Getting Started - Wedding Dress

I am so excited to share this post with you! I have started the wedding dress. Well, demo mode anyway.  If you haven't seen it before, this is the dress I started with (in ivory, not champagne). The bodice and outer layer will be remade, the inner layers will remain the same, and the sash...well, I just don't know what I am doing with it. 

Also, since this is a December wedding, I plan to add a shrug. My original plan was to make the shrug out of lace, but it may end up satin instead. It just depends on what I can find to make it out of. 

For those of you who don't know, our wedding is going to be very country with the guys wearing Wrangler 47 MWZ pre-washed jeans and my girls wearing boots with their dresses. In order to be uniquely me, I plan to make my dress out of denim, with some satin and lace to keep a traditional feel.I am so blessed to say that Wrangler has GENEROUSLY provided the exact material that the jeans are made of for my endeavor. The only problem is that they couldn't pre-wash the denim without streaking it so I will have to find a way to was it myself before ever letting it touch the satin as the blue from the denim could bleed onto the satin. The outer skirt is one HUGE piece, instead of sections pieced together, so I have no idea how to wash it without the streaking issues that they had at the factory. If you have any hints, tips or tricks, please feel free to share them. 

The first step was taking the dress apart at the seams.  It was a tedious process but it was so much fun sharing this time and experience with my sweet little girl. 

When you undertake a project like this, it's important to have some extra hands to pull gently as you pull the seams. Just be sure they don't pull too hard so as not to rip any material. Also, when dealing with fabric, remember to wash your hands and working surface so that you don't stain your fabric.

Although very wrinkled from storage, this beautiful piece is the inner layers of the skirting, the part of the original dress that will be part of the new dress.

 This is the original bodice, made for a shorter bodied woman, and of course, not denim.

This is the original outer skirt, beautiful and full, but also, not denim. I will use this piece as the pattern and remake this exact piece out of the 47 MWZ denim. I am thinking of making this part removable, to make dancing easier. 

I know that several of you are following along with the process and I just thank you so much! I can't wait to share the finished product with you! Check back soon!

Wow - All of a Sudden

I heard a story about a man who worked as a janitor at a huge cathedral. When the priest found out that he was illiterate, he fired him saying that he could not have an illiterate employee. The man was crushed but did what he could. He had saved up a little money and he invested that money. He became very wealthy due to that investment. Later on the priest felt bad and asked the man if he ever wondered what he might have been if he hadn't fired him, to which the man replied, "I'd probably still be mopping floors."

You see, if the man hadn't been forced outside of his comfort zone, he would have never invested that savings. Sometimes we are like that man, never knowing what we can be until we reach a point where we are stretched and HAVE to do something.

Several years ago, when my children were babies, I came to a point where I needed to be home with them, so I HAD to do something. So I quit my job and started a home daycare. As far as a job, that was the happiest I have ever been. Here we are, all these years later and I am going back to that. Children are my ministry and I have the full support of my loving husband, so July 1st, I will be opening my daycare. I have my registration process started and I am on my way.

I am so excited and I covet your prayers. If you would like to, stop over at the daycare blog and check it out, not much going on just yet, but there will be soon. Also, if you have the following items just sitting around, I could sure use them:

outdoor play items (cars, climbers, ride-ons)
kitchen chair booster seats (not car booster seats)
nap mats
childrens books (especially the ones that come with cassette tapes)
sand & water table
toys

Thank you - Readers

Today I want to thank you, yes you, for reading my blog. I'm not, by any means, a talented writer. I simply write what's on my mind, what's going on, what I feel led to share. Its not one of those 3 drafts and a final copy, thought out, mulled over projects. This blog is simply me, in type, for all to see.

I'm nothing special, just me. Why you folks check back to find out what I have to say, well that's just beyond me. For some reason, I have had more readers in the past two months than I have had in the past three years. For that, I thank you.

I have had so many different things to talk about this year. Remodels, crafts, plain old off the wall comments, my family, my Jesus, so many things and some of you have read every single post.

We've almost hit 500 readers in less than two months. That just amazes me and tickles me pink. I've always wanted to be a writer. Writing was always my passion. I never pursued it the way I should have but now, maybe I will. Thank you for taking the time to stop by, to pull up a chair, and to visit my world for a while. You are appreciated.

Thankfulness

Thanksgiving is coming. I have already begun plans for the holiday season. Its exciting, my first holiday season in my new home. With Thanksgiving on its way, I wanted to start a series on Thankfulness. I want to try to show thankfulness in some way every week until Thanksgiving.

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Today I have some specific people to be thankful for.

First and foremost, as always, my Jesus for taking what I had made of my life and making it a beautiful place. For healing the ugliness that I created and creating me to be lovely in Your sight. For all of the blessings that I have in my life to be thankful for every single day.

To my beloved. My help meet. My companion. My lover. My friend. You are everything that I never knew I always wanted. I did not know that I could be who you inspire me to be. I've never dreamed that I would be loved by a man in such a way that it makes my life feel full, complete, overflowing. Thank you for everything you do for me.

To my children. My reward from God. My legacy. I pray that both of you know every single day that Mommy loves you and is so very proud of you. My son, my sweet boy, the way you have improved at school is just outstanding, you have every right in the world to be so very proud of yourself, hold your chin high and keep up the good work. My daughter, my beautiful girl, I know that you feel so little when you get teased but remember that you are so beautiful and that your worth comes from God who created you to be beautiful in His sight and not from silly people who need to make themselves feel better by hurting others. Psalm 127:3 "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

To my three oldest friends: Jocelyn, Sharon, and Jessica. I have known each of you for what seems like eternity. You know my past and yet still, you are here. Miles and situations may separate us, but please know that I value each of you dearly. Know that I would travel the ends of the earth for you. Know that you are priceless to me. Thank you for choosing to love me.

To my new friends: Becky, Sandi, and Christy, for teaching me that in order to bear another's burdens, I must allow my burdens to be borne as well. Thanks for being there and for standing in the gap with me and for me girls!

Its like those potato chips, once you start you just can't stop. I think I could thank folks all day long but I will stop there for now. If I can pray for you today, please let me know.

Maybe Next Week - Thank You!!

I promised I would shout it from the rooftops, so here I am shouting! We might get to move into our house next week!!

We only have a few things left to make it ready: some trim, a bathroom sink and a hot water heater. Oh yeah and I have to paint the fridge.

We don't have a stove or a microwave yet, but I do have an electric skillet and Mom's stove until we get ours. So if you come across a decent black gas stove, let me know. We are planning to buy a new one, but if I come across a used one that's in good shape, we might go that route too.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us along the way. I was just amazed at the blessings that God has given us through this entire remodel. So many of our friends have helped in so many ways. Right now there is not a single piece of furniture in my house that God has not blessed us with through one of you. The electric work, the cabinets, the paint on the walls, all of it would not be there if it weren't for our friends allowing themselves to be a blessing in our lives. I cannot say thank you enough. All of you, every single one of you is a blessing in our lives!

I haven't forgotten home made Christmas. I have a few projects to finish up and I will have a post later this week.

My kitchen

For those of you just tuning in, this is what my kitchen used to look like:


And now, after much hard work, here is the very same room!! So many friends have helped to make this happen. I appreciate each of you. So while it is not exactly finished, it is beautiful and to a point where we can move into it.


Most of all, thank you to my beloved husband for all he has done for me. I love you forever!

Kitchen - Before & Almost After

If I hadn't been there every step of the way, I doubt I would really accept that this is the same roomI have watched and helped create this transformation and still, I can hardly wrap my brain around the fact that this has actually come to pass. It just amazes me that this is the very same room, the very same house that we started out with last December.

We should get the floor finished in the next day or two. Then, while Vaughn is off hunting, I will be able to paint the stove and fridge were given so that we can use them while we save up to buy black ones. Hopefully, then we can move in shortly after he comes home.

Before we go on to the next step, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped. To those who spent hours in my attic connecting the wiring. To those who donned their painting gear and picked up a brush. To those who said, "You can do this," "That looks great," and "I'm so proud of you." To those who encouraged. To those who prayed. To all of our friends, especially the Adult II class and Wednesday Small Group from First Baptist, thank you all so very much!! We are so very very blessed to have friends like you! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

I Am Thankful

Considering that Thanksgiving is like a week away, I thought I might continue on the theme of Thankfulness.

First of all, I thank my God that He saved me from death. I know that some day this fleshly body will die, but I am so thankful that I am no longer walking in the death that is separation from Him. He gave me new life and made it so that I never have to believe the lies that tell me that I am a prisoner to my past. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17 I am a new creature!

Next, I want to thank God for my husband. I have never loved or been loved the way that Vaughn loves me. And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18 I am so blessed to be the wife of such a wonderful, Godly man. I couldn’t ask for anything more. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mark 10:8 & 9

And then, for my wonderful children. My Austin and my Bethanie. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3 God blessed me with two beautiful children, whom I am so very proud of every single day. They fill my world with laughter. Their hunger to learn is inspiring. The innocence with which they see the world makes me remember that Jesus said Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 I pray that we learn how to see the world, how to believe the way children do.

For my friends, my real friends. You know who you are. The ones who are there through thick and thin, through good choices and bad ones, no matter what. The stories we could tell, and often do. I thank God for you. I thank you for your heart to love me through the hard times. I thank you for being there to comfort me, to rejoice with me, and, yes, even to tell me when I’m being stupid. Thank you for remembering my birthday and the kids’ birthdays and for celebrating the most important days of my life, right there by my side.

I love you all so very much! My friends, my family, everyone who has had a part in my life and made me who I am. If I can pray for you, please let me know.

Let HIM Carry You

Good morning. I pray today finds you blessed.

My dog Solomon has a swimming pool in his pen, you know the little blue plastic ones you get at Wal-mart for babies. Last week one night, I was leaving. I noticed a toad in Solomon’s pool. Little guy was just swimming and swimming.

When we got home, Vaughn went in there to let the poor thing out and it was a sight to see. Vaughn is chasing this toad around, trying to set him free and he’s swimming AWAY from the hand that is trying to save him. Vaughn’s words hit me and I haven’t been able to let them go, he said, “Kinda like us with God sometimes.”

As I watch life unfold around me I wonder how often God feels like Vaughn that day chasing us around this pool we call life. We get ourselves in a situation that we can’t get out of on our own. We are paddling with everything in us to escape the waters of despair and God is right there with His loving hand outstretched saying, “If you would just be still for a minute, I will help you.”

He tells us in His Word, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)”

It doesn’t say He might help us or He’ll think about helping us. It says He IS our refuge and our strength. It says “very present,” He WILL be there, always, in times of trouble.

John 14:1 says “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

We don’t have to run from our problems like that toad in the pool, running from the hand that was there to save him. Run TO GOD with your problems. He can save you. It doesn’t matter what your problem is, if it’s financial worries, physical pain, an addiction you can’t let go of, God can handle it all. His shoulders are big and broad and there’s no weight that you can lay on them that they can’t carry. Let Him carry you today?

Join with me and let’s take peace on the words from I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Have a blessed day and if I can pray for you, please let me know.

Celebrate Recovery

Hi, I'm Kaci, I WAS an addict, but the sweet love of Jesus Christ has set me free!

Our recovery ministry starts tonight, please send up a prayer. Here I am and my sweet husband and I will be leading small groups in a recovery ministry. God is so good!

God brought us out of that deep pit of despair, so many times in my life I have asked God, "Why would You do that? Why didn't You just leave me to my sin? I turned away from You, how could You still love me?" Now I get an answer, so He can use me to save others from the same hell. So I can be a helpmeet to a man who has known the same darkness. To share the story of His saving Grace with a lost and dying world.

When you seek His face today, please lift up the Celebrate Recovery team at Fellowship Baptist Church, Borger. Please lift up those souls who God brings in the door. Please lift up those who are compelled to come but stand in their disobedience.

Thank you for your love, encouragement and prayers.

Sheetrock Prayer

It is often said that they key to any relationship is communication. If the key to ANY relationship is communication, and communication with God is prayer, then why don’t more people pray?

I Thess. 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” Romans 12:12 tells us to be “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” but is there a way we should pray? The Word says in Matthew 6:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Meaning we don’t have to pray those King James prayers, ya know the type, “Oh dear, beautiful, most gracious, high in the holiest of places Lordeth, we cometh to thy heavenly throneth today. We seeketh thy holy wisdom…blah, blah, blah.”

On the other hand, I don’t believe that He wants to hear what Vaughn calls a “sheetrock prayer”. We all know that one. The one you pray because you have to. The one you have prayed so very many times that you can pray it in your sleep, and most of the time you do. You spew it out of your mouth with no Spirit whatsoever and it bounces off of the sheetrock and ricochets through the room. I think that the One who bled and died for our salvation from sin deserves so much more than that. He deserves communication worthy of the gift He gave.

So, how should we pray? When I meditate on this question, I go back to the basics, the foundation, so I go back to what we tell our children. “Pray like you’re talking to your best friend.” When I taught my children to pray I told them, “pretend like you have a telephone and its wired straight to God and you can call Him whenever you like.” We find intimacy with our Father when we talk with Him in prayer. He loves us and wants to spend time with us and you are never closer to Him than when you seek His loving face in prayer. Go to Him in faith. Know that he hears every prayer, that He knows and wants what’s best for us, and that He does answer every prayer according to His loving, perfect will.

Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Come BOLDLY, it says. Paul urges boldness many times in his letters. The Lord says in James 4:2 that “ye have not, because ye ask not”. Pray in faith, knowing that your God loves you and wants all things for you. Expect results…don’t demand them, but come boldly, in faith, expecting results.

Prayer is intimate; know that God’s will is perfect so allow yourself to be guided by the Spirit He has placed in you. Pray for the big things, the little things and everything in between, but pray sincerely, pray God’s will, and pray with all your heart. Above all, pray with humility, honor and adoration before your Abba Father, your friend, the Almighty God. Remember the words of James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

If I can pray for you, please let me know.

How's Married Life?

The most common question that people ask me lately is "How's married life?" I must be honest with you friends; it's nothing like I thought it would be. It is absolutely the most wonderful thing that has happened to me since salvation. I can't tell you a time in my life when I have been so very happy.

Does that mean we don't have our problems? No way. We're two people. Two people can't agree on everything all the time. We can; however, work things out and come to a conclusion that's beneficial to everyone involved. We both have our own little quirks that drive the other crazy, but he understands that I leave doors open (everywhere, all the time) and I understand that "in a minute" in man time does not always equal an actual minute. But sometimes it's those little things that define us as individuals, they make us that one person that the other can't live without.

All those battles that we fight on our own as singles are no longer solely ours. My sweet husband takes Galatians 6:2 very seriously. It says there "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." There is not one single burden of mine that Vaughn does not take upon himself. One of my biggest burdens, my low self confidence, he has made his personal battle. He does everything he can to uplift me in some way every day. When he catches me wallowing in it – he knows the little telltale signs – he takes my hand, ever so gently, as if to remind me I'm not alone.

I know that the Lord truly blessed me when He created me to be the helpmeet for this man. I know that there are no words that can accurately portray the love I feel for him. So, now, to those of you who wonder, "How's married life?" I think I speak for the both of us when I answer, "Amazing. Filled with blessings daily. Totally and completely wonderful."

I love you Vaughn!


Please pray for us and the upcoming Celebrate Recovery Ministry beginning at our church. Please let me know if I can pray for you.

I pray this message finds you blessed.

As many of you know, my sweet Vaughn asked me to marry him on Saturday. It was so romantic, the ultimate proposal in front of some of our closest friends. I know that I am truly blessed to be able to marry my very best friend and to know that before he asked me to marry him, he made sure that he knew we would make through anything, that he loved me completely, and that it truly was God that brought us together.

Funny thing is, as with every marriage I suppose, there are those who are behind our backs whispering, "They'll never make it a year." I wonder if any of them has ever read Mark 10:6-9, "6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

When I first heard of these people saying these hurtful things about my upcoming marriage, it hurt my feelings. I pouted over it for all of a few minutes before my spirit grabbed a hold of me and shook me back into reality. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks will become of our relationship. What matters is that we have sought the Lord together as one. What matters is that we will continue to seek Him together as one. What matters is that we know that God the Father brought us together and no men or their words, or their thoughts can tear apart what God put together.

One of my favorite songs right now is Washed by the Water by Needtobreathe. The first verse talks about a preacher who loved his wife dearly and folks talked about them, too, saying he made the wrong choice. After all the years, those people they came and went but when all is said and done, that I Cor. 13 love, well it just never waivers, never falters, never fails.

My vow to Vaughn is simply Ruth 1:16-17, "16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

When God brings something into your life, Stand fast! Know that if He brought it, He will sustain it! Don't let unkind words from anyone knock you off of the Rock. God loves you!

If I can pray for you, let me know.

As I sit down in front of my computer now, I pray that God will speak. I have nothing to offer you but He does. If the idea is mine, then it does you no good, but if it is of the Lord, then maybe you will keep an open mind and allow Him to speak to you.

Monday I lost another grandmother, the second one in less than a month. I have spent so much time alone with the Father, praising Him for their lives, asking Him for what it is I am to learn from Him through this. And what I have gained is this: we are allowed certain people in our lives who will teach us and guide us if we allow ourselves to learn from them . Titus 3:5 says, "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, and that the word of God not be blasphemed." These women were this to me.

Mary Blackerby taught me forgiveness, mercy, grace, perseverance, and love. She taught me to remember to walk in the Lord every day. She taught me that the Lord has a perfect plan for us and that no matter what we do, no matter how bad we mess up, the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for our sins, covers it all.

Lena Alvarado taught me how to be a mother, how to grow a family, how to cook, keep a home, and to love the Lord with all my heart, no matter how dark the day seems. That He will light your way and guide your steps.

I know that God has called me to the mission field. I know that God wants to do a great work in my life and that He will use me if I allow Him. I know that the lessons I learned from these wonderful women will live in me forever, and continue to teach me as I grow in the Father. I know that the love they shared with me will continue to be shared as long as I let the Lord use it.

I have made mistakes, big mistakes in my life, but I don't have to dwell on them. The blood of the Lamb covered them when He offered the ultimate sacrifice. When He died on that cross, He had us on His mind. When He died on that cross, Kaci died. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new." The old me died when I gave my life to Him. My grandmothers taught me that if you allow those old things to pass away, the new things will touch lives, because that new life is Christ's.

I thank them for the forgiveness, love, peace, patience, that they taught me I thank them for being Jesus in my life. I pray that when God puts people in your life that you can learn from, that you will allow Him to work through them in your life. I pray that you will let His light shine through them into your heart. I pray that you will praise Him for them in your life, long after they are gone.

I thank the Father, I praise Your Holy name, for the lives of my beautiful grandmothers, and that I know You now, thanks to Your work through them!

If I can pray for you today, please let me know. Please continue to pray for my family as we get through this time. Also, please pray for my friend and the youth pastor at our church, Chris, as he has lost his grandmother as well.

In Him,
Kaci M. Boggs
When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all
you need.


~It is only abiding that can really satisfy the thirsty soul. Andrew Murray

I pray this email finds you all so blessed!

You know, with what I've been through, people tell me all of the time how
very strong they think I am. But tonight I want to write about the strongest
woman I know.

I've been taught my whole life that the image to strive for is Proverbs 31.
I love that chapter. My pastor's wife, Kim is a very good image of that in
my life. I love spending time with her and learn from her continually. She
isn't who I am writing about tonight, though.

The woman I write about, I have known her for her entire life. I have
watched her grow. I have watched her hurt. I have watched her learn to live.
I watched her tell the world that she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior
I heard her tell me once that she didn't care if she never saw me again. I
held her brand new daughter in my arms and prayed that she would hold on so
she could hold her too.

The strongest woman I know, is my little sister. We haven't always had the
best relationship. I've lost years, literally, that I can never get back. Oh
I can name countless times we fought over stupid things. But I remember
wonderful things too. I remember dancing and singing to the New Kids On The
Block when they were oh, so cool. I remember sharing birthdays and clothes
and so many years of "Are you twins?" I remember sharing our first DC Talk
tape, I think it was "Nu Thang" might have been "Free At Last". Family
vacations, Christmases, all of it melted into one big ball of good and bad
memories.

But her strength comes now. She is such an inspiration to me. She is an army
wife. Her wonderful husband, Fred, is in the Army Reserves. They have 4
wonderful kids. The twins are 2 and the girls are 5 & 7. Fred is at an Army
base across the country right now, awaiting deployment overseas. This is her
second bout with deployment, Fred left the first time shortly after they
were married. This time, its harder, its not new, she knows what to expect.
This time, although she puts on her brave face, I see the hurt in my sister
s eyes. She's all alone, trying to play single mom to the terrible two's
times two and two wonderful, headstrong daughters. She comes up with the
greatest ideas to keep the kids close to their father in his absence. She
has laminated photos of dad at eye level where they can see him every day.
Her home is decorated in Army memorabilia, with, of course, a big yellow
ribbon around the lamppost in the yard. When the kids need comfort, they
have mom. Sometimes I wonder, who does an army wife turn to for comfort. I
know my sister loves the Lord, so I know she turns to God. And I know that
He will wrap His loving arms around her and give her that comfort she seeks.

I love you, Alicia. You and ALL the Army wives, are an inspiration to
Christian wives and mothers everywhere. Your faith, your strength, your love
..that's what makes the world go round. While our boys fight for our freedom
their wives fight at home. We owe our freedom just as much to the wives and
families of our soldiers as we do to those in uniform. God bless you, baby
sister. You are my hero! "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."
Philippians 1:3