Andrew Alpaugh Blast From the Past

This is the AMAZING view we had when leaving our neighborhood yesterday!

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To know You is to never worry for my life To know You is to never give into compromise and To know You is to want to tell the world about You ‘Cause I can’t live without You To know You is to hear Your voice when You are calling To know You is to catch my brother when he is falling To know You is to feel the pain of the brokenhearted ‘Cause they can’t live without You More than my next breath More than life or death All I’m reaching for, I live my life to know You more I leave it all behind, You’re all that satisfies To know You is to want to know You more To know You is to want to know You more To know You is to ache for more than ordinary To know You is to look beyond the temporary To know You is believing that You’ll be enough ‘Cause there’s no life without You All this life could offer me Could not compare to You, compare to You And I count it all as loss Compared to knowing You, knowing You All this life could offer me Could not compare to You, compare to You And I count it all as...

Today’s Truth 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Friend To Friend The speaker came out onto the stage. He pulled out a one-hundred dollar bill. “Who would like this one-hundred dollar bill?” he asked. Hands shot up all around the room. Then he crumpled the paper, threw it on the floor and ground the dirt into it with his foot. Holding up the dirty, crumpled and tattered money, he then asked, “Now, who wants this one-hundred dollar bill?” The same hands went into the air. “And that is why God still wants you,” he continued. “You may be battered and bruised. You may be tattered and torn. You may be crumpled and creased but that does not change your value to God any more than what I have done changes the value of this one-hundred dollar bill. You are still precious and valuable to the God who chose you, redeemed you, and loves you as His own.” “He knows how we are formed; he rem...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge, Tn. again this year. Dinner was delicious and if you've never brined a turkey before it is highly recommended. That was the best Turkey I've ever tasted. Yumm-Yum! Pictures will be posted on our web album. Love, Wendy Can you guess who this plate belonged to?

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV) There's a simple little script many of us play in our mind—simple, yet incredibly dangerous. Dare I say it's one of the biggest things that hold us back from feeling fulfilled in our relationship with God. It's a script tangled in a lie that typically goes something like this: I could really be happy and fulfilled if only I had … … a skinnier body. … a husband. … a husband who was more tender and romantic. … more money. … a more successful career. … a better personality. … a baby. … smarter kids. I don't know what your "if only I had" statements are, but I do know that none of them will bring fulfillment. They might bring temporary moments of happiness… but not true fulfillment. In the book I just wrote, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, I expose the "if only I had" lie with this truth: Apart from a thriving relationship with God, even if we got every...

The love of her life is drifting away They’re losing the fight for another day The life that she’s known is falling apart A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words You’re trying to make sense of it all She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view She's looking to you Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him His yoke is easy, His burden is light You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions Just know that He loves her and stay by her side Love her like Jesus Love her like Jesus The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to grey As the little one slips away You’re holding their hand, you’re straining for words You’re trying to make sense of it all They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view They’re looking to you Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him His yoke is easy, His burden is light You don’t nee...

30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

S0... I'm a few days late! Andrew and I were engaged on October 9,1993 and this is our engagement pic. Thank goodness for Picasa which allowed me to crop the ridiculous extra 3 ft. of hair on top of my head!

Came across this tonight while searching for old Halloween pics. Just had to share- check out that dirty face! =) 8-16-2002

SERIOUSLY??? If these kinds of people spent half as much time giving the Gospel as they did bashing other Christians they may have a ministry! CANTON, N.C. — A North Carolina pastor says his church plans to burn Bibles and books by Christian authors on Halloween to light a fire under true believers. Pastor Marc Grizzard told Asheville TV station WLOS that the King James version of the Bible is the only one his small western North Carolina church follows. He says all other versions, such as the Living Bible, are “satanic” and “perversions” of God's word. On Halloween night, Grizzard and the 14 members of the Amazing Grace Baptist Church also will burn music and books by Christian authors, such as Billy Graham and Rick Warren. Telephone calls to the Amazing Grace Baptist Church and Grizzard's home were not immediately returned Wednesday.

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes? If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan's holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky...

Andrew and I always tease about me and that it's a good thing I don't change men like I do rooms/decorations! HA! I love to decorate and am thankful I have a husband who doesn't mind. After 2 years of a cat bathroom I decided it was time for a change! LOL- I love the colors teal and brown together and haven't really had the opportunity to implement them in our home so I figured since a bathroom is fairly small and probably one of the cheapest rooms to decorate in a house I would give it a try. It turned out great...at least I think so! =)

I'm a little behind getting these posted. Other than Christmas Fall is my most favorite holiday to decorate for. Just a few pics. of our fall decorations....figured I better get them on here, before you know it we'll be decorating for Christmas!

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Love never gives up, Love cares more for others than for self, Love doesn't want what it doesn't have, Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first" Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

I have been a wayward child, I have acted out, I have questioned sovereignty, and had my share of doubts, And though sometimes, my prayers feel like their bouncing off the sky, the hand that holds won't let me go, and is the reason why I will stumble, I will fall down But I will not be moved I will make mistakes, I will face heartache, But I will not be moved On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, I will not be moved Bitterness has plagued my heart, many times before, My life has been a broken glass, and I have kept the score, of all my shattered dreams, and though it seemed, that I was far too gone, my brokenness helped me to see, it's grace I'm standing on. I will stumble, I will fall down But I will not be moved I will make mistakes, I will face heartache, But I will not be moved On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, I will not be moved And chaos in my life, has been a badge I'...

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking Never let 'em see you when you fall That's how we live and that's how we try Tell the world you've got it all together Never let them see what's underneath Cover it up with a crooked smile But it only lasts for a little while There's no such thing as perfect people There's no such thing as a perfect life So come as you are, broken and scarred Lift up your heart and be amazed And be changed by a perfect God Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted When you hear the words that you are loved He knows where you are and where you've been And you never have to go there again Who lived and died to give new life To heal our imperfections So look up and see love. Let grace be enough By a perfect God Be changed by a perfect God Be changed Natalie Grant- Songwriters: Barton, Jason; Mizell, Sam; West, Matthew;

8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.

Our church had an outdoor baptism at Paris Mt. State Park yesterday. We had the privilege of seeing our oldest son Tyler be baptized along with 59 others. Praise the Lord! Despite the cold, rainy weather we had a very good turn out! Click HERE if you would like to view the pictures.

We had family pictures taken for our church directory and I have uploaded them to our web album. HERE is the link if you'd like to see them. If you would like to print any of them click the download button and save them.

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I. I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.' I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night. I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.' I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered. I was on all four ...

A careless word may kindle strife; A cruel word may wreck a life. A bitter word may hate instill; A brutal word may smite and kill. A gracious word may smooth the way; A joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress; A loving word may heal and bless. Author Unknown

Andrew and I are praising God for Tyler's decision to be obedient to the Lord in believer's baptism. He went forward this past Sunday and will be baptized at the outdoor baptism at Paris Mountain on September 20th! Matthew 10:32- Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

Click HERE to see them.

On September 14, 2001 Andrew and I found out we were expecting our 3rd baby. We had done this twice before and I was not that concerned or anxious to get to the Dr. right away. We were very excited even though we had not actually "tried" to conceive. We had also decided we would keep it a secret as long as possible! :) Love to keep a good secret! On October 31st we had our first ultrasound and discovered that our baby had markers for a chromosomal disorder as well as tachycardia. Devastated at hearing this we shed lots of tears and I experienced a lot of worry, anger, and fear at what lied ahead of us. I prayed many times that if the Lord was going to give us a baby that would not live that He would just go ahead and take it from us right then. On November 23rd, I began spotting and cramping but since it was Thanksgiving weekend we waited til the following Monday to go to the Dr. where we found out that there was no heart beat and our baby was resting safely in the arms of Je...

Ten years ago today we celebrated the birth of our beautiful baby girl Emily. We are very thankful to God and so blessed to have the privilege of having her in our family. Happy Birthday to our princess! We love you dearly! Last year she lucked out and her birthday happened to fall on Labor Day which meant she didn't have school, so we were able to have more time for birthday fun. This year- I got her A&W and brought my mom along for lunch at school with her. When she got home she opened her presents before having cake and cookie cake! After that we went to the nail salon and she got a french manicure and pedicure something she has been wanting to do for a long time! ( she is definitely a girly girl!) and at her request had Ryans for dinner. We also have very special plans for her on Friday! (top secret!) ;) Below is a picture of her with her cake. More pictures to come on our web album.

Let the fun begin! We are officially parents of a high school student! Will be back later to hopefully post about his day. That is if he has any thing to talk about. He's a pretty quiet kid and doesn't say too much without being asked. Sooooo... definitely on my mind today since this is not only his first day in high school but also his first time in a new school with new teachers. Please keep Tyler in your prayers specifically that he will be a Godly example to his peers and that his desire will be to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ in all he says and does.

http://www.taylorsfbc1.org/2008sermons/609%20-%20Continue%20in%20Him%20-%20web.pdf

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. ~ Mark Twain~

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

I decided to put together a collage of Emily's 1st days of school from K-4 through now. :o) My how time flies- she looks soooooo much older all of the sudden! What happened?!?!

Emily's word for her first day back to school was "FUN", so that was good to hear. It was only half a day so what's to be expected in that amount of time! This is her first year to have a male teacher so we'll see how that goes. He told the class he doesn't think like a woman. :-) ha! ha! She seems to be really excited and can't wait for her first full day on Monday.

I will be brief and to the point... besides- this is basically like an online way to record his checkups and accomplishments that I have not written in his baby book! More for my benefit than anyone who might keep up with our blog! :) He is 36 inches tall (91.48 percentile) and 31 pounds (84.37 percentile) And- just for the record, our pediatrician told us to "IGNORE" temper tantrums!!! HA HA HA HA HA! I looked at him and said, "Do you have a 2 yr. old?" What do you think the answer was?? NO. I'd love to send Bryson home with him for a week and see what he says at the end of a week about that! okay- enough said.

Part of a devotional I read today- just thought I'd pass it along! ;-) God treats you the way one mother treated her young son, Timmy. She didn't like the thought of Timmy walking to his first-grade class unaccompanied. But he was too grown-up to be seen with his mother. "Besides," he explained, "I can walk with a friend." So she did her best to stay calm, quoting the Twenty-third Psalm to him every morning: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." One school day she came up with an idea. She asked a neighbor to follow Timmy to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, lest he notice her. The neighbor was happy to oblige. She took her toddler on morning walks anyway. After several days Timmy's friend noticed the lady and the child. "Do you know who that woman is who follows us to school?" "Sure," Timmy answered. "That's Shirley Goodnest and her daughter Marcy." "W...

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS : 1. Peace of mind 2. Peace of heart 3. Peace of soul PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH: 1. Squash gossip 2. Squash indifference 3... Squash grumbling 4. Squash selfishness PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE: 1. Lettuce be faithful 2. Lettuce be kind 3. Lettuce be patient 4. Lettuce really love one another NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS: 1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3... Turnip to help one another TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME: 1. Thyme for each other 2. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for friends WATER FREELY AND OFTEN WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

Bryson was being so cute and amusing us during dinner tonight I just had to get out the camera and record for a few minutes. Bryson eating spaghetti 8-2009

If you've been following the news lately you no doubt have heard lots about health care reform. Came across this on mommylife.org and just thought I'd pass it along. Dirty Secret No. 1 in Obamacare Chuck Norris Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Health care reforms are turning into health care revolts. Americans are turning up the heat on congressmen in town hall meetings across the U.S. While watching these political hot August nights, I decided to research the reasons so many are opposed to Obamacare to separate the facts from the fantasy. What I discovered is that there are indeed dirty little secrets buried deep within the 1,000-plus page health care bill. Dirty secret No. 1 in Obamacare is about the government's coming into homes and usurping parental rights over child care and development. It's outlined in sections 440 and 1904 of the House bill (Page 838), under the heading "home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting chil...

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The Lord is my boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He reminds me to pray, before I speak in anger. He restores my sanity. He guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mail, system failures, copier jams, back-ordered supplies, unrealistic deadlines, staff shortages, budget cutbacks, red tape, downsizing, gossiping co-workers and whining customers, I won't give up, for You are with me. Your presence, peace and power will see me through. You raise me up, even when the boss fails to promote me. You claim me as your own, even when the company threatens to let me go. Your loyalty and love are better than a bonus check. Your retirement plan beats any 401K, and when it's all said and done, I'll be working for you a whole lot longer! (Author unknown)

Lawsuit Filed Against Dearborn Schools and Muslim Principal Over Firing of Christian Wrestling Coach July 27, 2009 ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan announced today that a federal lawsuit has been filed against a Dearborn, Michigan high school, Fordson High School, and its Muslim principal, Imad Fadlallah, over the firing of Gerald Marszalek because of Marszalek’s connection to a Christian volunteer coach. Marszalek, who had coached wrestling for 35 years, had achieved a legendary status in the wrestling community. Earning more that 450 wins, and sending numerous wrestlers to various collegiate programs, he was elected to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, named “Sportsman of the Year” by the All-American Athletic Association. Marszalek’s contract was not renewed because of his association with a Christian volunteer coach, Trey Hancock, who the principal accused of converti...

Click HERE for pictures! :o)