Good Morning!! It is a beautiful Friday and I am representing my heavenly Father.....how about you? If you feel like you are sinking today and or getting tossed around remember this... A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.....wow I am getting more skilled everyday......I have to embrace the rough sea's it makes smooth sailing more beautiful!!

Good Morning!! An 8 year old little boy rides up on his bike and walks into the office...."Could you help me find my Mom?" The office is the place where grieving loved ones find a resting place for their loved ones that have left this earth, the City Cemetary. This request took the workers off guard but they did indeed help him find his mom. Everyday since that question was asked this precious little boy has made his way, by bike, to visit his mom....he just wants to talk. After hearing this story I walk away with tears streaming down my cheeks. A young couple wait at the door to be seated, there number was 3 and a baby. I was too busy at the moment to look into the baby carrier, a little while later they have the top of the carrier pulled back and I notice a tiny baby, "Oh mylanta, how old is this precious baby", 1 week was the answer, I look around the table and notice a teenage boy sitting with this young couple, "Is this your first?" actually he is and they pointed to the blond haired teenage boy ....we adopted him 2 months ago. I looked at this precious family & my thoughts went to what kind of people they are. She was 7 months pregnant with her first baby and yet she takes on a teenager. "Congratulations on both of your new babies" as these words came from my lips, I glanced at this young man and his smile said it all, it melted my heart. Once again as I walk away from this precious "new family" tears slid down my cheeks. Happy Beautiful Tuesday..... I do not know the journey of these two boys, one just wanting to talk to his mom and one blessed with a new mom, but they both touched my heart. As a mom, my thoughts wandered to the fact "what was life like before the precious 8 yr old lost his mom and what was life like for a 16 yr old before he had his "new" mom...... I shared both of these stories with my 2 boys there are so many kids hurting & I want their hearts open and full of compassion. I am trying to remember to pray for these 2 kids that I do not even know....thier stories touched my heart and made a difference in my life...... No matter what is going on in my life, I am truly blessed. Funny....my first thoughts after hearing of the little boy that needed help finding his mom...what a gift I knew exactly where my mom's burial place is, even though she is really not there. If we all picked a kid out and just started praying for them could you imagine what the future would be for them and for all of those around...... our Heavenly Father loves these boys and he has a great plan for both of them.....

Good Morning!!Back in December a news station contacted me about doing a story on the Cast Iron Grill's move, of course I was delighted, knowing it was a God thing that they wanted to highlight "his"grill. The segment ran on Christmas morning 1 day after closing the doors at the old location. I remember watching the interview but my mind was so focused on the task ahead.....moving the grill in one week and opening the doors January 2, 2013. The last 6 months have been absolutely crazy, changing my life forever, never did I anticipate what was to come. Last week I was in contact with my friend, Tracy, she is the one that has built my website and keeps it up to date. She post all of my stories, pictures, specials you name it she does it and does an amazing job. We were back and forth by text of the changes that needed to be made to the website. Her last text to me....."go look at the homepage and tell me what you think?". I had been on the phone constantly that afternoon about catering's, I was of course mentally swamped when she sent this text. I finish up my calls and pull up the CIG website www.castirongrilllubbock.com and there on the homepage was a video. I push play and instantly hear my voice, as I listen and watch tears began to fall from my cheeks...... I had forgotten about this segment. I immediatly call Tracy.....choking back my tears I say the words "Thank you"......Happy Beautiful Monday yall...... I express to my friend......The girl(myself) in that video was scared to death of the move, about what was to come and yet I acted so brave, I had absolute faith that my heavenly father had this....it was his plan not my plan. I was given a gift last week....I was reminded.... he gave me strength when I was at my weakest point. I know we all do not have a video of our journey's but we do have our memories or if you write things down you have a journal .... a journey of where you have been, where you are and where you are going. Before your crazy busy day starts, stop, think & remember where your journey started and where you are today.....by the grace of God I am standing and strong and it is only because of him. Before my move in December I received several gifts from my precious regulars and ironically every gift had the same bible verse on them, Jeremiah 29:11...."For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Are you fearful of what is to come? are you struggling? I promise if you rely on him and allow him to guide you he will bring comfort, peace and strength......I am not saying it is easy, I am saying I am the poster child of being fearful especially when life is full of change and my strength comes from him.....

My precious sister and I spending the day in the water..... So thankful for her, I  love her with all my heart.

Good Morning!! This life we live is beautiful & fragile. My precious Sam, I am, is waking up to a life that seems unbearable this morning.....he received the call yesterday that his daughter was taken in a car wreck and as so many of you know his world will never be the same. Over the last 5 1/2 years I have met so many parents that live in this world and have so graciously shared their journey with me. I am asking for prayers for Sam, his family and 3 precious daughters that have been left grieving & their world will never be the same. In times like these it is so hard to understand our heavenly Fathers plan for each one of us. "My heavenly Father, my heart is broken for my precious Sam, may you wrap your loving arms of comfort around him and bring absolute "perfect peace" that only comes from you." We just never know what this beautiful life will bring......say "I love you" to those you treasure they are a gift.....Everytime I meet a parent that has lost a child their response......"By the grace of God I am standing.......because of HIM I can breath." My heart breaks for the journey the Lord has for Sam but the Lord lives in Sam and he will carry him through. Is your eternity set? where is your relationship with the creator of the Universe. His promise to his children, He will bring comfort when there is pain, he will bring peace through turmoil and he will restore joy when there is sadness....... "Footprints in the Sand" reminds me of these promises when my world is shaken....... My heart will be with my sweet Sam today, that he rest in our heavely Fathers arms as he is carried through grief that is bigger than my heart can imagine. 

Good Morning!! What a special day to celebrate the guys in my life. To my precious daddy.... I love you with all my heart. 24 years ago I sat on a bed with a broken heart and tears flowing down my face .."I still need a mom" and you promised me you would be both a mom and dad and you kept that promise.You are the most amazing man I know & I am honored to he your daughter. Thank you for raising me, loving me and teaching me. It is because of you that I understand the great unconditional love our Heavenly Father as for me.... And to Shelby , the dad of my boys... Taylor and B are so blessed to have you as their dad..... You have sacrificed greatly to ensure they have been raised right. Thank you for everything you do, i luv you with every fiber of my being , being a parent with you has been full of excitement , joy & laughter, I am one lucky girl to be surrounded by great dad's, And to all of the dads Happy Father's Day I celebrate each one of you... Anyone can be a father but it takes a special good man to be a dad😊may y'all's day be full!! — with Odis Sutterfield and Shelby Stephens.

Good Morning!! Even though Monday's are tough to get going I love them, we are typically a little slower so I am able to visit with the amazing guest that walk through the doors. I wrote last year of a couple that came into the CIG one late afternoon, as we visit I realize he can not see me and our conversation turns to the problems with his eyes and their hard journey...this couple touch my soul. Yesterday this precious couple made their way back into the grill. I had been up in my office for a few minutes so I did not see them come in, as I make my way down the stairs I am looking around the grill making sure all our amazing guest are great and I spot them in the corner. I make my way over to them, seeing a beautiful brown haired little girl with them, knowing this had to be their grandaughter. I greet them both with hugs and turn to this beautiful little girl....."This is Teresa and we like Teresa she is nice", these were the words that came from grandma's lips towards this precious little girl.....the next words were to me, "________ is autistic." As tears slide down this precious woman's cheeks she tells of the journey of her grandaughter..... "she is 8 and has never spoken." As her grandma talks to me I watch her......she watches everything around her with eyes filled with curiousity, love, joy and kindness.......Happy Beautiful Tuesday yall.....yesterday my heart and mind were filled with this precious child of God, she may not have ever spoken but I could only imagine the amazing conversations that she has with our heavenly Father......Tears ran down my cheeks and my heart was full. The journey that this family has been placed on has not been easy.....life is full of talking about loving unconditionally and I realize this is it.....saying "i love you" to someone and never hearing it back.......this is what love is. This precious "perfect"child of God made a difference in my life and yet she did not speak one word to me. Yesterday was a gift and I am truly blessed to be apart of so many amazing people's journey. Let your light shine and may actions reflect love...... 

Good Morning!! I have not written in a while........I have been dealing with something that has been very damaging to mind, body and soul...an act of betrayal. I leave work everyday and my mind is so focused on this act from someone I trusted that I actually have lost focus of everything else, which is just the opposite of how I should be reacting. I have learned more and grown in the last few weeks than I have in a while. I have recited the song..... "I am weak but he is strong" over and over and have really been in conversation with my heavenly Father to walk me through this without damage to others. As a child of God I refuse to let someone's act change who I am and what my purpose is. Happy Beautiful Monday yall..... when our heart is broken because of others actions how do you react? I have been through every emotion but being at peace is where I am now and figuring out what is next.....I know my kids are watching how I react and so I pray my actions reflect those of my heavenly Father...... I have missed writing about the amazing people in my life and this amazing place the Lord has given to me. I have written 100's of words over the last week and erased them because I allowed someone to entertain thoughts in my head that were not of my heavenly Father. I am so thankful for this journey I have been placed on, life is an amazing blessing and God is Good all the time......I will praise him No matter the circumstance and I will always learn from heartache.

Good Morning!! I receive a call from Taylor this morning..."good morning Mom, how does it feel for ur oldest to be almost 21 and your baby turns 18 today.... Your ancient". I honestly can not believe my B is 18 today . Happy Birthday my sweet Branum Stephens you are such an amazing young man !! You have taught me soo much about the important things in life & You keep me focus on being the mom you deserve. I thank The Lord everyday he chose me to be your mom . What an amazing journey we have been on. I look forward to seeing how The Lord is going to continue to use you. Happy 18th Birthday B 🎂I you with all my heart!!