My Brother...Growing Up....

My Brother, Steven, growing up too fast! Man, it is really hard to see the young man that was 16 years ago 3lbs now almost all grown up. I am so proud of the young man that he has become! Steven is a typical teenage boy! He tries to get his way but in the end he has a sister that sets his path straight! He loves sports, his family, his girlfriend Stevie and goes to school as a hobby!

On a serious side Steven is a strong christian young man who loves and serves the Lord. He stands firm in what he believes in and holds nothing back. It is just really hard to see him grow up because he is supposed to be the little brother who still calls me "SISTER!" He doesn't call me Stephanie, Steph, or Steppie he calls me SISTER! I love it.

This Saturday he went to his first Prom. It is so weird being one of those going to Furman to take pictures for prom. Is he really that age yet? He has a beautiful girlfriend, Stevie. She a hyperactive teenage girl that loves rainbow color striped rainboots, retro anything and stands out among the crowd! They compliment each other well.

I am so glad that God answered my prayer a long time ago for a little brother! He has blessed my life in so many ways! I feel almost like his mom, sometimes act like his mom (which he doesn't care for) but what are older sisters for? Anyways enjoy some of the prom pictures!

The Reason I Sing...

The Reason I Sing...What Is Your Reason?
Wednesday night in choir practice our music minister asked us the question, "What is the reason we sing?" That may not seem like a real hard question for most but for me it was a reality check. We took a few moments to pray silently and to reflect on that question before we did something that you normally do not do in choir practice- "The LORD's Supper"
You know I have gotten into the routine of every Sunday going to church standing up in the choir loft singing praise songs (sometimes lately catch myself not really paying attention to the words that I am singing), smiling, clapping, raising my hands- only to realize that I am not doing it for the right REASON!
This realization really hit home with me when our music minister asked us to come take "The LORD's Supper" and tell what Jesus is to us in our lives and why we sing. I sat there shocked that I could not give a honest answer to my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I began to pray that God would put the words into my heart and speak through me that is after I asked Him for forgivness which He so FREELY gave. I felt so bad that I knew then that I have made the LORD's day a "ROUTINE!"
I can say that the Reason I sing is....
He is my creator, SAVIOR, comforter, friend, salvation, hope, strength, love, light, path, source of control, determination, voice, healer, provider, peace, rest, courage, my SONG, my heartbeat, and most of all my Faithful and Forgiving FATHER!
FOR THOU OH LORD, ARE A SHIELD FOR ME, MY GLORY AND THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD
I CRIED UNTO THE LORD WITH MY VOICE AND HE HEARD ME OUT OF HIS HOLY EAR, I LAY ME DOWN AND SLEPT AND AWAKED, FOR THE LORD SUSTAINED, THE LORD SUSTAINED ME!!!!