My Teen Rocks!!

On Wednesday, July 9th I took Ali Bug to go get her haircut.

It was a day of celebration!

Why?

Because for the past year she has not wanted to cut, trim or snip any part of her hair.

She was determined to grow it long and would give me much grief whenever I brought up the suggestion of going to get her hair trimmed.

Ali had a goal and stayed focused on this goal until the end.

What was her goal?

She wanted to grow her hair long enough to donate eleven inches to the Locks of Love foundation, that prepares wigs for cancer patients.

She grew her hair so long that she actually still had some hair left to get a cute new style for herself.

Ju Bean and I watched and took pictures of this great moment.

It was inspiring and made me so proud to see what she accomplished.

I think there is a message being birthed from what I witnessed in her eyes.

She completed what her heart set out to do and was lit up with joy in the process of giving a part of herself for a cause that means something to her.

I was so moved by watching her reach her goal - Way to go Ali!!!

And to think - I almost cut her hair while she was sleeping one night!

Just kidding!

Enjoy the photos of before and after!

Be inspired to dream big, reach your goals and to persevere till you accomplish the desires our Lord puts on your heart....You are never too young or too old, and it is never too late!

My Teen Rocks!

Proud Mom,

Vern

PS ~ Shortly after Ali donated her hair we got news that one of her friends (and our friends daughter) was beginning to go through a series of testing. While we were away at Kids Camp the week of July 12th -19th, sweet Caty Mayer was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma Cancer. I would appreciate your prayers for our friends ~ The Mayers (David, Courtney, Caty and Colin)...Be inspired by reading Caty's amazing story on her web page at www.caringbridge.org/visit/caitlinmayer

The Lord has been doing great things through this young life and is in the midst of something spectacular during this season He is guiding her and her family through...Stay Tuned for updates and celebrations!

Have Faith

Here is a glimpse of our Fourth of July Memories with some of our best friends "Lotto" , "Donna Sue" and their girls Hanna Grace, Lottie and Emma.

We went to Lotto's parents house and ranch in Uvalde, Tx.

This was a long overdue trip and one that we have tried to do on various occasions....I am glad it worked out.

One of the great things about this trip was that I was able to bring Boo-Boo (Winston) with me.

As soon as we began to throw things in our bags, Winston knew we were up to something and began to get anxious. He went crazy when we loaded the car up & put his kennel in it. The smart dog that he is...he jumped in and was ready to hit the road!

When we arrived at the casa, Iya and Doc greeted us with the best Texas hospitality and made us feel so welcomed!

Once we got settled in...All of us girls went to The Country Club to relax, and shiver as we watched the kids swim in freezing water!

The men went to the local HEB to purchase food for meals and snacks. Then they met up with us at the club for a late lunch.

Lunch was fun as we indulged in great conversation and on huge burgers with many side items & desserts...Yummo!

What a joy it was to listen to Iya's funny stories about her bathing suit purchase from the store - Just Add Water...She claims the just add water part is false!

Lotto had some fun stirring up trouble between Uncle Rico and Iya. Iya is a very big Texas Longhorn fan and Rico is a big Red Raider fan. Well, that almost got us kicked out of the casa!

To keep adding to the rough territory...Lotto stoked the fire a little more by adding that we liked the Oklahoma Sooners as well!

Thank goodness Iya operates in forgiveness and showed us a little mercy!

She is also accepting a bribe from Uncle Rico to take her fishing soon!

I can picture it now...Rico and Iya and her Just Add Water Swimsuit on the Texas Coast!

Here are some photos of the sweetest part of the trip...when the kids were all getting along... having fun feeding the goats and playing in the rain.

You will notice Donna Sue and I are not in any photos...we were cooking dinner while everyone went out to feed the goats and play. We had just as much fun...Cooking, Cleaning (ahem) and Jamming to the new Third Day CD that will hit the stores later this month. (I will talk more about Third Day coming in the days and weeks ahead...Stay tuned!!)

I offered Donna to trade her Third Day CD for my new Apologetix CD but she laughed and opted out! Boo!!!

Lastly - check out the photo's of the precious puppy friends that enjoyed the weekend too!

Winston had fun but was so pooped after being out numbered and chased by the girls

Lu-Lu (Iya's Precious Princess) and Lacey (Lotto's Lap Dog).

Winston what a stud!

Thank you to Lott & Donna for the invitation and Iya & Doc for a memorable Fourth of July.

We enjoyed our activities, conversations, laughter, and meal times with you all!

I especially will remember my early morning conversation with Doc and hearing his stories of faith...And sitting out back watching the sun come up and having a little quiet time with the Lord.

This is what I read...

I John 5:4

This is the Victory that conquers the world...Our Faith.

If you have no faith in the life beyond this life, then your present life is going to be powerless. But if you believe in the future and are assured of victory, then there should be a dance in your step and a smile on your face. (Taken from Max Lucado's - Everyday Blessings Book)

Have Faith.

Love,

Vern

This is The Day!

This is the Day that the Lord has made ~ I will rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24

This is also the first day of my blog!!
The day that has been lingering in my heart and thoughts for a while now.
I can finally say - I did it!

I find it especially significant and fitting that I am starting this new journey on the day our Country celebrates our Freedom.
My heart is full of gratefulness to those men and women who protect and defend our Freedom. I send out greetings and appreciation to their families, who make so many sacrifices to make this all possible!
I want to give a shout out to my nephew Markie and to my friend Chip...Thanks for serving!!
And in memory and honor of my dad and others who have served, I salute and give thanks!

Back to my Blogging...

This day is significant because I know what it feels like not to be free.
My life was held captive by fears, thoughts, and worries that hindered me from living my life to its full purpose...It suffocated and distracted me...It affected my heart, my knowledge, my parenting, and other relationships...but most importantly, it affected my faith. But Not Anymore!

When you are set free...You want others to discover it as well.
For me, I have a passion to be used to pray and help others experience freedom in their own lives. That is why I am doing this blog thing. It is also why I have embraced the call on my life to speak & encourage others with my testimony and the Word of God. It is because of the Lord Jesus that I am truly Free!

Are you free?

FREEDOM ~ The quality or state of being free: as
a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.
b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: INDEPENDENCE.

As I woke up early this morning (6:00 am), the word Freedom was in my thoughts. I jumped out of bed and told Uncle Rico that I was going to go write my first blog! He just smiled and said, "Really?"

I said - Yes...This Is the Day!

Be Free!

Vern