Keep ' Em There Highlights

I am still trying to find words to describe this event to people who ask me. It started as a conversation in a room with just a few people. God grew it into a few hundred people event. I think this is the moment I looked up to see the clouds clear and the sky opened with bright sunshine. People were just flowing down the back yard and I began to cry. God doesn't have to use us for His purpose but He does. Last night He used not just me but He used hundreds of people for His glory.
In second grade, I had bad hair. My mother took me to get 2 perms so I could be like Annie and my best friend Katie. I had fried hair. My hair grew after recess so I would wear a toboggan. My sweet teacher convinced me to take off the toboggan and loved me with my big hair. That sweet teacher is the mother of one of the missionaries we are trying to Keep in Africa. Having her sitting on my lawn as we celebrated her baby in Africa was another tearful moment.

The music was the best I have heard in a long time. I seriously could have listened to them all night. These group of guys made a song just for the event and are allowing all that came to the event download it for FREE. For those that don't know husband is a blues lover. He and his buddies were in blues band in college and I am pretty sure this is partly why husband was so happy last night. Well that and Kevin said yes to sharing in driving the tractor.

There were hayrides that sometimes did not seem so safe but God provided and to my knowledge we did not lose any children in sink holes, off trampolines or under trailers.

These were my parking attendants. They fit hundreds of cars in the "front yard." Thanks Boys!For the few good baptist that followed the rules and parked across the street or at the bank you will get a free ice cream cone from Dairy Queen. I am so kidding but that would have been nice. To my home group peeps (plus Kev and Frankie) you are like my family. I read this quote: " The purpose of fun is to live it." You make me live it.

1 Corinthians 4: There are different kinds of gifts but the same spirit distributes them.

I watched so many people use their gifts and talents to make this event happen. I know I will forget someone but I still want to try to give shout outs! To the food peeps: if you served,cooked brought or donated the 500 hot dogs, 300 chips, 300 brownies, drinks, and ice you are all awesome! Silent Auction people who donated, worked and organized you were awesome. (The necklaces are still taking orders!) Timbali crafts people if you went to pick up or sold them we appreciate you. Light and generator boy we could not have had power or lights without you. If you brought a table, used a weed eater, dropped off buns, stuck checks in my refrigerator all week, prayed, planned, rented an outhouse, painted a sign, spread the word, brought a friend, showed up, gave money you were used and you are loved.

I look so rough in this picture, I think it was my bedtime but I can't tell you enough how blessed we all were to score Bruce. He is the most humble and talented person I have met. He brought an energy to this event and gave himself completely. I just have to figure out how I can get him back in my back yard...except this time I am going to be barefoot. But that is another story.

And then there is this Alabama boy and his wife. He called us in a room. He shared his heart about his friends. He shared his heart about Africa. He called us to action. And I forgave him for his crimson and white, and Keep 'Em There was born. $5900 at the end of the night. We all said, "no way" and then we said, "of course"...God is that big.

It is simple. The Clyburns and McAdams are doing what God calls us all to do.

Take care of the poor and the orphans.

We are not done. Our friends need monthly sponsors. 10 dollars, 20 dollars, 100 dollars, make a commitment. Let God stretch you.

Mark and Allison

Steve and Amy

Click on their link and then click Sponsor Me on the left side!

Peace.

Afternoon In Pictures

Boots. Not a big deal to most. Very big deal for a post broke ankle to be able to slide into a boot.
Picture of the Day: Momma Kitty and Eden have a love hate relationship. Mostly hate.

Getting ready for Keep 'Em There this weekend! Expecting God to do big things!

Every kid should have a daddy who builds steps in trees.

Especially in this tree. Can you love a tree?

Eden got a playmate. She has been in timeout for being "barn sour." She was so lonely.

Swirly girl is here to play. They are so beautiful. I love to watch them run but I love more when they lay on their back and kick their feet in the air.

Kisses.

She is

Daughter and I got to sit in my dad's seats at the last Auburn home game. We let son take a friend and the boys sat down below. She thought that these seats rocked. You could "get what ever you wanted to eat and they had good soap in the bathrooms." But if you asked her the best part of her day...she got to eat peanuts! Since her brother is allergic, cracking open a peanut provided the most entertainment. She is getting bigger longer by the minute. She loves school. She is growing into a little girl. She got her ears peirced. She is taking baton. She can still play tackle football with the boys and throws the baseball as hard as most boys her age. She has lots of words. She dances through life. She is busy. She is complex. She is drama.

She is exactly who God made her to be.

I love Her, I mean Him.

My spouse loves me. He knew me for almost five years before he made me legal. He knew I was raised on a farm. He knew I had every animal I ever wanted. If sister and I asked for an animal, we got it. Don't get me wrong, my parents said No more then they said Yes about a lot of things. We could not stay out as late as our friends and no one should call us past 8 oclock. We didn't date boys who wore hats inside our house. But animals...we had them. Dogs, cats, cows, bunnies, birds, fish, etc. I loved them all.

My husband will tell you that I email him regularly with a picture or link of an animal I want weekly. Sometimes daily. They range from dogs to pigs to goats to ponies. My favorite is that he doesn't say no but he finds a clever way to remind me who he is currently on his feeding or vet bill. He also will reply back with a "so cute" or "he looks like a bad dog." He loves me. Instead of 45 babies he lets me eventually get something with fur. Since we lost our Macee we have longed for another Big Dog. We have seriously looked into adoption but for where we live we knew we needed to train a young dog to stay by our house. I am happy to report this angel will be apart of the Roach family in a few weeks. She is a perfect yellow lab.

She needs a name.

I love her.

I mean I love him for saying yes.

And for saying yes to me all those years ago.

Critters and Taters

It is Sweet Potato time at the farm. Which means you should put on your cutest boots and ride in the back of trucks. Your mother should take her camera and go play with other farm animals during the hard work. Eden wanted an apple slice and some sugars.

But daughter and Paw Paw seemed to be doing a fine job without me.

There are rows of taters.

Daughter turns out to be a natural picker and kicker of dirt. She really knows how to turn up the taters.

She also had lots of words for Paw Paw that I am sure he did not hear.

Her dirty hands prove her work ethic.

On the other hand son has some tendencies to get distracted by critters like a freshly killed rat snake.

Or Eden who needed some more ear scratching.

Or Momma Kitty who needed her neck rubbed.

Did someone say rat snake? Momma Kitty was on the look out. She is our pest control girl.

And son had some Tractor Driving 101 to attend. State law requires 9 year old boys should learn proper techniques in front end loaders and plowing.

At the end of the day it is all about the taters and little bit about the critters.

Keep 'Em There

October 9, 2011

5pm-7pm

Come help two local family missionaries stay in Swaziland, Africa.

Musical Guest: Bruce Andrews, Matt Willis and Dave Gowens

$20 per family for admission

Includes:

Hot Dog Supper

Hay Ride

Live Music from local blues artist: Bruce Andrews and Friends

There will be Timbali crafts for sale, a silent auction and sponsorship information available.

All proceeds go directly to

Mark and Allison Clyburn

Steve and Amy McAdams

Bring your lawn chair or blanket for a fun family night at our home!

For more information or questions please leave a comment with your email address and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

A Baby Is Born

These beauties are hiding a new baby. A baby boy as a matter of fact. Yes, you with the yellow earing! These girls really know how to dress up a black outfit. I think the yellow brings out their eyes.


Oh there he is! My sweet, new, baby boy! Your momma is so smart to hide you behind weeds from the crazy lady with the camera.

The whole herd seemed rather enthusiatic about their photo shoot. No need to crowd girls, Momma Roach brought no treats.

Oh I could just eat you. What happened to your earing? I understand. Yellow is not my color either. Maybe we can get you an orange one!

I was sidetracked. Excuse me. No need to stick your tongue out. You-baby boy are the reason I am standing in ants.

Okay, you don't like orange. How about blue?

Sticking your tongue out will make your mouth dry. I am so thankful you have your own momma. I don't need anyone else that needs their lunch packed for school.

Oh baby boy. Your coat is so silky and new. I could show you. I used to show cows. I think you would be Grand Champion. We could go to the State Fair and eat funnel cakes!

Oh, dear! You earing got ripped out and now your ear is split. Don't worry about it. All the girls in Africa are doing it.

Now there is a show cow. She is even standing show ring ready. Front two feet together and one back leg a tad forward. She might have won best in show but she is a little crusty and needs a bath.

Back to you my sweet baby boy. Speaking of sweet. All my show cows had names. Lollipop. Gumdrop. I think your name will be ....Gummi Bear. Yes my little Gummi Boy Bear.

Go and grow Gummi Bear. I have big plans for you.