Blessings, Suzanne

Yes It's my Birthday!!!! "Let us hold fast this confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23 I dedicate this very late birthday post to my sweet Luke Jeffrey, who turned nine years old on May 19th! You are such a light in my life, Luke, and it was a privelege to get to plan and even attend your birthday blast, allowing me special priveleges to be at a "Boys only" event and all! I know, I insisted...ha..but  you did need another driver, right?? We had so much fun! The playroom looked great with the orange and blue balloons, even Daddy helped hang them and you know he likes crimson and white! This year the theme was Hot wheel cars and the decorations on the wall and table turned out really cool, didn't they? We do love streamers in this house! This was your first sleepover and you did such a great job setting up your magic show for your friends as the night time entertainment, followed by playing skylanders, hi...

"Walking in the midst of the fire." Daniel 3:25 Hey my friends! I hope this letter comes to you at just the right time! Be warned you just might need to take a walk after you read..grab your tennis shoes or throw off those uncomfortable shoes and walk barefoot (my personal favorite...here goes... I am one who needs to walk daily, doesn't always happen, but oh what a difference in my overall attitude when it does! I feel sure one of my coined phrases when I am eighty years old will probably still be "I am going walking, not because I want to, but because I need to". My kids can finish that sentence. In our ten years in this neighborhood, I have a two mile loop that is my normal go to route. I have walked it with a stroller and babies, pregnant with Luke and pushing Abby in the stroller (crazy), then toddlers, nature walks as preschoolers to find leaves, rocks and acorns(aka-let's get out of this house!!!), with bicycle or skateboard school-age companions...

"Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3 I hope that this illustrated reminder by Miss Abby Moore hugs your heart as it did mine! She shared it with me on the way home from school last week and came home and wrote it down to put on the blog. Her friend, Alice shared it with her that day. How refreshing, how encouraging, when there's truly so much thrown at us in any given day! Just had to pass it on, you do the same! Speaking of pass it on..here's a little insight on the verse for today from me to you..smile. As I prayed about what to write in this "letter" I did what I don't normally do, before writing a post, (a sure sign of this season I am in). I just opened that bible and began to say "Okayyy, show me,(flip, flip) not feeling that one,(flip, flip) what does that mean,(flip, flip) no not that one,ah-ha.. then I ende...

" And by that will we have been sanctified throught the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10 Happy Saturday, the saturday after Good Friday and the day before Glorious Sunday!Thank you for the cross, Lord, thank you for the price you paid, the offering of your Son on the cross for our sins, all of them. Thank you for filling our basket of life, so to speak, with your blessings, one by one! Amen. My day consists of dropping off and picking up children from activities (yes on Saturday) and in between, doing a little shopping for the finishing touches for easter baskets. It is one of my favorite things to do..fill the baskets and see the joy that comes from them taking out each piece of candy or surprise with a smile! Here again, there is a parallel, a lesson learned from my season of cancer. Today is the day to share something I've had on my heart about a week. And the Lord brought it all together this morning this morning so here goes... ...

"For everyone who has been born of God oversomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith." 1 John 5:4 "See you back in six months" my oncologist says cheerfully "it will be fall then". When the door closed those words rung in my ears. Six months. Alot can happen in six months. In fact, that was the exact time period of having a clear mammogram, a seemingly healthy thirty-five year old body to finding a lump in my breast, which turned out to be an aggessive, active cancer...just a few months after my thirty-sixth birthday. But this time, three years down the road, for some reason, I liked having a six month boundary or maybe even a goal for my life. I never want to forget how quickly life can change. This was my news for the day, it was just me, I was the one to hear and process and now it is up to me just what I will do with it!! As I was changing out of that beautiful gown and into my work clothes, I asked myself ...

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." Proverbs 1:5 Well, hello...a little less than twenty-four hours ago I was still overlooking the bay and the beach in Pensacola...yes,my backyard is beautiful for spring, but I am having a hard time adjusting back to life here in the burbs!! Just kidding. Home sweet home. What a great time..we went with another family so everyone had a friend, and we managed to really put the "break" in Spring Break! I did enjoy the slower pace, good food, naps, read a whole book (Pioneer Woman by Ree Drummond, loved it), no schedule or homework or activities except deciding whether to go to the beach or the bay. The weather was cool the first part of the week, but Saturday felt like summer!The kids fished, crabbed, rode their bikes, kayaked,and swam in that really chilly water like it was a hot tub (burrr), and for the most part, got along...yeh now that's broadcast news, that's a br...

"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.As in all congregations of the saints" 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NIV) "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV) Good morning!I thought I would share a little about this journey I have been on lately concerning order. Maybe it's that spring is in my spirit and I am craving some spring cleaning time! Myy normal call to "Get your house in order" has been anything but orderly! You know how usually you have to make more of a mess, get everything out, decide what you want to keep, throw out, donate, then clean, then put back together (tired yet?)? Well, I am following this principle, but it is an internal "Get your house in order" year! Believe me, I would take the cleaning, organizing, messiness in a heartbeat...I actually enjoy it most of the time. God is doing a new work, calling in some order to how living life in truth real...

"I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love." Hosea 11:4 Good afternoon! I would like to begin by dedicating this post to a little boy named Anderson Thrower, he is finishing up chemotherapy treatment today for leaukemia (three years) and we celebrate this part of the journey being OVER!You can visit his caringbridge site to learn more about this family's journey. Anderson was diagnosed a few weeks before me with cancer and I have prayed for this day to come where that baby does not have to endure chemo another day. Though suffering was involved, I praise God for the beauty He has brought from the ashes, a ministry was born during this trial, the Ateam. So, we rejoice with Anderson, Andy, Jan and Avery, at this milestone, this victory and give God glory for the healing of this little lamb! I was working at a hospital on Monday and stepped on an elevator, for what seemed like the twenty-fifth time,half of a cracker in hand (lunch;)) ...other half of cra...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 Good Morning! It has been twenty-one days since I have written a post so this one must be coming with some power!!! And today is February 29th so I won't be able to write on this day for four more years...smile! Yesterday I managed to sandwich in a workout between carpool and work! Scheduling these days is quite challenging, however, I have discovered that there was something missing on the seemingly busy schedule.....ME! So, I am putting myself back on the schedule and deliberately choosing to take care of myself. Just sounds silly, but oh my why has it taken me thirty-nine years to get that one. It is so evident in every single, solitary part of this life of mine!Let's just say God is doing some fine-tuning and much of that has been VERY eye opening, even heartbreaking at moments. That's where today's verse comes in and covers me like a heated blanket..."M...

"He will teach us about His ways so we may walk in His paths." Micah 4:2 Path. Just saying the word can bring an emotion of excitement, insinuating that...number one, that we are on one! And number two,that there's direction!It's funny how many times our paths of life change, wind around, and come full circle to where we started. Maybe at thirty-nine I am realizing that the paths I choose now certainly, most certainly will circle back around and connect to the future. What that tells me is, choose wisely. But, choosing for me, at this stage, on the path, looks nothing like it used to. It can no longer be a quick yes or "like it was" kind of choice...my feet will come to a stand still if I even attempt. And for that I am OVERJOYED! I want to walk, keep walking, learning the Lord's ways, even when they are misunderstood because I know that I am being taught by the best, Him. Every single part of my life has been woven into His chosen path for me, my par...

"Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22 Good afternoon!Here is a picture of Luke and I last weekend before we went on a "date to the Mother/Son Dinner at our church. It is our third one and I have to say it was by far the most fun, maybe because my date has matured a little (and sat still)??? No, they have all been special, but it was more about the time we spent together, the little moments...the excitement of getting dressed up in his suit,him opening the car door for me and then getting in the backseat (perfect date, cracks me up), pulling out my chair at the table, asking if he could get me some hot chocolate and then adding extra marshmellows,talking me into tasting dessert before the entree because it's just too tempting to have it sitting there in front of you, laughing at our answers to the quiz about how well we knew each other and hearing him say "ahhh,you nailed it",making sur...

"Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:11 Today is three years since I heard the words "You have breast cancer". Today is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today is a day that I woke up, got my coffee, read my bible and prayed. Today is a day I got to wish Jeff well on his busy day. Today is a day that I got to fix Abby and Luke breakfast. Today is a day I went to the gym and worked out. Today is a day where the sound of the rain was soothing to my ears. Today is a day that I took off from work, just to enjoy some time to myself. Today is a day that I chose to listen with my heart and not my mind. Today is a day that feels lighter than last year.Today is a day I choose to keep ministering, sharing, remembering where I have been, and looking ahead in expectation and hope. Today is a da...

"Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses." 1 Kings 8:56 Good early Monday morning to you!I won't even tell you how long I have been up(ha)but I will tell you one of the reasons...excitement. The kind of excitement I usually experience when going on a trip the next day. And most likely there's a little anxiousness wrapped with that excitment because I am afraid I will oversleep and miss a flight or forget to pack something. Well, this excitement is an overflow of joy from a meeting I attended yesterday afternoon at church. Okay, I won't drag it out any longer...I am excited to be one of the speakers at our church's (Shades Mtn Baptist) Women's Retreat at Lake Guntersville, February 3-4. Not only is this a great honor, it is a FULL CIRCLE moment of one (of the many)of God's promises in my life. Many of you reading will remember...

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." James 5:7-8 Good morning!I hope that you are doing well..two cups of coffee and a little reading in James for me says on my end, I am well. I am glad you opened up the post regardless of it's title being "Patient." Any time I hear the word I think of my Aunt Joy saying "don't pray for patience, you will have tests!" I miss hearing her say that. Yet to be patient in this life we are living, is inevitable, it's our choice how we handle it. James gives an example I can picture. A farmer waiting on the rain, thus to water his "fruit" or crops. Does that farmer plant the seed and go sit inside and hope for the best? Or does he grab a chair beside the garden and wa...

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold when it perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise in glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7 Hey friends, a very happy Saturday to ya!It's been low key around here..a normal Saturday routine for me usually means getting up early, reading and writing for several hours and then attempting form of exercise. Usually that equates to walking with my friend, Catherine. But today, we pledged to start again (as with the whole world in January) in the world of YOGA. I guess I have left that part out of my routine lately, in all this simplicity..ha! As we were stretching, relaxing (somewhat), music playing, breathing, my body began to remind me of this small fact, it's just not easy doing yoga when your wound tight aka out of practice!!!The middle p...

"Let us acknowledge the LORD; Let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear, he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3 Good afternoon! We, at the Moore household, have very much enjoyed our holiday break! I was able to weave my part-time work into the mix and Jeff took more time off than usual this year which worked out for all of us! We got to spend more time together and also with our extended family. The kids, well, they enjoyed every minute of it...and it all came to a halt this morning when I woke them up for a new "year." As of yesterday, we were still savoring every moment. The three of us headed to the Galleria on a mission to find Abby some new jeans. Let me rephrase that. It was my mission, theirs was to maybe, just maybe spend some of that christmas money...smile. Voila!At the first store,found the jeans (this is no easy feat, the girl hates to shop for clothes, kno...

"Let us come into his PRESENCE with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" Psalm 95:1 Happy New Year! I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season, celebrating with friends and family. For the past month and a half, I guess you noticed that I have not written any posts? And in that time we celebrated two very important holidays and I took a wonderful girls trip to NEW YORK CITY, right in the middle of the two!Talk about a different way to end a year...fabulous!Really nothing about this last six weeks has been my usual way, normal, as we like to say. And you know what? It has been the most relaxing, simple holiday season, and get this...that I actually ENJOYED AND EMBRACED THE SIMPLE THINGS...! Who knew that ALL the thanksgiving decorations did NOT have to be put out and that we didn't have to have lunch, we ate dinner...and what a fun time we had with Jeff's family. Who knew that the four of us could get up the d...

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:10-11 As the sun set yesterday and the day came to a close, November twelvth, was the completion of my (and yours) twenty-one day meditation through Psalm 46. Do you see how beautiful that red sky is? Breathtaking. The clouds were dark but only because it was getting dark, not because of a storm. And to capture a picture where the sun was setting right behind the power lines?? What a great reminder of God's power...EXALTED...in comparison to our own manpower! There is simply nothing like it!Nothing like Him! My heart felt as if it was setting too, like the sun,in it's time. I am ready and able to close this chapter and begin a new one. I am still and I know that you are God. You, my Lord, are exalted among the nations and the earth. Exalted. Thanks to all of you for reading and for t...

"Come and see the works of the LORD. The desolation he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear." Psalm 46:8-9 Hey Friends, I have taken a few days off from writing the blog, but the Lord has certainly been filling me with His word! The time has changed, it's nice to have the light this early, and something else changed on Sunday...my age! I turned thirty-nine years old and I feel the time has changed in my own life. You know how much a child changes from a newborn to a three year old? Like night and day. Everything about them is different and though we loved those cuddly, tiny days, we also love getting more sleep at night! And their needs move from total dependency on others to talking and walking themselves. They discover, that though they think they can do everything by themselves, it's not possible, so they cry out, and throw a fit a (or two or ten) . And we get them through it, loving th...

"Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us: The God of Jacob if our fortress." Psalm 46:6-7 This is all love right here! A flower for his Mommy pulled up by the root and delivered right to my car window!While we wait on Abby each day, he and a friend play in a creek by the school. This picture was taken shortly after I had posted on how you can't see roots, but just see the pretty trees. I couldn't help but giggle when he walked up with those flowers and the ROOTS. He brought them as his gift to me, he is very thoughtful that way. I told him I needed a picture because I had just written about roots! He was quick to pose and I love that smile of his anyway! I have to share this about my little guy...this morning he was telling me.."Guess what happened yesterday, Mommy? I needed the wind to blow for a game we were playing and I prayed and then...it blew..that's just how God works. Oh and we get to w...