When Trials Roar

Over the past week, our community has been struck forcefully. After feeling as if the world couldn't cave in any more, another football player received word that his mother had gone to be with the Lord. When my husband got the phone call my heart dropped-- "Lord, this is too much for these kids."

Text messages and phone calls have flooded our household this week with questions. Deep questions. Questions that I don't have exact answers for. Questions that only God can answer.

"Why do bad things happen to good people?"

"Why did God allow this?"

As my husband and I looked at each other trying to help answer questions together, all we could think to say was scripture. And that's when it hit me-- it doesn't matter what we say, all that matters is scripture. God's word is the only thing that can come close to answering the roaring questions that are swirling around.

The Lord is in control and will remain on His throne no matter how much our world seems to crumble. Although our minds can't wrap understanding around what the Lord allows to happen, I will remain confident that through it all, we will see His goodness. (psalms 27:13)

The Football Captains carried their fallen player's jersey out on the field for the coin toss in remembrance of their friend. In addition, one also wore his number throughout the game. 

My husband and I have only been a part of this community for a short time, yet I feel like we have known the people here for so much longer. When they hurt, we hurt. We truly are one big family.

Through trials and hardship, God's grace is sufficient and so much more evident. For how would we know joy if not for pain.

I ask that you please keep our kids and team wrapped in pray this next week as funerals begin and loved ones are laid to rest. May the Lord's lovingkindness be present and His goodness seen. I pray that through the darkest hours, His light shines brighter than ever to this group of young people.

And forever we will say, You're the Lord our God

Click here to read the News Report

Ranked in Top Ten

I was grinning ear to ear this week as I read the Daily Oklahoman. My husband's football team entered a top ten ranking after scoring two hard fought victories to kick start the season. In pre-season, we were ranked 34, but have quickly entered the top ten! I'd say that deserves some celebration!!  But not too much, as we have another tough battle quickly approaching this Friday night.

To read the Oklahoman's rankings, click here.

If you weren't able to make the first few games and would like to catch up with some pictures of the Beggs Demons, click here.

Heartache

I lay awake tonight as my heart aches for my Beggs family. The agony is real, the pain deep, and the burden heavy. The loss of a peer strikes young people like a knife- sharp and double edged. Many questions arise... with no good earthly answers to combat them.

"I have told you these things so that you will have peace of

heart and mind, Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, 

but cheer up, for I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

Although life may see like a vapor, there is always a purpose. There are times in life when trials seem to be more than we can bear, thats when you let go and let God. He never asked us to walk this life alone. Instead He's walking us hand-in-hand through life's journeys till we one day see Him face to face.
Oh, what a joyous day that will be!

In the morning, when I rise... Give me Jesus

Photoshop Fun

Considering I've been keeping my Canon very active lately, I decided to start exploring in Photoshop. 

So this afternoon I took Miss Ellie Mae outside and played a little catch. She was more than eager to cooperate with my photo spree as long as she could play at the same time.

Here are a few glimpses into our afternoon of fun in the sun and a few photoshop edits to match.

Before: Original Image

After: Edited Image

Before: Original Image

After: Edited Image

I've never been big on editing my pictures, but it's never too late to start!

Before: Original Image

Edit #1

Edit #2

Just a little fun with my girl while the hubs is away at football meetings. 

Golden Demons

I saw a shirt this week was entirely fitting for this time of year. It stated, "I have no life, I'm a football coach's wife." So true! Especially during the season. Although it's definitely the busiest part of our year, it is also our favorite time of year. Football is addicting... yet oh so rewarding.

This year I have found myself in the midst of things not as the errand lady, but rather as a photog. Photography has always been a hobby, but never something I've had enough time to sit down and get good at. I decided to setup a football blog simply for all the football pictures to be gathered and posted on one site throughout the year (and I must say, there are some great ones up right now). Head over to the Golden Demon Blog and see what's been happening down on the turf in our neck of the woods.

Moms Scrimmaging at  Mom's 101

First Things First

64 Day

Football is in full swing! Last night our boys came out with great pride in heart as they began their "64 day." I was very proud of these boys as they continued to yell encouraging words to their teammates throughout the entire workout... and let me tell ya, this was no walk in the park! I am eager to see what the Lord does in and through this group of boys throughout the year. Ready or not, Beggs Demon 2013 Varsity season is here!!

For more pictures from last nights event and others throughout the season, visit www.beggsfootball.blogspot.com

Danger in Dismissing

Over the past several weeks, I have looked at more obituaries than ever before. As I received yet another text with heart-aching news, many questions flooded my mind. Why him/her? Why now? How did this happen? Where were their friends and family? Did no one see the danger that was waging within them?

And then quickly I remembered the book of Romans and the downward spiral of man.

Young people didn't die in past decades like they do today... at least not for the same reasons. In centuries past, "young people" already had major responsibilities and viewed life in a completely different manner than we do in today's society.

Today we have an irrational perspective upon life. We say there is an end, yet we live like we are invincible. We say we grieve for those who are suffering and under Satan's affliction, yet we only really care if it affects us or our surroundings. Now-a-days, the world really does revolve around "us."

One more step away...

Too many times the death of a young person can be prevented. Parents are too afraid of the way they or their families will be viewed if they take action and get their child help. Friends hide their friends pain and secrets because it's easier than facing them. Society in general dismisses crucial signals and signs that are presented because it's no longer politically correct to confront them.

One more step away...

Yet I sit back and watch as our politically correct society spirals downward out of control. People are filling voids in their life with things of this world that will never satisfy them. So the war that is waging within them fuels itself until complete destruction has occurred.

One more step away...

I grieve for the families who have lost their loved ones, for children who are now orphaned, and friends who will never forget what happened. I pray these horrific times do not slide by the wayside, but rather that it changes a life. I pray people stand up and stop dismissing behavior simply because it's easier on them if they didn't confront the problem. I pray society in general stops sweeping things under the rug and begins to battle the psychiatric war that is plaguing our world.

Things do not change on their own--people make the change.

I'm a believer that He is strong enough to hold you now where you are.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home--

Here in the power of Christ I Stand

Rewind

This summer has been by far one of the busiest summers around our house. From remodeling and moving, to building a barn & fence on top of the usual football events, I feel like I'm catching myself coming and going. Thus, the blog has taken a backseat for the majority of the summer. Now that school is starting, I'm wishfully (key word here) hoping that our schedules will begin to slow down and we will find some sort of "normalcy" around the house (however "normal" may be during football season at the coaches house).

However, with all of that said, I am EXCITED for those Friday night lights to be switched on while the boys make their way on the field in their bright gold jerseys! People may think I'm crazy, but there is just nothing like Friday Night Football in the South.

In the mean time, I thought I'd leave a few preview pictures of the house now that the remodel is the coming to a close (once life is a bit slower-- I'll make a remodel post). I am very pleased with how everything has turned out. It completely transformed this house! It's amazing what a little wood and paint can do to a place.

Swing by next week for pictures from our Golden Demon Media Day!

Have a blessed day!