Slow Down December!

Whew. Where does the time go? At last post, I was wrapping up Thanksgiving and entering into December. This has been a season of thankfulness...turkey or not.

As posted before, Matt's job was eliminated on September 29. Monday, December 15, was 77 days with no job. I am thrilled to report that our Provider hasn't missed a beat. We are so thankful for the unusual ways God has allowed us to be resourceful and make money! From ebay to a craft fair at school...we have had enough. Actually, after wrapping gifts for the kids today...we have had more than enough!

Early in the month I heard James Dobson speak of his ministry beginnings. He said, "Our money has always been like manna. We have enough for today but never enough to store up." Man, that's us. This season has really made us thankful for the daily provisions!

On December 8, Thomas Nelson met for the second time to pitch/discuss the proposed book "Car-Line Devotions for Moms" Amy and I are writing. Since the proposal was just sent out in October, this process has moved quicker than "normal". God is so faithful to give little rays of light when life seems cloudy. I just love Him. Hopefully we'll know more soon.

While we were visiting family in Ohio last weekend, Matt received a call from a company he would like to work with. Monday and Tuesday this week he interviewed with them. We should know next week whether that position is for him. I would love for him to have a job for Christmas!

Matt's frame of mind was among the conversations of the week. He has, with very little exception, been at peace with godly perspective throughout this process. Then, on Sunday morning while I was dressing, God brought back to mind the prayer we prayed when Matt came home from being "let go". We prayed from the Psalm that God would keep our minds in perfect peace as we kept our minds on Him. And He has!

Why are we so shocked when we ask for something specifically...and God gives it to us? Mercy. That's a lesson in itself!

I'll post more often...hopefully with terrific news about a job or book contract!

Create in Me a Clean Heart

TSMS! Casting Crowns - I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

This song is so beautiful. I love it when a group updates a familiar standard. This entire project is GREAT! Definitely one for the holiday wish list.

More TSMS - visit Amy!!!

TSMS - I'm Amazed

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir...what else needs to be said? Jason Crabb does a terrific job leading this beautiful love song to God. I love to watch the men in the multi-racial choir wiping tears away as they sing. Beautiful.



I’m Amazed
No one knew how alone I was feeling
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide
Through I laughed and said my life was fine without You.

I was covering up the secret tears I cried
Then one day someone told me of Your mercy
And the love You showed on a hill called Calvary
There you died and purchased my redemption
When you broke sin’s power and set my spirit free

I’m amazed that You love me
I’m amazed how You care
Through Your precious blood
I’ve fond pardon
And my sins are washed,
They’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

It’s true there have been days when I’ve failed You
Lord, You know the many times I’ve gone astray
But I’ve learned that Your love is stronger than my weakness
And you ear is open every time I pray
No one else has ever cared for me like You, Lord
Other friends could never be as close to me
I’m not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow
Knowing You are everything I’ll ever need

I’m amazed that You love me
I’m amazed how You care
Through Your precious blood
I’ve fond pardon
And my sins are washed,
They’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

For more TSMS- Check out Amy's blog!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mid-November...Really?

I can hardly believe it is mid-November!
Since I last posted pictures, our kids (and we) dressed up to beg for sweets around our neighborhood.














As you can see, Darby is Little Bo Peep...Sam is "Ben 10" (a character from Cartoon Network. No one else knew who he was but he was happy)...and I was Sarah Palin. The heels were regrettable by the end of the night! I did, however, enjoy saying things to our neighbors like, "You betcha" and "Maverick". Matt (our photographer) was "Joe the Plumber". He wore a tool belt with a NEW plunger and a name tag that said, "Hello, My Name is Joe the Plumber." Funny Stuff.


Things are slow-but-steady at our house. Matt is still in search of a job. Lately he is in search of other things, too. Geocaching has taken the place of his crossword puzzle obsession. If you are unfamiliar with this hobby...basically there are about 600,000 hidden treasures around the world. These "finds" range from just a 35mm film case with a log to sign, to a shoe-box filled with trade-able trinkets. With the help of a handheld GPS, searchers follow coordinates registered by the hider. Matt is hooked. There is a devotion in there somewhere about "searching for the hidden things". I'll work on it.














This was part of an attempt to find goodies. I couldn't help but feel like I was in an episode of CSI as we went deeper into the woods. NO cell service. Perfect.














Darby on the trail by the Broad River in Boiling Springs, NC. Did I mention the GPS wouldn't work because we were so far in the woods? Excellent.














I call this picture "The Rock n Rollers" or "Matt on the Rocks". Look how happy he is. Maybe I should hide a paint brush in our back yard for him...the search is the best part. Wonderful.














And, of course, there's nothing like ending up a good day of "caching" at the base of a water tower shaped like a peach (at least they say it's a peach). The clues lead us to this great location in Gaffney, SC. If you're not from around here, the trip down I-85 is not complete until you've seen "The Peach" near exit 90. The kids loved it...at least from the car it looked like they did. Peachy.

Last night, I had a great time opening the show for The Toney Brothers and The Dove Brothers at the Carolina Gospel Association Show. It was great fun to be a part of and to watch!













The Multi-Award Winning Dove Brothers posed for a quick picture during intermission.


Until next time...

Baby Ella Grace is Here!

Matt's sister, Rachel, with her new precious baby.

Matt and Me with baby Ella Grace.

8 is Enough! All the Roller Cousins.









Yesterday was an exciting day in the Roller family. Ella Grace Mode was born at 6:33am. She is beautiful!

Rachel experienced 3-minute-apart contractions last week and thought she would surely deliver.With plenty of time to get childcare for her other two children she made her way to the hospital with bags packed...only to be sent home. Yesterday morning, she woke up to find the time had come. She arrived at the hospital at 6:15am and Baby Ella arrived at 6:33am. Whew!

I began thinking this morning about deliverance. I like a set plan that has been spelled out in a few easy steps. The ideal. However, sometimes God's time for us to be delivered from whatever we are in bondage to doesn't follow the 12-step-process. If He chooses, some have a very quick experience.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you...to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."

God is gracious. God is good. God is love. God is in control.

Whatever needs to be removed from us, He can deliver...and always in perfect time.

More to come later…check back.