~Daily Devotion 7th~

Well, it is time to head back to North Carolina after over so far 2,200 miles. We left North Carolina now going on four weeks ago, making stops in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. When we arrive home we will have traveled over 3000 miles. And yes, I, Pastor Pat will have driven the entire time. I do not mind driving, but whoever is traveling with me probably gets bored. Why? Because I do not talk much when I am driving. I listen to Scripture, Music, pray, and of course keep my eyes on the road. There are so many crazy drivers out there on the roads these days. If someone is traveling with me, about the only voice they hear is Samantha, the women on my GPS. Now when the person traveling with me, does talk to me I listen, but respond only when deemed necessary.

Now, Iris did read a lot, or work puzzles in a puzzle book, and sometimes she read some interesting and funny stories from a devotional book out loud to me, but other times we just headed on down the road. As my husband Joe says, when the company calls him and tells him he is going out of town to work, he will call me and say, "Guess what? As Willie Nelson sings, "I'm on the road again."

We had a good time visiting with Friends and Family, and of course being honored to preach God's Word through Sunday Services and Revivals. What a blessing to be able to share God's Word.

I had decided to pack the car the night before we left, but again, the back of my neck and head hurt, so I took some ibuprofen and went to bed. The next morning I told Iris to just put her bags at the front door and I would load the car. Of course loading Cali's portable kennel in the back seat was all the sign that Cali needed to realize that we were going somewhere, and yes, she was going along for the ride this time.

It was so funny, when my sister Ruby called me into the living room to see what Cali was doing, and to my amazement, she was getting all her toys in a pile, and when she saw me she bought me her water bowl. Hey, I am not joking. Call my sister Ruby and ask her, she will tell you exactly what happened. Yes, I promise it is the whole truth, with my hand in the air.

Anyway, we got the car loaded, said our goodbyes, and headed toward North Carolina. I figured that we would get in about 12:30 am if we only stopped to get gas, grab a bite to eat, potty, and stretch our legs a bit.

Wrong, Cali seemed to want to potty more this day, so I had to stop along the side of the road a couple of times. As a matter of fact, after one of the times in Alabama the only place I could stop was in the median where the Highway Patrol sits and emergency vehicles turn around. After I got back into the car and was headed back down the road, I reached up and was rubbing my neck. I felt a bump. I thought is was a sore and I scratched at it, and then pulled at what I thought was a scab, and I soon found out it was a tick. I put it in a piece of paper and handed it to Iris, and she also agreed, yes it was a tick. Well, it did not take me long to find a place to stop and go in the bathroom and check myself good all over. Then I came back out to the car, took Cali, her bed and bedding out, and checked everything twice. There were no ticks on Cali, nor in her bed, just the one I found on me. I should have known Cali would not have a tick, because she had been treated with Frontline three times. Maybe I should have been treated with Frontline also.

Now, back in the car we get again, and we were not even halfway home yet, but still determined to not stop and spend the night anywhere. I had my eyes on North Carolina, and I was ready to sleep in my own bed. I was very tired. I will tell you that taking care of a puppy while trying to study, and preach is a full time job. But again, I figured God was just showing me He has a sense of humor, even though my sense of humor was kinda running short by now.

We arrived in Dunn, North Carolina, around 1:30 am, where Iris's daughter met me to pick Iris up to keep me from having to drive all the way to Faison, North Carolina, then back to Raleigh, North Carolina. This would have added an extra 125 miles to my trip, so this was so sweet of them to help me out, and of course Janice was ready to see her mama.

When Cali and I left Dunn, I told Cali, "girl it won't be too long now, we are almost home." When I arrived home, I decided to put Cali back in the bathroom where her old bed was, which was not a good idea. See, she was used to the kennel, and liked it. She decided that her old bed was not good enough. So she thought, hummmm, I will show her, and she did.

When we first got her and I put her in the bathroom she chewed a place in the dry wall. Well, I now have two places in the dry wall that we will get fixed as soon as she goes to California. Now you may say, "did that upset you?" Hey, listen, after you have had to wear a colostomy bag because you let stress mess your colon up, you start to see things in a different perspective. After I had the reversal and now I do not have a colostomy bag, I never want one again. I now just take things in stride and know it either can be fixed or it will work out, if you leave it in God's hands.

I just remember the two Bible verses below, and "keep my eyes on the goal that is set before me" as Paul said, and everything works out, even tick bites.

Yes, God can even use tick bites to get you to do His work. Just wait until tomorrow's devotion and you will see exactly what I mean. God never stops amazing me.

Philippians 4: 13 and 19

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I am glad to be back in North Carolina.... And now I have a new kennel.... No bathroom for my room anymore...

Below are some pictures for you to enjoy.

My sister Ruby Ratcliff Warden Baptist Church, First Church I ever went to when I was born.

The end of Ruby's House Part of the Bayou Flowers in the Bayou

The Bayou

Poverty Point A man made lake

The 2,700-acre, man-made lake that is the center piece for Poverty Point Reservoir State Park offers visitors an outlet for a variety of water sport activities and a scenic backdrop for waterfowl migration each spring and fall.

The reservoir, just three miles north of Delhi in Richland Parish, was created in 2001 as a water resource for the area and outdoor recreation outlet.

The site name is derived from a nearby Native American site consisting of complex earthworks and artifacts. Dubbed the Poverty Point culture, its people settled on the banks of Bayou Macon, near what is now the community of Epps, between 1,400 and 700 B.C. Park guests are only 20 minutes away from Poverty Point State Historic Site for day trips to what has become a focal point for archaeological research since the mid 20th century.

The fish and wildlife species inhabiting or migrating through the reservoir are numerous. Anglers can fish the lake year round for largemouth bass, black crappie, blue gill and channel catfish. The region falls within the Mississippi Flyway for many winged species. Depending on the season, visitors will see cormorants, ducks, geese and pelicans.

Special attention should be given to any Louisiana black bear sightings on or near the reservoir. The eastern edge of the park, along Bayou Macon, contains attractive bear habitat and visitors are cautioned to keep all exterior cabin areas and day-use areas cleared of accessible food products and refuse. Bear-proof containers are provided for waste disposal throughout the park.

Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. All park sites close at 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

Proverbs 22:1, 6 1. A good name is to be chosen, rather than great riches. Loving favor rather than silver and gold."

6. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

"Mama's and Daddy's who stay on their knees, are a blessing to their children. Their children praise them and respect them. Their children see Jesus at work every day in the lives of their parents. Children copy what they see." Rev. Pat Aman

Proverbs 3:6 6. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

7. Do not be wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.

9. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase;

10. so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11. My son, (children) despise the chastening of the Lord. Nor detest His correction,

"Pat's Opinion" Really, last nights verse (John 15:7) could have been used for tonight's devotion. If you have Jesus as your personal Savior, keep His commandments, read His Word, Pray, act like you should, work hard, you can have your hearts desire.

Every time I talk to my girls, before I end the conversation, I said, "I love you, and don't forget to pray and read your bible. I know that they both do this. They both pray every morning when going to school and work. And I started these e-mail devotions for Tara when she went off to school. She said, "Mama when you do your devotions, if you will send them to me, I will read them everyday. Some days, mama its hard to take time to read my bible, but I will get the word in me by reading your devotions." Then when Anna went away to school, she is now doing the same things. Anna does remind me to keep them short. "She says she has to read them on the run." That is okay; at lest she is getting God's Word in her spirit.

Parents love your children. But most of all, be an example to them. Let them see Jesus in you. Let them see that you have faith in God, and trust Him in your life. And have the faith to believe the Word of God. Sometimes children stray, and try to find there own way. Sometimes they make wrong decisions.

Mama's, do not let your tears and prayers be in vain. For the Word of God says, " If you have taught them about God, and trained them in the correct ways, when they are old they will return to God." And this does not mean when they are 90, but when they have matured and stood the test of time, and realize that they cannot live without God in their lives.

God will watch over them, just as He said, "That He watches over His Word to Perform It." He will watch over your children, if you just keep praying and thanking Him. Now sometimes your children may have to hit bottom, remember sin will take you just as far as you let it. Just remember that God will reach down and pick them up, and put them back on the path of righteousness if you have done your part.

Mama's, just keep praying, and thanking God for His promises. For His promises never fail.