Redeemed

I am redeemed because Jesus paid the ultimate price for me.  He was tortured, beaten, ridiculed and nailed to a cross for my sins.  I often wonder what I would do if I was put into his position.  Could I withstand the pain that he went through?  During this season that we celebrate his birth I have been doing a lot of meditation about birth and death.

We all are born to die just like Jesus was.  The difference is he died for our sins so that when we, as Christians, die we will go to heaven to be with our Lord and Savior.  Jesus knew the time and place that he would be crucified.  I wonder what went through his mind or what I would be thinking if I knew the exact time I will die.  I would waste no time is spreading the gospel and trying to tell everyone about God.  Why do we hesitate with all kinds of excuses today?

In the last month there has been several people that I know that has gone to be with our father.  Our first reaction is to cry and be upset but we should rejoice that they have been called to heaven.  I am looking forward to dancing and singing as I walk through those pearly gates.

I hope everyone had  a very Merry Christmas and that we all remembered to tell Jesus Happy Birthday.


*In full disclosure I was provided with the products in this post to use and help me write about the story of Redeemed. They can be purchased at Dayspring. All opinions here are my own and in no way influenced by their contribution.

Frustrations and Random Things

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems you can't work fast enough?  Today has been one of those days for me.  The morning was a normal morning but about noon things changed.  I tried to get my deposit done so that I could leave when everyone else left but I think everyone in the school needed something done. I asked for help but no one had time to help me.  I also had a parent come in to enroll their child and numerous checkouts.  As it turned out I did not get to leave for over an hour after everyone else left.  I still had to stop at the bank to make the deposit too.  I am thankful that I have a 30 mile drive so that I could have a different frame of mind by the time I arrived home to my family. 

I am getting up in the morning very early to set up at a yard sale.  Why don't you come down to see me?  The hardest part is packing everything up but I like the rewards of making extra money.  I have a very busy day as I also have a Christmas Party to attend.  In the middle of all of this I want to listen to the Alabama vs Georgia football game.  I really want Alabama to win so I am rooting for them.  Roll Tide!

Another random thought is how close Christmas is.  I love Christmas time but hate the commercialism that goes along with it.  I dread all the money that is spent for toys and gifts that is not wanted, brakes, or pushed to the side in a few weeks.  Why can't it be a gift to represent a birthday gift for Jesus?  Most people do not even think about what Christmas is suppose to represent. We all need to read in the Bible about the birth of Jesus again to remind us how the traditions of Christmas was started.

OK, enough rambling for today.  Take care and God Bless
Angie

Thanksgiving

     Now is the time when everyone is giving special thanks for everything in their lives.  We are acknowledging to everyone these things. I personally tell God everyday that I thank him for this or that but during this season I will post for all to see what I am thankful for. One thing I really am thankful for is being able to gather together with my family for Thanksgiving.
     Yesterday there was 18 adults and children in my little house spending time together and eating good food.  We celebrated Thanksgiving early because on the actual day many of us would not be in town.  My sons, Michael and Matthew; my daughter, Melanie; my daughter-in-law, Amy; my mom and myself all took part in the fixing of our dinner.  My sister, Judy and her family came over which we do not see enough of.  This is what was left of our turkey.

 

     God gives us our families and we should show our love and appreciation for them.  We do not get the option of choosing who our families are, God gives us who he thinks is right for us.  The older I get the more I appreciate who I have as family members.  That doesn't mean that we always get along but I do love them.

 

 

 

 

     So never forget to give thanks to God for what we had, have, and will get.  We are nothing without God.

 

Angie



 

      We went to Tuscaloosa today for a visitation to the college.  I did not realize how large the campus is.  We did a lot of walking, heard some interesting information and saw some beautiful sites.  Having lunch in The Zone was awesome too. 

      Matthew is considering going to Alabama next year.  He still wants to visit some other colleges before he makes his final decision though.  He has already applied to Alabama and has been accepted.  If he decides on Alabama and he gets to stay in the dorm that the engineering students stay in he will be staying in the same dorm as the football players. 
     I am excited about this new adventure for Matthew but at the same time I am scared to death.  I hope I have taught him the right things about life so that he can succeed.  I know I am not the perfect mother and I may have not taught him everything but I have tried to do the best that I know how.  I am afraid that it isn't good enough still.  I am just going to let God lead him and do a lot of praying.  :)

Angie


    

Me

     It is hard to know where to start or what to say when you have never tried something like blogging. So after asking my daughter, Melanie many questions I decided to take suggestion to start by telling about myself. 
     I am a 56 year old grandmother of 5 very active kids.  There are 2 girls and 3 boys ranging in age of  20 months to 8 years old.  The first two are only 6 weeks apart.  I love these kids with all my heart and will do anything for them.   It really is hard not to step on parents toes sometimes because I try to help them a little too much.  I am the happiest when my whole family gets together even though it gets noisy sometimes.  Just tonight we were all watching an Alabama football game so between the adults watching the game and kids playing.......I will just let you imagine what was going on in my house.
    Speaking of adults I should tell about them too.  I have a daughter and two sons that have grown up to amazing people.  My oldest Melanie never ceases to amaze me with her intelligence, creativeness (is this even a word) and ideas.  I know I can always go to her when I need encouragement and uplifting or just a shoulder to lean on.  God has truly lead her in a mighty way.  Melanie along with her husband, Derek are the parents to three of the grandchildren that I have mentioned.  My oldest son, Michael, has many talents. So many that he does not know what he wants to do with his life when he grows up.  I am sure whatever he chooses he will become the best of because he always puts his heart into what he is doing.  I rarely see people with a heart for helping others like Michael has.  Michael and Amy have given me the other two grandchildren.  Then there is Matthew, my youngest son.  He is a senior in high school with hopes of attending college next year.  It is so hard for me to think of Matthew as a gown man but it is reality.  I think Matthew will succeed in anything that he attempts to do, he has that much determination.
    I will not leave my husband, Mike out either.  We have been married for 32 years with many happy memories, oh there are some sad times too but I prefer to leave them behind.  Mike is a stay at home dad because his back will not let him work.  He loves to spend his time telling school children that visit the capital about the history of our confederate forefathers and researching our family history.  We look forward to traveling and doing things that old folks like to do. hahaha
     I am still working as a bookkeeper for the school system.  I hope to work for another ten years so that I can comfortably retire.  I love my job and the people that I work with.  I also work with the JBQ team from my church.  I am learning while I am helping the kids learn about he Bible.  I also sell Avon just as a little extra income and because I have loved selling it.  I meet many nice people by talking to them about Avon.
    I guess I have told enough for the first blog.  I am sure I will be telling you more as time goes on. I always have something to tell about whether it is about my family or something that is going on around our town. 

Angie