Such a great Mother's Day!

What a GREAT Mother's Day!

Let me list for you some GREAT things that happened today:

1) We sang at church for the very first time- Beneath the Waters by Hillsong.  It has been one of my favorite songs, for awhile.  The words share Who Jesus is, and What He did for us at the cross!  Thank You, Jesus!  Leigh Anne just knocked it out of the park!  And why did she?  Because she has experienced and lives in the revelation of knowing Christ as her life!  I will post the lyrics and the video at the end of this blog.  


2) Johnie, Cody, Allison, Ben, Connie, Beas, Nick and I had lunch here at the house.  Again, a beautiful time.  We talked, we laughed, we shared.  My Connie means the world to me.  She is the mother/friend that God brought into my life 8-10 years ago.  She has taught me what someone who TRUSTS Christ looks like.  She doesn't just say it, she does.  It comes naturally to her.  As it should to all of us.  I love Connie.  I am so blessed that Connie is one of my "all things".  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  He took a motherless daughter and gave her to a daughterless mother.  He worked us together for good.  

3) The kids and my beloved Nick got me EXACTLY what I wanted!  A wagon to pull around the yard!  I LOVE it!!!  The boys put it together for me yesterday!  Thank you, Cody and Johnie!  I do a lot of gardening and this will make my life so much more easy and enjoyable!

4) Sweet Allison- my dear daughter and her sweet Ben- seriously could I ask for a better son-in-love??  Got me a dozen pink roses- I think she got them to honor my mom today (I think she read one of my blogs from yesterday!)  She also got me 3 great cards...yep...I'm going to post them!  And a plant for my porch.  But greatest of all were her words to me:

"Last but not least, thank you to the most important woman in my life, my mama. Happy Mother's Day to you! You are a great mom. Even in times of doubt you are a great mama. You have taught me how to love, how to control my emotions ( even when I fail lol), how to trust Christ in all things and how to give thanks in all things. You are the most beautiful, kind, generous, loving, creative, selfless and inspiring woman that I know! You have taught me to never give up. Even though you did not have a mom to model how to be a mother, you have done a fantastic job! Without you so many things in my life wouldn't have happened: my wedding day, graduation, my first year of teaching, my first year of marriage, and the list goes on and on. You have pushed me and encouraged me all along. You are first my mother but secondly you are my very best friend (besides Ben! : ) ) I am so thankful for you! I pray The Lord continues to reveal himself to you and speak through you. ACLU. All my love!"

Wow.  I can't tell you what these words mean to me.  Honestly.  I praise God for His healing in me so that I could be the mother He created me to be.  Without Him...well, lets just say- it wasn't good!

I've been pretty honest that as the kids were growing up I wasn't a very good mom.  I really really struggled emotionally.  I'm not going to go into detail here (all you have to do is read this blog long enough!) but I believe God is answering my prayer.  He is restoring the years the locusts destroyed.  

My hearts desire for my beloved children- Allison, now Ben, Cody and Johnie is this: that you each have a beautiful, intimate fellowship and oneness with Jesus Christ.  That He is your Center- your Life.  

"Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)"

This is my revelation
Christ Jesus crucified
Salvation through repentance
At the cross on which He died

Now hear my absolution
Forgiveness for my sin
And I sink beneath the waters
That Christ was buried in

[Chorus]
I will rise, I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him, now in Him
I live

I stand a new creation
Baptized in blood and fire
No fear of condemnation
By faith I'm justified

[Chorus]
I will rise, I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him, now in Him
I live
[x2]

I rise as You are risen
Declare Your rule and reign
My life confess Your Lordship
And glorify Your Name
Your Word it stands eternal
Your Kingdom knows no end
Your praise goes on forever
An on and on again

No power can stand against You
No curse assault Your throne
No one can steal Your glory
For it is Yours alone
I stand to sing Your praises
I stand to testify
For I was dead in my sin

[Chorus]
But now I rise, I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him, now in Him
I live

I will rise, I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him, now in Him
I live
[x2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTwA3NLEjY4

LOL...she KNEW I thought about it!