Bible Study Journal.

While perusing the internet yesterday I came across a Bible study journal that I just adored...really , it was pretty great. But as it goes, there are not many extra dollars floating around our budget, and I do have this awesome Office suite thanks to my DD, so I made one similar to it that fit my need.. Overall I like my creation. I did add in a picture journal spot on mine. I use picture journaling of Scripture to help me wrap my mind around the principle of the words....here is an example.

Please don't be jealous of my insane artistic talent... it's a gift...what can I say ? (heehee) Anyway...that is one way I help commit verses to memory. Maybe it will work as a great tool for you also. Now on to the Journal., you can download it here , Bible Study Journal. If you happen to have any difficulty just comment and let me know and I can email it to you. Have a blessed day! Blessings ~

Long Time Away...Needed A new Mindset

I have been away from this blog for a while. I have been lurking and reading my blog roll faves but whenever the thought of posting to my own would flit through my brain, all I could see was a blank page. Sometimes things happen in life and it drains everything in you. Mine has been a landslide of changes since early August. Basically I have just felt whiny and irritable because life didn't work out according to my plan this Fall and I let it steal all my joy. Worry has been my constant companion. And I should know better...I do... it is just sometimes getting your heart and head to sing the same tune is a difficult thing. To make a long story short (and therefore reducing my chances of whining even more), I lost my job and my funding for school. So I have to put off my Nursing classes for another semester and maybe even next Fall. No job (plus the loss of "extra" cash left over from my school loans, which helped pay some things) has meant things are more than tight here at home. No new job yet although I'm looking :) My DD's funding was affected to so she had to put off her classes til Spring. All that combined with all the "little" things just made a mess of my plans and I have been  upset and moody and heartbroken....you know, all the things a mature ( I once thought) CHRISTian should be. Anyway, I'm tired of feeling whiny. I decided to put my big girl pants on and move on. I need to focus on the good things God has done for me and concentrate less on what I feel like I "lost". Yes, I have efficiently been chastised :)
So , in the spirit of a renewed mindset... Preacher had surgery last week and is doing well. Maybe he can now have relief from his shoulder pain. Fall began to sneak in around the end of August (to say it is early is an understatement lol ) and all the wildflowers of the season are in bloom and cooler temps are here YAY! I had a wonderful birthday cookout with my family in August. We just finished our first week of homeschool and it went fantastic ( by the way , I will be updating that poor neglected blog of mine ). My DD made this cute template for me for Fall. I love the crow. She mad it using coloring sheets and PSP :) Best Christmas gift I ever bought her!
I do have a most urgent request for your prayer lists, my BIL Chris (whom I love like my own brother) was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He is praying for healing...will you pray with us ? The fact his cancer was found at all is a pure God thing so I know God has great plans for him through all of this. His wife (Preacher's sister) and daughters long to keep their husband and daddy around for a while longer so please be praying for them.
So much good has been given me than I could put here in this blog post and I have been too self absorbed to enjoy it ... but I'm gonna start to now lol So I'm off for a bit but have a great day ... get out in the Autumn sun and have some fun today...I'm going bug hunting with my baby DD :) Life is good...God is good ALL THE TIME :) If I ever forget that again will you kindly remind me ? Thanks:) Blessings ! ~ Nikki

Please Pray!

Well I promised an update on Monday but I have yet to get it done because something else happened that supersedes all other things. My DH Preacher was admitted to the hospital Monday with Peristaltic Atrial Fibrillation. It is a condition he has battled for 10 years. Monday his heart was racing at over 170 bpm. Finally about 4 this morning his heart converted back to normal sinus rhythm. During his stress test this morning his blood pressure bottomed out at 50/40. They finally got it back up and his doctor said his stress test was positive for blockage so he is being sent from the hospital here in Hixon (we were in Chattanooga visiting his family) to Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville. He will go by ambulance and I will drive up. For now we know that they will be doing a heart cath and possibly putting in stints. If stints will not fix the problem then open heart surgery will be the next step. Please pray for us. We ended up missing out on our youngest daughter's 12th birthday today. It broke our hearts not to be with our family today. The doctor is afraid Preacher will have a massive stroke or heart attack due to his condition so we are concentrating on getting him healthy again. We know that is the best birthday present we could give any of our kids. I will update more tomorrow and hopefully have a post with all the “catch up “details of the last few months since I have to do more than sit there and worry and stress and tie my hair in knots.. Thanks for reading and for your prayers. Blessings! ~ Nikki

Guess What ?

Good morning everyone! I hope that you had a blessed Christmas. We were able to spend Christmas with both Preacher's parents and mine We went to Chattanooga on Friday and came home Sunday afternoon after we had Christmas lunch with them. We got home just in time to have Christmas supper with my family. The food and fellowship was awesome. Preacher's sister and her family blessed us with dinner (China Moon YUMO!) and a movie for Christmas. We had some great family time that we really enjoyed. Our tight budget doesn't make for dinner and a movie very often.We still wanted to have a private Christmas celebration with our kids so they opened a small present at Preacher's parents then after we left we stopped by an old Civil War camp (now a soccer field) and had our regular gift opening. We had a blast. Odd, different but fun.I was blessed with a family sticker set I sooo wanted (yay!) , new shoes and a beautiful birthstone ring.
But guess what? Before we left Friday afternoon I checked the mail. Wanna know what was in it? Hmmmm? It was a letter....that stated....congratulations, you have been accepted to Walters State Community College school of Nursing for the Spring semester.... I cried...tears of joy cause it was months of hard work and the blessings of God that got me here...it was like I had been holding my breath since Summer semester.Wow, now the intense studying begins lol. Be praying for me.I have orientation the first week of January and classes start on the 12th. I'm ready for this journey...I think:) Blessings! ~ Nikki

Some photos for you to enjoy :) (Another Quick Catch Up Post)

I hope the day finds everyone well and happy :). I have been lurking and reading a lot lately but honestly my brain has been too fried to really sit down and post. Ever have days like that?
Here's whats been going on:
I started my new math class and it is intense but I think I will be ok. I'm moving along in AP II and making good grades so far with all my test scores in the 90s. I still have to schedule my pre-nursing test.BabyGirl and I enjoy going to school together although right now we don't actually have class together. We do get to meet for break sometimes which is nice and kind of mellows the stress.
We spent a wonderful July 4th with family cooking out and shooting fireworks. We try to make family memories as often as possible because those are the things that will last.
This past Friday, Preacher's Dad had a heart attack so we had to rush to Chattanooga that afternoon. After having a stint put in my FIL is doing better now although they almost lost him three times during the stint surgery. He is doing better now praise God but please continue to remember him in your prayers. Preacher was able to do some work around the house for his parents while we were there.
It has been way too hot to be outside even in the evening. So we have been keeping cool by staying indoors as much as possible, which stinks cause it is Summer and our school vacation time lol.I water the garden and thats about the extent of my outside chores. The heat wave is suppose to break by this weekend though which is something I look forward to. Our "feels like" temp has been hovering around 105.
Our kitty had her babies. She had four and they are absolutely beautiful. The kids are trying their best to spoil them.
I have some health issues come up that I won't go into detail about but I do ask that you be praying for me. Really , really , really pray about this one :) Thanks
I thought I would end this post with some pictures. I did some picture taking while at my in-laws house. They have the prettiest gardens :) There are also some pictures of pickles and kitties so enjoy! Blessings! ~ Nikki

The "pretty" jar of pickles I made for the fair.

Homemade lasagna. It tasted better than it looks. It was my first time making it :)

I have an affinity for bugs on flowers :)...

... as you can tell :)

2 BUGS!!!!!!

oooooh...pretty :)

ahhhh...another pretty :)

I love the play of light on this one

Lemon Balm, the first herb I ever grew came from this garden; given to me by my FIL :)

I'm sure "sonflowers" are God's favorite. I know they're mine (plus roses)

Ragged and a lil worn but still beautiful :)

They're so cute! Isn't my lil Smurph (momma) a cutie?

Farmers Market

Roosie and I went to the farmer's market Saturday at our local Farmers CoOp. There were not many vendors out but we still found some great produce at good prices. Then we came home and picked lettuce and onions from the garden. We had a wonderful lunch :) We had fried green maters, pinto beans, cornbread, fried yellow squash and "kilt" (y'all country folk know what I'm talking about) lettuce and onions. It was very fattening but very good.
I ended up having 2 quarts of green bell pepper, 2 quarts of banana pepper and 2 quarts of yellow squash to put in the freezer. You can keep up with our canning and freezing using the pages tabs at the top of my blog if you'd like. I have to get my cukes pickled tonight.I think I will end up having about 5 quarts to can. We will see :) I have to at least get an extra pint made for the county fair.
I have been slugging away at school and I am almost done with my first math class. I have a final on the 5th for it and if I pass the class I will start my next math class on the 6th. If all goes as planned I will take my prenursing exam in July and earn some extra points. I will apply for nursing school this Fall. I get 3 weeks off in August before Fall classes start.
Please be in prayer for Preacher. He goes to the doctor today to find out if they will be doing surgery to try and fix the damage in his shoulder from a fall he had several years ago at his old job. If he has surgery and is out of work things will be real tight around here again instead of "kinda" tight :) I know God will provide cause he has never failed us yet but my humanity worries a lot sometimes if ya know what I mean.
Well I'm off for another day. Blessings !

I'm Back...What's been Going On?!

Sorry for the long absence everyone. I have been going, going ,going  for the last couple of months. Here is a real quick "catch up".
May:
Started Summer courses working to getting my A.A.S. degree and R.N. I was blessed to finish Anatomy & Physiology I lecture and lab with an "A" in both. Earned 4 credit hours and 1000 points toward my nursing school application.
June:
Started my first math class of the Summer and A & P II. Hoping and praying to make an "A" in AP II. Pray with me please :) We earn higher points for "A"s in our sciences. The higher points we earn the more likely we get accepted to the nursing school.
These Summer courses are so fast paced that I may not always find the time to blog everyday or even every week but I promise to try.
We got to spend last weekend camping with my Parents and my Brother. We are going up to stay Friday night too. Its so nice to get away for a while.We are staying in Cades Cove. Last Sunday we saw 10 bear. Plus the lightening bugs are synching this week and it is amazing to see thousands of them in an open field flashing. We watched them synch last night in our yard but it was nothing like the grand scale wee are looking forward to Friday night.
My dear Seester Nomi just filled my week with surprises that made me smile. First she got me a canning kit so now I don't have to use my tongs. I actually have a jar lifter now. Plus she sent me the prettiest postcard. She knows how to make me smile. I love you Nomi!!!!!!
Well I hope everyone has a blessed day ! Blessings! ~ Nikki

Today I Received An Extra Special Blessing

I recently lost my health insurance and unfortunately they had not finished paying for my CPAP machine. They only rent it for 10 months to insure that you are using it then they pay it off. I only had mine for about 4 months when my insurance ran out. So today I had to return mine to the home health center. The guy that works there was so upset that I was not going to be able to keep my machine. He was trying to think of anyway possible to help me get another at low cost or free. He happens to volunteer for our local low income clinic and said that they could possibly help me get one. He told me who to contact at the clinic and said for me to have them set me up for an appointment and see if their doctor would prescribe me a machine. So off I went to the clinic (mind you getting an appointment there can take months) to see Sheri. When I get there and tell her what happened and that Jay said for me to come by and see if they could help, she told me to hang on because she thought they that had recently had one donated. She goes to look and comes back and hands it to me and says"  there ya go sweetie". I was so thankful! No appointment, no wait! I then took it to Jay and he cleaned it and set it for me for no charge. I'm so glad that God puts people like that in our lives to be a blessing to us. I hope that I can be so great a blessing too.
Please be praying for my Son, Tman. He had some blood work done to see whats been going on and making him feel so rotten. We were suppose to get the results back today but the doctors computers went down so now we wait til tomorrow. Thanks y'all. Blessings! ~ Nikki

Happy Birthday Stacy Wayne Smith

Today my brother would have been 37 years old;had he been born. My Momma miscarried him at almost 5 months. She was devastated. 37 years hasn't lessened her pain and feeling of loss. I too miscarried a child and it is a pain no one else can understand unless they have been there. We may not have ever held these children in our arms but we will always hold them in our hearts. Happy Birthday Brother :) Remember all those in prayer who have suffered  miscarriage. ~ Blessings! ~ Nikki

Aunt Shelia Update

The doctor canceled her surgery this afternoon because the MRi they did the other day showed two more lumps; one in each breast. They want to biopsy these also and then meet with her to rework her course of treatment. This could be mean more extensive surgery; possibly a mastectomy. So please be praying for her. Thanks y'all. ~ blessings! ~ Nikki

2010/10/11 at 7:29 pm

Will say a prayer for her !
southernmomma

2010/10/12 at 5:06 am

I am praying.
Isabella

Prayer Request & Update

Its been a bit since I've blogged but life here has taken some twists and turns since September 27. First let me get to the prayer request; on September 28 we found out my Aunt Shelia (Nomi's Momma) has breast cancer. Its been a whirlwind of test and doctors appointments for her lately. She has infiltrated ductile carcinoma. She has a grade 3 tumor that will be removed by lumpectomy on Wednesday. The doctor will know then if it has spread and how advanced (what stage) her cancer is. She is still kinda shocked and "numb" about it but she is ready for the fight. She will begin 4 months of chemo on the 29th with 6 weeks of radiation to follow. Her port will also be put in Wednesday. I would like to ask everyone to be praying for her, add her to your personal and church prayer lists.Her name is Shelia, we call her Smurph lol. My daughter created this button to add to my blog as a reminder for everyone to pray. You are invited to snag it and add it to your blog also (let me know if you do and tell me where you are ex. Texas, England.... I'd like to tell her how many she has praying for her around the world.) Here is the button:

My youngest DS , Hoopy, turned 13 on the 30th. I cant believe how quickly he has grown. DD BabyGirl was accepted to our local community college where she will begin classes in January. DS Tman got his first job and he is loving it. Today we had our family reunion . I got to see my family that I only get to see about every 5 - 10 years so it was nice. We had a great time.

The leaves are changing quickly here in the Smokies since we had quite the cold snap lat week.  I'm looking forward to a sight seeing trip soon.  Well I guess thats about it y'all. Just keep praying for Shelia. God Bless! ~ Nikki

Prayer Please

Feb 11, 2010
Toodles got a call asking him to come in and fill out an application today. So please pray that it works out if it is the Father's will. Thanks :)  Blessings! ~ Nikki

No Job

Oct 6, 2009

We were so excited because Toodles was called in for two interviews on Friday and both times he was told how he was just the one they were looking for. They told him they would let him know on Monday..nothing, nada, zip, zero...no word. So, it looks like the search begins again. Just keep praying :)
For those of you who are Duggar fans, they will be the special guests at Winterfest in Pigeon Forge this year. They will be flipping the switch to turn on the lights. So you might want to visit our lovely area on November 5th if you want to get a chance to see them.
I will be canning some pumpkin butter this week. I also want to can some pumpkin pie filling. Anyone have a recipe? Fall is showing herself around here. The temps are dropping and the leaves are changing. It has been so nice watching the changes. I love Autumn. Well that's it for now I guess. Have a great night all! ~ Blessings! ~ Nikki

Thanks For Your Prayers And Keep Praying Please

Oct 2, 2009
Toodles has an interview this morning at 10 for the Lead Supervisor for the maintenance crew at a cabin rental company. So keep praying ! Thanks ~ Nikki
Blessing!
comments:

simpleoldgurl

Submitted on 2009/10/02 at 7:52am Definitely keeping your family in prayer! God bless you! In Him, Bev

HopefulHeart77 Submitted on 2009/10/03 at 4:19pm How did the interview go? Many blessings!

Prayer Please

Oct 1, 2009
After being laid off for 9 months and putting in tons of applications . . . DH Toodles got a call back yesterday! We have been trying so hard to not get discouraged as the weeks turned into months without a job and it has been hard. Only God's Grace has seen us through. We are praying that if this is the job God wants him to have then he will get it. Will you join us in praying? Thanks so much ! Blessings ! ~ Nikki
comments:

HopefulHeart77

Submitted on 2009/10/01 at 9:19am I am praying as I type……… God bless you! simpleoldgurl Submitted on 2009/10/01 at 8:51am Father, you have the perfect plan for this family, and the perfect job for this husband. If this is it, then I ask that you let there be no delay in his hiring and that the job will be a true blessing, in every realm. Thank you for continuing to meet their needs, and we give you honor and glory for answered prayer in Jesus name, amen! blessedx4 Submitted on 2009/10/01 at 7:48am We will be praying for your family. Blessings, Tiffany