Still learning things about computers!!! Aargh!

Lord I lift Your name on high

Lord I love to sing Your praises

I'm so glad You're in my life

I'm so glad You came to save us

I 'm sure you're wondering why I started this post with a few lines of "Lord I Lift Your Name on High." Well, you might just be thinking it's a good thing to start a post with, and I agree. Those four lines are very true and good. But, there is more to why the post starts this way....

Last night I was on Flickr.com looking at some pictures my sister had posted on her account. I actually found a spot to click on that allowed you to post to your blog from Flickr. Great! I clicked on the spot, got my blog set up to link to the Flickr thing, and wrote a very entertaining post about what Teri and I did together when I visited her last week-end. I went to post it on this blog, but kept getting a message that it wouldn't work at this time. Okay, I know what to do! I copied my post and decided to paste if over here and try to copy our picture to over here too. As it was getting late, I was doing laundry, and Rob and Will were due home from soccer practice, I decided to work on it tomorrow (this morning). Well, here I am. I signed in, clicked on new post then hit paste and wa-la! A snippet of a praise song pops up. Hmm...Rob had used this computer last night before bedtime to work on some of his praise and worship files. Guess he copied some things after me.

I will hopefully get back here later today, and tell my story of Teri's birthday complete with pictures! Meanwhile, let's lift God's name on high and sing His praises! Even when our plans (even plans about what we want to post) don't work out, God has got it under control. I need to release my need for control to my Heavenly Father who knows what I need oh so much better than I do!!!

Just Checking In

I just wanted to put something up here since it has been awhile since I posted. I suppose I'm still getting used to the idea of putting my thoughts out into cyber-land. Well, I've had lots of ideas, but by the time I get to a computer to put them down 'on screen' (since I can't say 'on paper'), I either don't feel like typing so much, or I'm too tired!

Lots of life is going on in the Payne family: Soccer--Will plays for (and practices with) two teams, so we are always going somewhere with soccer stuff in tow.

Church--Rob teaches our Sunday School class and leads the praise and worship portion of our music during morning worship, so he is preparing lessons, music and running praise team rehersals. I facilitate a Wednesday Bible study, and we both are in the adult choir. Will is active in the youth group and plays keyboard for the youth worship band.

Work and school--Well, we all have to go to one or the other several days of the week!

Waiting--We are waiting for the arrival of Avery McKenzie Payne! Mom Chelsea has a due date of 10/11/08, but you know babies; they will come when they want to. Every time my phone rings and it is Chelsea, I have to wonder if this is "the" call. We are hoping Avery will wait until Dad Nathan has taken the LSAT on 10/4. (Please keep him in prayer about that!) Well, keep all of them in prayer about Avery's upcoming arrival. We can't wait to get to know that little girl and hold her in our arms!

Happy Anniversary! 25 Years and counting

Rob suprised me with 25 roses for our anniversary. He had them sent to work, so I caused a stir carrying these beautiful flowers around.

It is hard to believe that on September 3 we've been married 25 years, but I guess the years don't lie. From our meeting at the Baptist Student Union at Auburn University in 1979, to our wedding in 1983 up to now, we've had quite an adventure. Looks like there is a lot more to come too! The arrangement has 25 roses: 24 red to represent our love and one yellow because yellow roses are for friendship, and we are both married to our best friend!

Ramblings in Rogersville and a Visit to Lifeway

Yesterday, I spent the morning and early afternoon with my very good friend and kindred spirit, Sue. We met while we worked at the same hospital, but Sue has since retired (a year ago today!). We are trying to stay in touch by meeting for lunch, window (mostly) shopping and conversation. I drove to her town of Rogersville and we had a great time looking through some precious shops there. She found some gifts she needed, and so did I. We ended the morning at a coffee shop for a salad lunch. The food was great, the shop uncrowded and we had a wonderful visit.

Sue (on left) and I are standing in the courtyard entrance of the coffee shop. We think alike on so many things, and we have the same curly hair. Hers is now a beautiful shade of gray.

Lifeway Excursion

On the way home to Hartselle from Rogersville, I decided to stop in Decatur at our Lifeway store. I wanted to pick up Beth Moore's new book 'John, 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple'. I also needed a couple of cards to send to some folks. There is something about a Lifeway store. I cannot get out of there with just what I went in to get. I did get the book and three cards, but also found a few other things:
1)This cross plaque was precious and so perfect for my green half-bath. The other art work I have in there are two framed prints of ferns, so this blends very well and fills that blank space on the wall.

2) & 3)
2) I was wanting 'My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers', and they had a special 50% off in store sale, so what else could I do but buy it?

3) I don't think I'd ever noticed the baby corner in the store, but as we are expecting our first grandchild in October, I'm noticing a lot more baby things everywhere I go! This Baby's First Year Calendar jumped out at me.

I had a full Lifeway card (you get one punch on the card each time you make a purchase, so I got another 20% off my total!

Distressed Passenger Caught with Contraband!

Because of weather in Dallas, our flight had to be diverted to Austin for a fill-up. Because of that, we missed our flight out of Dallas to Huntsville, Al. and home! American Airlines gave us a voucher for a Distressed Passenger rate at the Baymont Inn in Grapevine, Tx., so off we went to the Inn. Lots of distressed passengers were checking in with us. We were thankful to have only carry on bags, so we had our toiletries and extra clothing with us. Those with checked bags had to settle for toothbrushes and deodorant compliments of the Baymont.Karen, Sharron (with a rather fancy halo) and Dianne in lobby of Baymont Inn.

Sunday morning we were happy to have a very good breakfast at the Baymont Inn complete with Texas shaped waffles. (Although we didn't stay up all night swapping manly stories, in the morning we still made waffles.--Afficiandos of Shrek will know what I'm talking about!)

Since we left the airport, we had to go through security one more time. Now, all three of us had successfully passed through security on the way out to San Antonio and in San Antonio on our attempt to get home Saturday. Sharron and I went through with no problems, but as we were putting our shoes on and Dianne was getting scanned, we heard, "Bag check!" Looking over Sharron and I saw that it was Dianne's bag that was getting inspected. Her bag was flagged as containing organic products that must be checked out. Being the good friend I am, (and a scrapbooker) I quickly asked the TSA agent if I could take pictures. The lines were practically non-existent so the agents were more laid back than normal. She gave her permission to take pictures. When she found the contraband, she told me to get my camera back out. The agent and Dianne posed for the "gotcha" picture. I didn't get the lady's name, but she was so good natured despite her severe expression as she "chastised" Dianne. We hoped that our little fun diversion could be something these hard working TSA agents could look back on if their job did take a more serious and stressful turn later in the day.

Oh, by the way the contraband organic product? FOOT POWDER!!! (It is the big yellow container by the agent's left hand. And that is a whole 'nother story!!!)


Our new friends and siestas, Carolyn and Terri, from Madison, Al were on our flight.

The adventure came to an end when we touched down in Huntsville about noon Sunday. We had been looking forward to being at church Sunday morning, but we knew that God had it all in control and for some reason, we were meant to stay in Texas one extra night. He will let us know why one day, I'm sure! God is good, all the time!

First Post!

Finally I am composing my first post! After being with all the blogging siestas in San Antonio this past week-end, I've been inspired. We were at the Living Proof Live event and heard the word brought by Beth Moore. Praise and worship with Travis and the praise team was awesome. On top of the actual event, I got to participate in the Siesta Fiesta. Of the 10,000 ladies at the event about 1000 ladies from all over the country gathered for the Siesta Fiesta and to meet each other. Many were familiar because of the blog world and being brought together by the LPM blog at www.lproof.org.

I flew to San Antonio with my dear siestas Sharron and Dianne. What a time we have when we are together! My goodness, we seem to be able to talk endlessly even when we have just seen each other the day before. Dianne has a philosophy that there is a song for every occasion, and I have come to believe it. She will break out in song at a moment's (or less) notice. Sharron joins right in! They are very entertaining! Just ask the siestas that were on our flight from San Antonio to Dallas! In fact, one siesta from Nebraska was on the phone to her husband and D and S were singing in the background. I heard her tell her husband, "that's the singing siestas!"

Sharron and Dianne, the Singing Siestas

Beth always has quite a word to share with us. Truly a God given word. This week-end it was that we are heiresses. We are co-heirs with Christ. Yes, many of us have grown up knowing this, but she really impressed the reality of it upon us.

I'll share the main gist of the message, but without elaboration. (Maybe in a later post I'll add more details.) The scripture passage she used was Psalm 16. Read and re-read it and soak it in!

Here we go:
God's inheritance always involves three things: 1) God's Presence 2) People--God gifts us with one another 3) Property--we have real land waiting for us in Heaven

Eight truths:
1) I am an heir of God. My life is not left to chance.

2) I am an heir of God. I am inheriting a kingdom.

3) I am an heir of God. He is my portion...and I am His!

4) I am an heir of God. The down payment has been made. (The Holy Spirit with us now is the down payment of our inheritance then.)

5) I am an heir of God. My boundary lines form a pleasing place. (Pleasant=sweet)

6) I am an heir of God. The will has been activated. (A will is only activated upon death. By Jesus' death, the will is activated.)

7) I am an heir of God. I can be secure. (Our theology has not become our reality if we continue to walk in insecurity. WOW what a word that is!)

8) I am an heir of God. I have a beautiful inheritance.

Dianne, Sharron, Cindy and Karen

At the Alamodome after LPL and just before the Siesta Q&A with Beth and here daughters Amanda and Melissa. We were so blessed to meet Cindy at lunch at Pico de Gallo on Friday. We ate with about 60 other Siestas. The four of us walked back to the Riverwalk together.