An Answer to Prayer and Christmas in Monroe

Hey guys!!  Is anybody out there?  Did y’all think I died? J Sorry for the long absence!  Work, travel, work, travel, more travel, more work…I’ve been a little tied up to say the least.  Whew.  But now I’m home safe and sound and done with work until Monday MORNING. 

That’s right, I said MORNING.  God showed his faithfulness so clearly this week as he confirmed a tremendous answer to prayer.  For those of you who do not know, I have been working the night shift as a nurse since May of 2010.  I tried and tried to adapt to sleeping during the day and working at night, but I could not get my body to cooperate.  If I were supposed to work at night, I would attempt to go to sleep at a reasonable hour, but would end up tossing and turning and getting out of bed with no sleep at all.  I would go into work at 6:30 p.m., and by the time 4:00 a.m. came around, I was fighting the urge to lie down on the floor and go to sleep.  I would finally land home by around 7:30 a.m. and crash into bed…but then I’d wake up by lunchtime (last time I checked 3 hours did not constitute a good night’s sleep).  I did this routine for 8 months, and then the Lord pulled through and answered my prayer to be moved to the day shift!!

When Phillip and I were on our way home from the Christmas holidays, I had reached my limit and did not think I could work one more night.  We decided it would be best for me to quit my job at my current hospital and look elsewhere for a day shift position as a nurse.  After I dropped Phillip off in Lake Charles, I had some time alone to think and pray about what it was I should do.  My mom called at the perfect time and offered me this for one of our favorite people, Beth Moore:

“The Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way you went until you came to this place. Deut. 1:31

I could have cried. Yes, He surely did. And He carried you, too. Tightly in His faithful arms.

Only God knows what this particular year has in store for us.  He alone sees how the path will wind, and climb, and fall, and rise again.  We do not have control over the future as we glance ahead to 2011 but make no mistake.  He does and we, His lavishly loved daughters, can indeed prepare to live what He thoughtfully brings our way victoriously.  On this first day of the new year, we are not victims.  We are called to live as victors, holding up the Shield of Faith in one hand and the Sword of the Spirit in the other.  We need BOTH.”  - Beth Moore Living Proof Ministries Blog

That was all the encouragement I needed.

So I went to work a couple of days, then on Wednesday (after a ton of prayer…and hours of feeling sick to my stomach J) I approached my manager and told her I was turning in my resignation and two weeks notice.  Through an act of God, He prepared a place for me on the day shift – and my prayers have been answered.  PTL!

Moving on...

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We spent the holidays in our hometown, Monroe, LA.  As usual, being home was medicine to my soul.  We had a wonderful time.  Phillip got to do enough duck and deer hunting to last him through the season and I got to rest, spend time with my family, and catch up with friends.  Here are some pictures from our time at home...

 My parents couldn't not be a part of my birthday celebration, so we caught up.

 Ben recommended these cake bites made in Shreveport, LA.  Aren't they cute?

 Ben was home from Colorado (yay!!!) and cooked gumbo for all of us.  I told him this when I was eating it, but I don't think he believed me - it was, by far, the best gumbo I have EVER had!!  The flavors, consistency, and seasonings were absolutely perfect.  I ate it every day until there wasn't any left.  Thanks again, Ben...I know that was an act of love!  I love you so much and am so glad you got to come home for the holidays J

 He also brought with him some really really great-tasting beer...yum.

 He and Phillip serenaded us, as usual.  This will never get old.

 Then my sweet Bea Bea played some beautiful Christmas carols by memory.  It was so precious to us.  Please lift her up in prayer.  She is suffering symptoms as a result of the hepatitis C that she got from a blood transfusion when she had my aunt almost 60 years ago.  Please pray healing over her and that she would be free from pain and complications!!

We were lucky to have she and D'Daddy with us Christmas Eve morning.  This year, as to not complicate things, we celebrated Christmas a day early at my parents house.  We had a wonderful time together and got to enjoy our morning without feeling hurried or as if we had somewhere else to be.  Thanks Mom and Dad for always being so flexible and accommodating!

Here are some pictures from that morning:

 This is a great story:

Ok, so there was this little gold necklace that I had seen on one of my favorite blogs a few months back. I hinted to Mom that it would make an awesome Christmas gift J Then, when the boys and I were deciding what to get Mom for Christmas, this necklace immediately came to my mind.  I called up the store in Florida and they told me it would be 6 weeks after Christmas before it could be ready.  O well, I thought.  So I gave them Mom's name and address so that they could send it directly to her.  The girl on the other end of the phone innocently stated, "Wow.  That name sounds SO familiar!!" I thought to myself, "Hmm.  I bet Mom ordered me one too.  Yay!"

Long story short, the necklaces came in early and the girl from the store called me freaking out saying that the artist sent the necklace straight to my mom's house.  Luckily, my brother, Barron, was home from LSU and intercepted it for me so that sneaky little Mama wouldn't find it.

Here she is opening it...

 You think she looks surprised?!! J

Giving is definitely better than receiving.  

There's not much better than surprising someone you love with a gift that they adore.  I love you, Mom...you're worth all the gold in the world!  I'm so lucky to have you and will never (no matter how many things I buy you) be able to say thanks for raising me and turning into the best friend and mother a daughter could ever have J

 I will always believe men are little boys in a grown up body J

 Phillip got me the lens I wanted for Christmas!  I have bokeh now!!

 If you've never heard of Blackberry Farm, you must google it and explore its beauty.  My friend, Allie, introduced me to it a couple of years ago.  

I will go there one day, but until then I will just drool over the pictures of it online...

 I made the Pioneer Woman's homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas (Eve) morning.  They were the best cinnamon rolls I have ever put in my mouth and will no longer make them only once a year.  They were so easy and they melted in your mouth.  Make them today!!!

Here's the link:  Pioneer Woman's Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

(I topped some of them with homemade cream cheese icing and some with the maple-coffee kind she does.  The cream cheese was, by far, my (and the crowd's) favorite, but it may just be a personal preference...choose for yourself.  You can't go wrong!!)

Then we went and spent Christmas Eve night and Christmas day with the Gayles...

 Woo hoo!!  Cowboy boots for me!  I had dropped quite a few hints, but didn't think anybody heard me...what a fun surprise!  (You know you're jealous of my 1980's tie die shirt J)

We got Phillip too (for once).  He had no idea J

 It wouldn't be a trip home without a picture of Tiger.

 The brothers.

 Phillip and I just purchased some land in Oak Ridge, LA (a small farming town about 30 minutes away from my parents house where one side of his family is from).  I just got to see it for the first time this trip and understand completely why he fell in love with it and "had to have it."

The boys spent lots of time out there over the break hunting and getting it set up.  I love that my boys have so many hobbies and know how to keep themselves busy.

 Grayson came in town again!  Grayson, I think it's now official - you must come in after every major holiday.

 Then, as if we hadn't messed up/cleaned the kitchen enough, we had a party!

Mom's words:  "Um, I'm not really sure how many people are coming; 20, 30, 50?  Who knows?  I think it'll be fun!"

Then she shrugged her shoulders and kept tidying up without the slightest air of stress.  That's why I love her.

Pictures from the party:

 Barron's girlfriend, Madison, came in town the day after Christmas.  We had so much fun with her!  She had no need to be entertained - she felt like another one of us.  Madison, come back any time and I promise I'll continue to teach you how to be a girl J

 Pat and Hannah (center) came in from Colorado!  Charm is prego with a little girl!!  It was so good to see you my crazy friends...maybe one day we'll actually all live in the same state (I'll keep my fingers crossed).

 Thanks, Hannah, for putting your photography skills to good use and taking the party pics J

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 Poor kids, I kept making them take pictures.

Beginner's luck by definition.

Supposedly Madison had never played a game of black jack in her life.  Phillip sat us all down to teach us a lesson on why to keep our gambling habits under wraps, because "The casino always wins."  Haha, she showed him!  The only reason she doesn't have more chips is because we ran out!

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After a wonderful week home, Phillip and I packed up his truck and headed home to Houston.  It was a wonderful week full of family, friends, and remembrance of the most precious gift of all...Jesus Christ.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holidays and a happy New Year!!!

We are going out with some friends tonight to watch the Cotton Bowl at a local LSU spot.  I'll be back soon!!!

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!