The Simple LIfe

How many times have you thought about moving to a island where life is more simple and unhurried?  Tim and I have many, many times.  We all live a life that is rushed, hurried, stressed and it seems there is never enough time in the day to get done what we need.  Some things, if we are honest, we bring on ourselves. But mostly it is just way that life is in this day and age. Most of the time we are on the go, always going somewhere but then we watch movies, commericals or read magazines about the "island life" where they don't have clocks and time is no issue, there is no stress and you just love life and we wish so much for a lifestyle like that. 
Psalm 62:1 reads, "My soul finds rest in God alone: my salvation comes from Him."
Sometimes we rob ourselves of peace by overcommitting ourselves, sometimes we need to look at our priorities and make sure that we are making God first and not trying to fit Him in at the end of our busy day.

July 4th we visited Tim's family in the mountains of Robbinsville, NC.  Talk about the simple life...it is so peaceful on that mountain!  We love to visit, eat and sit on the front porch and catch up with one another. 
They are a simple people who don't get bogged down with the hustle and bustle of life.  They do not place their worth on things but yet on family.  I love visiting them not only do I love them very much, I know that once we turn up the road driving up the mountain all my worries just disappear.  I am focused on resting and enjoying the company!  Betty, Bessie and Barbara Sue I love you all dearly and can't wait to see you again!

Below are some pics of our last visit...

Bessie's house and the porch we love to sit on

This barn Tim's dad help build when he was just a boy

THE GARDEN- they have two this same size

Tim's Aunt Betty (Boyd's sister)-She's a hoot!!

Tim, Aunt Bessie and Barbara Sue

Charlene and Bryan

Until next time,
Bridgett

She Speaks...

This past weekend was amazing!  I spent it with 650 godly women in Concord, NC and God's presence was ever so near.  I am talking about the She Speaks Women's Conference hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministry.  If you are not familiar with this ministry I encourage you to look at their website and follow their devotions, you will surely be blessed!

Lysa TerKeurst founded this ministry as a promise she made to God to steward the gifts that He has given to her.  These precious women take one weekend a year and host a conference to help other women with their ministry whether it's in writing, speaking or women's ministry.  Michael O'Brien was our worship leader during morning and evening services and we heard messages from Lysa, Renee Swope, Micca Campbell and Ann Voscamp.  Let me add these messages were beyond moving.  We all have a voice, a story just waiting to be shared about our wonderful and gracious Lord!

Please check out the Proverbs 31 website and sign up to receive their daily devotions, you'll be glad you did.

What's your story?

Love & Blessings,
Bridgett

MORE BIRTHDAYS!!!

Ok, we've had two more birthdays since my last post.  I know, I know....I'm terribly behind, but I promise to get caught up.  My dear husband, Tim turned 45 this year and Abby-Lynn turned 12 !!!
Time does go by way too fast...

Dad and his girls...Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Birthday kisses from Mom and Dad

Blowing out the candles on her "Alabama" cake

For her bday she went to A-Day with my friend Debbie

Until next time,

Bridgett






DOUBLE DIGITS

Gracie-Mae turned 10 yrs old on February 25th!! 
I can't believe that my baby girl is now double digits.  You know how you hear people say all the time that it goes by fast, and you just casually agree and don't really pay attention to those words.  Well, let me assure you, yes- time does go by fast.
My girls are now at the ages where we don't have the big birthday bashes that we used to. Now they just invite a couple of friends to go eat, see a movie and have a sleepover.  I still have yet to decide which is the easiest!  Oh well, it's their day and as long as they are happy then Mom is happy too!

Happy Birthday Gracie-Mae, you are loved much!!!

                                                The celebration started Friday @ school

Yes, Justin Bieber cupcakes...

Saturday..Girl's day--shopping and a movie

Supper @ Big River...Emily, Gracie-Mae and Jade

                                            Hannah-Shea, Abby-Lynn, Gracie-Mae, Jade
                                                        Jackson, Camden and Emma
                                            (Lunch at Mud Creek after church that Sunday)

WINTER BALL...

WOW...I can't believe it has been that long since my last post!!!  For the few I have checking this out, I apologize.  Things have been very busy in the Jordan household, I will try and update you on the major events.

Richard Hardy has a dance each year called "Winter Ball" and it's a formal affair.  So yes, we had to look for a dress.  The funny part (or at least now it's funny) is that ALL five of us went dress shopping.  Me, Tim and all three girls.  Hannah-Shea was a very good sport by letting us all pick out dresses for her to try on.  After two hours in JC Penney we finally found "THE DRESS" and to beat it all...it's the dress her dad picked out.  Way to go Dad!!!   The sales associate was even tired, but very polite and patient.  Ok, now we had to find shoes, that didn't near as long. Thank goodness!

Well the night came (I forgot to mention that we went dress shopping on Thursday and the dance was Friday)... yes, I know I'm last minute... as I am with everything...my friend Jenny will agree.  Fancy Nancy's shop was closed so she couldn't get her hair done...however Sabrina Hughes to the rescue.  Sabrina graciously volunteered to come by and do the hair and makeup. 

Below are some pictures from the night!  My little girl was just beautiful and looked so grown up!!!

                                                                     The Dress

                                                                   Hannah-Shea (Before)

                                                                Hannah-Shea (After)

                                                      Hannah-Shea and the talented Sabrina

                                                             Christy and Hannah-Shea

                                                             Haley H. and Hannah-Shea
Ok by that time, Hannah-Shea was more than ready for me to leave!!!

I SAW GOD...

We all have our own thoughts as to what God looks like, what it will be when we see Him face to face,  and then there are some of us who wonder what He looks like and try to draw our own image.
I saw God and I want to share with you what He looked like to me.

Sam, Marsha and I left Monday morning at 6:30am for me to go see a neurosurgeon at Vanderbilt. (Tim had to work).  It always so nerve wrentching when you see a new doctor, but Marsha was there to go back with me. Then comes in my pastor, he prays with me before I go back, I give him a hug and thank him.  Everyone, including the doctor, is extremely nice.  So compassionate and caring.  The doctor had caring eyes, a sypathetic smile and a compassionate hand shake.   The day was full of God's goodness and grace!
I had a test that was two hours long, Sam and Marsha patiently waited and Marsha tried to ease my anxiety. I hugged them both for their time and patience that day. 

My girls hugged me when I came home, my babysitter and her mother gave me a hug, Tim called and gave encouraging and loving words about the day.  After all was settled and I start my shower (you all know I pray in the shower-that is my closet of prayer) I looked straight up and just said "Thank you God", then I just repeated it and repeated it until I had tears running down my face with the water.  Then I said "God, if I could see you I would give you the biggest hug to thank you for your goodness today".  I just imagined what it would be like to give God a big hug.  Then in the quietness God sweetly said "You did hug me today", then he reminded me of all the kind people today and brought back images of the day to me that shown me I did see God,  I seen him thru the love and kindness of other people!!!  How amazing is that??!!!!

You see our lives are to reflect that of God's,  so that people may see Him thru us! 

Let someone see God thru you today!

Until next time...
Bridgett

IT'S BACK...

I bet you are asking yourself..."What in the world is she talking about". Well, let me tell you...my cyst is back.  Yep, that's right...the cyst on my brain stem is defintely back and bigger than last time.  If you know me or read my book you will know what I'm talking about.  Last time the cyst measured 9mm now it measures 13mm X 11mm, go ahead get your ruler out...and yes...it's scary.
I knew something was going on because I have been sick for several months so my doc decided to do another MRI, my prayer to God was asking Him to show the radiologist what was making me sick to let it shine like the sunshine and boy did He ever!
I was speechless, just quiet for several days.  Tim told me I have to fight and to be honest with you there is no fight in me, my body is too tired.  Then I told Tim just this week that I'm afraid to talk to God about it...that I am so mad I'm afraid of what I will say...afraid I will ask questions...I was afraid I would hurt His feelings.
Then my aunt told me to go ahead and yell at God, He knows what I am thinking anyway and He's a big boy, He can handle it.  Yet, I still couldn't make myself do it.  Still afraid I would hurt His feelings, the very one who sent His son to die for me and I am hurting His feelings, I just couldn't do it!
Our pastor has been doing a bible study on Revelations on Wednesday nights and last night was on Chapters 4-6.  He began talking about the seven seals that were opened and each represented something, some bad...some good.  Then the discussion came, what do you do when these "seals" come to your door?  The answer...endure and pray.  Ok, now my question, how do you endure and pray when these seals keep appearing at your door.  My "seal" is this cyst.  I prayed, we all prayed, God healed, I said yes to His calling of sharing my testimony, and yet it comes back.  Why?  Is this the devil trying to keep me from doing God's work or is God doing some other work through me?  Tough question...no right answer.
My pastor was so great in reassuring me that my faith is not any less because I am asking these questions and yes, God can handle the "why's" of our life.  So home we go and back to the shower I go. (You know I pray best in the shower).  God and I had a loooonnnnggg talk.  I did ask why, I did tell Him I was mad and that I couldn't fight...I did ask why did this happen to my family again. Silence...nothing by water and tears running down my face...then there was peace, such a sweet peace.  Very loudly I asked...if I had all the answers to these questions then why would I need faith?  My faith is in God the very one gave my life and the very one who knows when my life will end.  I do trust Him with all that I have!
So this morning, I put on my "big girls panties and got over it".  I will fight and I will be able to because God is with me.  One thing I want you all to know is that God didn't cause this...God did NOT bring this cyst back...this is just life and things like this happen in life.  I didn't do anything bad to cause this and God is NOT trying to teach me a lesson.  God is walking right beside me and He feels as bad for me and my family as I feel myself.  God will provide direction, assurance, love and mercy!  I love Him will all that I am and we will fight together and may God be seen though me during this difficult time!

^" For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."     Jeremiah 29:11