Family Fun in Florida - part 1

My husband's family decided to vacation together this year.  We bid on a vacation home through a charity event and won!! It was on 30A Beach and was seriously the most beautiful water!!!
The 3 of us left out on Friday,  when my husband got off work.  We had the truck all packed and loaded the night before and me the kiddo and 2 dogs jumped in as soon as he got him.  We were so excited vacation had officially begun!!

                      

Since we could not check into the house till the next morning, we stayed with my brothers family, who were also keeping my dogs...(God bless them!!) They live in the Destin area...lucky things!!

We got in pretty late that night and left out mid morning, so we didn't get to spend alot of time with them, but they understand. 

We met up with everyone for lunch at a truck food court on 30A.  I have to admit the atmosphere was so quaint and fun  but in my opinion the food was was a little over priced!!

It was hard to get Arlee's picture because helicopters were flying over us and that had his undivided atattention!!!

We finished up lunch and let the kids play for a bit then we loaded up and headed to the condo, it was just down the road.
Let me tell you, this place was gorgeous. It sat right on the beach and had a private pool.
 We did not waste anytime unpacking, getting settled in and quickly changing into our beach clothes.

There is just something do fun and magical about that first day at the beach. Hearing the waves splashing, feeling the sand in your toes and soaking in the warm sunshine!!

We lazily enjoyed a few hours but then the reality of supper and grocery shopping hit. We reluctantly packed it up and all the girls headed to the grocery store, while the guys bathed kids and ordered pizza. We soon called it a night.

The next day was a beach day. We just camped out at the beach all day and then that evening went out to Panama City for some shopping and dinner

And that wrapped up day 2!!

Day 3 was a fun day in Destin! We all went our separate ways and then met up for lunch at Fudpuckers. It will always be one of my favorite places. Arlee loved the gators, the playground, the "choo-choo chies" (french fries ) and the fun little gift shop.

Then after lunch we ventured out for some family fun and went to The Track. It's a Put-Put golf course  that also has go-cart, bumper boats a Kids Country and so much more!! 

We started the journey on the go carts and let me just say that my little Dare Devil is much braver than I am. I hate heights and by the time I reached the 3rd story I wasn't having fun anymore...lol!!! 

After the thrilling death defying go-cart ride we slowed it down a bit at the Kid Country with a very calm Choo-choo ride. This was more up my ally!!

 Then Arlee did something that broke my heart.  He rode the planes All. By. Himself.  and he loved it...sob sob!! At first he was a little nervous once he noticed I was not with him, but the excitement to fly kicked in and he did great.

After the plane ride we decided to try Put Put...but after about the 4th hole, he was over it. 

We went back to the Kids Country and spent the remanded of our time there while everyone finished up their golf game.

Then that evening we lazily enjoyed the pool and once it was dark enough We went down to the beach to hunt crab!!

 These girls were little beast when it came to catching the sand crabs....

 Arlee helped his daddy catch a big crab!!!!

Crazy to think these pinchers are right up under the sand!!!!

Don't let your Doubts become Don'ts

Have you ever doubted yourself about something and the more you doubted the less motivated you were to conquer it!
I have!!
So many times I have let the fear of failure cause me to be complacent.
I have let my insecurities talk me out of following my dreams.
And many times, unfortunately, I have let my DOUBTS become DON'TS.

This morning while reading in Matthew 13, my heart was struck with a challenging conviction as I read verse 58. Jesus had returned to Nazareth and was rejected by the people. He ends the chapter with this very sobering thought, " And He DID NOT many mighty works there because of their UNBELIEF".
Wow!!

That verse hit me right between the eyes! What mighty works is God not doing in me and through me because of my unbelief.  Are my doubts holding
some of God's blessings back? Are my fears greater than my trust in God?

I have always had the desire to serve God and honor God with my life. I want a life that SHINES and SPARKLES for Christ. But if I allow insecurities to keep me from following God and the dreams He has given me then; how can I truly follow Him?

When I started this blog, it was with the simple intentions of journaling my life, my pregnancy and motherhood. But God changed the direction and challenged me to write what He had laid on my heart. I laughed at the idea!!  As you know, I am not a writer. My grammar is all over the place. I tend to chase rabbits. And most of the time, I wonder if I even make sense. But after arguing with God for a bit I submitted to God and wrote my first post. I simply wrote the words that God laid on my heart.

After I shared my thoughts for all the blogging world, my friends and my family to see, I immediately became very insecure. I felt very exposed and raw. What would people think, would they laugh at me and think I was crazy or just a want-a-be??? Then I laughed at myself thinking I was the crazy one because NO ONE would even read my post!!
But boy was I wrong and was I humbled.
I quickly began to get texts and messages from ladies on how that post had been a much needed blessing.
The post was shared many times on Facebook and Pinterest and I was left in Awe!! I was so grateful that I had obeyed God. I was so thankful I did not let my doubts in my writing abilities hold me back from obeying and  being used of God.

It is so humbling how God can take our feeble attempts of obedience and make them monumental blessings to glorify Him.

"Little is much when God is in it."

So, let me ask you sweet sister.
What are your fears holding you back from?
What insecurities are in your life that are hindering you from following your dreams?
What  Doubts are becoming your Don'ts?

May I remind us both where all those negative thoughts are coming from?

From the One who wants us to fail.
From the very One who hates us and does not want us to live a victorious life.
From the One who constantly fills our head with lies and doubts.

From the One who tells us:
We are not worthy
We are not good enough
We are not smart enough
We are not qualified
We are not pretty enough
We will never be enough

Well enough is enough old Satan.

Because in Christ and through Christ:
We are worthy
We are good enough
We are smart enough
We are  qualified
We are pretty enough
We are more enough


Because we are more than conquerors  through Jesus Christ! We can follow are dreams. We can reach our goals. We can live victorious. We can conquer those fears. We  can move mountains and leave behind those Nasty doubts! And our Don'ts can become Do's  (see there goes that incorrect grammar)

Romans 8:37 "...we are more than conquerors through him that loved us so."

Ladies, my goal for us is to know we don't have to let our Doubts become Don'ts.
We can do all things through Christ!!!

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND FORGET YOUR FEARS

Hey...Wait a Minute...Don't Shoot your Own!!!!

My sweet friend and I were talking today about one of our precious sisters in Christ who recently went through a very hard time in her life. During this very critical time when she was experiencing great sorrow, her family came under attack!! They were criticized and had many people that they loved and respected simply turn their backs on them and walk away.

When they needed love, it was not offered.
When they needed a friend, no one was there.
When they could have used  simple encouragement it was replaced with gossip and shunning.

I can't help but shake my head out of frustration and wonder how is this like Christ?

No matter how much you disagree with someone or how bad of a mistake they have made, don't shoot them!! HELP THEM

This is a very tender subject for me beacause I too was hurt by people I admired, respected and loved.
It took years to heal, recover, and get rid of the bitterness that I had allowed to take over. I honestly faught with the lies of the Devil to just throw in the towel and quit.
But everything can be used for the Glory of God if we allow it. I would not be so sensitive to this fact had I not experienced it first hand.

So just a few thoughts on this...

If you are the one who has been hurt
1. Keep your eyes on God
2. Learn to forgive
3. Walk away from the attacker and start a new journey
4. Heal
5. Cling to God
6. Do not become bitter
7. Trust in God not in religion or man

If you are the Christian who has judged and hurt others, then please remember
1. You are not the Ultimate Judge
2. Don't let your pride or your religious beliefs hinder you from loving people
3. Treat others how you would want to be treated.
4. Love them like Jesus loves them
5. Forgive them
6. Restore them
7. Stay humble
8. Let God use you

I absolutely love the verse in Galatians 6
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."


When a Christian brother or sister has fallen, it is our duty to restore them, to carry their burden and to fulfil the law of God.
No, we do not sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happend, but we certainly should not be part of the rumor mill!

Let me challenge you to ask yourself,
"What did I do to help?
Did I add them to my daily prayer list?
Did I pick up the phone and offer encouragement?
Did I keep my mouth shut to the gossip?
Was I a friend to my friend?
Did I love them the way Christ loves them?

I do not come to you as an expert in this area. I come to you as a sinner, who has made mistakes but found grace and mercy at the feet of Jesus. I come to you as an imperfect Christian who is genuinely striving  to please God.  I desire to love people and show them kindness.

My plea to all of us is to remember that
as Christians we will not all see eye to eye.
There wil be things we may disagree on and stands that we will take that are different.  But as  a Christian, we must quit fighting each other and start fighting the true enemy!

We are on the same team. We shouldn't be shooting each other. We are at war with the Devil, not one another. Satan is the one we should be after.

 He is out to destroy homes, churches, friendships, ministries and families. Let's quit fighting on his team and rally around each other. Let's protect each other and have each other's backs. We need each other, the cause is to Great to walk away from brothers and sisters we don't agree with!!!

Remember- People are In Need Of Kindness

There's just Nothing like Family

The first weekend in May my family came in for a special occasion. My Dad was being honored at our old home church, Bethel Baptist Church. The Bible college they have there, Tri-state, presented him with an honorary Dr. Degree. An amazing fact about my dad is that he not only has his BA and Masters Degree but he also already  has his Doctorate  (So now he has a Paradox " pair of docs". Just some silly dad humor there!!!)
But the most fascinating part is that he did all of this in his late 30's and with a family!!
My dad is celebrating his 20th year as thr Pastor of First Baptist Church of Versailles. It was such a blessing to see him being honored. He is such a humble, faithful servant of God.

The weekend started with everyone meeting up for lunch and then of course.. a little shopping!!

After that, we just enjoyed fellowship and movies!!

The next morning included getting up and out the door in time for church (which was an 1and 1/2 away) not easy but we did it!!!!!!

My dad preached the morning service and did a wonderful job.

It's just not Bethel unless Bro. McFarlane is leading the singing!!

            Dr. Westmoreland, my former Pastor

           The McFarlane Family singing the special

MY DAD!!!

After church, we celebrated Katey's birthday by going to a Mexican Restaurant. 

Then that evening during the graduation my dad was honored. What a testament of faithful servive!!

And of course what is a reunion without all the fun pics!!!...these are just a few of my people!!

I taught these 2 cuties in the first grade!!!...they both just graduated from medical school!!!

                                    My big sis!!!!!

                     My true, one and only sista

             Trying to strike a pose or take a pic??

                                    The Hill Girls

                        Always ready for a laugh

                        I saved the best for last!!!