It's Raining It's Pouring!

Waa! Dylon's first football game was rained out! Oh well. We will travel to Merritt next weekend for his FIRST football game. Our house is turning our really cool! I am a very blessed woman. Okay, so for those who need an update I have dropped my classes for this semester. It was a hard decision, but I feel like I'm missing life because I'm so busy..I would be working on a research project right now, if I was still taking my courses. I am finishing my credentialing process. I have made top grades doing that and I have two tests and one seminar left until it is final. I am getting to participate in a credentialing service at Muskogee, Ok. that's where my husband grew up...My Pastor's wife, Christy, is being credentialed too, along with Mark Williams, who was once one of our students in our youth group! He is now my childrens' pastor! How cool is God! My son's 9th birthday is on Monday! Where does time go? He is such a great little guy. Keep him in your prayers, his transition to public school has been a little rough. He's not used to bigger class size, more responsibility, and making new friends. He's a champ though. I learn so much from my kids. We still don't know how we are going to celebrate his birthday. Maybe he'll want to go putt putt. He wanted to go to the lake but our weather is not conducive to the lake...it's too cool and rainy. Anyways, Nate and I have been waking up really early and walking in our neighborhood before the kids wake up. SCORE Nate and Jolie!! We are trying to stay fit. We also walk with the kids in the evening. it's wonderful to be able to walk in our neighborhood and not get hit by a car!!! Reason #101 that our house is so great! Love you guys and I promise to try to update you more often. Don't be too upset with me! I usually have a choice...computer or spend time in the word...I usually choose the later, but tonight I didn't because I love you guys so much! These are a few more current pics of the kids. Some were from July. The one with brooklyn is at her first day of school with her teacher.

AAH! Fall is in the Air!

It still hot as the blazes, but school has begun, routines are being established, and football time is here! We have a little football player, AKA Nate Junior. He tried out for the Weatherford Eagles 3rd grade team and is attempting to decide between running back and quarterback. He thinks the runningback life is for him. He and his dad have been watching Adrian Peterson films all afternoon. We are officially football parents...Kinda crazy, but Dylon is loving it! I hope he still feels that way after his first hit in the game. We have media night at the High School Football field on Monday. He'll get his name announced out loud and stand with the Varsity team. He also get to scrimmage during the high school homecoming game. The girls are already planning their cheers for their bubba. I'll let ya know how it goes.
We move starting tomorrow. College starts tomorrow too. I hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to update a little more tomorrow.
Love ya,

Jo
P.S. I don't know what your situation is right now but let me encourage you. Read Galatian 6:9......I'm still doing the fat blasting dance mix! It is so funny. I can't get Nate to do it with me yet...that's my exercise news!

what happened to july?

Well, if I'm gonna get one single blog in for July, I have to do it right now! We had a wonderful vacation a couple of weeks ago. It was so relaxing and needed. Since we've returned home I have sold our house, bought another one, started working on finishing my minister's credentials, raised kids, exercised, read books, etc....the list is literally endless. We are gearing up for our school year now. We start school in 2 1/2 weeks. We will move into our new house on the 24th or before....I start college on the 22nd.....I have two tests for credentially, one is on the 4th...I have to sit through an all day seminar and then test over it...Well, one thing is for sure, I can only do it with Christ's strength. Where God guides, He provides! I will try to blog a little, but don't hold your breath, i'm pretty sure you'd pass out.. This way, if I do blog, you can pass out from surprise!! I've posted a pic of our new house...let me know whatcha think!
Jolie

p.s. i have been working out..but I have double my food intake, does that compute?

I'M HOME!!!

Dear Friends,
Okay, so I think my husband thought he was going to die without me....I have to admit, it was very hard being seperated for so long...I survived Mozambique...I say that because it was a very dirty, unorganized, and 3rd world country...I love America. I love Dr. Pepper. I love food that doesn't move on your plate. I love children and telling them about Jesus..I love to hug deprived kids and give them precious gifts that can change their life....I love my children more than my own life....I choose them first everytime..
I have many stories about Mozambique. We handed out 50,000 books of hope and over 3,000 people made decisions to follow Christ! We did programs in schools, marketplaces, and prisons..The schools were huge. One school had 5,000 little kids attending. Dirt floor, thatched roof schools, ofcourse, and some of them had classrooms that were outdoors under trees...Many children we reached were so diseased, sick, and broken. We worked hard, very hard. I am very glad that Dylon did not go on this trip...I'm pretty sure he would have been traumatized by the conditions..He has such a compassionate heart..He would have never understood why we would have to leave all those children with no clothes, shoes, food, or baths! I now understand how to prepare him for next year maybe! He really wants to go to China to see what his Grandparents do there. Keep praying for this may become a reality someday!
We also got to tour London and take a night safari in South Africa at Kruger Park. I actually got to see 11 wild lions..It was so cool..The guy in the picture was one of the Nationals that helped interpret our programs at the schools.

The language is Portuguese which is very close to Spanish. I did very well with the language. I also got to see the Indian Ocean. It was very cool; it's dirty but just the fact that I got to stand on the shore of it was way neato.
To say that I missed my family is a real UNDERSTATEMENT! It is not good to be separated. I may not every go on another mission's trip until the whole family can go...we'll see what God has planned...I love everyone and I'm home safe....Obrigado (thank You).....

P.S. When I got home, my kids and husband through a party for me. We had cupcakes and cappuccino cake. They made me a big sign and streamer were everywhere. I am so blessed and I know it!

Mozambique?

So, I may not be posting for a while. Four people who were going on our church's missions trip do not have passports yet. This is Saturday, They leave on Monday! The Passport Agencies are a mess right now. Pastor Ric needed alternates to go who have their passports and their yellow fever shots. Well, I fall into that category, so if the passports don't come in by Monday morning, I'm on the plane to Africa. Weird huh? I'm totally game, but I just didn't expect it. I feel really bad for those who've been expecting to go and maybe can't. We'll leave @ 12:00 noon on Monday, so if you don't hear from me for 14 days, you'll know where I'll be. Maybe I can post pictures on the blog from Mozambique! That would be cool! I'll let you know if I don't go, but if you don't hear from me again, keep checking the blog, I'll try to post from AFRICA! Wow! Keep praying for our house. The contract fell through again! They couldn't get their financing. Whatever! God's still in control. The bible says, think on whatever is lovely, pure, noble, of good report, so I choose to think of those things. If it's not a good thought, I respond like Scarlet did in "Gone with the Wind." She said, "I committed murder yesterday (southern drawl), but I can't think about that right now!" So I choose to say to the depressing thoughts, "I CAN'T THINK ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW! See ya soon!

I DID IT!

So I got my hair cut and colored today. No more gray hair for me. These are the before and after pictures. It's kinda drastic, I know. I got 3-6 inches cut from the longest to the shortest layer. Let me know whatcha think, but be gentle, okay?

Can't Sleep

Here it is 12:15 a.m. and I cannot sleep. I tried reading, but the book I'm reading is a mystery, thriller, christian fiction. My husband is gone to Youth Camp, so I'm here with the kids alone. Mystery thriller with no husband around, well, let's just say I put the book down for awhile. Seriously, I'm not a chicken, but Terri Blackstone is getting carried away with her writing abilities!

I am now enjoying a new bible study...It is over the book of Galatians. I really appreciate the book of Galatians. Without this book, I would not fully understand the freedom I have in Christ and the importance of the Holy Spirit working in my life...Do I have it all together? No. Do I want to be better? Yes. Today's lesson was about freedom from the law; the ability to live in Christ. Gal. 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." I don't have to follow a bunch of legalistic rules to be considered a "good" person. I have to believe that Christ is my Savior (my white knight saving this damsel in distress); He has changed me, forgiven me of the ridiculous sin I was in, and because of this, I endeavor to do good to others to glorify or give credit to God! Wow! It seems so simple, repetitive, or rhetorical, but He truly did this for me...Me....I was so unworthy of His grace and mercy...do you know the things I did? Some of you probably do! In a way, that is so embarrassing and humiliating for me, but in another way, I'm glad you know. I'm glad you know the miraculous work Christ has done in me. I've been healed of cancer, healed of emotional lacerations, given peace-a peace that did overcome all of the anger I held inside. I've been given an awesome man of God to watch over me, provide for me, protect me. Nate is the white knight that God uses every day to save this pitiful damsel in distress. God shows me His love through my husband in special ways. I feel like the fairytale princess who is just waiting to wake up, pinch myself, and find that it is all just a wonderful dream. The great reality is that I am truly conscious, awake to all the great blessings in my life. I'm really alive, living this dream! My rambling are not just stammerings of a tired woman in the windy Central Plains. They are reminders to myself and others that the Kingdom Life is possible, if only you'll just believe! When the days come, because they always do, that I forget of the wonder of God in my life, remind me of this moment; this blog...this declaration of God's greatness on this particular night. This is the night I could not sleep, and I was given the revelation that few ever understand...I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me! Help me Lord! Help me live the Kingdom Life Every Day!

I Love Summer!

We are on summer break! Yeah! I had a wonderful birthday. I am blessed with so many great friends and family here in Weatherford. My parents called me to wish me a happy birthday. I am so thankful for all I have.
I got a Kasey Kahne visor. #9! I got a camera, a bible study (Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore), diamond earrings, flip flops, cd holder, bath and body works, coffee cup gift certificate, Martina McBride's greatest hits, candy....and good laughs with friends. We had two birthday parties for me; One with my friends and one with my friends that are my family (if that makes any sense). We played mad gab..I am not any good at that, just so you know. We also played Cranium. We laughed, we played, and I got camera happy of course! My kids blessed me with kisses, hugs, and a tanning gift certificate. My pregnant friends came to my party as well. I love babies! I can't wait to hold them.


We also had family fun day at church today. We had big air up games for the kids. It was a beautiful day!


Nate leaves tomorrow for Youth Camp. Please pray for him. He isn't feeling well. We have struggled with respiratory issues. He is using his inhaler alot, too much. I trust God for his healing.

We got a verbal agreement on the contracting of our house. The couple went out of town for the weekend so papers won't actually be signed until Tuesday. Pray that they don't change their minds!!!

We graduated our Seniors on Friday Night. Here is a couple of them playing around at family fun day....Keevin and Kaisa. Again, I love my life!!!

A Good Life!

Yes, dear friends, I am now 30 years old! I'm very pleased to have the life I have at my age. I feel like I've lived more than one lifetime of blessings and I'm excited to see what God has in store for me for the next 30 years. My kids have baked my birthday cake! I also got a new sony camera, yeah!!! We've made the switch from Christian School to Public School. That was a very hard decision, but I feel like it is the best decision for our family overall. Our house has not sold yet! It needs to because I want to move into my dream home! This a picture of my dream home.

It's the one we contracted. Sell, sell, sell, our house, please oh please! Well, I'll write again tomorrow after the parties!! yeah!

I'm in May, Baby!

Okay! okay! I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. Busy doesn't excuse it, but man! Okay, so my kids had an incredible track day. I'll have to post pictures later. I'm getting ready for a trip to Branson for a Pastors' Conference, organizing my kid's babysitters, packing, buying a house, yes!, and trying to sell mine! I got a 4.0 this semester in school. My kids are transferring to Public School. Did I leave anything out? They have one week left of school. uuhh, that just about covers it! Maybe! Anyways, I'm pumped about life, but I don't know if we'll slow down anytime soon. We put a contract on another house. We love it. It was built in 2004! 3 bdr/ 2 bath/ 2 car garage/ covered patio/ etc....It's beautiful. The backyard backs up to Pastor Ric's house, if you know where that is....Anyways, now we just have to sell ours....the other contract fell through so we need someone to buy it TODAY!!! I really want this house we've contracted, did I say that already? Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is, "pray for our house to sell!" I love you guys and you make me smile! Don't give up on me when I linger without posting.

To Jessica, Sylvia! I can't believe you remember SYLVIA. That is her name, right? Our singing platform started a long time ago, didn't it~I can love you like nobody can, even better! haha!

Love everyone (until next time), I get back from my trip on Wednesday night!

Jolie

No sweat, right? Well, keep praying!

Okay, so most of you know that I've started back to college this semester. Well, little did I know that I am enrolled in three of the hardest classes in the Education Department! What?!? Hey, no worries, I'm still pulling all A's. I just finished the telecourse I had to take. General Psychology didn't transfer from TEXAS so I had to retake.........FROM THE HARDEST PROFESSOR AT THE COLLEGE!!!! Well, God and I teamed up and I finished my final this morning. I'm pretty sure the "A" with still stand. Guess what else? Our house is under Contract! Yeah! Now we just have to find a place to live. No sweat, right? Well, keep praying. Also, be praying for our BIG decision on what to do with our children's schooling. We will have THREE in private school this year! That's only $500/month. Remember, debt free is the way we want to stay....Having said that, barring a miracle, we may have to consider transferring the oldest two to public school. Not a tragedy, I know, but we love their school and they are sooooo well adjusted..God's will be done. NO sweat, right? Well, keep Praying!!! We love everybody! Until next time,

Jump, Shout, Live Out Loud

Jolie

Where in the world is Spring?

Okay, so not too long ago I was really worried about not being able to plant flowers yet. What in the world is going on?!? It's almost May and guess what? It's snowing right now!! Well, at least we had a great time on Easter, right? Life at the Hicks' home is great. I just finished my interview for the Department of Education at SWOSU and I was accepted, not that I shouldn't have been, but it was a little unnerving. My kids are healthy, yeah! We still love life. Keep praying for our house to sell. We've had lots of bits but no qualifiers, if you know what I mean! I'll try to update a little more often. Another great breakthrough: I walked three days last week for 30-45 minutes each! I'm improving.

Anybody want to hunt eggs?

Well, the annual prize hunt was this Sunday and now we have more candy than we know what to do with. I promise that my kids get more candy than any children in this state. We had a good time and as always, we were blessed and highly favored. Brooklyn had 7 eggs with prizes in them. She doesn't realize that she gave 3 of them to her little sister, shh, don't tell! Dylon got two prizes himself. They had a great time and God could not have blessed us with better weather. It was beautiful!! We are very excited to go to Nana and Papa's house this Sunday to celebrate Resurrection Sunday! I bought a ham, eggs, cupcakes, and I am definitely bringing my appetite. By the way, I've kinda slipped up on my working out, but my husband is doing enough for the both of us. He's lost 26 lbs. in two months. I can't believe it! I'm really proud of him. As for me, I'm still scrawny. I did walk for 15 minutes today...I might have a little more time later, but don't count on it...Any suggestions? Until next time,
Jolie

Neccessities of Life

Well, guess what? I'm teaching my children how to cook. I have a salter, a chopper, and an opener. With each of them doing their specified job, we had a great dinner of chicken, squash, and peas. Guess what else? Because they cooked it, they ate it! I never got the step by step instruction on cooking when I was young, so I'm starting them out early. So far so good! We are now going to play Disney Scene-it. Dylon always wins, but I'm hard core tonight! Look out, Mickey, here I come! I actually got a picture of them doing the dishes. Oh yeah, I'm teaching them to clean up the dinner too. Neccessities of life, I'm kinda likin' it!
Dylon had his first soccer game of the season and he scored two goals; he's my soccer-stud! The girls are so girly! I love it!
Best of all, we love God with everything we have. I am truly blessed.

What have we not done? Let me check my Calendar

The title is all in fun, but seriously! I'm now relaxing at home, taking a much needed break from our over-scheduled lives. Over the last few weeks we have accomplished so many things. Our house is now officially on the market. We have to keep it spic and span to show almost on a daily basis. With three kids, ha, it's been interesting! My kids have been great. Our house has been on the market for 3 weeks and we've shown it 10 times. Yeah! I hope it sells soon. I've also completed half a semester of college. I have a 98 in my Media & Technology class, a 98 in Psych, and a 100 in Foundations of Education. So far, so good! It's been amazing. I'm learning alot and finding time to do everything else. Last Friday we hosted a "PINC" conference for girls. We had a special guest come and speak to our girls ages 12-21. Purity, Idenity, health and fitness, being a lady, and we had a police officer come and do a powerpoint on internet safety. We started Friday night at 7:30pm and went 'til 11:00am, Saturday. Yes, I stayed up all night....We played strobe light tag, sardines (hide and seek in the dark), and I taught all the girls a danced I choreographed for the mission field a couple of years ago.. They loved it and so did I!!! We had around 50 girls attend. Oh yeah, I'm still married to the greatest guy in the planet! Sorry ladies, I know you thought you were married to the greatest guy, but nope, I got him!!!! Anyway, he's doing great. He's skiing at Wolf Creek right now. He's so crazy. He skied the bowl today, he is pumped. I'd pass out before I ever got there. Dylon and Brooklyn are starting soccer. Addyson is very satisfied just watching. Nate is coaching Dylon's team.
Well, now that you understand my title, I'll gladly let you know that I'm relaxing now. We did go swimming on Tues. at the YMCA, and we will go bowling tomorrow..but that is way easy for me..I love my life. Guess what? We've even made time to go on a few dates!!!! hehe! How do I make time? You should see my calendar!!! When Brooklyn was in the hospital Nate knew exactly who was doing what, when, and where!! It was all on the calendar!! If you don't have one, get one, it works!!
Until later,
The Picture is of Dylon and Brooklyn's musical they were in: Captain Noah's Zoo Cruise for Twos. Dylon was Shem-Noah's son. He had a main part, a singing solo, and I didn't even know it until I got there, that little rascal!
Love ya!

When Life Slaps You Around, Slap it Back!

Okay, so maybe that isn't the "in" thing to do "in a sense." However, sometimes we have to have a change of mindset. I heard a great bit of advice one day this week. The woman told me to have a change in attitude. To do this, we have to change our perspectives. She said this, "a college student wrote a letter to her parents. She apologized for not keeping in touch, but since her arrival in college, she had experienced severe migraines from jumping out of her dorm window. Her dorm had caught on fire and she jumped from a second story window, hit her head, and got a concussion. A nearby neighbor saw her jump out of the window, came to her rescue, and invited her to live in his basement due to the dorm damage. Well, they fell in love and planned on getting married, after the baby's born, of course. And by the way, she had contracted a STD from him that was being treated with medication. Then the college student told the parents that she loved them and couldn't wait to talk to them. Then, she added that she really didn't jump out of her dorm window, no fire, no boyfriend, no wedding, no pregnancy, no disease....She is having a great year, except that she is failing history and science!" Sometimes all we need is a change of perspective, right? Hope your having a great day! Look on the bright side, whatever your going through, it could be a lot worse! Love ya,
Jolie

Success

Have you ever read something that made a big impact on your life? Sometimes we get discouraged by this or that, but then, something comes along to "wake you up," so to speak. I read a really great quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Yeah, Iknow. I'm one of those kind of people who really loves to read. Here is the quote. I hope that it touches you like it did me.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded."

I pray that I find and emulate this kind of success. If I've helped just one person, it's all worth while.

Growing Pains

Growing up takes time. The tallest living tree, the Mendocino tree, a costal redwoods or Sequoia, near Ukiah, California, measures over 369 feet tall. It's only taken that tree 1,000 years to reach this heighth. Do you remember the growing pains as a child? Brooklyn's legs ache all the time. It hurts, but she is growing as she was designed to do. *According to KidsHealth for Parents, an international health-support organization, the best remedy for a child suffering from growing pains in cuddling. Of course, that make Brooklyn really happy!
WHAT GOD SAYS
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"(Phil. 1:6).
I want to grow to be exactly what God has intended for me. I do not want to stay immature and ineffective. Jesus explained in the Parable of the sower that seeds grow and multiply. The seed is the Word of God in us. We can't make ourselves grow any more than a farmer can make his crop grow. But through 1)confession, 2)through practicing wisdom and kindness, 3) spending time with God, 4) reading the bible, we can keep our soil a good place for the Word to grow in us.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Make an effort to do these four things and you're guaranteed to grow, mature, and produce good fruit! Be blessed.

Do you have any, yes or no?

Sometimes we have it. Sometimes we don't. Sometimes we want it, but can't get it. Other times we have it, but don't use it..... What is "it?" COMPASSION!!! You thought I was gonna say money, didn't you? Money is something we all want more of , but money cannot buy me compassion. This is the area that I want to be just like Jesus. He was so compassionate, even to what we would consider low-life nobodies. If an uninteresting, low-life nobody came to your door and asked for your help, would you have compassion for him? You know the old saying, "treat others how you want to be treated?" Would I want someone to have compassion for me? Yes, every time! Lord, please help me be compassionate to others, not only to receive compassion for myself, but to honor you.
Okay! Okay! I didn't exercise again today. Hold on, I'll go do some sit-ups and jumping jacks....................well, now I've done it...25 sit-ups and 50 jumping jacks. Thanks for the motivation...and compassion, ha!
Until tomorrow,
Jolie

Proud

Ever been proud of anything? I am so proud of many of our teenagers. They are class act students, serious believers, and just all around good kids. My heart is proud of who they are. Sometimes these guys mess up, but they repent, move on, and do their best. Isn't that what we're all supposed to do? Just a little encouragement, if you mess it up, ask for forgiveness, move on and do your best! Oh yeah! Let those around you know that your proud of them. We expect them to just know, but they don't always realize what we really think. Use your words and give a hug or two. Have a great day!
I'm not working out today..It's snowing and I have influenza. God is a healing God, but my exercise will be lifting the remote to the TV. Just honest!
Love ya,
Jolie

What is Impossible for God?

This may seem like a dumb question, but the reality is that many people doubt that God actually cares for them. I know all too well how that feels. However, any time that I have ever called out on God, He's been there to hold me up! Testimony time! There was a point in my life that I had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. The doctors were going to remove part of my cervix. They all told me that after I had the cancer removed I probably would never be able to carry a child to full term. My ability to have a baby was very risky and I should not consider it without knowing fully what I would be getting into. I had a lady who randomly showed up at my doorstep and said that God told her to come a pray for me. The whole "christian" thing was way new for me so I was a little skeptical. I went back to the doctor for my pre-op appointment. When they went to mark the places for removal, all the cancer was gone!!!! It didn't shrink or heal gradually.....It was GONE COMPLETELY!! The doctors were astounded and they knew they had witnessed a medical miracle. Now I have three (3) beautiful children who were born perfectly in every way!! I am truly a blessed woman, but not because I did anything great! God proved himself to be mighty on my behalf and now I give Him all the Glory!!! Just like he cares for me, He cares for you. Whatever your struggle is, Let me ask you a question? What is Impossible for God? NOTHING!!!!
Love ya,
Jolie

Do not Fear! Help is on the way!

Kayla, age 9, says, "Angels pull people out of burning cars and out of quicksand, and keep people from being shot or falling out of airplanes, and they help you with subtraction too, (by Dandi Daley Mackall)." What comparisons! We all have difficult things we face, but God is always right there with us, if we let Him! In 1972, Vesna Vulovic was a flight attendant on a DC-9 airplane that blew up over Czechoslovakia and fell 33,300 feet to the ground. She survived! This is what God says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11-12). There are a lot of things we don't know about angels, but we do know God can use angels to help protect us. Ultimately, God is our Protector. Yet that doesn't mean we won't have trouble. "Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand" (Psalm 37:24). We may stumble through life, wrestle through troubles, but the Lord holds onto our hands. Do not Fear, Help is on the way! Your assignment for today: During the day, think of all the ways God is protecting you. Don't forget to say thanks!
This, of course, was our morning devo. I asked my kids, "Where do you feel the safest?" Brooklyn said, "in God's presence." Dylon said, "at home." Where do you feel the safest? I feel the safest when I know I'm in God's will!
I didn't get to exercise, per say, yesterday, but I did walk a long ways, give a presentation, come home, bake three pies for a soup supper, go teach 2nd grade art, drive kid's home, and then, work the soup supper for an hour and a half! I did get in some calorie burning activity, trust me!
See ya tomorrow!
Jolie