Fall Reading Challenge

So today I decided to join a fall reading challenge found at Katrina's Blog. I've never done one of these before, but since I read a LOT it should be a breeze. Last night I just finished the autobiography by Denise Jackson (she's the wife of country music star, Alan Jackson) called, "It's All About Him".
The rest of the books I plan to read are:
The Rest of God-Mark Buchanan
See You in a Hundred Years-Logan Ward
Split Ends-Kristin Billerbeck
Chasing Fireflies-Charles Martin(I LOVE HIS BOOKS!!!)
Then I took some titles from BooMama that sounded interesting and ordered these from the library(thanks Christie:) :
Peace Like a River-Leif Enger
The Debt-Angela Hunt
There Is No Me Without You-Melissa Faye Green(Brandi, have you read this???)
So, that is my list, although there will probably be more...I average about two books a week if they are easy reads, but I thought this would be a good start....so join me and read some books!
Love,
Jackie Sue
P.S.Had a wonderful time on the women's retreat this weekend. Things went well. Thanks for your prayers!

A Fun Weekend

Moon Festival Weekend with Families with Children from China

We spent the last weekend with our Families with Children from China celebrating the Moon Festival, a Chinese holiday. It's a great excuse to get together at the beach with folks we don't get to see nearly as often as we'd like. It was a ton of fun. Two other families from our church were able to attend with their daughters from China, along with their other kids. The weather was beautiful and we made some fun memories. I've loaded an album with a bunch of photos. (If you click on the photo above you will get to the album.) I must say that I love nothing more than to see my girls with their "chinese sisters". It just warms this momma's heart. The folks who planned this event did a great a job choosing a place that was kid friendly. The rooms had bunk beds for the kids and the kiddie pool had lots of fun slides and stuff to play on. This weekend I am heading to Jacksonville for a retreat with the women from my church. If you read this say a prayer for me since I have to lead worship and I am really really nervous. God is faithful though and for some reason unknown to me at this point He has chosen me for this job and I will count it a priviledge to serve Him. The funny thing is that I said to some one just recently that I had "retired" from worship team/music ministry....then I get the call where the person asked me if I would lead this weekend....isn't God funny? Just when I take back something I had surrendered to Him years ago He reminds me again Who's decision it is to retire me or not....He makes me smile and I am deeply humbled that He would use me at all. Well, I have so much on my heart and I continue to ponder some thoughts that I have yet to blog about...but that is coming. God bless you. Love, Jackie Sue
p.s. sometimes I wish I were a "funny" blogger like my new favs, www.BooMama.net and www.BigMama1.com...if you want laughs, check them out...they make me laugh outloud with their southern humor.
p.s.s. A Big shout out to my precious Hubby who has a birthday today...I am one blessed woman!!! I love you, Eddie!!!!

Sarah Quits

My sweet daughter spent much of her day, maybe two, working on my blog for me and then at the end, she quit! I mean, she was done working on it, but then she just signed off and was gone in a moment, afraid I'm sure that if she stayed online with me any longer I would ask her to do something else. Poor sweet Sarah. Well, I for one will hopefully remember this fun evening chatting with her online, her trying to fix my blog, and me making suggestions, for a long long time. She is a darling daughter and I am one blessed momma. I love you, Pete!

this is a test ....

~Jackie Sue

Props to Sarah J...my right hand

So, pretty cool update, don't cha think? I love it! My gal is pretty darn brilliant! Love to her!!!

Blog Changes

Well,the day is nearly over and we spent Labor Day laboring :) Things in the yard get so out of hand so quickly it seems so we spent the day working to catch up on weeding, spraying weedkiller, fertilizing flowers while at the same time keeping new weeds from growing....notice a theme? After the outside jobs I came inside to take a quick shower and fix dinner. I tried some new recipes out on the fam and they were pretty successful, although I didn't love them. After dinner and getting Ellie in bed I spent a good 3 hours, yes I said 3 HOURS, reading blogs on the computer. I love to read about people's lives and since most of the folks I read are believers I love to see all that God is teaching them. Technology is amazing. The strange thing about blogs is that you can feel you know some one by reading their blogs when in reality you don't know them at all. I mean, you know the part of themselves that they reveal, but you don't know their laugh or bad habits or their personality at all really. After looking at 2 dozen or so blogs this evening I have decided to make some changes to mine. The problem is that I don't know how :) So as soon as I can get Sarah on the phone for any real length of time I am going to get her to spiff up my blog.....bet you can hardly wait. Much love to you all.
Jackie Sue