The Hurricanes In Our Lives

The storms today have settled. The clean up begins again. Lives have been lost. Homes have been destroyed. People are still missing. So much pain, so much heartache.

Where is the hope? God IS our hope. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God will put all the pieces back together again if we trust Him. He will bring the sunshine. His Word is always faithful. He hasn't forgotten us.

He will calm all the hurricanes in our lives...broken dreams, broken relationships. All we have to do is allow Him to work in us and trust His plans. He cares more than we could ever know. Jeremiah goes on to say, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

We need you, God!

Today I found out some friends in New Orleans lost their house, lost everything. They are the kind of people that would give you the shirt off their back, always thinking of others. It's not fair. They didn't deserve this. Nobody did. All I know is to trust God. He cares.

We need you, God! I pray for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Please God, let the restoration come quickly. Be with the hurting and watch over all the rescue teams. Let us witness your goodness and kindness through this difficult time. Allow people that don't know you, find you and be comforted. Use this for good. Amen

Katrina Changes Everything

Hurricane Katrina changes everything. I don't mean the obvious...neighborhoods changed, cities unrecognizable, people gone. It is far more reaching than that. Wherever we are, it changes us, too. Part of our country has been attacked again - this time by nature. We are all in this together, because that's what makes our country great. We will pull together, shelter and feed the lost, and slowly rebuild but the change still hurts.

It has changed me in a personal way. I lived in New Orleans for 10 years. My son was borned there. My husband and I met and married there. We have so many friends there and right now don't know where they are or what has happened to them. It hurts watching the TV and seeing familiar areas flooded or almost gone. We wait and watch and most of all, pray.

I noticed I've changed in my day...little annoyances are blown away. I need only to think about the images of the ones wandering along I-10, or waiting on the roof tops, or the lady in tears for just some bread, and my pettiness is gone.

Tonight I will sleep on a nice bed. My stomach is full and I have plans for tomorrow. My daughter will go to school and my son and husband have jobs. Life will go on. Yet, I'm different inside...wondering if my New Orleans friends are safe or need help. My days may be the same but my thoughts and prayers are for them.

Lucky me! Lucky all of us!

Lucky me! Not only did I marry a wonderful man but I married into a wonderful family! We get together every year and love it but this year was extra special...My mother-in-law treated us all to a Carribbean cruise! Lucky all of us! She had been planning this for about a year...and now we have fabulous memories. Isn't that the most thoughtful thing to do for your family? She's really incredible...no wonder the family is, too! Below is a picture of us all together on a dress up night on the cruise. A great looking bunch, huh?! It's hard coordinating our big family from coast to coast with work schedules, illnesses, babies, etc. My mother died only two weeks later. However, God blessed us and everything worked out...now we sat back, sharing pictures, laughing and remembering when....What a lovely gift for a lifetime.

The Noll Family Carribbean Cruise - all 23 of us! 

SPURS ROCK!

Thank you, Spurs! You did it! It was probably my coaching that pulled you through, huh? What an upper after dark days. Nice to have something positive to smile about...and the whole city is crazy with the sweet victory! Thanks for doing it, again, and showing that good guys don't necessarily finish last! :)

GO SPURS GO!

Ok, Spurs, this is it. This is your last game. Pull it together. You can do it - you've done it before! You've got the talent - don't even let them get close! Are you listening??!! Stay focused. You deserve the win. Don't let the Pistons take it from you!

(How am I as a coach?)

Sad Days

My mother died June 15th, 2005. I am thankful that I was with her, holding her hand when she died. I am even more thankful that God gave me such a wonderful loving mom. The last thing I said to her as she drew her last breath was, "How can I ever thank you for everything you have done for me?" I will never stop thanking her and God for all the wonderful memories we shared.