some things are too big to blog.

We have had quite an eventful few weeks around here. The oldest daughter went to Transform Student Camp in Tennessee. The second born was at Ballet Magnificat summer intensive in Jackson Mississippi. Both of these events meant several trips driving to and from these places for drop off and pick up.

Preacher daddy and I went to Jackson yesterday to see the ballet dancer’s recital. Thankfully, we have wonderful friends who graciously watched the other children, because y’all it is five and a half hours to Jackson from here without children. So, by my best calculation it would have been at least an eight-hour trip if we had all the bladders in the van with us.

This past week we also realized there was a little snafu in the college bound daughter’s financial aid package, so we are in the process of trying to decide if this is the Lord closing a door for her at a particular school. In the meantime, we are revisiting two other schools we had on the list and praying through where she should be. All of course, before August 8 which is new student orientation. YIKES!!!

In addition, over the last few weeks I have been working though things pertaining to my brother’s death.  Some things just cannot be blogged, because some things are just too big and mind blowing; not to mention there are no right words with which to express it.

During this time, He has thrown open a door that cannot ever be shut again, nor would I want it to. With it brings the unknown, joy, sadness, but greatest of all it brings blessing, hope and perhaps one answer to the question of “Why” this happened.

Maybe someday I will be able to write about the whole story, but for now, we take each day at a time and cling to Romans 8:28.

Highly intellectual…resources

Because I spend so much time in highly intellectual resources concerning the founding of our country I thought I would share my findings.  In case there are others out there with highly advanced minds such as mine.

linkage

Piper… on Television and the Movies

Alcorn… Counting the Cost

Spunky…First they came for the auto dealers

chicken and rice…a crockpot meal

Ingredients for a  family of 4. We double the recipe.

1 1/4 cups raw converted rice

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 1/2 cups chicken broth..maybe a little more than that no more that 3 cups.

3 cups cooked diced chicken

1 4-oz can sliced mushrooms-drained

6 Tbsp soy sauce

Mix rice and melted butter in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients. Stir well. Cook on low for 5-7 hours or high 2-3 hours.

Jon and Kate…not so great

P daddy and I watched Jon and Kate last night along will many other viewers. As I watched, my heart broke for them. I wanted to scream, “Don’t give up.”   I don’t know if they have sought Godly council, if not I pray that they would. God is always in the business of restoration and redemption.

For more of our thoughts check out preacher daddy’s blog.

a few thoughts…a few weeks later

A few thoughts…a few weeks later.

Sin usually does not confine itself to just the one who participates. The ripples wash over the innocent as well. Then they must deal with stuff they never should have to deal with.

I am sorrowful for the burden the one who started this domino will bear the rest of her life.

The choices you make in life matter, even little ones.

Secrets will be revealed and then those left behind must deal with them.

Regret in the hand of the enemy can be a powerful weapon.

My brother’s death has ushered in new phase in my life dealing with helping and caring for my parents. Right now it is just little things that Jeff was able to do, but soon it will be more.  I am not sure how that will work itself out living four hours away.

A few truths….

No one can be so far that the hand of God cannot reach them.

Ours days are short.

God’s ways are higher than my ways.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

A link to a post from Robin

A letter from her Great, Great grandmother on her deathbed 1887.

joy and circumstances..a link

My joy has no regard for circumstances

now I know…

Tonight I was upstairs playing with the seven year old and five year old. The seven year old decided he would be a doctor and the five year old was his nurse. I, of course, became the patient. The first item on the doctor’s agenda was to order me an x-ray. The nurse immediately received the results. I asked, “Well how does it look?”  She quickly responded, ” Well, I think your brain is a little fuzzy.”

Wow, an accurate diagnosis within ten seconds and no co-pay or deductible required.

vacation pictures

Last night we arrived back home by the dark of night, 1:45 am to be exact. We decided to leave around suppertime with high hopes of only one or two bathroom stops. I will not post about how preacher daddy locked the keys in the van at a gas station.  With the assistance of  six men, two screw drivers, one pair of pliers, an allen-wrench, a six inch piece of copper wire, oh yes…. and a hatchet, we successfully broke into our vehicle. All this took approximately forty-five minutes. I will also not tell you that when I arrived home I had a nice little newsletter from my insurance company stating our coverage included roadside assistance such as locking keys in a vehicle. Who woulda known?

Miracle of all miracles we did only have two bathroom stops and let me tell you that is a miracle with ten bladders traveling together.

Here are a few pictures of our trip. We only had one rainy day, so we headed over to Pensacola to the Naval Aviation Museum. It’s a great little free field trip. We stayed at a beautiful condominium with a gorgeous view of the ocean. My oldest snapped a picture of our lovely luggage. I am still amazed that preacher daddy can fit it all in the van. He’s my hero. :0)

home again

We arrived home this evening in time for my sixteen year old’s ballet recital. I am thankful for friends who had a homecooked meal ready for us not long after we walked in the door. It was wonderful not having to worry about preparing or grabbing something on the road as we made a quick turn around and headed to the recital.

I hope to soon get back to some kind of normal. I know that many things are still unresolved.  I will be making several trips back to my parents to help them with many loose ends that may take quite a while to tie up.

I am unsure as to the current status of the investigation other than they have one suspect under arrest, but the investigation is still open. I will have to call soon and get the latest. I have learned first hand now that you cannot believe what is printed in the paper or  what you hear on the news. I don’t think I have heard one report that gave just the facts we were given without adding their own speculation.

My son asked me yesterday if I was angry at the man who shot, Jeff.  Odd as it sounds I haven’t really thought much about him.  Other than the fact that he and my brother were born in the same year. Now, I have begun to pray for him and actually would like to see him face to face one day. He needs a savior and I know Him.

I am not sure how much I will put on the blog after this post. There is just so much to sort through. It really does seem like I am living a Law & Order episode. Unfortunately, this one is not going to be resolved in one timely episode.

update and a thank you

Today we accomplished several things. All the funeral arrangements are made. The service will be held tomorrow at Gallatin Funeral Home @ Crestview.  Visitation will be from 12:00-2:30 and the service will be @ 3:00.

The hardest part today was going through my brother’s clothing to find something for him to wear.  I thought about putting him in his MMA outfit, he loved it so much and had toyed with going into it professionally. I thought it might be fitting.  My mom didn’t really go for it.

I so appreciate everyone praying on our behalf.  I cannot express to you how much that means to me. Please continue to pray tomorrow during the service, as it will be a very difficult day.

so much more to the story

I thought I should fill you in on the rest of the story.  Know that the person my brother ran to help was his ex-wife. It is a long story, but unfortunately she seems mentally unstable some would say bi-polar. When she was on her meds she was great, but most of the time she was not. Which would cause her to turn to alcohol and other drugs? After several years of marriage and trying to help her, they filed for divorce. The papers were signed and were in the 60-day waiting period for the finalization process. That was to take place in June. They actually had finally come to a place where they were somewhat friends. From what I understand she had moved into the apartment complex with another man just down from him.

Obviously, at this time, she was not doing well and had perhaps purchased drugs she could not pay for. From what I understand the dealers came after her. Someone came to my brother’s apartment that evening and told him she was being beaten. He ran out to help and that’s when he was shot.

For most of the day today, we have spent our time trying to find her. Since the divorce is not official, she is still his closest living relative and must be responsible for signing important papers. It has been a long day with much complication. Check out my husband’s blog for more information.

Below is a picture of Jeff. He loved MMA. He sparred with some of big name guys. He was also a certified black belt and trained in Brazilian Jiu jitsu and Muay Thai.  Jeff helped anyone and everyone. He would give anything he had, which in the end he did.

John 15

¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Jeff Beaty

unexpected tragedy

This morning I received a call that I wasn’t expecting. It seems my brother tried to stop a gang beating at his apartment complex sometime last night. He was shot and killed. This afternoon we are headed up to Nashville.  Please pray for our family and my parents during this time.

latest technology

Follow the Rabbi…latest technology