Vacation-A Marvelous Thing!

Ok... if you know me vacation consists of waking up, going to the beach, laying in the sun, walking on the beach, splashing in the ocean, eating, shopping. The days ALWAYS include these lovely events (nothing more and nothing less). That's why it's a VACATION, silly! We had a wonderful time. We met my parents and Logan, Libby, Brycen, Kayden, and Lanie in Fort Myers and stayed there for a week! It was MARVELOUS!
All of our flights were good too. If you must know, flying is the most stressful thing about vacation to me. I would rather drive the 12+ hours, but my wonderful husband would never allow us to do such a silly thing. lol :) I tried really hard to convince him to let me drive, but got no where with my persuasion skills. I have none. It's like one of those things I call "let go and reach for God" scenarios. If it weren't for those situations that freak me out, I wouldn't know what it was like to totally realize that I'm NOT in control of this or ANY other situation. Snap out of it-God is! He can do anything and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it! So I am a helpless woman surrendering it all to him! Who else wants to be a helpless Hot Mess with me?? I would love for you to share with me those "let go and reach for God" situations that you go through. I am glad he puts them in our life, because it reminds me of his power and humbles me to nothing.

I will leave you with a few of the moments from the week that I will treasure forever!

Ain't No Other Man...

My lovely friend Jessie started something good...when she challenged all of us married women to dedicate a post to our husbands.

Why I love me some Andrew James Raymond...

He Always puts God first and me second, which allows him to be a husband that doesn't live by this world's standard of LOVE.
He is truly my Best Friend.
He wants to dance with me all the time because he knows it's what I enjoy doing.
He takes care of me. (Lord knows I need it too.)
He is a Wonderful Uncle. I can't wait to see him as a Daddy some day.
He is great at hanging out with Middle School Boys. (That is an amazing gift.)
He sings at the top of his lungs to Jesus even though he thinks he can't sing.
He makes me melt just by entering the same room as me.
He always finds a better, easier, more efficient way of doing anything!!!
He has a TALENT for packing and organizing stuff.
He looks so GOOD in his Camo.
We do LIFE together!!
He is always concerned about me and how I feel.
He encourages me to be a better person.
He will try almost anything for me! (sushi, dancing, vegetables, etc.)
He makes me laugh and smile.
He is a student of the word.
He is so fun to watch when he is playing soccer.
He cares so much about the students and sponsors in his ministry.
He is very frugal.
He speaks to me with his eyes... in a crowded room when we are several feet apart.
He is very PASSIONATE.
He is my MAN!

Love you Babe! I can't wait to spend now into eternity with you!

WOW! This girl gets it!!

Is she worried about her future? Doesn't he get it???...She serves a God that is going to bless her so much for what she is doing. I mean COME ON!!
I love this video. Check it out... Thank you, Perez.
God is showing up big time through this lady. I am ready for her to start her own talk show. She could cover modern day things through biblical truths. It is just like Esther. God prepared her exactly for THIS! You go, GIRL! Is it just me or does Miss CA blow you out the water? Makes me feel like I don't stand enough on my own convictions! Come on, Tasha- BE BOLD and Don't be ashamed!

Greatest Day in History...

I wouldn't be a Christian if it wasn't for Resurrection Day! What hope is there in living for and following a man that died??? There is no victory in that.
The good news...Sin lost its power when Jesus victoriously rose from the grave. No matter how many times I read the story of Jesus' death and resurrection...it gets me every time. God makes it NEW to me every time. It is both the most wonderful and most tragic story. An innocent man dying such a gruesome death for an amazing reason. That's why I like the song..."Beautiful, Scandalous Night."
If you ever have doubts about the Promise and Story of Jesus...Just think...If he died a normal death like all other historical people the witnesses would have held a funeral, mourned, and went on with their lives. Instead, the people who witnessed the story of Jesus died for the TRUTH! According to church history, the majority of disciples were said to have suffered martyrs deaths for believing in something they KNEW to be true because they saw it with their own eyes. Do not be afraid and BELIEVE! In all the struggles of this thing called Life, there is no room for doubt. "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Mark 28: 5-6

Few Easter Pictures...
Andrew was able to baptize one of his Middle School boys on Easter Sunday and one of my first graders was also baptized at his church! When we were writing in our Journals about our Easter weekend today at school, one of my students raised his hand and asked me how to spell "baptized." It was awesome because God gave me the opportunity to make a BIG deal about it and encourage my student. Thank you Lord for child-like faith.