Good Morning, how sweet the sounds

As I am getting myself ready for work in the early morning I hear the sweet sounds of the birds outside my windows. How blessed I am to be able to hear and to know that God sent that song for me, such a beautiful gift. I am thankful for God allowing me to live such a great life. My verse in Proverbs that I will take with me today is, All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward of perverse in them. My commentary tells me that froward is crooked. This goes very well with our sermon yesterday about we have the control over our attitudes!!!! I needed to hear that and even order a CD to be able to hear it again. My attitude is in need of adjustment and so are my words!!!! This is a stressful time at work for our department and I have been very stressed!!!! I am standing on Gods word and will be able to complete my tasks with a better attitude! Thank you Jesus....

What a great weekend. I did not accomplish much at my crop but did make a cute page out of scraps!!! Those are usually my favorite pages. Then Saturday we saw the musical in Branson Mo. called Noah. We are not into musicals but it was fascinating to see it, very long also. We enjoyed the show with my baby sister Melinda, her daughter Shevera and her husband Mark.

Had a great time. After the show we ate at Montana Mikes. It was good but not as good for me as Red Lobster. These outings are special to us because they come so few, our families do not get to be together as much as we would like. Here are some pictures of our adventure.....

Tonight we will be at the baseball fields....go little slugger.

Have a great day,

Tracy

Daughter of the King!!!!

He's back......

I love the flag in the background....

He stole home....I wish the pictures were better but I am still in the learning process of sports photography!!!! So much to learn!!! I need a monopod....



The crazy thing about a late game...it was cloudy, so I changed my white balance, sun going down, had to change aperature alot (still learning) action shots....then it turned dark and the lights were on in the ball field...but it is a great experience and I can only hope that some day when Garrett plays for the St. Louis Cardinals (smiles.....) I will be a pro and all of this will be just a learning experience...what a great time I am having learning!!!!! I am so blessed to be living this life, THANK YOU, JESUS.......

Yes, my superstar baseball boy came alive last night!!!!! We played an undefeated team and won! Garrett hit and got to first base and the ump called him out and the first basemane left the base....hmmmmm...... Next time he was up to bat...he hit it's to the center out field, he's running!!! He's to first base and safe, wait the out fielder dropeed the ball, what's he doing, he's running, second base and they are throwing the ball in....no!!! He didn't stop, he's to 3rd, No!!!! he didn't stop, what's he doing???? here he comes and they threw the ball in and he's sliding and the ball is in.....dirt is flying the crowd is screaming....HE'S SAFE!!!!! AND LITTLE G SCORES AND THE TEAM IS COMING OUT OF THE DUG OUT TO HI-FIVE. What a play!!! Garrett you rock, I even caught it with my camera but I got so excited it's blurry...what can I say???? I am so mom. Here take a look.

I am off to try to get my crop stuff together....lucky for me I work well under pressure...

Stayed tuned for the playoffs report!!!!! I think we have FIRST SEAT!!!!!

Here is a word for the day,

His Grace is Enough
Today's Scripture
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It’s kindness from Him that we don’t deserve. Grace empowers us and strengthens us. No matter what has happened in your past, you can receive God’s grace and forgiveness and start fresh today. You can hold your head up high because His grace is enough. You may not be perfect, but you are forgiven. When you go around holding on to your past mistakes or think you have to try to make things up to God, it’s like saying that His grace isn’t enough. Jesus has already paid for your mistakes. All you have to do is receive His grace today and thank Him for His favor and empowerment in your life. In the same way, extend that grace to others. Don’t try to punish people for their past mistakes; instead, give them favor to start over. As you allow God’s grace to flow through you, you will be strengthened and empowered. You’ll see yourself rise higher, and you will enjoy God’s blessing in every area of your life.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace today. I receive Your strength and favor in my life. Help me to extend that grace to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

My latest project...

Note...the pictures should have been after the journaling...opppsss...enjoy


Here is my weekend DIY team...My wonderful husband and his friend Larry. We just had a new roof put on and this is our back deck. Hopefully soon to have a hot tub on it. Here are layouts I made (also I was the Photographer!!!) and I mounted them behind an old window that I stained cherry.

It should be prepping for my Crop/Stamp group tomorrow night!!! But it's not, I am nesting the house. Why? well you see I have not seen my Dad since 2003 and he is coming to visit....Not that he really cares what the house looks like but I still cannot help but Fluff the house!!!! I have been hanging curtains, bought new throw rugs, rearranged some stuff... My Father will never know but I want my home to feel warm, loving, inviting....comfortable.

Time is uncertain so my heart is to make this a wonderful time for him. My family is loving the new colors, textures and arrangements and I am too. I am hoping to stain our decks this weekend. Our home make over is way past due!!! We have lived in our home for 7 yrs, in fact we bid on our home 4th if July day 6 yrs agoe... July 2002!!!!, and we have been working on our little 20 acre farm ever since and loving it!!! This home was meant for our family and answered prayer. My next immediate goal is to pay it off....yes, before the 30 yr note is due.

I will post pictures when my projects are completed this weekend, but here are a few from the past projects.

Have a blessed day,

Tracy

What is a seed thought.....

Here I am sitting at the edge of ( I can't think of the name...) taking in all of the beauty God has blessed us with. I never dreamed of doing such a thing until I was bitten by the love of photography ........This is only the beginning.....I know God has great plans for me....


IThought for the day from Brat Factor,





Ed White became the first American astronaut to walk in space on this day in 1965. Scientists and engineers believed that man cold walk in space and in doing so the seed was planted and space walks came into the human experience.








What is a seed thought you can plant today that will come into this human experience and make the world a happier place and make you happy too? All things start with a thought. If there is something you've always wanted to do but now you think it's too late, think again!





Daily Motivation for Moms

Monday, June 2, 2008

While your children are growing, pray often for their salvation, as the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it." ~ Isaiah 45:8





Have a blessed seed planting day,


Tracy

Happy Birthday Haden...

This is Haden, Garrett's little buddy since Kindegaten and

my best friends son. (Thank you boys for getting the Mommys together) He turned 9 yesterday!!!

All Haden wanted was football stuff and he that's what he

got. What a great gift, he also got to stay the night in

his new house for his b-day. Their family lost their home

March 07 to a house fire, lost everything. Lucky they were

out of town and no one was hurt. We have experienced many

seasons together in our friendship. Loss of belongings, family
members, friends,ect...more importantly we have also believed in God
in the tough times and also the rejoicing...Love ya Cindi.

"This is the "Princess"
aka Haley, Haden's little sister....
I couldn't resist taking a mini photo
shoot when I saw the umbrella.
I haven't worked on the photos yet.




Of coarse, I could not help but

add a photo of my favorite subject!!! Look at that smile

he just loaded up on the candy....




Mary, Joanna, Susanna - Friends of Jesus

Selections from Luke 8

Soon afterward [Jesus] was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.
The Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.
We're familiar with the apostles the men Jesus handpicked as his ministry helpers. But these women (and many others, the Scripture says) didn't wait to be asked. They willingly volunteered to serve and support their Savior as many still do today.
The love and practical assistance that these women offered freely to the Lord certainly mark them as women of character. But Christ's willingness to receive help from them especially when seen against the background of the times reveals the depths of his love and the uniqueness of his ministry. A rabbi of that day was supposed to distance himself from women, not even allowed to speak to his own wife in public. Imagine the feathers Jesus ruffled by not only accepting a woman's help, but befriending her as well.

Look At It This Way ...

The recipe for every friendship must include one basic ingredient: agape love. It is an unconditional love. It is not based upon performance; it is given in spite of how the other person behaves. Agape love is also transparent love. It is strong enough to allow another person to know the real you.

Love means to commit yourself without guarantee, to give yourself completely in the hope that your love will produce love in the other person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love. Perfect love would be one that gives all and expects nothing. It would, of course, be willing and delighted to take anything that was offered, asking nothing in return. The person who expects nothing and asks nothing can never be deceived or disappointed. Agape love is unique in that it causes us to seek to meet the needs of the other rather than demanding that our own be met. Our irritability and frustration diminish when we love another person because we are seeking to fulfill rather than be fulfilled. This is what agape is all about. - Norman Wright
A final thought:Like many of these exemplary women, you may not feel like you have a lot to give. But will you join them in giving what you do have, offering your life in service to the King?

Have a blessed day,
Tracy

Baseball, My Favorite Player!!!!

Garrett @ First base.....

This is Blake our little catcher, he and Garrett have us in stiches during the game with belly slides, talkin to the players as they are batting and they always have a tale to tell. Here Blake was sharing how a rather large boy was clinging to the fence and it fell down because he was to...._at..... hmmmm, wish you could have heard him tell it....

More of Garrett, I am loving these shots and I can only hope to improve from here...yah... Prophotomom. I am not a professional but my son thinks I am...... (smiles)

This is my sweet ball playing boy!!!!

These were taken through the fence...not bad. It is hard to be inside of the game without being in the way and also the fear of the ball...yikes, I need to wear a helmet.....This is Nick our pitcher and he is also one of the Coach's sons, he is fast as lightening and boy can he steal a base on top of pitching a great game.

Here is my sweet ball playing boy on first base. I am learning new things about my photography and I am loving what I am learning. Please share your thoughts. Have a blessed day,

Tracy, daughter of the King!!!!

Have a blessed day

The Kingdom

Today's Scripture

“It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Our God is an extravagant God. He loves to do exceedingly beyond anything we can hope for or imagine! It gives Him pleasure to pour out His abundance and goodness in your life. It gives Him pleasure to give you His Kingdom. What is the Kingdom of God? It’s simply God’s operating system, or His way of doing things. Throughout the Word of God, He reveals His principles and precepts for living the abundant life He has in store. When you follow His Word, when you do things God’s way, you get God’s results; you get His success and blessing. Choose God’s Kingdom today by following the Word of God. Romans chapter 14 tells us that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do you need more joy and peace in your life? Follow the Word of God in everything you do and open your heart to His Kingdom. As you do things God’s way, you will get His results and walk in victory and blessing all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your hand of blessing in my life. Thank You for giving me Your Kingdom. I receive it by faith today and choose to follow Your Word in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Wow, What a Week.

Last Monday on Memorial day we went to the creek, here is how you swim Ozarks style.

Here is the Album,





Valentines Class picture and a crazy


picture, (after the good picture of coarse)






I don't even know where to start, I am still somewhere between cold medicine and the last days of school. I am sad to see the end of our 3rd grade year, Mrs. Farmer has been a great teacher. We found out Friday the Mrs. Yockum(?) will be our 4th grade teacher. Garrett keeps calling her Mrs. Ogar because he says he can't remember Yockum? Hmmm,. I think he got a little laugh out of Ogar at school and it stuck.....















Well as a Thank you gift I gave Mrs. Farmer a 20 page 12 by 12 scrapbook album. She loved it and said I was going to make her cry. She commented, what a gift for my first year of teaching. She wants to learn more about scrapbooking and of coarse I invited her to my monthly crop.