Saturday, May 28, 2011

"Marvelous Lovingkindness"

                                             Great Smoky Mountains


"Marvelous Lovingkindness." Psalm 17:7

Dear Praying Friends and Family,
   Your prayers and kind words for John Mac this week when he took the MCAT were such a blessing to me and to him...and to all those his life will affect down through the years whichever way the LORD directs his life.  Thank you so much for your love and encouragement and prayers.  

        "I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those prayers down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives."  Peter Kraft, professor Boston College."
     
   
     Johnny and I are celebrating our 28th Wedding Anniversary today!  I praise the LORD for HIS marvelous lovingkindness to us and our family in those 28 years and thank HIM for my wonderful husband . I am so blessed by his laying down his life for me, for us, day after day, week after week to love us, lead us in the ways of our LORD, and provide our needs.
      I have truly missed writing you all the past couple of weeks.  I hope that you have missed me:).  GOD has certainly given me the thoughts each week, but the door wasn't opened for me to sit down and write those thoughts down.   Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening  he reminds us how important it is to tell the good things GOD has done for our souls and testify to what we have seen:

Evening: The Combined Witness
"And they rose up the same hour, and returned Jerusalem...and they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them."
--Luke 24:33,35
When the two disciples had reached Emmaus, and were refreshing themselves at the evening meal, the mysterious stranger who had so enchanted them upon the road, took bread and brake it, made Himself known to them, and then vanished out of their sight. They had constrained Him to abide with them, because the day was far spent; but now, although it was much later, their love was a lamp to their feet, yea, wings also; they forgot the darkness, their weariness was all gone, and forthwith they journeyed back the threescore furlongs to tell the gladsome news of a risen Lord, who had appeared to them by the way. They reached the Christians in Jerusalem, and were received by a burst of joyful news before they could tell their own tale. These early Christians were all on fire to speak of Christ's resurrection, and to proclaim what they knew of the Lord; they made common property of their experiences. This evening let their example impress us deeply. We too must bear our witness concerning Jesus. John's account of the sepulchre needed to be supplemented by Peter; and Mary could speak of something further still; combined, we have a full testimony from which nothing can be spared.
We have each of us peculiar gifts and special manifestations; but the one object God has in view is the perfecting of the whole body of Christ. We must, therefore, bring our spiritual possessions and lay them at the apostle's feet, and make distribution unto all of what God has given to us. Keep back no part of the precious truth, but speak what you know, and testify what you have seen. Let not the toil or darkness, or possible unbelief of your friends, weigh one moment in the scale. Up, and be marching to the place of duty, and there tell what great things God has shown to your soul.

    We all can testify to HIS lovingkindness in our lives over and over and over...even those who have lost homes  in these terrible tornadoes testify of HIS goodness and lovingkindness:

    I am so thankful that the huge storms in the DFW  area did not do more damage than they did...so many of you, my dear friends live out there and we were praying for ya'll Tuesday night...thank you, LORD for your mercy and lovingkindness to spare that area and so many of you who live out there.

     A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending a  medical seminar in Duluth, Georgia..  Originally, Johnny and I had planned to go together and he would hang out at the hotel, while I went to the seminar. But, GOD had another plan. One of those unexpected blessed plans was that, Hannah Beth got to come home for the summer!   We  thought she was only going to be home for a brief few days during the time I was going to be in Georgia.  Just the Wednesday before I left on Friday she found out she could come home and take her anatomy classes at our local junior college.  Thank you,  LORD for YOUR marvelous lovingkindness.  GOD lavished HIS love upon me from start to finish  the weekend of the conference, getting 11 year old Maggie Carpenter and I to  Georgia safely where we both had a wonderful time staying with her grandmother, Janet Carpenter.  It rained on us all the way to the other side of Birmingham as we traveled and I was so thankful the skies cleared as we traveled on to Atlanta.   I managed to take a wrong turn off the interstate when we got near our exit...okay several wrong turns, that delayed our arrival about an hour.  Thankfully, Mark Carpenter was on the other end of the phone and was able to guide us safely in.  After that weekend, I have declared i'm going to learn to use our GPS!  Thankfully we arrived safely and Mrs. Carpenter came out to greet us with a warm hug and friendly smile.  She could not have been more attentive and concerned for my special needs the entire weekend.  I was humbled by her thinking of me, and  her wanting to make sure nothing bothered my allergies.  Well, that is impossible, but she did her best.  She had organic food there for us, and made sure she didn't clean with anything that would bother me, or wash the sheets in detergent that would bother me...the only thing she didn't couldn't do anything about was the multitude of beautiful oil paintings that were all over her house that she had painted.  Janet started painting when her son, Mark when to college.  She attended an art class at Emory University and the rest is history!  She has the most beautiful paintings, inspired by CHRIST, adorning her walls.  She says she is a fast painter once she gets going...GOD has truly gifted her and she used that gift to bring HIM glory.
    After we got settled and situated, she took us to the Druid Hills Golf Club http://www.dhgc.org/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp where GOD has used her and her husband, who is now with JESUS, to be missionaries there for him.  We ate in the big casual dining  room,   a delicious meal ...and later we went downstairs so I could use the sauna.  It was definitely one of the nicest places I have had the privilege to sweat in.  Mrs. Carpenter told me about "The Carpenter Cup" a golf tournament at the club named in honor  of her husband.  The money they raised is used for cancer research at  the Emory Medical School where my dear doctor went to med school.  While I saunaed Mrs. Carpenter worked out in the weight room, while Maggie patiently read and waited on us.  They both were so gracious and kind to wait for me each night while I saunaed.  Mrs. Carpenter told me that she challenges people at the club to read the Bible through and when they do she pays them a certain amount as an incentive for doing that.  Just recently the bartender at the club has finished reading the Bible through I believe.  What a great way to encourage others to get into GOD's WORD and read it for themselves.  She also encourages her grandchildren to read the WORD of GOD by rewarding them with money for each book they read.  I was so touched by 11 year old Maggie when I got up early Sat. morning to head to my conference, Maggie was laying in her bed with her study Bible and markers, reading and  studying her Bible,  marking key passages as she read.  It was a real joy for me for Mrs. Carpenter to ride us through the campus of Emory University where my doctor attended med school back in the 60's on our way to and from the golf club. It is a really pretty campus, with it's crosswalks over the street covered in Ivy.  I know this, they sure did a great job of training my doctor and i was honored to see where GOD had provided and led the way for her to go to med school to help equip her to deliver difficult cases like me from the miry pit. 
    The conference I attended was really a blessing...once I arrived.  My "google directions" left a little to be desired and thankfully, Mrs. Carpenter took a look at them the night before to help me find my destination, but again i made a wrong turn.  GOD in HIS marvelous lovingkindness, led me to stop at a gas station and ask directions and the man at the station had taken his little girl to the lab I was going to so he was familiar with it.  After touring Duluth, Georgia unplanned that morning:),  GOD led me to the lab just a couple of minutes or so after it started.  Thank you, JESUS!    The seminar was put on by Metametrix Laboratories (www.metametrix.com) the lab my doctor introduced me to through the various tests she has done on me  to get accurate measurements of nutrient levels in my body, to check the health of my intestines and see what may or may not need balancing or replacing or taken away...such a parasites!  I learned so much about amino acids and how important they are to our body.  These test show specifically where we are lacking and need to replace amino acids.  Did you know much depression is helped by replacing key amino acids?  I also learned about their allergy tests, and how helpful they are in determining what may be causing patients symptoms. I was afraid I would be really intimidated, but GOD's "marvelous lovingkindness," was there for me, and I met several nice people who put me at ease right away.  There was a lot at the conference I didn't understand that first day, and later my niece told me some of the stuff they were talking about had to do with gene tests which she learned about in microbiology.  I told her I was antiquated and we didn't do that when I took micro back in the 80's....wow, i have so much to learn!  It was a full day at the conference, going until about 5:30 that evening.  After I arrived back at Mrs. Carpenters, I heard about the fun and ministry that she and Maggie had had that day.  

                                      Maggie and her grandmother

One of the neat things they had done was go to the hospice home and take Mrs. Carpenter's dog to share with the patients there.  It is trained to do that, and it's neat she even uses her dog as a means of sharing the love of JESUS with others.  Later, she and Maggie went to Neiman Marcus for lunch and shopping and they had a fun time together hanging out all day.  I learned a lot about being a godly and fun grandmother that weekend as I saw Mrs. Carpenter's godly influence and love for her granddaughter.  When I came in, she was sewing and working on some clothes for Maggie to take home with her.  Maggie is one of 8 children, thus far in her wonderful family.  Blessings abounded for me that weekend, and I can't say enough about GOD's "marvelous lovingkindness," and how HE lavished HIS love upon me, every way that I turned.  We went back to the golf club that night to eat and sauna, rode through Emory again, and  enjoyed eating a delicious meal out on the  deck that overlooked the golf course.  The next day, I returned to the seminar for a half of day,  and   Maggie and I had a safe journey home that afternoon, after she and her grandmother  attended church while I was at the conference.  I was blown away by GOD's "marvelous lovingkindness" to me that weekend.  
Author: Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Morning: Favors From the Heart
Evening: The Bands of Love

Morning: Favors From the Heart
"Marvellous lovingkindness."
--Psalm 17:7
When we give our hearts with our alms, we give well, but we must often plead to a failure in this respect. Not so our Master and our Lord. His favours are always performed with the love of His heart. He does not send to us the cold meat and the broken pieces from the table of His luxury, but He dips our morsel in His own dish, and seasons our provisions with the spices of His fragrant affections. When He puts the golden tokens of His grace into our palms, He accompanies the gift with such a warm pressure of our hand, that the manner of His giving is as precious as the boon itself. He will come into our houses upon His errands of kindness, and He will not act as some austere visitors do in the poor man's cottage, but He sits by our side, not despising our poverty, nor blaming our weakness. Beloved, with what smiles does He speak! What golden sentences drop from His gracious lips! What embraces of affection does He bestow upon us! If He had but given us earthings, the way of His giving would have gilded them; but as it is, the costly alms are set in a golden basket by His pleasant carriage.
It is impossible to doubt the sincerity of His charity, for there is a bleeding heart stamped upon the face of all His benefactions. He giveth liberally and upbraideth not. Not one hint that we are burdensome to Him; not one cold look for His poor pensioners; but He rejoices in His mercy, and presses us to His bosom while He is pouring out His life for us. There is a fragrance in His spikenard which nothing but His heart could produce; there is a sweetness in His honey-comb which could not be in it unless the very essence of His soul's affection had been mingled with it. Oh! the rare communion which such singular heartiness effecteth! May we continually taste and know the blessedness of it!


     After getting to spend one night in my bed, (I slept in my car during the weekend-too many oil paintings i think to stay inside), our family, minus John Mac who had to work, and plus my niece, Corinne, headed for Gatlinburg the next morning.  That was pretty overwhelming and amazing for this old gal who has a hard time traveling.  But GOD's grace was sufficient, and somehow, we got everything together and in the car, with a few words of dissension i might add:)...we were on our way.  GOD graciously allowed us to make the four hour trip safely and we stopped at Smoky Mountain Knifeworks http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/main_front.jsp on the way in...Johnny's favorite store up there.  We checked into the Norma Dan motel http://www.normadanmotel.com/)  across from the Dixie  Stampede http://www.dixiestampede.com/ in Pigeon Forge before heading up to Gatlinburg to eat at "Bubba Gumps."  It was delicious and one of our favorite places to eat up there. It was cool and rainy while we were there most of the week, and after we ate, the girls, and I were ready to head back to the motel.  I bedded down in the back in the car, and except of getting cold a few times, I slept great in the car each night.  I did get cold that first night and thankfully I had plenty to keep me warm, my long underwear underneath my pajamas, a sweatshirt over my pj's, and a fleece pullover.  I couldn't move but I was warm.  I headed up to the room in the mornings to get warm by the heater.
       Tuesday, the girls slept late, and I went for a walk along the river that runs through town and walked down to the Old Mill Restaurant, where there is a large old paddle wheel turning.  I went in a few stores, and on my way back, I stopped to look at the horses at Dixie Stampede.  One of the workers was mucking the stalls, and she talked to me about the horses, and we talked about her journey and how she got there.  She was a wildlife major, out of a job, and when her boyfriend moved to the Smokies to get a wildlife job in the park, she moved with him, and got a job at the Dixie Stampede.  We talked a good while, and Hannah Beth came and joined me.  When I left I shared a tract with her, and I pray the LORD will use it in her life to bring her to JESUS.  After Hannah Beth ran, and I walked in the rain by now...we returned to the motel, got ready to head back up to Gatlinburg for a lunch of pancakes at "The Ole Pantry" where we always like to go while we're in the Smokies...i love their buckwheat pancakes...yummy!  After we ate, Johnny and the girls went to the Ripley's Aquarium and i headed up the mountain to the beautiful place to sauna the LORD has provided for me through the years at the Highlands http://www.highlandscondos.com/.  The sauna is located right next to the pool that overlooks the beautiful Smoky Mountains and I love to go up there for the view and for the sauna.  When I went in to turn the sauna on the knob was missing and I couldn't get it to turn on...i thought on no, the sauna is broken, and I won't be able to use it any more.  I went to the office to ask about it, and thank them for letting me sauna there, I sure was hoping they would let me continue using their sauna since I hadn't asked in a while, i just went.  Thankfully, the man at the office, was more than gracious, and the maintenance man was standing right there.  He went straight away, got the knob from the men's sauna and put it on and turned the sauna on...  What a blessing to be able to sauna in the luxurious club in Georgia the weekend before, and now this week, the beautiful Smoky Mountains. ..GOD's loving favor and marvelous lovingkindness to me.  After I saunaed and showered, and headed back down the mountain, I stopped in the NOC store http://thegreatsmokeymountainsparkway.com/_shoppi/nantahala_outdoor_center_the_great_outpost_gatlinburg_tn.htm , my favorite store in the Smokey's before going to pick up Johnny and Hannah Beth and Corinne at the Aquarium.  That evening, we went to the Dixie Stampede, Hannah Beth's favorite show, and  dinner...cornish hens, pork, rolls, corn on the cob, and apple pastries they pass out during the show and you eat with your hands.  Johnny bought us seats up close and it really was fun to be able to see the horses and pigs, buffaloes, and people up close.  I enjoyed it the best I ever have.  
    The next day  was Johnny's birthday.  I got the girls up, and we headed to Greenbriar, one of my favorite areas of the park, and took a picnic lunch.  We ended up eating it in the car, due to the picnic tables being wet, but that was fine, it was just a great joy to me to get the girls out in the woods a little bit and enjoy a picnic together.   That afternoon, I took the girls back up to Gatlinburg to go to the Ripley's Museum, and I headed for the Gatlinburg trail, just at the end of town there.  If you are ever up there and want a nice walk in the woods along the river right there at Gatlinburg, this is the one i recommend.  It is a beautiful, easy walk along the river and through the woods that takes you to the Sugarland's Visitor's Center http://www.mysmokymountainvacation.com/sugarlands.html.  I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed that walk by the river as it flowed over the rocks.  The  gravel trail takes you  by several old home places where just the chimney or rock fence is left but you can imagine what it was like to live there in those mountains in the not so long ago past.  The trail takes you buy the Ranger Center, and I saw the cages where they trap bears that have gotten too friendly or wander into places they shouldn't be.  I walked past an old cemetery and saw several graves, many of them infants, some teenagers, most dying pretty young.  The mountain life was a hard life and where we come and have vacation, others worked and lived, and cried and celebrated life and buried their young.  I went into the Visitor's Center...i love to look around in there, and they have a room that has lots of stuff animals from the park if you're there, and sat down for a few minutes.  Hannah Beth called and told me that Corinne wasn't feeling well, so I headed back down the trail, 2 miles, and went and picked them up. 

                                       Corinne and Hannah Beth at Greenbriar

      After we got back, we all rested and took naps, and then headed off to Mellow Mushroom for Johnny's birthday and to play putt putt that night at Old MacDonald's Farm.  Did you know Mellow Mushroom has gluten free pizza...just a tidbit for those like me eating gluten free-it was good too!  Playing putt putt was a lot of fun...all of us playing together, and they got a kick out of laughing at me. I thought the course was neat with all the farm animals, albeit fake ones, but it was was still neat with the sound effects and all.  Afterwards, we went in the arcade a few minutes where Dad lead the way in killing the gators...he remains the "king" at that beating all of us. We stopped at Baskin Robbins on the way back, i thought to get some sugar free ice cream.  We ended up eating an ice cream cake for Johnny's birthday, and I forgot all about my gluten free diet and the sugar free ice cream!  We had a great time that night laughing and being together.
    The next day, I dropped the girls off at Dollywood, Johnny rested, and I headed for Laurel Falls,  http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm, my new trail for the trip.  I try to do a new trail each time I go to the Smokey's and this is the one the LORD graciously gave me this time...Wow am i glad that HE led my steps to this trail.  I wasn't that excited about it because I thought it might be too busy since it was paved, but it was an awesome walk and I see why it is so popular.  As you walk along the path that winds up the mountains, the mountain laurel was blooming all along the trail...thus why it's called Laurel Falls. 
Mountain Laurel blooms along the trail



 I felt so blessed to be able to come exactly when we did so we could see the mountain laurel blooming.  See the pictures of the beautiful mountain laurel blooms.  I felt the best I ever have on a hike in the Smokies, and when I got to the beautiful falls, I was very thankful to feel so well. 


Beautiful Laurel Falls in the Great Smokey Mountains




 I stopped and admired the falls a few minutes before walking on up the trail which quickly turns into a regular path, not paved, and takes you into the old growth forest where the logger's in the 30's never reached.  After walking a little ways up that path, i decided to turn around and head back.  It was a nice walk down, and I enjoyed stopping at the falls again, along with several others, and I enjoyed talking to a lady from New York.  Her little dog, Misty, was with her, and we talked about her dog's health issues, which were similar to mine.  The LORD really spoke to me along the trail and confirmed to me that He was leading me in this path of learning about these tests and opening other doors to help others as I have been helped.  I wondered how many people would have like to have been able to take that hike but couldn't, like I have not been.  There were days we used to pass the walking trail in front of our local high school and I wondered if I would ever be able to walk around it?  GOD's marvelous lovingkindness has enabled me to do that now and much, much more, and how I praise HIM.  Yes, I am still on this journey and will be until I go home to be with JESUS, but how I thank HIM for the health HE has restored to me, and the education and all that I have received along the way.  
    After my hike, I went up the mountain again to sauna, back by the NOC store, and then joined Johnny in the room.  We later went to pick up the girls, and out to the Olive Garden that evening.  After we ate, we headed back to the room and the girls went to the Titanic exhibit.  They said it was really good, and they told lots of courageous stories about the people who were on the ship.
    I will have to say, I was ready to head home the next day.  My body was weary from being in  a different environment for the past seven days, and I sure had missed my dog, and my bed!  GOD in HIS marvelous lovingkindness did the sweetest thing for me and my dog.  I was concerned about my dog getting lonely during the day time while we were away, since John Mac was at work.  My sweet neighbor, Trisha Black went over and got Troy  and took him home to her house to spend the evenings with her family.   She sent me a picture of Troy at the house with them the evening we arrived in Gatlinburg and it made me feel so much better about leaving him.  John Mac kept him too when he wasn't at work, and later in the week, my in laws kept Troy for us so he had a vacation too.  GOD, once again being faithful to keep HIS promises, took care of my little dog...and our big ones, and our cat..."HE will perfect that which concerns me." Psalm 138:3.
    That is a good place to wind this email up...as I think about GOD's "marvelous lovingkindness," and HIS faithfulness to perfect what concerns us.  There is a lot going on in our world, big things, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes...these tornadoes and floods have affected almost everyone who receives these emails.  Through the devastation, the loss of lives, the loss of pets, homes, we are seeing and experiencing so many heartbreaking stories.  At the same time, GOD's marvelous lovingkindness is in the midst of the pain and suffering and HE is working out HIS perfect plan through all the breaking and shattering.
‎"We may be quite sure that the CREATOR, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, does not allow any breaking and shattering process in our lives without design." Hannah Hurnard, "Winged Life"

"Create in me a pure heart, O GOD, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O GOD, YOU will not despise." Psalm 51:10, 17

   My own life is a picture of GOD's breaking and shatterings. GOD allowed my health to be broken and shattered as a young woman and I suffered greatly from a sickness that has taken me down many trails to find the help I needed.   HE continues to weave HIS marvelous plan as HE restores my health and equips me to help others as I have been helped.  HE weaves HIS plan in all of HIS children's lives, for those who have come to know CHRIST through faith and repentance,  for good and not for evil, no matter what happens to us on this earth.  As Oswald Chambers say, "GOD engineers our circumstances," and this gives me great peace.  "The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18.  In HIS marvelous lovingkindness, HE reveals HIMself to us so much during the times of heartache and grief, and saves us.  There are so many who are crushed in spirit through these difficult storms and days we're living in.  May we all be faithful to remember them in their prayers, and do what we can to lighten their load, or the load of those right in our own household by encouraging them and strengthening them with the thought's of "GOD's marvelous lovingkindness," and how very much HE loves you and me. 


 Please remember these families and all who have lost loved ones in the recent storms that have hit our land and around the world. 

     GOD has kept bringing a song to my heart these past few weeks that i haven't heard in years called, "The Only Real Peace," sung by Candy Hemphill Christmas.  Johnny and I used to listen to it in his seminary days on our trips home from Texas. I just looked it up on you tube and there it was... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uikXpdWfzBc.  I hope you'll take time to listen to it, and  be blessed and comforted by it's words as I am when life doesn't seem to make sense.   

        Thank you again so much for your prayers for John Mac.   Please remember HB and I as we  both start to school this Tuesday.  She will be taking anatomy classes, and I will be taking PreCalculus and we both need your prayers.  I have been accepted into the senior year of nursing school at UAH...i can't remember if I told you that or not. If GOD provides the way, I will proceed with that...otherwise, I will wait until the right timing.  HE knows what is best for our lives.  GOD has opened so many doors for me, even this week, and I am holding on to see what HE's going to do next in HIS" marvelous lovingkindness"
With all HIS love,
 mitzi


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Friday, May 6, 2011

JESUS CHRIST our "SAFE-T-SHELTER"

;He who dwells in the SHELTER of the MOST HIGH will abide in the SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY.  I will say to the LORD, "My REFUGE and my FORTRESS.  My GOD, in whom I trust!" Psalm 91:1-2

Dearest Praying Friends and Family,
    Your calls and emails asking about our family meant so much to us last week after the tornadoes...thank you so much for your love and concern.  GOD was so GRACIOUS to our family and friends through the tornadoes...and we are so blessed.  Before I go any further, i want to  share a few prayer requests, and then jump right in to the email, which i tried and tried to write last weekend but the LORD would not allow me to complete it until now.  

    Prayer Requests
  •  All those who lost loved ones, and homes in the tornadoes and those assisting them.  Pray for open hearts to the LORD JESUS, for spiritual and physical needs to be met.
  •  My sis in law, Wendy, who is recovering from surgery this week.
  • Darlene, my friend who has cancer.  I had lunch with her last week, the day of the tornadoes, and she looked great and is feeling good.  Please keep up the prayers for her and her family.
  • Hannah Beth has finals this upcoming week.  She will be coming home next Thurs. for a few days before the summer semester.
  • All those who are missing their Mom's this Mother's Day.

     And now for the rest of the email...

        I just got off the phone with the man from SAFE-T-Shelter, the company we bought our fiberglass storm shelter from back in the 90's.  Last week, as we took refuge in the shelter three times from the deadly tornadoes that ripped through our county and state, we noticed a few items that needed maintenance inside the shelter...like a new gasket around the handle where water was leaking in in the torrential downpour, and a new hook to make sure the heavy door didn't fly open if a tornado did hit.  I was a little nervous about that...since we lost the old hook, and all we had was the regular door latch to hold the door down.   
  
     It hasn't been three weeks ago that I ask my husband, "Could we just get rid of that old storm shelter,"  in our back yard.  I was tired of cleaning it out each year from spiders (black widows really like around the door edges), ants, and now it seemed more and more water was leaking inside it.  No one really wanted to go down in there unless it was cleaned out.  Thankfully, Johnny didn't listen to me, and instead brought home one of his workers to clean it up for us.  He sprayed it down good inside with orange oil and killed the ants and spiders (temporarily), dried the water out of it, and got it in good shape.  I am so thankful for GOD putting it in my husband's heart to clean out the shelter...little did I know that three weeks later  we would be seeking shelter in that SAF-T -SHELTER from the deadly tornadoes that devastated our state last Weds.  GOD was so gracious and kept our families, and most of our friends and loved ones safe from the storms.  Many were without power for a few days, and lost much of their food in their freezers and refrigerators...but even that was a blessing.  We enjoyed having several come and shower at our house, and getting to visit with friends we haven't seen in awhile in our makeshift "bread and breakfast."   My brother and his wife visited after being without electricity for two days and couldn't wait to have "ice" and a glass of cold tea.  My brother couldn't wait to check his email.  My sister in law said they had enjoyed having time to sit around as a family on the front porch and talk without the TV, without work, and they grilled out some of the food that was in their freezer...pork chops, corn on the cob and something else yummy.  Even though they enjoyed the family time together, when they got an offer to go an stay where their was electricity, they jumped on it.

     However, many not only lost their electricity, they lost their homes, their lives, or lives of their loved ones.  So many of us were just on the edge of where the tornadoes hit.  My Dad told me the tornado damage begin down the street in their neighborhood...the half mile wide tornado that the weather men said was headed right towards Calhoun College where Mom and Dad live a half mile away.  Mom and Dad took shelter in their basement several times, and i am so thankful the storm was just north of them about a half mile...and missed their home.    However, it took the same path it took in the 1974 tornadoes that did so much destruction in our state, and ripped through Beulah Land, Lawson's trailer court, and Rosie Rd...destroying many of the same houses and much of the trailer park.  After the 74 tornadoes, in which my Daddy in law who was the sheriff then was a hero, a  huge storm cellar was put in at the trailer court.   The cellar was full when the F-5 tornado roared through the park last Weds.   Because of the devastation over 37 years ago, lives were saved this time around...life was born out of death.
    . 
 10And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
         For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.Psalm 9:10
       
       There are so many,many stories I have already heard of GOD protecting my loved ones from the storms...the tornadoes hit in the neighborhood of not only my parents, but two of my friends  who lived in the East Limestone area.  Though many houses were blown away in their neighborhood, GOD allowed their homes to remain.  My friend Betty Dean Newman lives in the Canebrake Community where many of our church friends live.  The E-5 storm roared through just to the south of their neighborhood before flattening Bethel Church of CHRIST and hitting home on McCulley Mill Road and flattening many nice huge homes in East Limestone.  It missed my niece's house and our old church, New Life Baptist by a half mile or so before it roared through Harvest and destroyed many homes  and in the Anderson Hills neighborhood which is a few miles away from my Uncle Mickey's Business on Hwy 53. Anderson Hills had been hit by a tornado back in the 90's.  So many of our friends from New Life Baptist were so very close to the EF-5 tornado. One family's home was blown away, another was flooded, and others damaged. I thank GOD for keeping each and every one of you safe.

"Always be joyful.  Always keep praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is GOD's will for you." I Thess. 5:16-18 TLB

    Many of our college students from church were in college at Tuscaloosa and miraculously none of them were killed.  Dr. Joe Cannon, whose daughter Lacey and Hannah Beth are the same age, got up Sunday night during a special prayer service, and thanked GOD for saving the life of his baby girl, who ran into a closet on top floor of her house in Tuscaloosa, and the dog laid on top of her.  The tornado hit, taking the other half of the top story of the house Lacy was in,leaving Lacy and her dog safe. 

"YOU are my hiding place; YOU preserve me from trouble;  YOU surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7


 One of the coaches in our county from Ardmore lost his little girl in the tornadoes at Tuscaloosa.  Please be in prayer for their family.

  Here is an account of one of the students who was in his apartment when the tornado hit:  

http://blog.al.com/wire/2011/05/tuscaloosa_tornado_experience.html#cmpid=v2mode_be_smoref_face



If you're on facebook you can see the account of a family who ran to their bathroom and the tornado hit: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2000731544766&comments



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIFFBQykxsc&feature=share  This is an aerial view of Limestone County where we live after the tornadoes hit.


  For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat;
         For the breath of the ruthless is like a rain storm against a wall." Isaiah 25:4



http://media.al.com/spotnews/photo/503tornadojpg-74378895fa925c93.jpg-Tracking the tornadoes paths.  Click on the picture and it will enlarge the map. You can see where the rated the tornado through here the same that wiped Phil Campbell out...149 dead there, and EF-5.  We are so blessed, and that is what you hear so many people saying...even those whose homes were blown away.  It is so inspiring to hear people praising GOD so openly and unashamedly.   

Taranda Greene sang, "We Are So Blessed" with the Gaither Homecoming Choir just a few weeks after her husband Tony died...it is so appropriate now and always to give praise to our heavenly FATHER who loves us so much......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jREx4JBzR0



     Last Sunday morning during Sunday School, our pastor was taking count of those in our class and church who had been affected by the tornadoes.  We spent much of the time in prayer, praying for those who have been so affected by the storms.  Tanjie Nash, a member of our class, cousin was killed from the tornadoes as she was coming home from work, traveling up Hwy. 31 the road Mom and Dad live on. Her cousin, was a sister in the LORD, and immediately the LORD delivered her up into heaven into HIS presence.  Please remember her son and dear family in your prayers.

 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
    And rescues them." Psalm 34:7


   
       My dear friend Wanda's son in law, John Conway, was traveling the same road along the same time, and saw the tornado, and turned around quickly and headed back down 31.  A police officer was backing down 31 as fast as he could at the same time after seeing the tornado.  GOD graciously spared our town, Athens. 

0for it is written,
         HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,'Luke 4:10


 First Baptist Church has been set up as a Red Cross Shelter a place where people can come and get hot meals, showers, clothes, toiletries, water, sleep and get spiritual encouragement.  What a blessing to see our friends at church were safe from the tornadoes and to see the body working together to serve three meals a day and help those who are hurting from these storms.  Several of the churches are serving three meals a day and sending out hot meals to those who are out in the county working to pick up what's left. In some cases there aren't many pieces left to pick up-they have been blown away.

 "Though HE slay me, yet will I trust in HIM." Job 13:15

"Have we come to the place where GOD can withdraw HIS blessings and it does not affect our trust in HIM?" 

                                                                                                                 -Oswald Chambers


    Yesterday, i had the blessing of spending a little time helping the Limestone Co. Southern Baptist Disaster relief team.  Oh, believe me, i didn't do much at all, I really didn't since i arrived between meals.  I maybe gave a couple of bottles of water and other miscellaneous stuff, but the blessing was mine to see this committed group of workers who had set up camp on the parking lot of Capshaw Baptist to cook three meals a day for workers, for the homeless, and whoever needed food and water and other supplies.  They are trained volunteers who actually sleep there and stay for as long as they are needed pouring out the love of JESUS CHRIST in whatever ways they can.  They also have a team who is out cutting down trees and hauling away brush, and they have chaplains who minister spiritual encouragement.  It just really blesses me to see the body of CHRIST in action sharing GOD's love.  This morning I read this verse and words from Oswald Chambers and it really blessed me...that even giving out a couple of bottles of water in JESUS' name are ways that HE can use us to be a blessing to others:

‎"And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, he shall in no wise lose his reward." Matt. 10:42
"We look for visions from heaven, and we never dream that all the time GOD is in the commonplace things and people around us. If we will do the duty that lies nearest, we shall see HIM." Oswald Chambers


    I have thought  and pondered much about JESUS being our refuge and shelter from the storms of life this week and how HE wants us to run to HIM and take shelter in HIM for all that HE allows to come into our lives...I have shared with you above some of GOD's grace in ministering to those HE did allow the tornadoes to strike and how HE pours out HIS lovingkindness and grace and mercy to us through the body of CHRIST, through HIS Word, HIS peace and comfort and so many ways when the tornadoes do hit in our lives, whether they are an EF-5, or something on a smaller scale...HE is there to be our refuge, our fortress, our ROCK and strong tower.           

                                           Psalm 91 
Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.

    1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

         Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 
    2I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
         My God, in whom I trust!" 
    3For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
         And from the deadly pestilence. 
    4He will cover you with His pinions,
         And under His wings you may seek refuge;
         His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 
    5You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
         Or of the arrow that flies by day; 
    6Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
         Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. 
    7A thousand may fall at your side
         And ten thousand at your right hand,
         But it shall not approach you. 
    8You will only look on with your eyes
         And see the recompense of the wicked. 
    9For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
         Even the Most High, your dwelling place. 
    10No evil will befall you,
         Nor will any plague come near your tent. 
    11For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
         To guard you in all your ways. 
    12They will bear you up in their hands,
         That you do not strike your foot against a stone. 
    13You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
         The young lion and the serpent you will trample down. 
    14"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
         I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. 
    15"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
         I will be with him in trouble;
         I will rescue him and honor him. 
    16"With a long life I will satisfy him
         And let him see My salvation."


We sang  "A Mighty Fortress is Our GOD"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4H-iWayY5M by  Christy Nockels song in church not long ago, while Deborah Roberts read Psalm 91...it has become even more meaningful to me since the tornadoes hit.


    He cannot and will not forsake us, who are not only HIS sons and daughters but also the dwelling-places of HIS only begotten SON." Elisabeth Elliot, www.elisabethelliot.org

    "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
      

      Late Wednesday afternoon, when the tornado warning went off, this was the third time we took cover after starting at 4:30a.m. that morning going to my in-laws basement. Johnny said we needed to get in the storm shelter with urgency in his voice.  He was ushering me to the back door with our blanket and weather radio, flashlight, and "Troy," our Maltipoo, in my arms.   As I opened the door, the lightening flashed right on top of us it seemed and i exclaimed, "We can't go out there...we'll get struck by lightening!"  Let's  get in the bathtub!  Johnny went up front, i guess to get another look at where the tornado was headed and said, "Let's get in the shelter NOW!!!"  So i didn't ask any questions and we went straight away to the storm shelter in the pouring rain in our backyard. Thankfully, the lightening had let up.   Our neighbor's, Shane and Trish and their two children were already in there.  Shane said when he was on his way home from work, debris was flying in the air all around him, and he came in and they headed for our storm shelter.  It was comforting to have our neighbor's inside  with us.  It rained really hard, and hailed...and in a little while it was okay to go out.  We weren't out of the shelter long, before another warning was issued, and we met Shane and Trisha back inside the shelter again.  I'm not sure which time the EF-5 roared through about 3 miles or so from our house...and i heard later there were other tornadoes spotted over the courthouse but they didn't touch down...there were 100 or so that day in Alabama alone. 

    2The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
         My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
         My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2



      Something the LORD has kept on my mind this week, much on my mind  is that storm shelter...that old storm shelter that I wanted to get rid of because it was too much trouble to mess with, was our salvation from the storms.  I almost rejected the storm cellar when the big tornado was nearby, because i was afraid, but the bathtub in our house  wasn't near as safe.  How many reject the salvation of CHRIST JESUS for false "shelters," in which they perish...."shelters," of money, pride, false religions, or put off making a decision for CHRIST.  My heart has been broken over the devastation that I have seen and heard about with the tornadoes across our state...but something that continues to haunt me, is that all those who are not in the "SAFE-T-SHELTER" of JESUS CHRIST, and have rejected HIS sacrifice for our sins on the cross, will face eternal damnation of their souls, burning in hell fire forever and ever.

    In Mark 9:47 JESUS says, " And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of GOD with one eye than to have too eyes and be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched."

   "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

    John 3:16  has become more real to me than it ever has this past week as i have reflected on those will perish who are outside the "SAFE-T-SHELTER"  of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  So many choose the "bathtub"  or ignore the warnings like we read the college student did above.  That didn't keep the tornado from hitting, and neither will putting off a decision for CHRIST in our lives, keep destruction from happening to us. Someone said this week, that JESUS talked about hell over 300 times in the New Testament...HE loves us so much and HE gave HIS life and rose from the dead to be our shelter from the peril that is before us...to save us from the wrath of destruction for our sins.  

    "You shall call HIS name JESUS, for HE will save HIS people from their sins."Matt. 1:21

    "YOU know that HE appeared to take away sins.-That we might die to sin and live to righteousness.-Consequently, HE is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to GOD through HIM." I John 3:5

   "But HE was wounded for our transgressions; HE was crushed for our iniquities; upon HIM was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with HIS stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5,6.

When that tornado roared through, there was not time to put off making a decision about getting in the SAFE-T-SHELTER.  You and I are not promised tomorrow.   My prayer, my earnest plea is that if you have never surrendered your life to CHRIST and repented of your sins that you will do that today.  It is not HIS will that any should perish, but all who are not safe in the SHELTER of THE ALMIGHTY will perish and will burn forever and ever.

20The LORD keeps all who love Him,
         But all the wicked He will destroy." Psalm 145:20

   Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 

    Our safety, our salvation is in CHRIST JESUS, and that sure has been driven home to me these past few days.  I hope that it is a lesson that will burn deeply in my heart, that I would warn others to "flee from the wrath that is to come." Luke 3:7

    I read this article written by Joel Rosenburg and it goes right along with what the LORD has laid on my heart this week:


OSAMA BIN LADEN NOW IN HELL

Posted: May 2, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized
The long American nightmare is over. Osama bin Laden has been brought to justice, killed in Pakistan yesterday by U.S. commandos after a decade-long hunt. Justice has been served. But let’s be clear: bin Laden is not now in Paradise with 72 virgins.
Bin Laden was a fanatical Radical Sunni Muslim. He hated the Lord Jesus Christ. He hated and cursed Christians and Jews. He murdered Christians and Jews and others; recruited, trained and deployed thousands of others Muslims to murder Christians, Jews and others; and pursued a life of sheer evil defiance of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Unless he truly and sincerely repented at the last possible moment and received Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior — unlikely given the speed of the raid — he is now burning in the fires of Hell.
In the days ahead, I’ll analyze how the death of bin Laden could affect the U.S., Israel and the world. But it is important to first understand the conclusion of his life. Bin Laden was deeply religious and deeply sincere, I have no doubt. But he was sincerely wrong, and the Bible teaches there is a consequence to defying the One True God.
Hell is not a topic much discussed in our world today, even by many Christians. Some pastors choose not to teach what the Bible says about Hell. One high-profile American pastor, Rob Bell, recently published a book — Love Wins – denying that Hell is real. “A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better,” writes Bell. “It’s been clearly communicated to many that this belief is a central truth of the Christian faith and to reject it is, in essence, to reject Jesus. This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus’ message of love, peace, forgiveness, and joy that our world desperately needs to hear.”
As difficult as it is to conceive of such a place of eternal torment — indeed, no one wants to think about it — its reality is exactly what the Bible teaches. Indeed, since Jesus was God incarnate — all-seeing, all-knowing, all-loving — He knew all too well the reality of Hell. He came to Earth to pay the penalty for our sins and to rescue all who would follow Him from having to spend their eternity there. In fact, Jesus taught more about Hell than He did about heaven. Why? Because He loved all people so much that He wanted to save the from eternal damnation. He wanted them to understand the choice of rejecting the Messiah. And He wanted to give each of us a way of escape, if only we would say yes by faith.
  • Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
  • Jesus said in Mark 9:43, “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into Hell, into the unquenchable fire.”
  • Jesus said to corrupt, hypocritical religious leaders in Matthew 23:33, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of Hell?”
  • Jesus said in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish [die and be condemned to suffer in Hell forever and ever and ever], but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
  • Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-39, “Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven…..He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life who lose it [in Hell], and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it [in heaven].”
Hell is real. And it’s not only mass murderers like bin Laden who go there. The Bible says that unless we receive Jesus as our Savior and accept His payment for our sins, we will all end up there. May you choose eternal life instead. Why not today?

   I want to finish this email with the old hymn..."The OLD RUGGED CROSS"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za1-e9zuGV0 , sung by Alan Jackson. The CROSS reminds me of our old storm shelter, "SAFE-T-SHELTER" that i wanted to toss out...so many want to toss out the old rugged cross, saying it's old fashioned, antiquated, or they don't want to come by the way of the cross, they want to make up their own rules for salvation instead of coming through faith and repentance in JESUS CHRIST....and yet, it is the old rugged cross that CHRIST JESUS died upon to pay for our sins and obtained our salvation.  Oh, LORD JESUS, help me to cling to the old rugged cross, to realize the value of it more and more and more and exchange it someday for a crown. Help me and all who take time to read this email to be passionate about sharing YOUR salvation with those who are perishing.  Help us to "Rescue the Perishing, care for the dying, JESUS is merciful, JESUS will save." 

"The one thing we cannot do, we who have tasted of HIS love and grace, and been lifted out of the darkness and brought into all joy and power of knowing HIM, is to sit back comfortably and leave HIM alone in the task of searching for the lost." 
                                                                             -Hannah Hurnard

"If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one?...In the same way your FATHER in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones be lost." Matt. 18:12


   
    I'm thankful that the parts for the "Safe T Shelter"  will be on their way soon and I won't have to worry about the door flying off if a tornado hits or the water leaking inside...though i will be wary of the black widows:).  That's one thing we don't have to worry about in CHRIST JESUS....our salvation in HIM is never in doubt, we cannot loose our salvation in CHRIST, nothing can "suck" us out through the door.

     JESUS said in John 10:28:  "I give eternal life to you and you shall never perish.  No one can snatch you out of MY hand.  My FATHER who has given you to me is greater than all and no one is able to snatch you out of the FATHER's hand." John 10:28-29. 

      Praise JESUS, no leaky or missing parts in our salvation in HIM...we are safe in the arms of JESUS. "The eternal GOD is your REFUGE and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33:27
     Please continue to remember us all the workers and those who have lost so much in the tornadoes in your prayers.  Please pray for us to be sensitive to how GOD wants to use us to reach out to those suffering around us.  

       Don't forget Mother's Day this Sunday...My Mom, in the picture at her 80th birthday is planning to go to the cemetery to take flowers to honor her Mother, and I hope to go with her this weekend.  As someone recently said, at a women's conference i went to...even if you don't have the best relationship with your Mom, you are going to miss her when she is not here, so make the most of your time together  and be thankful for the Mom GOD gave you.  She is the one that GOD picked out for you to care for you and shape and mold you into who you are for HIM.  I am so thankful for my dear Mother...weak she has been, but GOD has been so strong through her weaknesses and used her to love and care for me and  my brothers and sister and teach us about JESUS' love for us.  So many of you would love to have just one more day together with your Mom on earth...may the LORD comfort and encourage your hearts  with the hope that we have in CHRIST , that one day we will be reunited with those who are safe in HIS love, JESUS CHRIST our SAFE-T-SHELTER.

                                                                                          Sheltered in the ARMS of HIS love,
                                                                                                         mitzi  

                                                                                                
                                                                        

   A couple of ways you can donate to the tornado relief effort in Alabama:  

www.Samaritan's Purse.com

http://www.alsbom.org/tornadorelief 

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