The Minivan Tales

Saturday, October 27, 2012

My Reflection

So for those of you who may not be aware, myself, along with all of these beautiful women featured on this post as well as women all over the country are participating in RAVE MINISTRIES “No Makeup November.” Rave Ministries is a phenomenal ministry devoted to encouraging teens to see themselves through the eyes of Christ instead of the lenses that society has placed on them through an unending list of highly impossible expectations. I chose to promote this campaign because I believe this is something that affects women of all ages and stages of life. I believe many of us are plagued with the idea that somehow we just don’t measure up. Perhaps we are not the “ideal” shape and size. Perhaps are skin has a few blemishes here and there leaving a less than “perfect complexion.” Perhaps our closets do not reveal the “latest styles” that are hitting the runways or our hair is not quite as “luscious” as those of the models that so “perfectly” grace the cover of every magazine. It’s the funniest thing; none of them ever have any wrinkles, no baggy eyes, no pimples, no bad hair days, no extra fluff, correction, no fluff at all, huh, it’s truly impressive.

What’s a woman to do? Denounce the lies of Satan and change our culture by changing ourselves. DO NOT believe him when he tells you that you are less than good enough. DO NOT believe him when he points out your flaws and shouts them into your ear as you stare at your reflection. DO NOT miss out on the beauty of who God created you to be because you are distracted by your “list” of things you feel that could use some improvement. I will be the very first person to say I HAVE BEEN DISTRACTED BY SATAN’S LIES!!!
So for the month of November I am choosing to wear NO makeup, not because I am against makeup, nope, mainly because I want to really focus on my beauty. In fact I want to focus on my beauty this month more than ever before. When I stare at my reflection, with no added preservatives, I want to see the workmanship of my savior. The small lines on my forehead and around my eyes, those things are not wrinkles, they are the marks of years of laughter, years of smiles, and years of enjoying a sunny day on the beach as I watch my children play. The slight amount of extra skin loosening on my eyelids, well now that is simply from giving way too many butterfly kisses. I mean I’ve practically been giving them all my life. My Dad always gave the best and now I get to give them to four precious kids who never seem to tire of them. What is it they call those things under your eyes, bags? No, they are not bags, just a simple reminder that sometimes being a Mom, being a wife, being a friend, being a sister, keeps you up a little too late at night. Funny because some of the most cherished moments of my life came during those wee hours as I nursed my children and gently rocked them back to sleep. I’ll take those “love marks” any day of the week if only I could rock one more infant to sleep

I can’t help but to think of two of my favorite versus in the Bible. This is the woman I want to be. “She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs at the days to come” Proverbs 31:25. I want to live everyday for the glory of the Lord. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14. I want to never forget that the Savior of the Universe, Almighty God crafted me for a specific purpose and he crafted you for a specific purpose as well. Do you know that his works truly are wonderful? You are made in the image of the Lord. Your beauty is infinitely abundant because of the one who gave you life, not at all because you fit into some formula created by mere men. In fact, as I look at my reflection today, I will see no imperfection, no, instead I will see life, memories, hopes, and hopefully I will “laugh at the days to come.”

All my love,

Jil

JOIN US NOV 1^ST-NOV 30TH

It’s not too late to join us in this campaign!! Email me your photo (makeup free) and a short description of why you chose to take part in this challenge.

For more info about Rave Ministries check out raveministries.org

My name is Riley Jackson and I chose to do No Makeup November because at the beginning of this year I fasted makeup for 40 days and it was life changing. I realized I thought everyone put my worth in my looks, and everything I ever accomplished was riding on my looks. WRONG. I am so much more than my outside appearance! God showed me my worth was not in my beauty but it was in Him. Such a humbling and wonderful lesson to learn. I hope other girls through this will be able to see that their identity is in our God and not in the way they look. Because we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

I am on day 11 of 'no make up November'. I have to say that it was pretty hard at first, but I'm so glad I've stuck with it. I have two young boys. I want them, as men, to appreciate women for the beauty of their souls, not the perception they get of a woman with make up on. - Taylor Talbot

When the No Makeup November idea was pitched I thought "Yea of course I will do it, one month? that's no big deal!" Well we are 8 days in and it has pushed me so much more then I expected. I have seen how much I did rely on the make up I wore to give me confidence and make me feel "beautiful". I am challenged now each day to have a positive attitude about the way I look. What is the point of doing this if I am not going to try and change the way I see myself to match the way God sees me. Flawless. I love hearing all that God has done with No Makeup November in just a week, and I can't wait to continue to see how He changes my heart and the hearts of all the other people involved. May His truth be heard. "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you." Song of Solomon 4:7 - Rachel McAngus

I'm on the leadership team for Rave Ministries, so at first I felt like I HAD to do it, but as time went by it became more of a daily choice. It has certainly been a challenge, but it has also been VERY rewarding. Strangely, it has given me more confidence in who I am, and in who God created me to be. -Taylor Spain

The second I heard about No Makeup November, I was so excited! I usually go once a week or so without piling on the mascara and the blush, so committing to a whole month was naturally the next step. It seems like as soon as November began, my face decided to break out, which of course didn't help! I am amazed that I have begun to not even notice that I'm not wearing makeup. It has become unimportant to me already that my face may be a little blotchy or shiny. What has really been amazing is the support from people! Many of my friends are participating too, and those who aren't are so supportive. God is using No Makeup November to change my mindset about the way I "should" look while strengthening my relationships at the same time!-Madeline

I'm Lauren king, a 19 year old sophomore at Lipscomb University. No makeup November has been such a blessing. I don't regularly wear much makeup but to be honest-I'm sometime paranoid about that. I sometimes feel as if people don't think I'm up to par for whatever it is that we are doing. This also causes me to over compensate on my makeup when I choose to actually wear it. Even just the past few days of no makeup November have been extremely encouraging because it has helped me to not feel like an odd ball whb I'm not wearing makeup but more like I'm actually a part of something bigger, a movement. I have a dream that one Day no makeup November will get to the point where it will e strange for a girl to wear it in November and for makeup companies to be worried in October. This could be huge!! God is so good and he did such a good job at creating us!!

As a first year teacher, I signed on to doing no makeup November thinking I would be able to do it in moderation. Honestly, I wasn't really committed to this campaign. The more we got geared up to launch it however, I had girls here in Houston really questioning their ability to rise to the challenge! So I decided to take the challenge to show my girls that I believed in what I was saying.... Well little did I know that The Lord was going to take me on an amazing journey. So far I have realized how much I need the approval of other women. Not the approval of men, but women. I have also had to stay away from mirrors!!! Satan has totally used mirrors to bring my insecurities to the surface! So thankful that The Lord has sweetly reminded me that there is no flaw in me!!!
Hollyann

I am doing NMN because I couldn't say no. Yep, you got me. I didn't really want to at first, but I couldn't say no to the stirring in my soul that God had put there. I needed to lead by example for my daughter and for the girls that I mentor. But as God always does, you go into something thinking you will bless others but yet you end up getting blessed. After a few days, I realized that God had huge plans for me. I am realizing that even thought I don't wear much makeup that often, I like knowing it is there to help me when I feel down about my appearance. Now that it is hidden away and can't be touched, I miss it. I am reminded that when I feel down about how I look or how I feel about myself that God is always there. He is better than any tube of foundation or more filling than any mascara I could ever find. It stinks to look around and compare yourself. I am ready to be free. To grasp the true freedom Christ offers me in knowing I am HIS. I am not a girl in a magazine or a flawless movie star, nor am I the woman at church I wish I looked like. I am me. I am created by Him. And it is about time I start truly believing that. It is a painful realization and it took me giving something up to find that. Funny huh? I look forward to more Novembers ahead! -Becca Daniel
RAVE Ministries, Inc.

As apart of the RAVE ministry, I knew I had to do No Make Up November once the idea begun to catch on. However, I didn't expect God to truly open my eyes to the beautiful of his creation that was behind all the make up. I have been learning the most simple things that I had never realized before: I can dress cute and I don't have to wear make up. Crazy right?! I also find myself more vulnerable to people. I don't have to look like I have everything today. I look forward for the ways God will continue to give me confidence in my worth and beauty in HIM> GLORY to GOD! -Brittany Portell

Guess who!!
I received a call from Duck Dynasty's Jessica Robertson yesterday and she very much wanted to express her support for the idea of finding your beauty from within. She mentioned that her husband "Jep" being the father of 3 daughters and one son, also desires to raise his daughters with Christ being the source from which they draw their significance. Due to prior commitments to the TV show she will not be able to participate as completely as she would like to, however, she wanted to make it known that her along with all of the women of Duck Dynasty believe very strongly in the idea of "inner beauty" which comes directly from God.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height; for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1Samuel 16:7 I know this verse is true, but even in knowing there is truth in that verse, I still struggle with insecurities over my appearance. I plan to use this month to meditate on these words and focus more on how I want God to see me than how I want others to see me. I want my niece and my daughter to live their lives for God and not for others and I want to lead by example"-Erin Rogers

"I have been through so much the past 6 months that I feel that I just want to show people how God has made me stronger from the inside out!! And how that strength doesn't need shiny or sparkly additions to become beautiful! True beauty comes from the love of the Lord and is portrayed though our everyday actions and the way we love our spouses, children, and other people in our lives" - Mindy Casey

for those of you who are not privileged to know this precious lady, she lost her husband/best friend less than a year ago and is raising three children by herself. Thank you Mindy for your strong spirit and unyielding faith!

"There are a few reasons I chose to participate in No Make-Up November but the most important is simply what it represents about my life in the last 3 months. In July, I ended my engagement to a man I love very much. Despite the heartbreak, the relationship was just not God’s best for either of us and so I had to make a choice. Since then I have done all the usual independent woman post break up things; gym, losing weight, therapy, a haircut and a fabulous vacation. None however came as close to the fulfillment I have had when spending alone time with the Lord. I won’t lie, there were days when mass quantities of chocolate and pedi’s seemed to come close! (Can I get an Amen?!)

I began earnestly seeking answers from Him about my relationships, not only with my ex, but in regards to myself, my friends and my family too. The answer I received in my spirit was an urging to get back to the basics. Start each day fresh by stripping away all the junk to find the heart of my matter. Push my pride aside to fully experience the vulnerability of being broken and spilled out before Him and then choosing to actually accept the forgiveness I had been praying for (um, HUGE). Next came actually accepting that , yes, I have flaws (gasp and betrayal ). Such a duh moment when I realized that spending time with Him was the only way I would ever be able to correctly determine what is just bad habit and what really is a flaw. The lists are a work in progress but I do know that He alone provides the wisdom I need to go about how to actually fix what can be rather than a temporary cover up (anyone else uncomfortable, let’s move a long shall we). When life is going good it’s easy and natural to operate in the Fruits of the Spirit but sometimes life in the natural falls apart and comes with difficulty (at times devastating). So then what? Well, it simply isn’t enough to want to walk in love, grace and mercy as none of these are achieved by an ‘outside in’ process. When we are outside the will of God, they are also not sustainable. No matter what we do or use to try and fill the void, there is no mask or cover we can wear to cover up our problems, flaws or the ugliness of our sin (aka human nature). When we fail and fall into sin, there are no disguises or pretty layers between God and ourselves (double gulp).
We must be vulnerable and open to the Holy Spirit daily in order to start fresh and repurpose ourselves for His glory (sometimes several times a day if yesterday was any indicator for me). This project provides a daily physical reminder of the (RE) purpose for my life in Christ and to be open to the healing and blessings that will come from being vulnerable to Him" -Tara Taylor

"My reason for joining is simple – I want to set the priority for my grandchildren in that God looks at us from the inside out. My mom use to say “beauty is as beauty does”. “Teachability” is allowing ourselves to be instructed by our Lord Jesus and I always want to draw closer to God so by joining you beautiful young women in this month I’m sure this will happen. Thank you for all your encouragement! Here is one of my favorite quotes: Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. "I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up, or dress yourself, or do you hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction." By Kevyn Aucoin" -Jo Gower

"My reason for saying it is simply because we as women are held at such a strict and rigid standard for what we "should look like". God had no delight in women painting their faces or wearing certain clothing or jewels. His delight was in our hearts and how we sought after him each day. Sometimes, it's easy to get caught up in the world and worldly demands on our gender.

As a professional, I convince myself that I "must" dress and act a certain way. Even though I personally don't believe this, I know that my teachers and colleagues expect a level of "professionalism" and for women, that means wearing make-up, fixing our hair certain ways, and wearing certain clothes and shoes.

I'm stepping away from that now. God knows my heart and loves me unconditionally. I do not have to conform to the ways of this world to feel good about myself.

This picture is of me in my office last week with no fear or shame!" - Ashley Absher

"I decided to do this for my daughter. I want her to be comfortable with what God has made her. As a parent you have to lead by example."

-Chastity Oliver

"As of October 17th of this year, I am 1 year breast cancer survivor, healed by the blood of Jesus. I was diagnosed when I was 24 years old and immediately started treatment. The treatment that I underwent took seemingly every bit of my "beauty" away. I lost all of my hair, my breasts, eyelashes, and eyebrows. My fingernails turned black and some fell off. Most everything that used to make me feel pretty, I no longer had. It was through this process that I truly realized what it meant to find my beauty in Christ. I had every bit of my worldly, womanly "beauty" stripped away. But the truth is, God saw me as the most beautiful I had ever been...desperately seeking Him like never before. He looked at His daughter and saw me so vulnerable, realizing my deep need for him. He saw my heart, and I pray it was a beautiful sight. As I now have hair and nails again, I am thankful; however, I pray God always sees me as a bald, breast-less, nail-less girl, who knew my only hope for beauty was within and through Christ himself. This picture is of me at the beach (make-up less) right before my mastectomy surgery. I felt beautiful in this picture and had peace about my upcoming surgery. I had started to realize that I was the most beautiful when I looked the most like Jesus. I pray I become more and more beautiful by God's definition of "beauty." 1 Peter 3:3-4"

-Aly Taylor

I encourage each of you who is reading this to check out alysfight.blogspot.com to learn more about this phenomenal women and her unyielding strength, courage, and faith as she has battled through breast cancer. She truly exemplifies the very heart of Christ with her life. -Jil

-Shelley

"I chose to do this for all 3 of my children, not just my daughter. I want them to know that we are perfect just the way God made us. No man defines us, only God in us can determine the person we are and will be and He gives us our true beauty!! Praise be only to God!!!"
-Needra Gill

"I work in the beauty industry- a job that encourages me to look my best each day. I immediately wanted to do this challenge, but I have been thinking on it for days because unfortunately it is a huge challenge for me. My sweet man told me that he thinks I am the most beautiful girl in the world, but his favorite thing about me is my heart and character. It brought tears to my eyes, because I feel as if this is something every woman yearns to be told, but better yet- feel, know, and believe. I want women to know without a doubt that the Lord thinks they are beautiful regardless of your outward appearance.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7"

-Jessica Wyles

"I struggled with my body image for over 20yrs. I still struggle today at times, but don't label myself as a victim/addict anymore. God's word says we are new creatures in Christ (col 3:3-4) I think Satan distracts us with those lies (I'll always be an addict, i'm ugly, etc.) In 2010 God spoke to me through this SPECIFIC verse-ps 139:14 - I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. I learned to battle those "voices in my head" with God's word - my sword. Faith - my shield..His Truth - my belt (Eph 6:10-17). I want to show women and girls, through God's word, that their value is in Christ alone. Nothing else!!"

-Jennifer Ables

"One of my boys favorite stories is the story of Sampson and Delilah. We always end the story with a heart to heart discussion about true beauty. I choose to be make-up free this month not only for myself but also for my boys. I want them to see its a matter of the heart and not the outward appearance that counts"

-Marcie Saucer

Prov 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

-Shari Owen, Lauren Owen

"One of my favorite verses that has always inspired me is Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised". The older I get the more I see just how "fleeting" beauty is, but yet I find myself trying to hold onto something that is temporary. And as I see my daughters raised in an unfair world of unattainable physical standards my heart breaks for them. What gives me peace, though, is knowing the security that myself, my daughters, and other women can have - when our physical beauty inevitably fades by the worlds standards, if we worship and fear our Savior we will have an unfading beauty that is worthy of praise in the sight of our almighty Lord. I want to use this opportunity to refocus and remember what God tells us is WORTHY to be praised."
-Darcy Fisher

"I saw your post last week about "No Make-Up November" and my initial thought was...Oh there's no way I can do that because I have a big presentation at the end of the month...well that response has been eating away at me for several days now. (The crazy thing is that my presentation is on body image and how the media has contributed to the idea of an "ideal" body type) Satan has been putting every excuse possible in my head for why I shouldn't do it, but I am not giving into his lies! I'm 100% accepting the challenge and I am going to encourage others here to do the same! I want it to be a constant reminder that "beauty", according to society, is not going to define who I am. I was made in God's image and that is what really matters!"
-Pam Inman

"I was wanting to do this b/c I think women are to worried about how they look and always having to wear make up and I think we are all beautiful the way God made us and will be glad to put away the makeup for a month!" - Kristy Robertson

"Being in the beauty industry I have seen how much emphasis and hard work people pour into their outward appearance, and I want young girls to know that your true beauty shines from inside of who we are in Christ. And the one person I feel I need to impress, my husband, reminds me, "you impressed me a long time ago, there's no need to "fix up" to make me love you more." So at some point my true beauty caught his eye, not my outer beauty."

- Erin Goodfellow

"I chose to participate in No Make-up November challenge to stand up for what I truly believe, and that is that our looks do not define who we are. It is our hearts that matter and that we are beautiful creations of our Heavenly Father and He loves us. I want to be an example and positive role model to my children and to teach them to love God and to love themselves."-Megan Gimber

"I want young girls and women of all ages to remember that beauty goes deeper than our skin or our outward appearance. The "beauty" that we should strive to shine lies deep within us. Lets look for everyones True Beauty that our Heavenly Father sees."
-Alyson Franks

"Many of us look at make-up as a need. We believe we need it to help our appearance so we're accepted and beautiful. Well, this November I'm choosing to be make-up free and show that make-up is not a need for women:-)"
- Deserae Calhoun

"I have decided to participate in this campaign because I want to remind myself of who I am in God's eyes and how He sees me i how I want to see myself. Pure, beautiful, wrinkle and blemish free. When I look in the mirror I want to be proud of exactly how He made me and not mock Him by turning away in dissapointment or disgust. I know that this month I will also gain peace about my whole body image."
-Tara Trull

Monday, October 15, 2012

Just a Car Ride...

Jill Dasher 8:08 AM 1

I experienced a moment of shear panic in the car tonight as Zach and I began talking about the future of our children on a casual ride home from house church. It hit me like a ton of bricks when he very nonchalantly mentioned that in four short years our 9 year old would be getting ready to start high school. Had I been driving, no doubt, I would have done what any rational mother would do...Slam on the breaks, pull the car over, and get out as fast as possible, throw my hands up in the air, and go ahead and give God the slow down signal. NO, not slow down...STOP!!! I'm not ready, she's not ready, we are all not ready to send our daughters to high school!!! Please, please, please, just let me exist in my own little world surrounded by sippie cups, car seats, and Mommy I love you's, shoot I'll even take a dirty diaper over the fear that invades my heart when I think of a time, not too far away, when each of my kids is going to be the one making the majority of the decisions that will shape their life and ultimately the person they grow up to be. Call me crazy or maybe a control freak, but I just kind of like when the parents are in charge, it just feels safer that way. So in the fifteen minutes it took us to get home these are the thoughts that raced through my mind.

Have I taught her everything she needs to know about being a lady?
What about the boys that are going to tell her she's beautiful?
What about the things she might be exposed too, see, hear, etc...
what types of boys are going to tell her she's beautiful?
will she stand up for truth when no one else is?
will she be a leader for God or a follower for whatever is the easiest?
will she wear things because everyone else says there cool or will she be her own person?
will she find her value in the things she can do or the way that she looks or will she know that she is of infinite value because of the greatness of the one who created her?
will she remember that our love stretches to the heavens and be able to come to us in times of trouble
will she remember that this life is but a mist, but that for a short while she has the privilege of showing the love of Christ

Heavenly Father,

Almighty God, creator of Heaven and Earth... The Beginning and The End...I am in awe of Your glory and tremble at Your power. In the name of Jesus I pray a blessing over my sweet children. A blessing of wisdom, knowledge, and truth. Give them wisdom to see this life for exactly what it is. A gift, a blessing, that they may soak up each and every moment they have to know You more. That they may use that knowledge to praise You, to glorify You, and to share the wonders of who You are with everyone who crosses their paths. I pray that in this short time that we are here on this planet that our family will realize that we are but a mist passing through. That we will understand that our time is way to short to store up glory and praise for ourselves, but that everything good that comes from us will be all reflected to You, our mighty creator. I pray that TRUTH is something that my children will value in every area of their life. No matter the cause, no matter the circumstance, I pray that they will seek to follow whatever is TRUE. That truth, I know, will always lead to You. Though I know they will experience trials and though I know they will taste hurt, I pray that during those times they are reminded of your promise. Your promise of an eternal home, of an everlasting joy, and a peace that surpasses all understanding to those who seek you with all their heart. The reminder of this promise, I pray, will give them the courage to fight another day and to be the person that you have called them to be. In the name of my savior, my defender, Jesus, amen.

You see I know that there is no possible way to check off every concern on my "parent worry list" but what I do know is that I have someone who is rooting for me, who is interceding for me, who is offering up my prayers to a God who never grows weary. He doesn't even mind if there a few years early, in fact, he prefers it that way:-)

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:13-14).

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26).

Monday, October 1, 2012

ZACH + JIL + FOUR + MOVE = CRAZY

Jill Dasher 11:23 PM 0

Good Golly Gracious!!! It has been a crazy couple of weeks in the Dasher house hold. For those of you that may not know we have been moving, moving, and moving out of our home for nearly three weeks. It's amazing what a family of six can store up over the years, shocking really.

Around April of 2011 we began a journey. This began with the purchase of 40 acres of land with some amazing friends; 20 for them, 20 for us, and an "ole" Barn in the middle. Having no clue what the future would hold we did know that it would be a dream to some day build our Homes on these beautiful acres. We would often dream of all the escapades that our children would get into together, after all, they have four kids as well, that makes 8 kids - 5boys, 3girls. Yet somehow amongst all the dreaming, the reality of actually making this dream come true never came into play. I guess I just assumed there was some sort of moving fairy that took care of all the minor details, I mean I had moved several times before, but apparently NOT with four kids. I am the "baby of the family" if that tells you anything...oh surely things will workout just fine:-)

So when our house sold about a month ago we began making plans for the big move. Since I homeschool our children I really wanted to be on the land so that I could be a part of the whole process without having to hall the kids out every time a decision needed to be made. For this reason we thought it would be perfect to live in a trailer on the land during the building process. Even better since our friends who bought the land with us had just moved into their new house and were trying to sell their trailer that was already on the land...BINGO!! However, this did not make the MOVING process easier. It meant 3/4 of our belongings had to go to storage and the rest to our "trailer house." Yeah, I know some of you are thinking, why not just higher movers, yes I agree, I mentioned this several time to Zach Dasher. Zach Dasher believes that if you can do it yourself for FREE, do it YOURSELF. He no longer abides by this policy, we'll just leave it at that, for now anyway.

So without boring you with all the minor details I will simply give you a sneak peek into our moving week:)

Jil - sprained tendon in her wrist due to husband dropping weight of very large table on her
Son Bear burned his foot after stepping in the ashes of the burn pile
Jil's favorite leather chair - DESTROYED after falling off the truck on I-20, hitting 4 vehicles
Somehow we adopted a cat and a dog on day 1 of moving week?? Seriously!!
Zach's sunroof broke on his truck, like would not shut, rains a coming, uh-oh $1300 and the loss of our moving vehicle for a couple of days
Lost our storage key as we were unloading one of the final loads around 12:30am night before closing. Went ahead and unloaded it all, sure that we would find the key back at the house. NO KEY found, so we, correction HE (I was having a major allergy attack) had to go back up to the storage facility, load all our stuff back up that we had left in the hall, and take it to the trailer until further notice. We found the key, sure enough, in the side pocket of the car as we were heading to our closing at 9:00 the next morning.
Our friends dog got ran over on the land during one of our drop off loads;(( P.S. It wasnt' me!
Did I mention that I cannot twist my wrist? It's like impossible to be a Mom and not move twist your wrist.

MEET "MUFFIN"

YEAH, NOT REAL SURE HOW THIS HAPPENED, BUT FRED LOVES THE NEW TRAILER;)

THESE WERE OUR HEIGHT MARKINGS ON OUR OLD LAUNDRY DOOR...SNIFF...SNIFF
I WILL MISS LOOKING AT THIS EVERY DAY!!!

SO IT BEGINS! PHASE 1 - DIRT WORK;)

So although the list above is entirely true and yes I pitched a few "hissy fits" as I like to call them a few times along the way in the grand scheme of it all, we are so very blessed. I am blessed to lay down each night, wherever that may be, and to know that I am loved "hissy fits" and all by the man I married 11 years ago, to know that my four children are healthy and safe and that for yet another day I was blessed to be their mother, but most of all to know that I am loved in a way that I could never have hoped by a father that offers more than any worldly possession you could dream or imagine. It is because of this love that I must live every day of my life, no matter how long or short, for the glory of God. "Better is one day in your court's than a thousand elsewhere"Psalms 84:10

P.S. If the good Lord sees fit to see us through the building of this house you better believe you will see a "MOVING" with actual "MOVERS" not named Zach and Jil on moving day!!!

To all our friends that helped through all the craziness, we owe you big time!!! Coming soon Gumbo feast for you all, I promise!! Or some kinda good country cooking:-) We love you and cherish you more than words could ever say! "Friends are friends forever, if the Lords the Lord of them..." (picture me serenading you!)