Easter Invitation

I'm not sure if I have any readers in Macon who don't have a church home, but if I do, I'd love to invite you to delurk and join us for what's sure to be an incredible worship service Easter weekend at Ingleside Baptist Church!

Wednesday's Walk

I added this button to my blog weeks ago, but I've yet to be diligent enough to participate. One of my fellow bloggers, whose blog I now read faithfully, Lynnette, provides this button and invites participants to remember a special time gone by on Wednesdays.

So, since last night I gave my brief testimony at Sav a Life's Mommy and Me class, I thought I might put it here. It's a walk down a painful, sorrow-filled journey, but it leaves me with so much hope, such an awe in my God and what He's done for me and my family. That makes it a beautiful walk.

I called my momma on the way home from the class to tell her about it. She had sent me a text about 5 minutes before I talked, telling me she was praying for me and she loved me. Just what I needed from my momma! It's like I told Momma, I am still amazed that I can talk about it to friends and usually remain calm. But in talking in front of a group, I could feel a huge lump in my throat. I guess it'll always be that way. I've been praying that God would show me opportunities for me to share my testimony, and it was no accident when Lori from Sav a Life asked me to talk last night. How exciting for me to witness God do his 'thang!!!

So, here it is. My Wednesday's Walk. . .

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You know, it’s really something isn’t it? This life. . . . To think that God created us, for His glory. But yet, He never promises us a life free of pain and heartache. I grew up in a Christian home, had great Christian parents who loved my sister and me, loved each other, and loved the Lord beyond measure. I was saved when I was 9 years old, and I knew that I knew that I knew that I was a child of God!

My picture perfect life shattered on a Sunday afternoon, 2 weeks before I would turn 15. My Daddy had apparently received word that morning that his career was in jeopardy. He was the president of a bank in our hometown. That afternoon, while I was with my mom and sister running errands, my Dad took a shotgun across the street, into some woods, and ended his life.

The pain, the anguish, the heartache is still something I cannot put into words. Years later, I still cringe when I think of the anguish and pain I watched my family experience, when I think of the nights I cried myself to sleep. But I do know this: I have a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally. I cannot begin to tell you how difficult those years were following my Daddy’s death. I dealt with depression, anxiety, panic, and fear. There were times that I honestly believed if I didn’t already know how painful it would be for my family, I would’ve ended my own life.

It wasn’t until years later that I slowly began to understand that my Heavenly Father was refining me, drawing me closer to Him so that I might have more compassion to those around me who are hurting and suffering. Having gone through such heartache, I know that my God was with me always. I learned to talk to Him and with Him as if he were right beside me. I learned to “crawl” up into his lap and cry, letting my Abba Father comfort me.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians: "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed....For our light affliction which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." (Excerpts from the passage of 2 Corinthians 2:7-18, emphasis mine)

As painful as my Daddy’s death was, I know it was “but for a moment” compared to the Eternity my Heavenly Father has planned for me. And in spite of such heartache, God has richly blessed me throughout my life with wonderful memories as a child with both of my parents, a mother who showed exceptional grace and strength during the toughest of times, a husband who is definitely God’s best for me and better than I ever dreamed I could have, a sister who has given me the joys of being an aunt, friends who love me and encourage me every day, a job that’s as stable as can be expected in today’s economy, and a hope for a future in Him. The best gift of all? His son, who he sent to die on the cross for me and for you. To save us from our sins and give us life everlasting.

So remember, no matter the suffering and heartache you might experience, if it’s all for God’s glory, it’s worth it. He’s promised us He will never leave us nor forsake us. And, it's "but for a moment".

The F Word

I didn't work last Friday. I had to do the F-word*. Furlough. Not good. But, all officers are required to take one day of furlough each quarter this year, and it's much better than the alternative if you ask me.

So, what did I do with my Furlough? Had a blast of a day with my three favorite ladies ~ Jenn, Lovie, and Ellie! Oh what fun we had!

We started out like we meant business heading to a MOPS Consignment Sale in town. My Heavens alive! There were cars everywhere! Mommies and babies strapped securely in strollers were making a bee-line for the entrance. Newbies like us didn't know what to think. Or do. So I jumped out of the car and braved the entrance to see what the fuss was all about. My report was something like this: Lots of mommies trying to pinch pennies, looonnnnnng lines to check out, more baby stuff than you can shake a stick at. Let's get outta here!

So these newbies went to Chick-fil-a for a biscuit and then to Wal-Mart. That's enough penny pinching for us, thank you very much! Wally World is so much fun with a baby to shop for! Ellie was rolled out of there with a new car seat toy, hairbows, Easter candy. . . Oh, wait, that was for the adults. Anyhow, the "bows" that are working are really scrapbooking bows with sticky on the back of them. Ellie doesn't have enough hair to clip anything in yet. Mom and I think it's precious. Ellie's Mommy isn't quite sold. . .

Anyway, we did a little more "knockin' around" as my mom calls it, going to other consignment stores, checking out houses for sale, and then making a pit stop at Aunt B and Uncle Tim's for Ellie's bottle.

Then, the real fun was beginning! We loaded up and headed to Milledgeville for good ole' Bunny Pictures with Kyle Hitchcock. How precious! Kyle had her front porch set up beautifully for spring pictures: tulips, ivy, pansies, easter eggs, and even a live bunny! Here are a few pictures of Ellie's first photo shoot

Happy About Her First Shoot!

Precious outfit from our dear friends, the Kononens

Sweet girl

The four of us girls loaded back up and headed back to Macon later that afternoon. It was a full day, full of girl fun and memories made! Thanks, Jenn, once again for being such a gracious mommy and letting me be the daffiest aunt around!

*Shame on you for thinking I was cussing. Shame. Shame.

Thanking Him

If you don't read this precious girl's blog, you're missing an amazing treat! Today, Kelly Gives God Praise, and man alive did I need to read her uplifting post. Kelly has an incredible ministry through the blogosphere by sharing prayer requests with all of her readers. And, Kelly has a great testimony to boot! It helps, too, that she's always posting precious pictures of her little miracle, Harper, too!

So, I'm picking myself up out of this pit of stress, dusting this pity party off of me, and praising God for the many, many blessings He's given me.

* Beautiful spring weather that promises capris, tans, and sandals are in our near future.

* Health

* A job, even if the boss does tell me 40 minutes prior to this morning's presentation, "It's going to be a big audience, Bethany! Over 100 participants; no pressure!" Really? Seriously. No pressure? More like step into a big ole' pressure cooker!?!?

* An amazing friend who's understanding and forgives me when I blab too much.

* A husband who works his buns off day in and day out .

* That same husband loves me beyond measure.

* That I grew up in a home full of unconditional love.

* The hope I have of leaving a Godly legacy to Ellie, and future mini-McMens, and our future kids.

* The get-up-and-go the hubby has every morning to get us to the gym, home, showered and at work by 8:30.

* Amazing girls who share so much in Bible Study each Tuesday night as we grow together in Him.

* The precious little ones I get to love on every Wednesday night at church.

* How easy it is to cook for Tim. I say all the time he'd be perfectly happy with a piece of cardboard and melted cheese. Granted, I know when he pulls out the honey mustard, it's not a great meal, but that doesn't happen very often!

* This spring weather means our hammock is calling our names every afternoon to come for a short swing!

* You peeps who give me amazing encouragement and love day in and day out.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the many gifts you give me every single day!

Answers, Please

Okay, here are the truths to Friday's Fun:


1. I definitely quit playing church softball in the middle of our first practice a couple of years back!

See, I thought it would be fun to play; I mean, I was always at the games because Tim played. After catching ZERO balls in the outfield during practice, they tell me it's batting practice time. I had to hit the ball in front of everyone!?!?! After approximately 15 swings and (again) ZERO hits, I quit. Forever.

2. I'm most certainly not a neat freak.

Tim on the other hand is a very neat and tidy person. I know it's time to clean up when I go into our bedroom and there's a nice little pile of random things of mine on our dresser. That means he went through the house and gathered all the things I've left here there and everywhere. It also means, "Clean Up, B!" Yes sir! Point taken!

3. I am absolutely crazy about my precious niece!

Helloooo. If you know me or read this blog and don't know this, well, then, you are slap silly. I love Eleanor Grace more than I can begin to put into words.

4. I do, in fact, have a strange way of creating short, gay poems at the drop of a hat.

Even my mom, a 3rd grade teacher, has called upon me to create poems for her. At work, anytime an announcement is to be made about an engagement or pregnancy, I tend to get called upon to create a "jingle". It's strange how I can create them. Even stranger: they're always really gay.

5. I definitely do not prefer butter cream icing over cream cheese icing on cakes.

Cream cheese icing all the way! No explanation needed!

Fun times! It's no surprise my momma was correct! Thanks for playing!!

I am. . . What about You?

Ally had this cool little game, and I am always game for blog games! Plus, I don’t really know what I want to write about these days. . . . So, here ya go!

I am…wishing I could convince myself to like oatmeal. YUCK!
I think…random things way too often.
I know…that I am loved beyond measure by my hubby!
I want…calmness and peace about career issues.
I have…way more than I deserve.
I wish…I was 10 pounds lighter. For good.
I hate…pride.
I miss…the good ole’ days in banking
I fear…that God’s plan might not be for me to carry children
I feel…restless.
I hear…lots of chatter.
I smell…my candle.
I regret...poor decisions from my past that have affected my precious husband
I love…my life!
I care…way too much what folks think about me
I always…am game for ice cream!
I am not…the smartest eater.
I believe…in God’s grace.
I dance…anytime I get the chance.
I sing…and love it, but I have not a pretty voice!
I write…and love it.
I win... little.
I lose…a lot.
I never…focus enough.
I listen…to everything I can!
I can usually be found…reading.
I’m scared of…Ellie’s heart being broken.
I read…as much as possible!
I forget…most of the plots of the books I read.
I just…finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird again.
I am happy about…my marriage and its future!

What about you?

Friday Fun

TGIF!!! And it's almost 5:00!

Lucy is hosting a game, and you know I'm a sucker for blog games! I'll list 5 things about me, 3 of which are true. 2 will be false. Can you guess which ones are false?



1. I quit playing church softball in the middle of our first practice a couple of years back!

2. I'm a neat freak.

3. I am crazy about my precious niece!

4. I have a strange way of creating short, gay poems at the drop of a hat.

5. I prefer butter cream icing over cream cheese icing on cakes.

So, whatcha think?!?! Where am I fibbing? Want to play? Hop on over to Lucy's site and check it out!!