I don't usually post twice in a day...but I felt this was warranted considering my other post today.

Well, I think it is safe to say I am being tested....
As I stated in my previous post I have a Sister who suffers from Major Mental Illness. She has been going down the wrong path for as long as I can remember. I haven't spoken to her in a couple of years...because I had no idea how to get in touch with her or where she was. Shortly after I posted my previous entry I received a phone call..on my mothers cell phone. I didn't recognize the voice on the other end to be my mother, actually I didn't recognize it at all!

Turns out it was my sister! Ok so what are the chances she would call me today...? Apparently pretty good...

So now I have to put my money where my mouth is...so to speak.

She told me she loved me and missed her big sister. She claims she is on her way to recovery and is going to church with my mom on Sunday! I told her I loved her and MISSED her too and that I would Pray for her. I Pray for God's Grace and power to save her from herself. I don't know what my role is or will be in this but I have to believe God has a purpose and a plan...for her, for me and for the healing of my family!

I believe that God is a AWESOME God and will provide for me and my family. I also believe that he doesn't want me to sit idly by and do nothing to help myself to move forward. So I have decided to take some control of my financial situation while giving all the glory to God that he will provide for me in this endeavor.

I wanted to take a moment to share my passion with you. I have always been creative and love making and designing clothing which I have been doing for quite some time. I also have found a passion for photography and it too has become a creative outlet for me. I am in the process of starting my own photography business....I thought I might share some of my recent photos and get your opinion!!!!

This first picture was taken from a nearby pond in my neighborhood....I almost missed it because Mack was running toward it ...note to self...unless the subject is my 2 year old don't take her with me while trying to take pictures!!

Amada Photography coming to a park, home or any location near you!!!

You pray for your baby to be quiet so you can sleep, but when she is, you freak out wondering if she’s still breathing.

Talking about poopy diapers doesn't gross me out.

I hope that some day my girls will be best friends - they fight constantly and their personalities are so different, but I still have hope.

I earned these bags under my eyes.

I have talked several times about "FAITH" and how God wants you to have faith that he will provide for you and take care of your needs. Well, I know that my faith is being tested today.

My husband called me today to inform me that the company he works for has decided with the current economy his position is no longer needed. Now let me clarify, it isn't immediate and he will be getting a severance package but, imagine my feelings...we have a large family and he is the sole financial provider. I immediately went into panic mode. Yes, I cried and got upset....but then I grabbed my bible, read my devotional and then PRAYED! I don't really know what this means for us but I feel like God might be leading my family in a new direction. Faith is an absolute when you walk with God! I know that we have come under attack because we are giving more and more of our selves to do the Lords work and the devil wants to stop us!

They say that God never closes a door without opening a window....I pray that I am wise enough to see it when he does.

I will keep you posted...I know that God is working on a blessing for our family and when he is ready to give it WE will be ready to receive it!

My daughter Ashley lives on an army base 15 hours away with her husband Arik. She and the baby were staying with me while he was deployed to Iraq, so I got to hang out with Adrienne and Ashley all the time. Then the week before Christmas they had to go home for Arik's homecoming. Well, my little stinker of a Grand Daughter decided she was going to hold off on laughing, rolling over and alot of other first until a couple of days after they got home...guess she was saving it for her daddy! So that leaves me to watch her grow up in pictures. :(

Well, I have been waiting and waiting for Ash to send me some updated photos of her....still waiting... LOL...
This is what happens when you are left to your own device, you HIJACK them....from myspace! Thanks Ash, now I can add thief to my resume...aha!

This past Sunday kicked off the first of a 5 part series on leadership. I am so excited about this series!! Pastor Furtick spoke about embracing your uniqueness and turning it into power to serve God and minister to others.

I have never really considered myself a follower of people but I'm not sure I've really thought of myself as a leader either. After hearing Pastor Furtick's powerful message now I feel differently. I think we all have the potential to be leaders. Whether in our job or in our homes. I encourage my kids all the time to not follow the pack because chances are if they are doing what the others are doing, then they aren't doing what they are suppose to be doing. Kids today are under so much pressure to conform to fit in, but Pastor said that teenagers need to redefine cool. I couldn't agree more.

As a mother/parent I find myself also trying to redefine my role. It is hard to raise kids in a society that teaches them that they are not responsible for their actions and to throw rules and respect aside. Then we are left unable to parent them because the rules say it's against the rules! It is my job to lead my family down the right path. If I don't activate my leadership potential in my home I will do my family a great dis-service. I know that this principle applies to other areas of my life but right now I need to be a LEADER in my HOME and make sure that my family has positive role models within the sanctity of their own home. That way they can take what they have learned and apply it to the real world!

I know that God is grooming Kelley and I to do something incredible....but in the mean time we will practice by ministering to our friends and family. I personally feel that God has something more specific in mind for Kelley...I just sit and patiently wait for God to reveal it to him....he is going to be a powerful Leader...I just know it!

Recently I started saying bedtime prayers with my (almost) 2yo daughter McKenzie..from here on out to be referred to as Mack. The first couple of nights she would just look at me when I would place her little hands together to say them. Now every night she gets into her bed and will put her hands together by herself and wait patiently for you to say them. Well, yesterday when I layed her down for her afternoon nap...with no prompting...she placed her hands together for me to say her prayers. I did...she repeated about every third word I said. When I said "Amen" she just looks at me and says...."OKAY!!" It was just the cutest thing EVER!

My husband Kelley and I decided that as Brand Spankin' new Christians, we would start a blog to chronicle our journey. I am not sure what we will write about, probably our family...our life, our walk with God and the craziness we call our home! Oh, and lets not forget the dog..seems my daughter always forgets we have one...about the time we ask if he was fed. Kinda of convenient for her, huh?

I am sure it will be a lot of senseless ramblings but anyone that knows my husband knows he always rambles and has to turn everything into a "life lesson". My kids usually zone out about 5 minutes into it. I will try and keep him focused but I won't promise anything!!

We are super excited about the direction God is taking us and our family and we just want to share.
Check back often...because it all starts here!