To Be Truly Blessed...

I could sit here and dwell in my circumstance, but because I am SO BLESSED, I choose to count the many ways.

I was once a helpless miserable and hurting girl. I wasn't raised in the church, if I went at all. I say I was "raised" Catholic. That was for the 5 years I lived with my dad. I actually lived in a drug infested environment where I was always hurt by some man in some way, most of my young life, from childhood through my teenage years.

(1) I am BLESSED to be FREE from the guilt I felt, the pain and the bitterness. Now I can write about it! I am BLESSED

I found true salvation in Jesus Christ. I didn't find it by any man, religion, philosopher, dictator or any man of God. I found Jesus through Jesus. I found sound doctrine through Him because of my hunger and complete trust in Him. Not many can say that Jesus literally showed them Acts 2:38 and baptism in Jesus' name without a Bible Study or preaching. Not to mention, I first received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost at home by my bed side, before I even knew about speaking in tongues or the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

(2) I am BLESSED to be so in love with my Maker that when I called on His name for true salvation, He Himself answered me. I am blessed with Biblical salvation that I KNOW is right!

I had no complications during any of my pregnancies. My babies were all healthy as babies and they are all healthy now. Often times we take this for granted. There are many parents who suffer with their dieing children who face chemo therapy, many surgeries or on going health issues like down syndrome all of their life.

(3) I am ABSOLUTELY BLESSED with 3 very healthy babies who bring me happiness every single day. I cherish every single moment and individual relationship I have with each one.

Starting out new in church, I found myself with no dresses or skirts. I prayed about it and was convicted on the things I wore. I knew I couldn't go and buy a new wardrobe, but the Lord told me to get rid of all my things and when I did He would supply. he has for 8 years.

(4) 95% of the clothes that I have are given to me. My closet is full of 1000's of dollars worth of beautiful skirts, shirts, suits and dresses. In fact the Lord has blessed me so much, I don't even have room to contain it all :) I am BLESSED

A year ago this day I was living in our Sunday school room. I was recently divorced, wasn't making ends meet. I was doing what I had to do in order to have just bare essentials and to hold onto my vehicle. After 6 years in the same house, we had 4 days to move. I barely had a job, let alone money to move with. I had to reassure my kids that it would get better, as we shared a small room, a futon and air mattresses. It could have been worse, we could have lived on the streets. Instead of going home to live with my daddy, I obeyed the man of God and stayed here.

(5) I am blessed to have favor of God and be used for a purpose. I am blessed to be able to have a passion for the homeless. I never have had it before and didn't have it until I became homeless, myself. I am blessed for my burden for the homeless. Not many share this burden, that is how I know God has GREAT plans for me. We also live in a 3 bedroom apartment and we pay little rent. I am BLESSED. Look where I came from.

All three of my babies have been prophesied over. My boys will carry my pastor's mantle. Do you realize how BLESSED and HIGHLY FAVORED that makes me feel??? Since they were babies many ministers have come along and have said that all three of them will be used in evangelism. Wow, that IS TRUE BLESSING!! All three of them love to evangelize and they do every chance they have!!

(6) I am BLESSED to have 3 anointed children who are already fulfilling their calling at ages 10, 8 and 6. You CANNOT touch that BLESSING!! There are NO words to describe it!

If it weren't for two special ladies in my life, I wouldn't be going to college. I am absolutely blessed to be half way through my Bachelors degree. I am blessed to have a passion for people; to have the desire to help them.

(7)I am blessed to be able to relate to the hurting and to be able to understand them. I am BLESSED to be in college and major in Psychology that will ultimately help me in my ministry.

Jesus trusts me to be right in the midst of hurting people that I can bring to Him. Because of the Love of God, I can see pain in the eyes of my adversity. The Lord has BLESSED me with the ability to see the best in people. You will never understand how BLESSED that makes me!!

(8) I am blessed to be trusted by the Lord. I am also blessed to have enough trust in Him that He won't allow anything bad to happen to us while we are here. Yes, I am BLESSED!

... to name a few....

Prayers Are Always Surrounding Us

One thing that I love about it here and this is probably one of maybe 2 or 3 max lol ;) The main thing that I love about this community is the fact that most here are Christians. We are ABSOLUTELY blessed to have a PRINCIPAL who is APOSTOLIC! Does not get any better than that. It feels great to walk through the halls of where my kids spend most of their time and say "hello, Sis Tolbert, I love you", after a big hug with the principal. Hey it doesn't really get much better than that in a public school.

Another thing that I noticed was that my son's team coaches gather the kids together after every game and before they huddle for a sound-off, they huddle for prayer! This really touched my heart when I saw it last night. How wonderful to have prayers surround us even in public places. This is YOUR town JESUS!

Praise the Lord!

When the Twitter Box Just isn't Big Enough

Sometimes there are things that I like to express really quickly but Twitter doesn't give us enough space to express our self. We have to resort to other means to make a point.

I am so blessed! About 98% of all of my clothes come from my dear Sis Holley. When the Lord was convicting me on shorts and pants, I told Him that there was no way that I could afford to buy a new wardrobe. He told me to get rid of the pants and shorts and He would provide me with clothes. The blessings have rolled in since then. That was about 6 1/2 years ago. When Sis Holley first gave me clothes, she said "I don't know why but something is telling me to give you these clothes". I just smiled and said "I know why".

I don't think that we should splurge on fancy clothes. The Lord even warns us against COSTLY ARRAY. I am not saying not to buy nice clothes. He wants His Bride to look nice, I am sure. However, some of us just go overboard with spending. This money can be sown into the Kingdom. What about buying a new convert a couple inexpensive skirts. Ross has great deals on clothes.

Why is it always Nike, Reebok and all of the other name brands that have a hold on us. These are ways that the enemy keeps us from things of God. Is it necessary to buy expensive things. Danskin is just as nice as Nike brand. I have a few pieces of workout clothes by Danskin and I love them. Spent about $10.

If I were rich, I would feel the same way. I pray that one day I am so that I can help others. The enemy doesn't want me to have money because he knows that I will sow into the Kingdom.

Also did you know that the Lord speaks of being in debt. he says "Owe no man".- Romans 13:8. I believe that if we are in debt that it is wrong in the sight of God. I think that America mistakes being in debt with new homes and cars as being blessed of God. I have to say "no".

Being blessed is like in my testimony above, having nice clothes given to me. I can look nice, Sis Holley is sowing into the Kingdom and she always reaps in nice and inexpensive clothes. She has been since I could remember.

The next time a sinner comes in your church dressed in their Sunday best, think of them when you make your next trip to Dillards or Marshalls.

I LOVE YOU!

What a Happy Weekend

I really believe that this was the best birthday ever. I am so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people who love me so much.

Friday I went shopping with Nannie Jo and Sis Holley. If you know me, I never shop. In fact it has been many years that I went into Ross. It was really nice and even more shocking is that I bought myself 2 skirts and an under shirt. I spent about $20.

We all enjoyed lunch at Ryan's with Sis Emmons, who joined us there.

I spent the day with my kids. We went to lunch at Wendi's. I had to get me a Mandarin Orange Salad, yum! Then I treated my PT Cruiser to some new oil, an air filter and a nice washing! I am ready to go somewhere! May be going to Ohio next month, dunno yet. Bolivar that is. I want to slip into a service at FAC in Cincy though!!

Gosh, I would love to just go on a month of church hopping. :) Take a nice long road trip all across America and visit churches all over. That would be the best blessing in the world. I would hang out with the homeless, invite some to sleep with me in my huge 6 man tent, invite them to church. Hey now, I am getting inspired ;) That would be the ultimate blessing!

Ok back to my little eventful weekend. I went grocery shopping today! Needed some fruits to make smoothies. I am so blessed! Strawberries for $1.50 a carton!!! Wow, I bought 5 of them. Then the whole fresh pineapple was only $1.99. Man I totally stocked up on fruits. The grapes were $1.99 a lb so I skipped them. Not to mention I got like 7 different juices.

Momma needs to whip up some smoothies ;)

I bought us a TV finally with a built in DVD player. No more movies on Mamma's PC, thank God. However the TV WILL remain in my room, that is for sure.

Mamaw is having us over for some homemade chili, tomorrow after church. It's the bomb. I love that stuff. Plus she is making me a birthday cake :) I love my adopted mamaw. My birthday was so nice! Thank You Jesus for surrounding me with great people!

Resurrection Weekend

How blessed can a girl get? It started with a fun filled weekend. Friday night the Lord did hold back the rain until after we were on our way home from the awesome Easter program we saw at the First Assembly of God church! It was an amazing display of passion and love for Jesus! I am looking forward to more of them!

Jorli got to practice in nice cool weather. He is getting so good and is one out of just a few who can hit the ball without a t :). I praise the Lord that the sponsors are funding his uniforms! Saves me $30!

Kayla's teacher had an Easter egg hunt yesterday and invited us. that was also very nice. We had so much fun! Praise God that we are surrounded by awesome teachers!!

This morning was wonderful! My cousin, his girlfriend and their baby (my little Ky) went to church with us and really enjoyed it. They said they are going to go back! I am so excited! Bro Holley's message was awesome as usual. He preached out of the Book of Revelation and taught on the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

The kids played outside all afternoon, while I cleaned. (I know but hey I am a single mom - laundry and cleaning never ends) ;)

Dinner was fantastic! I decided to go not so traditional this year. We had bbq steak, mashed potatoes, spinach and egg salad. Although I miss my family back in Arizona, I am still blessed to have my three little ones. We are so very blessed!

Goodbye Card Table and Cold Metal Chairs and HELLO...

Dining Room Table!





The card table served it's purpose and is now sitting on the porch. I am such a blessed person. God is an amazing and on time God. He seems to know what is dear in our hearts and He will bless us accordingly.

He must know that dinner time is very very sacred and important to me. It is a time where I can sit with my kids and share the day's events, laugh and even pray together. It is that 45 minutes of good quality time that I can share with all four of us in a circle, facing one another and being close. I love dinner time!

Jesus knows that I think meal time is important and He showed me by blessing me with this nice table and chairs. A lady that Mamaw volunteers for gave me this set for free. God is so amazing. He sends the sweetest people into my life. God love them all!!

Cleats!

This is my first year of being a baseball mom. I know, my kids should have already started, but that is ok, Momma showed em the basics ;)

I am just blessed to have found Jorli some nice fairly new Nike cleats on eBay for about $15 (shipping and all). Last night I started the dreaded journey of finding Kayla some cleats. If you know me, you know I really am not a big fan of shopping. I like to go in and out, get what I need and that is it.

We looked around and they had boy cleats for $15 (ugly lookin) and men's for $18. No girls. The Walmart rep said "we may have some more from last year". "I know we have like 2 left in the same size".

Strolling on over there I was praying they would work for Kayla!

Why of course ;) I should've known... Size 5 1/2, real pretty blue and they are made for girls! Praise God!

Can't say the same for her ball glove. However, she would use that one every year, so we will get our money's worth.