I Don't Like Spiders (except Charlotte ) and Snakes.... A lesson from Matthew 10:16

Do y'all remember that song? I sure do. My mind works that way, I see a picture and then I hear a song. For several days I had been seeing this beauty out on my breezeway at night! The first time was about midnight and I couldn't sleep, so I was getting something out of my car. Well, you can imagine my surprise when I opened the door and there he was slithering on our breezeway! Yuck! And to make matters worse, he was close to the door I needed to get through to get to my car. I could just see that thing falling on my when I walked through the door. So after seeing him several times, btw, he was not poisonous, Tom decided we needed to re-locate him! He is a real live "Crocodile Dundee". So, before we can do that, I want to get a few more pics of him. Big mistake. We knew he was coming around because we have several baby birds nesting on our porch overhang. That's what he had on his dinner menu, I'm sure. We had about 75 purple martins that left their house prematurely because of something, and I think he was the something! So I wanted to get those pictures of him and while I was at it, the 4 babies in the nest around the corner where he was headed. Well, the flash scared the babies ( I took about 4 pictures before it did ) so 2 flew out, and we had heck getting those babies to stay in the nest again. We had to turn out all the lights, all the while this sneaky snake was still up on the wall. Got one back in and never could get the other one.....they were just beginning to fly, so hopefully it just landed in a tree until morning. But then, the snake falls off the wall.........slithers out in the grass and Tom steps on its head so he can catch it! Do y'all have this much excitement around your house? Well I go to get something to put it in and when I come back, well I couldn't help but want to get 1 or 2 more pictures of it. So Tom moves his foot and lets me snap a few more photos and then.........well he ( the snake ) snaps his camera ( his mouth ) and gets Tom on the finger! I asked Tom if he was sure it was not poisonous and he said he would not be messing around with it if it was........Well at least he has some sense right? So, we get him in the crate and Tom hauls him to his new undisclosed location......well it was only about 2 miles away where he is free to roam around out in the wild. Hope he can't find his way back home. Tom by the way is fine. I will wait till another post to tell you about "Charlotte" our spider. Who needs to go to a zoo? My life is a zoo! LOL

OK, now I want to tell you what we are learning on Sundays at church. This all ties in...I promise. We are in the gospel of Matthew 10:16. "Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents; and innocent as doves. In this world we as Christians are called to take the message of the gospel out into our world. This is where ever God has placed you. It may be neighbors, friends, family or the person who checks you out at the grocery store. Wherever that is, be wise (shrewd) and creative ( like this snake was in getting what he wanted ) but gentle ( like those little baby birds ). If you ask the Lord to help you be a witness (disciple) for Him he will show you! Look how he spoke to me! Blessings and Grace for today!

For This Child I Prayed

Today was a great day! I finally learned what my soon to be "1st" grandaughters name will be. Michaela Annette Mayo and she will be called "Annie" I love it! My daughter-in-laws grandmothers name was Annette and my mothers name was Ann. My dad fondly called my mom "Annie Belle". I think it is a great way to honor both her great grand-mothers! As soon as I heard her name, i thought of this scripture from 1 Samuel 1:27 and I wanted to create a word art to use for something for her! I hope others will find a use for it too! Sorry about the pink, but I couldnt help myself. It should be easily converted to what ever color you choose. Blessings and Grace for today!

Come and get it here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/54807173/4b5bbf9c/Word_Art_2.html

Here is the Yankee Doodle Dandy Quick Page in .png. I think I have one more to re-do and then I will be set! Sorry if this is confusing anyone. I saved the first one in .jpg and realized later that was not the best format. That darn learning curve is getting to me! lol

I am going to re-post a couple of my freebies because I did not save them in a .png file. I understand this is better for most of you to use. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you gals that I am absolutley blown away at how many of you like what I have done. It is such an incouragement to me. If you will allow me a minute of your time to tell you alittle more about me. My mother died of cancer at the young age of 47 and I too, had breast cancer at 35! Before I knew I had cancer I was talking to the Lord one day and I remember it like it was yesterday.... I said that whatever it took.... I wanted to be used by Him. I wanted my life to count for Him. My mom became a Christian through her cancer and what a testamony to my and my husband. I was 20 and she told me one day (when she was in an incredible amount of pain) that if that is what it took for her to know the Lord she would go through it all again. Whew....what an example she was to me. I knew when I lost my hair that my hair was not who I was and losing my breast...well that was not who I was either. I did just 2 years ago have reconstructive surgery. That will have to be another post, but my point is this... I still want to be used by my Lord. I am so happy to be alive and while I would not ask to have cancer again, I am a better person for it. And this verse, (bet you never thought I would get to why I am telling you guys all this...lol) was one that I trusted in then, and still is my life verse! So enjoy and encourage others with it! Blessing and Grace for today, Teri

http://www.4shared.com/file/54669540/abe3f6da/Psalm_31_1415_WordArt.html

The Many Faces of Nate

I was reflecting on our weekend with the family a few weeks ago and ran across this layout which had a magizine look to it. I thought it would be perfect to show off some of Nate's antics. He is so silly! And talk about funny faces, well he is full of them. I like how it turned out, but still struggle alittle with the journaling part. I hope it will help all of us to remember not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the little things in life like press on tatoo's and sleeping out under the beautiful stars. Isn't our creator God amazing? I mean to be able to not only create the world but to hold it all together! And arent we blessed that he does? And the springs of cool water that come bursting up from the ground, well it is just a refreshing thought for sure on these hot summer days. Blessing to all....

My First Quick Page

Here is a Ouick Page that I made from the 4th of July page I did of my family. I used Coralee Evans aka MZcora "Pimp Your Scrapbook" kit for and Becky Wallace's "Memorial Day" for the fireworks! I used this format and made me a tumbler! I got the name because my hubbies birthday is 4th of July, and he is for sure a "Yankee Doodle Dandy"! At least I think he is. Leave me any comments on how I can inprove, since I am still on the learning curve!










***See above post for correct link***

So here is my family last week while we were up on the Frio River. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July. It is also Tom's ( my hubbies ) birthday! He is a "Yankee Doodle Dandy" for sure! As we celebrate with our loved ones today, let us remember all our brave soldiers overseas and at home who are serving our country to keep it the "Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave" I know they are in the thoughts and prayers of many.