Incredulous, I asked “Why didn’t you jump?” She told me that she doesn’t jump when she gets scared. She just sat and stared at the screen and froze.

Then of course, we had to send the message on to scare the wits out of someone else! ”

This week has been fraught with challenges. Satan has been messing with me all week, but he is running scared because he knows his time is near. I will not allow anything he throws at me deter me from the race I am in on the narrow path. My Jesus overcame and I have my hope and trust in Him alone! So Satan, I know you are reading this – take a hike!

Blessings -

Tam..

I rather like the old mustangs. We did find one Nash Rambler that my Mom always wanted. I snapped a picture of that for her. They also had a Buick Roadmaster that my Dad always wanted.

It was a wet, tiring day – but my man had a good time and that is what is important on date day.

Thank You Lord for this brand new day. A day to celebrate who You are and who You were and who You will always be. I love you so!

Tonight is our “A Night for Laughter” women’s event at church. How I pray God will use this to bring many to His throne. He alone knows the plans he has for this night. Father, I ask that you will be with those who are unable to make it, especially those from the women’s ministry team. Be with each one of them in their own circumstances and let them feel Your love as we worship You tonight with laughter. I pray we will all come before You as little children. In innocence and great anticipation of the joy we will receive just for being in Your Presence. You are amazing God. (and yet another song in my head – thank you Lord).

This week will be one of my busiest weeks in a fairly long time. Between traveling for work, mid-terms, women’s team meeting and tonight, I know by Friday I will be a big bag of ooze. I know You will help me give my full attention to each and every thing on my plate this week Lord – You have always been there for me.

Well, best make sure all my ducks are in a row for services as I will be pitching the comedy night again to all the ladies as they come in this morning.

I love You Lord – thanks for always being there for me.

Love -

Tam..

My Aunt Lois passed away a couple weeks ago. Aunt Lois is my Dad’s younger sister and has now hopefully joined him in Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. I say hopefully because I do not know if she knew the Lord personally. Why is it so hard for us to reach out to family members with the love of Christ?

Coming to the end of reading week for college classes. That is good and bad. It will be good to get back into class and learn more things, but it also brings a mid-term exam in one of my classes. I tend to have terrible test anxiety. Forty eight years old and still have anxiety.

I will be traveling for work next week to Fayetteville. I have always had trouble going to that town. Some of the reasons I have firgured out, others I have not. It is just a depressing town. Seems run down to me and not very alive. It is a military town with an Army post and an Air Force base. I am former Army and NYARNG. I know that is one of the reasons I have a hard time with the town.

I have not had very good fortune with hotels there either. I stayed in one where I literally had the chair under the door all night and another chair under the adjoining room door. I sat and crocheted and watched military TV all night long. I did not feel safe there at all. Not enjoyable. Why do they put a woman traveling alone in a room with an adjoining door? I don’t see the logic. The hotel was not booked to capacity by any stretch of the imagination.

My friend Joanne’s little great nice Cali was born two and a half months pre-mature. She is a fighter. She weighs about two pounds to two and a half pounds and will spend a long time in the hospital. Of all the pictures Joanne has sent me, this one has said it all to me.

Cali’s little hand grabbing hold of Grandma’s finger reminds me so much of the love God has for each of us. Here is a full shot of Cali so you can see more than just her hand and arm.

She’s a tiny bundle of miracle from God. Pray for Cali and her mom Sheri.

With all the heartache in this world it amazes me that God still wants us. Wants me. He is just the most awesome Father ever. I am so thankful to Him for His faithfulness to me and whether I am on a hilltop or in a valley – I will always sings praises and bless Him for the gift He has given to me freely. It cost Him dearly.

Blessings -

Tam

My Aunt Lois is still in ICU. Have not had an update since late last week.

Blessings -

Tam

David was deployed last week to Houston just before Ike came ashore. He was detailed to fill in for the folks who work there permanently who needed to take care of there families and homes. Ike came ashore on Saturday morning September 20th. I stayed up Friday night into Saturday morning watching the weathercasters being pelted by sideways rain and high winds to see how my son was fairing.

They (the hotel he is staying at) lost power late Friday evening and were without it for four days. He has been spending his time between the terminal at Hobbie airport and handing out food and water to people without it in the Houston area.

While I have been concerned for his safety, I know that God has it all under control. Frankly, David is my hero and I am very proud of the risks he took and the role he is playing in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

David is hopeful to return home on Saturday (9/27/08). I know Christine (his wife) will be happy to have him home again.

The day he left for Houston she had to have an MRI done due to a possible tumor on her pituitary gland. Praise the Lord it came back and revealed no tumor.

Dave and I have been helping the kids out by taking out there dogs while Christine is working ten hour shifts.

We are all looking forward to his return home.

Have gotten word that my Aunt Lois is in ICU and they found another cancerous tumor in her throat which is making it hard for her to breathe. They have once again called in the family. Aunt Lois is my Dad’s younger sister. She has been battling cancer for over a year now. Unfortunately, I have not seen much of my aunt for many, many years. The last time was at my Dad’s funeral in 1995.

If you think of it, please keep Aunt Lois, Uncle Dave, Dave, Kim, Mark, and Chuck in your prayers. Also keep Houston, Galveston, and all areas affected by Ike lifted up.

Praise God who hears and answers our prayers.

Blessings -

Tam

Many of my classmates expressed what I was thinking. Their heads are spinning too and they are also wondering if staying in the class is a good thing. I don’t think there is anything we can do but stay in the class. It’s required and who knows if another professor will teach it the next time it is offered.

I think it is the enemy pressing in. We were warned about this at orientation. We were warned about this at the new student reception. We must all perservere and come out the other side. The enemy will not have his way with me and prayerfully not with any of my classmates who expressed the head spinning feelings.

Of course, there was lots to think about after class and I didn’t finish mulling it all over until after 2 AM. Getting up to be at work at 5:30 in the morning comes very quickly when your night ends in the early morning.

Tonight is my world religions class taught by the same professor. We have chapel tonight and the president of the seminary is speaking, Dr. Alex McFarland. I am sure he will have a great message for us. I am looking forward to chapel and a time to talk to our Lord with my school mates.

One of the things I absolutely love about this school is praying before and after our class for the class, the students, the instructor and whatever else God lays on the prayers heart.

I am so thankful this is a short work week.

Blessings -

Tam..

Our women’s ministry leader has had to step down due to some storms in her personal life. I am certain they are brought about from the enemy as she continues to seek and serve the Lord. I am going to try to step in and fill her shoes. I know that is not possible – she wore many hats and provided so much to the women of the church, no one could ever take her place.

I am ready, willing, and able to give it a go and officially “took over” the reins on August 24th. As this new year (new school year, new budget year) comes for us, the outlook is bright and the Lord is guiding our team.

The team is sure to come under attack from the enemy as they step up into new leadership roles and step out in faith for the strength to carry on areas of ministry they may never have been called to lead before. I know our Lord is faithful and He will equip the team.

It is going to be a busy year for me and for all of the team members. May we all find strength in the Lord when our physical strength is gone. Thank You Lord – we Love You with all that we are!

Blessings -

Tam

I am currently taking two classes. Bible Study Methods and World Religions and Cults. Both have my mind spinning and the thought processes flowing. It is good to have brain cells firing and thoughts coming forth. Both classes are under the leadership of Professor Beaumont.

I am in the minority in my classes and in the college. Most of the students are male. Seems to me that every career path I have headed down has been that way. Design Drafting, Computer Science, and now Ministry. Makes me wonder what God has planned for this pioneering type woman in the grasslands and deserts of life.

Whatever it is, I know He is in control and He alone knows the path He has me on. It has been a wild, exciting, challenging, and awesome journey thus far!

Psalm 46:10a and Jeremiah 29:11 go hand in hand for this pioneer.

Blessings -

Tam..