Family...Isn't it about TIME???

I LOVE this picture!!

You hear the commericals on the radio, if you listen: Family....Isn't it about, TIME??? A message from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...It's too bad that message doesn't say from the Baptist because everytime I hear it I think about how it rings true. We never have enough time with our families. It seems like we are always doing work and school. One day that will be over though and we are looking forward to that day!

It has been so long since I last blogged. I have been terribly busy. The month of October has been a month of weddings, revivals, Pastor Appreciation, starting my new job at Oasis amoung many other things. To say the least we've been a bit busy.

These two sweethearts came home for a short break from school and we got to spend the evening together on a Thursday night. We headed to Enterprise to eat at Ruby Tuesday where we shared some heart to heart conversations and plenty of laughs. We took lots of crazy pictures but they were with Amy's camera so I don't have those. We then came back home and watched the movie "Iron Man" which when I first saw the front was a little skeptical but it was actually a good movie. When the night was over the two "hams" went to go home and found they were stranded (don't tell but they really liked being stranded with us!!) They had a flat tire and had to spend the night!! YEA, not that they had a flat but we got to spend more time together! I Love these two beautiful girls!

Being an only child, when I came into the Jacobs' family it was LOUD!! It was like a zoo. Going to Brian's house was never quiet or dull. There was always something happening there! Between 4 kids, flowers, dogs, cats, horses, extended family members in and out, I would be glad to get back to my quiet little world! I've now gotten used to the choas that goes along with larger families. People often used to ask me did I like being an only child and I suppose when you don't know any different, it doesn't really matter. Now that I've gotten a chance to experience life with these people I call my "sisters" I no longer have to say I'm an only child! They are very special and sweet people who mean a lot to me! (Beth also even though she isn't pictured!)

The girls have grown up so much. Besides being beautiful young women, they have many other good qualities about them. Amy is patient, sweet, kind and such a responsible "little mama". She gets things done that she needs to do. She will make someone a lovely wife and mother one day. Amy was always such a ham around the camera and I can't say that has changed much! In one of their earlier home videos Brian has the camera and you can hear Amy and see her shaking his leg saying....Brian down here, down here, take my pictures...Brian, Brian, look at me, look at me!! What memories these sweet brothers and sisters must have!

Kimberly has many good qualities as well. She is so tender-hearted, sweet, funny and a good manager of her money. Kimberly has never been one to spend friveriously. When she was much smaller she would spend time with Brian and I and we would go somewhere and Amy would ask Kimberly for some money and tell her she would pay her back later. Kimberly would usually always reply with the same thing...Amy no, you will not pay me back and besides all I have is $100.00 and I'm not breaking it! Kimberly has always also been so care-free and easy going. She never did like wearing shoes so everytime we got ready to go somewhere we had to "hunt" for Kimberly's shoes, which could be anywhere since she took them off everywhere! She too is going to make an excellent wife and mother.

And the one who they owe it all to, now known as Nan. I couldn't resist this when it came in the mail the other day. I immediately thought of her and wondered if she knew such an association exsisted??? Her Mom and Son a nurse and she picked out that name for John Luke...how neat I thought to myself!!

I had such a good time and I hope we can do this again soon. I know we are getting together for Christmas and I am looking so forward to that! I Love Ya'll!!!

A Flower And A Butterfly

As I said in one of my earlier blogs, I keep a journal. Not a journal that I write my thoughts in everyday, a journal that I mostly take to church or anywhere I may be going to a devotional or revival. I don't take sermon notes, I take down things that God touches my heart with. Things that I don't want to forget. They may be things that mean something to me at the time I write them or they may be things that can speak to me for a different time in my life later on down the road.

So many times whatever it is that I am struggling with, God speaks to me about in little ways. No, He doesn't come down here in person with a loud voice and speak to me. He shows me and leads me to different things, simple things that make me realize His great power. His voice is so gentle, so soft, it's so neat to listen to God and watch Him work in my life.


I struggle with waiting on the Lord many times in my life. I am impatient. I want what I want, right now, I don't want to wait for the Lord to do it in His time. I want it NOW! I get angry when my prayers aren't answered after years of praying. I am like most people who stand in front of the microwave and tap their foot. Yet God is so gracious and merciful to me still. He has gentle ways of reminding me all along that, Dawn, I am still in control and my ways are not your ways, neither is my time your time. I know what's best for you, you are my child and I Love You. I'm going to do what's best for you, just like your earthly Father and how much more do I, your heavenly Father love you? This story is one of the stories that came along that He spoke to me through, along with the sayings at the bottom. Reguardless of how and when God answers our prayers, we are His children and He will only do the best for us. I believe that.






Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly. But instead God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. The man was sad and didn't understand why his request was mistaken. So he thought, "O well, God has too many people to care for" and decided not to question. After sometime, the man went to check up on his request that he had left forgotten. To his surprise from the thorny and ugly cactus a beautiful flower had grown and the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.


God always does things right! His way is always the best way, even if to us it seems all wrong. If you asked God for one thing and recieved another, TRUST. You can be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time. What you want is not always what you need. God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep on going for Him without doubting or murmuring. Today's thorn is tomorrow's flower. God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him.


-Waiting is sometimes part of God's plan to bring Him all the Glory. We need God's timing and power for God to be fully and truly effective in us.


-Patience is accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it.


-Sometimes the Lord calms the storm; sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.


-Faith is not shelter from difficulties but belief in the face of all contradictions.


-Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted.


-If you want to see God do anything significant in your life, get on your knees before Him and pray.


-God heals: faith doesn't. There have been plenty of people with lots of faith that God hasn't seen fit to answer their prayer.


-The reason we aren't seeing a Holy Ghost movement is because we are confessing and not repenting.

Confess - telling the Lord you're sorry for what you've done

Repent - confess and turn and change your ways

If you wonder why your prayers aren't answered - REPENT.


Lord help me to always look to you for guidance and for YOUR will for my life and not mine. Help me to be grateful the "thorns have roses" and not just see that the "roses have thorns." I praise you for speaking to me and helping me see and realize that you do want the best for me, your child and that everything happens In YOUR time, the best time. Thank you for the Flower and the Butterfly.

Whose Carving Your Pumpkin?

Taking what satan has tried to turn into a bad holiday into a celebration of Christ.

When carving your pumpkin this year, try making the eyes "hearts" and the nose a "Cross" along with a regular smiling mouth, symbolizing sharing God's love...and remember this and share it with your trick or treaters. You can type this up and add a cute pumpkin to it and make a book mark and give it to all of your trick or treaters. It's a good witnessing tool and spreads the love of Christ. Don't allow satan to turn this beautiful fall season that God has given us into scary monsters and witch-craft. It's time we as Christians take a stand for Christ and we can start with little things like this.

-Christians are like Pumpkins-

What is it like to be a Christian? How does it feel to know the love of God - to know that he has washed away your sins at Jesus' cross and give you new life, a life that really counts and will last forever?



Someone has said that it's a little like being a pumpkin!



God comes to us and picks us up from a lonely, cold field. He washes off all the dirt of our sin. He removes the seeds of doubt, fear and hate that have grown inside us. Then he places within us the light of his love. This love warms our hearts. What was once filled darkness is now flooded with light. That love puts a smile on our face! Now the whole world can see God's love shining in us!

Go SHINE for the Lord as you

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You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Word Of God Speak

I feel like the song on my blog...Word of God Speak. This is my last post for the day. I just want to share one more thing. I came home this afternoon and typed the blog "Soup For The Soul". Afterwards, it was time to go back to church. When I got there my blog was on my mind, since I had been searching through the Bible most of the afternoon looking at different verses to use in my blog. You will never believe it but Bro. Frankie used several of the SAME verses in his message tonite. The Holy Spirit was so strong, I began to weep. God you are so Awesome! The first words to the song say, "I'm finding myself at a loss for words..." and that's the way I feel. The word of God has spoke and poured down like rain in my life tonite, washing my eyes to see his majesty. I just wanted to praise Him for that and say let me stay and rest in His holiness. There truly is no better place to be. A place of serenity, peace, and immesurable love. Thank you Lord for being so real in my life and letting me know that you are faithful to your children. I praise you tonite and forevermore.
-Amen.

Soup For The Soul

Fall is definitely here. We are experencing that lighter much cooler air. The love bugs have been and gone. Thank the Lord they are gone! Allergies, colds, flu and viruses are here...YUCK! I have my fill of those every year. Yet it is still nice to see and experience a change in the weather.



I never realized until someone told me that everything in the physical can be compared to everything in the spiritual. It took me awhile to relate things and catch onto that statement but now I understand. For example, when you think about the seasons changing. Things have to die in order to live. We have winter so we can have spring. We have to die in order to live. Paul tells us we must die to our flesh daily. (Luke 9:23; And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow me). We also die an eternal death and if we are born again have a new life in Christ. You may relate the seasons changing in a different way for your spiritual walk and life but it is true that everything can be related. All the beautiful colors of fall, the oranges, reds, yellows and browns and when I see pictures of states further north who have beautiful white snow, I think about how only God could create such beautiful seasons and things for us to enjoy. Each season has something beautiful and special to offer from God that he spoke into exsistence.



All we have to do is turn on the news and it is so easy to get down and distracted from what all the Lord has blessed us with. God doesn't want us to allow satan to steal our joy. What God intended was for his children to enjoy His creation and all the beautiful blessings He has given us. Take a look around and enjoy your creation and blessings the Lord has given you. Today if nothing else take time to stop and thank the Lord for what all he has done. God is in control. Everything that this world has to offer will let us down but he will never leave nor forsake us. He will never change. (Hebrews 13:5b...I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE).


I'm conviced with everything that is happening with our economy, we as Christians should not be afraid. (Hebrews 13:6; So that we may boldly say, THE LORD IS MY HELPER, AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME). Fear is from satan and God doesn't want us to live in fear and defeat. (Matthew 6:31-34; Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof). The Lord clothes the liles of the field and knows when a sparrow falls how much more does he know and care for the needs of His children? (Matthew 6:30; Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?)He said He would meet our NEEDS, not our WANTS. (Philippians 4:19; But my God shall supply all your NEED according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus). Learning to be content with those is often a struggle for us as sinners who "want" what we want, not just what we need. (Philippians 4:11; Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content). Today be mindful that God has brought us this far, He is going to see us through to the other side. Enjoy each day and seasons and the different beauties they bring that God has so richly blessed us with!


Along with cooler weather comes time for warmer meals. This is one of Brian's favorite and mine as well. The easiest Camp Stew recipe I know of. Give it a try, we love it, especially during these cooler months!



In a large pot,


1 chopped onion and 1/2 stick of butter melted and cooked a bit (if you don't like onion or don't have one, I've left it out before and you can't even tell

2 cans of BBQ pork (Castleberry)
1 can of BBQ beef (Castleberry), they do not carry these at Wal-Mart
2 cans of corn (drained)
3cans of potatoes (they come round and I quarter them)
2 cans of stewed tomatoes (make sure they are just tomatoes, nothing else like added bell pepper)
1/2 - 1 cup of Ketchup (this is probably wrong but I never measure, just pour till it looks good)
2 tsp worcestershire sauce (on this either)
3 tsp lemon juice (this either, well actually on a lot! But it's still delicious)
1 tsp. tabasco sauce
1 1/2 cups of water


Bring to a boil and let simmer for 30 minutes. Take it from a robust, plump woman (don't you love those politically correct descriptions for FAT???) this is delicious!!! In fact, it's so good I was going to post some pictures of my pot but WE ATE IT ALL!!
=-) So you will just have to settle for my "colors of fall" pictures!

Wedding Bells Are Ringing!!!

The month of October is a very busy month for me. We have been getting ready for revival with choir at church which will be October 12-15. Pastor, Brent Cook will be the speaker Mon-Wed nite. We are also celebrating Pastor Appreciation this month, along with an awesome group called "New Beginnings" coming to sing for the evening service on October 26th. I want to invite everyone to revival and New Beginnings. If you can come I would love to see you there. I will sit with you if you are scared to be alone. I know how that can be, visiting churches all by yourself.



On top of all the church things we have going on, I start a new part-time job this Tuesday at Oasis Day Spa. My sweet sister-in-law Amy will be coming in for a massage that day as well...what a supportive sister-in-law she is, my first day on the job and she comes to visit...okay, so maybe she isn't coming in JUST for me!! I think Amy deserves a little pampering, she has been working very hard in college this semester (Love You Amy!). Who wouldn't want to visit that place...it's absolutely wonderful!



In addition to the rest of this stuff I have 3, that's right one, two, THREE weddings this month. The first one was today in Esto, Florida. Not sure where Esto is? Well neither was I until today. A close high school friend of Brian's, Terry Stewart and Brandi Gammons were wed today and they ask me to shoot a few photos (I do not shoot wedding photos, this was just a favor for friends). Today was my first ever digital camera wedding, which went pretty well. They had the sweetest ceremony with a "hands ceremony" and "salt ceremony." It was very neat and something I had never seen or heard of before. (You can probably google these two things if you want to know more) Anyway, a very big Congratulations to Brandi and Terry. The two make a very lovely couple and we wish them a very long, happy, healthy and God centered marriage. Terry finished up his degree at Graceville Baptist College of Florida and Brandi is a singer and you can listen live to some of her music at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=153655085&MyToken=19c724fe-f34b-45f1-b727-ad9a24da9ba6


They are both great Christian people who have a heart for the Lord and He is going to bless their marriage and life! We love you Brandi and Terry! October 4, 2008. This blog is dedicated to you.
This last photo I took on my way home of the beautiful sunset on the evening of your wedding. Sure the sun sets the same way everyday but it will never again set on October 4, 2008. I saw this beautiful site and couldn't resist. I hope you enjoy it as well.



I will end this blog with one my most prized possessions. My favorite description of Love, besides I Cor. 13. I have this in my journal and have never shared it with anyone, so consider yourselves lucky Brandy and Terry! ;-)

-LOVE-

"It meant the world turned over,

the difference between living or merely existing,

the difference between light and dark, cold and heat.

It meant a full heart, a wild, strange and ever-changing feeling,

it meant all the colors and all the sounds,

it meant a thousand unexpressed thoughts;

it meant taking and giving,

it meant feelings that ran all the way

from rich goodness to cruelty,

all things full and nothing empty;

it was something proud and abject,

something like a slashing winter wind

and something as hot as a bed of fire.

If it was anything at all, it was all this."

Love always to the both of you.

-Dawn

What's Forever For?

I have to say this about the first song on my playlist. Here a couple of years ago this sweet man, who in this picture is enjoying his favorite piece of choclate (Reese Cups) got me tickets to a concert as a surprise. When we finally arrived at the Opera House in Dothan he told me we were going to see Michael Martin Murphy...now remember I am an avid musician, who listens to all kinds of music all the time. I said WHO???? Who in the world is that??? Needless to say I wasn't too enthused about my "surprise concert!" From the looks of the parking lot, neither were too many other people...there were no cars. No problem getting a front row seat at this concert, I thought. I'm all about music and my sweet darling of a husband knows this, so we continue into the building where we sat in a concert with about 25-30 other people. What seemed like a disappointment and bad turn out to a concert, turned out to be one of the best concerts I've ever been to. For one, I felt kinda special, like he was giving just us few people a private concert. For two, he has to be one of the most simplest men on earth. A 3 man band came out and played for about 2 hours for us. We had the most fun. He told stories about his ranch and cowboy life...it was great. Then he really touched my heart and jogged my memory when he sang the song "What's forever for?" We wound up buying a c.d. and getting it autographed and I've been looking for this song a long time on my playlist and I finally found it. Stay here a minute and listen to the words. I love this song...it reminds me so much of our world today and how so many relationships are broken and hearts and lives of families are torn apart by divorce. I learned a valuable lesson that night. Just because you don't know all about something doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. Don't judge something by how many people are apart of it. Sometimes the majority misses out on the greatest gifts. A sweet simple concert made my night and special memories that will last a lifetime.

Just For My Sweetheart!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

September 23, 2008 marked 8 years that Brian and I have been married. Brian and I started dating in 1997 and I knew that he was the one for me when we met. We shared so many of the same thoughts, ideas and values. He has been a constant, steadfast and true husband to me. He has supported me in everything that I have done and he has always provided a good living for our family. Brian is a special man and I'm so grateful to the Lord for bringing our lives together. He makes each day a happy day and strives to better himself and our family. Thank you sweet man of my life who loves me and makes me happy. I look forward to many more years together and continually supporting you in all your goals and dreams for our family and future family. I Love You!

Our Girls!

I mentioned our "children" in the blog to our Mom's so I wanted to share some pic's of them. This is Lizzy Tizzy. She fell from Heaven on April 13, 2007 while I was shooting pic's down at my Mom's. She followed me home and stayed here for days without food or water. It was like she was just meant to be ours. A month later we took her to the vet and found out she had heart worms. The good thing was that she is young about 1 1/2 - 2 and they only wanted around $4-500.00 to treat her. Wow! That cheap uh? Luckily, Paw Paw Kenny with all his animal knowledge has been treating Lizzy with Ivomec and she is a different dog!! Thank you Paw Paw Kenny for loving and taking care of our baby! If you could have seen her when she came here, you wouldn't know it was the same dog. She was underweight, wormy and not near as cute as in this picture. Lizzy now has the best life as an inside dog. She loves to squirel hunt, which she and Brian do together and she loves to just hang out around the house with us. She is our baby and our love.

Now for Baby Bella! Well, Baby Bella is a lot like Brian. She is very hyper-active, so it's kind of like having 2 Brian's around! She never slows down. You can't tell from this picture but this dog is the most hyper active dog I know. She literally sails off the back of the couch and almost reaches the counter! Bella came to us as "Mickey" which we didn't like, so we changed her name to Isabella Boo Jacobs. She came from an elderly lady who could not handle her. She had caused the lady to fall twice and she felt she just couldn't give "Mickey" the life she needed. So on July 12, 2008 we got Isabella. She was only 4 1/2 months old when we got her, so she has been quite the puppy to train. Brian and I were just saying how much Isabella has made us appreciate what a good dog Lizzy is! She has already calmed down a lot since we got her and she will start obedience training classes in November. We are looking forward to doing that together as a family and passing what we learn onto Lizzy. We are blessed with Lizzy and Bella and glad God sent them to us!

Here are a few more pic's of Brian and the Girls!

A Celebration Of Mothers

May is Mother's day but I don't think that we show our love and appreciation to our Mother's enough! Our Mother's help to shape us into the people we are today. My Mother always shows me a better way of doing things. I've learned in my adult years that yes, she has been around a lot longer than I and her way of doing things are usually best. She is also such a helpful Mom. She helps me clean, cook, decorate, paint, and anything else that I may need her for. That means a lot. I TiVo Jon and Kate plus 8 and their parents are not involved in their lives at all and that has made me realize what a help my Mom is and how I am glad that she is involved in my life. Most importantly she is a Christian and has passed her values and morals down to me. I think that is what life is truly all about don't you? Having a family and passing on what has been passed on to you. God hasn't seen fit to bless Brian and I with any children yet. After 4 years of trying to concieve we are still in prayer that God will see fit to bless us with a child. Recently God has shown me that "In His Time" things will come to pass. Not my time or my wants but HIS will for our lives and maybe right now isn't HIS timing for us. We have been blessed however, with 2 precious pups who bring such joy and love to our lives and hearts. Lizzy May Jacobs, mostly called Lizzy Tizzy, a Rat Terrier and Isabella Boo Jacobs, mostly called Baby Bella or Bella Boo, a Jack Russell Terrier. They have certainly shed some light on what parenthood would be like and brought a lot of love and fun to our lives. I am proud to be their Mommy and Brian loves them just as much as I do! I am thankful for my Mom for showing me what love is and how to be a good Mommy and take care of things like Mommies always do. No matter how old I get, no one will ever be able to take the place of her and no one will ever be able to "fix" everything like Mama!! I Love You Mama...on Mother's Day, today and always.

I ask Brian to share a little about his Mom on here but he says he's not a blogger and I should continue blogging that I am doing a good job. Mrs. Cathy has passed a lot of things onto Brian that I have come to truly appreciate as his wife. Brian is such a helpful husband. He helps me in the grocery store, the kitchen, around the house and with just about anything I ask him to do, except blogging. He doesn't take after his sister Kimberly, Miss Journalism. Brian reminds me all the time that he used to help his Mama do all the things that he helps me do. I am sure she was GLAD to have his help...God Bless the woman! She has 4 children, which is to be commended in today's society. Not only do people not have large families anymore, they don't usually stay married when they do. His Mom is a Christian and I have seen her prayers evident in our lives. She keeps a prayer journal and puts us in it. It means so much to have Christian parents who pray for their children. For the most part, Brian just isn't your normal "man." I credit his Mom for this. He is a wonderful listener. He is a great researcher. He is so observant and intelligent. He always gives credit for his skills and abilites to his Mama. He always tells me that his Mom taught him to help in the kitchen. He will say, "Mama used to do this" or " Mama used to do that." I remember when we first started dating, Brian told me about his Mom using cranberry pills, which has helped with a lot of my bladder problems. He knows things and helps in ways that most men don't. He tells me things that his Mom used to do that may be helpful to me. Mrs. Cathy is also a 2 time cancer survivor. She is a a strong woman who would do anything for her children. Thank you for the things that you gave Brian and for making him the wonderful, sweet and loving man that I so proudly call my husband.