Jesus Took me to my Knees

I have been estatic that the Christmas season is coming up. Normally I am one of those people that wait until after Thanksgiving to set up my Christmas decor; however, this year because we got so many new Christmas things AND since it is our first Christmas as a married couple, I could not wait! Soooo... this weekend I started with getting a tree from my grandparents (They were hoarding at least 5 of them in their garage so they were happy to spare one for the Willett family). I am very excited for our 7 ft pre-lit tree to get put up this week!!

I got home last night after youth group @ church and was too impatient to wait for Jeremy to get home before I took the ornaments down from the laundry closet. As I stood on my tip toes trying to pull down a box from the third shelf, I had an experience like one I've never had before....Jesus took me to my knees!

I did not know that sometime last year after Christmas, I had placed a rather large candle and large porcalein Jesus figure on top of the box but pushed them back enough where they would not fall off. In the middle of my shaking the box to ease it down, I threw the candle and Jesus figure off balance and they wacked me on the head.

Stars were flying.

The room was spinning.

I was crying out.

And my Jesus figure...was broken all over my kitchen floor...from my skull.

All I could do was attempt to stagger to my cell phone across the room to call my brother just in case I needed assistance. One call from me saying that Jesus almost knocked me out made Zack, my mother, grandmother, and Jeremy burst into laughter.

The more we thought of this situation, the funnier it did become. Could you imagine me having to go to the hospital from a concussion from Jesus. I would be in a first class seat to behavioral health, I'm sure.

But, this situation did lead me to a conclusion, along with a mild concussion possibly- I think the Lord was telling me to wait for my husband to come home and do this work for me.

Worship Music Wednesday

This Wednesday I thought that I would ask another person their favorite Praise and Worship song for the week. Who better to ask, than my fiance, who sings random songs constantly. Normally on Sundays, one of the songs we sing in church will stick in his head and throughout the next week you can hear him singing a verse or two at random times. This week it was a song that we heard in the car on the way to Raleigh for dinner Saturday night. "Mighty to Save" is a song that Jeremy heard last summer for the first time and he has been singing since. When I asked him today what song he enjoyed most he was quick to answer- the one me and Todd were singing that time. I knew exactly what he was talking about. "That time" was one night that we had dinner at our friends, the Hallows. Jeremy along with their brother in law-Todd were in the kitchen singing this song as we prepared dinner. I too enjoy this song and find myself singing loud in the car when it comes on the radio. So this week, my praise and worship song, or really Jeremy's praise and worship song is "Mighty to Save" performed below by Hillsong.

My Baptism Scripture

This past Sunday I was baptized at Oakmont Baptist Church here in Greenville. I joined the church a couple of months ago and this experience was something that words can not explain. So rather than explaining how I felt, I thought that I would just share the scripture my pastor read to me while I was in the water waiting to be "dunked"

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

My Mom - Miss Anne

My mother- also known to many as- Miss Anne is one of a kind. She possesses many of the characteristics of the woman that I thrive to become. She is caring, nuturing, strong willed, selfless, and loving. She is creative, trendy, giving, serving, and considerate. She is hard working, funny, protective of others (especially her children), thoughtful, organized, and beautiful...and these are only a few!

Growing up I can remember my mother being at every PTA meeting, dance recital/competiton, soccer game, cheerleading event, band performance/parade, pageant appearance, basketball/softball/volleyball game, art exhibition, etc. events- and those were just mine. The list continues when you add in all the things my brother was involved in. Since leaving home after high school- my mother was the first to have groceries ready waiting on me, always had open ears to listen when I was stressed out, still at all dance performances, always willing to pack to bag to head to Greenville/Raleigh if I needed her- and the first to cry when I pulled out of the driveway to head back to school. Now she's first in line to help me plan my wedding, head interior decorator to my home, available to give advice on me growing and changing, still packs her bags to come visit and to come to hear me sing in church and still crying when I leave to go back. She's done all of this- while still juggling a full time job, being an awesome wife (according to my Dad), going each weekend to our grandparents in Burlington to assist with my grandmother, keeping a beautiful home cleaned and decorated to the T, being a great cook, and still the most put together woman I know.

She has touched the lives of many through her work at the Whiteville United Methodist Preschool, Body Beautiful, and now at Shoreland Nursing Facility. In my eyes-these people don't even half way understood the blessing from God they have recieved by having my mom in their lives.

I don't know how many times I have told my mother that I love her and that I am so thankful for all the things that she has done, taught, and contineus to do for/teach me. But I do know that each night I thank God for providing me with a mother that exemplifies what a mother should be.

Worship Music Wednesday

"Find You Waiting" by Decemberadio has been a favorite of mine for over a year now. It never gets old, the message is always clear, and the words touch me each time. Today has been a rough day being that it was the one year mark of loosing my grandfather. This song was brought to my ears several weeks before his passing and helped me get through one of the hardest times of my life. It reminded me then and continues to remind me that God is always with me.

My favorite lines are in the chorus- "Through all these years, You have been there, You dried all my tears, and answered my prayers- I just want to feel Your prescence again, I'm down on my knees in need of a friend...And I find You waiting there for me"

I found a version that not only has "Found You Waiting" by Decemberadio but they ended it with "Amazing Grace" which is another personal favorite. This song has brought peace in my life and many times when I have been struggling with something, I have been able to listen to it and find the calmness that only Jesus can provide a stuggling heart.



Listen. Enjoy, and may the love of the Lord touch you as it has me so many times during this song.

To My Papa in Heaven

I was blessed for 26 years of my life to have all my grandparents. I can not believe it has been a year since my PaPa Bill passed away. This time last year, I was going along with all my day to day life things when I got a call from my parents on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 morning telling me that my grandpa- Bill Maultsby had passed. Tears were shead from the hurt, laughs were made from the memories, and I learned for the first time what it meant to loose someone important in my life. I am so thankful for all the time I had with my grandpa and even more thankful that when it was his time-he went so peaceful. Not many people can say that they go to go just the way they wanted to. I still cry at times because I miss him, I miss hearing his deep calm voice, hearning him yell PHYLLIS! to my grandmother when he either wanted something or felt she was talking too much, getting that great big hug with his long arms and large hands wrapped around you; but I smile more than I cry because I know that he is in heaven with Jesus. He had the best seat in the house with my great grandmother Mary and his brother watching the Tarheels win the championship this past year. And he will be there when it is my time to reunite with all those who leave before me. I love my grandpa- and I miss him but I am so happy for him. I am happy that he lived a good life, touched the lives of many, and his memory will live on.

Taco Soup and Paula Deen

I made my first batch of Taco Soup for dinner last night and it was AMAZING. I shared the pot of deliciousness with Lauren, Zack (my brother), and Jeremy and they too approved. We had plenty to eat last night, packed some for lunch today, and then froze some for later.
The recipe I used is from my all time favorite chef- Paula Deen. For those that do not know, I heart Paula. She makes some amazing southern dishes and nothing's better than seeing her take a big ole' bite of her food on her show. You can tell she truely loves all the things she cooks! I am even planning my wedding reception around several of her recipes and using some decor ideas from her son's wedding that I saw in her magazine.

The recipe I used last night was off the Food Network Channel and I recommend that everyone try it at least once if not many times!!

Ingredients:
Jalapenos (optional)
Grated cheese (must have)
Sour cream (must have)
Corn chips (must have)

1 1-ounce package ranch salad dressing mix
1 1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning
2 4 1/2-ounce cans diced green chilies
1 14 1/2-ounce can tomatoes with chilies
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 14 1/2-ounce can mexican tomatoes
1 15 1/4-ounce can whole kernal corn
1 15 1/2-ounce cans pink kidney beans
2 15-1/2 ounce cans pinto beans
2 cup diced onions
2 lb ground beef


Directions
Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large crackpot or a stockpot. Add the cans (juice and all) of beans, corn, green onions, tomatoes, chilies, olives, and seasonings, and cook on low setting all day (6 to 8 hours) if using a crockpot, or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a stockpot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, and jalapenos.