Romans 12:4-5/1 Corinthians 12:1-31...

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The church, Paul says, is like our individual bodies. It has many different parts, each with its own function. But all the parts form "one body," and each part is needed if the body is to function as it should.

I strongly encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12 and if you have a study bible read all the footnotes as well. It helps in the understanding of the scripture. 

In my bible 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 has this footnote:

"Our is an age that delights to exalt Christian celebrities, to demand that our pastors entertain, have charismatic personalities, and display more spiritual gifts than any one Bible character ever had. Little wonder that burnout from full-time ministry seems to be at an all-time high and that failures of whatever kind—at times—results from the stress. We need to follow the model of servant leadership (recall ch.4) and allow our leaders and ourselves to spend the majority of our time doing those things at which we excel." 

To that I personally say, a big, AMEN!!!

When I was growing up, going to church looked very different. We sang from hymnals, accompanied by a pianist and an organist. Occasionally, a soloist would share a special song—something meant to encourage, uplift, and prepare our hearts for the message the pastor was about to deliver.

There was no production—no lights, no fog, no bands. The sanctuary truly felt like a sanctuary: a sacred, set-apart place. We didn’t bring food or drinks inside. It was understood that this was holy ground.

When the pastor preached, it wasn’t flashy. In fact, a lot of the sermons felt a bit monotonous at times, mostly because many of the preachers spoke in a steady, unchanging tone. There were no theatrics, no storytelling, no personal anecdotes—just straightforward teaching from the Bible. Simply what it said.

Looking back, I can’t help but think there’s value in returning, at least in part, to that kind of simplicity. A focus on truly learning and understanding Scripture. It might not appeal to everyone, but it would quickly reveal who is genuinely seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus—and who isn’t.

Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable—if we, as the church, choose not to let it be. When we step back and refuse to let the pressures of this age define how we gather—pressures like turning worship into a concert with lights and fog, expecting pastors to entertain us, or believing they need a certain charisma or an extraordinary display of spiritual gifts just to keep our attention—we create space for something healthier.

If we resist those expectations and return to a simpler, more grounded approach, we’d be far better off as a church—spiritually stronger, more focused, and less exhausted.

No One Can Stop God's Plan For You...

No one can stop what God has already set in motion for your life.

People may misunderstand you. Doors may close. Plans may fall apart in ways you didn’t expect. But none of that has the power to override what God has purposed for you. What’s meant for you won’t miss you.

There will be delays—but delays are not denials. There will be obstacles—but obstacles are not the end. Even the things that seem to work against you are often the very things God uses to position you exactly where you need to be.

You don’t have to force it. You don’t have to fight every battle. What God has ordained will come to pass in His timing, not yours—and nothing and no one can stand in the way of that.

Stay faithful. Stay focused. Keep moving forward.

Because when God has a plan for your life, it will find you, carry you, and unfold exactly as it’s meant to. 

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us and that they are good plans to give us a future and a hope. Let's cling to that—today and everyday—as we also cling to the knowledge that no one can stop His plans for us. 

Life Stops For No One...

Today was another reminder that life doesn’t stop for anyone or anything.

A friend of mine is walking through a difficult season with both of her kids, who are elite athletes, navigating challenges that come with that level of competition. At the same time, our son has been dealing with severe sinus congestion and an earache—caused by his allergies.

Then there’s my mom, who recently had a total knee replacement and is really struggling with the pain. Helping her through recovery and rehab is going to take a lot.

We’ve also been helping and supporting a friend whose parents are hoarders as she tries to relocate them, but we’ve had to step back for now because of everything going on with my mom. And another friend is facing multiple health concerns with her husband.

It just keeps coming.

Life doesn’t slow down. One thing hits, you handle it, and then something else follows. It’s constant, and it can feel relentless.

But at the end of the day, what matters most is how you respond. Your attitude in the middle of it all makes the difference. You meet life head-on, stay steady, and refuse to be taken out by the weight of it. Strength, focus, and determination carry you through—even when it’s hard, even when it doesn’t let up.

Scot's Birthday Dinner...

We took Scot to Bonefish Grill last night for his birthday while my cousin stayed with my mom, who’s recovering from total knee replacement surgery. It felt so good to get out and celebrate him together.

Bonefish is his favorite spot, and it worked out perfectly—his birthday landed on the night we could all enjoy their famous Bang Bang Shrimp at half off. That definitely didn’t hurt!

You could tell he truly enjoyed the evening—just being out, sharing a meal, and spending time together. We only make it to Bonefish a couple of times a year, so we always make the most of it when we do.

Scot's Birthday Gifts...

Tim officially bought his dad his very first gifts—completely on his own, no help from me. He let him pick out a couple of Lego sets from his wish list, which made it even more special.

And before you ask… yes, we still love doing Lego builds! Tim may not be as into it these days, but I have a feeling he’ll still jump in to help his dad put these together… LOL!

Happy Birthday, Scot!

Scot is the best dad and husband ever, and we are so blessed to have him leading our home. He provides for us so faithfully and takes such good care of Tim and me. God truly blessed us in a big way with him.

The strength of our family is because of who he is—dependable, selfless, and always willing to do whatever it takes to keep everything running smoothly. He’s the kind of person you can count on for absolutely anything.

I wish I could give him his dream Porsche, but for now, we’ll keep cheering on his love for all things cars and F1 racing related. He’s a true gearhead, and if he had his way, he’d be out racing without a doubt—and I love that about him.

I’m praying he has the best birthday yet and truly enjoys celebrating this evening with Tim and me. 💙

Empty Nester...

Everyone keeps asking how I feel about becoming an empty nester. The truth is—I’m not there yet… but I’m 32 days away.

I know life will feel different after graduation. That reality hasn’t escaped me for a second. I’m stepping into a brand-new chapter, and while it’s a little bittersweet, I’m also looking forward to the freedom that comes with it. For so long, school has been the constant in our lives. Soon, I’ll have more time—time to reconnect with friends I’ve barely seen, time to say “yes” to things I couldn’t before, and maybe even time to explore working outside the home. Who knows? It feels like doors are about to open.

For years, my life has revolved around Tim. I took him to every training session, handled his schooling, made the appointments, and met his every need. Our business made it possible for me to be there in all those ways, while Scot worked tirelessly to provide for our family. He’s been an incredible partner through it all—supporting Tim, helping with school when needed, pitching in at home, and even cooking meals when I was stretched thin. Life with Tim has been full, busy, and anything but boring.

And honestly, after graduation, not everything will change. Tim will still be at home, working with his dad, taking online college classes, and continuing his weightlifting. The biggest difference? I won’t be reminding him to do his schoolwork anymore—LOL. He’ll be fully responsible for himself. We’ll always be here to guide and support him, but now he’ll be the one steering his life and shaping his future. The “Tim show” is about to take center stage, and it’s his time to run with everything he’s been given.

As for me and Scot, I’m excited for what’s ahead. This next season gives us a chance to rediscover life as a couple—to go places, do things together, and simply enjoy each other again. It’s been a long time since it was just us. In many ways, this feels like a new beginning for us too.

Am I a little sad? Of course. My baby is all grown up. But more than anything, I’m excited—excited for Tim, and excited for us.

We’ll always be here for him, cheering him on as he chases his dreams. But it will be nice to have the time and space to explore life in new ways—together, and with the friends we’ve missed along the way.

Graduation Checklist is Done!

Homeschooling has been quite the journey. It’s not for everyone, but I’m truly grateful we chose this path—it’s strengthened us and brought us even closer as a family.

That being said, I finally have everything finished for Tim’s graduation on May 16th, and it feels so good to have it off my plate—unless they come back asking me to trim the parent speech some more. Keeping it under 250 words has been no easy task—it’s such a tight limit. I used a lot of these "&" to trim the word count. It's not counted as a word in word counters. I truly hope it’s acceptable, because making it any shorter will be a real challenge.

I have to admit, I’ll be relieved when all of this is behind us. Senior year has been pretty overwhelming with everything that’s had to get done by me for his graduation. While I’m incredibly proud and excited for our son, I’ll also be glad to finally stop thinking about it all the time.

We know Tim is ready to move on from this chapter. His focus is firmly on weightlifting—earning a spot on Team USA and representing our country on the world stage. He’s really only participating in the graduation ceremony for us, his MawMaw, and for his aunts, uncles, and cousins—truth be told, he’d happily skip it. But he’s worked too hard, and we’ve worked alongside him every step of the way, for this moment to pass by unrecognized. Whether he likes it or not, it’s a rite of passage moment—and one worth remembering.

Next, he plans to take classes at Wake Tech Community College, where he hopes to explore opportunities in computer engineering and see where that path might lead him. His coursework will be online, allowing him to work alongside his dad while continuing to stay committed to his weightlifting training schedule.

So Many Thoughts...

So many thoughts have been running through my mind as I think about Tim turning 18 in just a month—and then graduating high school only five days later. It all feels a bit surreal. Some days it seems like just yesterday he was a baby in my arms. Oh, how I miss those days.

As a baby and toddler, he was such a character—full of energy and life. He went from crawling, to wobbling on his feet, to taking a few steps… and then he was off and running. From that moment on, he was everywhere and into everything—like a curious little explorer. We had to stay on our toes to keep him safe as he discovered the world around him. Somehow, even when he managed to slip away and take a few “express routes” down the stairs, he always came out without a scratch. Crazy, right?

As kindergarten approached, we knew traditional school might not be the best fit for him. With all that energy, we worried he’d be labeled instead of understood. We wanted to nurture his curiosity, not stifle it—so we chose to homeschool. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. He has absolutely thrived. He’s become an independent, hands-on learner who isn’t afraid to figure things out on his own. Honestly, he can do things on a computer that I can only dream of…LOL!!

In fourth grade though, Tim faced a significant medical setback that required him to repeat the year. When he reached high school, he was determined to graduate on time, so he took on an intense academic workload to make it happen. In 10th grade, he completed both his 10th-grade studies and half of his 11th-grade coursework. Then, during his senior year, this school year, he's finished the remaining 11th-grade work while also completing all of his senior requirements. We knew he could do it and in just 28 days or so he will have it all done.

Of course, we also knew he needed a strong outlet for all his energy. He began TaeKwonDo at just 4 years old and continued until he was 15. During that time, he earned his 3rd Dan black belt, along with countless medals and trophies. More importantly, he developed discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic. He has dreams of competing on the world stage, but ultimately he realized that path would not come through TaeKwondo.

In 2023, he found Olympic weightlifting—and it was like everything clicked into place. This is where he belongs. His build, his mindset, his drive—it all fits. And all those years in TaeKwonDo? They weren’t wasted at all. They laid the foundation for the success he’s experiencing now.

It feels like everything is moving in fast forward as he steps into becoming his own man. Turning 18 is a huge milestone, and graduating high school just days later makes it even more significant. I’m so excited for what lies ahead for him, because I truly believe it’s going to be something special. He has a determination that can’t be taught—a fire to chase his dreams with everything he has. I have no doubt he’ll stand on that world stage one day, representing our country—or give everything in him trying. And through it all, he knows he has our unwavering support.

His dad and I are so grateful to have a front-row seat to this journey. Our greatest dream is simply to watch him achieve his own.

In just 31 days, he’ll turn 18. In 36 days, he’ll be finished with high school. With each passing day, the excitement builds as we get closer to these incredible milestones.

We are so incredibly proud of you - Tim! We love you to the moon and beyond! 

Thank You, God, for the gift of Tim. These nearly 18 years with him have been such an incredible journey. We’re so grateful for every moment and look ahead with excitement as we watch him continue to grow into the man he’s becoming. This next chapter may look different, but it’s one we welcome with full hearts and great anticipation.

Dream Home Design...Almost...

I love Barndo's. The only thing this barndo needs is a double deep garage and a front porch that is deeper and longer. Add a very large screened in patio off the kitchen with an accordion door between the kitchen and it. Then add an open patio off the screen in patio with a pergola, grill center and fire pit and you'd have my dream home.