Wonderful, Merciful, Savior.

This was my devotion for the day today. Simply beautiful. I love it when things are not complicated. Just so simple that you can see the beauty!

Zephaniah 3:17 (seriously, when was the last time you read Zephaniah???)

The Lord your God in your midst The MIGHTY ONE, will save: He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!

Tell me, doesn't that make your heart a little lighter? Doesn't it make you long to be closer to THE MIGHTY ONE??? sigh.

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One Super Guy.

With Superbowl gearing up, I have been thinking alot about why I love the Colts. Sounds cheesy, I know. But, I will have to say that one of the reasons is because of the impeccable character of some of the major members of the Colts organization. I know that all of them are human. They are all going to fail at times. But, it is so awesome to have a team full of believers. And have a team that is so incredibly dedicated to our city. That doesn't happen every where. Here is an article that I was recently written by Baptist Press:

MIAMI (BP)--With a full beard and a decade-plus of NFL aches and pains, Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday is one of team's veteran leaders as they go for their second Super Bowl title in four years Sunday.

Saturday, whose pro career is much closer to the end than the beginning, said he's encouraged by seeing new Christians enter the league, energized by their boldness to serve Jesus Christ.

Saturday was given one of the individual risers at Tuesday's media day at Sun Life Stadium, reserved for the teams' star players, but he said his experience on the field pales in comparison to his passion for Christ off the field.

"Everything I have is because of Him," Saturday said before an international media contingent of nearly 3,000 people at the site of Super Bowl XLIV.

"This is a huge platform [but] without a purpose it really means nothing. Christianity is what defines me. My life hopefully glorifies Him and I give Him all the credit and honor."

In the Colts' AFC Championship victory over the New Year Jets, Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning played in a team record 17th playoff game.

While Saturday was not ready to issue a retirement announcement at media day, he said he is happy that high-profile Christian players like quarterbacks Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow will be entering the league via the 2010 draft.

"God is never going to have a shortfall of men who are going to put His message out there," Saturday said.

"Guys like Tebow and McCoy who are stepping up for their faith in Christ, it's powerful, man, because kids see that and know it's not all about what they see on TV or the movies. We are all fathers and husbands and locker room leaders. I love watching those guys play and share their faith."

Tight end Dallas Clark, at age 30, has been with the Colts for seven years, but like Saturday is considered one of the team leaders. He said he has grown "a lot" spiritually in the past two years.

"It's special to have so many guys that care and we're just a special team to be a part of," Clark said. "There are a lot of great men in the locker room to turn to and it's special to be a part of that."

Clark can also appreciate the value of his team's allegiance to former head coach Tony Dungy.

Considering head coach Jim Caldwell's leadership, Clark said the two head coaches share a faith that transcends style and -- sometimes -- understanding.

"There are just a lot of different ways to do a lot of different things," Clark said of Dungy and Caldwell.

"There are a lot of different philosophies, some people agree and some people disagree, and there are a lot of different feelings, but there are a lot of different ways to be a man in football, to be a man of faith, to be a coach."

Colts kicker Matt Stover, in his first year with the team, signing as an injury fill-in last fall, is in his 20th year in the NFL, making him one of the league's oldest players. After a long career with Cleveland, then moving with the team to Baltimore, he was looking for a new team for the 2009 season.

Stover said he feels as though God delivered him to a team so heavily favored with fellow Christians like Indianapolis.

"It's just a God thing for me to be here. I had some other chances with the Jets and others," Stover said, "but being here with these guys is just an investment in my career." Like any kicker, Stover could be the Super Bowl hero with a winning kick late Sunday night, or the goat with a missed opportunity.

But Stover learned long ago to work his hardest and leave the results up to God.

"I've applied Christ in my life for a long time and I am never at a loss for what happens. I know a lot of Christian kickers and it's just huge to have a faith and to believe in something bigger than myself.

"God had a plan for me when the Ravens didn't re-sign me and He has a plan for me on Sunday," Stover said.

Colts defensive tackle Daniel Muir has only been with the team for two years after spending his first season with Green Bay, but he's learned that maturing as a Christian in the NFL takes time even on a team of fellow believers.

"What you do, really, is pray about it and let God handle it; trust God to handle it," Muir said. "A lot of people want God to bless them now, they want help now. But if you pray and let God take care of it and trust that He will take care of it, He will."

With the possible loss of Colts star defensive tackle Dwight Freeney due to an ankle injury, Muir knows he could find himself more in the spotlight in Sunday's game. But he is content to leave the results of his increased Super Bowl exposure up to God.

"Really, I'm ready because God shows me so much favor on my life. To see where I came from and see how hard of a struggle it's been to get here, and then the success that He keeps giving me, it's tremendous."

Tight end Jacob Tamme finds himself in a similar situation, never knowing if he is going to catch the ball in the Colts dynamic offense.

With only three catches in 2008 and three catches in all of 2009, Tamme said he's learned to be ready at any time for whatever happens in his life.

"The Colts are known for having the reputation of a godly Christian example. That is because the coaches here set the Christian example.

"I define my life as a man centered around God, not centered around football."

Tamme said he grew up with a Baptist mother and a Catholic father and considered himself a "Catholist" early in life but is glad to be God's servant in the brightest of sports spotlights.

Colts defensive back Jerraud Powers makes no apologies for his youth or his humble beginnings, yet he delivered a stirring testimony on media day about what God has done in his life.

Born in Decatur, Ala., Powers said his mother was a single parent who expected -- but did not force -- him or his three sisters to go to church.

"I just started asking my mom a ton of questions about God, about Jesus, about sin, about everything," Powers recalled. "And when I was 12 I ended up getting saved."

From that time on, Powers told Baptist Press he has been influenced and mentored by "great people" who have come into his life.

A third-round draft pick for the Colts in 2009, Powers said he was "blessed just to be drafted by the Colts with such strong believers on this team and this staff. I thought it was just God working His miracles. I could have just as easily went somewhere else with non-believers....

"I just feel like God's putting me around people each and every year just to help me stay on that path as I help others."

Powers, also commenting on Tim Tebow, said he admires the famed collegian's leadership, tenacity, skill and courage and would like "to meet him outside the football field and just talk it up with him."

"Tebow gets a lot of criticism," Powers said. "I think Tebow's a great guy. He's on a pedestal in college football; he took that platform and did it all in God's name."
--30--


I also came across this wonderful video of Tony Dungy at the Superbowl Breakfast in 2006. It is a must watch! Make sure you go on to the second video as well, and turn off the music on the side. ;)

---Be blessed and GO BLUE!---

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Happy February!

Happy Birthday Isaac at Nana's!!!





Cheat Day Cheesecake!!!!

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Absorbed in Planning...

Currently, we are absorbed. IN PLANNING!

Not such a bad thing to be absorbed in, but I could totally use some motivation in the diet and exercise area as well. Anyhow, I am finding myself spending all spare time planning.

For what?---You say.

For a lovely little trip down to the Southern Hospitality States. YAY!

We have several classes that we are working on down south (Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, maybe South Carolina) and we are just working working working on them. I can not believe that God would use COUPONS in such an amazing way in my life. I mean, I love coupons...always have...but I never would have imagined that God would allow me to have the opportunities to teach about them. I am excited, nervous, and a million other emotions that I have no idea how to label them. We have recently finished up our 23rd class, and have #24 and #25 already scheduled. How cool is that?

I am so grateful for this little life that I have right now, even if it is not what I imagined it would be. And Tonight, I shall dream of sugar white beaches and flying elephants (Dumbo). Did I mention that I am getting Disney tickets for free...Seriously, how cool is that?

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Cheat Day...

I must admit. I have a love affair going on. Unfortunately, it is not one that is healthy either. Man, why do we do this to ourselves? BUT, with the Lord's help, I have been able to really work hard on this "affair". What is the affair, you say?

Cheesecake and Chicken.

Plain and simple. I love it.

So, Brian and I have been on a 12 week health challenge. We are doing well for the most part. I have lost over 6% body weight and am on a roll with exercise like I have never been before. I love the feeling of working out. Even though we are disciplined with our diets Sat-Thursday...we take a cheat day every Friday. Is it horrible that I see this as "My date with food" day? Seriously, I do. But, it has been fun that Brian and I plan our Friday meals and look forward to them all week. Come Wednesday, we are having to give ourselves the pep talk...2 more days till _________________ fill in the blank.

Tomorrow, I get my cheesecake and chicken. I can't wait. And then, on Saturday, I will have to work extra hard to make up for it. lol.

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A New Bloggy Friend

I came across this darling girl...and I think you need to meet her!

She is also hosting a Paula Dean Giveaway you might want to join in on. :)

Here is a link to Life Is Beautiful ... Hope you enjoy her as much as I have!

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SURPRISE!

Last week, our little family had the Stomach Flu. After not eating for several days, we were STARVING...and BORED!

So, because I have the bestest hubby in the whole world, we took off for Lafayette to get a Steak N Shake treat. Don't ask why, but it was what we were craving! The Surprise part of it? It was at 10:30 at night. Lafayette is a 45 min drive. How is that for spontaneous?

I love times like these. I know that these simple memories will be ones that the kids will think on when their kids come around. They will also jump in the car...late at night...for a chili!

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Forest Was Wrong.

Forest Gump was incorrect. Life is not like a box of Chocolates. lol.

Life is like A Game of Candy Land!

Some days I feel like these happy little boys. On a mission to finish the game well. A smile plastered to my face. Prepared to face all that stands in front of me. Waving my little hand to tell the world, "I have the Lord on my side. I am going to win. Nothins gonna stop me now!" I like these boys.

Somedays, I feel like sweet little Princess Lolly. Those days are blissful and few and far between. They are the days that I just let life float on. The days I indulge in a second piece of chocolate cheesecake. The days I kick my little foot up and paint my nails. I am sure that God is more honored in the fact that these days are not that often. I should be more like the little boys. lol.



Somedays, I can not deny it, I am Grandma Nut. Unfortunately, I spend a lot of my days in the "Nut House". I often feel as though I have those amazing slides running all the way through my little domain. Shooting all discipline out the window, along with sanity. Even though Grandma Nut has some issues of discipline and craziness, she looks perfectly content and seems to be a servant of those around her. A little craziness is ok I suppose, as long as I remember to stick with the little boys...and keep marching towards the FINISH LINE!


Oh man. This is a place I feel like I have gotten stuck at way too many times in my life. You know the swampy land of sugar that you can land on...and stay at...while seemingly everyone else passes you by? I seriously don't like this place. Many great little plastic boys loose the game here. Why does Mr Gloppy look so happy? Seriously. But, for some reason, I must believe that God gets the most glory when we are stuck. When we can't move without His hand. Those are the times that the little happy boys...become men. All we can do when we are stuck with Gloppy, is trust in God's beautiful plan and keep pushing forward. I am here now.


And finally... King Candy! While Im not sure that Heaven is going to be like King Candy's house...nor will our next step in life ...I am sure that it going to be a beautiful thing to behold. King Candy's place is the place that those happy little men persevered for. Making it out of the Nut House and Through the Gloppy Swamp...and onto the place that their Creator designed for them! Doesn't it just make you giddy? I am praying that God is glorified in my Gloppy Swamp right now...and that He gives me the perfect "cards" to finish out this particular game. And that the Candy Castle is just right around the corner!!!!!



Are you hungry now?

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Promises...

Isn't it funny how we often make promises that we fully intend on keeping, and then fall through? Did you know that God says something about that? "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." Conviction.

I always have full intentions of keeping up with my promises. Really, I do. But I have this problem of forgetting! So, now, I am keeping a detailed schedule keeper. I actually sold a few books on Ebay so that I could purchase this great little planner called "The Busy Body Book". I love it. It is pretty, well arranged for an ADD girl like me, sturdy, lots of note taking places, and did I mention it is pretty? I have worked hard at trying to write everything down that I need to do...and then doing it!

One of my promises to myself, is to blog more this year. I miss my blog. Poor little thing got left behind when the business came into my life. Brian reminded me this week of how much he enjoys it, when he told me that he spent the better part of an evening re-reading our life. I look forward to keeping this promise to my family. :) Praying that God will help me stay focused and disciplined as I keep up with all the promises in my life!!!!

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And the boy turns 5!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy. Isaac is our laughter. Everytime we turn around he makes us smile with some silliness of his. On the morning of his 5th birthday, we awoke to him standing on his "measure me" wall. He was asking Abbie if he had grown any overnight, because now he was 5! Such a magical age for a little boy. He wanted a camping party theme, and that is what he got. We went to the Bass Pro Shop, Chick-Fil-A, and followed by a night inside his brand new tent at Mamaws! (Ok...so Papa was there too, as well as others! lol) The gift he wanted most from us was a book. It was called, "The Boys Book: How to be the Best at Everything." We now know how to make our heads disappear and how to fight off a bear. lol. Life with a boy is beautiful. I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience it.

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