We had very slow days at both of our shops today. Roughly an hour ago, I sent my husband a little text prayer and within an hour, we were more than halfway to the goal. It is okay if God does not want to send the entire amount. We trust His plan for our business.
Yesterday was a different type of Sunday for us. We left to eat at Maple Street Bakery and clean out our storage shed near our other shop. It was a super productive afternoon, and it felt good to be actively working toward goals with my husband. I worked non-stop on organizing those boxes and contents at the Smyrna shop today.
Before we cleaned up to leave the house, we talked about a particularly clear dream my husband remembered. Listening to him describe the lack of visibility, it “felt” like the darkly filmed Paramount shows we watch. The gist was he was wearing a long coat, couldn’t toss the ball back in and he was the same age he is now. It would be like me seeing myself in my high school cheer uniform on the side of a dark football field. Just because we do not always see everything in our path does not mean there are not obstacles.
I shared with my husband things I have read about how God absolutely does speak to people in their dreams. In my husband’s case, it is highly unusual for him to recall his dreams. These images and feelings were crystal clear to him. I encouraged him to consider the reason he is now dreaming with recall could be related to the extra time he is spending in his Bible. It was exhilarating to see him perk up during our Godversation.
While I am short on writing time and need to close up the shop shortly, I needed to take a few minutes to at least bookmark this dream and conversation. At the end of the day, we decided we would be taking a vacation together in August. It was downright cute the way Danny and Arlette got so excited to take the cruise with us. Before we went to sleep, tickets were booked and the plan is underway. It is good to have this trip to anticipate in the months ahead.
Father God, please know we truly appreciate all you have done in our lives, are doing at the moment and will do in the future. As we plan to leave our business for a week and trust your provision, please give my husband the same peace in his heart that I have in mine. I know it is you. In Jesus name, amen.
Perspective. Intention. Execution. This morning, I keep thinking of the things which God has put on my heart and how they have all played out thus far. When He gave me “PIE” studying the Fibanacci sequence and God’s fingerprint on this earth, I did not see it. Today, I see Pi (God) vs. PIE (human best). I still need to digest that little factoid.
My heart is with Sweet Lyss and her unexpected break up with her love. Lord, you know my prayers for all my kids and the “orphans” you have entrusted to me. Please may they all find their identity with YOU and see how the pieces fit back together so much more intricately. In Jesus name, amen. Thank you for humbling me with learning Miss Elizabeth spent a few days in the hospital and teaching me more about timing. Your timing, not mine.
Thank you, Lord, for that sweet confirmation from my husband last night about Matthew 18. Learning he was taking his Bible to study each day warmed my heart immeasurably more. May you join me during my study time today and draw your deeper truths to my spirit. Thank you for letting me suffer a bit these past few weeks in my crying out for his spiritual leadership. Thank you for humbling me last night to be the wife my husband deserves. So many things will not be typed into words, but I know you know every thought and prayer, regardless. I know great peace when I remember your Word and your promises. You have never left me, personally, and you never will.
I know you forgive my shortcomings completely and it is the human flesh which continues persecute me. When I am completely encased in your spirit, such things are repelled without any impact. Please, Father God, hold me tightly today and direct every step. I love you.
Romans 8:8 tells us those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Powerful reminder to me this morning, as it is the very heart of where my LORD and SAVIOUR have held me the past several weeks. “Carol, you can not please me in your flesh. Do not worry what the world thinks.”
Kind of cool to see this on the scale this morning and share with my husband. Last night was a breakthrough for us in ways that I will not write about. Prayer is powerful, period. When prayer is answered in the spirit. it is a different type of ecstasy. It is a different type of beauty and peace. It all belongs to Him. Praise God, indeed!
This morning, we listened together to The Blessing and Numbers 6:24-26 just engraved itself onto my heart, over and over. Generations have been a huge theme the past few months. Thank you, Lord, for morning submission and revelation. Please, Father God, if it is your will, please bring both of my children back to your path. My heart breaks for them and yet I know your timing will always be superior. I do trust you to bring them back if it is your will. Please help me let go if it is not. I know I can no longer bow down to their fears or anything else.
You are ever-present in my life. What you nudged me to text my son about obtaining employment yesterday did create conflict. While I do not deny that pinch of conflict, I praise you for the PEACE you gave me in my heart in those moments of his conflict. Your word tells us we don’t eat if we are not willing to work. (2 THESS 3:10) I stand on YOUR word and YOUR direction for our lives. No mistake that passage goes on to say to never tire of doing what is good.
This morning was highly productive and blessed because you are with me now. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you more than words could ever express.
The first post with this title is private. I can’t publicly post certain things. However. I see today it was 40 days from the date a certain Torah Student attacked me.
Ayin, indeed. I see on Jan 3, 2025. 40 days in the wrong desert.
Bill from Cali returned. You met him some time last week. Huge Godversation. He wanted two new fifty bars and bought two geek bars for his wife. One was cherry bomb. Seeing strong men who remind me in some way of my dad break into tears is humbling. They lost a 30 year old son two years ago at this time to fentanyl/meth. He shared a lot about his church involvement and more. It was like being “in church”. 💜✝️💜
Amber from the vet came in to tell me our prayer was answered and her partner finally got a job! At the same time, new customer Myson (Tyson with an M) loved that I said he wouldn’t be able to “taste the China” in the Fifty Blue Razz.
I jumped in pure and utter joy like 15 year old Cheerleader Carol for Amber’s circumstances es to be changed. I shared last month she was working two jobs and insane hours to support her partner and his children. She went on quite a bit (especially for her meek personality) about how much it meant for me to pray with her last month.
Myson immediately exclaimed he understood exactly what I meant about not tasting the China…AND exclaimed he would love to have friends who cheered for his successes.
Of course, your wife told him to come back anytime he needed to be cheered on!
All this goodness from God on the heels of Rachel texting me this morning that I am letting Satan use me. Blasphemy! Only God and the Holy Spirit work through me…any bad thing in my character or actions is due to Human Carol, not Satan.
So cool how God answered prayer about stocking Fifty Bars (few are readily available with suppliers) by sending Ryan here today and blessing us with 250 plus in free product, while supplying our needs at such a huge discount!!! Then, He sends Bill, Amber and Myson to the shop to make certain I know He is WITH ME and FOR ME.
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What i did not send my husband was all the extraneous details. For example, how Bill asked me to please share what God did yesterday in the shop. I shared all “About Bunny” and how god was removing an obstacle for us just by sending Ryan from Fifty Bar into our shop.
At one point, I reached over and placed my hand over his when I was assuring him I would be praying for his wife, Carrie. He looked like a power surged through his body. We agreed it is easy to feel the Holy Spirit. At that point, I went over to my desk area and grabbed this card to give him. I showed him the image, explained why I was not writing in the card and encouraged him to write something to his wife.
Immediately seeing the image, he burst into tears. I felt something in his spirit give way. I can not explain it better than that in this moment. I know the Holy Spirit is working through me. It’s humbling and may not make sense to others. It does not change the FACT it is Yeshua via the Holy Spirit and not Satan.
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Father God, you have heard so many prayers from me the past eight hours. Thank you for answering so many so quickly. Thank you for answering my prayers for Amber and her family and for answering ALL the prayers you have answered. It’s overwhelmingly beautiful how quickly you take me from the depths of valleys to the peak of mountains. Please forgive those who do not truly know you and those who misapply your law and your lessons. I am standing in the gap, Lord, for all who truly are seeking you and forgetting they ought to lead by love. You have made it clear to me the law and my heart both matter and they are to work together for your good purposes. Thank you for being the literal salve to my wounds this morning. I love you more and more!!!
I have always preferred the beauty of back roads and the scenery they provide. However, this morning, I woke with two very clear thoughts I would not typically expect. First, I was directed to read old birthday posts made for my earthly father. My dad has been gone from this world for over fifteen years. Instead of posting anything about his birthday being today, I remained peaceful in remembering him differently today. It’s been a strange and beautiful day at our store. My heart has been poured out and it’s only 7:09 pm.
The second clear thought was out of left field. I was very directed to call Pinnacle Bank and find out if a certain personal banker was still working at Pinnacle. I am to give Katrina a certain card and needed a way to reach her. Because the Holy Spirit was working, that was confirmed in one short call on the way to the shop.
Personal Banker called me back and we had two amazing Godversations. I shared that ALL I KNEW was Katrina’s first name, her family structure and that she considers herself a Black Israelite. From that one sentence, he confirmed he knew her. At that point, he started sharing about Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth and clarifying how he was raised Church of Christ but has gone to Catholicism. I fully expect him to call me again tomorrow to understand Katrina’s reception. I want to ask him, based on his passion for history, his take on Constantine changing the Sabbath.
Our first customer was Korean Kunhee. Since these entries are about sharing how God is moving, it helps me remember various customers with descriptors. Kunhee told me all about his first 19 years in a Korean Baptist Church and his amazing close to Jesus encounter at nineteen. He is brother-in-law to another customer, Stephen, who attends Experience Church. Kunhee is now 35, calls himself an atheist and shared openly he and his wife of a decade have zero desire for children. He has attended church with Stephen in the past and clearly did not connect. He was moved to tears more than once when speaking of missing that connection to the Divine.
All I could do was encourage him and remind him that he is clearly NOT an atheist, no matter how easy that may be to say. Noone experiences God in such a powerful way and then denies Him in earnest. I saw him questioning himself a pinch after I said what I did. Father God, I felt the Holy Spirit’s power as I stood in the gap for Kunhee. Thank you for that confirmation and for ALL you have ever done, are doing and will do. I plan to continue to beg you to pull him back to you in some dramatic fashion. Please make yourself known and drive Kunhee to his knees. I know he still loves you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jubilant Julie returned again. We had a wonderful Godversation about her two daughters and sharing mom type things, too. It made me smile to know she attends ECC at 4 on Saturdays. Please keep her family close, especially the youngest daughter.
Personable Paul returned and spent at least an hour in Godversation with me. Truly, it was lovely to help him reduce his nicotine. However, it was more beautiful to encourage him regarding his wife. In short, to ask her for her help and humble himself. Get her to walk their two acres together to pick her brain on where to place the coops, create a positive habit, and be a good example. Essentially, I suggested OFCOURSE she is a phenomenal mother, and ANY good mother would desire to demonstrate a healthy marriage to their sixteen-year- old son, Noah. He lit up like a little firecracker and said that was a great way to get her to get moving! We all want to be good examples to our children. More importantly to me, I want to speak the words God desires for me to say. I want to be a good example of your love, Father God. Please keep helping me.
Lord, it’s 6:36. Thank you for all you have placed in my path today, virtually or physically. Special thanks for answering Marks prayer this morning to send in less people with higher sales numbers. The first three sales all were about 400. No doubt it was you. We praised you, Jehovah-Jireh, together.
You know it makes me giddy to hear that “uplifting sound” in his spirit. Thank you, too, for Rachel’s passionate heart regarding your law. Thank you for every encounter I experienced with Jesus today.
Starting the day as we did, I am not surprised I was pulled over for a much-deserved speeding ticket. Thank you for Officer Mangrum’s kindness when I told him I was praising and failed to pay attention. My fault. He did not write me a ticket. Thank you, Jesus.
Miss Olivia was the first Godversation today. She was wearing a shirt for Chappel Roan. I spoke kind and positive words of encouragement without getting preachy. Then she told me she desperately needed it and I hugged her. Ultimately, her mother is heavy into an evangelical movement and speaking harsh words about various groups and pushing Trump as an idol of sorts. It felt good to just pour out love to her.
I shared the true gospel to the best of my ability and told her that I am sorry she is struggling with the example she has in her life.
Connor shared about Cheyenne. He didn’t want to date someone more than 100 miles away. She is just over 200. However, every important piece works together beautifully. He took it as a sign when learning she is to eventually inherit over 200 acres.
Miles visited with his grandmother. I congratulated him on his new job at Chick-Fil-A. I was nudged to “ooze respect” and did. Rather than rewrite all the details, Paige called me from her home in Waco, TX, to convey gratitude for how I engaged with her son. The Godversation was extended and ended with me giving her my personal cell phone number.
I asked my husband, Rachel and Joyce to join me in praying for Miles. They also asked we pray for Paige’s peace and joy in any circumstance. Lord, it thrills my heart when my husband prays with me. Thank you for him.
Miss Maddie visited and shared she will be moving to the Ozarks. Thank you for letting me encourage her with all the changes she is facing.
Jeremy- grateful for a restroom not being held back from him. Simple kindness matters.
Miss Anika shared about Tyler and we had a lovely conversation.
Big Gee- wanting a hug and praising God for it. 💜✝️💜
Zion returned and we enjoyed a high-spirited Godversation. I loved hearing him talk about how his pastor laid out the election. Forget the candidate. Look at the Bible and look at the agenda. There is the answer! Looking forward to meeting Miss Savannah and Navy Reign, their baby girl. As he travels for the funeral of his godmother and murdered friend, please protect him, Lord. I believe you have big plans for him.
I acknowledge you in ALL GOOD and this gloriously beautiful and productive day at the shop. I moved shelves, reorganized and cleaned out some old dust bunnies. It feels otherworldly to do everything, every little thing, as if I am doing for Jesus himself. Thank you, Father God, for an abundantly blessed day. I love you.
Woke in tears and ended up laughing. The tears were for many and the joke was between me and Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for my husband’s willingness to let me rest this morning.
Yesterday, I posted this note from 15 years ago on Facebook. Very much nudged to “share some silly joy” and break from the heavier lessons He was teaching me
Given the intensity of the past ten plus days, I should not be surprised with the “Jesus Joke” this morning.
It is well documented here that I am listening to the Holy Spirit redirect my testimony to become more mature. Every day last week, I was given another breadcrumb. Each breadcrumb is confirmation and encouragement to BE STILL for the next.
In obedience, I shared the silliness and joy. This morning, Jesus is basically thumping me on my shoulder, smiling, “Ha Ha! You did NOT see what I did there.”
Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit! You heard and answered prayers to guard my tongue. You directed the excited utterances all day yesterday! You humble me so sweetly. I love learning everything I can about you.
The image on my heart is my daughter twelve years ago. She taped her own mouth, joyfully.
Yessir, I was one of your happiest children yesterday. I will be today, as well, with your help. Thank you for showing me how you see me. With the utmost honor and gratitude, I will now add “Nicely played” to the list of phrases I use to acknowledge YOU are in my heart during a conversation.
This image also reminds me of many years prior and Morgan “changing up” your prayer. I no longer see an error, but the blessing. Instead of saying Thy Will Be done, she said “Thy WILL be dumb”. Everyone at that meeting laughed. It makes every person you send me in recovery smile. I see what you did there. I see it far clearer now, thank you.
Thank you, Lord, for the wee hour awakening today. I see what you did there, too. WHAT? Oh , that’s just how my Jesus makes sure I keep feeding His sheep. Let’s get to work!
In wee hours, I was responding to messages. It is uncanny how certain revelations were born from things I learned in and around “Eric Sins” . We are both praying for restoration of a certain father/son relationship. So much more to expand upon, but God is bringing so many different types of soldiers into my life.
There is another I would like to share. However, there are Biblical reasons for me to make that entry in my handwritten journal. It was a dance which seemed to build up and be cut short. Today, I see it even more clearly. Thank you, Lord, for guarding my tongue.
Father God, you have me in the palm of your hand. I believe you are speaking to her quite differently, just as every relationship is different. It makes logical sense that our relationships with you are all different. You know why I begged for you to send your angels. You heard what I just prayed out loud. In your Timing. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Amicable Arnell spoke to me like Jesus today. First person I saw at the shop. He poured out such encouragement in countless ways. Thank you, Lord for Arnell and his heart. May it belong to you.
The Uber driver brought Crystal and Mo here from the Nashville Rescue mission. What a blessing to help their mission! I met them for the first time not even a half hour before they texted back. They received the encouragement from YOU, beautifully.
Brother Zion is always so kind and jovial. I asked his name today I just said, “brother, forgive me, I have forgotten your name if you have shared in the past”. When he said “Zion”, I raised my right arm and said, “I see you what you did there”. I confidently told him there was NO DOUBT his mama was in The Word. He said, “oh YES!” He shared about his pastor and another man he enjoys learning from, Paul Washer. Noting it for when the time comes to be reminded Zion sent me here.
The floodgates rushed in during extended testimony from Zion about prophecy, demonic warfare, sleep paralysis, standing in the gap and more. This brother needs to go to Texas and a certain home church or find one here. So many are struggling to connect with earnest seekers of the TRUTH in THE BIBLE.
When Zion shared the story of his godmother and the two sons living with her, I could not control sobbing. The mother stabbed her autistic son to death before shooting him. That is not in the paper, linked below. Also not reported is how the mother appeared like a demon in his room before the older son escaped. Mike is the older son and told Zion all of this within a half hour of the murders.
The demons oppressing her tiny cancer consumed and frail body were supernaturally strong to pull such a large man back into the house. Praise God for protecting Mike. Thank you, Lord, for sending Zion to me today.
Knowing my kids as I do, I knew she needed to hear my voice. Thirty seconds is apparently enough.
Oh Jehovah Jireh, how could I ever thank you?
My prayers continued for family and extended family of various varieties. I called my husband at our other store and we prayed in agreement for Morgan’s spiritual protection during these painful circumstances for her losing her beloved cat.
Immediate peace in my heart. The BP leveled and I know my daughter is protected.
Radiant Rebecca visited for the first time ever. Thank you, God, for supporting our business and letting us serve you! Rebecca has a 20 YO son, 15 YO daughter and 16 month baby girl. She suffered a miscarriage last month and the healthcare in the world is corrupted. It broke my heart and I sense it broke God’s too. She was so grateful for someone to just listen and receive her story without question. Doctors treated her terribly.
Talked to my daughter on the phone. What a blessed conversation.
Reasonable Randall was kind, as always. He loves our heart to take care of people.
Crowder Dillon is a Dr Pepper fan. I humbled myself and asked to confirm his name. I said, “dude, you are beyond kind and I keep wanting to call you James. Can you please remind me of your first name? He smiled a super sweet smile and said, it’s actually Dillon James. James is his middle name.
Hearing “James, James and James”. Again, repetition which now reminds me of Moses. It feels like much of what I have been taught the past week was necessary to make my testimony more mature. I stand corrected: ALL of it was necessary. Now, to pray for clarity and for my Master Editor.
Pretty Payton was thrilled to reduce her nicotine intake by 40% today with a North Pina Colada vape. Maybe I will remember our Godversation as the 3P Chat It was just bubbly sweetness and genuine gratitude pouring out of her.
Fantastic study of Zion. Yes, I text myself to keep up with the nudges. Closing our store in 13 minutes. Beyond grateful for this rainy day of All Hallows Eve. Time to clean the counters as if I am doing it for Jesus.
Thank you, Lord, for sending me in the required “refill” via Payton. I love you.
Praise God, my loving husband returned home last night. It was a glorious Sunday from beginning to end. I wrote in my gray leather journal for posterity. The notes are clear enough to write the detailed testimony.
Insert giggle here. Anyone who knows me in the flesh understands I exclude “cheerleader energy”. I am being nudged to see the power of the Holy Spirit from a different perspective. Yes, Jesus can and will sit you down and just set you straight. The theme this year has in great part been to SLOW DOWN.
For now, I welcome anyone who ever sees this humble post to our Smyrna Tn store. We have prayed over this space countless times..,before we even got the keys and the six years since. Today was different.
Praise God. First two customers were Miss Margie and a gentleman wearing this shirt! More sales in first half hour than we typically see by 1 pm. I credit the One True God for blessing us so quickly this morning.
Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit.
My God Room 