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!!!