June 13

22 Years

I wrote this blog post several years ago. I have added to it each year.  It's good to remember......

1st year (1998-1999) our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo. Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends. Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year (1999-2000) we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year (2000-2001) we got a new titles...mommy and daddy. Abigail Grace was born.

4th year (2001-2002) another baby girl...Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year (2002-2003) and another baby :) Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together. Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year (2003-2004) bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year (2004-2005) busy raising babies, working...ahh the simple life.
 8th year (2005-2006) started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year (2006-2007) Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school, Grandaddy White died.

10th year (2007-2008) Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys. Samuel started school.

11th year (2008-2009) became a part of Grace Fellowship. Began working with Campus Outreach at JSU. Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year (2009-2010) so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health" really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave went to Russia on his 2nd overseas mission trip, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year (2010-2011) we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year (2011-2012) Dave had surgery to remove tumor, we moved back home, realized there was no "normal" anymore, began learning how to live life after cancer, Dave had clear scans.

15th year (2012-2013) another surgery for Dave, Clear scans, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager. 

16th year  (2013-2014) clear scans for Dave, we became the parents of another teenager.

17th year (2014-2015) started working with youth ministry, clear scans for Dave, I took some biology classes at Gadsden State, Erin had surgery, all three kids were in the band.

18th year (2015-2016) kids started school at Donoho, another clear scan for Dave, we became the parents of a 3rd teenager, I went back to work after being home for 15 years, Dave's sister Brenda died. Abby got her drivers license.

19th year (2016-2017) Erin got her 15 year drivers permit and had another surgery. Samuel started playing basketball and was baptized. Abby went to all state and her first prom. I started teaching at Lincoln High School. We sold our house and bought a new one. Dave had clear scans!

20th year (2017-2018) Abby graduated from Donoho. Samuel got his permit. Erin went to her first prom. Erin got her license. Samuel started school at Lincoln.  Dave left his job at Grace Fellowship and began working toward his masters in music at Colorado State.  I continued teaching at Lincoln and loved Samuel being there with me. Dave's jazz band recorded at the Nutthouse Studio in Muscle Shoals.  We had our first big snow on Glenwood Terrace!  We took a road trip after graduation, up to Washington, DC and New York City.

21st year (2018-2019) Erin graduated from Donoho. Abby and Erin were baptized.  Abby started working full time at Big Springs Dental.  Dave continued working on his masters, spent several weeks of the summer in Colorado. Dave and I went to MD Anderson for his yearly scan where he had Clear scans!!  Samuel got his license. Terrible tornados ravaged Jacksonville. We were able to help with clean up.We went to Disney World with Ken, Ann, and the boys. 

22nd year (2019-2020) Samuel started singing and playing guitar.  Erin started school at JSU. Abby got engaged to Wyatt. I was awarded CTE new teacher of the year. Dave became the band director at Jacksonville High School. Samuel will be a senior!!

I like to look back at this post and add to it each year. We have had a good life together. Here's to many more, Dave! Happy 22nd anniversary!

Jamey Johnson Benefit Concert for the Josh Powell Foundation

I was recently able to share my Leiomyosarcoma story in Nashville at a Jamey Johnson benefit concert for the Josh Powell Foundation. It was an honor to be able to do this. 

Fabi Powell, the foundation's founder (a passionate and amazing person) stated;

A Huge thank you to everyone who came out last Thursday for our 1st Annual Jamey Johnson Benefit concert. This event will forever go down as one of the most game changing nights in the history of JPF. Thank you to @jameyjohnsonofficial for donating your time and talent to help raise sarcoma awareness. Not only do you have one of the best voices in the history of country music, it’s your heart that shines even brighter. Thank you to our incredible speakers, @jsudave, @ayee.jadee, and @tylergjonesy for sharing your inspiring stories with the world. You guys are the definition of what JPF is. INSPIRING THE WORLD - ONE BATTLE AT A TIME. Your battle with sarcoma will continue to inspire the world for as long as you share it. Thank you to @mitzidawnmusic and the @nashvillerecoverycenter for joining forces with JPF to put on this epic event. Thank you to @livebeautiful_dr.mom and @ashleyenicholson for volunteering your time to help run the merch booth and accept donations. And last but not least, thank you everyone who purchased a ticket, a piece of merch, an auction item, and/or raffle ticket. It’s because of ALL OF YOU that the @joshpowellfoundation was able to raise $20k in the name of sarcoma cancer! None of this would be possible without the generous hearts of all of you. KEEP GOING!!!
Thank you Jamey, Fabi, Josh Powell Foundation, and Nashville Recovery Center!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXHhQrpT4Lc&feature=youtu.be

Life Updates

It has been at least two years since we posted. Life is good. So, here is what has been happening with us;

Dave:
* Still cancer free (since 2011). 
* Moved out of vocational ministry and fully into band directing.
* Began Masters degree work in music.

Lisa:
* Still teaching Family and Consumer Science at Lincoln.
* Loving our lively home. Always something going on!
* Is beginning Masters degree work in FCS.

Abby:
* Has a boyfriend! Wyatt!
* Graduated from Donoho in 2018.
* Is working full time at Big Springs Dental.
* Attended Gadsden State Community College, and about to go to dental hygiene school. 

Erin:
* Graduated from Donoho in 2019.
* Attending Jacksonville State University, hoping to become a Physical Therapist.
* Still spends a lot of time with her friends from the Donoho days. 

Samuel:
* Transferred to Lincoln High a few years back.
* Heavily involved in Lincoln's FFA and is taking dual enrollment classes at Gadsden State.
* Has begun singing a good bit. 

19 years

I wrote this blog post several years ago. It's good to remember...

1st year-1998-1999-our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo. Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends. Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year-1999-2000-we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year-2000-2001-we got a new titles...mommy and daddy. Abigail Grace was born.

4th year-2001-2002-another baby girl...Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year-2002-2003-and another baby :) Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together. Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year-2003-2004-bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year-2004-2005-busy raising babies, working...ahh the simple life.

8th year-2005-2006-started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year2006-2007-Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school, Grandaddy White died.

10th year-2007-2008- Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys. Samuel started school.

11th year-2008-2009-became a part of Grace Fellowship. Began working with Campus Outreach at JSU. Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year-2009-2010- so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health" really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave went to Russia on his 2nd overseas mission trip, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year-2010-2011-we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year-2011-2012-Dave had surgery to remove tumor, we moved back home, realized there was no "normal" anymore, began learning how to live life after cancer, Dave had clear scans.

15th year-2012-2013- another surgery for Dave, Clear scans, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager. 

16th year- 2013-2014-clear scans for Dave, we became the parents of another teenager.

17th year-2014-2015-started working with youth ministry, clear scans for Dave, I took some biology classes at Gadsden State, Erin had surgery, all three kids were in the band.

18th year-2015-2016- kids started school at Donoho, another clear scan for Dave, we became the parents of a 3rd teenager, I went back to work after being home for 15 years, Dave's sister Brenda died. Abby got her drivers licence.

19th year-2016-2017- Erin got her 15 year drivers permit and had another surgery. Samuel started playing basketball and was baptized. Abby went to all state and her first prom. I started teaching at Lincoln High School. We sold our house and bought a new one. Dave had clear scans!


I like to look back at this post and add to it each year. We have had a good life together. Here's to many more, Dave! Happy 19th anniversary!

"No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

a wrap up of 2016

2016
 What a year you have been. 
You have brought many changes to us. 
I'm not hating you 2016, 
you have been nice in so many ways. 
BUT......
You were really weird in the political world.
Really weird!
You also brought some strange weather....
the heat.....and the drought.
BUT...
As much as I am looking forward to what 2017 will bring,

I am also thankful for so many things from 2016. 

God was good to us.....even in the hard things.

Here is a little of what 2016 brought to my little family.
  
We spent New Years Eve 2015 driving from Houston.

Dave had clear scans to start off 2016.

We had an offer on our house in January...it fell through.

We had an another offer in March...it fell through.

Dave's sweet sister Brenda died in April. She was such a rock for the family.  She is missed in so many ways.

Abby made all state band.

The kids finished their first year at Donoho.

Abby turned 16.

Dave and I celebrated 18 years!

Erin turned 15.

The kids started their second year at Donoho.

After 4 years, our house sold.  (thanks Amber)

We bought a new house that we love so much.

I started teaching high school the week we moved.

Samuel turned 14.

Samuel started playing basketball.

We got a new puppy...Jovie.


So here's to 2017

more time with God
 more prayer
more reading
more exercise
more thankfulness

........that list could go on, and hopefully I will add to it.

Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Christmas morning at Grace Fellowship

Christmas Eve

Lots of Changes

So much has happened since I last sat down to write.  We have been very busy with some exciting stuff!  

We finally sold our house in Weaver.  After FOUR years of trying to sell it, it finally sold in August.  We bought a new house that we love so much.   This has kept us quite busy over the last couple of months.       

Our house sold and I started a new job all within two weeks.  I am now teaching Family and Consumer Science at Lincoln High School.  After 15 years at home with the kids and 1 year working at the hospital, I am back in the classroom.  I am loving it.  It helps that I really really really love what I teach!!! 

my first day of school

These three started school in August.  We now have an 8th grader, a sophomore, and a junior!!!  How did this happen? They are all three in the band. Abby still loves her horn, Erin is as artsy as ever, and Samuel is the tallest 13 year old I know and loves dribbling and bouncing basketballs all over the house.  

Dave is still band directing, youth pastoring, and music ministering!  He wears lots of hats.  He is doing well.  His next scan is in January.  He has been cancer free for 5 years!!  On my way home from school one day I snapped this picture.

Thankful for Gods promises and for daily reminders of hope.

18 years of marital bliss......or something like that

June 13, 1998

A few years ago I did a blog post recalling every year of our marriage and the highlights of the year.  I'm adding a few more years to the post.  It's good to remember....to be reminded of what good things God has done.  My sister Giny sent Dave and I a text this week encouraging us with all the Lord has brought us through. She said its good to remember what Jehovah Jireh has done in the past.....even make a list.  So this is a list of each year of our marriage.  The good and bad. God has been faithful to us.  

Its good to remember......

1st year-1998-1999-our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo.  Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends.  Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year-1999-2000-we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year-2000-2001-we got a new titles.....mommy and daddy.  Abigail Grace was born. 

4th year-2001-2002-another baby girl....Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year-2002-2003-and another baby :)  Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together.  Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year-2003-2004-bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year-2004-2005-busy raising babies, working....ahh the simple life.

8th year-2005-2006-started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year2006-2007-Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school, Grandaddy White died.

10th year-2007-2008- Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys.  Samuel started school.

11th year-2008-2009-became a part of Grace Fellowship.  Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year-2009-2010- so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health"  really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year-2010-2011-we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year-2011-2012-Dave had surgery to remove tumor, we moved back home, realized there was no "normal" anymore, began learning how to live life after cancer, Dave had clear scans.

15th year-2012-2013- another surgery for Dave, Clear scans, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager. 

16th year- 2013-2014-clear scans for Dave, we became the parents of another teenager.

17th year-2014-2015-started working with youth ministry, clear scans for Dave, I took some biology classes at Gadsden State, Erin had surgery,  all three kids were in the band.

18th year-2015-2016- kids started school at Donoho, another clear scan for Dave, we became the parents of a 3rd teenager, I went back to work after being home for 15 years, Dave's sister Brenda died.

It's good to remember.   

Happy Anniversary to us.  

    

 The Life I Planned

Has someone seen the life I planned?

It seems it's been misplaced.

I've looked in every corner;

It's lost without a trace.

I've found one I don't recognize --

Things missing that were dear;

Promises I'd hoped to keep,

And dreams I'd dreamed aren't here.

Faces I had planned to see,

Hands I planned to hold;

Now absent in the pictures;

Not the way I told.

Has someone seen the life I planned?

Did it get thrown away?

God took my hand from searching;

Then I heard Him say --

"Child, your ears have never heard,

Your eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans I have for you

Are more than you could dream.

You long to walk by sight,

But I'm teaching eyes to see;

I know what I'm doing --

'Till then, you must believe.

He's done so much, I felt ashamed

To know He heard my moans.

To think I'd trade in all He's done

For plans made on my own.

I wept over His faithfulness

And how He'd proved Himself;

How He'd gone beyond my dreams

And said to Him myself,

"No, my ears have never heard,

My eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans You have for me

Are more than I could dream.

"Yes, I long to walk by sight

But You're teaching eyes to see;

You know what You're doing --

'Till then, I must believe.

I felt His great compassion --

Mercy unrestrained.

He let me mourn my losses

And showed to me my gains.

I offered Him my future

And released to Him my past.

I traded in my dreams

For a plan He said would last.

I get no glimpse ahead;

No certainties at all,

Except the presence of the One

Who will not let me fall.

Are you also searching

For a life you planned yourself?

Have you looked in every corner?

Have you checked on every shelf?

Child, your ears have never heard,

Your eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans He has for you

Are more than you could dream.

Perhaps you long to walk by sight,

But He's teaching eyes to see;

He knows what He is doing --

Child, step out and believe.

By Beth Moore

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived what God

has prepared for those who love Him.

{1 Corinthians 2:9}