Joyful Taxes

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.

It is amazing what you learn from Sunday School songs. This song is in my heart today. Today was the day that I set aside for taxes. I hate taxes, and this year with so many different things to do, I was not going to do them myself.

I made an appointment with a person who specializes in estate taxes. A few months ago I had done some research into what I would have to do this year to take care of my Mother's taxes and her estate taxes, as well as my own. Even though I have always done my own taxes, I decided that I didn't want the headache, so I hired the job out. Thank God I did!

Several months before my Mother died she had decided to put me on all of her accounts. She did this knowing that if something happened I would be able to still use her account to pay her bills and help out with David and Brandon. For a while she put it off, but thankfully she finally did it.

This small thing of transferring things to someone else name became a small miracle today- tax day. Apparently because we did this, my mother had no legal estate. Everything simply passed from 'joint' to individual. Needless to say, I was as high as kit when we discovered that we would not be paying extra taxes. This small act has saved our family in a very big way. THANK YOU JESUS!

I only had to do my Mother's personal taxes- which 'she' still had to pay even though she was dead- and my own. I was elated. It came home to me again how bad things can happen to you- sometimes the worst situations you can imagine- but when God is in control there will always be a lily in the valley, a bright and morning star, a strong tower, and so much more.

God is good... all the time, and all the time... He is good.

Easter Greeting

Four of My Favorite Spring Things

I'm starting a new tag game... (never started one before).

Spring is in the air! Yeah!!! What are your four most favorite Spring things? Only four... no more.

Number 1:
Clover. I love clover. I love it because it is green and it feels wonderful beneath your feet. I know a lot of people think of it as a weed and some even try and kill it... but I love it. Whenever I see a big bunch of clover it makes me want to lay in the grass and run barefoot through it. For me... it is the ultimate sign of a new season of life.

Number 2:
Fresh Dirt. Not dry summer dirt, but fresh spring dirt. The kind that is still soft, squishy, and cool enough to stand in and get get between your toes. It smells wonderful... and nothing feels as good as getting into a garden and digging through fresh earth. It is a great thing indeed.

Number 3:
Bare Feet. What can I say? You knew it was coming after reading numbers one and two. I love to go barefoot. I get it from my mother. My father was the type of guy who would come home from work and put on his 'house' shoes. He usually wore socks to bed. I would go barefoot or in sandals EVERYWHERE if I could. My feet hate shoes... they hate being all cramped up with no air. Nothing says spring like being able to finally walk around barefoot or in sandals. Winter is such a stuffy dreary time for my poor feet.

Number 4:
Open doors and windows. I love to 'open up' my house. Spring breezes going through a house seem to undo all the months of fall and winter. Spring breezes are some of the most refreshing things God gave us.

Now for the tag part... I tag Dubya Dutton, Michelle, and the Shahan Shazaam... have fun!

Hail To Spring Break

"God made the seventh day of the week the day of rest for a reason. And I have to believe that He stuck Spring Break in the middle of the academic calendar for a similarly divine purpose."

Thank God it is here! At the last possible moment, when every student who has been locked up in a stuffy school building during a cold, rainy winter and every teacher who has been locked up with them is about to go crazy, one last reprieve drops in from Heaven like the mighty hand of God to provide rest and refreshment before a testing season that would cause even the brightest of students to learn to hate school.

HAIL TO SPRING BREAK and all who celebrate her bounty!!

Another Time, Another Place

It is funny how when you follow a musical group you seem to feel as if you 'know' them. They become like an old friend who walks with you throughout different parts of your life. Through joyful times and sorrowful times their music is there for you to lean on and gain strength from.

I will never forget the first time I heard Avalon. They were a new group and I used them to do a Music Review in our youth newsletter. That was almost 12 years ago... believe it or not! It is amazing how time flies.

I will also never forget a time when I was a young person and going through a very difficult time. I had just been given Avalon's newest album as a gift. It was a pre-released copy and on the album was a recording of an old song entitled, "We Are The Reason." The recording of the song was not officially released until a few years later.

I had heard that song many times when I was a young child but I had not heard it in years. That particular day I was feeling lost, hopeless, and as if God didn't care. I put in my new album and just kept clicking through the songs- not listening to anything. I remember hearing the first chord of the song and quickly picking up the album cover to see if it was the song I thought it was.

In that moment, at that time, to a teenager who was struggling, it seemed that God allowed Avalon to sing that song on a pre-released album for me. I found myself lying face down in the carpet weeping and sobbing. Needless to say, both the group and the song have become very special to me through the years.

I knew Avalon was releasing another album but I didn't know a lot about it. With so many things that have come up in my own life I hardly keep up with things like that as much as I used to. Their new album is entitled, "Another Time, Another Place." It is a remake of Christian classics: People Need The Lord; For The Sake of The Call; Thy Word; El-Shaddai; and many others I and people my age grew up with.

Once I clicked on the website I noticed the group picture instantly because it is missing a very talented and gifted singer; Jody McBrayer. I learned that Jody had to leave the group upon the completion of the last album because he has become stricken with a very serious and life threatening disease. As crazy as it is, this news really bothered me. I will keep him, his wife, and family in my prayers.

To anyone looking for a new album or a great Christian group to become a fan- I present Avalon. I am a little bias, but they are the greatest Contemporary Christian group around! I have heard them on the radio, heard them live in concert, read their writings, and listen to their music: seldom has their been a group who is so continuous in quality and ministry in any medium as Avalon has.

(Take this from a past young person who used to make it a matter of pride to know everything there was to know about Contemporary Christian Music!)

Thank You

What a historic Presidential nominating season currently underway in our nation. It is so encouraging to see so many Americans interested in what is going on in their government.

As the Republican Chairman for Precinct 31, I want to say a big thank you to all of those who voted with their heart and passion yesterday in the Texas Primary. I can tell you that the results from the county voting were very close in the bid for Presidential nominee. Thanks to those who came to our Primary Convention and even to the Democratic Caucus goers who made last night 'eventful.'

I am pleased and excited to report that I have been selected to serve as a delegate in the next round of Republican voting. Remember, it is your government, so don't let it run without your input.

Thanks again!

Have You Decided?

Have you decided who you will support in the upcoming Presidential Nomination for Candidates to run for President of the United States? You need to.

March 4: Vote then caucus for Mike Huckabee.

Why vote for Mike? Because he really is the ONLY conservative running. Don't hide behind transparent principles and vote for someone just because you feel they have a better chance at 'beating' someone else. If this current election season is teaching us anything... it is not to try and predict the American vote.

It is time for the Sovereign Republic of Texas to speak. Let your voice be heard, Texas!