Kindergarten and Elementary years

I remember going to Karen's Kindergarten. I remember feeling really special because I had the same name as my teacher. Mrs. Shirley Barrett also taught there. She was one of my mom's close friends. Her son, Steven and I went to swimming lessons with "Miss Lee" in Poplarville.

My memories are mostly of that first room with the "Alphabet People". Also, I remember having snacks like those butter cookies which were great as pretend rings! And, there was many a stain made on our shirts in that back play area! The biggest memories of kindergarten were of the trip on the Amtrak train in Hattiesburg and trips to the park. We always had those Mickey Mouse ice cream treats at the end to cool off. And those slides! Have you ever felt heat like the heat off the big metal slides at the city park? haha!

I remember being in Mrs. Taylor's class in first grade. We were in the trailers at that time. I was so excited to start school. Thanks to my teachers in kindergarten, I had a head start with letters, numbers, shapes, etc. I wasn't exactly the athlete, but poor Coach Fairley had a lot of patience with me during PE. The big tranisition was moving up the hill to 4th grade! Man, we were going big time when we got to be in the "basement" of that building up the hill! There was a lot of "buzz" that year also. I remember that the new elementary school was built that year. We moved into that building after Christmas. As a former teacher, I cannot imagine what those teachers went through during that Christmas vacation!

Another memory I have is music! I remember when Michael Marks hit our town. He began the group "Company". I loved watching them as a child. I, also, loved the musicals that the school put on during that time. I had dreams of being in those musicals when I "grew up" and went to high school. (I never was in a musical, sadly, until I went to PRCC. I suprisingly got the lead role in my first musical! I guess the drama/music teachers felt bad for me and knew my time was running out...hahah!)

I remember the musicals like:
Annie Get Your Gun
The Music Man
The Wizard of Oz
Cinderella
Mame
The Phantom of the Opera
and many more!

Share some of your memories! Maybe some will be motivated to begin more of these same things for the kids in Lumberton now.

One big "brag up", though. I am so impressed with the Lumberton Strings! Mrs. Ellis has done such a wonderful job. Here is an article about them:
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110905/NEWS01/109050316/Teacher-inspires-pupils

First Memories

Today I have been trying to think of what I remember first about growing up in Lumberton.

Some things came to mind....

- Staying with Aunt Ruby (Ruby Justice.....we were not "blood kin", but that is what we all called her.) I watched Family Affair with her everyday! :)

- The days we called "Syrup Days" at Uncle Grady's and Aunt Ruth's (not blood kin....but same as "Aunt Ruby", they were our family!) Grady Brown would invite what seemed like a slew of folks out to his house when he made syrup. Everyone got to bring home one of those bronze tin cans with the best syrup! I remember visiting them all the time......the things that stick out in my mind are: fishing in the ponds back behind their house, her "red" china, and that she had this pretty bench at the foot of her bed. :)

- Grocery shopping at Carr's grocery. You always felt special when you went in there. Mrs. Carr's smile shined so bright, and Mr. Carr always had to joke with us about something. And, no one's bologna tasted like the bologna cut fresh there!

- Learning all those songs at Olive Baptist Church from Mr. Dionne and Mrs. Elaine. :) Just the other night, I was singing with the boys...."And if the devil doesn't like it, he can sit on a tack"!

- Christmas time at Western Auto! I could not wait for Mr. C.H.  to get in the Christmas stock next door to his main store. Mrs. Sunshine Bishop sure lived up to her name.....she could light up a room!

- The Lumberton Library and Mrs. Martha Namie.....I try to take the boys every once and awhile to the library. Every time I mention to JC about the "Martha Namie" Children's Room. She was some kind of special! She truly gave me my love of reading!

- Bogle's Store - Loved, loved this store. I think every kid in town liked it. :)

Feel free to share your memories. May they draw us to pray more for our hometown, its citizens and leaders. It may even fuel a fire that is worth burning called "Enthusiam" which might lead to growth in Lumberton!

I know this is for Hattiesburg (FBC Hattiesburg made this video), but it can remind us of the main answer for my hometown.....or wherever you live. :)

Filling up with the good things!

I am not sure if this is God's leading....but I'm pretty sure it has to be.

I was praying about all the negative that has been going on in my hometown of Lumberton, MS. Maybe we need to be filling the internet with some "good" about the town.

I will begin a series of posts (hopefully one each day) about the memories I have....and about what good is still there. I have almost 20 years of memories of living there....and 20 years of "coming home" memories.

Join me in prayer, Lumberton natives, and pray that God is exalted in this little town again! :)

Hurting for Hometown.....

My hometown is going through a crisis. There is a division so wide. There is conflict with city leaders, frustration among citizens about a dying economy in town, and an overall disparity among everyone.

I grew up in “small town America”. Everyone knew everyone. My mom and dad both worked in Lumberton in the “service” industry for years and years….and still work there. My father was born and raised in Lumberton. He chose to continue to raise his family there.

We had a good school with strong Christian teachers and leadership. But there has been a turning point over the past 20 years since I left. There is a lot of hatred, racism, envy, and anger in my hometown. There is no work for most who live there. Most have to drive at least 30 miles to go to work in another town.

The only time my hometown is in the news seems to be when there is trouble. The town is literally dying.

This has been tugging at my heart for some time. See, I don’t live in my hometown anymore. Life took me in many different directions....and God planted us here where we are now. We attend a wonderful church near us. Even some from my hometown travel to and from there each week to worship.  I also homeschool my children by choice. I want my children to have a very strong background in the Word which is incorporated in their education.

I watched the movie “The Grace Card” last night. I could not sleep for thinking of how my hometown ought to watch this film! I wish all the pastors and spiritual leaders would let go of the past grudges, divisions, and hatred. I am praying now that God would soften their hearts to unite and help take this town back for God.

I wish I could take this on….but we are moving after Christmas to South Korea. However, maybe I can plant a seed, telling everyone I know to watch this movie and pray for the same things I am.

My hometown needs to be united in one purpose…..their love and devotion for God. There needs to be a lot of forgiveness, grace and mending of relationships.

Lord, have mercy on us! Hear our prayer! Amen

 http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/

What ever happened to the 24 hour virus??

Didn't we used to get something that was called the "24 hour virus"? Micah got sick Monday afternoon, gave it to his cousin, and relapsed today. We have been dealing with sickness for 48 hours now. Finally, I think he is getting better.

I also have been feeling sick. I think I just got a touch of it....and coupled with no sleep....I felt icky! I am finally feeling human again, also.

Now to make that plan of attack on getting ready for our move. I also need to try to lose some more weight before we go. I need more energy for this task ahead. I also have to remind myself that my body is a temple of God. The Holy Spirit resides in me. What kind of temple am I keeping for Him?

I have also made a page on facebook for "Courageous Moms and Sons". JC wants me to take him to see the movie "Courageous". Since his daddy is gone, he wants me to take him. So, we are making it a date night. I feel this is an opportunity for parents to make a new commitment to God, our spouses, and our children!

Join me in being "courageous"!

Shallow Ditches

Well, to be honest, my ditch digging is not going well. I got caught in hosting family from out of town, speech therapy, laziness, and now.....a sick child.

Now I am thinking about how I need to make a "game plan" for getting this house cleaned out! Part of me just wants to dig in and get it down....another part wants to space it out. However, the sooner the better for me...and some friends of ours who are graciously going to move in while we are gone to South Korea to take care of the house! (Yes, God is good....and He always provides!)

Pray for us during this crazy transition! I will post more later.

That sick child of mine fell asleep this afternoon.....and did not wake up until an hour ago. Looks like we are looking at a long, long night!

Diggin' Ditches....

I just listened to a sermon from a few weeks ago from the Revolution Church in Schertz, Texas near San Antonio. This was the church family that wrapped their arms around us when we were in Texas during last winter and spring.

This sermon was centered around digging ditches. No one likes to dig ditches. I can assure you that digging ditches is not on my "Bucket List". I hate to sweat. However, there has to be a lot of sweat and tears in life.

The scripture was from II Kings 3. Three kings were joining to battle the Moabites. They had come to a point where there was no water anywhere. They asked Elisha, a strong man of God, to come and bring them a Word from the Lord.

He stopped and asked for a harpist. What? Give me a break! You want some music?? He was digging some ditches....spending time with God to hear His Word for the people.

Then God told them to dig some ditches! In this heat? It is so dry, God! That is too hard........He sometimes calls us to do the hard work before we receive what He has planned for us!

So they started to dig ditches. And, after much toil, sweat, and probably tears, God brought the water!

I am so glad God gave us Revolution Church for times just like this. I can be a part of them even two states away. I can be a part of them from across the world in 2012! I needed to hear this today.

I am starting a new line of ditches. I am having to dig some ditches that are going to be hard and stressful. This house is about to go through a purging it has never seen before. I truly think part of God's plan in this move is to help us get down to the basics and begin to spend more time with Him....and each other!

Next time you say that you feel life is empty.....that you feel your family is growing apart....start giving away some stuff. Turn off the TV, internet, cell phones, video games, etc.....

Spend some time with God and each other! Dig some ditches for the hard times in life. They can come in an instant!

Thank you, Bro. Zak, for your words today that you shared....straight from God Himself!

http://www.revyourlife.com/

- Karen....head ditch digger for now :)

Long time, no post

Sorry we haven't posted in awhile. Mike came home a week and a half ago, and we have been enjoying some family time. He is now at a meeting in Houston. We will get him home this weekend for a few more days before he heads back to Singapore.

We are trying to prepare for moving the end of the year. There is so much to do. Sometimes it is overwhelming to even think about. However, I know that God will help me get everything done! :)

God has truly been working in JC's heart. He has asked lots of questions lately. He is wanting to live everyday for Christ, as much as a six year old can.

I pray I can be the mother I need to be for him and Micah!