Deeper Still...going deeper into His Truth

Oh-my-goodness. I had the most amazing time last night & today. Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, & Priscilla Shirer and the Travis Cottrell praise team along with Mandisa... combining them all just made for an amazing time! The event was sold out.. over 19,000 women in attendance. So great to be surrounded by all my sisters, gathered to worship and praise our King and be filled with His Truth!

Our hotel, Hyatt, was super nice except one minor thing.... 100 bajillion teenagers in Hotlanta for FBLA conference. Kind of scary to see who will be leading the business industry in just a few short years.

The girls and I had a great time getting to know one another better. Nothing like Hard Rock Cafe at 1130 PM... made me feel young being out that late! It was the only thing open that late. McD's was open but they had ran out of hamburgers, cheese, chocolate and french fries. Who runs out of food when they're expecting over 20,000 women in town?? I think someone needs a new inventory manager! Too bad my feet don't make me feel young. I made the absolute WORST decision about shoes. And, boy, do I have blisters to show for it. I hope I'm able to hobble into church tomorrow. Want some cheese to go with my WHINE?!?!

But, seriously, if you ever get the chance to see any of these ladies... I highly recommend it! You will not be disappointed. These ladies are all truly gifted in their ability to deliver His word. I look forward to seeing them all again one day.

Deeper Still Conference

I'm so excited for tonight because I'm going to see Beth Moore at Philips Arena for the Deeper Still womens conference. Priscilla Shirer & Kay Arthur will be there as well, but I'm not as familiar with them. Beth Moore wrote the "Believing God" Bible study that I did last fall and it was an amazing study! I'm super excited also that Mandisa will be at the conference! She was on American Idol and Simon criticized her for singing a Christian song that she sang beautifully. She has an awesome voice & I can't wait to hear it in person! I'll update with pics as soon as I return tomorrow evening if they allow cameras! :)

Rainey Produce Dept.

Here's what the garden has produced so far.
A few squash, a few hot banana peppers & a few tomatoes. Actually, last night I did pick 1 zucchini & 1 cucumber. So, slowly but surely we're getting veggies! We really need more rain, a bit more than the sprinkling we got today. But, rain is forecasted for the next 5 days! And, I am BELIEVING it to rain, rain, rain!! I'm going to find me a mountain top like Elijah and pray for rain. God will send it just in the nick of time. I just know it!
Allan has been working so hard in the garden. We have tons of green tomatoes that I hope turn bright red really soon! We also have a couple of cantaloupes coming on. Nothin' like a big hunk of cantaloupe with salt & pepper. YUMMY! Can't really say too much for our corn, but I'm still holding out hope of having home grown corn on the cob... grilled w/ yummy butter!

Couple Of Cute Pics...

Just wanted to share these cute pics of Alex & Seth.

Team Hoyt.. Amazing

This father-son relationship is amazing. Selfless. I think many have heard of them & their story, but if not watch this and be inspired!!

Dum Dum Da Dum.... Here Comes the Cake...

So, here's my cake. It may have not looked perfect, but my sister & brother-in-law loved it! And, no matter what it looked like, it tasted very good!

We had a great lunch at Maggianos celebrating their marriage and are so happy for them both! Ya'll are always in our prayers & we love you very much!!

Congrats, Mr. & Mrs. Smith!!

Woops! Forgot One!

.... this was one of my favorite cakes. I made this one for my cousin's baby shower. Just wanted to post it too so Tiffy don't feel left out!

My Cake Adventures

I wanted to post pics of cakes I've done for the boys. I'm about to embark upon the adventure of doing a wedding cake for my sister & new bro-in-law. I told her I don't promise perfection, but I do promise to do my best. And, hopefully, it'll turn out. I love making cakes and I'd love to do cakes for people to create a small biz, but I'm so slow at making them. It takes me nearly 6-8 hours to complete a cake. And, I could use more training. I took a whole semester of Cake Decorating in high school and loved it. But, geez... that was many moons ago & I've forgotten lots of what I was taught.

Here's a slide show of the cakes I've done in the past.

Seth's Haircut.... sigh....

Ok, so I know Seth's hair was a bit out of control. But, there were times when it would really curl up that would make me not want to cut it. Then, there were times where it was just a crazy mess and he was lucky I didn't grab the scissors.

But, with the scorchin' heat in Georgia, I felt that he couldn't stand the long locks anymore. So, we called Allan's mom to see if she would cut it. She did Nate & Alex's first haircuts. So, it only made sense for her to take on Seth.

Well, he wasn't her best client in the world, but she did the best she could with it. Everytime she'd get ready to snip, Seth would jerk his head. First time jitters I guess?! hehe! Maybe next time he'll be better.

I didn't cry, but I do have to admit he looks so much more like a little boy. But, not only older but almost a different child. I thought that Seth's curls is what made Seth, Seth. It'll just take a little time to get used to his new look.

Thanks, BUH for the cut!!
Here's a little slide show of the haircut!

Praise Him

Psalm 66:20 ~ Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

BENIGN. What a wonderful word.

Psalm 149:15 ~ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD definitely heard my cries and has fulfilled my desire to not be sick. Thank You LORD. I know it could have just as easily gone in the other direction. But, I know He heard the prayers from me & those who were lifting me up and he most graciously answered.

Amazing Space Vacation Bible Camp 2008

This week we'll be in high gear! It's Vacation Bible Camp at our church all week. The boys this morning looked at me crazy when I woke them at 7 to get ready to go. I have to be there by 8:15 to help out with the four year olds. It's going to be an 'amazing' week. But, I know all three boys are going to be exhausted since it'll be so go-go-go and we're normally homebodies.....

To Eternity & Beyond!!! Blessings.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, we had to have Brutus euthanized. It was very sad and emotional for Allan & me. But, we also know it was for the best. We still think of him every day and all the little quirks about him. Hopefully, one day when the boys are a bit older, we'll try to find another dog. But, we also know there will never be another Brutus. He was truly one of a kind! Man's best friend. We love & miss you Brutus Tugboat Rainey.... our Boosie Dog!

National Doughnut Day.. June 6th

Today I get an email letting me know that tomorrow is National Doughnut Day.

Have you ever heard such garbage?? Like I really need an extra excuse to scarf down a Krispy Kreme Doughnut!! So, to celebrate, they will be giving away a FREE doughnut of your choice. They're smart little cookies..err, I mean doughnuts. See, they know that Krispy Kreme dougnuts are like Lays Potato Chips.. no one can eat just one. So, they lure you in with one FREE doughnut and bank on you buying at least a dozen. Genius. I can't tell you how many times we've gone for the freebies and ended up coming home with a dozen. I'd probably be embarrassed to tell you. Hello... I am on Krispy Kreme's email list!! What does that tell you??

We just devoured a dozen of those things last Sunday evening... 12 of them and I can guarantee Allan & I ate more than half of them. We ate 'em so fast the boys didn't have time to whine for one! hahaha
So... if you need your doughnut fix.... stop by your local Krispy Kreme tomorrow, June 6th & celebrate National Doughnut Day and pretend like you needed an excuse to eat a FREE doughnut!! I'm sure the light will be on all day long!!

Where my peace comes from....

I've had several people ask me about my thyroid issues lately. And, my response is that I'm at peace with whatever comes of the biopsy on Thursday. I've prayed for peace and that's what I've been given. I know that no matter what happens, my God is in control & I trust in Him that He knows what's truly best for me.

My daily devotion for today...

Matthew 8:23-27
As Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee, a storm came up and waves swept over their boat. Incredibly, Jesus was asleep. The disciples woke Him and said, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Matt. 8:25). In a gentle rebuke, Jesus asked, “‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm” (v.26).

Like the disciples, the more we learn about Jesus, the more we trust Him. Our greatest risk is failing to depend on Him when life seems out of control. — David C. McCasland

Keep your eyes on Jesus and you’ll soon lose sight of your fears.