patience

Last night we had our high school campus team over and Josh (18) led the group in a study about patience. God really used him to speak truth to me. He said true faith in God begins when you stop worrying. That is so true. When you try to control a situation or handle the problem yourself you are saying to God I don't trust you enough to take care of me. God uses every life situation to build character in us. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, so it only makes since to me that the closer you walk with God the more you get to know him, trust him, and become like Him. God is so patience with us!

Tonight was a great night for FRC student ministry. The enemy was hard at work all week trying to distract and discourage anyone and everyone who played a part in 20 or more kids accepting Christ tonight. Can I just tell you that God has proven Himself time and time again that He will complete the work He started and He is always faithful to show up! Props to Rachel and her 1st impressions team, Duce and the AWESOME student band. Javin you have a tremendous amount of courage and God is soooo using you. Carson the set looked amazing. Liz and the drama team ...... where do I start? If you could have only seen the tears pouring down the faces of your friends and peers as you moved their hearts and showed them what God did for them. Finally to my Chadwick, I never grow tired of hearing you tell teenagers how much God loves them and wants them even when nobody else does. You are a man after God's heart.
Go students! Go team! Go God!

Happy Birthday

Today was a sad day for me. Oct 15th was my Mammaw's birthday. She would have been 88 yrs. old today. My grandmother was such an awesome person. I wish you all could have known her. She was the most unselfish person I have ever met. What I remember most about her is the way she loved and served every person in her life. She worked at a hospital on the children's floor. She had such a way with kids. I remember at Christmas time how many cards she received from parents of patients from years gone by. The impact she had on so many people is still amazing to me. She was the life long care giver to her younger sister with down syndrom who was also an intrical part of my life growing up. When my grandfather was diagnosed with alzhimers she retired to stay home and take care of him. I have so many wonderful memories of being with her. I grew up in Lubbock, Tx. and Mammaw lived right accross town. Every Friday night I spent the night at her house. She taught me how to cross stitch. lol. Oh yeh , and how to peel an orange. We picked grapes from a vine in her back yard and she canned jelly. She wanted to have every story or poem I ever wrote. She loved hearing me sing and play the piano. She was at every important event of my life. She was beautiful and spectacular and witty. I loved her dry sense of humor and her strength! She passed away from cancer 1 month before Cameron was born. I know she would have loved my boys. I'm counting on Pete to tell her all about them. She had 8 grandchildren altogether and we each thought we were her favorite, because she was a favorite to all of us! I am blessed for having her in my life. I am a better person for having known her. I love you mammaw! Cathy ann

The T.V.

When Chad and I were married 12 yrs. ago our first purchase was a t.v. We have carried this t.v. all over the country. We have moved it to Texas, Missouri, Colorado, and now Florida! In the first move all the buttons got scrapped off the front, so we can only turn it on with the original remote. This past year when Cooper was teething he chewed off the channel up and down buttons. Now you have to enter the channel number in that you want to watch. During our move this summer one of the teenagers sat on the t.v. and it cracked all the way down the back. I thought for sure that would be it, but guess what? I plugged it in and it still worked! A few weeks ago I pushed the red button to turn it off but instead it only turns off the sound. Then yesterday I pushed the volume button and it started turning the channels. I'm sorry to say that I think the Swanzy's ghetto t.v. days are numbered!

Got character?

1st wed. was A-mazing! God really spoke to me tonight through Pastor Troy. I am and have always been the type of person who thinks it's my job to right all the wrongs in this world. I was the kid who made sure everything was fair at recess! I see this behavior in Cameron already. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just a more challenging lot in life. I struggle with boundaries on personal conviction and a desire to stand up for those who can't or won't stand up for themselves. Today I pulled the car into the drive way and I as soon as I parked Cameron jumped out and ran two houses over to pick up a piece of dirty trash out of the neighbors yard. As soon as he came back I started to scold him. I said "Cameron, don't pick up other people's dirty trash that's nasty. You will get your hands dirty" He looked up at me and said very matter of fact, "how else are we going to save the earth?" He is his mother's child. Tonight Troy said there is only one vision and there is only one leader, but the people who hold up the vision and the leader must have strong loyalty, strong character, and strong integrity. We have to protect the integrity of the church and the vision. I prayed for Cameron and I on our way to school today and I said,"God help us to have good character today, Amen". Cameron said "carrot juice? why do we have to have good carrot juice?" lol So I explained that good character is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. I know that my God is a just, Holy, and righteous God. He sees us all completely naked!

God's perpetual presence

All day today I have been surrounded by people. At work, at the store, at home, and at small group, from 8am until 11:30 pm. All day today I have felt completely alone. In such a busy world it is difficult to connect with people on a meaningful level. Have you ever felt that way? So many thoughts going through your head, but you're unable to piece them all together to effectively communicate your feelings. Thank God He knows what I need before I even ask. He knows all my frustrations even when I can't put them into words. He feels all my emotion even when I can only express tears. He comforts me even when I don't know how to ask for help. My Father knows ME!
Psalm 139
Lord you have searched me and you know me. You understand my thoughts. You are aware of all my ways. Before I speak a word You know all about it. You have encircled me and placed your hand upon me. (vrs 23) search me God and know my heart test me and know my concerns.

I hope you feel God's presence today and rest in the one who knows you best.