Spring and Demolition Derbies

As you know from previous posts that our family is deeply involved in Demolition Derbies. And that's just not my immediate family, that's the extended family too and our friends. When Spring rolls around, we start to hear the roar of Demolition Derby Cars. Awww, what a sound! To some it might be a sound that you want to run and put ear plugs in. But to us, it's the first sign of Spring and Summer.

Our first derby of the season is at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Virginia. April 25th, 2009 at 4:pm. My son, brother, cousins and friends will be in this derby. Mangled Metal Productions is hosting this derby. If you recall last April they hosted one near Winchester, Virginia. This year they are coming down here. So it's still in the Valley just a little closer to us. But they did an extraordinary job and we were very happy with how everything was handled and quickly moved along. So we are very excited and look forward to this derby.

During the 'derby season' you'll always know where to find derby car drivers....faithfully working on their cars. After church, my son heads down to my brothers house to help them work on their cars and work on his own. They have such an adrenalin rush while their working on their cars, once their cars are ready and the biggest deal...before, during and after the derby. You cant get these guys to hold still during this time. It's so fun to watch them. They all have such an incredible passion for this and it's an awesome site to see.

Come join us at the derby in a few weeks!! It's awesome family fun and I guarantee you, you wont regret it!!

**please note, I do not or ever have worked for Mangled Metal Productions**

Check This Blog Out

Every once in a while I like to share a site and/or blog that I really like. Here's a new one for you to check out.

http://appalachianhistory.blogspot.com/

Empty Pockets

When you first read the title, you probably think I'm talking about having no money. Which than yes, my pockets are usually empty.

Today I begin washing clothes like I do twice a week, sometimes (usually) more. And I realized even more than I have before that I hate emptying pockets. I've always hated that job and I think I have a phobia about it. Why? Well, read on. Every time I empty pockets I usually find stuff I'd rather not touch or see. I'm sure some of ya'll can relate to this, especially if you're a Mom, Grandma or Aunt. I realize guys wash clothes too. But they don't get grossed out as easily as us.

Yesterday, my husband took our kids fishing. Okay, so I'm thinking you already have a smile on your face in which you're imagining what I found in their pockets. My kids are normal farm country kids. They like running out in the fields chasing cows, catching frogs, turtles, picking up worms on a rainy day and snails. They love mud boggin' and Tide is my hero for all of the above reasons.

I emptied my daughters jeans and coat pockets. Ummmm, snails and worms. Uggghhh! I emptied my sons jeans and coat pockets. Worms, fishing equipment, nuts and bolts. And some how big glops of grease stuffed in his coat pocket. Surprising my husband only had cough drop wrappers. But let's not forget the night before when he came home, like my son, covered in grease and mud. And over the years these are actually "mild" things that I've found. If I'd list everything I've found, I'd run out of room and time.

I love being a Mom and Wife. And I can honestly say it's never a dull moment and my kids keep my imagination running wild. Like, one day I have this very big image that when I empty their pockets out....nothing will be in them. Yes, I know....I have to use my imagination on that.

Share with us some "odd" things you've found in the pockets when washing clothes. I just want "empty pockets."

Gitchells Photography

My friend Christa has updated her website for her photography business. Go check it out, it looks great!

www.gitchells.com

Fear & Worry

Last night we had a Church Ladies Fellowship meeting at my house and I really enjoyed it. Our Pastor's wife talked to us about worry and fear, yes I have a lot of both. And she made a very direct point that hit home and hit hard. That if we are worrying and we have fears, we're submitting to satan....NOT God as we should be. And when she said that and it hit me, deep down I became panicked because I NEVER want to submit to satan. Intentionally or by accident. Okay, I don't know how I would "accidentally" submit to satan, but you get my point.

I tried to validate and tried to make some of my fears "okay", but it didn't work. Like I have a severe fear of fire. I can deal with fire, but you cant tell that my heart is racing and I could probably have a nervous breakdown when I'm around fire. My reasoning....I've had a lot of family members die in fires. And when I was a baby the furnace at our house blew up and caught the house on fire. My crib/room was right beside it. I have a fear of dieing and leaving my kids too soon. My reasoning...my Dad's parents were both killed when he was young. And I've seen how hard it was for him to deal with that.

After everyone left, I prayed, did my devotion, read my Bible and I couldn't come up with any reasonable explanation to hold onto those fears. Of course I'm still afraid of fire just because it's dangerous, but I'm trying and praying alot to let go of the reason I have for fear of fire.

As a human with sin nature, like we all are. I honestly will never completely stop worrying. I'm a Mom, Daughter, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, etc. so it's natural for me to worry. But when I do start worrying or fearing something, I have to remember to always, always, always, give it to God. And you know, after you do that you feel a whole lot better because you don't have that heavy weight of burden weighing you down.

I hope my Pastor's wife doesn't mind but here's some verses (along with the short notes I took) to help you with worry and fear, that she shared with us last night. I've seen them all before but it's a good reminder and pick me up.

Ephesians 5:21, 22....submit
James 4:7...if you have worry or fear, you're submitting to satan instead of God.
-resist fear and worry
I Corinthians 11:3...submit to God, give fears and worries to who they belong to, God.
I John 4:18...God = Love = cast out all our fears
Psalm 23:4...fear no evil
Joshua 1:9...be not afraid, have strength and courage
II Timothy 1:7,8...spirit of fear = satan, not from God. fear is never from God.
Philippians 4:6,7...don't worry about anything, pray about it and give it to God.
Matthew 6:34...don't worry about tomorrow
Philippians 4:13..I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.
Psalm 55:22...cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.

Try to enjoy a worry free day! God bless ya'll!