For Those Who Give Their Lives...

Memorial Day has come once again. The mall was bustling, and I feel as though my feet may fall off from the hours shopping! This morning was the beginning of Vacation Bible School and I'm excited for the week ahead!

But today is about more than shopping and VBS. Memorial Day is a special time of remembrance for the men and women who have served and died in the armed forces. We are truly blessed to have brave men and women fighting for our freedom. They fight so we can worship freely, so we can choose what we want to be when we grow up, so we can have simple luxuries, like deciding whether we want to torture our feet with high heels or whether we want to eat bacon...

So, I want to share one of my favorite quotes:  "Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American G.I. One died for your soul, the other for freedom."

As you crawl in to bed tonight, or whenever, think of a soldier. Pray for him. And Pray for our country.

Soldiers, current and former, who are special to me:

My Brother, US Army

 My Bro-in-Law, US Army

My Daddy, US Air Force

My Grandaddy, US Navy

Old & New...

Today, my church, First Baptist Church of Grand Bay, celebrated 115 years of service to the Lord! I have had the privilege of being part of almost 23 years of those 115, and can't wait to see what God has in store for the future! I've been on multiple mission trips [Kentucky, North Carolina, Mexico, etc], participated in numerous VBS's and Camp Noah's, and have been able to worship with other churches around the area. I'm so blessed to have been part of this ministry.

As I gazed over the congregation this morning, I remembered all of the men and women who have gone on to be with the Lord, especially my Daddy and Grandparents. I praise the Lord for them and their influence on my life. Also, I can't thank God enough for my church family that is still around. I love all of them! I am who I am today because of the people who have come before me and who are with me now. 

This morning so many families, old and new, filled the pews to worship together. Bro. Ken Fields (pastor, 1979-1986) brought the message this morning.  He preached from Proverbs 26:11-18 on how every church needs a fresh vision in order to have a future.

I pray that God continues to bless our church so that we may go and send others into the furthest corners of the earth spreading the Gospel. Also, I pray that we raise a generation that loves the Lord.

And when I think of my church family, I think of the song my sister used to sing all of the time:
"Somebody's Prayin'."  This song has gotten me a lot of hard times. Thank you Elizabeth.

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, there was a twenty-two year old girl, raised in a small town in lower Alabama....

I know what you're thinking: Is Deby really going to start her blog with "Once upon a time?" 

Why no, no she isn't... But why isn't she? Because her/my story hasn't ended. Actually, my story is just barely beginning...

As a recent graduate from the University of South Alabama, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my life! Yes, I have a degree, but what do I do with it? People say, "Life is what happens when you're planning for the future." Well, if that's the case, then I want to live my life while I explore my possibilities for the future! One thing I know for certain is that God has me right in His hands and knows exactly what He wants for my life. So, while I'm on my journey, I'll keep all of you posted! :]

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11