Absolutely Not...

Amazing...the computer/internet decided to cooperate again...

God is good!

What does approximately:

16 cake mixes

48 eggs

7 cups vegetable oil

8 cups Crisco

4-2lb. bags powdered sugar

4 tsp. clear imitation vanilla

and

3 cups of water

create?

This...

and...

this...

for...

these whom we love so much...

I'm glad that Meg asked

and

I'm glad that I could do it

but...

Am I in the business???

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!

Promises Fulfilled... Thoughts from MaKayla...

As I was fixing my hair for church Sunday morning, a thought struck me...


Four years ago my dear friend Julie came into my life.


It was my first year of quizzing and I had been asked, as well as six other young quizzers, to be on a special team that our ministry had formed to go to Nationals due to the fact that a team from another state was not going to be able to make it. None of us had qualified however, God had a plan as usual and it was one of the most life-changing experiences that I have ever had.... Julie was one of the "score keepers" from our ministry and although we did not know each other she felt God leading her to call and ask if I would like her to be my private coach, considering the fact that I had absolutely NO idea how to prepare for such a big competition. Of course we said Yes!!!!, and it was very evident that we would be kindred spirits. Julie became "Adopted Big Sis #1", and we began to spend lots and lots of time together, sometimes just the two of us, and other times as a family (Me, Mom, Dad, Mal, and Julie) :-). Julie was single during this period of time of her life and was patiently waiting for God to provide her with a mate that was exactly who she knew she was supposed to marry. She had come very close to marriage a couple of times, only to step away, knowing that it was not God's perfect will. Several people had tried to set her up on dates only for her to come home, knowing that those men, although maybe very nice, were not God's perfect will for her life either. This was very discouraging for her as it seemed as though maybe God did not desire for her to be married at all... The promise that He knew exactly what He was doing, was hard to believe more times than not. Flash forward to today, four years later: Julie is now happily married to Brian, a wonderful, God fearing man, that was obviously the "promise" that she had been waiting for! :-) Their meeting was clearly God's work, because He prompted Brian to call the same day she got home from vacation, (otherwise she would not have been home to answer the phone), and He gave him the wisdom to call her parents house, (not knowing she no longer lived with her parents), and she just happened to be there! They went on their first date, yet Julie had peace about it, they began dating yet the anxiety that usually filled Julie's body was non existent, they were in a near-death accident yet they had the confidence that God had a plan, they became engaged and yet no depression came to Julie's spirit as before. May 23, 2010, Julie Beattie became, Julie Damewood! (I would say it flows nicely, wouldn't you? :-)) God's promise was fulfilled.



Somewhere around three years ago I met Megan, (A.K.A. Meg), our Pastor and his wife's daughter.

She was very nice and friendly however I did not necessarily extend myself to her as I am not a very outgoing person. :-) I was of the mind frame that I had plenty of friends and really did not need to become friends with anyone else. Oh, how wrong I was! Mal was the first to really see the love that Meg had for people, as did many of the other kids in our church. It was very evident who they gravitated to, knowing that a hug and a smile would be ready and waiting for them. It was not long before I let myself get to know Megan and to allow her take on the title of "Adopted Big Sis #2"! She soon became a member of our family and I loved the evenings that she would come over and just "hang". She has invested in me and taken the time just to listen and encourage. We have worked together to make shrink art jewelry, chat about knitting, sit drooling over wedding dress magazines and just learn to love spending time together. She, like Julie, has been there to come over when we need her, and actually was the person who stayed with Mal the night of Julie and Brian's accident. She has a wonderfully sweet spirit and loves to sit and cuddle up next to Mal and I. All of Megan's life she really has had no interest in dating, knowing that God would provide her with the right man for her if she was patient. However she did not realize just how patient she would have to be.... As she watched those that she went to school with getting married around her, yet she seeing no results from her patience, I know her heart questioned what God's plan must be and once again, if His promise would be fulfilled. Flash forward to today three years later: Megan is newly engaged to Jonas, a great guy, confident in who he is in Christ and excited to begin a family of his own to nurture. Their meeting was a work of God as well, considering that they met on the computer. Both had submitted information to E-Harmony, not serious about finding someone at all, but just to see what the big hype was about it. It just so happened that it placed them as each others top and most likely match! He contacted Megan first, just to get to know her... Turns out God had a big plan! After e-mailing for a couple of months, Jonas came up for a visit and it was love at first sight! :-) About two weeks ago, he proposed! Megan Thompson will soon be Megan Fink, (I think it flows quite nicely as well! :-)) God's promise was fulfilled.

(Wedding Picture to Follow) :-)

The thought that struck me Sunday morning was, "The two single women in my life, my two big sisters, are not single anymore!" As I have watched these two women that I love so much go from somewhat unsure of what their future held, to knowing without a doubt that God has and has always had a mighty plan, I have learned a great deal. I have learned to be patient. I have learned to trust. I have learned to be content in the fact that God has a mighty plan for me. I have learned the proper way to "date", while at the same time staying true to your values and morals. Most importantly I have learned that God is in control... I still have no clue what the Lord's plan for my life is besides being a wife and a mom... I have no idea when or where I will meet my future husband... Am I worried or afraid? I used to be, until I learned that one of these days... God's promise will be fulfilled.

Kindred Spirits... Thoughts from MaKayla...

This past couple of weeks Mal and I, along with Mom and Dad have been watching the "Anne of Green Gables" series of an evening after supper is over. These movies are some of my very favorite and through the years we have acquired all six, making a complete set. If you have ever seen these treasures you would know that one of Anne's favorite things is finding "kindred spirits"... those people that you have a connection with that just can't be explained. It got me to thinking about the kindred spirits in my life...

My Daddy,"Mr. Darcy" :-), My Authority, My Hero,
My Mentor, My Friend ...

My Momma, My Example, My Teacher, My Mentor,
My Strongest Encourager/Listener, My Friend...

Mal, Best Friend, Sister, and Constant Companion...

Bri, My "Twin", My Soul Sister...

Julie, "Adopted Big Sis" #1...

Megan, "Adopted Big Sis" #2...

Becca, My Best Bud...

My Grandpa Billy, My Side Kick, My Amigo,
My Favorite Person to Annoy :-) ...

"Thank you Father, for the kindred spirits in my life! Thank you for their friendship, their support, their love, their encouragement, and for the blessing that they are to me on a day-to-day basis! I love them so very much!"