More Prom Pictures

David took his camera with him to prom and these are some photos he took. He said they had a great time.

David trying be serious

David & Abi in front of her yard

David, Abi, Caitlynn & Ryan

David & Abi

Prom Night

Tonight was David's senior prom. I feel old saying that it's his senior prom. It doesn't seem like 24 years ago I attended my senior prom. It's funny thinking back to my senior prom. . . like David I went with one of my best friends. However, our prom was in the same town as our high school unlike David's. He had to drive to West Palm Beach for his prom. It is being held at the Airport Hilton. I had a good time teasing him all afternoon. He finally started getting ready at 3:30 this afternoon. He is such a handsome kid. He picked Abi up at her house around 4:45 pm and returned to our house so I could take pictures of them. She is a beautiful young lady. They left here going to Outback and then to the prom. He bought her one of her favorite movies "Happy Feet" and is planning on giving it to her at dinner. He will be home somewhere around 11:30 p.m. since Abi's parents requested she be home at 11:00 p.m. And he thought I was bad saying midnight!

Goodbye Trouble

I knew the day would come when I walked into my office and would be greeted by a fish floating on his back. Today was the day. Goodbye Trouble - a.k.a. Slippy. He has now became whom Pastor Brian feared he would one day become, Floaty. Rest in peace my dear fishy friend.

Fresh Flowers

Tonight we had to make a trip to Wal-Mart for some science project supplies and groceries. While there Angela asked if we could get some fresh flowers since the ones from Saturday's party were dying. She told me that "flowers make all the difference". I have to agree with her, the flowers on the kitchen table do make it seem more homey. And I couldn't resist taking a picture of her at the table doing her homework while I prepared dinner.

Prom Preview

David picked up his tuxedo today for Prom. I made him try it on just in case there was any adjustments that we needed to make. Prom is on Saturday in West Palm Beach at the Airport Hilton. He is taking Abigail Ruiz. He met Abi in 7th grade and they did not get along. In 8th grade they didn't have classes together and then she moved away in 9th grade. She moved back to Clewiston in 10th grade and they became very good friends. I never thought David would be attending his high school prom since he isn't much on dancing or crowds. He asked Abi to prom about two months ago and she had no interest in going. After that all talk about prom ceased until two weeks ago when Abi called him and asked if he still wanted to take her to prom. He told her yes and the rest will be history after Saturday. Watch for pictures of them. For now. . . here David is sporting his tuxedo in my office.

Finding Contentment in Life

David purchased Chris Tomlin's newest CD, "See the Morning", a few months ago. It is one of my favorites. As I was listening to it this morning after I dropped him and Angela off at school a song entitled "Enough" was playing. The words are. . .

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply

My breath of life

And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward worth living for

And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You're my sacrifice

Of greatest price

And still more awesome than I know

You're my coming King

You are every thing

And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want

More than all I need

You are more than enough for me

More than all I know

More than all I can say

You are more than enough for me.

I was reminded of Hebrews 13:5 and Philippians 4:11. As I have reflected on this song and on these verses, I am reminded that as a child of God I should be content in Him. So often I struggle with this very thing. Wishing for that extra dollar, another new outfit, more friends, more time; the list could go on and on. But do I really need any of it. Christ should be all that I need.

A Good Laugh

Tonight I asked David while he was at Wal-Mart to buy hamburger buns and sugar. I was thankful that he was willing to pick up these items so I wouldn't have to go back out tonight. When I went to unbag his purchases this is what I found

I'm just glad that he didn't put the sugar in the canister for me. Chances are sugar wouldn't taste so good in my coffee. I got a good laugh at least and hamburger buns. I can always use the extra flour. Maybe I should bake him a cake.

Cars

After working and saving his money for almost a year, David is the proud new owner of a 1999 Mercury Sable. It's not the car he had dreamed of owning as his first car but he paid cash for it and got a sweetheart of a deal on it. He's even happier that he has still has money left in his savings account after the purchase. He even got some free advice to go along with it. . . "Son there are two things in life you never let your buddy borrow. . . your car and your girlfriend. Because both will leave you and you will be walking down a lonely road." And no that advice did not come from his mother!

Deacons' Wives Fellowship

On Saturday I hosted a fellowship for our deacons' wives and our pastor's wife at my house. Barbara Buker helped me out tremendously , as I'm not much of a hostess. Barbara made some great punch and baked some Easter cookies for the ladies to enjoy. She also had two flower arrangements delivered to my office on Friday for me to take home for the fellowship on Saturday. I ordered a platter of chicken salad sandwiches and turkey and ham wraps from the local coffee shop as well as getting an assortment of fruit and cheeses. At the last minute I decided to make some coffee for those that might want it.

David of course bailed before any of the ladies arrived. Angela and Cheyenne stayed but remained in her room for the afternoon until I told them they could fix a plate for themselves. After fixing a plate they returned to their room and gave us ladies the opportunity to enjoy each other's company. It was a wonderful afternoon with these women and I hope to host another fellowship with them in a couple of months.

Table Talk

I mentioned in the post about my parent's visit that the thing I enjoyed most was sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner together. As I have reflected on the evenings we spent as a family gathered at our small table together it occurred to me how much I miss not doing that on a regular basis with David and Angela. There is much to be said about eating at the table together. Not only is a time to enjoy a meal together, but conversation as well. Not only did I enjoy eating with my parents every night this week and sharing conversation with them, but yesterday at lunch I joined several of my close friends (all of us at separate stages in our lives) for lunch at the Mexican restaurant. As usual the food was good, but so was our conversation. We shared our parenting experiences with each other and I for one found it refreshing that I have these women in my life to encourage me, advice me, and at times correct me. It was encouraging to hear one of my friends talk about when her daughter was a teenager, another one talk about her grandchildren, another talk about when she was a teenager. And to be able to include Angela in our conversation.

How wonderful that God has placed these godly women in my life to share a meal and friendship with. Relationships like these should be treasured and savored.

Visit With Parents

My parents came to visit for Spring Break. They arrived Friday afternoon around 5:00 p.m. and stayed until yesterday morning. We haven't seen my parents since Thanksgiving and we were so glad that they were able to visit with us. Their first night here we went out to eat at Beef O'Brady's. On Saturday we spent the morning and afternoon lazing around the house. We had already committed to going with the youth to the Chris Tomlin concert on Saturday night, so David, Angela and I went to West Palm while my parents stayed at our house. On Sunday morning we all went to church and then came home for lunch. On Monday night after eating dinner all of us went to the Miss Junior Hendry County Pagaent at the County Fair. Mom and Dad enjoyed watching the girls even though they didn't know of any of them. Tuesday night a good friend of ours, Elgin Shore, came over to visit with mom and dad. We had a wonderful time talking and sharing about lives. On Wednesday night prior to going to church we all went to Sonny's for dinner. Mom and Dad left this morning going home. Although most of our time was spent at the house we enjoyed having them with us. The one thing I enjoyed most about the entire week was sitting at the dinner table every night as a family. David, Angela and I have gotten out of the habit of eating at the kitchen table instead we fix a plate and sit in the living room on the couch to eat and after this week I intend on making it habit to eat at the table once again.

How Great is Our God

Saturday night Michelle Dowdle and I took 8 youth to Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach to the "How Great is Our God" concert. The concert consisted of artists Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and speaker, Louie Giglio. The concert was awesome! Louie Giglio continued on the theme from the Indescrible tour last year explaining from Scripture how small we are in comparsion to the Creation that God created. He once again showed pictures of the galaxies and how small earth is. It was absoultely mind blowing. He talked about how God created us and went into scientific detail of how our bodies are made (dna, molecules, genes, etc.) During his presentation he talked about a molecule within our bodies that hold our bodies together called Laminin, which is a a component of connective tissue basement membrane and that promotes cell adhesion. He then showed a picture of this molecule. It was in the shape of a cross. He went further to explain that it should be no surprise that our bodies are held together by something that looks like a cross and referred to Colossians 1:16- 17: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Several of our youth have told me that Louie's presentation was mind blowing yet refreshing!

Romance

I'm a romantic at heart and love to hear how couples have met. At times I make flippant remarks regarding marriage and relationships, but even then I'm being facetious. I think marriage and relationships are wonderful. Speaking of love stories. . . I found a wonderful one this morning while reading a blog that I frequently visit. It is so touching. . . this is the kind of love and devotion I desire to have one day. Check it out for yourself by clicking on the link.

Grand Opening

Finally, Clewiston has a new restaurant! Welcome Beef O'Brady's! David and I decided to eat lunch there today even with it being the Grand Opening. As we suspected it was packed. To our surprise the service was great and the food was delicious. Which if you've ever eaten out in Clewiston you understand why it was surprising that Grand Opening you received great service. Clewiston isn't known for their great customer service. Randy & Kersten Maxson are the owners and they have some great people working for them. They have done a beautiful job decorating as well. At least now we have one more option of eating out!

Girls Bible Study

Prior to the Brooks family moving to Wilson, North Carolina Angela along with 3 other girls was participating in a Bible study led by Lori Brooks on Thursday afternoons. Lori was composing her own material which was taken mostly from Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Angela looked forward to Bible Study each week and has been praying that a godly woman within our church would step forward to lead a girls Bible Study.

God is faithful to answer the prayers of his children. Last week, Barbara Buker expressed the desire to lead the girls Bible Study. She had chosen a book, The Truth about Guys, and was ready to begin meeting with the girls as soon as they were ready. So yesterday all the girls met here at the church to begin the new study with Barbara. Pray that the Lord will bless their meetings and that they learn to see themselves as God sees them.

Pictures of Arlen

My niece, Sarah, emailed me pictures of Arlen last night and I wanted to share them with you all.

Big Brother Joshua

Eric & Arlen

Sarah & Arlen

Arlen Grace Rackley

My nephew is the proud daddy of a beautiful baby girl, Arlen Grace Rackley. His wife, Sarah, gave birth to her today at 1:00 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs 13 ozs. and was 21 inches long. Both Arlen and mom are doing wonderful. Eric and big brother, Joshua, can't wait to have them home.

Book Review: A Woman After God's Own Heart

"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42)

I enjoy reading books that help me grow in relationships. A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George is just one of the many books I have read that have encouraged me to strive even more. In this book Elizabeth George shares insights based on her own life and from Scripture on how a woman is to pursue her relationship with God, her husband, and her children. She also shares how this relationships play out in a woman's home and how it ministers to others.

Women today are are under an enormous amount of pressure to have it all, do it all, and be all that is expected of us. It's easy in our stressful, frenetic world to lose sight of the important things like family and our walk with the Lord. I think many of us desire to be a woman after God's own heart, if we just knew how. Each chapter in this book describes a special kind of heart; a praying heart, a heart devoted to God, an obedient heart, a heart that encourages, a heart that values you being a mother, a heart that seeks first things first.(the list goes on and on) and each chapter spoke to me in a special way. She holds out the hope that even in the midst of our fast-paced modern lives, it actually is possible to be the kind of woman God wants us to be.

The most important thing this book teaches (married or single) women is that God wants us to put HIM first at all times.