To Katie

20!!!!! So now I guess I'll agree you are one of those "a" words...(calm down everyone I mean adult) she was just never allowed to say that in my house!

You have been and brought great joy to this litte family! You may not know it but I was trying to get pregnant with you...then one night...sorry just teasing you..no then one night your dad said I thought you wanted another baby...I said I thought you did...we better start being careful! But God...(there are those words I've come to love) knew we needed you and much to our surprise I was already pregnant...you did whoever make me the sickest of all your siblings! Yep...I think I started throwing up before I knew and I did the day you were born and everyday in between!

You are such a funny person! You have the ability to bring laughter into a room and make it contagous! You know, I've told you many times you are one of my heros! (just as your brother and sisters are)...to watch you walk with the Lord...to trust Him so much at such a young age...that makes you a hero in this momma's eyes!

I look forward to seeing you future play out before us all...to see you marry...have your own family...to serve the Lord beside your husband...to teach you childen about the Lord...You know really the truth is that you, Cassie, Heather and Michael are the ones who taught me...sorry it had to be that way but so thankful that God's grace in you lives was big enough for you to be able to do that...Know these things, I love you so much, I'm proud of the WOMAN you have become, I'll be your biggest prayer warrior (besides your daddy) and...as long as I'm living my baby you'll be!!!! You have a fantastic day sweet girl!

summer times...with the great I AM!!!

Well summer is almost over and what a summer it has been. We have been so busy since we got home from JAX in July! We celebrated the 4th with a thrown together party at our house but it was a good day and night and we had the best firework display yet!

Jesse and Cassie brought their youth group to Missouri to minister to the area...and I believe all those closely involved will be forever changed. We saw God do amazing things...in the lives of the kids they taught...in the lives of the people they visited...in the lives of our teens and in the lives of theirs! It was one of the most powerful weeks I've ever had the privilege of being a part of...We had kids saved during the Day Camp they hosted...we witnessed one of our own teens ask Jesus into her heart...we witnessed a few others just nailing down somethings in their lives...and we witnessed the bonding of our own youth group. That was something that needed to happen so we can work together...Friday night they hosted a youth rally. We had great hopes for it...we invited 4 other churches to join us...and not ONE came just EBC and ABC that was it...but God knew what He was doing...we had amazing worship...then Jesse brought the word...it was a powerful service with one of the JAX students being saved as well! The students then began to share testimonies...around an hour of young people sharing what God is teaching and leading in their lives...amazing!!!!!! We were sad to see them leave but excited too so that all involved...their teens and ours could begin walking what God had been talking to them all about!!!

We went STRAIGHT into VBS at the church the next week...we had a youth class this year for many various reason...but the main one being that again...God knew what He was doing...We started the week with 14 teens and ended the week with 31! We saw 5 teens accept the Lord! What a week! Again, lives have been changed forever!

During this time we also got to spend some sweet time with Cassie and the boys. Jesse went back to JAX and was gracious enough to share Cassie and the boys with us. So we had almost 3 full weeks with them! (total) It was great! I love them so much and miss them more than I can put into words...but the most fun (if I had to categorize it) was getting to know Camden better...he obviously doesn't know us as well and we don't know his personality like we do Ayden and Landy's so that was so good. He is a very good baby who likes to laugh and tease. He plays hard and when he plays to hard he falls asleep in his food! Ayden keeps us in stitches and Landy has the most precious smile..it will just melt you like butter...loved again watching them play with Rylee and Caleb...love seeing all 5 grandbabies together!

Michael and Katie went straight from VBS to Children's camp along with a few others from the church...JD and Heather being some...next to the last day Heather fell and broke her leg and ankle...a very severe break that has since required surgery...praying for her recovery as she sets in her chair and listen's to the Father!

Michael and Katie then came home and the next day took Cassie and the boys home and spent a week with them...everyone is home now but I won't say it's normal...don't think we know normal anymore...but that is good!!!!

God has taught me many things this summer...to many to put into words I think....but I can say I doubted many things and He has shown me once again just how Good, and gracious and faithful He is! I've fasted from facebook the past week..it has been one of the hardest things I've ever done..I knew I was addicted but had no idea really just what an idol it had become in my life...yesterday I told Scott and the kids...Monday...I'm setting my alarm at 5:30 and getting up to get back on FACEBOOK...then today the Lord VERY clearly said...you never seem that excited or determined to spend time with ME! OUCH...pray for me...I want to be that sold out and passionate about HIM...tomorrow is a new day with new things in my life...I would ask for you to pray for God to have HIS way in my life and not me having mine...

Until the next time...here are some grandbabies of mine...

Seashells...

Well I'm home for Florida...and again it was to short of a visit but a very sweet time with our sweet daughter and her family serving Jesus there in that beautiful city! We celebrated Camden's first birthday while there...he has grown into a very handsome little toddler! He is walking everywhere now and beginning to talk...and chasing hard after his big brothers.

This trip Heather and the twins joined us along with Nanny and Gigi...this was the first trip for each one of them...I think they enjoyed the trip as well...there was a stomach bug in the house when we arrived but we loved on each other anyway!

Along with the b-day celebration we got to take the kiddos to the zoo one day and to the beach another day...all were good times with lots of sweet memories...I must admit my main thing I wanted to see...was all 5 of my grandchildren playing together...and boy did they...we had some adjustments to make but all in all...5 kids, 4 and under in a house for a week...did GREAT!!!! They are all so very precious to me...almost all can same some kind of Grammy now and I love hearing them say my name and more than that reaching for me...wanting and letting me love on them!

Camden enjoying his birthday cake!

on grammy's lap...so happy????

at the zoo

all 5 playing together


It was a good trip...I even did all the driving which if truth be told...it is again just a sign of my "control freak" personality...But I must say...I have yet to see my Jacksonville family that God hasn't taught me something and He has done that again...I'd like to share with you...praying God will use this in your life...as we played at the beach...Ayden had told me he and I would get some seashells off of the beach...but he got busy playing and forgot as did I...then just before we left I noticed how many there were right there in front of me...I began to pick them up walking down the beach...God began to speak...He is continuing to teach me to take my hands off of all the things in my life I'd held onto so tightly...all the things that to a degree I could be a control freak with...my husband, children...even my life...but He reminded me that He has other plans for our lives...beautiful plans if we will let HIM be in control...and that may mean He will scatter us as the seashells were scattered along the beach...but He has a purpose...a beautiful purpose...for some lost soul to be in just the right place at just the right time to see one of those seashells...for their lives, their paths to cross so He can change another life...and another...and another...so I picked up several shells and I've placed them on my table with the pictures of all the grandbabies...because I want them to serve me as a reminder that I must be willing to let God take them were He desires...for His greater glory...oh, and I know the waves will come and go...some to wash us clean and others hard and scary at times...but all under the control of the Father...I don't think this time the lesson was just about again...taking my hands off of the kids...(all the kids) but also to take my hands off of my desires and dreams...I think He is trying to teach me that I must let go of my life...lay it down and pick up His cross...follow Him...daily...a verse I've used recently...may it be my lifeline from now to eternity..."So I said, Here I am...send me..." Isaiah 6:8b...what is the "seashell" in your life that you need to surrender? I love you all...

Jacksonville-One Year Later...

Well, we arrived safe and sound! It was a long trip but the twins did awesome! They were very content expect for the last hour and a half...so we have NOTHING to complain about! We did have to stop in Morrilton AR to have the air conditioner repaired on the van but 2 hours later and near as much money as it could have been we hit the road again!

Cassie and the kids met us at the door and they all came to us pretty well! It has been crazy to say the least with 5 kids under the age of 4 around here! On top of all that Cassie and the boys have had a bug and now Heather has it...praying no one else gets it! The visit has still been good. They have moved into a house now and it is very cute!

They have been here over a year now...I find myself wishing I could hate this place...but I don't the people here are amazing. The have loved my kids like their own! They even have some friends who love the boys just like aunts and uncles do. I'm so thankful for these relationships they have made...friendship that I believe will last a lifetime...now matter what!!!

It is late so I will close...will post again after we get home and I can add some photos~

Scott and Michael

In just a few hours it will be their birthday! I love both of these guys so much! God has blessed me with a fantastic husband. He loves me and I can have confidence in this...a gift that is not always true in life...He has worked so hard over the years for our family. He loves his kids and grandkids like nothing that can be explained. I have had the honor to walk beside this man now for 29 years (that counts our dating year). I have watched him go really from boy to man, handling lifes challenges one at a time as they came our way! He has fallen in love with the Savior over the years...with a passion that he refuses to let die! Thank YOU Lord for that. He has allowed the Lord to stretch and grow him until it hurt and there were many times it was a painful process...but he made it thru...a man and his God...and I get to be a part of that...

24 years ago...Scott would tell you he got the best birthday present ever...our son...now that is not to say he loved him more...just to say that a child...our child was born on his birthday...truth be known it's a good thing he liked it because he hasn't gotten much since due to the fact that we've had bicycles and dirt bikes to purchase on this date! I think most people would agree Scott is a good son, brother, grandson, uncle, father, poppy, husband and friend...but I know he loves all those titles...each one carries so much for him in his heart but the ONE thing he desires to do and do well...be a Christ follower...and he does...I love you more than I could ever but into words!

And then there is my son...not a boy any longer but a man...with opinions of his own and bold to share them! Most of the time that is a good trait in him...He knows what be believes and stands firm in it...even if it is offensive...I wish I would be more that way! He has had much to deal with in life...dad being gone alot as he grew up... in a house full of girls...but he has turned out pretty darn good if you ask this momma! I can depend on him when Scott is gone...he likes to torment me alot but when the chips are down he takes care of his mom...I had a lady tell me once, if you want to know how a man will treat his wife...watch how he treats his mom...Michael will be a great husband...I look forward to see just what God has in store for him in the future...he graduates college in December and so the future is wide open for this young man...things I love about Michael....well...I love to watch him play with his nephews and his neice...I love to hear him and Katie laughing and teasing each other, I love the way he loves Cassie, I love the way he stood with broad shoulders for Heather when she needed him, I love the way he looks at maw maw, I love when he makes me stuff in his shop...he takes such joy in surprising me..and others, I love the way he saves and waits (not always patiently but waits just the same) for things he likes but most of all I love to watch him worship the Lord...to follow as he leads us to the throne to worship our King...to my boy...Happy Birthday...I love you...mom

Summer begins 2010...

Well, it's been a while since I've posted and we are in full swing of summer and all that goes with that around the Griffith house! Katie and I are both babysitting this summer...so let's just say some days are CRAZY!!!! But, to know that God has give us the privilege of being part of their lives is cool (most days).

I will be leaving for Jacksonville on June the 24th to once again join our oldest girl and her family for a special birthday...Camden Isaiah will be 1 on the 26th! This time we will be traveling with great grandma's, an aunt and a few cousins! I can't believe they have been gone one year...and the things I've seen God do in their lives and ours during this year are...priceless...there is no other way to describe it!

Revival was an amazing time at the church a few months ago...but since then I've feel like I've been swimming out to sea (sorry to much finding nemo at our house!). But for real that is my way to describe the place I've been in...to be honest am in...but over the years as I've walked with the Lord...I've learned many things...many truths that loving people and a very loving God have poured into me...so during this time...I'm choosing to hang onto truths that I KNOW and not walk in the way that I feel...the TRUTH is if I'll seek the Lord, If I cry out to Him...He will hear me...so though I feel alone...like He is not here I cry out to Him, I will be in His word, I will talk with Him through prayer...and do you know...the most amazing thing...He IS answering me...He hears my cries...I bought a bible study book several months back...for this summer...I got it because I thought I'd might do one alone this summer, it was by an author I knew...Nancy Leigh DeMoss and mostly because it was on the clearance for $6.00 so I could afford it...the name..."Seeking Him"...God knew all those months back that I would need the words and scriptures of this study today! He loves us so much and He can see the big picture...He knows us better than we know ourselves!

So if I could encourage you in anyway...I'd say to you...don't trust your feelings...they WILL lie...they will sell you short...trust the TRUTH of God...He loves you...He desires to be our everything...He truly is all we need...one of my prayers this past two weeks has been for me to return to my first love...but then God revealed to me...have I ever allowed HIM to BE my first love...so do I pray to return to it...or experience it for the first time in my life...Lord, give me a passion for YOU that cannot be quenched!

If you know me at all...you know that I am a terrible worrier. My pastor was teasing me the other day and he said I worry about what to worry about...and boy has God used that simple statement...truly said in fun to open my eyes to the fact that I have got to start trusting Him...but today...this is what the Lord said to me ...worry and anxiety are expressions of pride...Lori in your life...and God cannot use prideful people...ouch! That one hurt...I know worry is a sin but I didn't think of it as pride...what is pride? Setting self over God or His power...so duh...worry...is setting everything up as if God is not in control...He has me engraved in the palm of His hand, He covers me like a momma hen covers her chicks with her wings...under the shelter of His wing...with that HOPE what do I need to worry about or fear!

As you can see...still learning many life lessons...but I wouldn't have it any other way...this is what reminds me of my desperate need for the Lord in my life! I pray He will still teach me things at 90!

What is God teaching you now...I'd love to know

Surrendered

Happy Mother's Day 2010! What a great day it has been around this place. My day started with a "survival style mother's day hunt" The kids all went together and got me a swing to set in the yard and grow old in...rocking my grandbabies in...the twins and I like to set and swing...and let me just say I know 3 special little boys that will getting their own swing time with grammy come july!!! Cassie called this morning...I must confess I really knew she would! So I was waiting for that phone to ring...I miss her like crazy and though we both tried to hide it from the other...today was hard without seeing each other face to face...but hard doesn't mean bad...just different...We've almost had all the "first" behind us know...they've been gone from here 11 months now...WOW...but God...have I already said I love those words??? He is faithful and good! They have seen many things good in their ministry there, lives changed and more importantly eternities changed...that is what life is all about!!!

Surrender...that is the message I heard from the Lord today in church...JD had an amazing message from the Lord...I'm trying so hard to open the palms of my hands and say here it is Lord...take it all...it's really Yours anyway...never has belonged to me...surrender everything and everyone...trust Him to lead my lives, my husbands, my childrens...my friends and family...

The mother/daughter banquet was Friday night and the message was amazing there as well...a reminder that there are times we are to sit and there are times we are to serve...and both seasons are for a purpose...the challenge is to know when to sit and when to serve...

My grandbabies are getting to big! Our Ayden will start preschool in the fall and I can't believe it...I still remember the christmas before we was even conceived...thinking...I just wonder if this is the year that will change our lives... and boy was it!!!! Landon is talking more and more...today when Cassie called I could hear him talking with his daddy and I COULD understand him....oh our little landy...then twins are starting to also talk...mimick and FIGHT with each other...today their parents told us...you won't think is funny in a few more years...but really now it is! and then our little camden...is almost walking according to mom he is taking 4 steps at a time now...not that he means too but he is...I hate missing his firsts...but I WILL be there for his first b=day in a few weeks! Looking forward to precious time with them and travel down with my family...

our next few weeks are very busy...gastao will be going thru graduation and then he will be going home to brazil...he will be greatly missed around here!