new believer

Today a great thing happened… Allison, a 10-year-old girl in my VBS class accepted Christ as her Savoir. I really enjoy talking to her and I hope to continue our relationship and hopefully disciple her. I actually met her at last year’s VBS. We exchanged #s and I hope to take her and her younger sister to church and maybe Awana this fall. She seems pretty excited about her decision, as am I. Hopefully this is something she will take back home with her.
I just ask the LORD to guide and direct me in my relationship with her and her family. My prayer is that her entire family can come to Christ and she will continue to grow spiritually.

Jadyn ready for VBS 

creek in the Blue Ridge 

I had an enjoyable weekend. We left the kids with Don’s family (Jadyn for the 1st time) and went up to the Blue Ridge parkway, Petites Gap, to camp. It was a fun time with Ryan, Stoner, Steve and the Bryant sisters, Rebecca and Sara. We went for a little dip in the cold creek and climbed up the side if a steep and slick mountain rock. Don became a rock slide himself, but made it out with minor scratches. The stars are so awesome on a clear night in the mountains.
The next morning we set out to float down the James river on inner tubes. It was a lot of fun with the rapids. Did run into one rock and don had an incident as well, but made it out a live with lobster- like sun burns. I do forget how much fun I have with everyone.
It reminds me how true it is that when a person gets married; you marry not just the individual, but the family and friends –like it or not.

Yesterday I went up to LU and applied for another Scholarship/Grant. It looks like I will also have applied to get another loan; in hopes to receive a grant. These are my last ditch efforts to make school more affordable. I have mixed feeling about this next school year. I know I’ll be very busy; I hate to put my family on the back burner. Yet, it seems that the end justifies the means...

caleb on June 21st 2005  

Cheese & grapes 

Sisters! 

Jadyn & Sprinkle 

A BALL PLAYERS PRAYER
by Hal Skinner

God grant me wisdom,
to tell a strike from a ball,
to know where to throw
and never to fall.

Keep me always in the base line,
running straight and true
and I'll look for your sign,
to stretch one into two.

God give me vision,
to see every pitch,
so if a player needs help,
then I will see which.

Let me always hustle,
so I'll be at my best
and take pride in myself,
in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,
when I throw the ball
when I'm far from home plate,
or against a wall.

So I never miss a base,
please guide my feet,
bring me home safely,
so my job is complete.

When I help younger players,
let me always give praise,
so they'll see you in me,
in all of my ways.

God please guide our coach,
to be fair and smart,
to teach us to be good,
let it come from his heart.

Let me take a loss,
just as well as a win,
to do any less,
is surely a sin.

As long as I can play,
let me make my parents proud,
as proud as I am,
when they yell my name out loud.

However my games end,
let me always have fun
and if Heaven has All Stars,
I want to be one.

When my games here are over
and my seasons are done,
let me play on your team,
just like your son.

Amen

A BALL PLAYERS PRAYER

by Hal Skinner

God grant me wisdom,
to tell a strike from a ball,
to know where to throw
and never to fall.

Keep me always in the base line,
running straight and true
and I'll look for your sign,
to stretch one into two.

God give me vision,
to see every pitch,
so if a player needs help,
then I will see which.

Let me always hustle,
so I'll be at my best
and take pride in myself,
in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,
when I throw the ball
when I'm far from home plate,
or against a wall.

So I never miss a base,
please guide my feet,
bring me home safely,
so my job is complete.

When I help younger players,
let me always give praise,
so they'll see you in me,
in all of my ways.

God please guide our coach,
to be fair and smart,
to teach us to be good,
let it come from his heart.

Let me take a loss,
just as well as a win,
to do any less,
is surely a sin.

As long as I can play,
let me make my parents proud,
as proud as I am,
when they yell my name out loud.

However my games end,
let me always have fun
and if Heaven has All Stars,
I want to be one.

When my games here are over
and my seasons are done,
let me play on your team,
just like your son.

Amen

A BALL PLAYERS PRAYER

by Hal Skinner

God grant me wisdom,
to tell a strike from a ball,
to know where to throw
and never to fall.

Keep me always in the base line,
running straight and true
and I'll look for your sign,
to stretch one into two.

God give me vision,
to see every pitch,
so if a player needs help,
then I will see which.

Let me always hustle,
so I'll be at my best
and take pride in myself,
in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,
when I throw the ball
when I'm far from home plate,
or against a wall.

So I never miss a base,
please guide my feet,
bring me home safely,
so my job is complete.

When I help younger players,
let me always give praise,
so they'll see you in me,
in all of my ways.

God please guide our coach,
to be fair and smart,
to teach us to be good,
let it come from his heart.

Let me take a loss,
just as well as a win,
to do any less,
is surely a sin.

As long as I can play,
let me make my parents proud,
as proud as I am,
when they yell my name out loud.

However my games end,
let me always have fun
and if Heaven has All Stars,
I want to be one.

When my games here are over
and my seasons are done,
let me play on your team,
just like your son.

Amen

A BALL PLAYERS PRAYER

by Hal Skinner

God grant me wisdom,
to tell a strike from a ball,
to know where to throw
and never to fall.

Keep me always in the base line,
running straight and true
and I'll look for your sign,
to stretch one into two.

God give me vision,
to see every pitch,
so if a player needs help,
then I will see which.

Let me always hustle,
so I'll be at my best
and take pride in myself,
in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,
when I throw the ball
when I'm far from home plate,
or against a wall.

So I never miss a base,
please guide my feet,
bring me home safely,
so my job is complete.

When I help younger players,
let me always give praise,
so they'll see you in me,
in all of my ways.

God please guide our coach,
to be fair and smart,
to teach us to be good,
let it come from his heart.

Let me take a loss,
just as well as a win,
to do any less,
is surely a sin.

As long as I can play,
let me make my parents proud,
as proud as I am,
when they yell my name out loud.

However my games end,
let me always have fun
and if Heaven has All Stars,
I want to be one.

When my games here are over
and my seasons are done,
let me play on your team,
just like your son.

Amen

It’s not looking good for me returning to school in the fall. My scholarships just leave too much for us to handle – even with a loan. But my hopes are high, that I will keep myself busy, spend more time with the kids and do something I love and make $ at it.

I am hoping to do some art work to sell on-line and at craft fairs. But What I really want to do is teach Softball Pitching and Hitting and/or coach a HS team. I wrote TCS asking if they needed a softball coach. While they might need one, they already have one for now. They did ask if I would be interested in coaching Volleyball or Basketball. I would of course have to study up, but I think I would really enjoy coaching at a Christian school. So now I have to convince Don that I can find a baby sitter. And look into this further. My prayer is that my dream job could work out.

Caleb & Sprinkle in Oklahoma May 2005  

Sick kids

Today caleb is sick again for the 6th day in a row. He has a high temp. Jadyn is grumpy, cause she won’t eat.
I do not know what to do. All they want to do is sit around and watch TV. I have so much to do laundry, dishes, cooking – it never ends.
I wish I could appreciate these days, but I don’t. I really want to escape -go out in the summer sun and catch some rays. I want a tan. I know it’s so selfish. I feel that I’m a pretty inadequate mother.
This is why I wish I could finish school and get a job. I really like keeping busy with work outside the house. I want the best for my kids. I think that if they where in school then I could give them 100% when I am with them. I think I would enjoy them more. I don’t know, I never do… Guess I just have to give it all to God and trust He will work it all out for the best for all of us.

Currently Watching Pooh's Heffalump Movie By Jim Cummings, Brenda Blethyn, Kyle Stanger see related

SCHOOL??
Today the kids have high temps -- so all we are doing is watching winnie the pooh videos.
I'm not sure if i will return to school this fall. As of right now I have some scholorships, but not enough to cover it all-- i still have almost $3000 left per semeter to pay. I really think that I could get a graphic designer job w/o a degree. besides what i really want to do i coach HS softball.

Home?

I enjoyed my time with family in Okla. Aubra & I went to visit Grandma Searcy, possibly for the last time. She liked to see the kids and it was nice to see that she was doing better than I expected.
It’s weird to return to a house that doesn’t smell like home – the home I where I reside, in Virginia doesn’t smell like my own. The scents from different rooms are not the familiar. I suppose I think home should have a neutral scent -- or something you don't notice.
It was really great to see Don again. I didn’t realize how much I missed him.
We brought back a kitten with us -- Caleb named her Sprinkle-- she's cute, of course and looks like a holstien cow. So now i'm busy getting settled back into everyday life. I put up stuff and weeded the flower garden today. so for now I'm going to try to enjoy the rest of the summer, before heading back to school in Aug.

stormy night

it's a stormy night here in OK. the weather man says we could have a tornado!! scary stuff!! but sorta fun. Amy played ball all day and her team the STORM has won every game this weekend so far. It's great to get to see her play ball. Being here around it all makes me really realize how much i miss it. I can hardly wait for my kids to start playing-- i hope they like it as much as I do. I do wish I could be more involved in umpiring and even coach or better yet give lessons. I think I'll have to drum up some business for that if we stay in VA. I should be headed back hom on monday or tuesday. -- so as the rain comes beating down-- i got to hit the hay- g-nite