Grant Turns 2!!

Two years ago on September 18, 2009, the Lord blessed Tyler and me with a beautiful, bouncing baby boy! Weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz. and measuring 21 inches in length. Oh, and did I mention he was 2 weeks EARLY?! That day changed my world forever!
Life around the Lightsey household has been crazy and full of ups and downs...One down being, my little Grant is now a "terrible two-ster"!!! Patience and how to discipline, is what the Lord is definitely teaching me these days! That's when I refer to the Word and read Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Grant had a big birthday bash with friends and family on September 17th at our home. And he also had a very special guest fly all the way from Disney World to wish him a happy birthday...the one and only, Mickey Mouse! What a fun day we had and I'm so thankful that the Lord found favor in me and made me his Mommy. Terrible twos or not, I wouldn't trade this for the world! I've included some pictures of his special day~ Enjoy! Blessings :)

                                                               

"Broken Vessel"

Today's post is a song by Broken Vessels entitled "Broken Vessel". This song is my personal prayer to the Lord. So many times we forget that our purpose here on earth is to do God's work, and that's reaching others and sharing the Gospel with them. I hope it blesses your heart!

BROKEN VESSEL

I come before You, Lord; desperate and unclean.
I need You to purge me with Your blood.
I want to be a vessel of honor You can use, Set apart for Your good work.
I am broken but I'm not afraid, I will serve You until my dying day.

Take all of me, I lay down my life.
Take all of me, until You're satisfied.

I am a vessel of clay in Your hand; mold me Lord as You desire.
Burn away each blemish and impurity in me with Your refining fire.

I'm a Broken Vessel....

"It's never too late!"

Yesterday was a busy day for me. At 10am, I went to our Mom's bible study @ Highland and our entire study has gone along with the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. An easy read about the love of the Lord and experiencing His love for us and sharing with others. As we discussed, the last two chapters spoke about the many "Christian heroes" in our world and what they are doing for the God's kingdom. So many elaborate testamonies. I believe with all my heart that God wants to use each one of us, individually and creatively, for His glory. Whether that be, going on missions to Africa or India and sharing the gospel with people who may not know or living out of our vehicle and using every bit of the money we are blessed with to feed other homeless people. I may never be able to go over seas to spread the gospel but I can do it right here in my hometown. It's never too late to do God's work!
Later that afternoon, I began to get myself and Grant ready to go to my Dad's GED graduation. First, let me just say how SUPER proud I am of my Dad for graduating and getting his GED to further himself. He received an academic award as well. What an accomplishment! It's never too late to go back and do what needs to be done!
Following graduation, we (my dad, brother, Grant and I) went out to eat to celebrate. We had a good fellowship and I couldn't express in words the love we shared amongst each other. We got ready to leave and I was taking my brother home when we began talking about what's new with him and going on in his life. My brother proceeded to tell me he was depressed and struggling with alot right now and didn't understand what was going on with him. To those of you that don't know, I'm a mother-hen when it comes to my brother. Immediately, I asked him to explain what he was feeling and why he feels he's so depressed. He told me that he's been going to church and he felt like the Lord had been speaking to him and dealing with his heart. I then asked if he was a Christian and he replied, I don't know. I shared with him my testimony and scriptures about salvation and how you become a Christian and asked if he felt this was what God has been speaking to him about. He told me that one Sunday at church everything in him wanted to go down to the front during the invitation and get things right with the Lord but there was a voice inside of him holding him back and telling him not to. I then explained that first, the wanting to get things right with God was the Holy Spirit convicting him and the Lord calling him and second, the voice telling him not to go was Satan trying to take control of the situation. He then told me that he wanted to be saved and begin his life living for the Lord.
To be completely honest, this was out of my comfort zone. I had no idea how to lead someone to Christ, let alone my brother, and I was just praying for God to speak to Travis thru me. That it would be His words, not mine. I then asked Travis if he was ready to give his life over and surrender all the God and he said yes. So then we prayed and he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, right there in my car! Talk about the Lord working whenever, wherever! He will be sharing with others in his church about what God has done in his life and following in believers baptism soon. I am over the moon happy for my brother and for the work that God is doing in his life and mine as well. You don't have to get saved in a church for it to be real; you can get saved anywhere, anytime! If any of you are feeling the same tugging on your heart and you feel like God is calling you to be saved and live your life for Him, then I encourage you to not wait another second. Get down on your knees, surrendering all that you are, acknowledging that you are a sinner, believing that God is who He says He is and knowing without a doubt Jesus is His Son and died on the cross for you, and confessing your sins before Him and repenting from those sins and asking God to forgive you and save you. And then, go out and yell it to the top of your lungs that you are now a believer and have been saved by the Almighty God!! I'll be the first to tell you, you're life will never EVER be the same! It's never too late to receive the free gift of God, SALVATION! Praying for each one of you! Blessings :)

"F.R.O.G. = Fully Relying On God"

As many of you know, or don't know, last November I had a mass in my right breast removed. Prior to this surgery, I was seen by my doctor and sent to do an ultrasound of the mass. During the ultrasound, the radiologist recommended that I have a mammogram done as well. This scared me to death! I thought to myself and then replied to him, "I'm 23 years old, I'm too young for breast cancer." He proceeded to tell me, "Ma'am, don't worry, it's just to get a better, more detailed view of the mass." My heart began to race, my hands began to sweat, and my eyes filled with tears. All I could think about was my husband, my child, and my family. My life. How would Tyler be without me? How could Grant grow up without a mother? Why is this happening to me? Why is God allowing this to happen to me? SO many questions, that nobody could answer. Except the Lord.
As I waited for the nurse to come into the room to do my mammogram, I heard the Lord call out to me and say, "Amber, just breathe. You're going to be okay, I am here with you." I began to cry and thank the Lord for never leaving my side and reminding me that He is always there. I did the test, as uncomfortable as it was (fair warning to those women who have never had one) and it was over in a matter of minutes. The nurse told me, the doctor would call me the next day and tell me my results.
I went home that night and opened up the Bible and read. I felt like I still needed an answer to why this was happening, when the Lord gave me this word: Luke 8:23-25 "But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?" WOW! That was the answer I needed. I don't have to have an answer to what is going on, I just need to trust in Him and know that He has everything under control.
The next day, the doctor called me and said that the tests both came back abnormal and that the mass needed to be biopsied, but she would rather take it out completely. I was fine with that! It scared me, the thought of surgery, but hey, I wasn't about to say no to getting rid of it by any means! So we scheduled my surgery for the following week and long story short, the mass ended up being a benign fibroid tumor. Therefore, diagnosing me with Fibrocystic Breast Disease. A condition that causes fibroid tumors to grow in the breast(s), due to the dramatic change in hormones. I would need to be checked every 6 months and have a mammogram once a year for the rest of my life. Fun, huh?
Not only did the surgery take place in November, but we have also been trying to have another baby since November. As said before in previous blogs, I've had a tough time in this area as well. I have been on an estrogen hormone and fertility medicine as well. Both of these being hormones. Last week (Tuesday night), I found another lump in my breast. This time it's in my left. Immediately, I felt the emotions of 6 months ago come over me again. Why, why, why? Didn't I JUST go thru this? As soon as I thought these thoughts, my mind went to the Lord and the word He had given me the night of my tests. I called my doctor the next morning and went in for an exam. He said it could be a cyst but given my history and condition, I needed to do an ultrasound. So I have one scheduled for tomorrow, May 17 and this time, I'm walking in with no fear. I know the Lord is right here beside me and whatever the outcome, I know He has it all under control.
I'm asking all of you to please pray for me as I do these test and find out the results and go from there. I pray that if any of you are facing uncertainties in your life, that you would seek the Lord and give it all to Him. It's easier said than done, that's for sure, but it's all worth it in the end. Just let go, and let God! Praying for each one of you who read this. Blessings! :)

Mother's Day Bliss!

I hope each and every mother had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday. I know I did! Celebrating Mother's Day for me actually began Saturday night. My boys took me out to eat and we did a little shopping. We ate at one of my favorite places, Cracker Barrell. Nothing like a good "southern" meal! After eating we went to home depot and bought a new sink (we are in the middle of remodeling our kitchen-will post pics soon). We already bought new countertops, which is also part of my mother's day. After the home depot, we went to Target, one of my favorite places! I got a new dress and cardigan that I wore to church Sunday and also a necklace and earring set from Premier Jewelry that I ordered earlier. I had an amazing time with both of my boys! They definitely know how to make me feel like a princess! :)
Sunday morning, I woke up and began my normal routine. I began getting myself ready for church and came to get my powder out of my purse when I saw Grant in his high-chair and heard Tyler say, "Don't come in here!" Uh-oh, they're up to something....but what? So i went about my business and finished getting ready and Tyler told me the coast was clear and I could come into the dining room now. My precious baby boy then handed me an evelope with "Mommy" written on it and said, "Color?" So I opened the evelope and it was the sweetest card that he personally colored just for me! Oh, what joy that little boy brings to my life! Then, I saw a second envelope with a plate full of Shipley's donut holes and a new 4-pack of Extra Spearmint flavored gum (both are my favorite!) I opened the envelope and there was a second Mother's Day card, this time from my wonderful hubby. It had a personalized note in it that made me cry. What blessings God has given to me in my husband and son!!
Church was WONDERFUL!!!! In Sunday school, we read about the story of Esther. If you're not familiar with this story, I encourage you to read it. It's a powerful story about a woman who made a difference with the Lord's help. The lesson talked about being a role model for our children, husbands, family members, and friends. I pray God will work in me and through me so I can be a role model for my child and that I would be pleasing to the Lord. During our worship service,  my grandmother came and sat with us and the message was phenomenal! Bro. Gene Douglas preached about mothers and their walk with the Lord. We read Matthew 15:21-28. This message was about the faith of a canaanite woman. Her daughter was demon-possessed and she knew the only hope for her daughter was to take her to Jesus, the Messiah. The woman knew that Jesus is not just a way, but He's THE WAY! Vs 25: "The woman came and knelt before Him. "Lord, help me!" she cried."--She knew who God was on a personal level (salvation) and she worshipped Him and asked for His divine intervention. Vs 28: "Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour." WOW! For the Lord to look on her and tell her she has great faith and answer her request! Don't we all want that from our God? I know I do! What a beautiful message the Lord gave us that day. *In times that don't make sence to us, He is developing our faith. Get down before God, on your knees, and worship Him. He will receive the honor and glory.*Not only was it a beautiful message, but during the invitaion, 5 people came forward and said they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior! Praise God, for He is good!
After church, we visited with both sides of the family and ate and ate and ate! My mother in law gave me a little happy, too. Tyler, Grant and I also took a ride on the tractor and played the rest of the day! :) I pray that each one of you had a wonderful day and that you celebrated Mother's Day rejoicing in the Lord!
Here's a few pictures from Sunday:

Premier Jewelry set the boys gave me

Card and Book from my mother in law and a devotional from the church

Project (top) Grant made for me @ church, card (left) from Tyler, and card (right) from Grant

Grant getting ready to ride the tractor

Daddy and Grant

again...

Mama and Grant

"Loving Others When They're So Unlovable"

Loving others is a simple task. Especially when the "others" are the people that are close to you. Nope, that would be a BIG NEGATIVE! Not only is it hard to love someone unconditionally, but it's hard to make yourself want to love them unconditionally. How am Isupposed to love a person(s) when they have hurt me? Why would I want to love them when they are deceitful? This is something I struggle with daily. So how could we ever love someone like I just described? The answer is Jesus.
The Bible teaches us to first, love God and second to love one another as we love ourselves. (Mark 12:28-31) No matter the circumstance. The Bible also says to "Bless those who persecute you; BLESS and do not curse" (Romans 12:14). 1 Peter 3:9 says, "Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it."
Our God loves us and we are so unlovable. Can you imagine how He feels? We sin and the Lord HATES sin. Our sin consists of: murder, lying, adultery, stealing, coveting, worshipping other gods, idolizing, cursing, drinking, using drugs "recreationally", fornicating, etc..the list goes on! Am I stepping on some toes? Good! None of us are perfect in anyway. I AM NOT PERFECT, in anyway! I sin everyday! But, I do know that my God loves each and every one of us and wants us to put Him first in every aspect of our lives. He wants us to turn from our sin, repent, and ask for forgiveness and start a new journey living for Him. The word "Christian" means Christ-like or little Christs. We are to be like Him.
It's amazing to me how each day God allows us to wake up and live another day, when He could so easily wipe us out because of our disobedience to Him. He could just say, "I'm sick of putting up with your sin and taking it and taking and taking it!" "No more, I'm done with you." Just like we do with one another. But He doesn't! He loves us anyway and He gives us the opportunity to accept Him thru salvation and repent of our sins and live for Him.
 I believe it's only thru the Lord that I can love certain people. I, Amber Lightsey, cannot love the ones who hurt me the most without the Lord loving them thru me. And we are also told to forgive those who have hurt us."For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:14-15) A dear friend of mine, Luke Johnson, told me that. We know that forgiveness is a necessary element in our response.  When Jesus was on the cross, He said the words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). You might think, "Well, He is God and He can forgive, but I can't!" And that’s true. But Scripture teaches that it’s “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6) – it isn’t your strength that can forgive.  The Lord can take our helplessness and do what is impossible for you and me alone.
The Lord put us here to do His work. His work is loving others. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 3:16)
The Lord also commands us to pray for our enemies. Prayer is a powerful thing! When someone irritates you, pray for them. Ask God to show them the wrong they are doing; ask Him to help you forgive them and love them. Pray, pray, pray. I take everything to Lord thru prayer. Sometimes I feel like He gets tired of me praying for the same things over and over. Like He's looking down and saying, "Okay Amber, I heard you the first 198,395 times, you can stop asking now!" But even in the garden of Gethsemane, before Jesus was captured, He prayed a powerful, repetitious prayer. Listen to the words that Jesus prayed recorded in Matthew 26:39; “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” And a second time in verse 42; “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” Verse 44 says; and he prayed the third time, saying the same words. I believe that God desires us to pray about things that concern us, especially about people. So get in your prayer closet, away from your phones, away from any distractions and spend time praying to the Lord about whatever it is that concerns you. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
So ask yourselves,"How am I going to love others, no matter the circumstance?" The only way to achieve this -with the help of Jesus Christ. I pray for each person that has read this, whether this is something you're struggling with or not. Take time out of your day to get on your knees and talk with God. It will change your life. May God bless each one of you. 

"Rallying for Randy"

Friday, April 29th, 2011 was Laurel's annual Relay for Life. This is the second largest Relay for Life in the south!! For those who have never been, it's an amazing experience and I encourage everyone to come out next year! This was my very first experience as well.
In June 2009, Tyler and I moved from Hattiesburg to Laurel and were expecting our first bundle of joy. We moved into a small, red brick home with green shutters and a spacious sunroom in a quiet little neighborhood. Perfect for just us three. After just a few weeks of living here, our neighbors sought us out and came over to introduce themselves. Little did they know, Lightseys never meet strangers! We became friends instantly!
Our neighbors that I speak of include: Randy and Sonja Welborn, Becky Sherman and Lanie, Melissa Hester and Emily, Waylon Trisler, and Jessica (BLT) and Josh Welborn. These people are the kindest, most unselfish people I've ever met. I know that if my family ever needed anything, these people would be there, no questions asked. I love each one of you from the bottom of my heart. Having said this, our relationship with each grew closer and closer. In June 2010, Randy, was diagnosed with stage 3b lung cancer. He immediately began treatments. Randy has been in and out of the hospital with sickness and blood transfusions. Due to this illness, he was also laid off work. And as all of us know, if you don't work, you don't get paid. "And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans." Romans 8:28
When it came time for Relay for Life, we organized a team to support Randy and to help the American Cancer Society in finding a cure for cancer. The theme for each team was to pick a movie. Our team chose the movie "300". Like Randy, this movie is very strong and courageous. Our slogan was "No Retreat, No Surrender", just like a cancer patient does not retreat or surrender, they keep fighting! Just our team alone was able to raise $2100 for the ACS this year! We had an awesome time and did it all for the cure!
We are also having a benefit for Randy entitled "Rally for Randy Day". It will be held May 21st @ Shady Grove Elementary from 10am-4pm. There will be an auction of donated items from vendors all over the Pinebelt, a baked goods auction, dunking booth, food, children's activities, poker run, live music, kid's jump, Mr. Silly Socks, and door prizes will be given all day! This man (Randy) and his family has been such an inspiration to me and I dedicate this blog to them. I ask each one of you to please pray for this dear family as they endure this journey together. And also to pray for good weather for the benefit, because it will be held outside! I hope to see each one of you there! May God bless you all! "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
Here are just a few pics taken at Relay for Life:

Grant

Emily, Lanie, and Grant

Rally for Randy cake

Our tent @ Relay

Becky and Me

Grant and Me 

Becky and Lanie

Randy (purple shirt) and his family