Make Plans To Attend....

In beautiful Knoxville,TN

Above...on display one of the Bibles from the car accident that took 5 lives of our sweet friends who were traveling & singing for Crown college.

There are so many amazing display in the Christian Heritage Museum, wonderful treasures from our faith all in one place!

Seeing one of my favorite Pastor's wives, Mrs.Hooks!

Below...touring the Christian Heritage Museum

Getting to see friends! Me & Amy;)

Hearing Pastor Bobby Roberson Preach!

In the Smoky Mountains!

Hearing one of our all time favorite preachers, Raymond Barber!

Touring the Christian Heritage Museum!

Beautiful displays!

Enjoying the ladies afternoon tea with Mrs.Evelyn Sexton & Mrs.Cindy Schaap!

It is just 48days away, my friends! And in our home we are counting down the days!

We are so excited to see what God will do in our hearts this year at the "Independent Baptist Friends International Bible Conference"!!

Please click on the link & watch the promo video about this years conference. You will find it in the first paragraph on the page. The dates are April 10-15th, 2011.

Hosted at our former church home, Temple Baptist Church, in Powell,TN...Pastored by our beloved Pastor Clarence Sexton.

I just can't tell you enough about what last years meeting did for my husband & me. I've had the privilege of attending this meeting for the past 9 years. We have great memories of years past. I can still tell you titles of sermons that I've never forgotten...a few being, "Hell the Forgotten Message" by Tommy Sexton..."One Day We'll all stand before Him" by Jack Trieber..."This Way" by Scott Pauly...and an amazing message called, "Shake It Off" by Kenny Baldwin.

These messages were sooo powerful and changed my walk with the Lord.

The Christian Worker sessions are held on the Crown College Campus in the Christian Heritage Museum! There are so many wonderful things from our Christian heritage on display there, you will love it!

The music, the fellowship, the preaching....the Christian Worker's Classes each morning...it is all SUCH A BLESSING!!

And it's a very special treat to hear the Crown College Choir sing each morning! I think I cried through the few first services...you can just feel the presence of God in that place. The spirit of joy in the people...you will be encouraged!!

Make plans to attend! It's worth the drive & expense. You won't regret it!;)

We hope to see you there!!!! (Hope you enjoyed our pics from last year & videos;)

Oh....And of course the dogwoods are in full bloom! So come enjoy a week with your sweetie!;)

The church choir sang every evening, along with a lot of other beautiful music. In this video below you can hear the shouts of rejoicing & 'Amens'!!! *goosebumps*...a little taste of what Heaven will be. Can you just imagine the rejoicing we'll do in Heaven around the throne singing praises to God & people shouting 'Glory' & 'Amen'!?!? Wonderful!;)

A Book Review....And Sweet Maddie Grace

If there is one thing I've fallen in love with....it's reading.

I can't say that growing up I was the 'reading' type of person. I would much rather go shopping, watch a movie, or flip through a fashion magazine. Well....times have changed.;)

Don't get me wrong...I still love shopping!! BUT....reading has become a wonderful past time for me. I have learned so much, and I wish I had started this hobby a long time ago.

You can leave the novels & fictional books on the shelf....that's not my cup of tea. I could care less to get lost in a fantasy world of romance, magic, or tragedy. Maybe that's what you enjoy reading, and that's great. It's nice that there are so many options out there for us to choose from, but my reading addictions consist of biographies (mostly of heroes of the faith, missionaries, great preachers, or preacher's wives) & books on marriage or child rearing.

I'm very cautious when choosing a book. As a Christian, I base my beliefs & way of thinking on the Bible....so I look for authors who base their advice that way too. There is so much liberalism saturated within the pages of many books, even among Christian authors, that you have to do some research on the author if it's not a name you recognize.

There is a lot of wisdom out there from many wonderful sources, but if I can remind myself & others that the best wisdom we'll ever find comes from the pages of Scripture itself.

As I've buried my face in over 20 books in the last year of so, my husband has lovingly & very wisely reminded me that I should never read more of my books than I do of THE book...the Word of God.

Wisdom is something I pray for every day. Most often before my feet hit the floor. I ask God to empty me of myself & fill me with his spirit...as we are by nature very selfish people, I pray every morning that God would empty me of that....to give me wisdom that day when training my children, and help me be the mommy they need me to be.

I long for wisdom from God, like a thirst that is never quenched...I want Him to fill my cup each day with wisdom, and I won't get that if I'm not in his word & on my knees.

So, to my book review. I've had several people ask me what books I recommend, so I thought I'd talk about a few of them in some future posts. The one I'm reading now my husband bought for my birthday. It's called 'I Will Carry You' by Angie Smith. It had been on my Christmas wish list too....but came at I think the most appropriate time. One of my best friends in the world lost her little baby girl just two days after she was born. Baby Maddie (pictured at top of post) was perfect & precious in every way, but God's ways are not always our ways.....and she went home to be with Jesus.

These kinds of tragedy's can not be explained. There truly are no answers to fill the ever aching questions of "Why Lord?"....but God has been faithful to our dear friends, Natalie & Rick, and he has showered them with grace. You can read of their baby Maddie here. I'm sure you will be moved with love & tears for this dear family....and I pray that it will impress you to worship the King. Maddie may have been small in size, but her impact for the Lord has been big!

She was created to bring glory to her Creator, and she is doing just that...and so are her sweet mommy & daddy. Please pray for Natalie & Rick as the are so heavy on our hearts.

The book, 'I Will Carry You' is the story of Audrey Caroline. Maybe you've heard of the blog 'Bring the Rain'...it is baby Audrey's story. Her mommy has done an amazing job at sharing it, and encouraging me to love my Savior more. You MUST read this book! If you are single, don't have children, have children, or married....doesn't matter....if you are a women, you will be touched! I've followed the blog since it was started & rereading it all in the book has still touched my heart.

Angie has a way of making the Bible come to life...you will enjoy it, I'm sure. I have one chapter to go, and part of me doesn't want to finish it yet as when I open the pages I'm drawn to the beauty of the Savior.

Those are the kind of books I look for. Books that convict me to do more for God & keep me falling in love with Jesus.

Thank you for stopping by!;)

Next book on my list to read is: "A chance to die: The life of Amy Carmichael" by Elisabeth Elliot~~~ I'm looking foward to it!;)

Believe to See His Goodness...

Psalm 27

"THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

The trials we face often pale in comparison when we start to look at the trials of others around us. Those that have lost husbands, wives, children. Those that have had tragic health issues. So many with trials far heavier than mine, but yet our own are still very real and painful aren't they?

I recently was reminded of how Christ reacted when faced in a great trial. Actually, he was literally on trial. Being tried in front of Pontious Pilot in Luke 23. As he was being falsely accused by his enemies it says in verse 9, "...but he answered him nothing."

You and I would maybe agree that if we were being falsely accused we'd want nothing more than to stand up and shout, "That's not true!"...maybe you can think of a time in your life when you did. I can think of many times growing up that my brother would tattle on me, or I on him and we'd each shout, "That's not true, mom! No I didn't! He's lying!"....we've all been there.

But this story in the midst of my own trial in Luke 23 has spoken to my heart about 'answering nothing'....that's actually really hard to do. It goes against our nature! We want people to know that we are honest, know that we are genuine, know that we are real....but Deuteronomy 1:30 helps me...."The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you.."

I know that Psalm 27 is true when it says He will hide me, he won't deliver me over to my false accusers, he will fight for me, I will wait upon God and believe to see His goodness in the trial or else I'd faint from it's cruelty.

Trials brought by circumstances through death, life, marriage, child rearing, hardships of any kind can be used of God to show His goodness if we have faith & believe to see it.

A preacher recently said on our radio station that God uses trials to bring us 3 things:

1. Cause Us to Love Him More
2. Cause Us to Know Him Better
3. Cause Us to be Equipped to Serve Him More Effectively


So if you're going through a trial, don't faint. Believe to see His goodness (psalm 27:13) know that God cares about our trials whether they are great or small. He sees our hurt, our pain, our tears and He cares.

Praise Him for his rich blessings, see all the good things that are in your life. I'm so thankful for God's Word.
~heidi

Bind Me Again, Dear Lord...

I recently read a friends facebook status that read, "Having children is like going to jail."-her college professor.


"How Terrible!!" my mind thought. Do people really think like that? I guess out of the sinfulness of our hearts comes a lot of wicked things...and that my friends, is a wicked statement!

Children are a blessing from the Lord. They are a wonderful joy & reward! I can't imagine our lives without our children.

Our house would be so quiet...so clean...so empty.

I love the crazy chaos that my little people bring to me each day! They are so much fun, full of love, and precious in every way!

If having children is like going to jail?....then I say,

"Bind me again, Dear Lord!"

Bind me with their newborn skin,
Bind me as I'm nursing them.

Bind me when I wash them clean,
Bind me in our sweet routine!

Bind me as I sing them hymns,
Bind me as I speak of Him.

Bind me as I watch them play,
Bind me as they learn to pray.

For I don't want to miss a moment.
I'm so thankful I was chosen.

Don't loosen me from their grip,
Don't allow my love from theirs to slip.

O Lord, my God, please Bind me tight!
My children are a joy this night!

And may the joy continue on,
So Bind Me, Bind Me, with this love so Strong.
~mommy

I Prayed In My Heart...

The other morning my boys had one of the sweetest conversations. Carter is 4 (almost 5) and Evan just turned 3.

Now don't be fooled, I usually highlight for you the 'sweet' stories & keep the disaster stories a secret! HA! Our home has many little disasters each day, whether it's the boys fighting over toys or jumping up and down LOUDLY on their train table followed by crying, because one of them tried to jump from the table to the couch only missing their mark by a HUGE distance...bless their little rambunctious, boy, hearts!=)

Anyway, back the sweet conversation...I gave them their bowls of cereal & told them to pray as I got their juice.

Evan said, "Tarter..you are eating and I was praying!"

Carter: " I prayed already."

Evan: "Tarter, I didn't hear you pray."

Carter: "I prayed in my heart. Sometimes people pray in their heart & they don't make any sounds. Do it!"

Evan: "Ok. (as he pulls his shirt open & looks down at his heart) Bless the food, Amen. I did it, Tarter! I prayed in my heart!"

They are a blessing, even when I have to clean off their gooey finger marks from the backs of my chairs, I can remember they are a blessing.

They are only this age once, they are only small for a short time, may I cherish each day with them!

Cupcakes & Clover...

I'd like to introduce you my fun little 'on the side' business, Cupcakes&Clover. A friend & I started it after a late night of swatting mosquitoes in her huge red barn, eating pizza, & surfing the net while finding the cutest little shops across our country. We thought..."Hey, why not start one of our own??"

Of course! What a great idea!!!:) I've always had a dream of opening a quaint, fun, funky kids shop with vintage inspired yet trendy clothes for sweet little babies & tots...and 'cupcakes' has always stuck in my head. Bethy (go check out her website & oo' & ahhh over her pictures!) came up with clover...and voila' Cupcakes & Clover was born!;)

So if you're looking for some great new or gently used pieces for your little cupcake;) stop over to our on-line consignment shop & find some cute pieces for your lucky little clover!!!...ok, I'll stop with the play on words...but it's so fun.

How it works....Each picture will have a style # next to the price of each item that's listed.

You just simply email us at cupcakesandclover@gmail.com with the style #'s & we will send you and invoice for payment within 24hrs. Once payment is received we will ship your items promptly! Piece of (cup)CAKE!

Click HERE to start Shopping!!

Child like faith...

The other day while we were finishing our lunch, Carter asked me.."Mommy what is sin again?"

I began to explain, but before I could Evan chimed in, "Tartar (that's how he says Carter;) Sins are bad".... It's interesting putting these things into 'child like' terms. You'd be surprised how well even a two year old can understand them!

I said, "That's correct, Evan, sins are bad things that God doesn't like. It makes His heart very sad when we sin. And you know boys, we are ALL sinners. Did you know that?"

Carter, "No I'm not, Mom. I'm not a sinner."

Me, "Yes Carter. Even you are a sinner. Even mommy, daddy, Evan & Parker. Everyone is a sinner. The Bible tells us that."

Carter, "No I'm not one." shaking his head & taking his last bite of yogurt.

Me, "Carter have you ever lied to daddy?"

Carter, "Um..I think maybe not."

Me, "Carter haven't you been punished for lying before? & Haven't you been mean to your friends before?"

Carter, "That was a long time ago..it's ok now."

Me..kindly & with a smile as this little guy was determined to 'NOT' be a sinner..."Carter even if it was a long time ago, it was still sin. And God hates our sin. We have to get forgiveness for our sin to be right with God, and that is why Jesus came. Why did Jesus die for us?"

Evan loudly & cheerfully chimes in, "For our sins! For our sins, Tartar!"....what precious truth that is, even spoken from a babe.

Carter looked at me & said, "Mom, I don't want to have sins. I'll pray now."

He bowed his head & Evan bowed his head..because he does everything Carter does (so cute) and as he began to pray I picked up the pen next to me to jot it down.

"Dear God,
I want to be ok. Help me not to sin. I don't know how not to do it. Please help me. I love you, Jesus. Amen."

If that doesn't melt your heart, well then the oven ain't on, my friend!!

When he finished praying I had teary eyes & told him, "Carter, that is very good. God is pleased with your honest prayers."

I'm praying for the day when I hear my little boys call upon the name of Jesus for Salvation...I wouldn't be surprised if it's very soon. They sure do love the Lord & their little hearts see His goodness & forgiveness when they see their sins.

May we have this child like faith.
Bless you for stopping by!:)