And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.......

       As we slowly get back to normal around here, I'm finding it sometimes difficult to keep my focus straight. With all the emotions, difficulties, chaos and hum drum that has been going on, it's hard to remember the little things. For example I often find myself scolding one of my younger siblings for not cleaning up after themselves or neglecting my responsibilities as the oldest daughter, instead of speaking to those around me with love and making sure that I hold others needs above my own.
    It's easy to think selfishly, especially when your at home with just your family. I mean, how many of us can say that we have suffered from "cabin fever" or just gotten so tired of the everyday routine?
    In reality however when we look past our selfish thoughts and desires, we find that every day things that we do at home with our family can be some of the best things that we'll ever do.

     There are two main things that we need to remember as christian men and women weather we are in the position of a mother, father, sister, brother, daughter or son.
    The first, is that we must love each other with an agape love. Agape is one of the Greek words for love. It means to love unconditionally. We must also remember that love is a choice, so we have to choose to love unconditionally, just as the Father has done for us.
  This means regardless of our circumstances, regardless of wether or not we are getting love back or being treated poorly. We love because it is a commandment from our Heavenly Father, not because we feels like loving. It also means that we forgive when those we love have wronged us, we must have a tendency of mercy rather than judgement, just like the Father.

      Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  Matthew 22:36-40


  The second thing we must do is remember that we do not work for men. Whatever we do, wether it be going to a job every day or staying home with your family, we do it for the Glory of God specifically.

          Colossians 3:23    And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men...


    These are things that many of us have already learned many times throughout our lives. But It's good to examine ourselves on a regular basis, and reconsider how we act. So that we make sure we are striving to be like Jesus.



  On a different note, I thought I should tell you that bible studies have started up again. We will be having them every Sunday night again just like before. At least until further notice that is. The Travers ( the family who's father was our bible study leader when we did them at the Cedar House) have graciously allowed us all into their home. ( Which is where it first started by the way c ; )
   On the first night, after we all sat through a very good lesson by Mr. Travers in which we saw a very funny illustration with a strawberry, I went outside to help Charlene with a few different things. While I was out there one of the little ones asked me to take them on a walk. And I'm glad she did because other wise I would have went back inside to talk more and may have missed realizing what I did. As I held her and walked down the driveway and back, we saw fire flies dancing on the lawn and little ones trying to catch them, heard a Whipper Will in the distance and felt the warm air all around us. All the things you experience in summer time.     
   But as I looked back towards the house and saw everyone there with smiles on their faces, the little ones laughing and playing, the girls talking about the past weeks and some of the others playing instruments. I remember feeling just the way I did at the Cedar House, our Safe Haven. We hadn't lost it after all, because it doesn't matter what building were in, it only matters that were all together. I only wish that Mr. Lee could still be with us.


  Also, Mr Liverett ( Mrs. Crawford's father ) has been sent back to the hospital a few times over the past week due to more chest pains. ( The first came the morning of the storm when he did have a heart attack but later recoverd. )  I think I heard that he will be released tomorrow, I don't have many details right now. But keep the Liveretts and Crawfords in your prayers.

Update on the Lees

    My family and I had the privilege of having dinner with the Lee' last night and I wanted to take a moment to share with you how their doing.


        They are living in a big, beautiful house which suits them well. This is where they will stay until the Retreat Center is finished and they can move back here to the Valley. Which will be around August. And I think they will live there in the Retreat Center until their house is rebuilt.

   I can't tell you how glad I am that they are all okay and so well taken care of. Every time I see their smiling faces, I am reminded just how real God is. He is working in so many peoples lives now more than ever.


   There were three Lee children who were trapped and hurt badly the night of the storm. Tiffany, Emily and Jacob. I'm happy to tell you that they are all doing much better.

This is Tiffany Lee who was pinned under the piano. She's been using a wheel chair and walker ever since the storm, but recently has been able to walk on her own a lot more. Her and Emily have both been attending therapy lessons and are getting better every day. c :

This is Emily, the other girl who was under the piano. She too had been using a wheelchair and walker since the storm but is now walking on her own again. ( I apologize for the bad quality )

This is Bethany Lee, she was one of the oldest who were able to get out unharmed.

And Abby, she was also able to climb out unharmed.

   Each one of these girls have been an encouragement and example to me before and after the storm. I hate that they have had everything taken away from them but I'm glad that, even when we have nothing left, we still have our Savior.

Some of the girls chatting. Over in the back is a girl names Lindsey Schultz. I only recently met her, but she is wonderful. c :

Mr. Schultz, Mrs. Lee and Momma.

 From left to right : Jordan Lee ( He's the one you saw in the interview ) Jesse ( my brother ), Josh and Jacob Lee. Jacob, who was also trapped, is doing much better as well. He had some nerve damage to his face I believe, but I don't think it's anything time won't heal. c ;

 

This piano was given to the Lee's at a benefit concert in Tennessee a few weeks ago. Some Christian Artists ( Chris Tomlin, Chris August, Brandon Heath and some others ) used the piano during the concert which was a concert to raise money for the Lee's. And afterwards they announced that they were giving it to Emily Lee, because she is the one of the girls who plays the piano well. And because their piano was not in the best condition after the storm.

 There were more pictures that I wanted to post but because of complications with this computer, I can't yet. But I'll try to later on.
  I sincerely hope that everyone who has read about and been touched by the Lee's story gets to meet them one day. They really are an incredible family.
   As we talked to them last night, they mentioned their father many times. Mostly with smiles but sometimes with tears. I hate that they have to suffer such a loss. But they know that this does not mean they will never see him again. It only means that they will be separated from him for a short time.
   Mr. Lee truly was an amazing man, he was selfless to the end and loved his family very much. He gave his children a gift that is priceless. He taught them about the Lord and showed them how to follow Him.


  I will have more information on the Lee's and other families soon. In fact in just a few weeks we are going to try to have everyone over to help us pick and jam blackberries. And there will be lots of pictures of that I assure you. c ;

Thank you for reading. c :


Oh and I was finally able to write my first post of my new blog :  http://psalm24-1.blogspot.com/