Road Trip !

Today my friend Jennifer and I will be traveling to Columbia, TN for the TBC Choral Connection. We are taking our 2 daughters, Lydia and Hannah. Let me just tell you that they are both 100% girl, both middle children and both can be high maintenence ! YIKES ! They are soooooooo excited. They will be making a CD with kids from all over TN. It's going to be fun!
Please pray for us as we travel. A big shout out goes to those of you out there that helped provide for the trip.
Blessings,

Cecelia

Fall Into Reading 2007

Ok I know this is crazy but I have accepted the challenge to join the Fall Into Reading 2007. If you have some reading you need to catch up on and need a challenge to get it done go here to the Callapidder Days blog. This is a blog I stumbled across on the CWO blogroll.

Ok here is my list: Inside My Heart by Robin McGraw (yes Dr. Phil's Wife);

He's Been Faithful by Carol Cymbala (Jim's wife)

Prayer the Great Adventure by David Jeremiah (Donna's Husband) I had to keep the pattern going !! LOL

Ok I know it's only 3 books but for those of you who know me well you know that is a huge accomplishment. The goal is to get them read by the end of Fall. I'll try hope I can do it. I'll keep you posted.

Blessings,

Cecelia

Give Away Alert

5 Minutes for Mom is giving away this pink Dyson Vacuum available on at Target. So go here to enter to win

Fall is Here ! Fall is Here !

I love Fall ! It's my favorite time of the year ! All the creativity of God shows up in His creation ! It's Football Time !! Go Vols ! It's a great time to go on a hike in the mountains. It's cooler outside. It's all good !

Duke: Rest In Peace

Today is a sad day at the Miller house. We had to make the terrible decision to put our dog Duke down. He was 12 years old and not doing well at all. His hair was falling out on his back. He had arthritis very bad and cried when he had to scratch. He was also blind and had lost his hearing. He loved to visit our neighbors and eat their dogs food and leave a "tithe" of it in front of their carport door. They just didn't appreciate the generosity of the Preacher's Dog. They insisted that we keep him chained up and we knew that was not a life that Duke would and could tolerate at his age. So as a family we decided it would be best if we had him put to rest.
I went to work this morning and my husband had to come by on his way to take Duke. I went around to the passenger's side of the truck and Duke was just laying in the floor. He wasn't trying to get out or even get up in the seat. He was just laying there. I think he knew and that he was ready. I bid him farewell and told him to tell Topper (Patty's deceased dog) and Sinatra(our deceased cat) hello.
We will miss Duke but our family believes that we will see him again in heaven someday !
Duke (originally of York Street; Bulls Gap, TN) March 1995-Sept. 21, 2007

Ok I tried the signature thing

Yesterday I went on the mailgirls blog. She had a cool signature and she gave the address to get one on my own. So here it is.....






P.S Check out the bottom of the blog for the Deeper Still Nashville Commissioning.

Tomatoes, Tomatoes Everywhere

Here is how I spent my morning and most of my afternoon yesterday. I had 10 boxes of Yellow tomatoes to start with. I was blessed by a friend that had more than she needed. I love when God provides. He really meant that exceedingly abundantly thing ! I had so many that I was able to share with church folks as well.

From the box to the sink to get washed before getting squashed !

Now to the tomato squasher. This part took a while but it is easer than what I used to have. All I have to do with this is quarter the tomatoes and turn the handle. It seperates the juice and pulp from the seeds and skins.

Now time to cook it down; add a little salt and sugar to prepare for going in the jars.

The finished product. I still have several to go but I had an interruption in the afternoon and I didn't get to finish yet. I can't wait to use some of these to make spaghetti sauce and white chili ! I love Fall !

Deeper Still Recap

I would like to echo my friend Patty in saying the best place to read about the Deeper Still Conference is the Deeper Still Blog. Michelle Hicks did a great job of taking notes and posted and is still posting on each session. I encourage you to follow this link http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/deeperstill/ and go read about the conference. You will feel as if you were there.
The dates for the upcoming Deeper Still events is posted there as well.

Wonderful Merciful Savior

I had this song on my heart this morning. I pray it will speak to you as well.

Morning Devotion

This morning I woke up early and spent some time reflecting on this past weekend at the Deeper Still conference. I read back over my notes and then opened the word. I also read a daily devotion that I get via email.
The devotion that I read started out with Psalm 112:1. It is a wonderful verse that says:
"Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what He commands. (NLT)
It is a wonderful verse and as I read it I said Amen. Then I continued on with the next verse:
"Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed." (Psalm 112: 2)
This verse too is a wonderful verse. Now put the 2 together and you get the Big picture. What the Word is saying is that our children are dependant on our obedience. We have the responsibility as parents to fear the LORD and delight in doing what He commands ! If we do then our children will be successful everywhere, not just our children but an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.....because of our obedience! YIKES !
That is responsibility! Our obedience to God or disobedience determines what legacy we leave for our children. I challenge all parents today to make a conscious effort to delight in the LORD and follow His commands. Our children ( & grandchildren) are depending on it.

Blessings,

Cecelia

Why we Fight 2 inspired by

I know we don't pray to humans but hearing this little girl say the things to her Father that was killed on 9/11 that she can't say to him in person made me realize how many children lost so much on that day.
This morning on Regis and Kelly they showed a picture of a little girl who never met her Father because she was in her Mother's womb on 9/11.
Please remember these precious families today and pray that they will feel an extra special touch from their Heavenly Father God.
Blessings,

Cecelia

When you pass through the waters

This morning I read a story about a Mom who was at the beach with her family. Her small son found a tiny little sea shell. He proudly brought it to his Mommy and asked her to hold it for him. It was so small that she held it between 2 fingers to keep it safe. As she was relaxing on the beach she was suddenly drenched by a huge wave ! Her first thoughts were of her son's shell....had it been lost in the water, had it been destroyed, crushed by her fingers ? She pulled her 2 fingers apart and there it was safe. Her son called to her inquiring about his shell. She assured him that it was just fine.
As I read this a passage in Isaiah came to mind. I was reminded of the verses in Chapter 43:1b-3a "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fine, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, you God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
God did not promise that life would be easy but He did promise to walk through the trials with us. Take heart and remember you have a Redeemer and He loves you !

Blessings,

Cecelia

Time to head home

We went to church with Dori this morning and it was such a powerful service. We celebrated the Lord's supper. After we finished they played a video from the Passion of Christ and it was awesome. If you have never seen that movie, it is a must see. It took us through His beating (by His stripes we are healed), His Crucifixion (by His death on the cross we are saved if we believe in Him) and then to His ultimate Resurrection(Praise you God for your Mighty Power) ! Then we sang Jesus Paid it All. Then a hush fell over the whole place. You could feel the presence of God in that place.
This precious church just lost a young member to cancer. Today they will lay him to rest and celebrate his life here on this earth. Please remember his precious wife and 3 year old child as they grieve the loss of their beloved Husband and Daddy. God please hold the close in your arms today and in the days to come. They can rejoice however in the fact that they know he is whole in the presence of God today. Praise you Father !
Well I smell Dori's wonderful roast so I think it is lunch time !! More on the conference to come!
Blessings,

Cecelia

Deeper Still

Well the conference is over and we are back at Dori's house chillin'. Today was wonderful. Beth spoke first this morning and then Kay spoke after lunch. 1st thing this morning Travis got up with the Praise Team and started to sing "Shackles" . They started twice and Travis stopped and said wait a minute something is missing and you guessed it ....Mandisa. She came up on stage and sang with all her heart ! It was great. After "Shackles" she sang a few songs from her new CD.
We heard wonderful teaching from God's word this week-end and we certainly were challenged to go ....deeper still.

Wish you were here

We have arrived in NashVegas(Nashville) for the Deeper Still conference. Priscilla spoke tonight and it was wonderful. I promise to post more details when I get home. I did want to just ask for prayer tonight because while we were sitting at the Master's feet the enemy was outside stealing gas out of my van ! That's right girls , he seeks to kill, steal and destroy. He almost stole my joy from tonight but I am determined that he is not going to get me discouraged. As we go tomorrow just pray for protection from the enemies schemes. He is already defeated and he is just mad so obviously he has to pull a stunt !
Well my Benadryl is kicking in so I will go for now and post more later.

Be blessed,


Cecelia

Snow Day in September !

That's right I said snow day ! We are normally scheduled to have homeschool co-op on Thursdays but today it is cancelled ! Yay ! Oh I mean booooooo !
We had a sweet lady in our church to go home to meet the LORD and we are having a meal for her family today at the church after the graveside services so we had to cancel co-op. I must say I have heard from several of the co-op members who have been very gracious and express sympathy for the family and thanks to the church for being able to use the facilities.
I know that this sweet ladies death is sad for the family but she was ready to meet her LORD. She faced surgery knowing that she had a 50/50 chance and she said "If I make it and the surgery is a success then great. If I don't then I am ready to go to my home in heaven." So God said "Come on home my child, come on home"
As for co-op, I think several of the Mom's (including myself) and a Dad or 2 were glad for the break. I called a few of them myself and they said they could use a day off. I must say, so can I. I mean I have to get my clothes that I am taking to the Deeper Still conference out and ready so if anything needs washed then my beloved husband can get it washed ! Yes I am spoiled!
I have to run some last minute errands and get my van emptied out of any "valuables" because my fave Greek Girl Georgia has offered to take the van and have it detailed for the trip! Thanks girl, you rock!
Well I will hush for now but I must say "Less that 24 hours until we hit the road for NashVegas for Deeper Still !!!!!!!!!!!

God wants us all - Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle

I love this song. My daughter Holli first heard this at Crossings camp and introduced us to it.

Monday is here but Friday is coming !

I can't wait until Friday ! I know at my age I shouldn't be wanting to rush through weeks but this Friday is special for a lot of reasons. Reason # 1 my oldest daughter Holli is going to be 14. Ok for that reason I would not want to rush but there is more... Reason # 2 It is also my best friend Patty's birthday, she is not going to be 14. Here is the biggie..... Reason number 3....We (Me, Holli, Patty and Georgia, another friend) are going to Nashville(NashVegas as we like to call it) to Deeper Still. Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Travis Cottrell and Anthony Evans are going to be there. Beth is my favorite Bible teacher. I am so excited because this will be Holli's first women's conference.
Now I must admit that when I first heard about this conference I thought...How can I go to this conference and not break my baby's heart by missing her birthday? So you guessed it..I am taking her with me !! What better time to introduce her to a deeper walk with God than on her 14th birthday. She is already quiet the Godly girl. She is very particular about her clothes, the music she listens to and many other areas of her life. She wants to honor God in all she does and I am so proud of her and blessed by God to have a teenage daughter that actually talks to her Parents and loves her family and her LORD !
Anyway Monday is here but Friday is coming and I can't wait !!! I have already been thinking about where we will eat. Priorities you know. I actually went on the Chick Fil A website and there is a link where you can plan your trip and find all the Chick Fil A locations on your route.
Oh course that is just breakfast. Chicken Minis are the bomb! We are thinking Joe's Crab shack for Lunch/Dinner. We are calling it either Linner or Dunch because it will be a combo meal for us on Friday as we will be waiting for the doors to open at the conference early.
Patty & I are serving as encouragers at the event and we love to do that. We have the awesome privilege of praying with other women who are hurting and need prayer. We have done this at several other events and take this responsibility very seriously.
I can't wait to see what God has in store for us at the conference. Send us your word O God, it will not return to you void.
Blessings,

Cecelia

Introductions

My name is Cecelia. I am happily married to my one true love George. We have been together 28 years total. The first 5 of those years were spent as school sweethearts and the next 23 have been spent in wedded bliss ! LOL We have 3 wonderful daughters, Holli who will be 14 on Friday, Lydia 11 and Abigail 8. For the last 4 years we have been a homeschool family. We are truly blessed that God called us to homeschool. We are animal crazy as we have 3 cats, 3 hamsters, a fish tank and a 12 year old Red Lab.
Well enough about me...let me hear from you.

I Can't Believe I'm Blogging !

I don't know why but God had lead me to start a blog. I like to visit other people's blogs and read them and I occasionally post but I don't consider myself a blogger. Lately however it has been on my mind a lot. I was just sitting with my laptop today surfing the web, reading other blogs and suddenly God gave me a name for the blog. The next thing I knew I was here writing this.
The name of the blog is based on I Samuel 7: 12. The verse reads: Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, " Thus far the LORD helped us." I love that verse because it is a reminder of God's promises that He will never leave us or forsake us and that He always has our best interests at heart. Sometimes we don't know what the outcome of situations in our lives is going to be but God does.
But God.... that is another line of mine. I have already used it several times in this post. You can take those 2 small words and apply them to anything you are going through. A situation can look hopeless with no way out but God..... He is our rescuer, our redeemer. Praise you LORD for your great love, your saving grace and most of all for your Son, the One and Only !