Praising God for His gift of salvation

We have not told many people but......

Our sweet daughter, Taylor, has surrendered her life to Christ. When Taylor was around 5 she was baptized. We (Martie and I) were baby Christians and really believed she was ready. Even now, I think Taylor had a wonderful knowledge of Jesus, his purpose here on earth, and she truly believed in Him.

Since then we all have grown so much. It is truly amazing to see how God has worked in each of our lives. She admitted many times in the last few years that she struggled with "belief". She knew, understood, but just didn't have a heart change. She wanted it so badly. So we prayed with her, she prayed, we taught her, and we waited.

See, we believe that it is God that has to change the heart. There is nothing that my hubby and I can do to convince any of our children. God has given us the awesome responsibility to teach them and pray for them, but ultimately He has to change them.

Well, that is just what He did. Our God is AWESOME! I was tucking Taylor in one night, I asked her how her relationship with the Lord was going. She told me great! She told me some things she had been reading in her bible and how she really felt the Lord had changed her. She expressed to me that she was ready to surrender her life to Him. So of course I went and got Martie. He grilled her on Theology 101, :) No, seriously he asked her several questions, and then we confirmed God's work by praying.

We have waited to tell many people. We wanted to see the fruit blossom. We wanted to see if this decision was lived out.

Well, we have!!! Taylor has grown so much! It is truly amazing to see her heart change. She is passionate about the lost, she enjoys reading His word, she accepts discipline differently. Wow, mighty is our God!

On Sunday, February 15 Taylor will be baptized. This is truly a celebration! There will actually be three people getting baptized that day. If you can, come, be encouraged, celebrate with us the new life within each of these individuals! Lastly, give Him all praise and glory!



Sunday, February 15
10:00- Sunday School
11:00-Church
Parkwood Baptist Church
1515 Clermont Rd.
Durham, NC 27713
www.pbcnc.org

John Piper to Obama

MUST SEE, MUST SHARE!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdnQAB3cJec

On T.V.????????

The Mangum family could be on T.V.!!! That's right! hahaha! Laugh with me here.

My mom about a year ago registered us for this show called, "Home Made Simple" on TLC. You know I always have some kind of projects going on at my house. I'm always re-organizing something. It's very hard (with all that we do) living in a house this small. We are so blessed and I am NOT complaining. It just means that I am constantly re-organizing.

Our house is I think 1092 sq. feet. We have 4 children and home school. So we have our challenges, but we make it work! A lady called my mom yesterday from the show and wants to come meet us and see our house!!! Isn't that funny? I've never won anything! Now, I think this is just an 'interview', so there are no guarantee's. I'll keep you all updated.

For now this super organized woman that has EVERYTHING under control has to go:
1.) Taylor just told me Andrew left the car door open and a bird flew in, the bird is still in there and he pooped!
2.) My boys are helping themselves to "lunch".
3.) My hubby is giving me the 'look', so I need to go feed him too!

Come on, laugh with me! :)

God's Sovereignty and a BIG hug...

God is so good. I just felt compelled to write and explain. With a break from Martie's school, our school, Christmas... I was starting to feel a bit out of control. For anyone that knows me, I like control. I know God is totally working on me. Unfortunately, I'm a slow learner. This last weekend I surprised my hubby with a get away. (just us two) I even left Tabitha. We were desperate for some alone time, time to work out our schedules, cut out things, pray... Our trip, well, that makes for another blog. Overall it was a great time together, we got a lot accomplished. However, we did not come back rested.

Monday, I was so excited to put into action our NEW schedule. I forgot my children had been on vacation and they forgot what structure was. My attitude was horrible, and I was losing all patience. (remember control issues) That evening I talked (cried) to my dear hubby, and he prayed for us. Before going to bed he told me that I was to stay out of the house the next day. I go to the church at 6:30 to do my quiet time. I was instructed to not come home after that. He said that I could stay at the church or do what ever. (so sweet) However, this did not fit into our NEW schedule. hahaha

So my morning was great. (a lot of repentance) I talked to Carrie for a while on the phone. (great encouragement) I started reading a new book, Anxious for Nothing, by John MacArthur. Then I received a phone call. My friend Kami called, she wanted to drop something off to us. I asked her could she leave it with the family, because I was next door at the church. I came home to the most beautiful basket of goodies. This was not just a typical basket, it was filled with all kinds of wonderful gifts, AND she brought dinner for us! Her card was so encouraging, and the timing was JUST right. See God's sovereignty? I felt like He just reached down from heaven and gave me a BIG hug. Thank you Kami, you are amazing!

I also came home to my house being cleaned. All the 'little' things that were bothering me were done. I have a great husband and sweet children. This morning my dad came over and took Taylor to swim practice, so I didn't have to get all 4 kids out at 7:30 am. Thanks Dad!!! So, o.k. I'm off schedule. But, God is so good, and He is so faithful.

O.k. so I'm off to get things going around here again! Happy day!

We got our family portraits taken at Portrait Innovations. I bought the cd with the rights to the pictures, I even made sure I could post them on our blog. So here are some of the pictures. All of the pictures are on our facebook account. They let me post more there.

Me and the most handsome man, my hubby.

The boys

The girls

There are better family shots on our facebook account.

Ethan at 4 years old (wow)

Our beautiful and very mature Taylor (11 years old)

Our ever so fun Andrew (2 years old)

The best baby ever Tabitha (7 months old)

On Mission

This coming Sunday, December 21 at 6:30 pm

Come support The Durham Rescue Mission. We are collecting food donations and a love offering to support the ongoing work of the mission. The Durham Rescue Missions’ victory choir will be singing & sharing stories of changed lives. Rev. Ernie Mills will also be sharing a message. Refreshments will be served after the service.

Parkwood Baptist Church
1515 Clermont Rd
Durham, NC 27713

www.pbcnc.org

I would love for you all to attend and support this wonderful ministry. Bring some can food and money to donate. Forward this on to all of your friends! Email me if you need more info.
Thanks,
Heather

Date night

So the Saturday after Thanksgiving we were so blessed to be able to go on a date with our great friends, the Trunicks. The Trunicks were down for the Thanksgiving holiday. They moved to NC about 2 1/2 years ago, and moved back up north about 5 months ago. We had an amazing friendship from the moment we all met. Martie and I have never met another couple with views so in line with ours. Martie was just saying to me the other day, that he and Bill have not found one thing they disagree on. (when it comes to theology)

When we get together, we always have the best time. I'll miss them this new year. I remember our first new years together. We went to their house and played monopoly until 4 something in the morning. We never did finish the game. It ended up being between Bill and Carrie, so they finished the game the next morning.

Since they moved we have been blessed to meet so many new friends. God has been so gracious to us, and He has brought so many great people into our lives. One couple is Rob and Danielle. They are new friends of ours, and they came over for Thanksgiving also. They were also the ones who gave us the great coupons for our date. I am so thankful that God has brought each of these amazing people into our lives.

O.k. so on with the date.... Let me just say for the record..... YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME GOING PROFESSIONAL.......EVER! (unless they come up with a league, the lowest scorer) Our scores will remain sealed, for only us to know. hehehehe

I guess I need to make up my own rules!

Bill and Carrie

All of us

Me and my handsome husband. (I love him)

The night began at Johnny Corino's for dinner. We all loved our meals. The electricity flashed off a couple of times, but came back on. (weird) Then we went bowling in East Durham. The night ended with some yummy cheesecake at the Cheesecake factory by our house. So sad to see the night end. Did I mention I bought myself some new NON-MATERNITY jeans, and got a haircut for this date. I really went all out. What do you expect for the first date in 2 years?