Summers Here!!

Summer is in full swing at the Ingrams....lol...

When the poles and the bait comes out you know that it is defintely summer time for my family. Im not that into it (thats no surprise) but everyone else it.

To me it seems like people go through an awful lot of trouble just to catch a little fish. My husband spends a LOT of money on all of this fishing gear just to catch something no bigger than my hand. He has all the latest gigs and lures, that are suppose to attract these little fish and yet we most times walk away dissappointed. But Ive come to realize that if nothing else we at least get to spend some quality time together and that overall is priceless.

Welcome Summer....take your coat off and stay awhile!!

Traditions

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Tra•di•tion
Webster defines tradition as the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. Christmas and Thanksgiving in many families are filled with traditions, but in our family we don’t really have any, we just sort of “wing it”. We have had brunch with friends, we have watched Christmas movies, we have gone to the movies, and we have even tried the opening one gift on Christmas eve, usually pajamas or something. I guess the one thing that we have done consistently is to cook the traditional Christmas food, which just happens to be the same thing we eat for Thanksgiving and quite frankly I get burned out on dressing, turkey, ham etc and not really looking forward to eating it all again on Christmas.
Well, this year my family and I have been discussing new traditions to start in our family that can be passed down to my grands and great grands and so on. Right now we are sort of thinking about getting a new pair of pajamas on Christmas eve and then watch movies and eat cookies ,milk, eggnog, or hot chocolate, and instead of the traditional dinner we are going to have a BIG breakfast, waffles with different toppings, eggs, bacon, sausage, orange juice etc. Then we will go to a movie on that night.
What are your families traditions, are sticking with the old or are you coming up with new ones for you and your family?

New Generation Of Fishers (of men)!

Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!"
Mat. 4:19
Last weekend my children entered a fishing tournament at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. We got up early that morning and packed up all of our fishing “stuff”, the poles, the bait, the tackle, the chairs, lunch, ds games etc. and headed out to catch us some fish. We had a great time!! We stayed there most of the day, the tourney started at 9am and ended at 3 but we left around 2, we were exhausted from the sun, plus the fish didn’t seem to be biting all that much. We got a few nibbles here and there and finally we got a few catches, but the catches didn’t come until near the end. I'm glad they hung there and decided to stay and fish longer instead of giving up!
Tyler: Trout 10oz
Taylor: Trout 7oz, small mullet 2oz
Alonis: Flounder
It was a looong tiring day but the kids came back with the trophy for 1st and 2nd place (the boys). Alonis’s flounder didn’t register on the scale so it didn’t count, but she had fun anyway.

While watching my kids fish and watching my husband help them get their poles just right and the get the bait on and everything, I couldn’t help but think of the encounter that Simon and Peter had with Jesus in Matthew chapter 4. I thought to myself this day would be a perfect teaching tool to talk to my kids about “evangelism”. We talked about what it meant to become “fishers of men”, I told them that we don’t literally fish for people but some of the same methods for fishing can be applied to evangelizing and winning souls for the kingdom.
We first talked about “BAIT”. We talked about what it was, and what it’s used for in fishing (the shrimp or worm, used to lure the fish). We established that though we have a lot of different types of bait to choose from, when it comes to fishing for MEN , there can only be one kind of bait and that is the Word of God. The Word is food for the people, Jesus said He is the Bread of Life, so just like we offer bait to the fish, we are offering Christ to people.
We discussed how not all men will take or accept the bait. Just like fish some will swim right past and not even acknowledge it, while others will nibble at it but then decide not to take it all, BUT there will be some that will take hold and will be caught!! The men or women will accept Christ and want Him to be Lord over their life.
The most important lesson that we learned that day was that no matter what , “we must keep fishing”. We cannot give up when it seems like no one is biting! We must continue to try and reach men and women because eventually someone will catch on!! Hook Line Sinker!!!

The Former Things

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4


Crying over spilled milk is not something that I often do, but today is an exception….This morning around 7am as I returned from my morning run, my loving, caring, adoring, clumsy and wonderful son Tyler comes to me and starts going on about how he was putting up dishes and blah blah blah (yes I tuned out for minute) and I broke your green bowl. I tune back in at “green bowl”, I say to the young fellow , “what green bowl”, he says, “you know, the green bowl”, at this point my heart begins to beat rapidly, and my mouth was getting all watery because I am literally, turning green, because I am about to be sick!! I rushed down stairs to find my lovely green bowl in green pieces. Ahh, I'm sick just thinking about it. I know you’re saying to yourself, “it’s a bowl, get over it”. Gasp, how dare you, say that about my bowl, it wasn’t just a bowl, it was MYYYYYYYY Bowl…ah ah…ok, I'm calm, so here is the story behind the bowl.











This bowl was passed down to me with a few other pieces (yes it was a “piece”) from my aunt who passed away about 11yrs ago. When I saw it I immediately fell in love with it!! Green is my favorite color and I love pretty dishes so hey it was perfect! Recently I decided that I REALLY liked the bowl so I decided to turn it over and see who makes it so I could see if they had other pieces, well to my surprise, the company who made it was Fire King and they produced glassware similar to Pyrex type dishes back in the 1940s (I’m sure my bowl was produced then:)). They no longer make these dishes, but can find them at antique shops, collector websites, eBay, and if you’re real lucky, you may be able to snag a couple pieces from the Goodwill, or a garage sale, but the point is, they are kind of hard to just come by.
I do have a couple of other pieces from Fire King, they are some little saucers, but none compare to my Jadeite Bowl…I recently saw on one of my favorite websites, The Pioneer Women, has a whole set of the Jadeite collections, I drooled looking at her pictures. I am now on a mission to get my own set, at a reasonable price and pace of course, but today, let’s all just take a moment of silence, for the one that was lost!!

(Fire King Saucers)

While writing this blog, I am reminded of how wonderful our Father is, isn’t he just awesome!!! I mean just how he RESTORES his people. How he RESTORES us physically, mentally and emotionally!! How when we are BROKEN, in mind, in body and in spirit, he is right there ready, willing and able to heal and to RESTORE us back to our rightful position. Just like no temporary fix will do for me and this bowl (glue), there is no substitute for being restored back to the Father. Drugs, sex, alcohol, none of it can do what Christ can, sure, it may hold you up for a little while but at some point, that temporary glue will begin to erode, from all the things that have been bearing down on it, then next thing you know some things begin to seep through the cracks, and you’re no longer holding up! But it you go to CHRIST his fix won’t fail; you will be made WHOLE no flaws. No one will be able to see the cracks, the chips, scars, the bruises that you have suffered. He is the MASTER RESTORER!!



Anybody ever been restored!!!

M.I.A

I know it’s been a while since my last post, but it has been CRAZY here. I have just been so exhausted. Here is a brief run down: The kids started school on Aug 11, I started school on Aug 18, my husband started taking classes and football season is in full swing..Whew. I got tired just typing it!! Things seemed to be going ok at first but it seemed like right when we got in the groove of things, other things just popped up. I was looking forward to Labor being a day of relaxation but even that got canceled when we took a 7hr road trip home to Texas because my husband’s truck needed an inspection sticker. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to see and spend time with my family but I would have rather just chillaxed and stayed at home in my bed…umm, sounds good even now…J
Hopefully soon things will pan out and we will get in the groove, but I'm going to keep my out for any wrenches that are lurking in the shadows. J. It hasn’t been all bad though; here are a few pics of what we have been up too.


Gulf Islands Gulfport, MS Labor Day (yes, we got up at 5am and left Tx just to let the kids enjoy the park on the last day of the season, plus we had free passes :) )

Me ...chillng in my hammock, my husband brought back from Cambodia!

The yearly water fight, (balloons, hoses, buckets, etc)...there were rumors of cheating going on, but I see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil...lol.

Where I spend most of my time and money!! Seriously, these books could pay rent on an apartment, or a car note plus insurance depending on the car...No exaggeration!!

This is all for now…I'm going to take a quick nap before I get the kids from school. I hope to be back on schedule and start posting once a week as planned. I think I should schedule a “Blog Day”, a day just to sit and read others blogs and update mine. We will see though…plans seem to have been changing a lot around here lately. Until then Be Blessed!

Back To School!!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

This year my daughter went off to middle school and my sons started their 7th grade year. It seems like time is just passing by so fast. It seems like only yesterday they were all just in kindergarten or pre-k. I know most parents can’t seem to wait until summer is over and the kids are back in school, but I am the opposite. I love having my kids at home. I love the sounds of summer, the sounds of sibling rivalry, and the sounds of my own voice “ministering strongly” to them. LOL. Every year when I take them to school, I always shed a few tears…STILL. I thought in the beginning it was just something that I would grow out of as they got older, but the older they get the harder it is to see them go.

I enjoyed watching them grow and mature over the summer into wonderful, loving young people. This year, I just felt compelled to encourage them with a letter instead of just the usually weekly scripture, I wanted them to know how so in love we are with them and to encourage them to be their best :

Dear Taylor, Tyler and Alonis,
We just want you all to know that, this summer, like all other summers with you were amazing. We’ve enjoyed watching you play, laugh, love, argue, pray, worship, eat, and just all out live these last few months. We loved seeing the growth that has taken place right before our eyes both physically and spiritually in your lives.
This year like every other school year will come with its own challenges, but we want you to remember a few things:
1. You are an overcomer… challenges will arise but you have the power to overcome!
2. You don’t have to conform, YOU are the salt of the earth, and YOU are difference makers!!
3. Speak life over yourselves, over your teachers, and over your peers!!
4. Treat others like you would like to be treated!
5. Be respectful to those who have authority over you
6. We love you and we will always love you no matter what, we are here for you so don’t be afraid to come and talk to us about ANYTHING!


“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Love Always- Mom and Dad

5K

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith
(2 Tim 4:7)

I have been training myself to run a 5k since March and the time has finally come. My husband ran with me at my pace so I am thankful to him for that...It was definitely an experience of a lifetime and I look forward to running another one soon. There is one coming up on Aug. 21 but I am not sure if I can handle this heat again. It was sooooo humid and sooooo hot, I got to the end and was throwing up...LOL, yes i got the full race experience...and I also ran a persoanl best time of : 30:33. I hope to next time to either match this time or beat it. Thanks to all the support from my family and friends that kept me motivated to run...

The Forcaster and Me before the run!

Me strectching out the muscles and the nerves!!!

I know my headphones are huge..LOL..but they keep me in a zone and I HATE earbuds, they dont stay in my ears, they are more of a distraction to me.

(IPod Music for 5k: Youthful Praise - Resting on His Promise Album)

At the starting line, giving the kids the thumbs up!! Mom and Dad

are ready to go

Thanks NCBC Fire Dept.

Fire Safety Training

This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" (Zechariah 13:9)

For as long as I can remember ever since my kids have been in school , they alway have a fire safety day. They pack a bunch of restless , noisy 4th graders into the gymnasium and proceed to tell them about the dangers of fire. They also talk to them about the importance of having a family meeting place to go to when there is a fire, and how to stop, drop, and roll.

When I told them about going to a fire safety demo, in our cul de sac, they just sort of rolled their eyes like , mom, please, dont make me go out in the heat for that..lol..needless to say, I told them they were going any way..lol. When we got there, they sort of stumbled over to the fire trucks, but once inside the camper they brought, they came out with a whole new attitude. Inside the camper was an actual smoke demonstration. It was setup like a little house with windows, door etc and the kids had to learn what to do in a fire. The firemen pressed a button and the camper filled with smoke, the kids tried to open the windows, the doors, nothing happened, they couldnt see a thing, they had to get on all fours and crawl out, OH how they enjoyed that. Then came the best part learning how to use a fire extinguisher!!!!

Here are the kids getting a lesson on what a fire extinguisher was, and how to use it. Always remember P.A.S.S (P-pull out the pin, A- aim, S- spray, S-sweeping motion)

Here is Alonis going for it....

Taylor going at it......

Tyler going at it....

The kids said, this was the best fire safety they have ever been too...I agree..lol

From Boys to Men!!

Listen, my son to your fathers instruction, and

do not forsake your mothers teaching

(Proverbs 1:8)

Over the years my boys have watched their Dad everything from cutting the yard to cutting their hair and every now and then my husband calls them out has them help him. When he does this the scripture "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it". I am thankful for my husband and I love how he takes out the time to teach and give my boys the tools they need to become great men, father and husbands.
I have seen them do things like , cut the yard, wash the car, and help change the tires. The lastest thing my husband has been teaching them, is how to cut thier hair.


Below, my husband is explaining the rules to my oldest son Taylor, talking to him about the clippers and how to use them, and where to place them etc. He is NAVY man, who is used to briefing the weather to pilots, so he is very detail oriented so this was probably the longest process...listening to instructions...LOL




Here Dad is teaching them how to do the edge. He did half of it, and then Taylor attempted to finish the other side.






Here is Tyler recieving the same Brief on hair cut that, Taylor recieved, but in the end he decided , he wasnt ready to give it a go :)





Here is Mr. Taylor giving it a try!! He did most of it, but then he asked Dad to help him finish it. Another good quality, my husband is teaching them, is knowing when to ask for help.

Again...I thank God for my husband for being DAD to our children! Love U Babe.

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD, by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring for Abraham (Alonzo) what he has promised him . (Gen. 18:19)

Happy Fathers Day

We wish my husband a Happy Fathers Day..He is in the Navy and is gone at this time. We know he is out doing what he has to do. We just want to let him know we love him and we miss him...and again Happy Fathers Day!!!