Words of Encouragement for YOU!

I'm not bragging in this post, but sharing my heart.... so please hear it.
If you read this blog there's a good chance I prayed for you today.
Doesn't that feel awesome?!!
I love to know when people pray for me so I thought I'd do the same for you.
In my personal prayer time today, I think I lifted up just about everybody I know.
Everyone needs prayer be it for big or small reasons. And you are so important to God and to me!
Just wanted to let you know!
:)

Good Travels

I wanted to give a shout out to my nine friends from New Life leaving tonite at 3 AM
for Mexico!!
God bless you
Darren and Gina Fizer
Sarah and Eric Polley
Danny and Kim Hester and Carey Holten
Thurman Paige
Davey Hamilton
Do great things for God's kingdom while in Mexico!!!
Have a safe and wonderful trip!!

TV

I don't know if you watched the Oprah special Monday night showcasing the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy but I did and was so touched.
Now, I don't agree with much that Oprah believes or does but this was amazing.
She has given so many young African girls a chance they never would have gotten.
To hear these girls' stories, to see the "houses" they lived in and to understand what their everyday lives are like was so sad. I cried at those girls lives and situations. One young teeanage girl gets up at 4AM, walks to the bus in the dark through a rough neighborhood, then catches the bus to school. She risks her life everyday just for an education.
Then last night I watched the Co-Anchor Bob Woodriff story and his miraculous recovery. I thought what it must have been like to be in his wife Lee's place and I just cried again. He is a walking and talking miracle!
And I loved how they showed real veterans whose lives have been turned upside down by war injuries, especially the ones with head injuries.
Their lives and the lives of their loved ones will never be the same.
I was touched to see the stories told of wounded vets. It seems to me that so much of the military is covered up and kept secret unless you know someone in it.
I just wanted to share how I was touched by both of these programs.
I only wish both could have given glory to the Lord for the miracles done!

LifeSong

Have you ever done something so big, so great, so rewarding that it made you puke or gave you diarrhea? But yet you were DETERMINED to do it anyway?
That was my experience yesterday at church.
About a month ago, Cris was planning his outline for youth Sunday service.
He told me he wanted me to sing Casting Crowns "And now my lifesong sings".
It is one of my favorite songs!
I told him not only would I sing it, but I would learn the music on piano and play it as well.
He was very honest with me and told me he did not think I could get this together in a months time. I was set out to prove him wrong.
I purchased and printed the music online, and started that night around 10:00 PM learning to play the music.
I struggled with reading the music and getting the chords at first. You see, I hadn't played piano since around the age of 11, Nor had I performed in front of anyone.
This was a HUGE deal for me. But I made a promise to my Lord that I was going to gloify him through song with my own hands and voice.
And I did. Not perfectly by any means.
But I made it happen. My hands were shaking on the ivories as I sat and played. I was a wreck performing this solo.
I hit some wrong chords, then lost my place, then out loud said "I lost my place!".
I was so upset that I messed up, but I was able to play the song again at invitation and lead the congregation in worship.
Praise the Lord! That was one of the best feelings. When I started playing the song and then came in on the first line and heard everyone singing, chills went all over my body (as they are now retelling this). It was so beautiful hearing voices blended saying "and now my lifesong sings!"
My Rhapsody Playlist

dirty little secret

I have to confess....
while Cris has been gone this week, I've used the new vacuum.......
A LOT!!
I had to use it twice yesterday and I'm sure I'll use it again today and again tomorrow.
You see, my secret is safe here, because Cris usually doesn't stop by.
I know I can trust you with this very confidential information.
Now the only problem will be keeping my kids quiet... maybe duct tape.
Kidding!

Happy Valentine's Day II

I had to tell you what happened last night once Cris and the kids got home.
It was about 8 PM when they came in with 3 long-stem red roses (one from each of my loves) and a bouquet of white roses!! How beautiful! I adore roses simply because of their beauty.
I love to watch them each day as they unfold into a new flower.
He also got me a gift certificate so I can get the silver engravable earrings I've been wanting!
He's good!!!
Ended up being a good day after all!

And then today, Cris had me stop at Kmart to get a new vacuum while in Maysville.
You see, I broke the spinny thing on the last one. The attachments still work and it works fine on hard floors, but not so great on carpet.
Cris politely broke my heart today. He told me I could not use the new vacuum! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD WILL I DO IF I CAN'T RUN THE VACUUM???!!!
Anyway, I'm so devastated and broken hearted over this whole ordeal that I think I'm gonna go eat or maybe even sleep!!! My life is over!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

I don't know what your day consisted of, but mine was not usual.

It all started last night about 11:00 PM. I went to bed with a head ache and by 11:30 it was a full blown migraine. This one had me by the right eye and right temple and would not let up.

I was in tears, nauseated, and hot (temperature wise). I don't think I've ever prayed for healing as hard as I was last night. I laid on my back, on my side, on my other side, on my stomach.

It would not go away. By around 12:00 AM I decided to get into a hot shower. It helps to let hot water beat on my head and neck. I had Cris worried because I was a little dizzy and things.

He got a heating pad out for me to lay my head on while I slept and he also gave me a phenogren. I love that stuff. I didn't take long and I was knocked out until morning.

I wasn't feeling the best this morning and got up around 10:30 feeling like I'd been hit by a Mac truck. Cris left with the kids and I laid on the couch and watched two sappy love movies.

One was a Julia Stiles movie about a prince, it was cute. And the other was "A walk to remember" with Mandy Moore and it made me cry.... on my couch.... alone..... on valentine's day! It's 7:10 PM now, and I'm just waiting for Cris and the kids to come home and see the heart shaped cakes I managed to make. I think they're very cute. Not quite as cute as when Martha Stewart did them.

This was not quite the "day of love" I had in mind. Although I must say, it was nice having the house to myself all day. That was totally sweet of my sweetie!

Let me know all about your romantic day! GGRR~

Circle of Life~ From Cradle to Grave

Today is a reflective day for me. I've been thinking of how God's plan for life is so perfect, yet so complicated.

I think of a rose, how tight the bud is at first and over time it becomes a beautiful full bloomed flower, that process is amazing. I think of seasons, how a cold winter turns gradually warmer until it's too hot to bare and then it gradually turns cold again. All of this is God's perfect plan. I think of the wedding band and how it resembles a never ending love. I also am reminded of the new cirlce pendants that have become so popular around a ladies neck. It can represent many things, but over all it's a representation of no beginning and no ending. Wow, that's exactly Gods love for us.... no beginning and no ending . AMEN!

But I also think of life.

Today my nephew Mason celebrates his 2nd birthday. While we celebrate birth we also remember an earthly death today as well. We remember Amy Doerr who's earthly life ended on this day one year ago. Although it's not understood, it's God's devine plan.... the cirlcle of life.
It's a beautiful thought though isn't it? How our life and everything around us is in God's control from cradle to grave.

So, Happy Birthday Mason Lane Jones!! We love you!

And welcome home Amy Lynn Doerr!! We miss you!!

Blizzard 2007

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

What do you think of this blizzard??

I had the privilege of driving through it early in the day but now, I'm at home and STAYING!

I think it's going to be a movie and popcorn night at the Jones house!!

Oh yeah, and lots of blankets.

Signing out saying, "Stay in and stay warm"

Nuttin' Honey

Today I have nothing profound to say at all, but thought I'd at least drop by and say
"HI!"
So, have a blessed day!

~32 TODAY~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTOPHER TODD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Introducing..... Katie-Rae

Today the Joneses went outside and enjoyed our first snow fall of the season.

We decided to make a snowman (or snow-girl in this case).

While Cris and I were rolling the huge snow balls we asked Isaiah what he wanted to name the snowman. His response was "Kayee-Wae"!! Translation: Katie-Rae.

So we gave Katie-Rae 2 eyes of coal, a carrot nose, an UNC hat, and a scarf.

By afternoon, sadly Katie-Rae was dead. Her top two layers had toppled over.

So, Isaiah went to church telling everyone that "Kayee Wae is dead!"

For the record, this was the first snow-person I've EVER made! I'm glad I got to do that before turning 30!

SAVED, FREE, WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!

I have the best news of all!
My sister-in-law, Lindsay and her sister Leslie were baptized this weekend, January 20, 2007!!
Praise God! What a way to start the new year!!
We have prayed for this for years and the Lord has now provided!!

It's a boy..... we think!!

My sister-in-law, Kelly had another ultrasound this week, and as far as they can tell, it's going to be a boy.

I'm still waiting on a name for Master Jones, probably won't get it out of her until he's born.

I do know this much, it must be at least 2 syllables.

Got any suggestions???

Doesn't that face just look like something David would do?? It's like he's trying to do "Chubby".

You remember that, "Hi, I'm Chubby. My momma says I'm chubby, my daddy says I'm chubby"..... etc

back to school

Today is the day that I start back to the grind.
Once again, I'm only taking one class. This time it's a biology lab for 2 hours and only worth 1 credit.
Does that seem fair??
This better be an easy one is all I have to say!

Girls Day Out

Since Gracie had the day off from preschool we decided to go to the movies.
We drove to Mt. Sterling and had lunch at Taco Bell and then off the the 10th frame we went.
We got our tickets and a medium popcorn (without butter) and headed off to theater #5 for Charlotte's Web.
What a cute movie that was. I love that little Dakota Fanning. She is the most darling little girl.
I thought the movie was great even though Gracie had to play with the seats, kick the seats in front of us, and go to the bathroom one time during the movie.
Afterwards, we went to Walmart for our weekly grocery run. Cris and Isaiah met us there and then we had dinner at the local mexican restuarant.
Life is GOOOOOD!!

something to chew on

"The truly spiritual life is not an escape from reality but a total commitment to it"

This is a quote from "The Gift of Being Yourself" by David G. Benner.

It turns out to be quite a good read.

To play or not to play

OK, this has become a HUGE issue within my family, whether instruments are allowed in church service/assembly. According to some, "music to the Lord in your hearts" means NO INSTRUMENTS!!
If you read this blog, you MUST give me your take on this verse ( mainly the bold part)!!

"......... Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. "

HELP!!

Water

As I am reading Dr. Don Colberts book "The Seven Pillars of Health"
I can't help but share with you a very small portion of what I've learned about the water we may be drinking.

Go to http://www.ewg.org/tapwater/yourwater/system.php?pwsid=KY0350134 and enter your zip code to find out what all is in your local water!

Some bottled waters contain more toxins than tap water and are not as closely regulated as tap. If you drink bottled water, check if the manufacturer of the bottled water is a member of the IBWA (Inter. Bottled Water Ass).

If you've not read or heard of "The Seven Pillars of Health" I strongly recommend that you pick up a copy ASAP!

To your health!!

Happy New Year

Can you believe it's already 2007??
Time really does fly when you're having fun.
The Jones family had a GREAT Christmas season. We spent time in southern Indiana with my parents and then spent 8 days in North Carolina with Cris' parents and his brothers' family!
Let me tell you, it's crazy in a house with 6 adults and 4 children all ages 3 and under!!

As I think back on the last year and what I've done and accomplished I thought I'd make a small list.... not in any particular order.

1. I went to my first CIY conference
2. Our children celebrated their 3rd and 2nd birthdays.
3. I joined my dear friend Gina in an Ebay business
4. I celebrated my 5th year in Mary Kay
5. I joined Curves
6. I started back to school... and passed my class!!!
7. I got my nose pierced!!! OUCH!!!!
8. I celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary and my 29th birthday!
9. I have seen the Lord take care of my family in MANY ways! Thank you, Lord!
10. I witnessed the death of someone way too young to die of cancer
11. I started teaching a girls group at New Life
12. My sister in law (Kelly) has become pregnant by the miracle of God's hands!
13. Gracie started preschool
14. I started reading multiple books, to which none I have finished!