Fall In Love With More Free Templates! Click Here To Get Your Own Smitten Blog Design... »

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

I'm Very Sorry

I'm not going to delete my blog because one day I will have internet at home and be able to blog again. I really wish I could be faithful and blog about all of the wonderful things I am learning on our little piece of Heaven in Shelby, NC.
We have come a long way. I have learned how to can, make my own laundry detergent, quilt, keep a home...that's a big one, and now we have chickens that will soon be giving us some fresh eggs! What a blessing!
I will be back one day, and I will have much to share.
Mrs. Brackett

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

“A Fairy Tale in Reality” by Mackenzie Brackett (age 13)

The following is a story written by my precious step daughter for her daddy on his birthday.

Once upon a time in a far away land, a king of great kindness, wisdom, and mercy ruled the land far greater than any other earthly king. His secret was God. He had a princess and three princes. The princess loved the king very much and would always try to please him,  so she could see his perfect grin that made her heart giggle. Sometimes, as all other humans, she would not meet his highest expectations but his loved never stopped, in fact it grew. The princess always went to the king for advice; his wisdom never lacked. They even had special nicknames like: Sugar daddy (king) and baby girl (princess).

Sadly, the time came when they had to limit their time. The princess come to the king’s palace on the last two days of the week. This was a test that God sent, to see what the king would do. Little did we know, our love would strengthen and so would our blessings. Then the king got married to Anna the queen of my father’s palace. She was the biggest blessing, because the king got a sparkle in is eye again and no longer was the king captured by despair, a cruel knight who breathed sadness, loneliness, and pain. He was set free, and lived happily ever after.

The princess waits for her Prince Charming, knowing that they will be together forever in Heaven.

The end.

What a precious gift. That is real true love isn’t it?

Thursday, October 7, 2010

I Wouldn’t Trade it For Anything

We had a great weekend with the kids. A death in the church seemed to renew the love between my husband and I and therefore led to a sort of family revival if you will.

First I would like to say that Mr. Larry Birt was a wonderful Godly man who always had a smile on his face because he loved the Lord. After struggling with many different illnesses and multiple hospitalizations he got to go home to be with his Savior. Although it is very sad to see Mr. Birt (Papa Birt, Paw Paw Birt, etc) go, there is some joy in knowing that he is right now before the Lord his God whom he testified of his whole life.

Dusty picked up the kids from school and got home shortly after I did on Friday. They immediately went outside to play (as they always do at our house). I stayed inside and cooked a yummy dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes (with gravy from the chicken), corn, and broccoli. After dinner the boys went outside to play football with Dusty, the neighbor, Matthew, and his friend. Mackenzie and I watched from the sidelines and decided to build a camp fire. We built the fire all by ourselves and the menfolk got us some more wood.  What a sweet time we ended up having at that camp fire. We went around and said what we were thankful for about everyone in our family (the friends had gone home). How sweet it is to watch your children (or step children) cry when they talk about how much they love their daddy and step mom.

I realized yesterday just how good God has been to me. He has given me a great husband and four great children who love me unconditionally. Mackenzie said yesterday, “I love Anna because she took us in. It wouldn’t be easy to love someone else’s kids like she does.” It is easy. I love those kids. I wouldn’t trade my family for anything.

100_0601 100_0613

Zac and his daddy ^                               Me and my hubby ^

100_0602 100_0603

Andrew the youngest ^                           Campfire built by women ^

 100_0605 100_0608

Mackenzie my helper ^                   Levi and his daddy ^

100_0596

Our family (missing Mackenzie, adding my niece Ashtyn) in Virginia for the fall festival

Thursday, September 23, 2010

What if it had been George?

I know politics are touchy, but I got this e-mail from my grandpa this morning and I had to share. A lot of America has become one giant cult following one giant leader...


If George W. Bush had doubled the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in just one year, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had criticized a state law that he admitted he never even read, would you think that he is just an ignorant hot head?

If George W. Bush joined the country of Mexico and sued a state in the United States to force that state to continue to allow illegal immigration, would you question his patriotism and wonder who's side he was on?

If George W. Bush had put 87,000 workers out of work by arbitrarily placing a moratorium on offshore oil drilling on companies that have one of the best safety records of any industry because one company had an accident, would you have agreed?

If George W. Bush had used a forged document as the basis of the moratorium that would render 87,000 American workers unemployed, would you support him?

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?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?


If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current in their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had stated that there were 57 states in the United States , would you have said that he is clueless.

If George W. Bush would have flown all the way to Denmark to make a five minute speech about how the Olympics would benefit him walking out his front door in Texas , would you have thought he was a self important, conceited, egotistical jerk.


If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had misspelled the word "advice" would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoes as proof of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans, would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bush had created the position of 32 Czars who report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America , would you have approved?


If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive?

Every statement in this email is factual and directly attributable to Barrack Hussein Obama.
Every bumble is a matter of record and completely verifiable.

I am glad my hope is not in politics, but it sure is interesting (=

"Let his days be few; and let another take his office." Psalm 109:8

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

He May Have Something More

Vintage bike Pictures, Images and Photos

Last night we went with the mission to a revival service. The church did things a little differently than we typically like but the preaching was on point. He preached out of this text:

Jeremiah 9:23-24 "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."

A lot of that scripture is self explanatory. We shouldn't glory in anything but the Lord. The preacher spent a lot of time talking about the lovingkindness of God. He told a story that brought me to tears about a little boy who told his father he wanted a horn for his bike. His dad said no, not right now. The little boy was mad and sulked for the whole day. He rode to town with his dad and they stopped in at the general store. His dad paid the man at the register and all the while the little boy got angrier because he was sure his dad was spending the money on things they probably didn't even need. He wanted that three dollar horn so bad. They walked out to the truck and waited on the sidewalk for the goods to be brought out. The clerk came around the corner pushing a brand new bike with a horn on it and that little boy thought "Wow, someone's dad must really love them. They didn't just get a horn but a new bike!" His anger turned to sheer joy when the clerk hoisted the bike up into the truck.

Isn't that just like the Lord? Before we even can ask for something we think we want, He already has something better prepared for us. I don't know about you but there are things I would love to have. I don't have to stop asking for them. But when the answer seems to be "no" I know that there must be something better for me, directly from my Father's hand.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

I love this life! {and wedding slideshow}

Hello my friends! I apologize for my hiatus and for the sparse posts to come. I am still working on internet where I live....not sure how we will solve that issue! I guess I really do live in the country! Dusty and I are settled in to our house now and we have had a quite a busy start to our marriage. We have been travelling a lot for the mission (click HERE for info on the ministry we are involved in) and a little bit for pleasure of course ;)

Volleyball season at Blessed Hope is in full swing and Zac is a starter! Mackenzie is working in the concession stand and she has such a servants heart. Levi is in boy scouts and he is even teaching his daddy things! And Andrew is enjoying being the youngest child. He is looking forward to being involved in things when he is older. All of the kids help out with bus church at their church. They make us SO proud. Motherhood (or step-motherhood) is so much fun. Dusty and I look forward to the weekends with much excitement.

Our little country house seems to be a haven for the animals these days. The kids have been begging for a dog and neither Dusty nor myself are interested in having a dog in the house. We told them we would pray about it. A few weeks ago, Dusty went outside to get a book out of the storage building. When he shut the door, three puppies ran out from under the building! They don't stick around much but they sure are cute to look at. We named their mama Millie. She is a roamer as well but a sweet little dog. Less than a week later a little black and white dog showed up. She wouldn't let us pet her but she would walk right behind us. She is warming up to us and is faithfully waiting when we get home. Her name is Lola (= Then my parents gave us a hand-me-down dog that was a troublemaker with their dogs. She (Hera) and Lola have become the best of friends. When we go on walks they are right there with us. It is nice having them around!
Millie

Lola

We have also acquired 2 cats (Malcolm Merriweather and Brisco Darling) in addition to my cat I had before, as well as 3 rabbits (and probably some babies on the way!).
Malcolm

Brisco

So, that's what life is looking like here in the foothills of North Carolina. I have some of the most beautiful views of the hazy Blue Ridge mountains on my way home from work every day. We have been blessed beyond all measure with a wonderful marriage, wonderful children, a ministry to work in, a great church family, and a great supportive family.

Here is a slideshow of some of my favorite wedding pictures. I hope to post again soon!





"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Monday, June 14, 2010

I am Married!

I don't have time to do a big post but I have missed all of my blog friends so much!! I just wanted to let you all know that I am married! My name is officially changed to Anna Brackett and we are moved into our house!! We were back from our honeymoon for a day and a half and we left for a week of youth camp. 13 kids got saved!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord! We are back home now and I promise I will start working on a post with pictures and such! I hope everyone is doing great!!

~Mrs Brackett

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Is This Really Happening???

I have to say that this whole wedding thing is very surreal. Wednesday night was my last night as a member of my church. Wednesday was also my last day watching my sweet Anna Sophia. It was a little bit of an emotional day for me. The sheer enormity of the next two days is what brought me through it with my sanity still in tact.
Last night I packed for my honeymoon (almost completely packed!!) and packed a lot of the little things I had kept around "just in case". I think I went to bed around 1 this morning (=
Mom and I woke up (against our will) packed all of the food for the rehearsal dinner and the reception and headed down to the barn for some cleaning and preparations. When I got there my darling fiancé and some of the men from the mission had already put down the fresh sawdust/shavings and put out the rows of hay bales. It looked better than I even imagined!!! So April, mom, and I covered the hay bales with the blankets we had, cleaned up a little bit, and mom and April measured out and rolled up the burlap for my aisle runner. The rest of the decorating is going to be done by April and I CANNOT wait to be surprised!! (=
Tonight I made some sausage gravy and ate it over toast. My sweet niece Rebekah and her mom and dad are hanging out tonight. Tomorrow is the last day of preparations. Here is our schedule:
The kids have their awards ceremony at school at 8:15, then Mackenzie and I are coming back and getting our nails done, after that we are picking up my dress from getting pressed and then heading to the rehearsal/dinner. Saturday morning, I am getting up, showering (of course!), getting my hair done, and going to the barn. I am so excited!! I can't believe it's really happening!!
Anyways, I am so excited. I can't wait to be Mrs Brackett!
Here are some pictures of my last day with Anna Sophia. I love her so much! 18 months of my life were spent loving and nurturing her.

What a smile!!!

She loves her Magnadoodle

And she loves me too I think (=

She really loves rides in the car!

My going away gift from Anna and her brother, Jason. I love it!! (=

Tomorrow is the day before my wedding! How wonderful! I felt like this day would never come and here it is!!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Wedding Gifts...


We have gotten so many awesome wedding gifts. One thing I wanted and thought we couldn't get due to finances was a digital camera. I have never upgraded my technology in that area. Well tonight my wish was fulfilled!! My Aunt Neeci and her daughters bought me a Kodak Easy Share M341 (don't know what all that means). It is a wonderful piece of technology!!! I took a couple of pictures with it:
Got my hair colored and cut tonight and we did a "practice run" for my curl size (=

My sad little pile of belongings in my room =(

My sweet little kitty, Yma Jane Smith (soon to be Brackett as well)

Only 4 days!!!!! I can't believe it! God is so good to us!!
Here are the lyrics to the song on my blog; it is from one of my favorite musicals, Phantom of the Opera. I love sappy love songs! (=

"No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
my words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you...

CHRISTINE
Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime...
Say you need me with you now and always...
Promise me that all you say is true
that's all I ask of you

RAOUL
Let me be your shelter
let me be your light
You're safe, No one will find you
your fears are far behind you...

CHRISTINE
All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night
and you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me...

RAOUL
Then say you'll share with me
one love, one lifetime
let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you...
anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that's all I ask of you...

CHRISTINE
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...
say the word and I will follow you...
BOTH:
Share each day with me,
each night, each morning...
CHRISTINE
Say you love me...

RAOUL
You know I do...

BOTH
Love me - that's all I ask of you
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me - that's all I ask of you..."

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Moving Weekend

I have an awesome family. On Saturday we loaded up a little U-haul trailer with all of my things and headed down to Shelby to move into my new house. All of my sisters plus my mom and dad plus two of my brothers in law came to help. We got everything moved except for a few odds and ends at Dusty's house and the things I need for the upcoming week. Dusty and the kids got to spend the first night there last night!! (= If you remember, I posted a lot about the renovations to the trailer. Well the Lord provided something much better for us. He gave us this amazing house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs and a full basement (1/2 finished) with a bathroom and a wood stove downstairs. This is so much more than we could ever have asked for and definitely more than we could have ever provided for ourselves. The house needs a little updating so bear with us...I will describe things as I go (=

Dining room complete with a table big enough for all of us (= to the right is a sliding door that goes out to a deck

My sewing nook in my bedroom

Looking out from the sewing nook into the bedroom. We haven't figured out the set up for our seating area yet, but the master bedroom, closet, and bathroom is close to the same square footage as the entire trailer. Our bed looks a little sad but the bedframe is a work in progress (=

Our master bath (I told you this was more than I ever dreamed of!)

The boys room. It is bigger than it looks, but it is hard to get a good picture. I am working on bedspreads LOL

Mackenzie's room. She got the good deal! She is using all of my old college bedding and all of my pictures that were in my room. I am so glad she gets her own room!

My full sized oven and flat top range (= Complete with apron and dish towel hooks! Just outside of the doorway to the left is a little bar area with lots of storage. We put our paper products, surplus foods, games, movies, etc. in there.

My mom and sisters completely organized my kitchen for me. I am very thankful for that because I am very bad at that stuff! Notice the dishwasher.... (= Didn't have one at the trailer

The kitchen has tons of cabinet space and I even got that junk drawer I always wanted!!! I am getting a shelf for our little plants. Hopefully the herbs will grow quickly and I can transplant them to the deck!

My man making a funny face as usual. To the left are the cabinets I was talking about earlier. Great storage!!

Taking a much needed break! (=

I am thankful and I am humbled by the manifold blessings that my Heavenly Father has bestowed upon Dusty and I. I don't fully understand it but I give Him all of the glory.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17