Day 1

Day 1 of the 25 Gifts of Christmas:

The Gift of Life

To breathe air into your lungs is something taken for granted. Our daily physical activities are a mere passing moment. Even our growth can be overlooked.

We recently chopped down our own tree for Christmas. I have never had a real tree, so I had a lot to learn. I had to handle it with care, shape it and water it daily. It has been quite a job. Yet, looking at my tree, I see life, I see light, I see something I shaped, I watered and filled with love. I believe the Lord feels and does the same thing when we let him.

Our existence on Earth is a fleeting thing. So, how seriously should it be viewed then? How desperately should our lives be treasured? How appreciative should we be for the life God has given us?

Lord, only you can fill me with love, water me with your Holy Spirit, shape me as a Christian and bring light into my life. Without you life is not living and I am not growing. Thank you Lord for the Gift of Life!!

I heard

This week:

I heard from a man dying from cancer by all reports by man ... yet by God's report he is living.

I saw a home falling apart ... yet built on a solid foundation of the Lord.

I prayed with a woman I felt shaking from an illness ... yet continuing to walk in faith.

Sometimes what we see, hear and feel can't be trusted, but His word can always be trusted.

No matter what my life looks like, sounds like or feels like - God's word remains and I still remain thankful and blessed for the Lord is so gracious giving me what I have.

#lovealltheseturkeys #weloveandmissyouseth #wishiwouldhavetakenmorepictures

16 Years

16 years ago on this very night this photo was taken - Clint proposed. And in true Clint fashion he did it his way. He was afforded so many romantic opportunities to propose, but chose instead after this party.

It wasn't in a romantic location, just our bed.

It wasn't with an audience, just us two.

It wasn't with the sunset in the background, just a 60 watt bulb shining in my face.

It wasn't with a heartfelt speech, just a comedic throwback.

And it really didn't need to be anything special, because every day after has been special.

Happy Anniversary bae, here's to 15 more!!

17

The definition of festive is cheerful and jovially celebratory. This morning Hunter was quite festive dressing up for a Christmas dress up day at school. But he also was festive for another event - his 17th birthday!!

17 years of joyful celebrations

17 years of celebrating what an amazing young man he has grown into.

You bring so much joy to people's lives.

You bring life

You bring light

Your joy exudes into compassion, thoughtfulness, appreciation and encouragement to others.

Your selflessness is quite amazing!

I pray that everyone today showers you on your festive day with as much joy as you bring into the lives of others.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3

You have proven that your faith and staying steadfast has produced a plentiful harvest of perseverance and there should be much to celebrate in that!

I love you Hunter!!!

Happy birthday!!

My Guy

I know a day late and a dollar short, but never too late to just mention if you didn’t already know how blessed I am to call this man my husband. Soon we will mark 15 years of marriage. I will probably forget as usual (thank you to Kimberly D Duplantis though for always reminding me) yet I never forget his birthday. Like all his birthdays, we wanted this one to be special. Yet, plans to make a gumbo and blackberry dumplings were delayed by a chaotic day. Car trouble, hacked checking account, daughter with a severe nose bleed and a close call car accident into a building set off several triggers for me - one being an accident nearly 14 years ago. It brought me right back into that moment and scared me. Even then I was losing control of quite a few things not just a vehicle being veared off by an 18 wheeler towards a bayou - loss of job, loss of home all due to a storm that rocked our lives.

I thank God for Claire & my safety yesterday as God’s hands protected us from further harm in each situation. I thank God that sometimes I am not in control and that He takes care of it. Just when we start to lose control in the storm we have to release the helm and give it to Him. Release all anxiety and let His spirit fill us with peace. For He is in control - He is our captain in the storm. I am so thankful that He guided my ship to Clint Gautreaux 19 years ago. No other man can put up with my shenanigans and crazy wife moments, no other man can understand me quite the way he does, no other man can comfort and settle my heart the way this man does. I slept the best I have slept in months and all it took was me being able to lay my head on his shoulders. Thank you Lord for these reminders even in the midst of our storms, you gave me a light - heck you have given me a great, big, giant, hairy fishermen’s lighthouse to guide me to safety and for that I am so thankful. I love you bae and Happy late birthday!!!!

Dry Bones

So what do you see here:

A toaster, a coffee machine, plugged in to a gray wall with a distressed and vintage counter and items surrounding it. You would assume that these appliances are working because they are plugged in, but my outlets have been dead for some time. No current flowing through them. My uncle came and fixed that today and it really put a fire in me. As though I was the one plugged up to that outlet. I praise the Lord in the little things and this is no different. It also got me thinking about when we are plugged into dead outlets in our faith. We are all hooked up and from the look of things we look put together and appear to be working. Yet if you look deeper we are not. There is no current, no movement, no productivity and we just appear to be working. But when we plug in with the right people that we can call family and plug into the right church that we can call home we work and the fire is lit. The current of the Holy Spirit is flowing and we are working!! I don’t do this often enough, but if you are looking for that fire or looking to get plugged in with family and a home - Join me tonight at 7 or Sunday at 10 at Victory Life! If it doesn’t flow for you, I encourage you to get plugged in somewhere. The current of the spirit is powerful and it overcomes many things. #drybonescomealive

21

Really missing this guy on his special day!!! Happy 21st birthday Seth! Praying North Dakota is gentle on you! Birthdays are not just a time to celebrate, but a time to reflect. When I look back on your life I see a journey that not only am I proud of, but God is. Though not perfect, He has favored you in so many ways. He has clothed you with garments of salvation. The greatest gift you have received is grace - Amazing grace! You are loved, you are chosen, you are forgiven, you are a child of God! May his hand be over your life forever more. We love you and miss you!