prayers for Papa

please read the sweet letter below from my sis-in-law and offer prayer support by clicking on her email near the end of the letter...


Hello Dear Friends and Family!

Last night my Dad and I sat outside on his front porch and I was privileged to hear his heart for a little while. As you all know, by now, he is “smack- dab” in the middle of a BIG CONGRESSIONAL RACE… so I asked him how he feels…how he thinks this will all turn out? For any of you that know my dad at all, you know that you don’t listen to him talk too long before his thoughts turn to Jesus, so his answer was, well, probably what you would expect! From the first night he came to our family and told us he wanted to run, he recognized then, and has not forgotten a most important truth: If it is NOT God’s WILL for him to be the Congressman of this district in 2008, he could toil endlessly and tirelessly to no avail. It would make no difference. And if is IS God’s WILL for him to win this election---there is no man’s word against him, or anything he could do otherwise to further this. He simply cannot lose! He only KNOWS that he is where God wants him, now…WIN or LOSE! So it is with that, that he rests peacefully at night.

If we go back a few years, I remember being a child and hearing my dad say, “Kids, some day I will run for Congress!!!” Honestly, on those days, riding in the back seat of a CHEVETTE down the country roads of Dickson County to our 1000 sq ft home…we didn’t know what in the world “Congress” even was, but if we had, we might have doubted the “eternal optimist”!!! But I remember that same phrase, off and on, through the years that followed. He never forgot, even if it seemed far off. I remember moving to Franklin, and him becoming active in local politics. I remember him starting TLC… and hearing the conversations that he and mom had at home about starting a new business and trying to raise FIVE kids… and then we might have doubted him again when he moved us into that double-wide trailor on the farm… J But he was always following God’s lead and positioning himself closer to that calling. He NEVER doubted that his calling was to shed the light of Jesus Christ into our darkening political scene in America. His message, as you’ve heard if you have attended any events, is focused around the moral issues that once bound our nation, rather than the political or social issues that are focused on now…and he has not ONE TIME doubted that he is exactly where God wants him to be now, running this race….so it is with that, that he works so hard during these days!


Logistically, the numbers are definitely THERE for him to win. The polling that they have done demonstrates that he can win! We are focused in this last month on getting his name to as many voters as we can, in that district, so we are organizing door-to-door events in various counties each weekend (and need your volunteer help, if you can!). The polls show that if his name is recognized, more people will vote for him than his opponent, Lincoln Davis. What we know best, however, is that God is in control...of the voters! As I spoke to him last night, he said that MORE THAN ANYTHING else right now, he needs prayer warriors. As he is nearing the end- with literally just a month left, he said he is starting to feel a little tired…lots of long nights, long drives, long speeches, lots of questions, and scrutiny that would wear anyone out! He needs people who believe like we do, that PRAYER matters, that our Lord sits enthroned in Heaven and loves to hear our prayers. He needs friends who are willing to go before God, in the hours he cannot, and pray for his endurance, his health, his spirit, his faith, his marriage, our family, this race, financial support (so that he can run some radio and t.v. spots…this is the BEST way to get his name out!)…and as he said so sweetly, “That I would just find favor with my Lord.” That is my dad’s heart…and there are no words to express how proud I am of him!!

So will you help us? I know at this point we have probably all given money and maybe even time towards this campaign… and there may not be much of either left for you…but now is the time for the REAL SUPPORT….PRAYER! There are basically 36 days left in this RACE…and we just want to know that there are committed people out there praying in the hours that we cannot pray, for our dad. I only have a limited number of email addresses here in my book, so I need you to send this to your friends, and your family members. Ask them to reply to me…and let’s get a chain going for LANKFORD FOR CONGRESS!!!

If you would respond to me dandrews@tlcmedical.cc and let me know you are willing to pray, I will put together a calendar so you know the day and hour we will be counting on you! This WILL make a difference! We must believe in the power of our prayers! I want to say thank you for all of your expressions of support for my dad. I know that so many of you are not really political, but you just can’t help but like the “Old Man” so you gave of yourself…and this has meant the world to our family. It was been amazing to see the your out-pouring of love! Thank you in advance for the difference you will make!

In closing:
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

Sincerely,
Dana Andrews

38 days and counting...

you're never too young to start...
38 days until Election Day 2008

uno

today has been so bittersweet for me.
one year ago today Barron created an uproar in our lives and still does to this day.
i thank God constantly for him and the blessing he is to our family.
it is hard to imagine life without this fireball!
and if you must know- he received a spanking from his daddy for some bad behavior within 15 minutes of waking up on his big birthday day! no one is exempt:)
he is changing daily right now especially in his vocabulary and comprehension.
i love this little guy more than words and I strive to truly treasure each minute with him and wish none of this time away.
i can't believe i only first met him 1 yr ago today. i can't believe my baby is already one!
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BABY BEAR!


today- we celebrated by doing things the Bear really loves...

ridin' the boom-boom (4 wheeler)

fun "drivin" daddy's jeep!

ice cream treat with mommy!

and friends...a special thanks to our friends lila and mrs emily for bringing by lunch and hanging out with us on our very big day!

barron- my sweet baby boy- i pray daily to be the mommy to you that God desires me to be!

YEE HAW YA'LL

Sunday afternoon we celebrated with a bang bang Barron's 1st birthday! Thanks to all of his little buddies (and of course-their parents) for coming and for the coolest presents! I know...mommy is being super cheesy! But hey, we are partying ya'll!

Chow down time!
Once again, I have a kid who didn't shy away from some birthday cake! This mess required a quick "sink bath"!

Check out the look the Bear is giving his brother. Let's just say, Barron loved opening his gifts and he had a little too much help!

Not sure if it was the cake or the presents Barron enjoyed the most. Nonetheless, fun times were had!


I still am a bit shocked that IN 2 DAYS my baby will be ONE!

shout it out

every nite we sit on the floor of Briley's room and read Bible stories and pray as a family.


more and more recently we have seen God work on Briley.



tonite was just like any other nite until...

Briley told us Jesus was talking to her during the prayer - and she wanted Him to come live in her heart - and she was ready to be baptized. She has told us before that He was talking to her but - she felt she wasn't ready yet. She was just a bit intimidated by the whole baptism thing. We have talked with her about becoming a Christian in God's timing and to listen for His voice. We've talked to her about getting baptized. We have told her God will know when she is ready and He will lead her.

tonite He stood at the door of her heart and knocked and tonite she answered. PRAISE GOD!


i can not express the joy in my heart as I listened to her and Joey pray for Jesus to come live in her heart, and forgive her of her sins, and mold her into the precious child of God He wants her to be. wow! words can not express...

please pray for Briley as she starts this new journey as a Christian! pray for Joey and I as we raise her and lead her as God desires.

I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN ARE WALKING IN THE TRUTH. 3 JOHN 1:4

(check out Joey's blog too!)

un- ruly?

ok bloggers-

i will not be the un-rule follower:)

i will not be the only one who didn't post on Monday about MONTY LANKFORD for CONGRESS


does it count that i posted yesterday? and included my pics? and gave a shout out for voters?

i'm not sure soooooo-


GET OUT AND VOTE! SPREAD THE WORD! TELL ALL YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS GUY...
OUR PAPA. I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER MAN FOR THE JOB! HE IS THE DIRECTION THAT OUR US CONGRESS NEEDS. (oh and barron agrees!)

MONTY LANKFORD FOR CONGRESS!!!

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE ON THE SIDEBAR FOR DETAILS!

aloha

we have been running crazy this week- the party came together!
a super shout out to Padre for his hard work around our house this week! and my joe- wow-he has worked his tail off! and the all nite cookers- ya'll outdid yourselves. drae- great pig, buddy! j walk- always a friend to the end! to all who helped- thanks. i appreciate everyone!
after a long nite of cooking the boys are still hard at work...

bri loves her mimi!thanks brittany and kelsey for hanging out with us this weekend. you both are such blessings to us! we love you both so much! the kids had a blast with ya'll! come back soon!
someone get that kid with the gun out of our pic:)
what a crowd pleaser! Braxton sang "Grand ole Flag" .

hope all had fun. i did! still not sure exactly what happened with the band?! they were good while they lasted!

less than 50 days until the election...GET THE WORD OUT...LANKFORD FOR CONGRESS!!!

oh and one more thing- my computer blew up trying to post my party fun! great way to end the weekend! huh?! i am a begger these days- joe's not a fan of sharing his laptop. hopefully, i'll be up and running again soon!

one party down- one to go! barron's big 1st bday bash is less than a week away!

mimi

hope your birthday was super special! and the party- a fun surprise! we love you MIMI!

on another note- the big anticipation of our first ever soccer games ended in sadness. no games were played due to beautifully manicured wet fields. we shall wait until a later date for their inaugural games.

this week - i am slightly overwhelmed with the idea of maybe a couple hundred people? coming to my house for a luau for Papa's campaign race. this will be a big week of prep and running a million errands and cleaning, decorating, etc.

just so you don't get the wrong idea- yes, we are having a luau- no , we do not have a pool or any body of water for that matter to help aid in setting the luau mood.

but, yes- i do promise fun times.

keep on rollin'

it's been a tough adoption week for us.

vietnam closed their adoption doors on 9/1/08.

we don't know if or when they will reopen.

today we found out the nashville branch of our agency is closing due to certain adoption issues. the main branch in Missouri is still open, but....

joey and i have been waiting until after vietnam closed to make any decisions- and it is looking like God is closing this door for us and opening some others.

pray for us as we deal with some disappointment with the closing of this chapter and face some big decisions as we continue to pursue our adoption road.

we are ready to take whatever steps God has for us and whatever adventure He has in store.

we are still on the train and on the track -but just not sure where it's leading us.

What's Wrong?

Today was the first day of Braxton's school! He has been waiting on this day since Briley started a few weeks ago. He was super excited to go to the 4 yr old class with Mrs. Cindy. BUT... WHAT' S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? Let's zoom in for a closer look. Yep, that's a fat lip with 4 stitches. After deciding we were going to try and get home and get everyone settled down at a decent bedtime after a long holiday weekend and get Brax ready for his 1st day of school this year...He had a run in with a croquet mallet. I guess that's what you call those hammer looking things you play croquet with. And well, I didn't actually see it happen. And, it's hard to explain to the ER crew questioning you about the accident when you, THE MOM, don't even really know exactly what was going on. Anyways, It was an accident at a friends house that closed the festivities down. Thanks to Aunt Tiff for driving Brax and I to the ER. He was a champ! Or should I say he was comatose. No really, after a dose of some take-the-edge-off medicine, the kid was out. He never even knew they stitched him or that he was totally under a sterile dressing. He didn't wake up until this morning. And, besides super swelling- he is great. I am thankful it wasn't any worse.
On a brighter note, here's Braxton and Tyler headed to school this am. Boy are they ready!
And... fat lip and all- Here we are at Mrs Cindy's class!
Both Braxton and Tyler were excited to tell me about their great 1st day!