Chizzy...

Chizzy (Chizziterum) is 5 years old and quite precocious.

She is adorable, hilarious, and very smart.

She loves to laugh, sing, and talk.

I have enjoyed teaching her so much!

It saddens me to say goodbye to each of my students.

I know I will soon be acquiring new ones,

but each and every child that I teach holds a place in my heart.

I will write about more students soon.

There Shall Be Showers of Blessings...

God is truly amazing! The shower in Florida was overwhelming. I felt like crying the entire night. There were around 80 ladies who came! I just couldn't believe it. :-D I felt so so so loved. I got there a few minutes late (nothing new there... haha) but it worked out because everyone was already there and when I walked in, everyone started clapping and cheering. It took me almost the entire night to hug everyone I hadn't seen in so long.

We mingled for a while, ate some wonderful food, and then Aunt Mary (Jalbert) gave a beautiful devotion about loving, submitting to, and praying for our husbands. She then had three wonderful ladies (Mrs. Parks, Mrs. Knecht, & Aunt Jimmye (Hudson) pray over me... each one praying for me to love, submit, and pray for Michael. It was beautiful and I did cry! Who wouldn't cry? We then played a couple of fun games and then it was time to open gifts.

I started opening gifts and during this time I was gearing up for a little surprise of my own! Unknown to most of the ladies, my parents, Grandma and I had bought a ticket for Michael to fly to Florida so that he could meet all my family and friends plus spend his birthday with me. So at about 9:00, Jessica announced that there was a "mystery guest" who would be arriving shortly. People had no idea! When he walked in (with my brother Philip), a collective cheer went up around the room along with clapping and whistling. He is such a good sport. :-P It was awesome. :-D

I got some truly wonderful items, including a pink kitchen aid!!!! I almost fell over. :-D I really didn't expect to get it!

One thing I appreciated so much was that it wasn't about the gifts! I hate going to showers where that is the priority. I mean, I love the stuff that people have so lovingly given us, but I love the people who gave them so much more! Another thing I must mention, is that those Cardwell ladies know how to throw a party full of elegance, fun, and beauty.

Thank you everyone who came and showed your support and encouragement in my life. You mean so much to me and I love you all! No matter what I do or where I will go, Florida and the people who live there will always hold a very special place in my heart.

The Dream of a Lifetime...

Last night I dreamed that I was riding in a public bus. Michael was not with me, but waiting for me. As I sat there reading, we made a quick stop to pick up some more people. This man got on the bus and sat in the front. All of a sudden, he jumped up and started screaming and he shot and killed the bus driver. I was in the back and started praying. After he had shot the driver, he started walking towards the back, yelling as he came. He was screaming about how God did not love him so he was going to kill everyone.

I remember sitting calmly as he shot a couple more people and started coming towards me. He still had quite a ways to go, but out eyes met and he came straight towards me. He made me stand up, put the gun in my face, and asked me if I loved Jesus. He also told me that he would kill me if I did. I looked straight at him and told him that yes, I loved Jesus and that I knew Jesus loved Him as well. I also told him that I was not afraid to die because I knew for sure that I would go straight to heaven to live with Him. I remember trembling, not so much with fear, but just the knowledge that I was going to die. As he looked at me, and as talked, he started weeping and confessing. I remember feeling sad for him, but knew that he was in such pain. He put the gun down and left the bus where the police were. I remember seeing Michael and just crying as he held me because I knew that my life had almost been ended and why. I woke up then. Just amazing.

It is amazing to me now that I am awake and can think about it more. It convicted me to always stay strong and NEVER deny my Jesus. How easy would it be to just say, "no, I do not love Jesus". It would be very "easy" to deny Him, like Peter did when confronted if he knew Jesus. He was just concerned about saving himself. Yet, even being denied by Peter, Jesus forgave him and took him back.

Who said the life of the Christian is easy? I don't want "easy". I want to strive and never give up. I want to love my Jesus and serve Him until the day I do finally join Him in Heaven.
I hope this dream encourages you as it did me.

Target...

I just wanted to let everyone know I am now also registered at Target for my bath and bedding stuff. I looked and looked at the places I was already registered at and I couldn't find stuff that I absolutely loved. Well, when I went to Target and saw this stuff... well, it is just gorgeous!

http://www.target.com/ :-D