Decorations coming down

Christmas is over for this year. I love Christmas! But our tree is now out in the back yard! Jerry has taken the outside decorations all down and put them away. I'll be putting the nativity sets away for another year. I leave one out all year! It's very unique. Sort of international. Wise men are searching for the Jesus and have come on horse back, elephant, and camel or llama, (I'm not sure which it is!) It doesn't matter...wise men still seek Jesus today! Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus are in a bubble that snows! They have moved from the stable to a palace! There is also a music box! Again...wise men still seek Jesus today!

Quiet!

It's very quiet at our house this morning! Sydney and Isabella went home yesterday afternoon, after being here for ten days! They're very good little girls, active and sweet! They helped to keep us young!!! Because I burned my hand and had a rotten cold almost the whole time they were here they did their best to help me. Jessica and Haleigh also helped out by inviting them over to play and even had some sleep-overs! I think my cold settled in my sinuses and I'll have to go to the doctor to get over that. The meds I'm taking relieve me but they don't get rid of the problem so I'll have to make a visit to our family doctor. Syd and Bella wanted to go sledding again before they went home so Ted took them after dinner yesterday. But the hill was very bumpy and hard so it wasn't nearly as much fun as it was on Saturday. In fact, it hurt! We need a new thick layer of fluffy snow! Thank you, Lord, for quiet; granddaughters; snow; doctors; medicine; and You!

Sledding!

I took Sydney & Bella to the city forest sledding this afternoon. Did they have fun! It's a very big hill! When we first arrived there were some people there but when we left there were lots of people there! Too many, even. The first time down the hill Bella went by herself and it was very scary for her. She went fast and even spun around and went backwards so she wasn't in control and was really scared, but then the two girls went together and she loved it. She was even willing to go alone again. When I finally said it was time to go home neither one of them wanted to but I was cold. Thank you, Lord, for fun times.

Cookies

We finally got to make our cookies! We took out the Santa, Christmas tree, camel, and any other cookie cutters that were obviously Christmas, and had fun just making and decorating cookies ! Haleigh was also with us. Lord, thank you for my granddaughters and for their patience with me.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Sydney and Isabella sang for us early this morning, it wasn't six o'clock but it was still early: 6:40! We had a good morning of opening presents. Sydney and Bella discovered that Santa found them at our house and left them each a stocking! Their daddy got them a DVD player for the car! I gave Jerry a tom tom, a navigation system, for the car. We'll never get lost again! We also got lots of candy and other gifts! A gift card for Kohl's for Sydney and Bella and Haleigh means a fun shopping trip this week! Ted made a unique 3 tier candle holder for me out of copper. He made a poker for Jerry for the wood stove from an old lightning rod off an old barn! Pam gave me a unique nativity set to add to my collection! It has water running from the pot into a stream! Also a box of the sweetest oranges from Florida! Rob & Jessica gave me some bath items and a gift card for apple bees. Beautiful family pictures from Christy's family. Jerry gave me my new lap top and printer/scanner (earlier). Oh, there was lots more but that's enough for now. Oh, yes, Andrew gave me a CD of Rod Stewart! It has some of my favorite songs on it, like "My Funny Valentine" and "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm!" Thank you, again, Lord, for beautiful family times. Help us to remember: Jesus is the reason for the season! Wise men still seek HIM!

My Burned Fingers!

Sydney wrote a blog telling about me burning my fingers with boiling honey so I thought I'd better explain about it. Sydney is typing for me. She's eight years old! Sydney , Isabella , Haleigh and I were going to make cookies. The recipe I chose to use called for honey. Wouldn't you know it ...the honey had crystallized. I put it in the microwave oven for just a few seconds...too long! It
boiled! I got it out but pouring it into the measuring cup was my mistake! The boiling honey ran
all the way down my fingers! I ran cold water on them to get the honey washed off. That felt good! Rob and Jessica came over as fast as they could! Rob is an emergency ski patroller and Jessica is a nurse so they took over. Thanks Rob and Jessica. The cookies are on hold! Today my fingers are blistered and swollen. Jerry is taking good care of me today. He rewrapped it and gets after me when I forget and start to use my hand for something. My granddaughters are a big help to me too. I praise you, Lord, because you are my healer. Thank you for family for taking over when I'm not able to do the normal things and for their knowledge of what to do in an emergency. Thank you for Sydney and her help.

A note from Sydney

My grandma got burned on her fingers, with boiling honey! She hurts really bad, she almost cried. Uncle rob and anut Jessica came becuase they know how to fix hurt people. She still hurts bad. So grandpa and I have to do all the work! I have to fix lunch now so I better go!

Excitment!

This sign was taped to our guest room door by Sydney! I laughed and then remembered back to when our own kids were young and Christmas was so exciting. Lots of secrets and whispering went on. Every year on Christmas morning we were awakened at 6:00 AM by 5 kids singing,"We Wish You A Merry Christmas!" Actually their whispering and shhhhing was what woke us up! It was a wonderful tradition made up by our own kids. Even Grandma drove out to our house early so she wouldn't miss the excitement of opening gifts. One year we were awakened about 3:00 AM by one lone little boy singing at the top of his lungs, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas!" He just couldn't wait! I convinced him he needed to go back to bed and to sleep until the rest got up to sing with him! Thank you Lord for good family times and for kids and grand kids! Most of all, thank you for Jesus! Jesus is the reason for the season!

More Graduation pictures

#1 Katie, Matthew, Gene, Jerry, & Pam #2 Gloria & Len #3 Crowd & Mascot #4 Andrew & proud Mom!

Thank you, Lord, for family and for wonderful occasions, like graduations!

Family Time

We all met in the Country Inn at Houghton, MI on Friday afternoon, went out for supper together and had a good family time. #1 - Katie & Andrew warming up by the fire. #2 - Two grandpa's, Jerry & Len. #3 - Brothers & friends, Matthew and Andrew. #4- Mother & Daughter, Anita & Pam. #5 - Katie & Andrew by the motel Christmas tree. Thank you, Lord, for good family times.

Senior luncheon

Tom, Peggy, and Ed are all first timers! Later Peggy played her cello for us!

Dave and son, Mark: the party crasher! That's okay, he was here from Illinois visiting Mom & Dad!

Dee on the flute, Peggy on the cello, and Lois on the piano! We sang lots of Christmas carols!

Duane, Val, Mary, Al, and Harold sang for us. It was all very good.

Today was the day for our senior luncheon. The weather was bad so there weren't as many there as would have been otherwise. But we also had some party crashers! Let us not give up meeting together..., but let us encourage one another... Hebrews 10:25

Graduation

#1 Andrew & proud Dad & Mom! #2 It's no joke, Andrew is a college graduate with a degree in electrical engineering! Picture #3 is Katie and Andrew! #4 he's getting his diploma! Yeah!!! #5 is a sea of black caps and red tassel's!

A few weeks ago I wrote about having to make a tough decision NOT to go to Andrew's graduation. Well, circumstances changed! We did go and it was wonderful! We're so glad we went. It was an eight hour drive up to Houghton, Michigan to Michigan Technological University. It's far north in the upper peninsula of Michigan. We drove up on Friday and arrived in time to eat supper with Andrew, Katie, Pam, Gene, Matthew, Gloria, and Len. It was wonderful to see everyone again. Graduation was at 10:30 Saturday morning. We left to drive home after taking pictures, giving congratulations, etc. We arrived back home about 10:00 P.M. It was a long drive but it was definitely worth it! We're very proud of our oldest grandchild! Picture #6 is the proud grad! #7 Andrew with Jerry and me! #8 Andrew with his two favorite grandma's, Gloria and me! #9 Andrew with both sets of grandparents! Gloria & Len and Jerry & me. #10 Gene, Andrew, Matthew, & Pam. Dear Father, I praise you because You are our Maker. Forgive me for taking You for granted. Thank you for family. Thank you for Andrew. Please guide him as he enters a whole new phase of life now. He'll soon be going off to a new job and a whole new life. Please guide him and watch over him. I love him but You love him even more! Thank you for Andrew.

Star of Bethlehem

Last evening we watched the second half of Star of Bethlehem. Oh my goodness, I'm in awe at the greatness of God. I'm in awe at the preciseness of His creation and His timing. Nothing just happened along the way or was done haphazerdly. God is Sovereign and I praise Him.

Nativity

Jesus loves the people in Haiti!

Jesus loves the Hmong People from SE Asia and many here in the US. This Nativity scene was hand stitched by a Hmong friend.

Jesus came for the Native Americans.

A set from my mom!





Jesus loves the folks in the Middle East.

We bought this one in Bethlehem.
I have a collection of nativity sets. I'm trying to get sets from as many different countries as I can or at least countries where I've been to. These are only a few and some of my favorites. I've been asked how many I have and I truthfully don't know! I'm always on the lookout for a new unique set. "Jesus loves the little children of the world," and also the grown-ups! Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

One more to go...

Jesus loves the Eskimos too!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Christy! This was a very happy day in the life of our family...back then we didn't know if the new baby was a boy or girl until the baby was born. You were just what we hoped for...a girl. Of course we'd have been happy either way but with your birth we had two boys and two girls. Have fun celebrating your birthday this coming weekend with your friends!!! I wish I could be there too! Be sure to tell me all about it. Lord, thank you for Christy. She's a great wife and mom, daughter and sister, and friend. Please guide her and keep Your Hand upon her in all she does. Help her to remember: "The joy of the Lord is our strength."

Syd and Bella

We got to be with our granddaughter's, Syd and Bella, yesterday. Oh, are they growing! Bella has lost her two bottom front teeth. That's all she wants for Christmas! Just kidding! Father, please keep them in your loving care as they grow up. Thank you for Syd and Bella.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Rob! Oh my goodness, thirty-five years ago today I had my fifth and last baby! And what a joy you were! As you grew up you turned into kind of a dare devil! You loved to take risks! I don't know where you got that from! But it has paid off because today you are a Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Tech. We're very proud of you...a Christian, husband, father, son, brother, friend. Thank you, Lord, for Rob! Please guide him through life as a husband, a father, at work, and on the ski slopes. Keep Your Hand upon him and draw him close to You.

DVD

Last evening we saw the first half of a DVD, Star of Bethlehem. It left us wowed and awed! I can't wait to see the second half next Wed. evening. If you have a chance to see it, do. Today I want to start looking up all the scriptures that go with it. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made Him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned Him with glory and honor. Psalms 8:3-5.

Jerry

Here's my boyfriend watching football on TV.
And here's my husband smiling at me!
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Jerry. He loves me! And I love him.

Live Nativity

Today we went to Covenant Hills to a live nativity. It was very cold out. We rode in a wagon pulled by Clydesdale horses - # 1. Mary, Joseph, & baby Jesus - # 2. Shepherd's arrive - # 3. Shepherd's keeping warm by fire (Pat & Cherilyn & sons) - # 4. There were hundreds of lights and displays. It was well done. We almost didn't go because a big snow storm was predicted. But nothing was happening at five o'clock when we left here. It started snowing a few minutes before we left to come back home. It is turning into quite a snow storm. We're glad we went though, it was a very good evening with two other couples: Penn & Joan, Richard & Marilyn, and Jerry & me. We're getting lots of snow now. We saw other folks we know like Doyle & Margaret. It was a good evening. Thank you, Lord for good friends. Thank you for dedicated people who give of themselves for others even when it's terribly cold out. Thank you for Jesus: the reason for the season!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Madelyn! I can't believe a whole year has gone by since you were born! You are one of the sweetest and prettiest little baby granddaughters we've ever had! You are #6 of our granddaughters and # 13 in all! We were there when you were born so we know how sweet you are! The problem is we haven't seen you since, except in pictures! But that will change, probably in February! Thank you, Lord, for our little Maddie! Please keep Your Hand upon her as she grows into toddler stage and even well beyond that. We all love her so much but Your Love is far greater than we can even imagine. I Praise You!

A Tough Decision

We made a tough decision yesterday. Andrew is graduating this month. Wow! Are we proud! We had planned to go to see our oldest grandson graduate from university but we had to make a decision and so decided not to go! I don't understand universities that limit the number of folks who can attend. At the last minute extra tickets will be available to those students who need more. We're talking about going up to the upper peninsula and way west. We can't book a motel in hope that we'll get tickets, we can't know in advance what the weather will be. It's too far to go and then not get in for the graduation. What a dilemma! So, we made the tough decision not to go. It's a big disappointment. Lord, thank you for Andrew! He's a great person. Thank you for his accomplishments. Help him to seek Your guidence. We know You have a plan for him. I praise You because You are Love.

Big Error!

Oh boy, did I goof! It was several blogs ago on the one titled Grandchildren. In it I wrote a little blurb on each grandchild. On the one about Haleigh I told about her new puppy, Plaid. I said Plaid was a Shih Tzu, which is right. My mistake was that I totally blew the spelling. Yes, Annie, I spelled Shih Tzu wrong! I remember checking the spelling but apparently it's not in the computer dictionary! The reason I caught it today is because there's a picture in the newspaper of a model holding a little Shih Tzu in a tote bag! So I went back to my old blog and corrected my error and now I'm confessing it to you! I hope the newspaper is right! Thank you, Lord, for loving us. Sometimes we just make little tiny innocent mistakes, like this one that I made, but sometimes we make huge mistakes. Thank you for making a provision (Jesus), for us to be forgiven no matter how big or small our mistakes (sins) are.

Christmas Is Coming!

We have a good start on decorating for Christmas. I mailed a package today and three over seas Christmas cards. We got our first two cards in the mail today. So, yes, Christmas is coming. I'll be mailing the bulk of my cards in the next few days, so if you're on my list, be watching for it. Dear Lord, in all the business of the season, help us to remember that Christmas is the remembrance of the birth of Your Son, Jesus. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Unbelievable!

This is totally unbelievable to me! I sat upstairs in the loft in my Lazy Boy recliner with my lap top and read, then wrote an e-mail to my daughter, Christy! How cool is that? Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

Whole New System!

Oh boy! I'm on-line now on my new lap top! Wow! I can hardly believe it! I'm having to learn a whole new system of doing things! A well meaning, very good, friend told me to stick with XP but my daughter-in-law told me to be sure I ordered the new Vista. Well, I know I'm slow (now that I'm aging!) but I still want the latest! So I'll learn the new system...it may take me longer than the average bear but I'll learn! So be patient with me, okay? It took me all day to get on-line! But I did it! Thank you, Heavenly Father, for my new lap top computer. Thank you for helping me to get on-line and for giving me the ability to understand at least a little bit of what I'm doing. Help me to use this for Your Glory and to Honor You in all I write.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Annie! Oh, you're so far away! And I guess your birthday is actually all over with now! I'm not late, but yet, I am late! I hope you had a great birthday! Knowing your family and your dorm brothers and sisters, I'm sure you did! You were our first granddaughter! We already had three grandsons when you were born so you were welcome indeed! Happy, happy birthday! Dear Lord, thank you for Annie. She is a blessing to our family and to You! Please guide her through her teen years. Help her to remember that You have a plan just for her and it's the best!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland! Ted and his family came last night so they came through rain but no snow. I was just glad when they arrived safely. Well, now, the turkey is in the oven, the pies we baked yesterday so they are sitting pretty and delicious looking; 2 apple and 2 pumpkin. By the way, Gene, Jerry peeled the apples for me! Thanks for giving him the idea! I've got to get my dinner roll dough mixed next. I can imagine everyone working on dinner, the same as I am. To my family in Colorado: I wish I could be there too! 17 of you, wow! I hope you have a wonderful day. To Lorraine: where ever you are, Washington or Oregon, have a great, wonderful, blessed day. To the Georgia family: have a happy, blessed Thanksgiving. To the Illinois family: have a happy blessed Thanksgiving. To the Malaysia family: have a happy blessed Thanksgiving. To our family right here in Michigan: have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. WOW, that's alot of family! To all my friends everywhere: Have a blessed Happy Thanksgiving Day. Thank you Lord, for all the many, many blessings You've given us here in the USA. Thank you for life and love. Thank you most of all for Jesus.

Present

On my birthday I mentioned that Jerry was buying me a certain gift and when I got it I'd say what it was. Well, it came today. I'd better say right up front that it's now my birthday present and Christmas present! A Dell Lap Top Computer was delivered here today! I love it! Of course I knew it was coming because I ordered it. I have a lot to learn...I nearly panicked when it came today. But I've been reading and playing with it and figuring things out on it. I'm not on line with it yet but I will be soon. I've got to get the old computer, desk top, cleaned out and get organized. So you know what I'll be doing for the next several days! Oh Lord, thank you for all this new technology. Thank you for helping me to learn how to use computers. Thank you for my old computer and for my new lap top. Help me to use it for Your Glory. Help me not to abuse it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Mumps???!

Max has the mumps! We hardly ever hear about mumps these days. It was such a relief when they came out with the shots for mumps, that was when my kids were small. Max had the shots but maybe needed a booster shot. I was about the same age as Max when I had them. Oh, was I sick. I had them on one side and when that side went down I got them on the other side! I was sick for about a month! Hopefully, he'll get help, which we didn't have when I was young.
Lord, You are our Healer. I praise You. You are All Knowing. You know all about Max and these mumps. You know where he got them from. Please, touch him. Help the rest of the family not to get them.

GrandMEN!

These two young men are our grandsons! I'm very impressed with them! They have turned into two of the finest young men I know! I caught Matthew working on his computer and Andrew is in a candid pose! Matthew is a college sophomore and Andrew will graduate from college next month! I love you guys! Heavenly Father, thank you for Matthew and Andrew. Please keep Your Hands upon them. They are both at such strategic times in their lives. Help them as they make life changing choices and decisions. Help them to seek Your Will. Please be with Andrew as he goes for interviews.

Emergency!

We just made an unexpected trip to Illinois. I wrote about Pam having an appendectomy last week. We went to be with her and help out any way we could. We're back home now. Home is always good! We left there this morning. Gene is very efficient and his mother cooked supper for all of us two times and was planning on fixing dinner today, with us included, but we felt like Pam was being very well taken care of without us so it was okay to leave her in their hands. We saw improvment in her each day. It was kind of amazing. Here's a list of the little bit that we did: Jerry helped Gene clear the front yard of leaves, and worked on a wood project for Gloria; I baked a couple of apple pies (with Gene's help), folded a basket of socks, did a little dusting, and changed the sheets on our bed so it's ready for their next company. Oh man, I just thought of something I meant to do and forgot. Well, it's too late now. Hopefully, Gene did it. I know you're not interested in what I did but, like I've said before, this is my journal written for myself!
Lord, thank you for allowing us to go to help Pam out, for giving us a safe trip, most of all for touching Pam's body. Please help her to continue to heal and gain her strength back. I praise You because You are our Healer.

Pam

What's next? Pam didn't feel well Tuesday so she left work early. Wednesday she still felt bad, like she had the flu, so she stayed home and called the doctor. After describing her symptoms the nurse told her to go to emergency. Pam didn't want to but they wouldn't give her an appointment so she asked Matthew to drive her to emergency. He took her but couldn't stay because he had class with a test scheduled so he was to go back and pick her up after the test. When he got back she had been admitted to the hospital and was being prepped for surgery! She had had an appendicitis attack! So Matthew had the job of calling Gene and telling him in a cool, calm voice, that mom was being prepped for surgery, so he wouldn't break all speed records getting to the hospital! Today is Friday and she just came home. She's got to take it easy for a few days but then she should be fine. We never know when something is going to happen! Thank you, Lord. You are our Healer. Thank you for being with Pam; for helping her to get to the hospital before her appendix burst! For giving the nurses wisdom to tell her to go to emergency; for guiding the surgeon's hands. Thank you for Pam.

Grandchildren

I haven't bragged too much on my grand kids, have I? Let's see: 1. Andrew graduates from MTU in Dec. Go Andrew! 2. Matthew is a college sophomore. I'm very proud of him! 3. Kaleb is junior class vice president! He's still growing! 4. Tyler is in high school now. Doing well with guitar lessons. 5. Annie is doing well in school, loves her dorm sisters and brothers, plays flute in the band, and plays volleyball. 6. Max played football this fall. He was hurt near the end of the season...suffered a concussion. After having a headache for several days he's fine now. 7. Megan is growing up too and is in middle school. I can't believe it! She's learning to play the flute. 8. Haleigh is in a stix ministry and loves it. She has a little Shih Tzu puppy, Plaid! 9. Miller is doing well in school and growing like a weed! 10. Sydney is learning to play piano! 11. Isabella loves kindergarten, lost her first tooth and has another one loose! 12. Mason loves going to kindergarten and loves riding his bike. Christy put #13. Maddie down on the floor after her nap one day last week...Maddie walked across the room and hasn't stopped walking yet! She turns one Dec. 1! Lord, thank you, for all 13 of our grandchildren! They are all precious! Guide them, keep Your Hand upon them.

Cameron

Cameron is home! He is finally released from the hospital. He's the little boy I wrote about the other day. He was very sick, and on a ventilator. He's almost 2 years old, his birthday is close to Thanksgiving Day. This year the family has much to be thankful for! Thank you, Lord, for Cameron and for touching his little body. Please reveal Yourself to the family. Help them to know You are the Almighty Healer.

Good evening

Last evening was an interesting, delicious, fun, creative time! A friend is working on a project and gave me a great compliment! She called and asked for my help! No better compliment then that! I said, "Sure, I'll help you." So she said, "Okay, we'll bring supper!" What fun! All I did was set the table and we ate a delicious supper! After it was cleared up, we spent the evening working on her project. It's something I love to do so it was fun. We're not quite finished yet but almost. Thank you, Lord, for friends, for creativity, for good food, and most of all, for the Love of Jesus.

Persecuted Church

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We have no idea what the Christians around the world go through in order to worship God. Did you know there are 18 Christians who die every hour because of their belief in Jesus? I can't imagine it. We had a very unique worship service today to help us understand, in a small way, what Christians in some countries go through to worship God. The doors going into the sanctuary were closed and paper was over the windows so we couldn't see in. There were black curtains going into the back hallway that we had to go through after we left our Bibles in the lobby. We were quietly led into the sanctuary through the side door. The chairs had all been turned around to face the back of the building. Reason? We have a cross up in front and in other countries a cross would not be allowed. There was no sound system used today. Hymns were printed onto sheets of paper and laying on the seats. A Cello, guitar, and drums played softly and we sang softly. We even sang silently! For scripture today folks were invited to stand and quote a verse from memory. I felt the Lord's presence as I listened to the verses being quoted. We really have no idea what other Christian folks go through to worship God. We take it for granted. Heavenly Father, I praise You because You are Omnipresent. Forgive me for taking You for granted. Life is too easy here. Thank you for loving me anyway. Help me to be a better witness for You. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the Power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the gentile." Romans 1:16

Veterans Day

Today is the day to remember all our war veterans. We've had many in just our own family. Jerry's brothers, Bob-WWII; Jim-Korean Conflict; brother-in-law, Roger-WWII; uncle, Harry-WWI; and others that I can't think of or don't know of. In my own family my brother, Richard-Korean Conflict; uncle, Richard-WWII; nephew, Woody-Desert Storm; cousin, LJ-WWII; cousin once removed, Louis-WWI; and others I can't think of. I'm sure we had some who fought in the Civil War and the War of 1812. We also had some who were in the military but didn't have to fight in a war; Jerry; Sean; Roger; and more. We honor all of them today and every day. Heavenly Father, I don't like war and I know You don't either. It's because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve that sin entered into the world and therefore, war. It's because of leaders who are greedy and who know nothing of the Love of Jesus. I praise You, Father, because You are Love. You are Ultimately In Control, even when it doesn't look like it. You have promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Ted! You were our second child of five and our first son of three! You were the smallest of all five babies, weighing just over 6 pounds and you grew up to be the tallest of all five siblings, just over 6 feet! We're looking forward to you coming here for the weekend. I'm fixing your favorite dinner from your childhood years - Chicken & Pork Adobo. Mmmm! Thank you, Lord, for Ted. He's a very good person, a terrific son, and a great dad. Keep him close to you. Help him to remember: The joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10

A Little Boy

We have a great-grand nephew, Cameron, who is in intensive care! He started out with a bad cold that wouldn't get better, just worse. Finally his mom, our grandniece, took him to emergency. He was admitted to the hospital that day, Mon or Tues. Then because our hospital doesn't have equipment small enough for a little child not quite two years he was transported to a bigger hospital in a larger city near by. We were called today and asked to pray for him, which we did. This was the first we even knew he was sick! Well then, I felt like I needed to go to the hospital and at least see his family to let them know we care. I didn't expect to see him. So his great-grandmother, Betty; Aunt Sandy, and I all went together. After a while we got to go in to see him. Well, he's doing a little better today. They're keeping him asleep so he can't pull the cords and tubes off. He's on a ventilator for breathing. He's a very sick little boy. On Monday the doctors hope to take the ventilator off. I don't know why I felt so impressed to go over but I did, and now, I'm glad I did. I just feel glad. Dear Lord, thank you for Cameron. Today was the first time I've ever seen him! He's a sweet little guy. I praise You, because You are our Healer. Please continue to touch his little body. Please reveal Yourself to his family. Help them to know that You are the Almighty Healer, You are Love.

Snow!

We're getting our first snow of the season! I love it! It's so beautiful. I love sitting in our sun room and watching it snow all around, with me sitting in the warmth. Thank you, Lord, for the seasons and for snow. You are the Creator. I praise You.

A New Day!

Well, a new day! I've already met with the Lord this morning...He was waiting for me! He always is. I read about Philip running along side of a chariot. That's a great story of obedience. Acts 8:26-40 I'm reminded of a time, years ago, when I felt so impressed to go to a friend who was moving away. I'm not writing it to boast but because I'm humbled to think the Lord gave me this experience. I had been taking care of a little girl while her mother taught school. One day she told me when school was over they'd be moving. Oh...all day I felt bad because they'd be leaving and because in all our talking we'd never talked about God. They didn't attend any church, she was a single mom. A few evenings later I was driving to the grocery store by myself and I felt the Lord talking to me about my friend. He seemed to be telling me I should stop by her apartment and talk to her about Him! Oh, I couldn't do that! No way! I shook my head and tried to think of other things but the Lord was very persistant and wouldn't leave me alone. So I began to argue with Him. Her younger brother also lived with her and her little girl and I said he would be there and so I couldn't talk to her alone. The Lord said, "No, he'll be in his bedroom doing his homework." So I reasoned Laura would be playing and interrupting us. "No, she'll be in bed asleep." Well, I was sure the TV would be on so we'd have a hard time talking. "No, the TV is off." I was sure my friend wouldn't be interested in anything I had to say about my relationship with God! "Yes, she will and I want you to stop by her place and talk with her." Well, I had to drive past her apartment building on my way home and when I got to her driveway, my car turned in! I knew I had to obey! I was scared to death but somehow I knew this was God telling me to talk to her. I knocked on her door, she was surprised to see me and invited me in. It was quiet in the living room. "Where's your brother?" I asked. He was in his bedroom studying! "Where's Laura?" She was in bed asleep! The TV was turned off! I said to her that I felt bad because they're moving away and because I've never taken time to tell her what I believe about God and about my personal relationship with Jesus. She actually told me she'd often wondered what I believed. She knew our home was a Christian home and she'd love to have me tell her! We had a good visit and then I left. When school ended they moved to another state and I've never heard from them. But I'm in awe that God asked me and trusted me to talk to her and how He went with me. Maybe, possibly, a seed was planted. Thank you, Lord, for your abiding presence. Thank you for experiences like this that I can look back on and remember how You were with me. Thank you for helping me and giving me the courage to be obedient.

Journaling

We went to a class this evening that was all about journals. It was interesting. I've been a journal er for years so I have my own ideas of what it should be. But it was interesting to hear of other folks ideas. I think my blogging is a kind of journaling. I don't write anything down that I don't or wouldn't want others to read or to know. But actually, my life is now an open book. I'm free to be me. I still have frustrations and I still get mad some times but in the end I turn everything over to the Lord and He sees me through. Sometimes I have to ask His forgiveness. My prayer is this: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23, 24. NIV

Daylight Savings Time

Well, here I am up at 6:30...I thought it was 7:30! I knew about the change when I went to bed but I didn't change any clocks so when I woke up I even thought I'd overslept! We seldom get up after 7:00. Jerry is still sleeping so I guess he remembers. Oh well, I've got coffee made and I'm ready for the day! I worked really hard yesterday on our Christmas card. I've got it about half done. I usually wait til after Thanksgiving but not this year. (I have a reason) Heavenly Father, this is the day You have made! Let me rejoice and be glad in it!

Jerry's New Toy!

Jerry has a new toy but he really needed it!

Mowing our grass and taking care of the leaves now that fall is here was just getting to be too much for him. We have our lawn tractor, which he used to use to mow, but it's so much work to take the blade off in the spring and put the mower on to mow the grass that he hasn't done that in several years. He's been using a push mower. He needs the tractor with the blade to plow the snow in winter. Sooo... now we have two tractors! This is quite loud, I think he'll need ear plugs with it. I'll look into that tomorrow. By the way, it's a used tractor not new. Thank you, Lord, for helping us find what Jerry needs to help keep the work done up. Thank you for Your many blessings to us.

Birthday Breakfast

We were invited to a birthday breakfast this morning at Cracker Barrel. It was very nice and was in honor of Joan. 14 of us met, we've all been friends for 40+ years! Picture # 1 is Al (Irene was working); #2 Penn & Joan; #3 Harold, Mary, & Frances; #4 Judy & Bob; #5 Richard & Marilyn; #6 Dave & Naomi. Happy Birthday, Joan! Thank you, Lord, for good friends. "Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another..." Heb 10:25