Where is your Faith?...

From the beginning of time faith has been offered to us. And God has tested that faith. I do not believe he test us to see us fail. We are tested to stay strong or grow.

Gen 15:6
And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith.

Where is your faith?

Is your faith in your hands that work manual labor day in day out?

Is your faith in your self?

Are you so focused on your children that you do not take time for God.

Do you put so much faith in their triumphs and successes?

Or do you place your faith in the hands of your wealth?

Where you become so dependant on your income and bank accounts?

I know you want to ask me, "Well if I do not put a little faith in these things how will I find work, take care of the kids or pay the bills?"

If you choose to leave these things in God's hands He WILL...

Choices... Gal 5:17
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.

God does not make us believe, nor does he force a relationship with Him on us. It is our choice daily to believe and come to grow closer with Him in prayer and scripture reading or not.
The choice is ours but the plan is His.
If your life seems to be filled with more grief than happiness,

more stress than peace

or more conflict than resolutions,

maybe we are looking or filling our lives with

all the wrong things in all the wrong places.

I have a hard time understanding why Christians become angry with God.

It is our own choices that bring downfall. God is sad to see us slip and falter.

He desires a daily relationship with us so He can have the opportunity to lead us

back to the path of the plan He has for our lives.

You may never hear Him calling or

answering prayers if you do not take time alone with Him.

2Ti 3:16
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.

Our God is a Mighty God...

Deu 10:17
"The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes.

Do you not have faith that the God who parted waters, healed the sick, brought the dead back to life, feed thousands with very little and sacrificed his only son can handle our little stresses, finances, families?

Well, if you put it like that...Of course He can.

Sometimes it's not a matter of loosing faith. It's a moment of realizing the power of our faith. We serve a powerful God. He mealy spoke this entire world into existence.

Sure he can handle anything. And even more perfect, He desires to.

Our choices without God are like swimming in the middle of the ocean without a life belt.

We are determined to sink. God knows no failure. So place your life in his hands.

Keep your faith on Him always.

Psa 150:2
Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!

Gone to Campmeeting...

If everyday could be lived this simple there are so many lessons I could learn.

We moved into our tent last weekend for camp meeting. Every night last week we

slept there and ate dinner there. Now we do come home during the day for a little break

and some nap time. Then every evening we are back again.

A lot of people ask why.

I wonder why not?

Wooden tents surround an arbor, where daytime and evening worships take place...

Just think of how amazing our communities would be if they were built like this.

Around one church!

When it's time to eat there is always enough to share....

Your neighbors are two steps away. ...

Communication is face to face...

Whole families are together...

Children's laughter is ALWAYS in the air...

It is hands down the best way to live.

I was not born into camp meeting like a lot of the area Denver residents.

But camp meeting has changed me and will forever be in my heart.

My grand children's, grandchildren will be apart of this wonderful event!

What deeper seeds could I sew?

Marley, Maci & Micah just outside the arbor

Lynch Family 2008
Erin & I hanging out at Tent 81

My nephew's: Dillon and Jack

Sister-in-law: Melissa, Mark, Dillon & Jack
Friends: Erin, Garrison and Rodney
Maci Grace catching petals from the flower tree
Deer in our yard
Sunday's at the campground are great! Preaching, Good Food and lots of laughter.

Here are a few pictures I took this past Sunday at Rock Springs Campground.

When we came home for a little rest Sunday afternoon Maci spotted these deer in our yard.

Her dad and I blew it off when she first mentioned she sow some deer. I was thinking

like lawn statues or something. When we pulled into the driveway she said, "Look over there."

Sure enough there were 3 deer. I think the apples from the apple tree is what attracted them.

The storm from the other day left a lot of those apples on the ground.

Another day

Back to that reoccurring question...How do I do it?

This morning it was done pantie less. LOL Sorry, you just have to laugh about that. Well not me but one of my children. I'm sure that one day they will write this amazing best selling book about the craziness in their life with a young mother who had 3 children under the age of 5 for 3 years in a row. And I will gladly toast to their success... Remind me of this even if I'm made out to be the crazed psycho woman in their lives...



OK back to my story. Three kids in the Dr.'s office bright and early this morning for their well check ups. Maci is getting her Kindergarten shots...All four of them...M&M their second round of Hepa. A. Maci jumps right on the table for her examination. Next it's Marley's turn... When to my horror I realize as the Dr.s pulling up her dress to examine her that she is wearing no panties. The thoughts that must have crossed through the Dr.'s mind....



Mornings are usually pretty relaxed around our house. Except on the days we plan to go out. (Which isn't often.) Getting to a 9:15 am Dr's. apt in Mooresville calls for an extra busy morning. I wake first again, thank goodness! Get myself ready, get the kids up, fix breakfast, pack my gym bag while they are eating, change their clothes and pull of Marley's pull up from the night before. By this time she is already in her dress. Whops...I never remembered to put panties on my poor child. You'd think she would remind me. HUH? Get in the car, buckle them up, still not noticing... Until the shocking revelation at the Dr.s' office. Thank goodness I had a spare in my purse...Of all places....So now not only is the Dr. questioning, silently in her mind, why this child is not wearing any underpants, but also why the mom has a spare pair in her purse?

And these are the days of my life...

10 years ago...

A lot of things went through my mind this morning...
My first call was at 7:15 am telling me that they had taken Daddy back early.
I slowly start to rise, mind you I'm RARELY up before 9 am.
I think it's a good idea to get myself ready before the girls get up.
Again this is something I RARELY do, fix myself up.
I'm bathed, hair dried/curled and make up on by 8 am.
I ponder as I'm getting ready how things used to be, pre three kids that is.
Wait a minute...I used to do this everyday. Take time in the morning for myself
to get ready for work. I must say that I thou rally enjoyed it, even if I had to get up early.
I'm sure at the time when I was working I totally took it for granted. Hating every minute
of getting up early and getting ready for work.
If anything being a stay at home mother has taught me a million times Gratitude for the little things in life....

I get the girls up and dressed and get a call from Aunt Meg. Asking if we wanted to meet her for breakfast. What a pleasant nice morning I thou rally enjoyed...

On my way to the hospital I become a little nervous about the drive to Charlotte. Mind you I made this drive for almost 10 years prior to my three children. Was the anxiety actually coming from the drive? Or was it coming from a life I so suddenly gave up. Sacrifice hardly explains what our family has gone through since I left work. The emotional tug of war that I battle almost daily brings me to think of what might have been. Well if I was working things would not be as hard. I know, I know the grass always seems to be greener on the other side. This is defiantly not the case. But I feel that both my parents raised me to be very independent. And giving up that independence has been a struggle at the least. Not that I doubt my calling in life at this present time...mommy. I have become a much different person than the Dawn I looked at in the mirror 10 years ago. I must say that I would hate to have missed the opportunity to become the woman I am today. And if I have to start all over in two years when my twins begin Kindergarten, then I will begin a much stronger person. The things I would have missed you could not have offered me a million dollars to suffice.

My Daddy pulled through his surgery like a champ and will be ready to go dancing on Saturday. (So he says.) LOL The road to total recovery will be a long one with physical therapy. I thank you if you lifted him and our family up in prayer and ask that you continue to through out the next three months. It was defiantly nice to be there for my Father today. I did also enjoy the time I spent reflecting on why I am where I am today. And how totally content I am with being the person I have become. Life lessons...learned...cherished...and forever changed...

Finding JOY in my life...

Christian, Mother, Wife, Friend, Photographer, Teacher, Baker, Chef, Dentist, Trainer, Referee, Judge, Neighbor, Butler, Receptionist, Launder, Maid, Driver, Financial Manager, ect...

How do you do it?... I get this question almost every time I am out alone with my children. If you are referring to how my children are loved and happy but my life is quite chaotic I'll tell you... It all begins with how my winter coats are still on the rack in the middle of the summer. When it comes to the second and third layers of cleaning, there is just no time. Because your five in a half year old is starting Kindergarten at the end of summer and next year your twin three year old will be bringing home homework from PRESCHOOL. What?...

Or how I just took a break to get a fresh smellin', slippery wet 3 year old out of the tub so she could go potty. It's quite humorous at the end of most days. When you think of all the little things that make up your day that become the happiness in your home.

Take for example last night. Micah and Marley get into some make-up Maci has brought home from Grandpa's house. (Which by the way we need to talk about G, I was 13 before you ever let me wear makeup.) I decided that it would be best if I applied it. I could just foresee the mess on the couch if it were any other way. Oh yes... I'm a Psychic too! I was amazed at the excitement on their faces as they sat so still letting me glam them up with body glitter a little gloss and eye shadow. Their demeanor's changed almost instantly. When Micah walks up to her daddy with the sweetest little made up face and says, "Daddy I'm a pretty woman now." It's how her daddy replied that made the world of difference. His words will forever ring in my heart and probably hers too as well. "Sweetheart you were beautiful before." It's the simple things.

When my day comes to an end, though my sanity may be long out the window,

I can always sit back and say that I am blessed.

I'm reading Yours Are the Hands of Christ, in a small group at my church.

Learning about Holy Hands I loved this quote by Mother Teresa.
When she was asked "Why are you so holy?" She responded: "You sound as if holiness were weird, or abnormal. To be holy is to be normal. To be anything else is to be abnormal."

Being holy is a process, not an overnight, turn around, instant thing. Phew....Huge relief...LOL No, but it is about filling our bodies and minds with goodness. What we think about we bring about. I think that it is also true trash in equals trash out. Holiness is a decision we have to make everyday to bring us a few steps closer along the way. Things like holding reverence to the sabbath day, freeing our minds from judgment of others, allowing God to intervene, carefully choosing who we look up to as an example and prayer, just to name a few. I desire to be normal. Gosh that feels good...Just say it!

"The pleasures of holiness, once grasped,

are the deepest, most exhilarating, and most enduring."

James C. Howell

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

Lake Day...

The Edmonson's invited us out on the lake.

We went to a place called "bug island".

I have to be honest that I was not thrilled by the name at first.

But did not cast too much judgement before trying it.

It turned out to be the perfect relaxing spot.

Bugs...more like butterflies.

Though her boys were not thrilled at

the thought of us changing the name of their

manly spot from bug island to butterfly island.

Erin's Engaged...

I've known her since birth.

She is 7 days older than me.

Our mother's are best friends.

It was inevitable that we turned out to be lifelong friends.

Oh, the stories we have made together...

Which we will never tell...(Right E?) Shhhh...

Good friends like this are rare and precious jewels.

Meet my friend Erin...

She's getting Married in 9 short weeks.

I'm honored to be in her wedding.

The pictures are from her engagement party a few weeks ago.

Below is her with her fiance', who is great!

I love that I really like the man she is marrying.

That means so much more. Adding Chad to our friendship

will only make it that much greater!

Erin & I
Chad & Erin

Bachelorette Party Weekend Destination:

Folly Beach ~ Charleston, NC

7 short weeks and we will be here!

We are connected...

READ: Romans 12:3-13

Have you ever been around someone that finds something negative to say no matter how optimistic you try to be? Negativity breeds unhappiness and misery loves company. It is amazing to think of the power we may posses just by our own actions. Bad attitudes breed bad relationships while at the same time loving ones breed happiness. We are all here together no matter where we came from, what we believe in or what hardships we may have endured as children. No one is any better than anyone else in the eyes of our Lord.

Can we live together in harmony? As Christians that is what we are called to do. So that our actions can bring fourth the type of compassion, love, humility, kindness and faithfulness that the scriptures describe. Therefor we should rejoice in the joyful things that happen to our brother and sisters. Not letting jealousy, hate, envy or regret guide our lives. Better accepting people where they are in their lives and rejoicing in their joys with them.

We can live together in harmony if we focused inward on making ourselves and our paths the best example for others to follow.

Romans 12:9-13

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

The Little Things...

It always seems to be the little things that can build us up or break us down. Think of the tongue and how small it is verses the whole body. But it still holds a lot of power. Try to think of some little things that have big potential. Like a; flame it starts of small but holds huge devastation, or a tiny insect can bring about disease.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me? We heard it on the play yard at school, perhaps even used this famous line a time or two. Does it hold any truth?
Are words just words. Meaning nothing unless you allow them to. This may be a decision we make for ourselves, perhaps, putting up a barrier to block the hurt and sting of some potential harmful words. This may be used as an emotional blocker to prevent us from getting hurt by words, but we can not soften the bit or sting of the harmful words we use.

James, Jesus half-brother, reminds us of something else that is small that can also be destructive.
Read:
James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue

I don't think so. Nor do I think that we can praise the Lord with the same tongue that we curse with. Just like the Bible said, " 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" I think that whether we allow words to become destructive in our lives is a choice we make. It's about understanding the difference between a harmful word and and encouraging word, then making the decision not to allow that to be destructive in your life. But there is no way to determine what impact a harmful word has when you use one. It's better to not use them at all. Only become encouraging, uplifting and positive with your words. Choose them wisely, because they will shape who you become.

A careless word may kindle strife,

A cruel word may wreck a life,

A timely word may lessen stress,

A loving word may heal and bless. —Anon.

It is better to bite your tongue than to let it bite someone else.

Inspired BY:Our Daily Bread, daily devotions

Summer Time...

Looking outside to see if there's rain.
Packing up the car cause they say it's safe.
Traveling to our favorite picnic spot.
Finding the perfect shade tree cause it's hot, hot, hot.

Inviting friends over for some good company.
Lighting up the grill, cooking food to eat.
Listening to the laughter of kids in the yard.
Calming them down and putting them to bed, is hard.

Summer days, there is nothing like them.
Spring, Fall or Winter can not compare.
To bare feet, cold drinks, good friends
and sweet ice cream treats.

Spur of the moment get up and go.
Leaving the windows rolled down so the wind can blow.
Watching the flowers bloom.
Sitting outside by the light of a full moon.

Simple life taking it easy.
Wishing it could always be this way.
Watching the days fly by.
and listening to the crickets cry.

Butterfly kisses, Dandelion wishes
Flying like and airplane through the sky.
It's no lie, Life's what you make it.

Life it good...Blessings overflow...It's all in how you look at it...

Hang-Ten...

Lil Surfer Guy...Garrison

Beach Beauty...

Maci playing in the water, and no I did not make her pose.

This is all her all natural. LOL

Beach Bums...

I love the excitement in Micah's face.

She played in the sand all day every day at the beach.
Marley with her beach treasure (airplane) and shovel headed to the ocean.

Surfer Girl...

Marley loved catching the waves. And she looked so stinkin' cute doing it.

Ride those waves girl....

Summer Time Fun...

You might be a Redneck if....

You pin down a BIG piece of tarp on your front lawn, invite all the family over for a slip-n-slide party...

Or send a kiddie pool full of children down a home made slip-n-slide...

Or if....

you make your own home made version of a water slide...

Consist of a kiddie-pool and a swing set slide!

Or if you like to hang out in the kitchen sink on a hot day...

Marley, Garrison, Maci and Micah

Memorial Weekend Camping Trip...

The pictures speak volumes themselves. We had the best time.
The Lynch's, Edmonson's, Thompson's, Katie & Garren, Charlie & Corina, Dale, Mitchell, & Aubs...