of crazy people!! Jeremy got his Christmas present and it was worth it for what He saved but He did have to stand in line for about 2 hours. I didnt get to see a fight this year but thats not because there werent any! We did get some great deals and shared lots of laughs and great memories with our dear friends. We got into town around 8:30pm and ended up getting home around 3am! Thats crazy!! I was amazed at the women with little babies out in the madness. I promised myself that when I had a baby I would find a sitter I know what your thinking there are crazy people out everyday and yes your right, but ALL the crazies are out together on black friday!!!! 
   As I walked through the mess with clothes hangers under my feet and shoe boxes being thrown in the air as people tore through them I thought to myself This is so not worth it. That thought however quickly changed when I couldnt decide between two pairs of boots and I realized I could buy them both and it would still be cheaper than there original price. Anyway I am very happy with my boots and my smile will be a little brighter when I wear them knowing I got them for a amazing price. Pretty Sad when black friday is known as the day I might be able to actually get something name brand haha. Just kidding I am very blessed. God has ALWAYS and I know He will ALWAYS take good care of us.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.               Philippians 4:19

Grumbly hateful or Humbly Grateful???

    Lees Sermon yesterday ( Sunday, November 18th) was so convicting. Are We grumbly hateful or humbly grateful?? Yes I have times that I get overwhelmed with all the blessings I see around me and am so thankful for all Gods mercy and grace, but not as often as I should. Lee also said We all have sick friends and family some even with terminal illness, but when is the last time We thanked God for our health?? Wow what a complete eye opener. I had to say a prayer in my heart right then and say God im sorry I have been grumbly hateful.  This blog is meant to be totally honest so I'll say it I complain and I complain often. About everything!! About ministries Were involved in. About cooking each week. About being away from family. About the weather during summer I complain about the sun being too hot and in winter I complain about the cold. Warning Being totally honest here I complain about people. I am ashamed. God has been so good to me and my family and here I am grumbling about the wonderful people God has placed around me and the fact that im able to be involved in so many great ministries. Yes my family is far away and its painful, but because of that I have been blessed with a Montana family which is all the friends we have made here. I should be thankful. Changing is not easy and it will be a daily struggle, but I wanna be humbly grateful. What about you???

my Grandparents

 This is Jeremy and I with my grandparents!!!! I still have both sets of my grandparents above is my Mamaw and Pap Harmon ( My moms parents) Below is my Mamaw and Papaw Wilcox ( My Daddys Parents)  I am not bragging I am Praising God :)!!!! But what im most Thankful for is they are ALL christians!!!!

Beyond Borders For Christ Worship

There is no video just sound listen to the praise and worship as they sing Our God by Chris Tomlin.

I am thankful for..... (2012)

               I wanna start this post out by saying I am blessed beyond belief. I am blessed for so many reasons but I want to start this post out with ministries I am thankful to be apart of.
              Jeremy and I were called to Hungry Horse, Montana in 2011. There is no way to even put into words what all I have learned and how much I have grown and am continuing to grow. I am so thankful that God brought us here.
             I am thankful for Beyond Borders for Christ and the 3 churches coming together for the children. I absolutely LOVE my little guys in my class. They mean so much to me and until recently I hadnt realized how attached I have become to them. I am thankful for the opportunity to be their teacher. I love each one of them and the joy they each bring to me and our class.   I am thankful for all the workers at Beyond Borders For Christ without them It would not exist or maybe it would but it sure wouldnt go as smoothly as it does now. I hate to play favorites but I must admit this ministry is my favorite which makes perfect sense  because a huge spot in my heart is for  kids. My heart breaks for children ,after all adults can change there situation kids cant. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to pour my time and heart into the children.
             I am thankful for Tuesday Night Bible Study at Canyon Baptist Church. Its wonderful to see so many come together for a good meal and time of fellowship and bible study afterwards. I am thankful for all those who are faithful to come every week.
             I am thankful to be worship leaders at Canyon Baptist Church. This was the ministry we came out here for, but once we got here we realized this was about so much more than music. Over the year and a half We have been here and still I can feel myself being shaped into the woman God wants me to be. I am thankful for Monte and Susan who have stepped up in so many ways since they started coming to Canyon Baptist this year. They are now worship leaders at Canyon Baptist Church and that is a huge weight off us to have help with that ministry. They are amazing and Im very thankful for them.
          I am thankful for support. As most everyone knows We work for Mission of Joy ( you can learn more about what Mission of Joy is  here ) We raise our own support and I am so Thankful for those who have enough confidence in us and the ministries were involved in that they support us. They have no idea what they mean to us and I could never find words to thank them enough. I am also thankful for the support Canyon Baptist Church receives. We are a small church that cannot run on our own funding and We rely on outside support and I am thankful for all those who support Canyon Baptist Church.
         I am thankful for prayers. I know not just family prays for us. We have so many friends back home and even friends We have met along the way that pray for us. I was in awe last sunday when I got a prayer from our prayer box ( a prayer box is where anyone can write down a prayer request and on sunday mornings We pass them out and someone prays for your request during prayer and hopefully all that week) it just so happened the prayer I pulled out said Pray for our mission team Lee and Joy  and Jeremy and Stephanie that they could be strong and stay on the path you lead. Give them vision and understanding and keep them lifted up in prayer. Of course it made me cry and during prayer I prayed for us but I also thanked God for whoever it was that wrote this request and asked Him to bless them in a special way. I am thankful that God hears our prayers.
            Last years Thanksgiving I am thankful for post mentioned my family and alot of friends here and so due to time im not going to mention them all again but you can see last years post here.
            This year I met Mandi Baldwin and her daughter Alayah. You can read our story here. We have become great friends and it didnt take long for Alayah to steal my heart. I am thankful for them and the friendship we have.
            Big J  and Cameron I mentioned you all in last years post but I wanted to add to this years what a blessing all your kids are, But I dont think I could ever explain how Alisa especially has touched my heart. Even if in the beginning she Only talked to me to ask where Jeremy was lol. Ill never forget when She finally noticed that I was ok too and called me anie for the longest.
            I am thankful for Noemi Lund. She comes to Canyon Baptist and We hit it off right off. We have the best time and can be found any tuesday night somewhere laughing. She is a great friend and I am thankful for her. I am also  thankful for her daughter Lisa who is a great friend and is always there when you need her.
           I am thankful for Di and how she fixes my mess ups. I am so thankful to have a hair dresser her close that I know and trust. 
         I am thankful for Steve and Becky and the friendship We have with them. They can always make us laugh and are always there when we need them. I have no idea how in the world I left them out of last years and im very sorry that  I did. They were one of our first few friends here and We love them very much.
       I am thankful for Buddie and Fran. We went to church with them at Oak Grove before We came to Montana but it took them coming to Montana for us to get to know them. I am thankful that We did. I am thankful for how we can laugh together and also have serious talks that is what friendship is about and I am thankful for them.
        I want to close saying I am thankful for my life and all God has allowed me to do and see so far and all I will see and do in the future. I am thankful for all experiences in my life good and bad because they have helped me grow and become who I am today. I am thankful for my testimony.
 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6  God has been So Good to me and I am blessed beyond belief.
       

      
             
       
           
    

Rocking Rob

          God had laid it on my heart for quite some time now to start a puppet ministry. I had no idea how or why but after lots of prayer I knew I had to start somewhere. So I sent out a few emails to churches back home asking to borrow any puppets to get started and to even see if its something the kids would be interested in. It wasnt long before I got a package and thanks to Clear Springs Baptist Church tonight was possible. Tonight "Rocking Rob" made his first debut and He was a HUGE success.
         We had him in The little kids class ( 3 years-1st grade) and the kids LOVED him. They already wanted to know if He would be back next week. We may not use him every single Wednesday but I think He will be used alot until We can get our own and then We will have to send Rob back to Tennessee. I still dont know what all it is God wants me to do but I know you have to start somewhere and tonight was a good start. Enjoy this Video of "Rocking Rob".

I survived our first paint night :)

 So last night was CRAZY but fun for the kids so its ok :)  We had story time about Jesus and the little Children and then We sang "Jesus Loves The Little Children" Which to my surprise they sang randomly the rest of the night as they were playing and stuff. So I think I finally found a song they all like. (The girls will sing any of the songs, The boys are the tough ones) Anyway I told them if they were good and listened to our bible story then We were gonna paint and ALL their eyes got SO BIG. So much excitement in my room last night. So they were good and We played a game to go along with our lesson and they all participated. (They were definitely afraid they werent gonna get to paint. So when it was time to paint Jeremy came in to help me ( Thank goodness I had five 3 year olds by myself and would have Never I repeat NEVER made it through painting with them myself) So I put on their little paint smocks and then Jeremy would paint their hand and help them put it on their paper then send them to me at the sink and I would help them get clean then take off their smock. We were half way through when I realized oh no We werent doing the group one as well as their individual ones. (I knew they would take the individual ones home So I wanted a group one to hang in our room) So I started putting smocks back on them and started the whole process over again. So after we were finished and all cleaned up our room looked like a colorful tornado had hit it.  So I took the kids to the eating area to eat and Jeremy stayed and cleaned our room which was a major help because I definitely couldnt have cleaned it with 3 year olds everywhere. I had made the kids snacks with bananas, graham crackers, honey, and a little chocolate,But I forgot them at home so we had fruit gummies instead.

            So when the night was over and I was alone in my room as I was picking up crayons and toys I opened the cabinet I keep my purse in and saw my camera :( In all the chaos I had forgot to get any pictures of them in their adorable little smocks or any other pictures for that matter. Instead of standing there beating myself up I pulled the camera out and took a picture of one of the kids little handprints and then took one of our group handprints. Hopefully I can rememeber pictures of them next week when we turn them into little turkeys.

         The night was very chaotic but in the end the kids left very happy and excited about our little project and I left blessed to have done something very little to make those precious babies smile. Look for lots more fun stuff to come from the Beyond Border for Christ Three and Under Class :)

This is hopefully what it will look like finished

Crafts, Games and more exciting things to come from the 3 and Under class at Beyond Borders For Christ!

      As most of you know I teach a 3 and under class on wednesday nights at  Beyond Borders For Christ. When my class started I only had 2 kids. I now have four 3 year olds and its a handful but awesome at the same time. I am so excited that my class is growing and am starting to do more fun games and activities to go along with our lessons instead of just free time. Which We will still have ocassionaly. So Of course im getting some great craft ideas off Pinterest. I have lots of craft ideas and soon we are actually gonna paint for one of our crafts. Please pray for me that I dont go crazy during all this, and that no outfits get ruined ( kids not mine I can buy myself more) My class is a blessing although alot of times I leave exhausted and some nights even frustrated. I have even been known to come home and have a good cry. A few wednesdays ago I had a lady come up to me whose granddaughter has been in my class since I started it. She said "You remember the first bible verse you taught Carmin?" Yes I remembered it was God Will always love me ( cant remember exactly where but its out of Psalms) She said "Carmins sunday school teacher asked her to say her bible verse from last sunday and thats the one she told her." She said just thought you might need to hear that. You are getting through to them and they are listening." It made me want to cry to know that 3 year old Carmin still rememebered that verse I had taught her at least over 6 months ago.
   So look for more exciting updates and pictures to come of our crafts and games.


Here is a picture of something We are going to start working on. We are going to learn how to tie our shoes by practicing. Of course I know they have plenty of time to learn since they are only 3 but I figured its never to early to begin learning and practicing. Of course I will think of a fun game to make them actually wanna try. Lots of Patience and practice :) Ill keep you updated on how it goes.

New Glasses, New Hair

      So I must tell you about two things my new glasses and my hair!!

  So a few weeks ago I saw a ad on facebook It said 

Exclusive Offer: Get a FREE Pair of Designer Eyeglasses with lenses from Coastal.com! — at Coastal.com

            I thought yeah right!! Later I decided to check it out and guess what ITS TRUE!!!  I picked out frames I liked and they were $85  not including lenses. I paid $15 for frames and lenses and shipping. Ok so it wasnt absolutely free but it was a great deal. Check them out on facebook today or just go to there website and get your free frames. Im glad I did :)

           My hair was getting SO long. The longest It has been since elementary school. It was a nice change but of course  I begin to get the fever to cut it. So I decided to get just a few inches cut off but to save money thought id do it on my own. All you gotta do is make sure its even I could do that. I took my hair cutting scissors out but quickly realized I would need help on the back. No big deal Jeremy can cut in a straight line. So I had Jeremy come help me. He asked where to cut and I said not short, you know a reasonable length. I felt safe saying this to Jeremy since He has been begging me to grow my hair out since We got married 4 years ago!! Not a good idea. I knew with the first cut I was in trouble. Bye Bye Long Hair!!! It was short. I tried to remain calm and cut the sides the same length as the (Short) back, but I was in panic mode. I tried my best but in the end decided the best thing to do was call Our friend D (shes a hairdresser). So I went to her shop and got it evened up. So Glad I have a hairdresser friend here who didnt laugh at me (even though she might have wanted to) The good thing is it will grow and my hair grows pretty fast. Plus it probably needed it, It was starting to feel stringy on my neck. So I will save money in other places the next time I want a haircut its to the hairdresser I go.  

             

Harvest Festival 2012

         Tonight was our Harvest Festival at Canyon Elementary School. It is like a carnival with Games, food, and lots of candy. This year the theme was   "Come  to a Luau." All us at Canyon Baptist had discussed how We didnt have anything to wear for this and probably wouldnt dress up. At the last minute something told me to check out our back closet at the church. I found a tote labeled costumes and I found a bunch of hats and leis. I even found a very unique hat for our unique pastor :)  We had so much fun and were happy to provide a safe haven for these kids instead of them going door to door treat of treating. A huge thanks to  Cassandra Schmidt for planning and getting everything together for this event. Also thanks to all those who came to help set up and stayed to clean up and those who came up to Canyon Baptist and helped cook. The night was a huge success.

Let all your things be done with charity. - 1 Corinthians 16:14