God is soooo good..

Well..gotta give an update on Sam's job situation. Last week one of the attorneys he works with ask him for a copy of his resume..On Monday Sam got a call from a law-firm that had received his resume (not from Sam but from Frank the attorney)..and wanted to talk with him. So, on Tuesday Sam talked with them. Today he got a phone call and was offered a job with them!! Then they began to talk about money/benefits..well, Sam had just asked for what he presently makes..well, they offered him a salary INCREASE!!!

That is just how good my God is!! When He does something He does it big!! I am so thankful that MY footsteps are ordered by him!!!

Feeling very accomplished...

Things have been busy around here in '09, but I must say we are getting things accomplished. Sam and I sat down after Christmas a made a list of things we wanted to do this year and things we wanted to change. The top of that list was to remodel our kitchen. We have gotten the cabinets finished, now it is onto the re-painting and then to lay the cermaic tile. I am very pleased so far. It is amazing how a little paint will change the look of a room.

We are always still on the 'healthy' bandwagon. As of this morning I have lost 27 lbs. I still have a ways to go to get to my goal..but I am taking it one day at a time. I thing when I complete this weightloss..I will have to write a cookbook! I have gotten so creative with food. I have always cooked like I was raised..lots of frying and lots of bread!! I have had to change all that..I haven't had a piece of bread in 6 weeks. That is a BIG deal for me..I am not a sweet eater but I love my Bread and Potatoes..oh by the way, haven't had potatoes eaither! Around Christmas I began reading a book on Fasting by Jentzen Franklin..and I think I really began convicted about my weight. So, it has became a spiritual issue for me. People have asked me, "Amy, you seem to have sooo much will power"..it isn't will power it's a God-thing. I work out 6 days a week, and basically eat healthy. Lots of chicken and fish and fresh vegetables and fruit. I think I have finally realized what it means when God speaks about our body being the temple! I am not getting healthy to fit in those 'skinny jeans'..I am getting healthy because it is not only the right thing to do for my family, but it's the right thing to do for my spiritual body!

Update on Sam and the job search..he had one interview yesterday. So, we will see how that turns out. We are at peace and we know that God is going to take care of us. I am actually kind of anxious to see how this turns out! We are in complete and totally trust in God! The other side of this mountain, I know, is beyond my expectations!!

Just having to trust Him..

Have you ever been in that place where you felt the walls just caving in on you? Well, that is me...Sam was told yesterday that his last day at work would be March 20th! They did offer him a severance package and will pay him through May 15th...BUT!! Sam got home from work yesterday and laid that on me..and, well, the floodgates opened!! I think in the back of Sam's mind he has known over the past year that this might take place..he has already had several job interviews and nothing has worked out. But..to finally now that their is definately going to be an end to his time at HandArendall has made us both really uneasy.

I know that God will take care of us..I guess this is where Faith kicks in. I have found that it is sometimes a little harder to 'trust God' then we think. It is all and well to trust Him when jobs are going well, everyone has good health, and their is plenty of money in the bank..but, when it comes to having to trust Him for your next breath, your next meal..that is a little hard!

I feel like we have been in struggle after struggle these past few monthes..but, I remember something a roommate I had while in college would always say, "the devil isn't going to bother someone he already has.." Sam, said that to me last night. I was the one breaking down..and he looked me and said, "Amy, we serve a God that is much bigger than we know...He has it all in control.." Sam has a peace about the situation..and that makes me feel good. As the leader of our home I am so Blessed to have a man like Sam! He and I are so opposite..I am the worryier..the planner..he doesn't think about right now..he sees the big picture..and the big picture is that, "My God tells me that He WILL supply all of my needs.."

Been Busy around here..

Well, things have gotten off to a busy start around here. First, after Christmas Sam and I decided to hit the year off with a 'Lifestyle Change'..and I must say it has gone well. Sam and I have both, already, lost weight and exercise 6 days a week. I already feel soooo much better. I have had NO bread, pasta, sodas, or potatoes or anything SWEET since Dec. 29..The hardest thing is getting my meal plans together.. My goal is to have lost 40 lbs. by May 1st (going to see Mickey Mouse in May).. I only have 23 more to go..so, I just make my goal a little early!! YEAH ME!!!! So, we all are eating lots more fish and chicken and fresh green vegetables.

We got our DisneyWorld plans in order..CAN"T WAIT..we are going for 11 days this year! May 15th can't get here soon enough!

We also have started a 'project' we are remodeling my kitchen. We had planned to hire someone. But, Sam (who thinks he can do it all), has decided that we can do it ourselves. My only rule through this remodel was that once it is started it MUST be finished..I will not live in a construction zone. Already purchased our cermaic tile, picked out my paint color, and new cabinets...I am pretty excited about us tackeling this together..Guess a project will help my mind stay off A good ole' hamburger heaven hamburger and onion rings!!!!!

What a Year it has been..

Happy New Year to All!!

This has definately been an intersting year for us. We have been through so many ups and downs in 2008. It has been my family and friends who have stood by us every step of the way!!

I first have to say to Sam..thank you for being an incredible husband! I am so blessed to have a husband like him. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me someone like him..he is totally opposite of me..I am very complusive..Sam keeps me grounded! Thank you, Sam for in the midst of the trying year we have experienced for being my best-friend, soul-mate, and prayer partner!

Things have been difficult around here since Oct. 24 when we lost Sam's mom! As a wife, I didn't know what to do how to comfort Sam. But, we got through it. We take it one day at a time. Yesterday we visited the graveyard. And, Brayden knows that "grannys things" are buried there. Well, last night Brayden was in the computer room and I asked him "what are you doing?" he said "I am looking for and envelope"..I asked him why..and he said he drew granny a picture and he wanted to mail it to her and Jesus! You talking about breaking your heart!! So, this morning we "mailed" the picture!

I have to thank my friend, Donna! She has been a rock for me this year. She has been my sounding board, my confidant, and a prayer partner! She is another one who in the midst of my storms..continuing to say.."just keep trusting Him!!" Their aren't many people that you would trust everything with and Donna is one of those!!

2009 is here and I am excited about what lies ahead. We have declared as a family to get healthier and to be a better servent of the King!!

Is Christmas really over?

I have been so busy this month I really haven't had time to post anything. I am kind of looking forward to things getting back to "normal"..whatever "normal" is?? The month of Dec. was filled with plays at Brayden's school and Church. Church functions to attend, and Christmas parties for all of us.

The month started off with Sam's MANY parties at work. He tells me on Wed. night around 9ish.."oh, by the way I need 26 stocking stuffers Friday morning for the secretaries at work.." just 26!!!!! Got through that ordeal..and then Brayden was bringing a paper what seemed like everyday..about needing $2 for this $5 for this...I do pay tuition is that not enough?? Then for his play for school he needed red sweatpants..and, well, couldn't find those nowhere..they had them in every size but his. So, he ended up with plaid pants..it actually ended up being really cute.

One week before Christmas we find out that Brayden had strep and pneumonia. I had been treating his cough with over-the-counter stuff for a couple of weeks..I wasn't concerned no fever, no loss of appetite..daycare called me on Wed. said he had thrown up..get to the peditricians office (by the way..if you or your child aren't sick by the time you go to the peditrician..you will be when you leave)..and bloodtest was positive for pneumonia and culture test was strep.. So, I offically declared myself a horrible mother..how was I to know!!

Then Christmas rolled around..and this was the FIRST Christmas ever that I was still shopping on Christmas Eve morning. We have been so busy with work and everything else..their were several gifts I hadn't purchased. So, Christmas eve day I was a women-on-a-mission!! Did get everything accomplished though. We went to Jasper on Christmas Eve and spent time with my dad and step-mom..then that night at my g'mothers.

Santa did make a mistake and not get some things put together..so my WONDERFUL husband spent about 8 hrs. Christmas day putting a ferris wheel and roller coaster together!!..which he was thrilled about. Christmas was a bit different for us this year with not having Sam's mom..it was hard on he and his father. But, everyone got through it. God has just been seeing everyone through one day at a time.

I am anxious to see what 2009 brings!! We had an awesome Church service today. I am reading a book on Fasting by Jensen Franklin..and it is opening my eyes up a lot. It has allowed to see that their is another level of intimacy with God that is right at our fingertips..if we are just willing to sacrifice. That is what I want..I desire to not just be brought into His presences on Sundays..but to live 7 days a week in his presence!!!

I'm excited about what lies ahead!!

Thought for the day...

"...Why would He teach you to ride the bike, and not watch you..." That is the statement that Bro. Bryant mentioned in his sermon this morning, and has just really stuck with me. I have been at this crossroads lately and not really knowing what direction to turn. But, I think this morning I got a little clarity..

My friend Donna and I were talking this week...and you know how when you were in college you were certain of what "God's plan was"..I had it all figured out..I was at Lee University (the New Jerusulem..the Mecca)..:)..I was going to marry a minister, travel throughout the world and see millions come to Jesus..because I had been at 'The Lee University'..when in reality that wasn't God's plan..that was Amy's ridiculous plan. Now in hind sight my whole college time has planned for now.. God sent me a man who was raised Baptist, but has allowed God to teach him more about the Holy Spirit...who has more of administrative gifts..and has planted me in the outskerts of B'ham, I work a 6-3 job, and have my little brick home. I attend Church weekly and am very involved. So, my question has been..Now what God...what's next?? The answer has been sitting there in front of me the whole time...

I am excited about what God is doing..and where He is leading me. Every step I have ever taking since seeking his direction I know now has been ordained by Him..when I thought I was still "seeking"..It is truly amazing how God works! I just don't want to be a 'pew sitter'..if I am not making a difference than I am a waste!