My Little Niece

She wasn't supposed to make her entrance into the world until June 18, but God had another plan. On Saturday, March 27 at 12:20 PM, Little Hannah Grace Abel made her entrance into this world. Due to Becca's high blood pressure, they took her via C-Section. Hannah Grace was 2 lbs, 3 oz. and 14 inches long. She is beautiful and I'm told she has Beck's long fingers. (Only the parents and grandparents can see her at this point).

Becca was really sick several hours after the birth and ended up in ICU. She is now in a regular room and should be going home soon. Thank you for all the prayers for Becca and Hannah Grace. They are doing great!

4 Years Ago Today

I cannot believe 4 years have gone by since I committed my life in front of God and my family and friends to an amazing man, Mark Stooksbury. I remember the last time we said goodbye and went our separate ways for the night, March 24, 2006. We were sitting in the parking lot of Maggie's reflecting on what a fun and special rehearsal and rehearsal dinner we had just experienced. Of course, there were some hugs and kisses, and then I told him we'll never have to go to separate houses again. I love being able to come home at night and know that he'll be here. I love waking up next to him in the morning. I love having an amazing partner in this journey called life.

God has changed us over the last 4 years. 3 years ago we participated in a CPR challenge at Thompson's Station Church (Couples Praying Regardless). We've been praying together every day since then, and it has been amazing. God has used the time we've dedicated to him to draw us closer to Him and each other. We understand each other's needs and desires, and we're committed to following Christ no matter what the cost. I encourage you to pray with your spouse daily. It will change your life! It was hard at first. We committed to 30 Days and sometimes I didn't want to do it. But now I can't imagine going to sleep without spending that special time with my husband in the presence of my God and King. If you have any questions or need any encouragement, please let me know. It is something Mark and I have become passionate about.

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for my amazing husband and the marriage you have given to us. Let us do everything to honor you. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Sunset over the Zambezi River, Livingstone, Zambia

PTL!

The launch service (with a little "l") of the Church at Station Hill was amazing. The music was beautiful yet exciting, the sermon was funny, yet moving and there were so many people! They kept telling us to move in together. Got a count later and the number came out to 359! Praise the Lord! I met several guests and enjoyed talking with them. Mark ran Easy Worship (the software that projects the lyrics on the screen). All in all, it was a fabulous morning. Thank you for your prayers and for all of the support of our Brentwood campus church family.

After the service and lunch, Mark and I took Big D to the Spring Hill Dog Park for the second Sunday in a row. Now that the weather has become more beautiful, it has become a favorite Sunday afternoon activity of ours. We took our camping chairs and chilled while Dakota played with the other dogs. He particularly enjoyed the attention of the children at the park as he played fetch over and over with a young girl and boy. He's going to be great with our kiddos one day! Here's some pics from our bark park fun:

Prayer for this Sunday Morning

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am so excited!!! Today is the launch of the Church at Station Hill! I cannot wait to see how you bless your people and how the Holy Spirit moves in that place. I already sense the Holy Spirit in my life this morning and in my heart.

Lord, I pray for Jay and Jeremy and all of the leaders. I pray that you will clear their minds of any distractions. I pray that they will know You and Your presence this morning in our service.

I pray for all of the guests who will be with us. I pray that they would feel Your presence and know you are with them. I pray for all of the children and families. May they know that this is a place where they will be loved and adored and taught about the most precious gift of all, your Son. I am so excited, Lord, I can barely contain myself. I pray that they would feel at home and feel welcomed and want to come back and learn more about you. I pray for salvation for all who hear the Good News today. May we add to our number daily who is saved.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of this. Bless You, Lord.

Lord, I love you. I worship and adore You. You are beautiful and kind. You took my heart and restored it to be whole again. Thank you for loving me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

The Lord is My Shepherd

I went to a fundraiser Saturday night for Sweet Sleep. The work Jen Gash is doing in this world is amazing. Tears flowed down my face as I watched a video about the terrible conditions orphans in Uganda must endure. Today I've been thinking about my girls in Zambia.

These young ladies had the joy of the Lord. They endured more suffering than any human, let alone child, should suffer. Yet they smiled and laughed and sang. I remember Greer, the leader of Family Legacy, telling us that they would get really quiet on the bus on Day 1 of Camp Life because they were scared and didn't know where they were going. But as soon as some of them figured it out (they had been to Camp Life the previous year), they started singing. I loved hearing them sing in their sweet little voices and accents.

I am thankful that God allowed me to be part of their lives for one week. I may never know what kind of impact that week had on their lives until I reach Heaven. I do know that it impacted me for the rest of this life here on Earth. I will always treasure orphans and want to give what I can to help them. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

If you want to help, visit legacymissions.org or sweetsleep.org

Temporary Home

On February 7, 2010, a dedicated Spring Hill police officer, Cpl. Jeremy McLaren, went home to be with Jesus. He was involved in a crash where he endured a broken leg. Following complications from surgery, he passed away. He was honored yesterday in a funeral service at my home church, Brentwood Baptist, where over 1500 police gathered to say goodbye. After the funeral, the procession came down to Spring Hill to drive by City Hall and the Spring Hill Police Department. It happened to drive by school while I was doing car rider duty. I got chills as I saw officer after officer pass.

I am reminded of my new favorite Carrie Underwood song, "Temporary Home" . . .

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."

Thank you, Cpl. McLaren, for you dedication and service to our community. Your family is in our prayers.

Own the Moment 02.07.10

We invited our friends from Thompson Station Church, the Paxsons, to celebrate the Super Bowl with us. We had a great time eating, fellowshipping, and catching up with one another.

Dakota was ready to cheer on the Colts!

Our Super Bowl Spread- carrots, dip, chips, Helluva Good Dip, corn chips, Rotel with beef, pizza (cheese, pepperoni, spinach and goat cheese), Rice Krispy treats, and brownie bites

When the girls got bored with football, we played in my Mary Kay stuff and did Make-overs

Emma enjoying a brownie bite.

John playing with Ashley

John, Ashley, and Mark

Dakota is tired from all the partying.