Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Through the weekly and daily devotionals you can be constantly encouraged in your great role of parenting, the highest career in the nation. You can also stay updated on what's happening with the Above Rubies ministry.

Strengthening Families Across the World through the encouragement of women in their high calling from God as wives, mothers and homemakers.

MAKE AND CREATE

MakeCreateDear wives and mothers, you are created in the image of God to reflect His glory. As a female God has destined you to reveal His nurturing and compassionate anointing to the world.

Our God is the Creator and loves to create. Because He created you in His image, you also have within you a desire to create. When God came to the sixth day of creation, He said: “LET US MAKE man in our image.” The essence of “let us make” is not only in God, but He has put it in His human creation.

Erick Gray writes: “Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she will make a baby. If you give her a house, she will make a home. If you give her groceries, she will make a meal. If you give her a smile, she will give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.”

Yes, it is true, cooperating with God you make babies. Some women will say, “Is that all I’m good for? Making babies and keeping house?” Of course you are good for that. You were made physically and innately for motherhood. It is your glory. It is not only glorious, but powerful! Mothers are the greatest influence upon the next generation, and therefore the nation, and therefore future generations, and therefore eternity! For our children are eternal souls that will live forever.

But dear ladies, your whole life is creating. You were created “to make.” Because you are in the home you make it a beautiful home. You have the freedom to create it to be what you want it to be. Your imagination is limitless.

You create a beautiful table to gather your family and visitors around. You have complete freedom to develop the gifts and talents God has inherently put within you. Maybe you love to cook, so you’ll make wonderful meals, not only your family, but to invite others to join your table.

You love to bake cakes or homemade bread? You can even sell it. Everything you make you can turn into a home business if you want to. Although we have to guard that desire. There are seasons for everything. When we have little children around us, it is best to wait until they are older when you have more helping hands. Or you have older children to help with the younger ones and even help with the home business you are creating.

You may make crafts and sell them. You can write books and sell them. You can paint pictures and sell them. Do you sew or knit? Oh I am sure you make the most amazing things with these abilities. You can create a wonderful garden. You can do whatever gift God has given you. Your creativity is boundless.

But here’s another thing to remember. You don’t have to make money out of everything you do! Yes, it can be a blessing (especially as you have older children) to help bring income into the family by selling your creative works. But we should never do everything for money. We do it for the joy of being creative. The joy of fulfilling the gift God has given to us. Or the joy of bless others. That’s the greatest motive of all.

1 Peter 45;10 (HCSB) says: “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” Do you notice those words, “to serve others”? Yes, you may do it to make money, but the greatest purpose is to serve and bless others. Don’t let’s forget this word from God.

You don’t have to leave your home to be liberated! No. You are in your glory in your home as you bring forth babies and create a glorious homelife for your family. But you are also FREE to fulfill the gifts that God has given you in your home. The sky is the limit. You are free to create in whatever gift God has uniquely given to you. Please say Hallelujah!

John Garr writes: “There is no doubt that the term ‘image of God’ . . . refers to man’s inner charismatic endowment as a creative being. Man’s likeness to God expresses itself in man’s striving and ability to become a creator.”

Be blessed as you create in your home today,

Love from Nancy Campbell

Painting by Hans Heyson (I have this painting hanging up in our visitor’s bedroom).

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THE GLORY OF MOTHERHOOD

GloryMotherI am currently doing a series on THE GLORY OF WOMANHOOD on my weekly podcast. This morning I came across this beautiful quote and so am posting it for you.

“O that God would give every mother a vision of the GLORY AND SPLENDOR of the work that is given to her when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained!

Could she have but one glimpse into the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into its soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God’s world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers and she would commit to no other hands the sacred and holy trust given to her.”

~ James Russell Miller (1840 – 1921).

Painting: Theodore Robinson (1852-1896).

 
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PRECIOUS MOMENTS

PreciousMomentI have some little people with fine hair and rosy cheeks,
They giggle and they squeal quite as often as they speak,
They climb on me each morning and chase me through the day
Asking lots of questions and begging me to play.
It’s easy to get busy with the things I need to do
Forgetting that their playful days are fleeting and too few.

Oh, Lord, please help me notice what’s important and what’s not,
To cherish precious moments and to mother as I ought,
Please keep me from distractions that would rob me of the joy
That you have planned to give me through my precious girls and boys.
Please help me teach them of Your ways, this is my highest aim,
I long to see my children live to glorify Your name.

O, help me be the model that would draw them to Your throne,
Let me make for them a haven that would turn their hearts to home,
And in these fast and fleeting years, please help me not to miss
The treasures that you give me in each cuddle and each kiss.
When I am old and looking back at every blessed year
I will rejoice that I was there to share each joy and tear.

By Val Hallaran
www.valhalloran.com

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TURN TO THE ONE...

HeStillDoes

...Because...HE STILL DOES.

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WHAT ABOUT MODESTY

ModestyDid you ever listen to the podcasts I did with Meadow? You can check them out here.

No. 11 FACING FEMININITY HEAD ON
https://www.buzzsprout.com/…/776016-episode-11-facing-modes…

No. 12: MODESTY AND FEMININITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
https://www.buzzsprout.com/…/776938-episode-12-modesty-and-…

Painting: “At the Cottage Door” by William Henry Margetson

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MY TRUE IDENTITY

TrueIdentityA POST FROM MEADOW
Many of you have got to know my lovely granddaughter, Meadow, Pearl’s daughter. Recently Meadow and her husband, Kendall celebrated their third wedding anniversary. As usual, I love what she wrote, and she has given me permission to share it with you. Kendall and Meadow are currently living in Japan as Kendall is an engineer with Nissan. They are looking forward to their second baby in April 2020.

MY TRUE IDENTITY
“Three years ago we entered this covenant relationship called marriage . . . how much growing has happened since then! While the honeymoon season was exciting and sweet and filled with so much joy, I'm so glad I'm not the same person I was back then.

I was an insecure wife. I had the most affectionate and loving husband who adored me, but that did not cure my insecurity. This was because my identity was in the wrong place. No matter how much my husband assured me, I kept buying the lie that many women believe these days that I will never "be enough.”

This past year, God has been showing me where my true identity lies. Even though it's wonderful that my husband finds me beautiful and loves me, my value does not come from what my husband or others think of me. It comes from what God says about me, and who He created me to be.

Now that I don't have to look to my husband to find my value and worth, I can just love him, truly love him. Insecurity is so selfish. Sometimes we think it's humility, but it's really keeping our eyes on ourselves, instead of becoming love.

A few months ago, I told my husband, "I'm so sorry I've been insecure for so long. That wasn't loving to you."

Marriage isn't about having your needs fulfilled by someone else. It isn't about finding your value. Marriage isn't even 50/50. Marriage is "I love you." It isn't "I love you; do you love me too?"

My husband is such a blessing to me. I'm still amazed that I got to marry him. I think about how much God must love me to give me such a wonderful gift as him, but that's exactly what he is for me. He's my gift. But I am only fulfilled by Christ. And when two people are fulfilled by Christ, there are no more false expectations you put on your spouse.

I'm so thankful God is showing me how to love Kendall more. I know I have more to learn, but He is creating a work in me.

MEADOW HALL
Facebook: Meadow Hall
Instagram: _m_e_a_d_o_w_
Photo: Celebrating their wedding anniversary at the New York Grill in Tokyo.

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THE BIG QUESTION

BigQuestionsHe was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'

A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high,
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zigzag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.

‘'I've been to Bible School,” he said
And turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
‘I've learned a lot about God.’

“M'mm, very fine way,” the neighbor said,
“For a boy to spend his time.
If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.”

Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
“I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't.”

~ Unknown

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WHO DO WE TRUST?

GodBiggerWhen Jesus was moved with compassion towards the hungry people who came to listen to him, he asked Philip where they could buy bread to feed them all. Philip replied that eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for all the thousands of people (John 6:7).

I think that would have been my reply too! Like me, Philip looked at the situation—they had no money, and even if they did, where could they get enough food to feed this multitude? Philip hadn’t yet learned to look past his situation and circumstances and look to his God.

Do you think we could change our thinking too? We are so prone to look at the difficulties or trauma we face. We think of the worst. But God wants us to look to Him. He is bigger than any situation that looms in front of us. When we look up to Him and trust Him, it’s amazing what happens. Our circumstances may not change but our attitude does! And that makes all the difference.

When you cast your burden upon the Lord, He will sustain you. When you can’t see your way out, don’t despair. Keep trusting God. Have patience. God is working all things out in His wonderful way.

Psalm 78:19 says that the children of Israel “spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”

Can we change our confession from “Can God?” to “Thank You, Father. I trust You. I know You are in control.”

Have a blessed day,

Nancy Campbell

 
 
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TRUTH BREATHING MOTHERS

TruthBreathingWhat are you breathing today? Of course you breathe to keep alive, but what else are you breathing? Threatenings to your children? Or love and kindness and truth?

Proverbs 12:17 (AMP) states: “He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness.” Isn’t that interesting? I checked it in the Strong’s Concordance, and yes, it is absolutely correct! The Hebrew, “puach”, means “to breathe, to puff.”

We breathe without thinking; it is completely natural to us. It should also become natural to us to breathe out truth. Truth breathing mothers are powerful mothers. Of course, before we can naturally breathe it out, we must be filled with truth. Richly filled. And then we’ll be richly filling our children’s hearts (Colossians 3:16).

May we become so filled with truth that we breathe it out unconsciously. This is the picture of the virtuous women. Every time she opened her mouth, she breathed out godly wisdom (Proverbs 31:26). Constantly dropping seeds of truth throughout the day.

Be blessed today, Nancy Campbell

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THERE’S A LIGHT IN EACH PERSON

LigfhtPersonEach new baby is born with the stamp of God upon them.

John 1:9 describes Jesus, who was God, being the true Light, “which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Each person has an awareness of God for they are created in the “image and likeness” of God. They have a conscience. They have a knowingness of God.

Gerhard Eberling writes of “a spark of the Eternal implanted in the first human person and in all subsequent human progeny.”

This is the great blessing of children being born into a godly home. Godly parents will fan this flame. As you teach your children the ways of God and His Word the light increases. More understanding and revelation of God fills their lives.

That’s why children who are daily fed God’s Word can come to know Christ at an early age. They can be born again into God’s family while they are young. Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15: “From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Young children can receive Christ into their lives at three and four years of age.

Most of our children came to Christ at four years of age. They are in their fifties today and have never deviated from walking with God.

In an ungodly home where Jesus is never mentioned and His Word is never opened, this light can be dimmed and squelched. If it is an atheistic home, it may have a lot of water thrown on it. But the spark is always there. No human is exempt. Therefore, no matter how degraded the person, we can continue to witness to them of the truth of the gospel. The spark of light is waiting to be lit.

As parents, we keep fueling the light that God has put in our children. We want them to shine brightly. And we keep brining the gospel to children and adults who have no one to fan their flame.

When our children were small, we lived near a school. I used to have a Joy Time Club once a week and gather in children after school. I was able to share the gospel and teach God’s Word to up to 40 children each week.

Let’s keep lighting the flame.

Love from Nancy Campbell

 
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BEFORE I WAS A MOM . . .

BeforeWasMomBefore I was a Mom

I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.

Before I was Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on,
Pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on,
Or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of . . .
My thoughts, my body, and my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could
do tests.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't
want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces; when I
couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my
life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside
my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to
feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me
feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every
10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love,
the heartache, the wonderment, or the
satisfaction of being a mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

~ Unknown.

Painting by George Moreau de Tours (1848 – 1901) French.

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ARE YOU COOPERATING?

StopBringingThis is such a powerful truth. Every human being is created in the image of God. We are theomorphic, created to bear His image in the earth. Each new baby is another revelation of His image and likeness. What an incredible privilege to cooperate with God to bring forth The image and likeness of God into the earth. #imagebearers #ilovemotherhood #powerofmotherhood #mothering #joyfulmothering #aboverubies

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WILL YOU BE AT THE FEAST?

Invitation"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb"
(Revelation 10:7-9).

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A MOTHER!

FeetWashWho helps to cheer the daily round?

A Mother!
Or smooths our cares when they abound?
A Mother!
Who makes the home a haven sweet,
With love and comradeship complete?
Where turn each night the eager feet?
A Mother!

Who softly croons a cradle song?
A Mother!
Or soothes her babe the whole night long?
A Mother!
Who tends with such unwearied care,
Her household, and her children, fair?
Who bears them up to God in prayer?
A Mother!

~ Anon

Painting by Michael Malm

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BABIES DON’T KEEP!

BabiesKeepBABIES DON’T KEEP!

Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo)
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due,
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peek-a-boo)
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for
stew,
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo,
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait ‘till
tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my
sorrow,
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep!

~ Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

PAINTING BY MICHAEL GARMASH

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AN UNMISTAKABLE SCENT

UnmistakableWhat kind of aromas fill your home? Sweet or bad smells? The flesh gives off sour, bitter, grumpy, and horrible smells, doesn't it? They make everyone in the home feel bad and want to run! But Christ in us is a sweet-smelling savor, and He wants us to exude His sweet aroma throughout the home. Most husbands love fragrant perfumes (well, my husband does), but more than perfumes, we should constantly wear the perfume of Christ in our lives.

II Corinthians 2:14 (J. B. Phillip's translation) always challenges me: "We should have about us the unmistakable scent of Christ." What’s the fragrance in your home? Are your husband and children avoiding you or running to you?

(II Corinthians 2:14 (HCSB) says: “But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in EVERY PLACE.” God wants us to be a “sweet” aroma in “EVERY PLACE.”

Every place includes our home! It means in the midst of what we are doing--when children are making us crazy, when our husband is rubbing us the wrong way, and when we are doing the mundane chores like changing dirty diapers!

Keep sweet.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Painting: The Swing Art by Morgan Frederick

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ARE YOU IN A BATTLE?

BattleGodsIsn’t it nice when everything is peaceful and lovely? We would rather not be in a battle, would we? But did you know that God leads us into battles? If you are facing a battle right now, maybe it’s God who has you the battle.

Exodus 23:20 says: “For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.” That’s not one battle, but many! And who is leading them into battle? God!

But God does not send you into battles on your own. He is with you in the battle. He is with you to win. His promise to you is: “I will cut them off.”

But we also must remember that although God fights for us, He also expects us to fight in the battle too. God gives us many examples of this in His Word. Here are a couple for you:

God’s part: “When the LORD your God delivers them over to you . . .
Your part: “and you defeat them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy” (Deuteronomy 7:2 (HCSB).

God’s part: “The LORD your God will cross over ahead of you as a consuming fire; He will devastate and subdue them before you . . .
Your part: “You will drive them out and destroy them swiftly, as the LORD has told you” (Deuteronomy 9:3 (HCSB).

Are you fighting a battle and feeling discouraged? Thank God that He is with you. Acknowledge that with His help you will win and cut off the enemy who is seeking to destroy your family.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

 
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NO NEED TO LANGUISH!

BeInspiredAs you wait for the miracle of finance for the new magazine, I want to remind you that you can continue to be blessed in so many ways through the ministry of Above Rubies.

Although Above Rubies began as a magazine and it has always been my main thrust to get out God’s truth for families through this magazine, I continue to share the truth in many other ways. I hope you can make the most of these ways to be encouraged and inspired (and even challenged) each new day.

WEEKLY PODCAST:
FROM MY HOME TO YOURS W/ NANCY CAMPBELL
I know you will be so blessed by this podcast to encourage you as a wife and mother. It comes out each Tuesday morning.
You can go to the home page of Above Rubies to click on it.
You can go to http://ARPoddy.buzzsprout.com
You can listen on Google and Apple Podcasts on or your favorite pod app.

Oh yes, we also do TRANSCRIPTS for the podcasts. Go to the front page of the web page, www.aboverubies.org to pick them up.

WEEKLY LIVE TALK SHOW:
TEA TIME AND TALK SHOW WITH ERIN AND NANCY
This is a live Talk Show where Erin Harrison (Keeper of the Homestead Blog) and I talk with you about all the different aspects of marriage, motherhood, homemaking, and the joys and challenges of womanhood.

We are currently going through Proverbs 31. You can pick up the link each week from my Facebook.

WEEKLY EMAIL DEVOTION
These devotions are a little longer and meatier than the ones I send to you each day on Facebook. They are filled with God’s truths and will help you grow in God’s ways for womanhood. They come straight to your email box.

I am currently doing a series called ARE YOU IN A WILDERNESS? You will be amazed to find many surprises even while going through a wilderness experience.To receive them go to:
http://aboverubies.org/magaz…/subscribe-to-womens-devotional

SPORADIC ABOVE RUBIES NEWSLETTER
From time to time, I prepare a mini online Above Rubies to catch you up with news and encouraging stories and articles. If you subscribe to this, you will also hear when we have a sale and you can make the most of discounted books, etc.
http://aboverubies.org/magaz…/subscribe-to-womens-devotional

ABOVE RUBIES FACEBOOK
I seek to post an encouraging word to you EACH NEW DAY to motivate you as wives and mothers on this Facebook. I know you will be blessed. Check it out each day.
https://www.facebook.com/AboveRubiesUS/

ABOVE RUBIES INSTAGRAM
_above_rubies_
https://www.instagram.com/_above_rubies_/

TWITTER
https://twitter.com/aboverubiesusa

ABOVE RUBIES WEB SITE
www.aboverubies.org
Make the most of this website for ordering books and DVDs to inspire you in your high calling of mothering and parenting.
http://aboverubiesbookstore.mybigcommerce.com/

Also loads of articles and testimonies to read on about 40 different subjects regarding family life. You are sure to find great articles and testimonies on any issue you need encouragement.
http://aboverubies.org/index.php/articles-stories

I trust that all this is enough to keep you filled up each day and each week. Share these links with friends so they can also be blessed and encouraged in their great calling.

Much love to you,

Nancy Campbell

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YOU ARE A WORLD CHANGING MOTHER AS YOU RAISE WORLD CHANGERS FOR GOD

Raft“Through childbearing God’s providence supplies humanity with problem solvers, world changers, and every other sort of individual. It is through this same mode that God Himself was able to come into the world to become human and become the ultimate problem solver and world changer.”

~ Bill Oord, BC.

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WORKING FOR THE KING OF KINGS

WorkingKingNot only does God call mothering and homemaking a “good” thing (Titus 2:3-5 and I Timothy 5:10), but there's something else! He also tells us how to do these good things! How do you think we should do them? Grudgingly? Reluctantly? Complainingly? No, the word is “DILIGENTLY”!

Do you want to know the real meaning of the word? The Greek is “akribos” and it literally means "perfectly, exactly, and circumspectly." No room for slovenliness! No room for half-heartedness! No room for sloppiness!

Don’t forget who you are working for today—the King of kings and Lord of lords! That sets the tone, doesn’t it?

Have a blessed day,

Nancy Campbell

 
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Above Rubies Address

AboveRubies
Email Nancy

PO Box 681687
Franklin, TN 37068-1687

Phone : 931-729-9861
Office Hrs 9am - 5pm, M - F, CTZ