In Him

Winbourne Clean Up

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:55:00 +0000

Yesterday was an awesome day, to say the least. Glenn, Jordan, Ashlyn Mitch, Kenny, Melee and I all helped out at the Winbourne clean up day. I was so touched by how many servants showed up. We had at least 250 people to show up ... what an awesome move of God. My job was to dust every nook and cranny of the pews of this beautiful facility. As I dusted each one, God began to show me the many faces that would sit in these very pews and come to know the Lord. I was so excited to be a part of something so wonderful.

One thing that really stuck out to me was this. A man walked up with his two young daughters...probrably 4 and 6, and asked was there anything that he could do that they could do also. So I told him that the dusting would probrably be fun for his two girls. So they all began to dust with us. I really thought how wonderful it was that this man took a saturday morning to spend with his daughters teaching them about servanthood. What a great age to learn to take ownership of the house of God. I couldn't think of too many daddys that would spend a saturday morning with his young kids working, but he obviously understands this "kingdom principal" and wants his girls to value it also...AWESOME!!!!

Mamma P

New Addition

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:25:00 +0000

Just wanted to share with everyone our latest addition to the family. She has added so much to my life since we got her. So much has been taken from my life and it's refreshing to see her precious little face. Glenn travels 40 weeks a year, Julia is back in Germany, Ashlyn goes more to her dad's, and Jordan's moved out. SHE HAS MADE A HUGE IMPACT ON MY LIFE. Her name is Miley and I love her like a kid. I finally understand how people go crazy over their dogs!!!

Mamma P

Wii is more than a wee bit of fun!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:00:00 +0000

So yep, I finally broke down yesterday and bought a Wii. I have been wanting one cuz it's such good family fun. Ashlyn, Mitch and I played last nite and my arm is actually sore. So I guess it is kinda sorta exercise for the kids. Haha for the big kids too!!!!

Esther

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:03:00 +0000

So I have been meaning to post about Refuge wed nite but things always seem to get crazy. But anyway, I want to give a shout out to Sarah Haviland. She really got her preach on Wed nite. She went into the story of Esther, which is my second favorite woman in the bible( Ruth is my fav).

Two particular points stood out to me. The first one was how while Esther was an orphan, her name was "Hadassah." But then when she became queen her name became Esther. And I love this point that Sarah made...Isn't in interesting that once Eshter became queen, she was never referred to as Hadassah. The thought that she had us ponder is could it be that once she became queen, her past was gone and that God only saw her as her new creation... Esther. I love that our past doesn't matter to God because he sees us for who we are. Why is it that so often we let our past affect our future, and what we've done affect what we do.

The second point that had me thinking was how even though Esther was fearful, she remained obedient. And that really hit home for me. Because so often I let fear nestle around in my mind and then get off track for what God would have me do. I love when Esther said "If I perish, I perish. I want to have that kind of courage and will, to do whatever God calls me to do. Overcoming fear builds faith, and lets face it, we are lost without faith.

Exciting news

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:21:00 +0000

Ashlyn found out Friday afternoon that she made Dutctown's 2007 Homecoming Court. I know you are probrably thinking what I thought ...so much of the flesh. However, Ashlyn is so not like many of these girls. We had a meeting yesterday and while alot of these girls were trying on 64 dollar tops for the parade, Ashlyn said, Mom let's go to Rue 21 for my casual clothes for the parade and pictures." We got her top and pants for 50 dollars. I was so proud that she wasn't worried about doing or looking like anyone else. If nothing else, I am so happy to see someone in love with Jesus make the court, represent him and make a stand for this generation. Congratulations Ashlyn and to the 2007 Dutchtown Homecoming Court!!!

Hangin with Telia

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:29:00 +0000

Who says that "Libbie Loo" is just for kids?

Do you hold the key?

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:34:00 +0000

I heard a story on the news this morning that I have been thinking about all day. A key that may have held some of the secrets of the titanic going down was being auctioned off.

It was the key that could have saved the Titanic.
The simple item was for a locker that stored the binoculars in the crow's nest and was in the possession of a Scots officer who was taken off the luxury liner at the last moment.

In his haste, second officer David Blair forgot to hand the key over to his replacement and took it with him. As a result, none of the lookouts on board could use the binoculars, despite asking other officers for them.

I began to think about how many lives may have been saved had this key been in the place that it should have been. This man held the key to many lives being saved. God began to stir this in me ...

I hold the key to people being saved from their sin. Am I putting Jesus in the light or is he stored away in the locker of my heart and not being shared. What a precious key, Jesus, that we hold to save the many souls God has in trusted us with.

Best Boss Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:18:00 +0000

Ok so everyone knows that tomorrow is LSU's first game and my boss is pumped to say the least. I'm not really a sucker for LSU (even though I did graduate from there), like most of you crazy's out there.

Anyway just wanted to give a shout out to the best boss ever. Our entire office is filled with "LSU everything", if you know what I mean. But this just took the cake. As you see, he took it to the extreme. He walked in to check my patient with not only an LSU baseball cap on, but it was also turned backwards... like a thug. The patients all loved it. They said that he should definitely be relaxed at work( anyone with a drill in his hand must be relaxed) ...and he was! Go Tigers!!!

Coming to America...a GOD story!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:01:00 +0000

As most of you know we have been trying to figure out a way to get Julia back to the US during her winter break which is in February. Well it is so awesome how God intervenes when you least expect it.

Glenn travels about 40 weeks a year, and it's not unusual for him to stop in several cities in one week. About 2 weeks ago he was on the plane about to head to his second stop when Delta realized that they had overbooked the plane. Glenn was in no real big hurry to get to Jacksonville Florida so he volunteerd to get off of the plane. In return, Delta gave him an $800 voucher to be used at his discretion. Immediately he began to check to see what it would cost for Julia's flight in February. He looked at the cost and it was 575 dollars, we thought at the time. So we were thinking good we'll still have some money left over to use on another flight.

During Glenn's next travel week, he went to the Delta counter to purchase Julia's ticket. As it turned out the 575 that we thought was dollars turned out to be in euros which brought the ticket cost to $803. Isn't that so cool? Glenn and I were laughing saying that it wasn't God's fault that the international agencies couldn't get the taxes right. So once again...God is awesome!!!

Mellow Mushroom

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:32:00 +0000

Yesterday Salem, Marina and I went to the "Mellow Mushroom" to say goodbye to Marina. She leaves in about 1 week to go to Harvard( what an accomplishment). Salem is starting at LSU today and so yesterday really helped me to reflect back on my life as a college student and just how cool it is that God takes you down so many paths. While he knows every path that we have taken and will take, it seems a little scary to us. I am thankful for each road that I have traveled as I have learned so much about myself and the life that he has chosen for me to live. Good Luck Marina and Salem!!!!

The Hummer N Me

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 19:24:00 +0000

So some of you know that I kinda been thinkin about buying a new car. "OLD BLUE" has been in and out of the hospital and she's costing me some dough. So I looked at some new Hondas ( civics and acchords), but I just couldn't find what I was looking for. But then last nite, I saw her...there she was just calling my name. I sat in this amazing vehicle and thought... Wow if this could only be mine. The downfall is that she'll only get 12 miles to the gallon, but she sure looks great. As we began to ask our friends about their brand new hummer, I knew I was livin the dream but it sure was fun. They got this car on Ebay and had to drive it from Las Vegas.

Here's the " not selling point"...

When the arrived home with this new ride, a fraud company had called to see if someone had stolen their credit card because there were so many hits on the cardfrom Vegas to home. We calculated that it cost them about 500 bucks to drive this baby home. So it was fun being with them in their new hummer last night for dinner but it was definitely only a dream!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANDACE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 19:20:00 +0000

Today is Candace's 28th birthday so if you see her , tell her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Closer 2 Nite

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:03:00 +0000

OH my Gosh, tonite "Closer" was so much fun. We celebrated Candace's Birthday at Ci Ci's Pizza and had a bible study there too. It was sooo awesome. We had planned to have Closer Girls there tonite cuz Tori's mom has been under the weather. But about 4:00 this afternoon, I decided to get Candace a birthday cake and surprise her(her bday is this Saturday by the way). So I went bought her a cake and went to CiCi's with the cake early so she wouldn't see her cake. After we finished eating pizza , I had the owner bring out her cake with the magic candles on it. As we began to sing, we were much surprised to have the whole St. Amant football team join in and sing with us. It was so funny. I really think there were about 70 people singing happy birthday to Candace.

Before we began the bible study, the team had left. But I wondered if they would have participated in the bible study as they had the song. I was mad at myself for not being bolder. It could have impacted them , had I thought sooner. Anyway, we finished up on "you choose". We dove into some very important principles that pertain to good decision making. I think all were filled with pizza and the word of God. Oh and some of us was clothed in icing. We learned from our youth pastor in LA how to smear icing all over each other in public places. Thanks Leah. Sorry for getting it in your hair...NOT!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:10:00 +0000

Well it has now been just over a month since Julia has gone home to be with her family. The days are getting easier but I miss her terribly. There are days when my heart actually hurts. I yearn to hug her and be her Ameican mom.

It's funny how I really thought that the only person who would experience change was Julia and wow how much more false could that have been. The day I said yes to this experience, I merely thought that I was just doing a friend a favor. Little did I know that my life would be changed forever. She in her sweet ways changed so much of me. I look at life so different now. I want to experience all that I can for I know time shall pass and I'll look back and wonder why I did or did not do something. I have learned thru Julia that time is of the essenece . I don't want to put off today what I can say or do tomorrow.

Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 16:20:00 +0000

As Glenn and I reflected on the last 9 years, I thought about that actual day that we said "I do". I thought I'd give you a little glimpse of one of the days that changed our lives.

Such a special time for Mother and Daughter.

The only day he's ever been on his knee...haha

Not an advocate of divorce, but it was so sweet to have Jordan and Ashlyn be the minature bride and groom.

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 13:51:00 +0000

Last nite Glenn and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary at Houmas House. We made the 9 year mark on July 11th, but as most of you know that was the day our precious Julia left and I was in no shape to celebrate anything. But last nite was an amazning nite to say the least. My prayer for everyone is that they can marry the person of their dreams and be truly this happy. In spite of his travel schedule, we manage to sneek in date nites like these. He is very good at planning time for us to get away and have times like these. For this I am so thankful to My God, who has place this wonderful husband in my life.

America's Got Talent

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:39:00 +0000

What about these girls. They definitely have courage. They are called the "Glamzons". I don't think they'll go much further according to the poles the day after the vote. But they sure are entertaining!!!

AWHH MAN!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:16:00 +0000

OK so if you know me you know me at all you knowthat I am not much on TV. However I have been watching " America's Got Talent" and I am so disappointed that this group did not get voted back. They are "The Calypso Tumblers " and have been performing for 20 years on the beaches of California and the streets of New York. They did various stunts with tumbling and strength and I would have love to see them win a million dollars. But OH well America thought different. You should check it out. The finals are next week. I even got Blake and Candace hooked.

Jordan on Drugs (HaHa)

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:25:00 +0000

Yesterday was an interesting day in the Crowe house. We got to see Jordan on drugs and it was so funny. He had all 4 of his wisdom teeth cut out. I'm not sure what they gave him, but he was looped up for about 6 hours saying the most random things. As I was trying to feed him some chicken noodle soup, I asked him if the bites were too big and he said that they were perfect because he didn't want me to bombard his metabolism. So I asked again if the bites were good and he said the same thing. So I started dying laughing. He looked up at me with the most serious face and said, " What you don't understand what I am saying?" Anyway just thought I 'd share this funny day with you.

Mamma P

LA

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:06:00 +0000

Well there were so many really cool things that we did in LA and most bloggers have mentioned most of the outreaches and things of that sort. But what I wanted to share isthat I realized how big God really is on this trip.

A little history on the " Dream Center" first. One of the first days that we got to LA, the founders and Pastors of the Dream Center spoke to us about how it all began and frankly I was taken back by their testimony. These two guys, 19 and 20 at the time came, to LA and believed in and followed their dream to where we are today. They were from Arizona and wanted to come to LA to make a difference in this city. They began doing outreaches to the community on a small scale and now do over 15 outreaches in one week. As their ministry began the needed bigger accomadations and wanted to purchase this old abandoned hospital. They were told that it would cost 16 million dollar. Between the two of them they only had 10,000 dollars. They were persistent and went back some months later yet the price was still much to high, somewhere around 7 million dollars. But this didn't stop them, as they had a promise from God that they wouldn't not give up on. Some months later they went back and again asked to purchase this old hospital. This time the owners told them that they would give them 30 days to raise a half of million dollars. And I love what he said at this point. He said, "You just have to dream so big that the only way it will work out is if God shows up." And that is exactly what happened. They were able to raise the money and purchase this old building that we now call the "LA Dream Center.

It was so amazing to see all that this place does for this community. We brought cookies to the homeless people on 'Skid Row"( one of the most dangerous places in LA). They have a discipleship program where they take people in for a year to try to help them get back on their feet. They have food trucks that deliver food to different parts of town. They have Metro Kidz to reach the kids. And this is just to name a few things that these guys started.

SO I say all that to say this. What if they had not followed the promise that God gave them. LA would not be the city it is today. The Mayor said that crime dropped 73% and he attributes it to the great work of "The Dream Center." We can never underestimate God and how big he is. I just can't hardly believe that all that we were a part of began with just two people who wanted to make a difference in a dark and dying world.

SO don't grow weary if you aren't seeing your dream come to past yet. It maybe that God is waiting foryou to trust him and let him in on a really big dream. With man things seem impossible but with God all things are possible.

Mamma P

Parenting Ways Today Frustrate ME

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:54:00 +0000

Why do parents want to be a friend to their kids instead of being an example to them?

Today I was cleaning a guys teeth and we were talking about how I finally let Ashlyn get a nose ring. I told him that after about 2 years of her asking that I began to realize there could be so many worse things that she could be doing like drinking, smoking, having sex. He said "Yea we worry about our daughter too, she's not smoking or having sex but we do let her drink. I continued to clean his teeth and he said I'll tell you more about it when we finish the cleaning. "
Well we never got on the subject again, and I really didn't care because I really didn't want to here how he rationalized why she should get to drink. I'm sure it would have been along the lines of, "It's so much safer if we are with her" or " She would do it anyway so why not with us." I love that one.

UHHHHH!!!!this just really gets to me. I can't stand when parents are to weak to stand up and be a parent and not their kid's best friend.

When Jesus walked here on earth he didn't say, " Now I'll curse but don't you" or " Now I'll get drunk but don't you." No He came and was an example to us and showed us how we should live. Why won't parents be this same example to their kids???? So many parents want to use lip action and not be the example that their kids need.

This might be really strong and offensive to some, but our children want and need rules and discipline. They cry out for it. I just wish parents would stand up and do what they were called to do. Be a parent and not a friend.

Love as always
Mamma P

LA post coming soon

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:18:00 +0000

Post coming soon on our LA missions trip...for now here's what you missed!!!!

Bittersweet memories

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:29:00 +0000

I am so sorry for how long it's been since my last post but I have been very preoccupied with planning Julia's going away party and then seeing her off back to Germany.

Wow I didn't really know how much I love that girl, till now... now that I can no longer go in her room to say goodnite, see her off to school and all those other things that a mamma does for her child.

As you all know Julia came here as an Athiest, but left the US confused. Confused is good...way better that atheism. When I talked to her yersterday I told her that I wanted to write a letter to her family letting them know how close she and I had gotten so that when she is down, they'll better understand her. She really liked the idea. This is the really cool thing. I asked her if she wanted me to mention anything about church and she said yes because she had just mentioned to her parents earlier that day that church was one of her favorite things. Isn't this amazing?

We had all been praying that she would be bold and what a first step... telling her parents how vital church was in her life here in the US.

I miss her terribly. Some days good , some not so good. The tears aren't coming quite as bad. I've really been calling out to God for strength. I can truly identify with parents who have lost a child. I know she is still alive but I mourn the lost of this year, this season of my life. There is no doubt that I will see her again but never in this capacity. And that really hurts.

So please send me some scriptures that can help me through this difficult time. I have been reading Psalms 23 everyday. And like a said each day gets a little bit easier. But I would love to here stories and scriptures that helped you through tough times.

Love mamma P

Submerge re-cap

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:45:00 +0000

All I can say is WOW to submerge... what an amazing move of God, not only on our young people but us old folks too.

I had the most amazing group of girls. In our room was Heather Leblanc, Simone Rougon, and Jordan Prince. Then the other leader was my dear friend Miriam from Life Church in Charlotte with her two girls Lauren and Kara. We all got along so well and began the start of some great new relationships.

But I particularly want to highlight one of the girls in our group and her name is Jordan Prince. I don't know if many of you know her story. But she was diagnosed with brain cancer about six years ago. She has gone through many situations and obstacles during this time. She has since lost all hearing in one ear and almost all in the other. The doctors have told her mom that she also will loose her sight. She broke her ankle a few months ago, but had first walked on it for two weeks due to her inability to feel the same as you and I do. As you can imagine, she has climbed a tough mountain.

I am just so proud to have served as her leader. She shows the most amazing courage and strength. I just watched her fit in with each girl in her own special way. She never became discouraged or wanted to go back home where things were familiar to her and I sooo admire her for this. I don't know that I could have been so brave at this age. It really challenged me to face my fears head on like she does... with a continuous child like faith.

So hats off to you Jordan, YOU TRULY ARE AMAZING!!!!

LOVE
Mamma P

noreply@blogger.com (Paula) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:49:00 +0000

SUBMERGE ... TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!