Our youth group is going to Mexico next summer for a mission trip. Last Saturday evening they held a Mexico-themed banquet fundraiser to raise money for the trip. I was looking forward to going since I heard about it but alas, Saturday I developed stomach flu along with a fever and horrible headache and couldn't go. I told Bob to take pictures so I felt like I was there. Even though pictures are nice, it's just not the same! Breanna played her contest solo for part of the entertainment. At least both her grandparents and her dad got to hear it. (I was at contest when Bob was traveling home from New Orleans.) I sure wanted to be there. The food was great. The desserts are shown in the middle picture.

Mexico Fundraiser Fun!

Armor of God Prayer

I've been through some tough times the last week and a half. Today, I came across this prayer that I prayed every day for about 2 months or more about a year and a half ago. I had forgotten about it until I saw it today. My prayer is that it will help you in whatever circumstances you may be facing right now. I got this prayer from our 2004 Ladies Retreat speaker, Cheryl Weaver.

Armor of God Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank you for assuring me of victory today if I will but follow Your battle plan. So by faith, I claim victory over every hardship, every challenge, every trial, and every temptation that I may face today.

To prepare myself for battle, by faith I put on the belt of truth. The truth about You, Lord, is that you are a Sovereign God who knows everything about me, both my strengths and my weaknesses. Lord, You know my breaking point and You have promised not to allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear. The truth about me, Lord, is that I am a new creature in Christ and have been set free from the power of sin. I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit who will guide me and warn me when danger is near. I am Your child and nothing can separate me from Your love. The truth is that You have a purpose for me today; someone to love, someone to share with, someone to encourage.

Lord, by faith I put on the breastplate of righteousness. Through this I guard my heart and my emotions. I will not allow my heart to attach itself to anything that is impure. I will not allow my emotions to rule in my decisions. I will set them on what is right and good and just. I will live today by what is true, not by what I feel.

Today, I put on the sandals of the gospel of peace. I am available to You, Lord. Send me where You will. Guide me to those who need encouragement or physical help of some kind. Use me to solve conflicts wherever they arise. Make me a calming presence in every circumstance in which You place me. I will not be hurried or rushed for my schedule is in Your hands. I will not leave a trail of tension and apprehension. I will leave tracks of peace and stability wherever I go.

I also take up the shield of faith, Lord. My faith is in You and You alone. Apart from You, I can do nothing. With You, I can do all things. No temptation that comes my way can penetrate Your protecting hand. I will not be afraid for You are going with me throughout this day. When I am tempted, I will claim the victory out loud ahead of time for You have promised victory to those who walk in obedience to Your word. So by faith I claim every victory even now because I know there are fiery darts headed my way even as I pray. Lord, You already know what they are and You have already provided me with the way of escape.

And now, Lord, by faith, I put on the helmet of salvation. You know how Satan bombards my mind day and nith with evil thoughts, doubts, and fears. I put on this helmet that will protect my mind. I may feel the impact of his attacks, but nothing can penetrate this helmet. I choose to be obedient and take every thought captive; I will dwell on nothing but what is good and right and pleasing to You.

Last, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is Your word. Thank You for the precious gifts of Your word. It is strong and powerful and able to defeat even the strongest of Satan's onslaughts. Your word says I am not under obligation to the flesh to obey its lusts. Your word says that I am free from the power of sin. Your words says that He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. So by faith I take up the strong and powerful sword of the Spirit, which is able to defend me in time of attack, comfort me in time of sorrow, teach me in time of meditation, and prevail against the power of the enemy on behalf of others who need the truth to set them free.

I choose now to pray in the Spirit today on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, keeping open the lines of communication with You. With this in mind, I will be alert, keeping my spiritual eyes open, constantly praying for all the saints.

So Lord, I go now rejoicing that You have chosen me to represent You to this lost and dying world. Here I am, Lord, send me. May others see Jesus in me. May Satan and his hosts shudder as Your power is made manifest in me. To God be all glory, honor, and power. In Jesus' name, amen.

Music Contest for Breanna

Breanna played in 2 ensembles and played a solo for the music contest last Saturday. She got a gold and silver for her ensembles and a gold for her solo. Her solo was so hard. It had lots of 16th notes and her fingers were moving very fast over the strings. I had tears in my eyes as she played. When she finished all who were watching her (her private teacher, Matt and his parents, and two friends and one set of parents) were very impressed! That's when she said that she put her music on the stand and slid the second page over so both were showing. As she got to the second page, she realized that that sheet was upside down! She said she almost stopped but then realized that she could play it by memory. We never noticed a missed beat! We were laughing and laughing at her. I think her private teacher will tell that to all her students! It was so amazing that she could make it through that and not mess up. She said she changed her expression and kind of messed up a little but I didn't notice. Her private teacher said the only thing she did wrong was play it a little bit too rushed. I'm so proud of her. It was a piece hard enough to qualify for state but she choose not to be in the level that could go to state for her very first solo at contest.