Pictures from the Weekend

The Brown Family is headed out to Franklin, N.C. this weekend to do a little hiking and maybe some fishing and we are very excited. We were able to use Chris' free hotel points and we are packing our own food to take, so we are able to enjoy something fun as a family at relatively little expense before school starts back! We are praying that the weather clears up, for sure. We have had rain here all week long (for which I am greatful for). I am going to post pics when we get back. Please pray for our travel and that we enjoy spending time together as a family! Love,

Me

WOW - Long Time No Blog

Well, needless to say we have been very busy at the Brown House with kids going to camp and also the general getting ready for back-to-school mayhem. We decided to close the skate shop in order for us to spend more time as a family and we have been busy with that also. It may cut out some much needed money, but we will be able to spend weekends together again and that is worth much, much more to me. It has become all the more clear to me lately how very few years we have left with them at home. ;(

We have also made the decision for Jacob to start high school back at home doing school online through Liberty University and I think this was one of the best decisions we have made in quite a while. I am so happy about him being back home and we will plan on schooling the girls during high school at home also if this works out well and finances permit.

Lastly, if you get the chance to read a book "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller, I highly recommend reading it! This book has been lifechanging for me and it was refreshing to read a book by someone whose Christian beliefs are so much like my own and so many others out there. Basically, that we need to follow Christ and not so much what "Christianity" has become in America, drop our judgmental attitudes and stop following a so-called "Christian" agenda. But, that we should "be the church", know that we are ALL sinners and go be with non-believers, hang out with them and show them the grace and love of Jesus Christ. This is something that is very dear to my heart, because I have never understood people who think of Christianity as a list of rights vs. wrongs and doing the exact right thing (i.e. legalism, i.e. Pharisees). Anyways, it is just such a great book and I hope if you get the chance you can sit down and enjoy it.

So, here's to a new school year (can you believe it?)!

Melissa

Glad I have a different King

I have been waiting quite awhile to post anything because I have been not really happy about all the Michael Jackson video coverage, but also didn't want to sound crass about it either. I LOVED Michael Jackson - I grew up on him, but I really think it has been just a little much. I sure wish the 7 United States soldiers who died this past week would have gotten so much attention.

Update

Not much to update lately - FINALLY Chris is going to the doctor this morning to have himself checked out and for that I am very grateful. I am in prayer this morning that it will be nothing serious and just anxiety. I know that we have a lot of that right now with three kids to raise and the times being so tough economically, but I choose to praise God for what we have and to be thankful in ALL circumstances. We are so blessed on so many levels and I know that God will provide. I hope everyone we know and love are enjoying their summer and spending time with their kids and families. Love to each and everyone one of you who read this blog.......

Who Made the Sun Shine?
by: Bayless Conley

Look at Luke 12:16-21:

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying:

"The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Take a look at the few words that this man spoke. In his short declaration, he uses the word I six times and the word my five times! His perspective was a very selfish one. Here are a few questions to ponder:

-Who gave the rain that made his crops grow?
-Who made the soil out of which his crops grew?
-Who made the seed he planted?
-Who caused the sun to shine?
-Who gave him the physical strength to work the field?
-Who gave him his soul?

The answer to all of those is God. Yet he makes no acknowledgement of God in his speech, planning, or giving. He should have been thanking God for all His blessings and asking the Lord what He wanted done with His things. Be faithful to acknowledge God and to ask Him what to do with His resources over which you are a steward.

More Drama - Imagine that!

Well, the hubby woke me up at 2 a.m. Monday morning and asked me take him to the hospital because he was having chest pain and felt like he couldn't breathe. SO, we made the trip to the E.R. and subsequently Chris had to spend the next 24 hours in the hospital being monitored. Come to find out, the doctors believe the pain and shortness of breath was brought on by anxiety and stress and he is back home. Well, actually he is back at work in Tacoa, Georgia today and won't be home until tomorrow evening. So, PLEASE be in prayer for the Brown Family (as usual). The blessing in all this, because there always is, is that we were reminded again how short life can be and how much we need to love and forgive and live each day as if it is our last!

Well, Bonnaroo is in full swing and if you listen very quietly you can hear the sound of chanting and the smell of all the smoke rising in the distance... :)

We are headed to Chattanooga this evening to get the kids, see a friend who is swimming 4.5 miles tomorrow in the Tennessee River Rat Race and spend some time with my Dad tomorrow. All in all, a good weekend.

Be patient Melissa.....

Well, if anything right now the Lord is teaching me patience. The first home we put on the market sold within 24 hours so I haven't had much experience with listing a home and it actually sitting on the market. We have had several showings, but no offers. Please pray that God's will be done for our family. We really need to downsize financially and I pray that the Lord will send a buyer.

http://www.trulia.com/property/1079335259-406-3rd-Ave-NW-Winchester-TN-37398

Two Quick Things To Share

First of all God gave me this verse last night and YES I mean gave it to me. It literally came to my head and I went and looked it up:

John 14:12-14 (New International Version - UK)
12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Isn't that great news!

Secondly, our fears about Hudson not being a true beach-bum like the rest of us have been eased as you can see from above pic! :)