Whosoever Christmas Party 2009

After ironing tablecloths Sunday night and finishing setting up yesterday before the party, it was well worth everything. Last night was great. Seeing every one come together and celebrate all that God has done for the Basement over the last year(s). All the decorations went so well with everything. We had a great turn out. The food was yummy, everybody was dressed very nice, and everyone seemed to have a great time. I am thankful to be involved with this amazing move of God. I have been blessed with some awesome friends. Only God can take credit for this!!! The Christmas was a great time of fun and fellowship with the other leaders and partners, who make this happen!!! Everybidy pulled together as a team and worked to make this party a success!!! Hab. 1:5

My Nana- December 1, 1935-October 21, 2009

She was very special to me. She always did things for me. I went to work with her till I started school, during the summer, I would get some cake icing in a tube, she picked me up from school till the 7th grade, and many more things. I couldn't have asked for more from her. Even though her passing away was unexpected, she left so many memories. She meant a lot to me. She is not suffering or in any more pain. She is dancing in heaven with out any pain. No more pain in her legs or no more problems. I have so many memories with her. My last words to her before she passed away was "I LOVE YOU." I am so glad. It makes me smile when I think of that. I was her only grandchild(granddaughter.) Her journey in life was fulfilled. Even though she will not get to see me get married or meet her grandkids, I am ok with that because she is not suffering anymore. We will meet her in heaven one day.

I love and miss her. Her 73 years of life here on Earth were fulfilled. She blessed me in many ways. It doesn't seem like she is gone. I feel like she is still here. I know she is in a better place now. I will one day get to meet her in heaven when it's my day. I am ready. LOVE YOU NANA!!!

Haley and Michael's Wedding- September 19, 2009

After helping out with Shelby's birthday party, I went back to Mama K's house and got ready to go to Haley and Michael Graydon's wedding in Jasper. I am so glad that the rain stopped long enough for the wedding to still be outside. It was gorgeous. Everything was decorated to a tea. I love how she came in on a horse and buggy. It was so elegant and different at the same time. It all turned out wonderful. You couldn't have asked for anything more. It was worth the drive to go and watch them come together as two but leave as one. The whole wedding was amazing. Her cake was absolutely stunning. I didn't get to taste it but I know it had to be good. Having Dr. Pepper to drink as well as other refreshments was very unique and different but it was something you definately don't see. I am greatful that I was able to witness this special occasion. Congrats Haley and Michael!!!

Got Ya!!!

Well, I guess we know who didn't go to sleep till late. I was up before they decided to open their eyes. Lindsey was the only one who was awake out of the girls. So, I decided why not take a picture of them getting their beauty sleep. I knew they would need it since they had a funfilled day ahead of them. I was not about to awake them. I let Mama K do that. We were all in a good mood when we woke up, which is definately a good thing. It was hard not to resist taking their picture. I took the top one and Mama K took the one of Shelby. Everyone except Kaylie went to bed at like 3:00 in the morning. I went to bed around 12:30-1:00, and got up at like 7:45. It all turned out to be a good night and a good birthday party. No injuries or no one going home not happy.

Shelby's Birthday!!!

What a funfilled weekend it was. I got to help out Mama K with Shelby's 13th birthday party. It definately was fun. It brought back memories of being a teenager. Well, spending the night with four 13 year olds was pretty funny. It was a good night with laughter and fun. The girls decided to play a trick on one one the girls who had fallen asleep before they did. They decided to put sour gummy things in her mouth. She didn't feel the first. Well, the second one she did feel and she thought it was sandfoam. It was funny. The girls kept talking to her and asking her what? Finally at the end, she never woke up but she said it's grass, grass- G-R-A-S, grass. It was a night worth while. I guess that's what you get when you fall asleep before everyone else. On Saturday, it was the party day. We went to I-Jump, which is like Pump-It-Up but it also has a rock climbing wall and go-karts. It was a fun day to say the least.

My Funfilled Weekend

I have the opportunity to be apart and help out with Shelby's 13th birthday party tonight and Saturday at I-Jump. I will be spending the night with Mama K, Shelby and some of her friends. Wish me luck. HAHA!!! I am glad that I was asked to help out with this special event. Everyone remembers becoming a teenager, and was so happy to finally be 13!!! It is going to be a blast. Also, tomorrow night, I will be going to Haley and Michael's wedding. I am greatful to be able to celebrate both of these occasions. I will definately post pictures when I get home and able to so you can see what happened. This weekend couldn't be or get any better. Be looking for pictures sometime Sunday or Monday.

We UnAshamed!!!

We went down to Tuscaloosa last Thursday for the UnAshamed kickoff for the school year. It was incredible. It was packed in the main sanctuary and people were even in the overflow room as well. God is definately getting ready to do something big on the campus of UA!!! Just wait. He showed up last week. It was like the Basement but with not as many people there. Before the semester is over, they will probably have that church packed out even the overflow room. I can't wait to see what God has in store for UnAshamed and UA campus. God is definately changing lives on this campus. I know he will continue as well. Matt got everyone fired up as he normally does on a Tuesday night.

23rd Birthday Party

Thanks girls who came out to my party. Yall made it a special day for me. I am glad to have friends like yall in my life. Yall are an amazing group of girls. I am glad to work in the ministry with yall. I feel blessed to have friends who care about me and would take time out of their schedule to come celebrate my birthday with me. I feel honored. My parents and nana thought yall were an amazing group of girls. They are proud of the person I have become. With yall's friendship and God's hand, I am who I am today. Yall have helped me, given me encouragement when I needed it, lifted me up in prayer and many other things. Every encouraging word yall said really made me feel good about myself, and it let me know I was doing something good whether I know it or not. It really touched my heart. I appreciate every girl that came. Even if you weren't able to come, I am still glad to have you in my life as well. Thank yall so much for coming. I can count on yall if I ever need anything. Yall have a special place in heart. Keep doing what you are doing for the kingdom!!!

Summer '09

These are such amazing girls. They have such a servant's heart to see the lost saved and pour out God's love onto other people. They are such a blessing and have truely impacted my life. If I ever need some encouragement or anything, all I had to do was ask them, and they are willing to help me in anyway. They truely have the heart of Christ!!! Hanging around these girls has helped me come out of my shell and quit being so shy, which has been so rewarding. I love these girls. They are so amazing. I am glad that I have gotten to know each one of them. It was time to let go of the past and press on towards the future.

Even though I haven't know Ashley that long, I felt like I have known her forever. She is such an awesome servant. She is always encouraging me. I love her. She is like a best friend. I don't know what I would do sometimes without her. She's amazing. I mean to move all the way from Michigan to Alabama to be apart of the Basement was such an inspiration. I am so thankful I have gotten to know her over the last several weeks. If you don't know her, you need to get to know her.

Jamaica 2001

This missions trip to Jamaica in 2001 was incredible. I would do it all over again. It was my first time flying on an airplane, especially being without my parents. I fell asleep on the way back. We were there from June 5th-11th. It was such an amazing time. To see how many lives we impacted was awesome. I got to work with the elementary school kids. They wanted so much attention. They just wanted to be held and loved. That's it. They do not get love and affection like we get. Their arms were always open for more. They couldn't get enough. We gave them stickers the first day we got there and on the last day, they still had them. We learned how to play Cricket and Spin the Top. To see what they have and to look at what we have, we are so blessed and so fortunate to have what we have. Some sleep on a hard floor , where we have a nice comfortable bed to call our own. We need to be more appreciative of what we have. Often times, we don't thank God for what we do have. They did not have cars to drive them to school. Most of them had to walk, and some walked a mile and some walked even more than that. We did a puppet show for them. The memories are priceless. I will never forget the smiles on the kids' faces. Getting to lead them to know Jesus was such an amazing feeling. We did human videos for the high school. We had to wear dresses while we were there, and they had to be below the knee. That was their dress policy at the schools. Where we stayed, we had a pool. Our showers there were not you typical showers. They were tall and skinny, and the bad thing is there was only cold water. There was no HOT water!!! I am not joking. You definately make a quick shower. You defiantely appreciate things back home.

The one bad thing for me was I could not get in the pool. All I could do was stick my legs in. It wasn't very much fun watching everybody else have fun in the pool. I had to wear a small piece of a cotton ball with vasoline on it when I took a shower. I couldn't get water in my ear at all. That helped stop the water from going in.

I got home that Monday, June 11th. On Friday, June 15th, I was at the hospital having major ear reconstructive surgery. This was all planned. Nothing from the trip caused this. I knew this before I went. Even though I had some limits like the pool, nothing really got in my way to do what we had planned to glorify Jesus. We made him known while we were there. If I could go back, I would get on a plane tomorrow. Those kids made me smile and realize that I am so thankful to have wonderful parents and a nice house to live in.

11 Years Ago- April 8, 1998- April 8, 2009

These pictures are from April 8, 1998 when the F5 tornado came through Alabama. I lived in Sylvan Springs when it came through. I was 11 when it happened. Oak Grove School was gone. There was nothing left but the remains of houses. The school I went to did not get damaged. The last two pictures are at the end of our street. If it would of came down the street anymore, it would have gotten our house. We were not able to get out of our street because of all the trees that were down. We walked around after the storm had passed to see the damage, and it was unbelieveable. Nothing could ever prepare you for what we saw that day. We were very fortunate to have our house still standing. A girl I played t-ball with lost her house completely, which is the 5th picture on here. Hearing the wind and hail is something that blew me away. The hail came down so hard, it sounded like somebody was knocking on our garage doors very hard. We had me, my parents, and my nana there. We had all 3 cars in our basement, thank goodness we did or otherwise the wind might could have gotten them. The wind was kicking booty. God was so watching over us. His arms were wrapped around our house and there were angels there to protect us. We were very lucky and fortunate. To go back and see it today, it looks somewhat the same but to look back to 1998, you couldn't say that. There is a reason why I am still here, and did not loose my life on that day. My heart went out to all those who lost their possessions and family members, and my heart still goes out to them. It is not easy to get over something like this no matter how long it has been since it happened.

IT IS A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET!!!

GOD IS OPENING DOORS!!!

God has opened up a door for me. Where I work, it is crazy and hectic. No one is a believer but me. The girl I work with asked me last Wednesday to find some verses for her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law is going through a hard time right now. I was like ok, it can't be that hard. So, I sent like 15 verses home with her that day. She was so happy. She said to me, " Once I re-write them and read them, it might help me get my life back in order with Jesus." I am praying that God will pierce her heart and begin to just show her how much he loves and cares for her. I have been patient for 2 and a half years, now and God is slowly opening up doors there. Even though it is like hell sometimes, I can't give up on them. I have to keep pressing in for them and letting God's love and his light shine through me. It has had its ups and downs, but I am not giving up till I know I have done what God has asked me to do, and I have fulfilled my purpose there at my work. Everytime I work, I feel like I am making a way more and more. I have been asking God to break my heart for what breaks his, and he has. He has started with the people I work with. He has blessed me. Even though every other word I hear is a cuss word, I let it go in one ear and out the other. They know I go to church and to the Basement. If I give up on them now, I will let God down. When it is finished, I will be happy. God has been there for since the very beginning. There is a reason why I am still working there. I am believing I am there to shine God's light to the unsaved!!!

Youth Convention 2009

This was the end of an amazing weekend. You can obviously tell that we had a good time. God moved in so many ways. Lives were changed. Lives were saved. It was worth it all. The service Friday night was great. Worship was great. Saturday was an eventful day. We were gone from 6:00 a.m till around 7:30 p.m. I was exhausted when I got home. On Friday, we went to bed at 2:20 Saturday morning and got up at 4:45 a.m. to get ready since there were around 10 other girls that had to get ready. During the services on Saturday, the youth group was barely able to stay awake. Once we got back from lunch, we ran towards the front to get crunk with DPB!!! He was there with Ty, Aaron, Dave, and Freddie, his 2 sons. We were so tired after the 2 services. After the 2nd service was over, we went bowling. Out of the 6 girls on my lane, including the youth pastor's wife, I had the highest score. I was happy. When supper time rolled around on Saturday night, we all were happy. After we ate, the girls headed back to my house. We watched Horton Hears A Hoo. It was a good movie. The movie was over around 10:15. After that, we all crashed and went to bed. We were all exhausted and give out. We started getting up and getting ready for church at 6:30. We had to be at church by 8:00 for breakfast. During my quiet time on Friday before youth convention, I was like God break my heart for what breaks yours. Sunday night during prayer at our church, he so did. I began to weep and couldn't move from being in his presence. He began to pour out his love on me, and I just sat there and let him move in me. He wrapped his loving arms around me and said this is for you!!! He scooped me up in his arms and said You are my child, and I will never let you go!!! You are beautiful and my Bride!!!I will never forget that night.

Youth Convention 2009

Starting tomorrow at 3:00p.m., I will be going to Youth Convention with my youth group, Club 24. It is at Cathedral. We are doing a Break-away weekend till Sunday morning. All the girls are staying at my house, and there are about 10 to 15 girls total including me and the pastor's wife. We will not be home Friday night till 11:00. We have to be back at our church for breakfast at 7:30. We have Saturday all planned out with services and activities. We hopefully will be back to my house by 8:00 or 9:00 We will see. I know God is going to show up and move in each one of their lives, as well as the guys. I know lives will be changed. I am kinda ready for it to be over, just the girls at my house part. I know that friendships will be made and girls will grow closer and get to know each other better. I ma believing it is going to rock some people's socks off. It is going to be amazing. Let me tell you. I know DPB will be there on Saturday. I was like yeah!!!

I have practically lived at Cathedral for most of this week. I helped set up Monday for the Basement Tuesday night. I was there Tuesday night for the Basement, and then I will be there this Friday and Saturday. I am like man.

I hope to have some pictures up on here sometime after Sunday morning church if I am not to tired and go to bed early from lack of sleep. I might need to go buy me a monster before church so I can stay awake and pay attention. HAHA!!!

Doctor Visit

Well, what started off as a sore throat turned into more than that. My throat started hurting back at the end of January. It went away so I didn't think much of it. I was like yay!!! I don't have to go to the doctor. Well, 2 weeks ago on a Tuesday, my mom woke my up around 6:30 telling me she was leaving for work. I didn't have to get up till 7:15 to get ready for school. When she woke me up, I was like crap. My throat was hurting and my mouth was dry from breathing through my mouth during the night. I was like great, I am getting sick. I kept putting off going to the doctor because I took some medicine for like 3 days and I felt a little better. Well, I proved myself wrong. A week ago today, I noticed it all coming back and gradually getting worse. I was coughing so bad and it was driving me crazy. I had taken some Robitussin for like 3 days at night time hoping it would somewhat knock me out so I could sleep. Well, it did for a little while and then I started coughing more as it was wearing off. Yesterday, me, my parents, and my nana were sitting in the den since we could not go outside or do anything because of the snow. My dad says you are going to the doctor in the morning. I was like ok whatever. I am so glad I did. After spending a little over 2 hours there between waiting, getting x-rays, getting my blood drawn, and then finding out that I have BRONCHITIS!!! I was like great. COuld my day get any worse. I got a shot in each hip and 2 prescriptions. I got to the doctor's office at 9:45 and I did not leave till 12:05. No lie. I was so ready to get out of there. So, my morning was shot at the doctor's office. I will never wait this long again before I go to the doctor.

Women's Leadership Meeting

I am so privileged to be able to serve with each one of these girls. They all have such a servant's heart, and want to see people come to know him. We had a women's leadership meeting Saturday at the Jenkins' house. It was incredible. We were poured into by some women on God. God was so there. I got convicted but I know God was doing a work in me, which I needed. My heart just began to break. Like some of the girls said, we are the backbone of this ministry. We have to keep praying and pressing on each week. Even though we will get tired and weary, we got to keep fighting and pressing on. We all were encouraged by each other, and I got fired up. I am so ready for this Tuesday. God kept speaking to me so clear. I know I needed to change and fix the things that were not right in me. I was so stinkin encouraged by everybody there. There is no one else that I would rather serve with than these girls. I am ready to take my walk to the next level, no matter what it takes or the cost. I have a new fire in me and needs to be let out. It has been kept up to long. His love Saturday was amazing. I could feel his arms wrapped around me the whole time. I know that I have to keep pressing in for more of him. I am truely grateful that I was able to go Saturday. I was suppose to work, but God had other plans. Thank God for the rain. If it had not have rained, I would have not been able to go. There was a reason for me to have gone to this meeting, and now I know why. God has a reason for everything. These girls are the best!!!

Worship

I was worshipping last night since I couldn't go to sleep. God begin to just break me. He was just revealing things to me. God was like keep pressing in for the lost. I can't give up. I have to keep going. The battle has to still be fought daily. It's not easy, but God is right by me and cheering me on. He wrapped his loving arms around me tight. It's so rewarding to know I serve a God who loves me and wants the best for me. He made me smile, and I was fired up!!! I am so thankful for what he has done in my life. I am a seeing miracle. There is nothing greater that the father's love being poured out on you. I was taking it in. I am in love with my maker and healer!!!

College Life

These are two examples of why I want to teach. These girls are such a joy to be around. They are always giving me a hug. They are special little girls.

I am taking one class this semester due to the fact that this is the only class I need before I transfer to UAB. I am taking it at Jeff State at the Pell City campus. The drive stinks. Gotta love the 18 wheelers everywhere. Hopefully, I plan on transfering in the fall of this year. Pray everything works out for me. I am majoring in Elementary Education. I want to either be a kindergarden or 1st grade teacher. It has also been a passion of mine. I love working with kids. Some teachers I had when I was young and all the way through high school were such an influence to me. Once I get to UAB, the only classes I will have to take are the education classes towards my degree. I am so happy but nervous at the same time. I wish college wasn't so hard at times. I am going to make it. I have come this far. There is no going back!!!

MY TESTIMONY, PART 2

When I was 15 years old, I had an ear infection which lead to me not having an eardrum for several months. I had already paid to go on a missions trip to Jamaica 3 days before I was to have surgery. The doctorws said it was ok for me to go ahead and go. My ear would not be a problem. The one thing Icouldn't do was go swimming. I couldn't get any water in my ear. I had to wear a cotton ball with vasoline on it when I got in the shower to help water not get in my ear. It was not fun at all. I even had to do it when I went to go get my hair cut. NO WATER COULD GET IN MY EAR!!! I got home from the missions trip on Monday, June 11, 2001. I had major ear reconstructive surgery on Friday, June 15, 2001. This was on my mimi's birthday. I was cut from the top of my ear to the bottom of my ear, and they laid it over to get down inside my ear. It was an outpatient surgery. I had to wear a semi-circle thing over my ear to help protect it. I couldn't sleep on it. My mom had to wash my hair everyday till I could get in the shower again, I couldn't lean over, tie my shoes, or even go outside for a week or two. I was like a prisioner in my own home. My ear canal was the size of a newborn, which was not good. I had a long cotton swab down my ear to keep the ear canal open and to give it time to heal. WHen I went back, he took the circle thing off and pulled the cotton thing out of my ear. It felt really weird. I had to wear cotton in my ear for another week or so nothing woudl get inside and get infected again. The surgery messed up my equillbrium, which delayed me getting my permit to begin to drive. The doctors didn't think I would ear regain hearing in my left ear. I was out to prove him wrong. As time passed, I slowly regained some of my hearing. I do not have 100% hearing in my ear. I am thankful for what God has restored to me. If it wasn't for him and prayers, I wouldn't be able to hear anything out of my left ear. The doctor even said he was amazed I had regained some hearing in my ear. I wanted ot be like it's all because of JESUS!!! As to this day, it will be 8 years on June 15, 2009 since I have had the surgery. I am thankful for what God has done in my life.

MY TESTIMONY, PART 1

When I was 4 years old, I fell backwards out of a swing on the playground. I had hit the vision part of my head. The workers called my parents, and they came and got me. When I got home, I complained if a very bad headache. My parents tried everything to make the pain go away. I was like my eyes are blurry. So then they knew something more was wrong. They called my nana, and she took me and my mom to the Emergency Room. After I was admitted,they started to run tests, put iv's in me, and other things. One test they did, but I don't remember, is the doctor took his hand and quickly put it towards my eyes. This is when the doctors and my parents knew I couldn't see. My parents were devastated. They were like is she ever going to get her vision back? The doctors were liek it could be a day, a week, a month, a year, or never. My mom started calling everybody she knew of and had them to start praying for me to get my vision back. My nana was also calling people to. I had pulled out an iv, and blood went everywhere. I was at the end of a VERY LONG HALLWAY. About 24-36 hours later, the doctors called my parents back. As soon as my parents turned the corner, I pointed to them. They started crying their eyes out. That is the moment they knew I COULD SEE AGAIN!!! My dad had to stop crying before he could come see me. I had sang a song about me and my dad. It went like this- Me and Daddy sittin in a tree, eatin peanut butter, kissing each other. He thought is was so cute. They had to keep me a few extra days to make sure I recovered enough to go home. THE DOCTORS SAID I AM A WALKING AND SEEING MIRACLE!!! GOD REALLY DOES HEAL!!!