Philippians 4:6-7

I had a bump in my day with some news that I received and immediately let my flesh react. Shortly after, as I was preparing for bible study tonight, I was looking up a passage from the video I was watching. In doing so, I noticed that I had highlighted a verse in blue and decided to read it on my way to the intended passage. It was the following:

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLV)

What a great reminder that instead of initially reacting to "bad" news with my fleshly spirit, to just stop and pray about it! Not only can I take it to Him, but in return, I will receive peace about the situation! I also like The Message version of this passage:

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (The Message)

Thank you, Lord for the promise to grant me peace when all I want to do is worry! I promise that I will look straight to you when my flesh wants to take over. In Jesus name, Amen!

Senators are the Champions!

Headed to the game. Slone making a weird face :)~

Cutest mascot ever!

These are some friends that we played in the Championship game (in gray). We were all so happy to play each other in the final game. It made it much more fun! Way to go, Kickballers!

Yes, we had George W. there in honor of Tim.

It was a really hot day on Saturday (I think the high hit 98)! It was so much fun and a great way to bond with friends. The Kickballers definitely brought their A-game for the Championship game. Since we came in first, we will be able to watch the Rangers' batting practice and attend that night's game with Lexus club seating. Sounds cool to me! Can't wait for the next league :)

Cookout, Slip N Slide, and Shopping

More pics from the Nashville trip!

Lunch and shopping!

We joined Bubba for lunch at Dairy King. (Yes, you read it right.) It sure was a windy day! They serve all the southern home-cooking you can imagine! Their original building was ruined due to the flood last year but they were able to get business going again down the street. Here is a photo of the old building after the flood.

~Bubbles!~

Dad making ribs and chicken!

At first, Braxton did not like the slip-n-slide. He cried every time he got near it. Well, after watching his dad and silly aunt run and slide down it, he was willing to give it a shot. As long as he was in control of the hose pipe, he was ok :) I love this one of him being pushed down it on his belly! His little laugh is priceless!

Braxton and sweet Camryn. This was mine and Slone's first dog. I love and miss her so much! She is so patient with Braxton as he tries to ride her, LOL!

What a fun, busy trip! I can't wait to come visit again ~xoxo

Memorial Day Weekend

I actually left Dallas for Nashville on the 26th. I stayed through the 31st and while it was a long trip, it's never quite long enough! I visited during a unique time of year. I say this because every 13 years, insects known as cicadas come up from the ground. They are big-eyed, winged insects that blindly fly around for about a month. There are probably thousands of them and they have noisemakers called tymbals that they use loudly! It resembles the sound of crickets yet they are so loud and constant that to me it feels like you're in a jungle somewhere. I've never liked them and most likely never will! Here's what one looks like

As always, I was busy every day seeing friends and family, shopping and playing card games with Reagan. Unfortunately, mom was still in her boot that she's wearing since she tore a tendon in her foot so we weren't as active as we normally are. However, it gave me a chance to give back to her by helping clean and waiting on her when she needed a drink or food :) God has given me a big heart for taking care of people when they are on the "injured" list. I love being able to fix help out and have things in order for someone who is temporarily unable to do it.

Although it's a little hard to read from the picture, Reagan made me a welcome home sign and a Happy Birthday sign for Katelyn. We both saw them on the same day when we went to Mammy's, which is always the first stop when I get home!

Friday night, we celebrated Katelyn's 21st birthday at Toyoma!

Our cook was amazing. He cooked for both of our tables at the same time and did lots of tricks!

Reagan had Braxton so tickled after dinner. He would throw his head back laughing at her pretend to run into a pole. He is such a doll!

Saturday Reagan went to a swim party and I took mom to get her hair cut and to find Braxton some new shoes. He was such a good boy the whole way through the mall, so toward the end when we were leaving, I let him get out to stretch his sweet legs and push his stroller. Needless to say, he had a long day :)

To be continued tomorrow...

Rewind

Here's a little snippet of what we've been up to. Pictures to come later!

• We became the Men's and Women's Ministry leaders in our bible study group at Walnut Ridge. We started a new study a few weeks back and will meet every other week with our sweet, new friends.
• Senators kept it alive last Thursday with another win! I was in Nashville and missed the game :(
• I went home for Memorial Day weekend and as always had a blast with my family. Slone tried to go hunting with his Dad while I was gone, but it didn't work out this time around. Hopefully when the season starts back he'll be able to head up to MN.
• We were recently asked to teach in the children and youth ministries at church and are praying about that. The Lord is definitely putting us in leadership positions and I love it!
• We dug up one dead tree and planted a new one and the last bad thunderstorm (last week) helped take down the second dead tree we had in the front yard :) We haven't decided what we want there yet, but we have started a flower bed! I got back from Nashville late last night and am excited to get home and work in the garden again.