Thursday, October 23, 2008

Flashing Back

I am getting pretty excited! Tomorrow night is our CCF Women's Flashback Friday event. In preparation for this fun time, I had an awesome time going to my parent's house yesterday and going through old pictures. Such precious memories. Needless to say, we had a good laugh at some of the pictures. I think my mom and I have covered every imaginable hairstyle possible. (Might I add that I am still very fond of the 80's BIG hair!!)

Looking at these pictures made me even more thankful for the love of Jesus. I am not who I used to be. I have changed on the outside and inside! AMEN and Hallelujah. I have been transformed by the power of Christ who lives in me. And, the good news is that He is not finished with me yet! I am a work in progress.

I will post some pics from our Flashback Friday but until then...here are a few funny ones! (check out the hair, will ya?)




(BTW, Jim is not wearing a helmet...that is his hair!)

Saturday, October 18, 2008

We are Family...I got all my babies with me

Okay, so I had to change the lyrics to that song (We Are Family) but I was one happy Mama this afternoon to have my girls with me and my man by my side. It's not often we Burtons get all "fancied-up" so here are some pics from this afternoon's wedding Jim officiated (and Amanda was a bridesmaid).






Sunday, October 05, 2008

Fire Extinguisher – Hubby say WHAT?

I feel the need to preface this blog. You see, I tend to be a tad bit on the HM side (high maintenance). I am the gal who loves the fact that the 80’s glam rock hair styles are coming back in style (they ARE coming back, right?). I love me some hair products, teasing combs, hair spays, etc. Like Beth Moore once said, “I can love Jesus and lipstick!”. Amen Beth!

Anyway, Friday we were preparing to head out of town to Maryland to participate in a missions conference. All was packed and we were just seconds from walking out the door when the following conversation took place:

Becky: Hey! What’s this doing sitting on the piano? (referring to my favorite hair product: super-duper root pump spray). I packed this in my bag already! (priorities, right ladies?)

Jim: I took it out.

Becky (gasp): You did WHAT? Why would you do THAT?

Jim: Do you really NEED that stuff?

Becky (eyeballs rolling, neck craned): NEED?

Jim: Yeah, you don’t need that stuff, do ya?

Becky (feeling her blood pressure rise): Yes, I NEED it!!!

Jim (examine the product in question): Well, it’s the size of a fire extinguisher!!!!!

My man has a point!

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Stolen Trailer....counting it joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Our church meets in a school and this is our 4th year of doing so. Since we meet in a school, we have a trailer that is pulled weekly to the school that we store all of our church belongings (i.e, sound equipment, microphones, keyboard, children's toys, play pen--basically anything you may need for a church). When we arrived at prayer meeting tonight, it came to our attention that our trailer was gone....yes, someone has stolen our church trailer with all of our church belongings. We had been parking the trailer at a nearby church (who has been nice enough to let us leave it on their property). Sure enough...it is gone. Crazy.

But, praise The Lord we have a place to meet, a place to gather together...we just have no stuff. Basically, all CCF used for church is in the trailer. Everything but the chairs and people. But that is okay. It is so reassuring that our God is not dependant on our stuff--any stuff, including the "stuff" in that trailer for church to happen. No indeedy. After all, He is not in the box!! He's not even "in the trailer"! ha ha

I tell you our prayer meeting tonight was powerful, especially our group prayer time when we all gathered in a circle and lifted high the name of Jesus despite the enemy trying to destroy us all and our church. **Comically enough, yours truly (Ms. Joyful Noise herself) led the pack at the end of group prayer in a verse of "How Great is Our God". Imagine the surprise when we opened our eyes and found the police officer (who had been called to take the report) standing there waiting on us. Poor guy...bet his ears will never be the same. ha ha**

We appreciate your prayers...please pray for our church during this time. Pray for my husband, Jim (the Pastor of CCF). Also, pray for 'the person or persons' who stole our trailer. We pray that whatever their situation may be that during this time they will come to know The Lord as a result and surrender their lives to Him.

We have an incredible group of people at CCF and we will continue to trust in the Lord and in His provisions during this trial. (Count it all joy, right?) We will hold to our faith and keep pressing on in the name of Jesus. We pray for The Lord to be glorified.

New use for a Math book?

Who said home schooled kids are not creative? As you can see, three weeks into school and Jordyn has found a new use for her 'much dreaded' Algebra 2 book. I think she looks rather cute as she strikes a pose.

Our family has been invited to take part in a Mission Conference in MD. In addition to leading P&W with her dad, Jordyn has been asked to speak and share a few songs with the youth group during one of the break-out session. Needless to say, she is a tad bit nervous. But God is so good! He has been preparing her the past two weeks during her Humanities Class (in Richmond once a week for four hours) with public speaking-style presentations. If you think of Jordyn, pray for her to have God's peace as she speaks and shares from her heart!!.

Friday, September 26, 2008

It is a MUST See

Outstanding! Kudos to all involved with the movie, Fireproof. I had the opportunity and privilege to go on a "family" date to see the movie this afternoon and I was moved and inspired. The comic relief in the movie while paralleling the differences between men and women is precious and had the entire theater laughing regularly through out the two hour movie. More importantly, Fireproof does a fantastic job of tackling some serious real life issues that daily challenge marriages in our society. Yet, at the same time we are reminded that marriage is a covenant (before God..for better or worse, for richer or poor until death do we part) - not a mere contract. Though many are on the brink of divorce all around us, this movie clearly reminds us all that there is always hope no matter how desperate you think your marriage may be.

Bravo and much thanks to the writers, producers, actors and volunteers who put their efforts and resources into this movie. The gospel of hope through Jesus Christ is clearly stated. In a day and age where Hollywood bombards us with trash in the theaters, this movie is a light in a dark industry. I encourage everyone (married or single) to support the Christian efforts of Fireproof by going to see this movie.

www.fireproofthemovie.com
www.fireproofmymarriage.com

Monday, September 22, 2008

Fireproof The Movie


It's almost here.....just a few more days! I can't wait to have a date with my man this weekend to see this movie! (and Jordyn wants to see it too....so, why not? We will make it a family date). In case you are not familiar with Fireproof, Click to go to the Fireproof web site for more info.
I am praying this movie will top the box office at number one this weekend.


Friday, September 19, 2008

Happy Birthday Jim!!!!

Happy Birthday to my man (you cute thing you!!) I LOVE YOU!!!!


Monday, September 15, 2008

I wanna grow old with you...

Did that picture make you laugh? Made me laugh! Did you see that hair? Jim's mullet and my piggy-back perm.

Yep, yesterday was Sunday September 14th and that is a special day for us... Jim and I celebrated 18 wonderful years of marriage. Where has the time gone? Some much has changed (especially the hair-dos!) yet, so much has remained the same (in a good way).
We didn't do anything special yesterday but today my man took me out for a lunch date. We dropped Jordyn off at her Humanities class in Richmond and off we went:
  • took a tour of the new Whole Foods Market in Richmond. (I may have a new favorite grocery store. Sorry Ukrop's!).
  • Lunch (thanks to my amazing secret sister who blessed my socks off! Whoever you are -- THANK YOU!!)
  • a trip to...none other than....(drum roll please.....) MAGGIE MOO's. (If anyone knows the dude or dude-etts that own Maggie Moo's....I think they should consider me as a spokeswoman. It is the best ice cream EVER!!) Oh and get this...they had buttered popcorn flavored ice cream. Of course I had to try a sample spoonful (Elena, you'd like it...I think.) It was an interesting flavor however, I stayed with my normal. One scoop of Dark Chocolate and One luscious scoop of Better Batter. No mix-ins. Okay..I better stop b/c I am drooling on my keyboard.
  • We walked around C28 (love that place).
In the past week Jim and I were reminded stronger than before how quickly this life fades. No guarantees. Every moment is precious. Sure, Marriage is hard work. Jim and I have had our ups and downs...no doubt. Marriage is not a 50/50 investment but 100/100 from each person. It is so worth the effort. Yet so many quit. Be sure to take time to carve out for each other and invest in your marriage. A wise woman once told me, "One day your kids will grow up and leave home and you don't want to be left looking at a stranger". Great advice. Don't quit. Keep loving with all that you have. Go the extra mile even when you don't want to do it. Be quick to forgive. And as our friend Ray reminded us last week, "never let the sun go down on your anger". Tell your spouse you love them. Leave love notes around the house, in their lunch, in the car. Surprise her with flowers (to any male readers of this blog....other than my husband). Go for a walk. Hold hands. Last but certainly not least: Pray together.
Happy Anniversary to my best friend! I love you!
I Will Be Here (Steven Curtis Chapman)
Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the sun does not appear
I will be here.
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear'
Cause I will be here
I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here
Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be hereI will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
I will be true to the promise
I have made to you and to the One who gave you to me
What a fun day!

Monday, September 08, 2008

In Memory of my friend, Jennifer

We love you and will miss you Jennifer!

Jennifer Lynn Davis Langston
July 18, 1975 - September 8, 2008



Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Throwing Stones? Not Me!

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:6-7

I simply can not be quiet a second longer. Give me a BREAK! Wasn't it not long ago that the media was celebrating with glee Jamie Lynn Spears pregnancy? But now, some are throwing an entire family under the bus, and even blaming the mother, because of teen pregnancy? A mother can give her life to her child, raise her in a Christian environment, teach her right from wrong and even sacrifice her career, but ultimately the daughter makes her own choices in life. Some right...some wrong.

I know this for a fact. I have been in Bristol's shoes. I was raised by a dynamic family who taught me right from wrong, took me to church, loved me unconditionally ...but guess what...I still made my OWN bad choices. One choice that landed me in the same shoes that Bristol is currently wearing. And oh do I remember the stone throwers ready to pound me. But, I also remember a loving family who was hurting along with me. The best memory of all? A gracious, merciful, Heavenly Father who never rejected me or disowned me. Thank you sweet Jesus. (I owe Him so much).

Why do we so quickly want to throw stones?

My heart goes out to Bristol and her family. I am sure this young woman is confused and scared. I must say that I, personally, admire this young woman for choosing life for her baby.

We never fully understand until we are in the other person's shoes. So, put the stones down and pray for this family.

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