Let's give it a try.....

Well, I sit here with a heart that is beating so fast. My mind is moving 100 mph. What do I say? How do I make this interesting? How do I capture your attention? There is one subject that is becoming more and more difficult for me to sit on and be quiet about. I think I might be annoying to some! But, that is a-ok with me. The subject is....

JESUS!

First of all, don't you just love the way that sounds?? I mean His name is just so sweet to me now. But, that has not always been the case. I have a great desire to learn how to effectively get the Word of Christ out to other women! Whew...that in itself is overwhelming. There are so many ways to do that. But, how in the world do you do that and be effective?? You want to do this thing right! I have opportunities within my home church because I have the privilege of being the Director of Children and Family Ministry and I also facilitate a women's Bible study. The path is right there. I want to maximize what I already have and then find a path that is new and just burning inside to get out.

I'm about to FREAK OUT at the thought of actually expressing my thoughts on the Proverbs 31 scholarship opportunity they are offering to the She Speaks conference this Summer...I mean I'm just flat out afraid of what my fingers may type....but, lets sit together and figure my excited heart out. I pray that you'll find some hope through this.....

You see, I was a girl who grew up in the church, but yet did not know Christ. I had a good family, yet did not talk about church and life with a daily Jesus. I appeared to be just like any other teenager, but I was a train wreck waiting to happen. Oh wait!!! That train wrecked many a times. It just didn't appear as a train wreck. I had so many people thinking one thing, but yet doing another.

How I despeartely wish someone, anyone, somehow, someway had told me about Jesus at an earlier age. But, that is not my story. That did not happen to me. I cannot go back in time. I cannot make different decisions. I cannot change anything that I did. But, I can take that mess of a girl and young woman and share in as many ways possible how Jesus can ROCK YOUR WORLD!

Girls, His character is just beautiful. He is so patient people! If He can work with me for 28 years....do not lose hope! He can use the strangest of scenarios, the least expected people, and do miraculous healing in the most orchestrated, beautiful, glorious God way.

My desire to be able to speak, write through this blog, and share in whatever capacity that I can, the hope that is found in Christ Jesus. Even when you didn't even have Christ Jesus!!! You may have not even thought you were missing a dern thing! But, He is eagerly awaiting our arrival.

Whether you are a believer or not, He is working on your behalf and He will work perfectly on your behalf. That is just Who He is.

Parents.....do not give up if your children are as far from God as possible. If you are not sure of Who God is or if you aren't sure of your own salvation, I want to help you, talk with you, and be as honest and real as I possibly can. If you need life brought back into your unsure or dead heart, then let me share the hope that is found through Christ. If you are in need of a renewal or simply take that first step, then lets talk. Because, God is the Father of saving lives!!! He saved mine. He restored me. He brought me to a place that I did not even like in others. I became that person that I couldn't stand. I became a Christian. I can't help but smile as I type that. This would be a complete turn around! And, I didn't even know for the longest that I needed to turn.

I love Jesus with every fiber of my being and want to sharpen my skills as I desperately want others to know the true life of Jesus as they walk the pavement of life. Life is just plain hard and we need to have Someone to cling too. We need to have us some hope that Someone is working on our behalf. We need to know that we are loved beyond measure......regardless of what we have done.

We all can be a vessel. I want to be a blessing to someone. He has blessed me so. He is everything to me. His Word is my addiction that I won't give up for anything or anyone. I feel as though my little self is just about to explode with the Good News! I want that explosion to take place. And, I want to have a blast doing it!! Because He is the best fun in the world.

Hang in there folks. He's got you covered. He's got your back. He is life.

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Blessings~

"Get to know Fran" Meme

That darling girl, Charity, tagged me for this and I'm a little behind in getting to it. Go over and visit Charity if you wish. I think she is just the cutest thing and is always there to offer an encouraging word and give some love to her bloggy friends. And, guess what Charity??? I'm heading your way for a baseball tourney sometime in March I think!! Woo-hoo! And, that would not be me playing. That would be my kids! :)



1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ?
Yes....my sweet, sweet grandmother. She was a Frances and so am I. I go by Fran though.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Considering I can cry at the drop of a hat.....that would be seriously fighting back tears today in our Bible study DVD.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I guess so. I LOVED practicing it when I was little. :)

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I love a turkey sandwich from Subway...(toasted) with pepperjack cheese! mmmmmmm

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes...my 3 amazing boys that hung the moon!

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I hope so.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Yes, but am trying to back off. I don't like it on me anymore.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Heck no! Its a cool story that is a part of my testimony. Even God will use tonsils to get your attention.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Are you kidding me??!! RIDICULOUSLY STUPID! In my opinion of course.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Every night before bed, while electric blanket is warming up for me......eat a small bowl of Honey Bunches of Oates. (I think thats what its called)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No....i didn't know you were supposed too. Oooops. That was sarcasm.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes. But, I can sure fake a weenie real quick.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip on a sugar cone from Baskin robbins.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Most definately their smile.

15. RED OR PINK?
Red baby. Pink is not my friend.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?
Well, there are many. But, i'll settle on one right now....my wintry white legs.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My grandmother that I was named after and my oldest friend who lives in AR.

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
No pants or shoes! HA HA HA. I'm in my pj's!

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Cereal from above mentioned

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
"Lost" on tv and I'm lost.

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I'd pick out a pretty shade of orange.

22. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Good candles, fresh cut grass in the Summer, coffee, clean children, delicious food.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My hubs on the way home from church....he was home with sick child....yuck!

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
COLLEGE FOOTBALL all the way. Preferably SEC football...and that would be TN in 1st place and then the Razorbacks if they are doing good!

25. HAIR COLOR?
Brown when colored. Thank you Jesus for products and good hair wizards.

26. EYE COLOR?
hazel

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No...but I need glasses bc I can't see far away.

28. FAVORITE FOOD?
Mexican, mexican, mexican

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy Endings!

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Couldn't tell you.

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
pj's with monkeys on them. I'm crazy.

32. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer! Take me to the beach! Amen Charity.

33. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs! From my boys and man.

34. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Anything in the chocolate family.

35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
several Bible books and study things and devotional things and other things that I obviously can't come up with titles of.

36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Nothing, no mouse.

37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Tonight is "Lost" and last night was "can't remember."
Too much time has passed!

38. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
my children in a deep, deep belly laugh all together. And, the sound of the ocean.

39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Neither

40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Me and hubs took a trip to Cabo San Lucas 4 yrs ago for our 10 yr anniversary. It was divine.

41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can't think of one right now. So, I guess no.

42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Arkansas


Thanks Charity for the tag. Its always fun to read about others. See you back on Friday for Patty's Godstops. Press on with God friends. Press on.

Blessings......

Sharing the love!

Well, if you don't know who Stephanie is....then you must add her as a regular "go to" because my life is incomplete without her encouragement to me. She is just the BEST!!! And, she was instrumental for me as I prepared to speak at my church's womens retreat last weekend. So, I humbly say "thank you Steph" for giving me love and sharing the love through this darling award. Right back at you friend!!! May God continue to use you mightily in this world of blog friendship!

So, as I sit here on Tuesday afternoon and think of others who bless me through prayer and encouragement in this daily journey with Jesus.....I want to pass along to:

Bev!!!!!!

I think we can all agree that Bev is the ultimate encourager! She not only provides love and encouragement so individually she does so with the purest heart for Jesus! I love her dearly and CANNOT wait to see her in San Antonio in August. Won't we all just sob for hours when we get there?! Anyway.....

Bev, please accept this award for being a beautiful woman of God and sharing your love and His love in a way that brings complete joy to every single one of us that have the honor of knowing you!

Let's give her a hug and throw her some kisses now! She is most deserving. Bless you sweet friend. You are dear to us all.

Blessings~

It was just so sweet for me......

Let me just say that God was there for ME this weekend! He was there to meet with me and 65 other ladies from church and speak something so personal over our lives. It was our first overnight retreat for the women of our church. I was so excited. And, I was scared to death.

But, He held me in His hand. He spoke such peace over me before I spoke. That came completely from Him bc I was truly shaking at one point and thinking "how in the world am I going to get through this?" He even gave me complete joy while I shared my testimony of how God settled this wild buck down and changed her heart completely.

It was scary to think of me exposing a part of my life that I had not shared with many people at all. And, when I say "many" I think 2 people know the full deal history of where I had been and how He truly saved my life.

So, to get up there in front of 65 of "your church girls" and expose so much.......almost had me throwing up in the ladies room! What if.....

they don't like me any more?

they don't see what I'm trying to offer?

they miss the whole point of what I was hoping to share?

But, I believe with all my heart that God showed up in His glorious way and truly gave me the story to tell at that given moment. He was present with me. He was felt so deep within my heart. It was like He just placed His arm around me and said..."Go on and spread the Good News.....that is what I have called you to do right at this moment."

And...it was time to begin. But, 1st a prayer from my precious prayer partner, Carolyn. Of course I got teary-eyed. We have prayed 100 times together. We've spiritually grown together. We've experienced signifcant growth in our passion for Jesus. There was not a better person to pray for me. Thank you Carolyn. May His mighty hand continue to guide and strengthen you! I hope you have many "Carolyn's" in your life.




I did my thing and honestly I don't know what I said. I followed my notes, but added in a whole bunch of stuff that probably made our retreat leader very nervous. :) You know, the whole time issue thing that they want to follow! But, I went exactly where my Savior took me for that amount of time and I loved the laughter, the reflections, the scriptures that mean so much to me now, and believing that God spoke hope and encouragement to at least one woman in that room.

I give Him all the glory and praise for the work He does in my daily life. I give Him such praise for the Resurrection Jesus that He is. I am in awe of what He did in my life. He is utterly amazing to me how He can change hearts and lives COMPLETELY AROUND!

He was there this weekend. I thank you for your prayers. My sweet friends here at home, my best girls here in blogworld, and our sweet Heavenly Father held me up. I'm overflowing with love and gratitude for you all. Truly. I'm different through Him and through you.

A few pix with some of the girls.....and, you never take as many pix as you would like. Oh well. You can look around the website of where we were here. Talk about an amazing Christian camp for kids. Truly amazing. Thank you Victory Ranch. I wish I could go work there. :)

We had a blast hanging out together. I laughed so hard I cried at times. I loved being with some new friends and my old friends. I loved experiencing God in very different and personal ways at one time. I can't wait for next year!! I had a complete blast with y'all. It went by way too quick.

And, to my church girls....I smiled over you and gave thanks for you as I fixed my cereal tonight and waited on my electric blanket to warm up! (wink wink)

Have a great time with God in ALL things. He blesses me beyond words.

I'm so excited I might throw up!

Thank you Patty for starting this wonderful time of reflection each Friday. Ok, now......

How's that for a "what she gonna talk about" title?! But, its the truth and let me share!

You see, I'm an anxious person by nature. I don't worry about everything, but I know how to worry about some stuff. In this particular case, if God has called me to do something and it's completely out of my "norm" with Him.....then I'll do it bc I'm quick to obey, but the process with Him can get me so worked up.....

I MIGHT THROW UP!

I'll wrestle with Him in my Spirit and go round and round with feelings of inadequacy and "I can't do this Lord" that I'm sure He's just stomping His Holy foot saying "YES YOU CAN! WORK WITH ME FRAN!" Finally, I break my will and we settle into this groove.

My home church is having its 1st ever over-night womens retreat at Victory Ranch and I was asked to be one of the speakers. Well, 4 months ago it was all great and fun and exciting. But, then I went through that spell of "I can't do this Lord" and now we have finally settled into a groove of peace, love, gratitude, and just pure joy to be with Him and my friends this weekend. I do believe I'm prepared to step out of my norm this weekend.

Now, I will be nervous. I will. But, its more of an excited nervous. My sweet friend, Teresa, "AKA Anonymous" in blogworld, and my dear friend Stephanie have been praying for me and with me. The power of prayer and friendship is powerful people!!! I have seen, heard, and felt God through these women. He has shown Himself through my friend friends (the non-imaginary type) and I don't think I will throw up! HALLELUJAH! That would be awful people.
I thank all of you who have commented and prayed for me. You are all the real deal girls and I cannot wait to spend eternity with each of you.

Pray for our retreat this weekend. It's called "Holding Fast in the Fast Lane!" We want to recover our life and be with Him and His restoration power. Our scripture is Matthew 11:28-30 out of the Message.

I'm humbled before Him today. I have an overflowing heart for Him today. I cannot wait to see what He has to show me while I'm gone.

Thank you for the prayers. He's utterly amazing.
Blessings~

Peanutbutter crackers, a Dr. Pepper and God!

HALLELUJAH!

I'm so overwhelmed with our Lord right now that my fingers are CRAZY on this keyboard right now. He's just too much for my little bitty brain right this second. Oh, but I love Him and wouldn't trade Him for anything!

Had Bible study at my house this morning. We have gone completely nuts and are doing Beth Moore's "Wising Up" that has NO HOMEWORK people. I'll just confess that I'm a little nuts right now bc I have nowhere to channel this nuttiness that is in my head with all that we are learning. Beth, could you whip up some homework for our group real fast and email it to me??!! Thank you! :)

I've always got 5001 things to say but I'm gonna say this simply with my peanut butter cracker crammed in my mouth and my DP close by......I'm skipping a real lunch so I can get this down!

OUR HEART IS EVERYTHING TO HIM!!!!

What does your heart say about you? Lets see for a quick second and then I'm done......

1. Do you give HIM your ENTIRE heart?? Or just pieces??

2. Do you have an anxious heart?? If so, throw Him your concerns bc when we do not....we have some control issues going on between me and Him.

3. Do you have an isolated heart?? Noone will ever get our situation or ordeal like we do. We should not be surprised when we fell misunderstood. HE is the only one who knows why we do the things we do. Be joyful in all our daily situations. We have resurrection power girls!! USE IT!

4. Do you have a hope sick heart??? Have you waited so long for something that you've lost hope?? Remember Abraham? He waited FOREVER for that 1st son. He finally had him and named him Isaac.....which means laughter. The laughter and joy will come. Hang in there sisters. And, it will be good.

5. Do you have a hardened heart?? Oh, do I know how to do this one. I can cut you off just as quick as I let you in. If you have betrayed me, hurt me, or done anything that is just "not nice"
then I can cut you off. Now, I may have done the big girl thing and forgiven and even prayed for you. But, let me remind us all.....our heart cannot and will not be hardened. Let Jesus tend to that heart. Restore that person. "Anyone that hates is a murderer!" 1 John 3 tells us! YIKES!
Let me love them through the healing name of Jesus.

Give Him your WHOLE HEART! Mess and all. He wants the entire thing so He can do His healing magic and tend to that treasure He has placed within us.

Me and Him gotta do some work together on this one. I bet you do too. Stay faithful friends.
He does.

Blessings~

Golly Bill.....

My beloved Siestas, Teri and Janel, gave me this award. I just wish I could have a web cam or something and just thank you both with real live words!! I just love both of you and couldn't imagine life without your blogs! So....I won't. Keep up the beautiful, encouraging, heart-felt, God fearing word that you do!

I know those of you that have become real friends to me understand the gratitude and sincerity I feel when I say "thank you!" You are the real deal to me. Your encouragement just blesses me so deeply.

May God shine brightly on you and through you. Continue to do His work. Love Him with all you have. Seek Him with your entire heart. Share Him with everyone you can.

So, I pass the love along to Stephanie! She has become a dear friend. She's been praying for me and my speaking event this weekend for a loooooooonnnnnnngggggg time! :) Blessings Stephanie. This is a timely award to pass along to you.

Have a great day everyone!
Blessings to all~