"comes in like a lamb, goes out like a lion" (or vice versa)

That's what my mother has always said. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Though we had some snow in the beginning, it's official...spring has sprung. This is one of my very favorite times of the year. I know we have had some horrific weather lately, and I am very thankful that we made it through with no losses, (as we DO live in a mobile home...) I am also thankful that we know the One who controls the storms. I love to look out behind my house over the big, green field and see the dark, heavy clouds as they roll in. There is usually lots of white, little tails of cotton (rabbits), and several baby deer playing or snacking close to the edge of the woods. I love to feel the cool breeze, and watch as the earth begins to drink the fat drops of water that the Lord provides. We actually have plans to move onto Brooklyn Road in the near future, and I told Jason that is one thing I will miss the most...the amazing view. I literally feel like I am looking straight into Heaven.

Of course, the thunder and lightning (or TORNADOES!!!) that usually follows the rain is not something that I enjoy; my "babies" are even worse. I woke up Thursday night to the sound of knocking on our bedroom door. As I moved my little "Happy" dog from my forehead, (he had snuck up and laid on my pillow...) I sat up, startled. There I found my cat sitting at the door, reaching under the crack with her paw trying to pull the door open! They say that after a while, animals begin to take on the characteristics of their owners, and all of mine are NUTSO just like their daddy! (Just kidding. I mean they really are nuts, but Jason's not...)

Well, big things are ahead for my family this month. Next weekend, is our beloved annual family reunion. It seems that the crowd gets less and less each year, which is kind of sad to me. My mother told me that before Lori and I were born, the family reunion used to be at my parents house (which my Daddy was born and raised in). My Daddy has 13 brothers and sisters! I can not imagine what a mess that was! Needless to say, our reunion will be cut short because some friends of ours are getting married (YAY BEN AND BRIDGETTE), and I will be serving at their reception. The next weekend, Ben will be home, which means lots of moving in! Also, the egg hunt at church, and EASTER! I love Easter because, like Bro. Barry says, without Easter, there is no message. I am so guilty of making light of the significance of the cross without even realizing it. I love that I have the chance to really focus on the awesomeness of Jesus' death and resurrection! And to remember He did it for me! Jack and his Aunt Dee Dee (ME) have a birthday on the 15th (tax day, I know, I know), and the following weekend (the 18th) is his birthday party, which I am also super excited about. (I will let Lori post about that.) It is also my Daddy's birthday, and our husbands are excited as well because the A-day game is the 18th and "televised this year, can you believe it?" (Blah, blah.) The last weekend of the month, me and some other ladies are going to Pensacola for a women's conference. I am anticipating this opportunity, and am yearning to strengthen relationships with my friends and my Jesus. Uncle Jay Jay (Jason) has a birthday the 29th of this month, and the next thing you know, April is gone!

By the way, thank you to each of you who have encouraged me through your kind words, and your prayers. This time of transition has been much more bearable thanks to you! I don't feel like where I am now is what the Lord has for me long term, but I 'm so thankful for new experiences, and for a job to help pay the bills! I just feel like something big is yet to come! We'll see...

THANKS TO JILL...

Jason and I (and you) have been praying for the Lord's guidance and direction in our lives for the past month. Though we have been confused and discouraged at times, we were always sure that our Father had great things ahead. (His word says so, remember? Jeremiah 29:11...) Jason and I feel that His desire for us is to become debt free and financially stable, which is extremely hard to do without an income! MY greatest desire is to have a child, and be able to stay home with him (or her). The Lord has different plans, (for now; only He knows what is to come) and he knows what is best!

I guess I should start from the beginning. Some of you may know Jill Elmore. She is a brilliant nurse practitioner, who I had the opportunity to work with for almost a year and a half. (She is actually one of the main things I miss about my former job!) The first time I met Jill I thought no one could REALLY be that nice, but she is! She is one of the kindest, most sincere people I have ever met in my life. She helped me so much. She was always so patient and so caring, and we became close friends. When the spa closed, Jill fought for my job, and she is one reason I was able to stay as long as I did. She always encouraged me and stood beside me through everything, and I thank God for her and what she means to me. The day I lost my job, as I was leaving, Jill told me she would help me any way she could. An hour later, she lost her job too.

Do you know what she has been doing? Looking for a job. For me. NOT her. (She is pregnant, YAY, and is planning to wait until the baby is born...)

I received a call from Jill a couple of weeks ago, and she was talking with her friend, Stacey, who was interested in meeting with me regarding future employment. I had an interview Tuesday, and started my new job Wednesday. Jones Veterinary Hospital. How excited am I! I LOVE animals, and am really looking forward to this new phase in my life! I will be working reception mostly, and, though training has been a little difficult and challenging so far, I feel like this is an incredible opportunity, and I am so blessed to be there.

When Dr. Jones and his wife Stacey interviewed me, they told me they were looking forward to working with me. They told me I came highly recommended. Guess who. That's right, Jill.

So, Jill, if you are reading this, thank you. Thank you for everything. I can never, ever tell you how much you mean to me. You have always been on my team, and you encouraged me and supported me at times when I needed someone the most. Though we may not see each other for a while, you will not be forgotten. I am only a call away. I love you. Phillipians 1:3 "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."

P.S. Thanks so much to all of you who have been praying for me and my family. I am honored to call you friends.

P. S. S. My mother hasn't smoked in 4 days! Please keep praying, as He hears our prayers and knows our needs. Something that has been on my mind EVERY day lately..."His strength is made perfect in our weakness..."

Waiting

Still waiting...

Here it is. A month has gone by and still no job. I am still waiting patiently, and only this very morning did it strike that maybe I have been asking the wrong question. Maybe not, "What do you have for me in the future, Lord?", but maybe "What do you have for me to do today?" As hard as it is, I am still seeking Him, and I still have faith. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us, and His Word says He loves to give His children good gifts. In our Monday night Bible study, we are learning about God's love and His faithfulness. I am choosing to live by faith, not feelings.

"Experiencing God" (another small group study that our amazing pastor led) taught me many important lessons that I am able to lean on during the times of confusion and silence. One, was to "focus on the cross, not the circumstances." Also during the study, the story of the potter and the clay was discussed. You know what I'm talking about...the story in the Bible where we (Christians) are referred to as clay and our precious Savior is the Potter who holds us in His hands, molding us and forming us according to what pleases Him. But I never thought about a very important point in that story. In order for the Potter to make the clay into ANYTHING, the clay must remain in His hands. So that is my aim. I am trying diligently (and of course failing at times) to remain in His hands.

As some of you know, Jason and my Daddy (A.K.A. Uncle Tractor) just got back from Honduras. They went to build a church, and I was so wishing to be there with them! However, it gave my mother and I a chance to spend some (overdue) time together for some bonding and R & R. We had planned to go to Tennessee to see my aunt, but she had pneumonia. So, we headed to Destin. What an awesome time we had! Usually when I go to the beach, my days are planned and packed with fun events. This time, my mother and I had a beachfront room, and we spent our time lying in the bed with the door open, listening to the waves crash, and reading or napping the whole time. We got up only to eat, and not even every time for that! We even ordered room service a couple of times. The trip was just what we both needed! I love the beach so much, and as I looked out over the beautiful vastness of the ocean, I could not even grasp how anyone refuses to believe in God. How sad that they are missing out!

Well, enough for now. I hope to catch up on everyone's blog soon. Please keep praying for me and my family. My mother has been sick for a while, and she is having a hard time getting better. She is also trying to quit smoking. Please pray for strength, encouragement, and victory for her, and for her to lean on the Lord. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

A Job Well Done...

Well, I have been feeling the sting. I have never experienced this before. I truly feel that I gave my all, and did my very best in regards to former job. And I loved it! I understand the numbers and the logistics, but it just plain hurts that I lost my job! I have been battling satan and discouragement all week, trying to keep in mind who the Winner is. It seems as time passes, I become more angry and bitter. I suppose that's exactly how the enemy would have it, huh? Please pray for me, as I am continuing to struggle. I KNOW the Lord has plans for me, great plans for me, to give me hope and a future...I am just ready to find out what they are! Patience, right? It has never been my virtue. Maybe a new lesson to be learned...

Peace that surpasses all understanding...

What a week it has been.

As some of you may know, I had a grandmother that I was extremely close to (my dad's mother, Minnie; she was Lori's granny, too). Granny lived with us until I was 6 or 7. I remember the day she moved out... I was DEVASTATED and I felt like I would never see her again. (Though she moved about 1 mile away right next to Lori's parents!) Lori and I stayed with her every day after school, and every summer. She would always make us snacks (like Rice Krispies and peanut butter) and sing us songs. (Among her favorites..."Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"...) She was the best company. Though she could not hear a thing, she could read lips REALLY well. Granny would always "listen" and just offer her shoulder to cry on. And she loved EVERYBODY. All of our many friends would always want to go visit her because she always joked and laughed with us all. We would go to her house and we literally had to jump up and down on her porch so she could feel that we were there! She also made up her own words for things. She was born with the ability to hear, but the nerves in her ears stopped working before we were born. And, she only had a fourth grade education, so she did her best. Still, she couldn't quite understand certain words. For example, she called pizza "prison pie" and the microwave a "macaroni oven." She was such a special, special lady. Granny passed away in 2004, and I miss her terribly, but I am so thankful the Lord blessed me with her.

I also had a great-grandmother that I was close to. She raised my mother, (well, until my Daddy decided to, as they were married when my mother was 14!) and lived in the Pleasant Home community. I have lots of warm memories of her, too. Every Sunday we would go to her house after church and have lunch with her. On holidays, all of my (HUGE) family would gather at her house and visit. She had a bridge below her house and all of us kids would walk to the bridge and throw rocks into the water while the grown-ups drank coffee and talked the day away. We would play football in her big yard, and have the best time. Grandmother Teel passed away in 2002 at 98 years old. She and Granny taught me many, many lessons including how to love, and put the Lord first. Grandmother Teel always talked about forgiveness and reconciliation, which brings me to my next subject.

My mother's mother, Louise.

I have never been close to my grandmother Louise. I don't have many memories of her, and the ones I do have are not exactly pleasant. I have always thought that my mother could be different in many ways had it not been for her own mother. Though, I do not have the specifics of everything that happened, I always knew that there were some terrible events that happened in my mother's family. I have always blamed my grandmother for several things, and frankly I have had a problem in forgiving her. My mother, however, praise God, has been able to overcome her past, and become who she is today. She has even formed a relationship with her mother, and has fully forgiven her for whatever may have happened. Forgiveness is a funny thing. I have TRIED and TRIED to forgive my grandmother, but it is absolutely one of the hardest things to do. Right when I think I am over it and I have forgiven her, I am suddenly overwhelmed with memories and blame, and the bitterness consumes me yet again. I mean I have struggled with this for YEARS...

Two weeks ago, my grandmother became very ill. My mama and I were in Dothan for a doctor's appointment, and we went by to see my grandmother in the hospital for a few minutes. Though I felt no attachment to her, I began to pray that she would not leave this earth until she was saved, and right with the Lord. Her condition became more and more serious, and this past Sunday, per my mother's request, I went to visit my grandmother again. As I saw her there gasping for breath, and clearly in pain, a wave of compassion washed over me. For the first time in my life, I was truly able to forgive her. I saw that despite everything, she was still my mother's mother, and my mother loved her, and God loved her too. I continued to pray for her, my mother, and the rest of my family. Monday afternoon she passed away. As selfish as this may sound, I am so thankful that I went to see her, and that the Lord helped me to forgive her. I am thankful that no matter what, He loves me, and He forgives me, too. I can't imagine how unlovable I am! It is easy to see other's mistakes, but not so easy to see our own. I have come to realize (though I have heard it all of my life) that I have no right not to forgive because where would I be without God's gracious forgiveness? As we have been working to mourn the death in our family, this week has been draining and stressful. Today I went into work business as usual. About 10:30, Dr. Gacha called me in his office, and explained to me that, like everything else, the economy has affected our business, and that they could no longer afford to keep me on the payroll. I lost my job today. Believe it or not, through everything I have experienced this week, I am filled with such a peace that clearly is only from God. I truly have a peace that surpasses all understanding, and am overwhelmed and awed at His amazing love. You know, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse that has been on my heart all year. ("I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future.") I saw my cousin Lynn at the Corner Market Monday, and she told me that she had prayed for that verse to come alive for me. It certainly has. Thank you, Lord. I am trusting you.

Destin

I hear that when you have children, (though I am SURE they are totally worth it) it becomes increasingly difficult to have time to develop stronger friendships, and just be spontaneous (like, say, having coffee with the girls at 10:00 at night...). Well, last Saturday was one of those rare chances (for Shonna and Lori, anyway.) We decided several weeks ago that we would all go to Destin and enjoy a fun night out. We (me, Jason, Shonna, Jamey, Lori and Ben) piled in Shonna's van (which we later discussed would have come in handy in high school, especially at Spring Break), and headed to Destin. First, we went to the outlets at San Destin, and did a little shopping. Of course, the boys and girls split up, as the boys cared nothing about perusing the purses at "Coach," and we don't care anything about surround sound. Then, we went to one of our FAVORITE restaurants. "Lousiana Lagniappe." Lori and Ben introduced us, and if you have never been, you can not even understand what you are missing. The food is mighty fine, and somehow tastes even better with the right company. After dinner, we sat around discussing old stories from high school and college, amazed that we all survived. Last, we went to the Destin Commons. The boys went to Bass Pro (surprise, surprise), and we went to Starbucks. (Shonna really took a chance, and ordered a diet coke! Just kidding, Shonna. But you can't beat a caramel latte'.) We walked to Books A Million, and then found a little table outside of Johnny Rockets. We sat and talked for literally hours. The boys were in and out because at times the conversation was about them! Reluctantly, at 10:30 or so we decided to leave. We had such a good time! I am very thankful that we have good Godly friends who we can have fun with, and I have a feeling there will be many more dinners in the future, kids and all!

We considered standing in the fountain for our picture, but decided this may be a better idea.

I think the boys were embarassed that we asked someone to take our picture. Jamey said you would think that we had never been to Destin before. But see Jamey, we would't have had this picture to remember our fun time!

QUIZ

I found this on a friend of a friend's blog. (THANKS!) Since, I don't have kids (YET) and couldn't use the kid meter (we tried - with the pic. of our dog...), I had to find a fun quiz.

About our hubbys...

1.What is his name? Jason Philip Fore

2. Who eats more? He does, but I look like it!

3. Who said, "I love you" first? I can't EXACTLY remember; I think it was me after a long night of ridiculous stupidity.

4. Who is taller? He is, just a LITTLE.

6. Who is more sensitive? Me, definitely.

7. Who does the laundry? Both of us -but that is the thing we have problems with. I just dread it! He is so nice to help me but I usually end up with streaks on my clothes from reds and whites washed in hot water together...

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does. Well, Tip does. He sleeps on the right AND left side. Between Tip, Happy, and Maisy on a queen size bed (YEAH, QUEEN SIZE BED), Jason and I barely have a corner!

9. Who pays the bills? Well, in the literal sense, that would be me. But he is the one who brings home the bacon.

10. Who cooks more? I do. Not much lately. No time.

11. Who is more stubborn? JASON FORE

12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Jason Fore

13. Who has more siblings? He does; one for him, none for me.

14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? We are both strong willed- and we have our differences. I HAVE made a conscious effort to serve him, as the Bible says he is the head of the household; I am still working on that...

15. What do you like to do together? travel, mainly; also, just hanging out at home (or with Lori and Ben), and having fun together.

16. Who eats more sweets? We're tied but he LOVES white chocolate Reese Cups.

17. Guilty Pleasures? baseball cards for him scrapbooking for me.

18. How did you meet? We were best friends in the ninth grade. He liked me but I didn't know. Sweet story...as a joke I told him at school one day that I was having my tonsils taken out. (I was really just going out of town.) He got a puppy and brought it to the hospital as a gift for me! He really is sweet. I used to pick him up for church on Sunday mornings when we were 16, and after church, we would play Nintendo all afternoon, then go back to church at night. God put us together. He says he used to pray to the Lord that He(God) would make me his(Jason) wife. AAAWWW....

19. Who asked whom out first? Neither - it just sort of happened.

20. Who kissed who first? He kissed me.

21. Who proposed? He did - under a tree one night at our church.

22. His best features and qualities? He has so many. He is so handsome and sweet. And FUNNY...also, he is still my best friend. I thank God for him every day.

23. Tag you’re it. Who do you tag? LORI, SHONNA, GINGER, HEATHER F, MICHELLE