For the past year or so our praise band from church has been going to Hardee's in between the 1st and 2nd service for breakfast....... This time has become so special to me...... We talk about everything and solve all our problems.... we laugh..... we get mad about ketchup, we laugh about boo be deee boop boop..... we get Julie and Shirley coffee...it's just a good time of being together....
Yesterday as we left, something funny happened and I said , "Man I am gonna miss you guys"... I don't think any of them heard me, so I wanted to take just a minute to tell the Hardee's crew...Kevin, Sterling, Lance, Bryan, Pam, and Eddie..... I am gonna miss you guys..... I have loved hanging out with y'all every Sunday at Hardee's....
Based on our schedule of speaking to Sunday School classes about our move, I don't know how many more of those breakfasts we have left..... Based on our current schedule I think we have about 5 more times...... Let's make them count..... lots of laughing to do....
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Kids Day at Christian Supply
Man was today fun!!! Thanks to my friend Joye Hall, I found out yesterday about a great fun day for kids that was gonna be at Christian Supply here in Spartanburg today......
Matt was going to Wahalla to see his parents so I decided to take Taylor to the Kid's Day... We had a blast..... There were several bouncy things, a train ride, a huge slide, snow cones, cotton candy, balloons, and the Chic-fil-a Cow....
We also got to take our picture with VeggieTales, Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato.... The cool thing was that Christian Supply took the pics for free and then they are going to place them on their website for everyone to see and print for free..... Thanks so much to Joy for telling me about the event..... Enjoy the pics below..... as you can see Taylor's favorite part was the snow cone.
Matt was going to Wahalla to see his parents so I decided to take Taylor to the Kid's Day... We had a blast..... There were several bouncy things, a train ride, a huge slide, snow cones, cotton candy, balloons, and the Chic-fil-a Cow....
We also got to take our picture with VeggieTales, Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato.... The cool thing was that Christian Supply took the pics for free and then they are going to place them on their website for everyone to see and print for free..... Thanks so much to Joy for telling me about the event..... Enjoy the pics below..... as you can see Taylor's favorite part was the snow cone.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Booked!
IT'S OFFICIAL..... like it wasn't already............. We got our plane tickets booked yesterday...... I am still in sticker shock!!!!!!! I have flown over seas several times, but I forget how much it costs.
Our official leave date is June 30th at 6:40 from the big GSP International.......
36 hours later...... we will be in Cebu.....
Unfortunately, we will have a looooooong lay over (9 hours) in Hong Kong, but I think after 14 hours of flying my mom is gonna need some time on the ground......
Yes, my mom is going..... She really wanted to see where we were gonna be and make sure we are safe.... She and our friend Mandie are coming. I am really excited for them to see where Matt and I went and experience a piece of the world that we have... It is so hard when you come back from a place like that because you want to talk about it, but no body really understands unless they have been there.... or at least some where similar....... They will be with us til July 12th and then head home.......
As of now our tickets are booked to come home for Christmas. Then we will return to finish out the rest of the year..... I say as of now, because plane tickets really depend on our support... If we get the funds.... we can come.... if not....we stay until June....... I must admit either way I am content, but it sure would be nice to spend Christmas with the family....but if we can't then I'll learn how to celebrate Christmas Filipino style....... and from what I have heard its my kind of place...........
According to my new friend Stefanie, (yes I contacted your agent, he said your calendar was EMPTY!!!!!) who lived there and taught at the school previously..... Filipinos start celebrating Christmas in September.......in fact they celebrate Christmas in all months ending in "ber"... The malls are decorated and the carols start to play..... Anyone who knows me, knows that I am busting out the Mariah Carey Christmas any day now.....Especially now that I uploaded it on iTunes!!!!! The Lord indeed is good and He knows where His children need to be......
I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS.... Enjoy the new song.... TURN YOUR SPEAKERS UP AND SING!!!!!!!!
Our official leave date is June 30th at 6:40 from the big GSP International.......
36 hours later...... we will be in Cebu.....
Unfortunately, we will have a looooooong lay over (9 hours) in Hong Kong, but I think after 14 hours of flying my mom is gonna need some time on the ground......
Yes, my mom is going..... She really wanted to see where we were gonna be and make sure we are safe.... She and our friend Mandie are coming. I am really excited for them to see where Matt and I went and experience a piece of the world that we have... It is so hard when you come back from a place like that because you want to talk about it, but no body really understands unless they have been there.... or at least some where similar....... They will be with us til July 12th and then head home.......
As of now our tickets are booked to come home for Christmas. Then we will return to finish out the rest of the year..... I say as of now, because plane tickets really depend on our support... If we get the funds.... we can come.... if not....we stay until June....... I must admit either way I am content, but it sure would be nice to spend Christmas with the family....but if we can't then I'll learn how to celebrate Christmas Filipino style....... and from what I have heard its my kind of place...........
According to my new friend Stefanie, (yes I contacted your agent, he said your calendar was EMPTY!!!!!) who lived there and taught at the school previously..... Filipinos start celebrating Christmas in September.......in fact they celebrate Christmas in all months ending in "ber"... The malls are decorated and the carols start to play..... Anyone who knows me, knows that I am busting out the Mariah Carey Christmas any day now.....Especially now that I uploaded it on iTunes!!!!! The Lord indeed is good and He knows where His children need to be......
I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS.... Enjoy the new song.... TURN YOUR SPEAKERS UP AND SING!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
What A Lady!
Yesterday I had the privilege of sharing from my heart with my church, Anderson Mill Road Baptist, during our Wednesday night service.... Matt and I were asked several months ago to share about the word "Sacrifice" in relation to our trip over seas and how we are gonna sacrifice...
At first we both just jumped at the opportunity.... We begin thinking about how we could use that as a time to raise money for our trip and get partners to pray and support us in future years we may serve......
As I prayed about what to say though, I told Matt that I didn't want the service to be about us.... but about people we met in the Philippines who really did sacrifice..Les and Sara Lee, The Filipino Crew, Pastor Reuben........ The more I thought about the move.. I just didn't feel like my sacrifice was something worthy of praise....I knew people who had sacrificed way more than me.....
God has really been working on me lately about what I am sacrificing for Him...... Yea I am moving to the Philippines now..... but what have I done for the last 6 years since Africa.....
I was so convicted about my lack of sacrifice and generosity by a story in a book that Les Tilka, the missionary we will be working with in the Philippines, sent to Matt and I to help with raising our needs for the move.... The book is called "Friend Raising: Building A Missionary Support Team that Last"
The story talked of a pastor who challenged his poverty stricken church in South America to be generous...... I know what you are thinking... "If they have nothing... How can they give?" The pastor went on to say that God's principles are His principles regardless of our circumstances....
CAN YOU SAY WOW!!!!......How many times do we not give of our time, money, resources, etc. because we think we have nothing to give... Let me remind you if you even have a home you are in the top 5% of the wealthiest people in the world..... We are truly so BLESSED....Even our poor in America live better than most of the world!!!! Those of you who think you are poor check out these pics.....There not here to guilt you into serving and sacrificing....just to make you appreciate all the more what you have..........
At first we both just jumped at the opportunity.... We begin thinking about how we could use that as a time to raise money for our trip and get partners to pray and support us in future years we may serve......
As I prayed about what to say though, I told Matt that I didn't want the service to be about us.... but about people we met in the Philippines who really did sacrifice..Les and Sara Lee, The Filipino Crew, Pastor Reuben........ The more I thought about the move.. I just didn't feel like my sacrifice was something worthy of praise....I knew people who had sacrificed way more than me.....
God has really been working on me lately about what I am sacrificing for Him...... Yea I am moving to the Philippines now..... but what have I done for the last 6 years since Africa.....
I was so convicted about my lack of sacrifice and generosity by a story in a book that Les Tilka, the missionary we will be working with in the Philippines, sent to Matt and I to help with raising our needs for the move.... The book is called "Friend Raising: Building A Missionary Support Team that Last"
The story talked of a pastor who challenged his poverty stricken church in South America to be generous...... I know what you are thinking... "If they have nothing... How can they give?" The pastor went on to say that God's principles are His principles regardless of our circumstances....
CAN YOU SAY WOW!!!!......How many times do we not give of our time, money, resources, etc. because we think we have nothing to give... Let me remind you if you even have a home you are in the top 5% of the wealthiest people in the world..... We are truly so BLESSED....Even our poor in America live better than most of the world!!!! Those of you who think you are poor check out these pics.....There not here to guilt you into serving and sacrificing....just to make you appreciate all the more what you have..........
........the pastor told how he challenged the group to set aside a portion of the Lord's blesssings to sell and give to those in need......and as he challenged they gave........Some gave rice, fruits, vegetables, etc......Can you imagine these poor starving people giving away what they had..... not because they would get anything in return, but because God asks his children to be generous........ All one lady had to give was a single tomato............
What an example she is to ALL of us....... We have so much more than one tomato........It is my prayer that I learn how to give and be generous just as this lady did.... I hope to meet her in Heaven one day..... What a Lady!!!
PS..... We got our plane tickets booked today.... June 30th is our official departure date.....Start planning our going away parties now!!!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Why do silly things bug us???
Things like.......
Someone taking our parking spot......Aren't we thankful for good working legs that can walk a few extra steps....
Someone interrupting us...... Patience is a part of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Someone cutting us off on the highway....There are 3 lanes, can't we be the bigger person and choose one of the other 2...
Someone talking about us...... Aren't you honored they talked about you...they could have talked about anybody!
Pouring the cereal in the bowl, then realizing you have no milk.... There is a Bi-Lo down the street
Buying a Big 'Ole Cheeseburger and Fries to take home, and then discovering there is no ketchup at home....This one is totally for me.....YOU NEED TO CUT BACK ON KETCHUP ANYWAY!!!
Waiting 4 minutes at a fast food line instead of 2....Isn't 4 minutes still fast for a whole meal of food?????
Waiting 30 minutes for a prescription....Aren't we glad we have a pharmacy to go to.
Sunday clothes (i.e flip flops ) (that one was for you Randy...Love ya Man!!!)....does it really matter....check this out!!!
One teller at the bank..... I am just glad I have money to put in the bank...and a bank to put it in!!
Jobs.......think about the alternative...card board box under heron circle...hmmm.......
Thanks for reading and entertaining my thoughts today...just some things I have been pondering.....and unfortunately some things the Lord has been giving me a spanking about.... (i.e. the pharmacy, and waiting for fast food.) If you have a good one to add to my list... SEND IT!!!! I would love to hear some more...This list has challenged me, I would love to be challenged some more.....
Someone taking our parking spot......Aren't we thankful for good working legs that can walk a few extra steps....
Someone interrupting us...... Patience is a part of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Someone cutting us off on the highway....There are 3 lanes, can't we be the bigger person and choose one of the other 2...
Someone talking about us...... Aren't you honored they talked about you...they could have talked about anybody!
Pouring the cereal in the bowl, then realizing you have no milk.... There is a Bi-Lo down the street
Buying a Big 'Ole Cheeseburger and Fries to take home, and then discovering there is no ketchup at home....This one is totally for me.....YOU NEED TO CUT BACK ON KETCHUP ANYWAY!!!
Waiting 4 minutes at a fast food line instead of 2....Isn't 4 minutes still fast for a whole meal of food?????
Waiting 30 minutes for a prescription....Aren't we glad we have a pharmacy to go to.
Sunday clothes (i.e flip flops ) (that one was for you Randy...Love ya Man!!!)....does it really matter....check this out!!!
One teller at the bank..... I am just glad I have money to put in the bank...and a bank to put it in!!
Jobs.......think about the alternative...card board box under heron circle...hmmm.......
Thanks for reading and entertaining my thoughts today...just some things I have been pondering.....and unfortunately some things the Lord has been giving me a spanking about.... (i.e. the pharmacy, and waiting for fast food.) If you have a good one to add to my list... SEND IT!!!! I would love to hear some more...This list has challenged me, I would love to be challenged some more.....
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
A Prayer to Remember!!!
On Sunday after church Matt and I had the privilege of eating dinner with 3 of the best ladies in town....Diane and Joye Hall, and Julie "juju" Stribling.... I talked Diane in to cooking us one of her famous home cooked meals....and man did she... Just so I can read it later when I am in The Philippines and dream about southern home cooking.. let me type you the menu...
Country Style Steak, turkey and dressing, okra, mac & chz, corn, green beans, brocc. casserole, mash potatoes, cucumbers, maters, cantaloupe, rolls, and pound cake for desert..... All this for just a random Sunday dinner...Can you imagine if it were Thanksgiving or Christmas......
Anyway..on to the prayer.... before we ate we asked Ms. Diane to say the blessing... We figured she was the holiest one there so she could really pray the blessings down (that's just a joke calm down) Ms. Diane is the holiest because she works at Christian Supply and runs the music dept...
Anyway as Ms. Diane prayed you could just feel the presence of the Lord, and then as she closed the prayer she said these words......
"Lord, take this food and make it nourishment for our butts, and our bodies to you service..."
Obviously she meant to say nourishment for our bodies and bodies to our service, but she slipped up..... Now for those of you who know that crowd who was eating together.... WE LAUGHED TIL WE CRIED!!!!!! It was hysterical..... I could only imagine that Jesus was laughing with us.... Obviously after all that we ate, our backsides were a bit more nourished!!!!
Ms. Diane said she had no idea where that came from but boy I am glad she said it.... I haven't laughed that hard in a while... It was definitely a prayer to remember.....
Let me close today by apologizing for no blog yesterday... I was home sick and the Internet wasn't working.... I am still at home today feeling a bit puny, but hopefully will be back at school tomorrow....
Country Style Steak, turkey and dressing, okra, mac & chz, corn, green beans, brocc. casserole, mash potatoes, cucumbers, maters, cantaloupe, rolls, and pound cake for desert..... All this for just a random Sunday dinner...Can you imagine if it were Thanksgiving or Christmas......
Anyway..on to the prayer.... before we ate we asked Ms. Diane to say the blessing... We figured she was the holiest one there so she could really pray the blessings down (that's just a joke calm down) Ms. Diane is the holiest because she works at Christian Supply and runs the music dept...
Anyway as Ms. Diane prayed you could just feel the presence of the Lord, and then as she closed the prayer she said these words......
"Lord, take this food and make it nourishment for our butts, and our bodies to you service..."
Obviously she meant to say nourishment for our bodies and bodies to our service, but she slipped up..... Now for those of you who know that crowd who was eating together.... WE LAUGHED TIL WE CRIED!!!!!! It was hysterical..... I could only imagine that Jesus was laughing with us.... Obviously after all that we ate, our backsides were a bit more nourished!!!!
Ms. Diane said she had no idea where that came from but boy I am glad she said it.... I haven't laughed that hard in a while... It was definitely a prayer to remember.....
Let me close today by apologizing for no blog yesterday... I was home sick and the Internet wasn't working.... I am still at home today feeling a bit puny, but hopefully will be back at school tomorrow....
Friday, April 20, 2007
No Life??? No Money???
What do you do on a Friday night when you have no life and no money???? You sit around and try to make your blog better..... I personally like to call it ministry instead of the harsh "no life" I call it ministry because a girl I have really never met told me today that she printed the "cocoon of grace" off for a friend of hers who has just recently come back to the Lord.... PRAISE THE LORD for that...... You never know how and what God will choose to use for HIS GLORY.....
Speaking of Glory... the song is titled.. "Glory to You" A perfect song for this blog because that is where the glory should go for me even knowing how to do it....Straight to HIM!!!!!! It is number 4 on Aaron Shust's CD.. He is the same guy who wrote "My Savior, My God"... Check out his site where you can pre-order his new CD for only $9.95
I put songs on the side and got ZERO response about it.....so I thought I would fix it where a song would play while you looked and read the blog.... You can turn it down... BUT the songs I am gonna put on here will minister to you WAY more than my words..... LISTEN TO IT!!!
I am gonna try to change it at least once a week maybe more......... Sterling are you proud of me?? I am trying to teach myself since you don't have time to spare from your woman (just a joke Heather chill out!).....
Let me know what you think!!!!!!! FYI..... THAT MEANS RESPOND!!!!! It is easy.... just ask MEGIE!!!!
Speaking of Glory... the song is titled.. "Glory to You" A perfect song for this blog because that is where the glory should go for me even knowing how to do it....Straight to HIM!!!!!! It is number 4 on Aaron Shust's CD.. He is the same guy who wrote "My Savior, My God"... Check out his site where you can pre-order his new CD for only $9.95
I put songs on the side and got ZERO response about it.....so I thought I would fix it where a song would play while you looked and read the blog.... You can turn it down... BUT the songs I am gonna put on here will minister to you WAY more than my words..... LISTEN TO IT!!!
I am gonna try to change it at least once a week maybe more......... Sterling are you proud of me?? I am trying to teach myself since you don't have time to spare from your woman (just a joke Heather chill out!).....
Let me know what you think!!!!!!! FYI..... THAT MEANS RESPOND!!!!! It is easy.... just ask MEGIE!!!!
We Have an Address!!!
For all of you who have been wondering where in the world you can send stuff to us while we are living in the Philippines... We finally have an address....
FOR LETTERS ONLY!!!!
Jed Dearybury or Matt Johnson (Depending on who you are writing to!!!)
Christian Light Foundation
CCPO Box 1123
6000
Cebu City
Philippines
FOR SHIPPING ONLY!!!
Jed Dearybury or Matt Johnson
Christian Light Foundation
#91- 4th Street
Paradise Village- Banilad
6000
Philippines
Write it down.... print it out.... and write to us.... email is great... but having lived overseas in Africa for a while... there is nothing like getting some real live snail mail..... If you write us a letter now.... it will probably get there about the same time we do... maybe sooner.... but then it will just be waiting on us when we arrive........ what an encouragement that would be!!!!
Ya'll pray for me today... I took the day off......I didn't wake up til almost 10.... Its gonna be a rough day!
O... One more thing... Check out my favorite itunes by clicking on the songs at the top left.... I am trying this out... so let me know if you can hear them.... I can... but the songs are on my computer... I want to make sure I did it right!!! SO RESPOND!!!!! Its easy and it makes me feel like I am doing something on here besides rambling to cyber space!!!
FOR LETTERS ONLY!!!!
Jed Dearybury or Matt Johnson (Depending on who you are writing to!!!)
Christian Light Foundation
CCPO Box 1123
6000
Cebu City
Philippines
FOR SHIPPING ONLY!!!
Jed Dearybury or Matt Johnson
Christian Light Foundation
#91- 4th Street
Paradise Village- Banilad
6000
Philippines
Write it down.... print it out.... and write to us.... email is great... but having lived overseas in Africa for a while... there is nothing like getting some real live snail mail..... If you write us a letter now.... it will probably get there about the same time we do... maybe sooner.... but then it will just be waiting on us when we arrive........ what an encouragement that would be!!!!
Ya'll pray for me today... I took the day off......I didn't wake up til almost 10.... Its gonna be a rough day!
O... One more thing... Check out my favorite itunes by clicking on the songs at the top left.... I am trying this out... so let me know if you can hear them.... I can... but the songs are on my computer... I want to make sure I did it right!!! SO RESPOND!!!!! Its easy and it makes me feel like I am doing something on here besides rambling to cyber space!!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Cocoon of Grace
Sunday at church, Julie stribling, who I spurred on yesterday, shared this thought during worship regarding a presentation that she had heard about the Monarch butterfly, and I simply can not stop thinking about it.....
She shared that after talking about how God spoke to her through the presentation and how she compared the life of a Christian (symbollically of course) to that of a butterfly..... Most of us have probably heard that before because it is such a great comparison to a sinner being saved and made a new creation..... but today I want to take this analogy a step further.....
When the butterfly is in the cocoon, just imagine what it must go through.... It literally changes from a nasty caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly..... It doesn't happen over night, and it is probably not very easy on the butterfly.... I would imagine it would be quite strenuous on the creature.... I could go look it up and give you some science, but common sense tells you it would not be an easy thing to go through.....
When he finally comes out of the cocoon, his whole way of life has literally changed....
He used to crawl, now he flies....
He used to be hideous looking, now he is beautiful
He used to have many hundreds of legs, now he has six
I guess you get my point... He is Different!!! But all of his changes did not come without the hardships that came from being wrapped up in a cocoon.....The cocoon symbollically was his grace....It wrapped him up and through the protection of the cocoon he was transformed into a new creature.......yet the cocoon did not take away all of his hardships....he still had to go through them to come out beautiful!!!!!
He loved us so much that He left Heaven to come down and wrap us up in his "cocoon of grace" that came from his blood on the cross, so that through his love and mercy our sinful hearts may be changed into new beautiful creations.... Salvation is the easy part....but the walk with Jesus after will be tough..... our roads may be long and filled with hurts, pains, and griefs, but through the protection of his grace we will be changed....... We are changed and are being changed daily to be more like him.... All becuase.....of His "cocoon of grace" I am wrapped up in it.... Are you???
Shewwwwwwww, "Ain't He Just Good!!!!!" I kinda feel like running around and being a little bit pentecostal!!!!!
"God wrapped us in a cocoon of grace!"
She shared that after talking about how God spoke to her through the presentation and how she compared the life of a Christian (symbollically of course) to that of a butterfly..... Most of us have probably heard that before because it is such a great comparison to a sinner being saved and made a new creation..... but today I want to take this analogy a step further.....
When the butterfly is in the cocoon, just imagine what it must go through.... It literally changes from a nasty caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly..... It doesn't happen over night, and it is probably not very easy on the butterfly.... I would imagine it would be quite strenuous on the creature.... I could go look it up and give you some science, but common sense tells you it would not be an easy thing to go through.....
When he finally comes out of the cocoon, his whole way of life has literally changed....
He used to crawl, now he flies....
He used to be hideous looking, now he is beautiful
He used to have many hundreds of legs, now he has six
I guess you get my point... He is Different!!! But all of his changes did not come without the hardships that came from being wrapped up in a cocoon.....The cocoon symbollically was his grace....It wrapped him up and through the protection of the cocoon he was transformed into a new creature.......yet the cocoon did not take away all of his hardships....he still had to go through them to come out beautiful!!!!!
WOW......If you dont see the comparison there let me tell you about Jesus.......
He loved us so much that He left Heaven to come down and wrap us up in his "cocoon of grace" that came from his blood on the cross, so that through his love and mercy our sinful hearts may be changed into new beautiful creations.... Salvation is the easy part....but the walk with Jesus after will be tough..... our roads may be long and filled with hurts, pains, and griefs, but through the protection of his grace we will be changed....... We are changed and are being changed daily to be more like him.... All becuase.....of His "cocoon of grace" I am wrapped up in it.... Are you???
Shewwwwwwww, "Ain't He Just Good!!!!!" I kinda feel like running around and being a little bit pentecostal!!!!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
"Spurrin You On" Day 5
Today I want to continue my "Spurrin You On" series. In case you missed the previous 4 I have linked them below so you can see who I have "spurred on" in the past and what in the heck a "spur on" is.......
As you can tell from the pic above I want to spur on Julie "juju" Stribling today!!! Obviously she is the one in the middle....DUH!!!!
She is one of the most awesome, caring, thoughtful people I know...... Last night she was concerned about Matt and I having a good dinner and she called and invited us to come eat at her school festival.... we already dinner plans so we couldn't but man that was thoughtful of her.....
She is not only thoughtful, but she is a great, excuse me GREAT!!!! leader for our church.... She has been our interim worship leader not once but twice, during times the Lord has been transitioning our church.... Each time she has done it with grace, strength, and poise.....She has led our choir and praise band to minister to our whole church Sunday after Sunday all the while ministering to her little kiddies at the school where she is a guidance counselor......
Her heart for our music ministry at AMRBC is not that we sing pretty and play correctly, but that we minister to the glory of God in all that we do.... She has lined up several opportunities for us to minister in the next couple of weeks!!!
Not only is she thoughtful, and a great worship leader, she is a heck of a fund raiser....... She and another friend of mine Auntie Joye Hall (my wanna be girlfriend) helped raise over 3000 dollars for our first trip to the Philippines....She also leads district one schools with the most money raised for Relay for Life....
WOW is she busy......All that said, I know she does it all for God's Glory.... She lives modestly and seeks no praise from man.......Juju..I love ya...and I hope you feel spurred today!!!!
P.S. Notice that the email sign up is gone from the right side....It wasn't working like I wanted it to, so I took it off...I'll try to get another one soon!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
From My Heart
Last night my mom cooked dinner for us.... It was totally unplanned, but she called about 4:30 and I asked her what she was cooking for dinner (for those of you who know my mom that was a hilarious question because she just doesn't cook, she is good at she just doesn't do it!)
Anyway, she asked me what I wanted... I was so glad she asked because I had been craving her salmon patties, mash potatoes, and pinto beans... It may be a weird meal to you, but it was one of those I had growing up that is just good... I love this meal too, because I put ketchup on every part of the meal... Ya'll know I love ketchup...
We went over at about 6:30 and we ate by around 7:15 or so... Taylor was there, but Johnnie-Lynn opted out because Lawrence wanted Taco Salad.... The meal was SOOOO good.... and the time together was even better....
For those of you wondering why the title "from my heart," here is your answer.... I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! Last night as I spent time with mama and Taylor, and I wished that Johnnie-Lynn and Lawrence were there, I just could not soak it up fast enough... As I face the leave for the Philippines in July, knowing that I will probably be gone for multiple years, all of my time with my family has become so valuable to me.....
I can not put into words the emotions I felt as I left mama's last night... I cried all the way home,and I am crying now as I type.... because Taylor hugged me bye and said "I love you BB" Man I wish I could have recorded that!!!!... and because it hit me that I really am leaving them all...Don't' confuse that with a complaint about going... ITS NOT!!!
I guess somehow since I was so excited and eager to give up my things here and serve the Lord wherever He asked, that He would somehow take away my "missing" ability.. Not so, if anything He has increased it so I will hold onto Him all the more... WOW what an honor, what a calling, what a privilege!!!
Ain't He Just Good..... I know even now as you read you are praying for me and praying for His strength to be made perfect in my weakness today....
Last night I began reading a new book that a friend of mine sent me called "Friend Raising, Building a Missionary Support Team that Lasts" This line stuck out to me all night and even now as I type...
I need your help today... Lift me up!
Anyway, she asked me what I wanted... I was so glad she asked because I had been craving her salmon patties, mash potatoes, and pinto beans... It may be a weird meal to you, but it was one of those I had growing up that is just good... I love this meal too, because I put ketchup on every part of the meal... Ya'll know I love ketchup...
We went over at about 6:30 and we ate by around 7:15 or so... Taylor was there, but Johnnie-Lynn opted out because Lawrence wanted Taco Salad.... The meal was SOOOO good.... and the time together was even better....
For those of you wondering why the title "from my heart," here is your answer.... I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! Last night as I spent time with mama and Taylor, and I wished that Johnnie-Lynn and Lawrence were there, I just could not soak it up fast enough... As I face the leave for the Philippines in July, knowing that I will probably be gone for multiple years, all of my time with my family has become so valuable to me.....
I can not put into words the emotions I felt as I left mama's last night... I cried all the way home,and I am crying now as I type.... because Taylor hugged me bye and said "I love you BB" Man I wish I could have recorded that!!!!... and because it hit me that I really am leaving them all...Don't' confuse that with a complaint about going... ITS NOT!!!
I guess somehow since I was so excited and eager to give up my things here and serve the Lord wherever He asked, that He would somehow take away my "missing" ability.. Not so, if anything He has increased it so I will hold onto Him all the more... WOW what an honor, what a calling, what a privilege!!!
Ain't He Just Good..... I know even now as you read you are praying for me and praying for His strength to be made perfect in my weakness today....
Last night I began reading a new book that a friend of mine sent me called "Friend Raising, Building a Missionary Support Team that Lasts" This line stuck out to me all night and even now as I type...
"The more we try to be strong without the help of others, the more we are weakened. At the same time, confessing our weakness and admitting our need for God and others strengthens us... 'For when I am weak, then I am strong' (2 Cor. 12:10)'"
I need your help today... Lift me up!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Inspired by Cotton!
A friend of mine (we will call him "Cotton") who I admire a great deal, sent me an email this weekend in regards to my post last week about "Donde Esta la Support Cards" I must admit he and I have had some interesting discussions about church, manhood, Home Alone (the movie and an inside joke), and life in general. He is an awesome guy and always seems to have a way to put things into perspective that make you sit back and say Hmmmm.......
With his email he did just that.... As I do about every post on here, especially since someone said they were offensive at times, I thought long and hard about what I was going to say in regards to the support cards.... I know how people get when you challenge them about money...especially those with a lot of it...That's why those people have a lot sometimes, because they hold on to it so tightly (no I am not trying to take away from those who work hard and earn things...save the complaints)....anyway..... I asked "Cotton" if he thought the post was too straight forward and this was his response......
Didn't you just say Hmmmm..... I could hear it all the way in Boiling Springs!!! God does indeed have a straightforwardness about Him huh???
I know, I know, I am by no means God, but I think if He communicates to us that way and He created the entire universe, how much more straight forward does little 'ole me need to be......
The funny thing about all His straightforwardness..... most people still didn't believe Him!!! That said.....SEND IN YOUR CARDS!!! Have a great Monday!!!
P.S. Don't forget to sign up for my blog in your email before you go!!!
With his email he did just that.... As I do about every post on here, especially since someone said they were offensive at times, I thought long and hard about what I was going to say in regards to the support cards.... I know how people get when you challenge them about money...especially those with a lot of it...That's why those people have a lot sometimes, because they hold on to it so tightly (no I am not trying to take away from those who work hard and earn things...save the complaints)....anyway..... I asked "Cotton" if he thought the post was too straight forward and this was his response......
Sometimes you gotta push some church folk - ie,
have them swallowed by a whale,
have a worm kill the tree they're resting under,
burn a bush,
flood the world,
turn them into a pillar of salt, etc..
Didn't you just say Hmmmm..... I could hear it all the way in Boiling Springs!!! God does indeed have a straightforwardness about Him huh???
I know, I know, I am by no means God, but I think if He communicates to us that way and He created the entire universe, how much more straight forward does little 'ole me need to be......
The funny thing about all His straightforwardness..... most people still didn't believe Him!!! That said.....SEND IN YOUR CARDS!!! Have a great Monday!!!
P.S. Don't forget to sign up for my blog in your email before you go!!!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Dearybury of a Day Delivered to Your Email
Okay...... So it is Saturday evening and I had this idea..... I wanted my readers to be sent an email when I posted a new blog, that way I wouldn't have to keep sending out a reminder to read.... So I googled the help I needed and voila!!!! I had an email subscription link on my page!!! Check out the box to the right!!!!!!!!
Sign up today.... If you don't I probably will still continue to send an email to remind you, but this will be way easier for you and for me.... Give it a try... ITS EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to point out I did this specifically for 2 people, Al Lord and Sterling Dyar... They are both great friends but HORRIBLE blog readers.... They only read if I email it to them.... Now they can have it emailed to themselves!!!
Sign up today.... If you don't I probably will still continue to send an email to remind you, but this will be way easier for you and for me.... Give it a try... ITS EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to point out I did this specifically for 2 people, Al Lord and Sterling Dyar... They are both great friends but HORRIBLE blog readers.... They only read if I email it to them.... Now they can have it emailed to themselves!!!
God is in a Yard Sale
This morning at 715 my sister called and said she was having a yard sale at Boiling Springs Tire... She wanted me to bring some stuff up there and sit with her because she didn't want to be alone with just her and her friend Ginger..... so being the wonderful brother I am I loaded up my car and went..... I had some stuff to sell... As I have began preparing to move to the Philippines, I have realized a lot of my stuff that's laying around is just meaningless junk that is in the way.... My spare bedroom has lots of stuff that is not needed and I need the space to store my classroom stuff that is not going with me......
So I get to the sale at about 8 and as soon as I get there, 2 ladies start pillaging through my stuff before I could even get it out of the car...... In five minutes I made almost 20 dollars....... Before 10 o'clock I had almost 60 dollars.....
I had an office chair that I really wanted to sell because it was in the way in my guest room, and a guy name Mr. Mayfield who is on staff at First North bought it... I told him 15 and he gave me 20 and said put it toward my trip.......
Another lady paid more than what I asked her for a rolling book shelf and prayed with me before she left, before she left I asked her did she know the Lord and she shared her testimony with me.... The Lord had given her grace to be freed from drugs and alcohol.......
In all I made 95 dollars... and my sister made 142.... It was a great day and I got spend some fun quality time with my sister.... I sure am gonna miss her when I am in the Philippines..... I will hang on to the fun I had with her this morning.... I am so glad she called, even if we did freeze our fannies off because of the wind. Thank God the sun finally came out!!!
Given the blessings of the morning, I can honestly say that God was in the Yard Sale!!! I have said it before and I'll say it again..... "Ain't He Just Good!!!"
So I get to the sale at about 8 and as soon as I get there, 2 ladies start pillaging through my stuff before I could even get it out of the car...... In five minutes I made almost 20 dollars....... Before 10 o'clock I had almost 60 dollars.....
I had an office chair that I really wanted to sell because it was in the way in my guest room, and a guy name Mr. Mayfield who is on staff at First North bought it... I told him 15 and he gave me 20 and said put it toward my trip.......
Another lady paid more than what I asked her for a rolling book shelf and prayed with me before she left, before she left I asked her did she know the Lord and she shared her testimony with me.... The Lord had given her grace to be freed from drugs and alcohol.......
In all I made 95 dollars... and my sister made 142.... It was a great day and I got spend some fun quality time with my sister.... I sure am gonna miss her when I am in the Philippines..... I will hang on to the fun I had with her this morning.... I am so glad she called, even if we did freeze our fannies off because of the wind. Thank God the sun finally came out!!!
Given the blessings of the morning, I can honestly say that God was in the Yard Sale!!! I have said it before and I'll say it again..... "Ain't He Just Good!!!"
Friday, April 13, 2007
Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to the Zoo we Go!!!
Today the entire first grade is off to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia... And let me be the first to praise the Lord about the nice weather..... We have wondered over the past week and half if we would need sweaters or shorts.... guess its either today depending on how hot or cold you get..... I chose shorts... Its always hot in Columbia..... I will try to post again when we get back... I am sure I will have plenty of stories....
On a serious note....
Thanks for the positive response that I got from yesterday evening's post.... It is so good to see that my readers can take a hardy dose of "straightforwardness" and not get offended.... I love all you guys that I sent letters too, and I just need you all to know how serious I am about doing what God has called me to do.....In the words of my Juju.... "love ya mean it!!!"
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Donde Esta la Support Cards?
Dear family, friends, and anyone else who is reading....... WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE YOU SUPPORT CARDS???? It has been almost 4 weeks and the TIME IS NOW to send them in!!!! Unfortunately, I said on your cards that you did not need to send payment until June 1st (which is true........ BUT WE NEED YOUR PLEDGE CARDS TODAY!!!!!!! The pledge cards indicate to us how to make our budget for the next year...
Many of you have assured me "O its coming, its coming," but let me ask you politely to get off of your procrastination horse and SEND IT IN!!!!! This blog is meant to be funny on this Thursday afternoon, but to make you think as well... I know lots of you are praying about what to do...But GGGGG's it took me less time to decide to give up everything I had to move around the world.... Surely you can decide to let go of some of your money each month so we can spread the gospel......
Let me help you with this....... the average person eats fast food 2 times a week according to a online statistics poll.... The average cost of that meal is 5 bucks...... multiply that times 2 and you get 10 ( i know I confused some of you there, I cant help I am such a math major)
Anyway.... multiply 10 times 52 and TADA you got 520 dollars a year..... I'm not asking you to give up fast food, Lord knows I love it.... If you have seen my recent video blogs of late you can honestly testify under a court of law that you agree!!!!!! but just cut it in half..... That's 260 a year....... Let me tell you what 260 a year would do for us in the Philippines!!!
That would be approximately
75 meals or....
1300 jeepney rides to work or.....
half a months rent or.....
encourage the heck out of 2 missionaries who are leaving every bit of comfort they know to go do what the Lord is calling them to do.......
Okay... Maybe fast food is not your thing..... Lets take golf as an example..... An average round costs 30 dollars..... Lets say you are the privileged man and you get to play 2 times a month... That is 60 dollars a month and 720 a year..... okay so don't give up golf, just cut it in half..... that's 360 a year....
Maybe you hate fast food and golf, but you smoke like a freight train..... Cigarettes are about 3 dollars a pack.... at a pack a day that is 1,095 dollars.... Talk about helping us out!!!!
I can hear the critics, skeptics, and doubting family members even now... If God wants you to go He will make a way..... Here is something to think about...... MAYBE YOU AND YOUR MONEY ARE THE WAY HE WILL MAKE A WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't miss what God is doing here folks.... This is big... for us and for you...........
In closing I will say this.... The other day I hear the famed pastor, Rick Warren, of Saddleback Church in California and the author or The Purpose Driven Life say this......."It is not a sin to be rich, but a sin to die rich.." God gives you "stuff" so you can use it for His glory...... not to save for a rainy day or fatten your retirement checks.......
Just so you know I will lose retirement every year I serve there....but you know what..... I will reap the rewards eternally... WILL YOU?
Many of you have assured me "O its coming, its coming," but let me ask you politely to get off of your procrastination horse and SEND IT IN!!!!! This blog is meant to be funny on this Thursday afternoon, but to make you think as well... I know lots of you are praying about what to do...But GGGGG's it took me less time to decide to give up everything I had to move around the world.... Surely you can decide to let go of some of your money each month so we can spread the gospel......
Let me help you with this....... the average person eats fast food 2 times a week according to a online statistics poll.... The average cost of that meal is 5 bucks...... multiply that times 2 and you get 10 ( i know I confused some of you there, I cant help I am such a math major)
Anyway.... multiply 10 times 52 and TADA you got 520 dollars a year..... I'm not asking you to give up fast food, Lord knows I love it.... If you have seen my recent video blogs of late you can honestly testify under a court of law that you agree!!!!!! but just cut it in half..... That's 260 a year....... Let me tell you what 260 a year would do for us in the Philippines!!!
That would be approximately
75 meals or....
1300 jeepney rides to work or.....
half a months rent or.....
encourage the heck out of 2 missionaries who are leaving every bit of comfort they know to go do what the Lord is calling them to do.......
Okay... Maybe fast food is not your thing..... Lets take golf as an example..... An average round costs 30 dollars..... Lets say you are the privileged man and you get to play 2 times a month... That is 60 dollars a month and 720 a year..... okay so don't give up golf, just cut it in half..... that's 360 a year....
Maybe you hate fast food and golf, but you smoke like a freight train..... Cigarettes are about 3 dollars a pack.... at a pack a day that is 1,095 dollars.... Talk about helping us out!!!!
I can hear the critics, skeptics, and doubting family members even now... If God wants you to go He will make a way..... Here is something to think about...... MAYBE YOU AND YOUR MONEY ARE THE WAY HE WILL MAKE A WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't miss what God is doing here folks.... This is big... for us and for you...........
In closing I will say this.... The other day I hear the famed pastor, Rick Warren, of Saddleback Church in California and the author or The Purpose Driven Life say this......."It is not a sin to be rich, but a sin to die rich.." God gives you "stuff" so you can use it for His glory...... not to save for a rainy day or fatten your retirement checks.......
Just so you know I will lose retirement every year I serve there....but you know what..... I will reap the rewards eternally... WILL YOU?
Brushy Creek GA's and RA's
Thanks for praying for Matt and I last night as we went to Brushy Creek to speak to their GA"s and RA's... For those of you not from a Baptist background.... GA stands for Girls in Action, and RA stands for Royal Ambassadors.... Both groups are designed to get kids involved in Mission Work as early as possible......
The group had about 100 kids and about 20 adults...... At the last minute we decided to speak to the whole group rather just the GA's...It was great though...More kids means more people who heard about what God is doing......
The best part of the evening was that MATT, yes I said MATT, did the whole presentation!!!!! I can hear the collective gasp of surprise as you read..... For those of you who know Matt, you know what an accomplishment that was for him.... I was so proud as he spoke....I know that he was way out of his comfort zone but he did it anyway......
Of course once he does start talking he does have the tendency to ramble a bit, so I sped him up by clicking through the Power Point when he slowed down a bit..... Of course I had to speak some. I can't be that quiet.....
Anyway....to those of you from Brushy Creek who may read this, let me just say we had a great time meeting so many of you and we look forward to hearing how many boxes you guys do.... Remember.... Get Started EARLY!!!!!!!!!! Also to the little girl who gave the definition of an idol.... GREAT JOB!!!!!! You deserved your prize!!!!!
If you know of a church or a group who may be interested in hearing our presentation about what we did in the Philippines and what we are going to do, please drop me an email and let me know how to contact them...... mrdearybury@hotmail.com
The group had about 100 kids and about 20 adults...... At the last minute we decided to speak to the whole group rather just the GA's...It was great though...More kids means more people who heard about what God is doing......
The best part of the evening was that MATT, yes I said MATT, did the whole presentation!!!!! I can hear the collective gasp of surprise as you read..... For those of you who know Matt, you know what an accomplishment that was for him.... I was so proud as he spoke....I know that he was way out of his comfort zone but he did it anyway......
Of course once he does start talking he does have the tendency to ramble a bit, so I sped him up by clicking through the Power Point when he slowed down a bit..... Of course I had to speak some. I can't be that quiet.....
Anyway....to those of you from Brushy Creek who may read this, let me just say we had a great time meeting so many of you and we look forward to hearing how many boxes you guys do.... Remember.... Get Started EARLY!!!!!!!!!! Also to the little girl who gave the definition of an idol.... GREAT JOB!!!!!! You deserved your prize!!!!!
If you know of a church or a group who may be interested in hearing our presentation about what we did in the Philippines and what we are going to do, please drop me an email and let me know how to contact them...... mrdearybury@hotmail.com
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Parking Lot Rock!
Okay, so sometimes in blog world you have to think of things to write about...... Not everyday is filled with a deep thought or something funny to write about so you go in search of things to discuss, mention, laugh at, etc.... If you don't believe me, check out my friend Matt's blog for the last 2 days... The one for today is even harrier, I mean scarier!!! Check it out and you'll know what I mean!!!!
Anyway, I thought I would show you all a picture of this rock I found about 3 years ago in the parking lot at a little diner called "Gail's" in Lyman, SC. It was pouring down rain and my mom of course parked right beside a HUGE mud puddle.... I opened the door to get out and there was a rock in the middle of the puddle right about where my foot would land getting out of the car....I stepped on it and almost instantly saw a familiar shape in the rock...... Do you see it????
Anyway, I thought I would show you all a picture of this rock I found about 3 years ago in the parking lot at a little diner called "Gail's" in Lyman, SC. It was pouring down rain and my mom of course parked right beside a HUGE mud puddle.... I opened the door to get out and there was a rock in the middle of the puddle right about where my foot would land getting out of the car....I stepped on it and almost instantly saw a familiar shape in the rock...... Do you see it????
I was so excited because I love South Carolina stuff.... I asked the lady inside Gail's if I could keep a rock out of her parking lot and she laughed at me with that laugh that said you are the dumbest person I know for wanting a rock from a parking lot..... I went to get the rock and showed it to her and she said "I be dern it's South Carolina"
The rock is now proudly displayed in my flower bed at home just beside the front door. I knew the day I picked it up that it would one day lay in a garden somewhere, and now it is....
Please pray for Matt and I tonight as we are speaking at Brushy Creek Baptist in Taylors to a group of about 75 GA's about Operation Christmas Child and the Philippines.... Just a reminder.....If you haven't sent you support card in......DO IT TODAY!!!! In the words of my friend Julie, "Love ya, Mean it"Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!
I was very surprised to walk in my classroom and see that my coworkers had decorated my room in honor of my 29th birthday today..... A big message on the board, red balloons everywhere, red and white streamers hanging from the ceiling, and confetti and gifts all over my desk... I think we should all start everyday like this..... Enjoy the pics and help me celebrate!!!! My kids will be bouncing off the walls.... PRAY!!!!!! O my goodness, they just came in the room and about 3 of them brought me presents....which obviously came from their Easter baskets, BUT HOW THOUGHTFUL!!!!!
Monday, April 9, 2007
Easter Pics!!!
This is me being a great "BB".... I went and spent the whole day on Friday with my mom and my niece Taylor.... Her daycare was closed on Good Friday so we decided to dye eggs!!! It was so much fun!!
This is a great pic of my mom and Taylor waiting on the eggs to come out of the dye.... Notice in the background how good our eggs turned out....Mama was always good at making the colors turn out just right!
After we finished dying the eggs, Taylor put her "good clothes" back on and we went out to take some pictures for Nana and her mama... I liked this one best!!! Johnnie-Lynn, her mom, used to pose the same way when she was little....
And in traditional Easter fashion, we all went outside to take our annual Easter Family Photo.... Of course the girls were not looking and it was VERY cold and windy, but none the less we have a pic.... Thanks to Matt-Matt for taking it!!!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Why did we join CLF???
Lots of you have asked me..."why join CLF???" Due to my incredible and awesome video skills, I decided to post a video message once more..... For those of you who prefer my written words of wisdom, calm down......Let the new wear off and I'll be back to writing my normal everyday encouragements..... I have got a great, and I do mean GREAT "Spurrin You On" coming up for tomorrow!!!!! Stay tuned!!!!!!
P.S. Kevin...Where in the world are you??? We miss you at church!!! Enjoy the video!!!
P.S. Kevin...Where in the world are you??? We miss you at church!!! Enjoy the video!!!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
It's Official
Matt and I are officially partners with the Christian Light Foundation.... Our interviews went great, and they approved us within minutes.... We were so excited about how well things went....
After we finished the interview we decided to go ahead and leave Jacksonville and stay with my Aunt Janice and Uncle Bob in Waycross, GA.... Uncle Billy was there too.... We had a great time... That was the first time I had seen them since my grandma Maudie died almost 2 years ago.... We had to talk about her a little bit, and seeing how much my uncle Billy looked like her made me miss her something awful....
Bob fixed us Filets for "supper" and they were fantastic... nothing like a free place to stay and a free meal..... speaking of free meals... Some of you frequent blog readers only have just 80 something days to get that free meal in that you have been promising... I won't name any names, but you can find one of them at Miliken and teaching Sunday School at AMRBC and the other one attempts to guide children in the right direction and leads people to the throne on Sundays......... I will be awaiting my invites!!!!!!!!!!
Today we got home around 6:30 and I am beat....... we stopped and had dinner at Columbiana Mall..... teriyaki chicken philly from Great Steak and Potato is the best!!!!!!!!!!
I think I will go to bed early tonight...... Be watching for information about giving to us online at CLF's website..... As soon as our names are on there, I will let you know!!!!
After we finished the interview we decided to go ahead and leave Jacksonville and stay with my Aunt Janice and Uncle Bob in Waycross, GA.... Uncle Billy was there too.... We had a great time... That was the first time I had seen them since my grandma Maudie died almost 2 years ago.... We had to talk about her a little bit, and seeing how much my uncle Billy looked like her made me miss her something awful....
Bob fixed us Filets for "supper" and they were fantastic... nothing like a free place to stay and a free meal..... speaking of free meals... Some of you frequent blog readers only have just 80 something days to get that free meal in that you have been promising... I won't name any names, but you can find one of them at Miliken and teaching Sunday School at AMRBC and the other one attempts to guide children in the right direction and leads people to the throne on Sundays......... I will be awaiting my invites!!!!!!!!!!
Today we got home around 6:30 and I am beat....... we stopped and had dinner at Columbiana Mall..... teriyaki chicken philly from Great Steak and Potato is the best!!!!!!!!!!
I think I will go to bed early tonight...... Be watching for information about giving to us online at CLF's website..... As soon as our names are on there, I will let you know!!!!
Monday, April 2, 2007
Jacksonville Video Blog #1
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!!!! It is 11 hours later, and Tuesday morning, but I have finally gotten my first video blog with sound online!!!! Gimme a hand....... I also I noticed my counter is getting near 1,000 at the bottom of the page.. Please email me if you are number 1,000... Click on the video below to watch!!!!
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