With all the focus on Hurricane Isaac heading straight towards New Orleans, it's so different for me, now that I have actually visited New Orleans. I've walked those streets, seen those buildings and most importantly met some of those people. My prayers are with them during this time and the days to come.
As sort of a tribute to this city, I figured I'd finally do a post on our trip.
In June, Steven, Caleb, Asher and I drove to New Yorleans(as Caleb says it!) for the Southern Baptist Convention.
This convention was historic because Southern Baptists elected the first African American President, Fred Luter. He is a native of New Orleans and pastors Franklin Avenue Baptist. Their church was completely destroyed when Katrina hit and my heart is so concerned for them now. But I've heard his wife's testimony of how God raised the church after Katrina and I have no doubt He can do it again!
On the day of the election, the convention hall was absolutely packed, it was standing room only. You could feel the excitement in the air. Since the election was uncontested, the current President didn't want to take away the privilege from the delegates to actually cast their vote. So he asked the delegates in favor of Pastor Fred Luter to please raise their ballots in the air. The crowd not only raised their ballots but everyone stood and began cheering and clapping! It was something I won't soon forget. It still gives me chills as I type this over 2 months later.
As we were on the way out of the convention center that day, an older man took Steven by the arm and said, "let me tell you something young man." This stranger, with tears in his eyes said, "I was at this convention, in this very same city, back in the 60's. And if you would've told me on that day, what would be happening today, I would've told you you were crazy. But this is proof that God changes hearts." It was a priceless moment.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
New Orleans 2012
Thoughts from Cheryl at 3:46 PM 0 thoughts from Y*O*U
Monday, August 27, 2012
SQUIRREL!!
Ever since seeing the movie, UP, yelling "SQUIRREL" at random times has become something that we do in our family. Emma seems to have a knack for yelling it at just the right time. Well, the other day, the scene from this movie played out right before my very eyes!
We had been given a small table and some chairs for our 'classroom'. We were unloading them from the back of the truck and I asked Caleb and Asher to take a chair inside. Asher was slowly dragging his across the driveway and I was walking behind him carrying the other chairs. He's almost to the garage when he looks out into the yard and yells, "LOOK, A SQUIRREL!" He immediately drops the chair and runs off to catch the squirrel.
That boy!
Dougie wasn't home when this happened, so when I was retelling him the story, he asked, "do you teach him to be so funny?"
Nope, it's just comes natural, like a dog chasing a squirrel!
Thoughts from Cheryl at 4:01 PM 0 thoughts from Y*O*U
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
We've reached a milestone!
With school starting this year, our kids all hit a milestone. Emma started high school, Dougie started middle school and Caleb started Kindergarten. If you throw Asher in there as a preschooler, even though he's not actually going to a preschool, we have a child in every age department. Holy guacamole!
Love y'all dearly!
Thoughts from Cheryl at 5:16 PM 1 thoughts from Y*O*U
Labels: first day of school, homeschool
Friday, July 6, 2012
Heeeeellloooo out there!
I can't believe the last time I posted was March! Let's see, April, May, June and now it's July. That's embarrasing.
So here's a update on what we've been doing~
In April, Asher turned 3!
We took our youth to a camp in NC. While there, Steven and I were able to tour the Biltmore House.
Then we learned about "Awesome God! Amaaaazing Power!" through VBS.
And then we took a trip to New Yorleans (as Caleb calls it) for the Southern Baptist Convention.
So that's just a little bit of what we've been up to the last few months. Hopefully, I'll do a whole post on our trip to NOLA because it was amazing!
For now, gotta run. Summer's going so fast......and before long, we'll be at the beach! Yay!
Love y'all dearly!
Thoughts from Cheryl at 9:39 PM 1 thoughts from Y*O*U
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
NY part 4, The Finale
Even though Tuesday was an exhausting day, I woke up really early Wed. morning. I knew we only had a short time left and I wanted to enjoy every moment. So I quietly got dressed, left the girls sleeping (Garry and Skye were in a different room) and headed to the lobby. I started to walk down the street to Starbucks but since they were serving it in the hotel restaurant, I just got a cup from there. I sat in the lobby, read my devotional, drank my coffee and soaked up as much of NYC as I could. The lobby was decorated so beautifully for Christmas. I snapped this with my phone.
We had an amazing trip, I only wish we could've stayed longer. Thank you Garry and Skye for making this happen. We love y'all and will always remember this trip!
Thoughts from Cheryl at 4:16 PM 1 thoughts from Y*O*U
Labels: New York
Thursday, March 8, 2012
I miss you.
Dear Grandma,
After dropping Emma and Dougie off at school today, I was headed back home and just listening to the radio. Being in the car by myself (a rarity!), I was lost in my thoughts until I heard the very first note of the song. It was the song that will forever remind me of you. I started to change the station because honestly, I haven't been able to listen to the whole thing since you went home to Jesus. But then I changed my mind, something told me to just push through it. By the time he began singing the words I was already in tears. By mid song my grief was so strong.
I miss you so much.
But then he sang these words,
"And I hear the voice of many angels sing, "Worthy is the Lamb!"
At that moment, mind's perspective was shifted, my grief was taken over by a deeper, stronger, more peaceful emotion as I allowed myself to envision you before Jesus, singing those same words. It was so powerful that I thought I was going to have to pull over. Thank the Lord for back country roads!
As the song repeated, I was even more overcome when it registered in my mind what the song says next,
"And I hear the cry of every longing heart, "Worthy is the Lamb!"
Then I understood what I was feeling, I am longing. Longing to stand before my Redeemer and sing those precious words, "Worthy is the Lamb!" and I'm longing to see you, Grandma. Someday.
Almost a year ago I wrote this post about you and I want to share is again.
Originally posted May 18, 2011
Last Monday morning, I called my Grandmother to see how her Mother's Day went & to just catch up. I knew that she had planned on going with my mom & dad to my sister's church for my nephew's baby dedication. She shared with me how her legs had really been hurting her for several days and by Saturday night, she'd pretty much decided not to go. She didn't want to be a burden to others because she would be getting around slowly. But when Sunday morning came, she got up, decided to move around a bit and see how she felt. She went into the living room to watch her favorite Sunday morning show, The Gaithers. But when she tuned in, she realized that her show had already gone off and that another show was on and Chris Tomlin was singing. Her words to me were, "I just love Chris Tomlin."
*I love the fact that my 86 year old grandmother loves Chris Tomlin!
So she decided to watch this show. As some point during this show Chris sang, "I Will Rise" which is an amazing song. And as my Grandmother listened to this song, she knew that despite how she felt or the fact that she might be moving slowly, she had to "get up off her rear and go." (Her words!)
There is so much to learn from this example that my Grandmother has set for me. When I first decided to write this post, I was thinking about how she is an example of someone who is willing to embrace change, especially in the area of music. But as I typed this, I realized that there's a deeper lesson to be learned, with me being the first needing to learn it.
My heart and mind are now churning over all that I am sensing the Spirit speaking to me about in my life.
Sometimes I just need to get off my rear and go!
When I grow up I want to be just like my Grandma!
Thoughts from Cheryl at 8:53 AM 0 thoughts from Y*O*U
Labels: Grandma
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
NYC part 3
After resting and getting ready, we headed out to the 5 o'clock show. We decided that we'd get something to snack on at the show and eat dinner after. Our hotel was only a short walk, so we arrived in plenty of time. Garry had arranged for us to be able to get in early and meet a Rockette.
After the show, the girls wanted to go ice skating at Rockefeller Center. It is just around the block from Radio City Music Hall. It was a little rainy and pretty cold but it didn't dampen our spirits.
After the girls ice skated, we really wanted them to see Times Square, so we started walking. It's a pretty good walk from where we were to Times Square but so worth it!
We ate dinner at a restaurant in Times Square. I can't remember the name of it but we ate upstairs and we were overlooking the M and M store. The food was good but we were so exhausted at that point it really didn't matter.
On the way back to the hotel, we walked up on an event that they were pre-taping for the Rockin' New Year's Eve show. We just missed seeing Jimmy Fallon perform.
It was a fun-filled, packed day! One that I will remember for a long time.
I can't believe a 2 day trip is taking 4 posts but it is!
To be continued.....
Thoughts from Cheryl at 10:00 AM 1 thoughts from Y*O*U
Labels: New York