The Journey

Our Fall Ladies Conference is on it's way.

October 10-11th, 2008 at our new church building!

Our speaker this year is a neat lady named Catherine Hickem. Her web site is Intentionalmoms.com. She is a gifted author and speaker. She will be sharing about her journey with the Lord, her passion for ministry, and some other topics all surrounding our Lord.

I remembering thinking at age 21 that my journey was over. I was a single mom, working long days (and nights), and thinking that was all there was to life. Then I started walking with the Lord. What does that mean?

I started going to church consistently and learning what God's word meant. I was praising my God and seeking to live my life for Him.

I knew that He was the only way to heaven, and my only hope on earth.

So, my journey got better. I didn't mind the long road, muddy trails, or flat tires. I trusted my God who is bigger than life and death.

My journey led me to my husband Dan. Before I met Dan I seriously did not know there were men out there like him, because I'd never met one like him! He is honestly the smartest and most godly man I have ever met! Also, he is the most handsome, and the funniest person in the universe.

You may think I'm just bragging....I am not bragging......it is just the truth! Okay, maybe a little bragging but wouldn't you brag if you were married to the most handsome, smartest, funniest, godliest person in the universe??? I rest my case. He is also an amazing father to our children and an amazing pastor. He is a extremely gifted Bible teacher.

God gave me a verse from the Bible (before I knew it was in there) it was Jeremiah 29:11 and it says, " For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

"Oh, you say, I know that verse it's been around forever"...Yes, but do you believe it for you?

Do you know that He knows the plans for you and that they are for good (not evil) and that they will bring you a hope (we all need hope) and a future???

Believe it. It's true.

Enjoy the Journey!

Time out with God...

I hope you take a time out today to hear the voice of God for your life.
Don't skip time in His word and prayer. He misses you and you miss out!
What will He say to you tomorrow morning to prepare your heart for the day?

Will it be words of love, words of hope, direction, wisdom for decisions, words of hope for a friend or a stranger, a gentle correction, discernment, or maybe words that bring peace, understanding, or joy? Maybe He wants to prepare you for what's just around the corner....

I don't know what He wants to tell you today....but He does......so give yourself a time out with God!

I like that this life is a journey and I love that we don't have to walk this path alone.

My boys!

My girls

I love the shot of Avery with the helmet on! She rides dirt bikes! :)

Sleeping baby!

This is our Avery when she was born...what a sweet sweet child she is!

Remember the 50's?

Remember the 50's? Me neither! This is not my dad's baby picture, it is my son, Daniel James in 2001 looking rather dapper if I don't say so myself! He is 9 years old now! But this is a classic picture of him, don't you think?

Be yourself!

I wonder what this sea turtle is thinking?

Is he wondering why he was created? Is he upset because he didn't get the Sea turtle part in "Finding Nemo?" is he wondering where his wife is with dinner, or why he is a turtle at all.....why couldn't he have been a whale or a swordfish?

Or is he just enjoying who he is and not trying to be something he was never meant to be?

I hope you enjoy who you are and who God made you to be! If your not as beautiful, handsome, smart, or you didn't get the part in life you wanted......so what....have fun being YOU!

I know what your thinking....pretty deep, Cheryl.... Well, I just had to work this cute picture in somehow and encourage someone today with it!!!!!

I wanna go back....

I would love to go back to China for another doll like this one. This is not my Hannah-Faith...but she is just another reason for someone (maybe someone like you) to adopt from China. We have "too many children" in China's eyes to go back as the law states you can only have 4 minors in the home in order to adopt! I guess it's your turn!

You are unique!

Psalm 139: 13-14 "For you formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows very well."

Can you guess what the name of this unique flower is?

Getting ready ready ready to run........

Okay, here we go...starting to train for the Disney!

Let's go.....

ready to go....

we're really getting started here...

Here we go....

Just have to get the right shoes, some water, a training plan, uh, a schedule, some mental motivation, some music, and I'm ready to go.

Let's go! Got any words of motivation for me?????

Let' s hear um!

:)

"Cease Striving and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

The Bible tells us to "Cease striving and know that I am God." Jesus invited us in Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you SHALL find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

Jesus also instructed us in Matthew chapter 6 to not worry about tomorrow but to trust Him for everything from our basic food and clothing to our house payments, to our teenagers and toddlers! He gives us enough wisdom, grace, and provision for each day!

If today your burden feels especially heavy, your heart feels weary, or your load unbearable, go somewhere quiet and ask the Lord to unload your load onto Himself! He will gladly do it!

God bless your day!

Time flyes!

Time sure does fly, doesn't it? It will be 12 years since we married on November 9th! Look at Johnny...just 8 years old here....still handsome as ever! I have been blessed so much more than I knew I would be on this day.

Blessed with children, a great church, friendships, a wonderful marriage with the most amazing husband, father, and pastor.

The only losses have been my waist line...:) and grandpa who is now with the Lord!

Enjoy your family! They are God's gift to you!

p.s. I don't want to hear any 'mullet jokes' in the comments...that mullet was one of the things I loved most about Dan!!! :)

My greatest blessing!

This is my greatest blessing and joy! 

Dan Plourde! 

He is the best husband, father, and pastor in the universe! 

We have been married for 12 years and have 8 amazing children!

I am very thankful! 

My kids!

I can't get enough of my kids! They are simple amazing and an amazing blessing to me!
God bless you!

Daniel James

This is my 9 year old son, Daniel James. 

How would I describe him in a sentence or two? 

Daniel has a pastor's heart.

He is loving, kind, and thoughtful. 

He is funny and full of wonder! 

He is a wonderful young man of God! 

Lost teeth!

My 2 boys (Noah and Christian) each lost a tooth this week!
First they lost them as in they fell out of their mouth...then they lost them meaning they cannot find them. I told them the tooth fairy is pretty strict on having the actual tooth under the pillow if they want the money. I may have to pull some strings over at the tooth fairy village if you get my drift.

With or without teeth these are some pretty handsome boys!

Dan's running with me!

Well, there you have it! Dan is running the 2009 Disney Marathon with me!
It will be a great date to run with my sweet husband!

We can carb load on Saturday night, run on Sunday, and talk about it on the ride home! It will be a great adventure to share together! Please keep us in your prayers!

Unforgettable!

Some people are unforgettable....like this person here.

Miss Penny. She was (and still is) a huge part of our children's lives for 4 years!

Miss Penny did it all. She bathed, clipped, fed, played with, and taught my kids lots of games and songs! But most importantly, she simple loved them.

She gave Dan and I many ministry opportunities and date nights. She gave me time to shop, play, and rest!

She invested in our children and loved them as if they were her own. She loved them so much she even tried to take one of them home with her. Can you guess which one????

But that season has passed and now Miss Penny has 2 beautiful boys of her own, Roman and Jadon!

I couldn't even begin to list all Miss Penny means to us (and her husband Pastor Chris also) as the title says...her investment will forever be unforgettable!