Help! Selling My Tahoe

Hello blogging world!! Tommy and I are trying to sell our 2007 Tahoe LT. It's beautiful, still under warranty, and in great condion. We love it! We just need to be relieved of the financial burden!! If you or anyone you know might be interested please have them contact us! You can e mail me: katie.odum@yahoo.com or Tommy: odum_tommy@yahoo.com. We're asking $26,000 for it because that's what we owe but we will entertain any reasonable offers.

More Info: Beautiful 2007 Tahoe LT, rear entertainment package, sunroof, leather, captin chairs, 3rd row, cd/dvd/front input/, brand new battery, and heated seats. 73,000 miles still under warranty.

18 Months of Laughter

This morning Eli and I went to see Dr. K for Mr. E's 18 month checkup!! 18 months... 18 MONTHS... WHAT?! When did that happen??!!! My baby is such a little boy now... I can't believe it's been 18 1/2 months since our beautiful bundle of JOY came into our lives and changed it (and us) forever! Even on the days when I look like I've been to battle (and lost), haven't had a shower, feel ready to pull my hair out... I can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn't trade that wonderful ray of sunshine that is now a TODDLER for anything in this world!! He makes his Mommy's days!
I thought I would just take a moment to give an Eli update... no pictures! I need to learn from my friend Ashleigh Anne and take my camera to the doctor for pics!!! I always forget!!

Our 18 month boy:
*Dr. K says he's perfect! We knew this already of course but she is an unbiased person! LOL
*She couldn't give me a height percentage because Eli is off the charts... basketball player maybe?
*He weighs 29 pounds exactly which puts him in the 50th percentile.
*On the 9-24 month checklist there is only one thing that he "can't" do... drink out of a cup without a lid without spilling it.... I say "can't" loosely because I haven't been brave enough to let him try!!!
*Eli talks up a storm! A few of his favorite words are: puppy, Elmo, Brewster, Mommy, Daddy, EAT, SNACK, phone, please, more, play, toys, Mickey, and MILK!!!
*His favorite songs are: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, B-I-B-L-E, Row Row Row Your Boat, and the Itsy Bitsy Spider.
*Some of my favorite things that Eli does or says right now: He does the "love" sign during Jesus loves me, says "help" when he actually needs my help, says "I wub u Mommy!", sings and dances to his ABC's and to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, sings "Bad Boys", and pretend calls people on his phone and says, "Hey (insert name here) sup?"
*Eli's favorite people: Daddy, Mommy, Paw Paw, Maw Maw, Gogee, G-Paw, P-Paw & the other P-Paw (because he can't say P-Maw consistently yet!), GG, Pop, and the babies (abby and alena).
*Eli can't sleep without his wubby which makes me feel the urgent need to buy replicas!!!
*He loves to play patty cake with his green monkey!
*He LOVES milk!!!
*As always his laugh makes the entire world brighter... seriously, you think it's the sun but it's not... it's me beaming from Boston because Eli laughed!! LOL
*The one sure way that I can get E to stop crying is to sing The Mary Tyler Moore theme song... I've sung it to him since he was a little baby and he's always responded to it... I have no idea why!

We have definitely entered the toddler years and with that has come (with many more to come) many new experiences and hurdles. I look forward to each moment with our little monkey because no moment is dull!!

These are the thoughts of a proud Mommy... please understand that they don't come from a boastful heart... I love Eli with all my heart and know that he is who he is not because of me but because God knit him together and allows me to guide him through this thing called life as I allow Him to guide me! Blessings!!

Putting the BIG Rocks First....

We’ve all heard the story in one form or another; about the teacher who took out a glass jar, filled it with rocks and asked his class: “is the jar full?” “Yes.” The class replied. “No.” the teacher replied. He then took out a bag of gravel and poured it into the jar, then a bag of sand, and finally a pitcher of water until the jar was filled to the brim. “What’s the point of this demonstration?” he asked his students. One student replied, “If you try hard enough, you can fit everything in.” “No” the teacher replied, “If you don’t put the big rocks in first, they won’t fit in at all.

What are the big rocks in our lives? What should the big rocks in our lives be? These big rocks, better known as our priorities are whatever we’re spending our time, energy, and resources on. I was recently given the opportunity to examine my priorities and I can tell you… the big rocks weren’t fitting into my jar because my jar was too full of the things of lesser importance.

What should the big rocks be? God? Family? Marriage? Work? Friends? Hobbies? Vacationing? Money? Sleep? Paying off debt? School? Church? Volunteer work? How do you determine what your big rocks should be when so many things seem important and your life (and the people in it) pull you in a thousand different directions each day?

I took some time today to think and pray about what the big rocks should be in my life when it occurred to me that I first needed a mission statement for my life. A mission statement is a summary describing the aims, values, and overall plan of an organization or individual. What are my values, my aims, my overall plan for me? More importantly, what is God’s values, aims, and overall plan for me? That’s when I created a working mission statement… followed it with what the big rocks in my life should be which each support the mission statement. Each big rock gives reasons why, scripture that shows it’s value, and a plan of action. I also included 5 things that must get done that aren’t a part of these rocks so we will consider that the gravel, and 5 things that must be limited, we will call that the sand. My plan (not all of it because it’s long and some of it personal) is listed below… what’s your plan? I found that my life was running me… I wasn’t talking to God and determining how I was supposed to be following Him in running mine. With His help, I have said the final goodbye to that way of living and I am on my way to leading a more effective, productive, joyful, and fruit filled life attached to the vine (“I am the vine; you’re the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit because you can do nothing without me.” John 15:5)

My working Mission Statement: To live the life that God has blessed me with to the fullest by walking hand in hand in relationship with Him as He guides me and directs my steps. To share His love with the world through a life of Christian discipleship… I want to immolate and exude Christ and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. To live this life and LOVE like I mean it!! To be the Katie that Jesus Christ has called me to be!

My Big Rocks:

1)      God

a.      Why? Because apart from Him I am and can do nothing! John 15:5

2)      Marriage

a.      Why? Because God has blessed me with a husband whom I love and who loves me and I am to be his helper. Genesis 2, Ephesians 5, 1 Corinthians 13, Proverbs 31 (and many others)

3)      Eli

a.      Why? He is our blessing from God as well as our responsibility. “Start off children in the way they should go and even when they are old they will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

4)      Family & Friends

a.      Why? Because loneliness stinks!! God blesses us with family and friends so that we can be encouraged and have support. Jesus showed this example in the disciples…

5)      School

a.      Why? Keeping my eye on the prize … must obtain degree to go onto the bigger things that God has in store.

6)      Weight Loss

a.      Why? To be healthier and fit to do God’s work as well as enjoy my time with Eli to the fullest. “Do you not know that your bodies are temple of the Holy Spirit…” 1 Corinthians 6:19

5 Things that Must Happen:

Housework, Bill paying, Mary Kay, Sleep, church work!

5 Things that Must Be Limited:

Facebook, Television, Magazines, Sleep, and hobbies

Thanks for reading my thoughts! God Bless!

If... I don't usually do these but saw it and thought it would be fun!

If....

This is going around the blog world :)




Fill in the blanks....



If I were to get pregnant again... I would be overjoyed



If I could have any job in the world... Christian Marriage and Family Counselor


If I had a day to myself... I would call my best girlfriend and hang out...


If I could get married all over again...I would marry the same man but do our wedding completely different!


If I could live anywhere in the US... anywhere with my husband and Eli (I would like to remain close to my peeps but I wouldn't mind city living)


If my boy would have been girl they would have been named... Emma Katherine (Emma Kate) or Loreali Elizabeth.


If I could have any talent in the world... a beautiful singing voice


If you met me in real life... I hope that you would say that I radiate Jesus. I had someone tell me the other day that I light up a room... that's probably the 2nd best compliment I've ever gotten. (the first was that I am a really good mommy!)


If I could go back to school and get a different degree... Well, I'm getting my first degree right now, Psychology.


If money was no object... I would have more children and Tommy and I would partner with our friends in their ministry and spread the love of Jesus to anyone and everyone we could!!


If I could meet one celebrity, it would be... Reba, this is no shock to anyone unless you don't know me at all!!!


If I could shop at only one store the rest of my life... Target



If we were to get another pet it would be... NO... NO.... NO.... ABSOLUTELY NO MORE PETS


If I could go on a trip right now... New York City... hands down #1 on my to go to list!


If I had to choose between a house cleaner and a personal chef... I really enjoy cooking so I would definitely  have to say HOUSE CLEANER!!!!



If I had the option of plastic surgery.. I would have things reduced - not enlarged!!! LOL

Boots & Unexpected Blessings

Blessings show up in all sorts of places! They come in many shapes, forms, and sizes! I received a pair of hand-me-down boots this weekend and they are a blessing to me. The lady that gave them was so joyful in her giving, all she saw was someone who received joy in the boots and she wanted to give them to sustain that joy. The truth is that YES those boots brought joy, they are comfy, they are warm, and most of all, and they make me feel pretty and confidant. What that sweet lady didn’t know was that I don’t have any boots… in fact I didn’t have a single pair of winter shoes (aside from sneakers) in my closet. While this wasn’t a deep pressing need… especially in comparison to the inconceivable, astronomical needs of others here and around the world, to me, in a place in my heart, it was important. You see, my family has recently gone from being a 2 bread winner household to being a 1 breadwinner household. Don’t misunderstand me; we lack nothing that we need. God is faithful and He has provided ABOVE AND BEYOND what we could hope for or imagine. As He did through the sweet lady with the beautiful boots that made this brokenhearted young woman remember that I serve a God who truly does care about even the smallest longings of my heart. Not to say that I will want a corvette and because I do, He will give me one… no, that’s not my point, my point is that He used boots to simply remind me of His love, His grace, His mercy, His faithfulness, and to say, “my child, you’re mine and I love you… I see those deep places in your heart that you don’t allow anyone else to see and I care!” This weekend, I was met with many blessings. I didn’t go expecting to come away with personal blessings, I knew I would see the love of God working in the lives of others, and that it would bless my heart but I wasn’t prepared for what happened when I determined to serve God and others out of even the broken places in my heart. When out of obedience to the Father, I stepped out in faith and did what I thought I couldn’t do, many things in fact that I thought I couldn’t do. The truth, that became a living, breathing reality to me this weekend, is that I still can’t do them… not in myself that is, but “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. This verse no longer means the same thing to me that it has all my life, to me, it doesn’t mean that I can do anything that I want and desire to do but that I can do all things that God desires and wills me to do by relying on His strength, and not my own. Boots were only the beginning!

I have been walking around with a broken heart full of anger, resentment, loneliness, sadness, and un-forgiveness. Carrying this heavy heart that felt like it weighed at least 15 pounds was causing bitterness to creep into my once very joyous walk with the Lord. After a very painful situation, I determined to weep forward and I did… I learned that God can do amazing things through tears and baby steps!!! And guess what, He did!! He worked through my brokenness! However, my heart wasn’t healing… “Why God?” I’m trusting you to heal it… I know you can… “Why God?” That not so comfortable answer came this weekend… “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.” I wasn’t walking in 100% forgiveness, I was trying, but I wasn’t succeeding. I was slowly building walls around my heart so that no one could get to the brokenness that I was hiding. I wasn’t loving my neighbor, in this case, my enemies, as myself… I can’t!... not on my own. So a few days ago, I asked God to remove the unforgivness, the bitterness, the anger, the loneliness, and the sadness. I gave Him every broken piece of my heart and asked Him to heal it. I asked Him to help me to love my enemies. “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28 Then, I knelt in prayer and I prayed for the people that I needed to love… I asked God to bless them abundantly and I learned a valuable lesson… through submission, the support of a dear friend, and leading of the Holy Spirit, I realized that God loves those people as much as He loves me!! I knew it in my head, but it became heart knowledge… God loves my enemies, friends, strangers, and loved ones as much as He loves me! We’re all His favorite! Even when we sin and fall short, His love remains faithful and steadfast! Hallelujah!!!!! Isn’t that awesome?

I gave my heart to God this weekend and allowed Him to fill it with love. He did, He filled all the tiny creases of my broken heart with His love, His mercy, and His grace. I’m thankful that He worked through my brokenness and I am also thankful that He lovingly accepted my broken heart when I handed it over to be placed on the potter’s wheel to be reshaped. I lost 15 pounds of “heart weight”… Praise the Lord!

You can’t run when you’re holding suitcases… those baby steps that I was taking through my tears were great for that season but hello to the powerwalk… I dropped the load at the foot of the cross and left it there… isn’t it funny that when I dropped the baggage, I felt light enough to run and what did God give me, new shoes!!! Watch out world, Jesus loves me and He loves you too… PASS IT ON!!!

We Learn so that We can Teach

"Jesus came and told his disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

We learn so that we can teach; the disciples were no exception. Jesus hadn't poured his heart and soul into them, taught them kingdom principles, and walked a long miraculous road with them for the sole purpose of enriching their lives! While yes, it did change and enrich the disciple's lives, the purpose was for them to obey the command, otherwise known as the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28, "therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

A disciple, among other things, is a growing person as well as a witness of Christ. We must first learn before we can teach. I believe that in order to grow, we must be constantly learning. Of course, there will be periods of life when more learning will be done and significant growth will result more than others, and that is the focus of my post today. Times of significant learning and growth and what we do with the knowledge gained; how we witness it, how it points back to Christ...

Growth isn't always a pleasant process; in fact, it's often a painful one. Sometimes it's painful because God is pruning us to take us to a new level in our relationship with Him, sometimes it's painful because we kick and scream because we don't like change, and sometimes it's painful because other people cause us pain. Do we learn something even when the growth process is unpleasant? Do we learn something that can be shared when we have no words or explanations, when we think that all we have to show from that particular growth is a wounded heart? I didn't think so, but I do now! I think it's through those painful experiences of growth that God can teach us the most about Himself and the most about who He created us to be!! That is the best kind of learning!! That is the kind of learning we can teach!!!

When God teaches us more about who He is and who He created us to be; when we go to a new level of understanding and relationship with Him, and when we realize that we learn so that we can teach; we are ready to move on to step 2 which is being a witness to Christ. We are to go into the world and into the church and model Christ. We aren't called to be perfect people but our goal should be to structure our lives in such a way that every word we say, every step we take, and every thing that we do points them to the One that is perfect. We often think that to make disciples means to go out and bring unbelievers into the faith and I 100% believe that is true but I also think that making disciples starts with being a disciple, someone who learns and grows, and then takes what they learn and teach it to others who might need or be going through the same thing. That includes Christians not just unbelievers. Sometimes, we need to look within, how can what we just learned strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ so that they too can be more effective in making disciples of all nations and in doing so, further the message of Christ. What I have learned is that if you don't take the time to strengthen, love on, and witness to your brothers and sisters in Christ, then the message you (and they) are sending into the world is one of discord, hatred, strife, and brokenness and that my dear friends, makes us guilty of hurting the message of Christ not furthering it.

So today, let's determine in our hearts to do one thing, to encourage and strengthen a fellow believer so that more unity, strength, and love can be produced from the body of Christ; that will make unbelievers want to learn more!

Thanks for reading my random thoughts.... I hope they are a blessing... for me this is just a way of sharing what's on my heart and mind at the moment. I am not an authority or expert on these topics... just a student! God Bless!

"You is kind, You is smart, You is important"

A few weeks ago, my sweet husband took me on a date to see the movie "The Help"; I highly recommend this film, it's very good, insightful, and inspirational. While many scenes from the movie struck a chord with me, one has played over and over in my mind several times since the first time I saw it. In this scene Abilene Clark, played by Viola Davis, is speaking to the little girl that she takes care of every day; I have to add that this little girl doesn't seem to be very loved or valued by her parents because they think she is ugly and because they are too busy with everything else; she says, "You is kind, You is smart, You is important.".

How incredible are those words? She has just told that child that she matters, that she is valuable!! She doesn't even address how the child looks, although I thought she was darling... it didn't matter, Viola addressed what mattered, what would stay with that child for the rest of her life and help her succeed. Viola understood that if she could convince this young girl that she indeed was kind, smart, and important then she would grow up to be confident and accomplish great things!

"The tongue can bring death or life..." Proverbs 18:21

What is our tongue bringing? What is our tongue bringing to us? What do we speak over ourselves? Do we tell ourselves that we're daughters (or sons) of the most High God and that we are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus? Do we tell ourselves that we're kind, smart, and important? Do we bring life to ourselves? Or, do we bring death? Do we tell ourselves that we are worthless, stupid, and will never amount to anything?

What is our tongue bringing? What is our tongue bringing to others? What do we speak to/over others? Do we allow our tongue to cut others and make them feel like they are nothing? Do we bring death to them by tearing them down and crushing their spirit? Or, do we bring life with our tongue? Do we tell others that they are loved and accepted? Do we tell others that they are important and that they matter to us and to the world?

What is our tongue bringing? What is our tongue bringing to God? What do we speak about God? Do our tongues bring him glory and honor all the time or only when important people are looking? Do our tongues tell others the importance of knowing God and the love that Jesus showed us in dying on the cross? Do our tongues bring death by denying who He is? Or, do our tongues bring life by sharing the good news of the Gospel to everyone we meet?

What is our tongue bringing? What is our tongue bringing to our children? Do we bring life to our children by building them up or do we bring death to them by tearing them down? Do we tell them that they are kind, smart, and important? Or, do we tell them that they are bad, stupid, and insignificant? I believe that as Christian parents our greatest calling is the ministry we provide to our children; we're called to raise them up in the way that they should go! We're imperfect parents but we have a perfect God to point our children to and it's through God that we can find the strength to do our very best in raising up tomorrow's leaders. Our children will usher in a whole generation of people into the kingdom of God that you and I can't reach but they won't know that they are to do that or that they can do that if we aren't using our tongues to tell them that they can and that they should.

After we saw the movie, I began to make a concise effort to say this to Eli every day, "You're kind, you’re smart, and you’re important." I wanted to use this as a sort of jumping off point in my efforts to build him up, not that I've been tearing him down... just that I wanted to really start using my tongue for LIFE. Now, when I say this to him, this is how he responds: "ind, mart, porant" :) it melts my heart and I know that he is feeling loved and special even though he doesn't fully grasp it yet!

We can't bring life on our own but if we're believers, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us and through Him we can begin to speak life and use our tongues to build up instead of tear down. Amen?