Thursday, February 28, 2008

Pilated Woodpecker

I was watching the bluebirds in the flowering crab tree when I noticed something large moving in a tall dead tree in Rob's yard . It's a straight shot through the woods from my window. I got out the binoculars to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. Yup, a Pilated Woodpecker! They are huge, 17 inches, according to my birdbook, black and white with a large, dark red crest on top of his head. I tried to zoom in with my camera but I couldn't get it. Maybe another day I can get a picture. It's a good thing we're retired so I have time for all this!!! Thank you, Lord, for the variety of birds we see every day! I praise You beecause You are the Creator!

Joe

I have a grand-nephew, Joe, whom I must write about! He’s 10 years old, a good student, not interested in sports but musically talented. Oh yes, he’s also a good looking kid! Joe was staying with Drougy, his grandma, for the weekend. Her birthday also came on that weekend. No problem...he’d take her out for her birthday dinner! When he arrived at her condo, he brought nice clothes for the occasion; extra money from his mom, my niece, Christine; and instructions to mind his manners! This was a real treat for Lorraine because Joe took care of everything! He made the reservations, seated Lorraine at their table, ordered their food, paid the bill, and left the tip! All she had to do was drive the car! Joe and the waitress even sang Happy Birthday to her! When Lorraine was telling me about it she said only once he looked at her and said he just might need some help...figuring the amount of the tip was tough...but suddenly he looked up with a grin and announced he had it! What a special evening for both of them! Lord, thank you for good times with grandchildren. Thank you for grandchildren! And thank you for grand-nephews, sisters, and nieces! Thank you for family! As Joe grows up, help him to know that You are real and that he is very special to You.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Bluebirds


This morning there were four Eastern Bluebirds in our Flowering Crab tree! Of course I took pictures! This bird flew over to a maple tree closer to our front porch so I was able to get a closer shot! Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of your creation. Thank you, for the technology of cameras. Thank you for bluebirds!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

I'm sooo excited!

I know...some of you are saying it doesn't take much to excite me! Well, bluebirds in the flowering crab tree in February excite me!!! I've been watching a bird that I wasn't sure what it was for a couple of days. Now, today I'm sure! Jerry saw them too. There were atleast two today. Eastern Bluebirds! I called our friends, Jane and Herb, he built and takes care of 70 bluebird houses up north every year! They believe me and are very excited too. They said the birds are migrating north. When they, our friends, go north in April the bluebirds will already be there! This flowering crab tree is the same one that a ruffled grouse was coming to for a while. Those little tiny sour apples must be awfully good! I wish I could get a picture but I know I can't. If I do happen to, you know I'll post it! Oh, thank You, Lord, for the beauty of bluebirds! Thank You for the wonder of nature!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Yesterday

I must write about yesterday. It was a very enlightning, interesting, and enriching day. Before I write any more let me thank those of you who wrote comments/e-mails. It showed me you really care. Hopefully some others were praying for me. Prayers were answered. During the sermon yesterday morning (which was very good) the Lord spoke to me and told me what I needed to do - forgive. With His help I have and the dark cloud is gone along with the resentment I was carrying. Last evening we had a service to receive communion. I was so glad I had listened to what the Lord had dealt with me on so I could receive communion with a clear heart. Pastor Dave had prepared the service in a different way. It was very good and effective. Instead of giving each one a tiny piece of bread or a wafer, he had plates of slices of bread. (Small loaves of homemade bread so the slices were small and soft...just right.) We always use grape juice instead of wine and he had dixie cups filled half way for us to drink instead of the tiny cups with just a swallow. He did it this way so we would have to take our time eating the bread and drinking the juice rather than just one swallow for each and going on our way. It was very effective! Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer, giving me a clean heart, and preparing me for receiving communion and thereby, giving me a fresh touch from You.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Chit-chat

How about just some chit-chat. Spring must be coming...! We had to change the timers on our lamps! They were turning on about 5:00 pm but just lately that's too early. It's still light out so Jerry changed them to 6:30. This is a good sign to me that spring is coming! It's still cold out though and we have lots of snow, and it's still only February!
Our newspaper had pictures of the moon eclipse like the ones I took except theirs were with a much better camera so the entire moon showed. I scanned them into my computer and tried to post them here but they won't post. The pictures come up black! They look good on my computer! Oh well, I tried.
I'm making some more changes...in the loft this time. It's been like a show room of our antiques but we need more sleeping room (our whole family is coming here in June!) So I'm getting it ready for a day bed. It'll be a nice cozy room where one or two people can sleep at night and a nice cozy sitting room during the day. So, yes, Vel, the antiques are going back into our bedroom! Oh well...
I sure could use some of your prayers on my behalf. I've been on a real downer for a few weeks and I need some relief from this. I've prayed, I've talked to Jerry, I've read my Bible, but I've not shared with anyone else. If you're a friend and feel like you can help me, please pray for me. If you want to talk to me, call or e-mail. I've tried covering it up but I'm tired of that. By the way, I've not given up...I'm still free to be me!
Well, enough chit-chat for now. Thank you, Lord, for friends we can confide in and who help us bear our burdens. Please lift this dark cloud from me. Help me to praise You in all things.

Friday, February 22, 2008

freetobeme

Recently I heard about a book titled Free To Be Me! Then I saw an article by the same name! Before I chose freetobeme as my blog name I had never heard it used. I chose it because I had recently been freed from spiritual bondage. The chains had been broken and I was free to be me! Thus...freetobeme! The other day I wrote freetobeme in the google search to see what would come up...oh my goodness! A lot! Sad to say alot of the web sites were by homosexuals who think they are free to be themselves! Oh, if they only knew that true freedom comes from freedom in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Now, don't take me wrong, I'm not arguing against that life style. I don't understand it at all. What I am saying is this: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16; If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! I Corinthians 5:17; I am come that you might have life and have it to the full. John 10:10b. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the freedom I have in You! I am free to become the person You intended me to be!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday, Sean! I hope your family has treated you well today! I'm sure they have and I'm picturing your whole (extended) family getting together this weekend to celebrate your big day. Wish we could be there to celebrate with you. We hope to see you in June when everyone is coming for a great family time. We 're getting excited. Have a happy, happy birthday! Heavenly Father, thank you for Sean. Thank you for the beautiful family you've given him. Watch over him. Keep him healthy.

Lunar Eclipse

Did you watch the eclipse? I went outside to take the first picture at about 8:45. Then the rest I took out the loft window so there are tree branches but...oh well. The first two pictures are the beginning and the second two are the ending of the eclipse. The actual eclipse I just couldn't get my camera to take! But it was quite spectacular! The last picture I took at about 11:40. After it was all over the moon was so bright it was almost like daylight out! It's all pretty exciting to me. O Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 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...? Psalm 8:1, 3-4a



Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Winter beauty



Last night we got another fresh layer of snow. Everything is so clean and white. This pine tree is just off our front porch and looked so pretty this morning. While I was out I shoveled the front walk, so come on over! Lord, Thank you for the freshness of newly fallen snow.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Sitting/Reading/Sleeping Room



Here it is...all finished! Our new sitting/reading/sleeping room. I don't use my computer room any more, since Jerry gave me a lap top computer for my birthday/Christmas gift, except to do printing. We need more sleeping space when company comes so this worked out well. My new scanner/printer is on the left and the rest of the room is mainly for grandchildren when they come. It's a small room but we think it'll work well. We bought this klick/klack which folds down, one adult or two kids can fit easily. So come on over. Who is going to be first to sleep in here? I wonder... Thank you, Lord, for comfortable sleeping spaces. Thank you for company. Thank you for granchildren. We are so blessed.

Icy Outside But Warm Inside!

We woke up to ice coating everything. We could hear it raining most of the night. We drove to church very slowly! Our road is all ice. Attendance at church was way down. We had a good service just the same. Rob shared about the chili supper on Friday. He did good. Then he said how when the pastor preached a few weeks ago about being obedient he wondered how that would impact him. Rob named a few ways God calls us to obedience: missionary, pastor, teacher, etc. but none of those fit him. He never dreamed it would mean for them adopting two siblings from Haiti!
Another man and his wife shared how they are now one spiritually. Nanciann shared how the Lord dealt with her on two issues: reluctance and stubborness. She refused to read her Bible ever and it had hindered her spiritual life and their marriage. Kevin said he prayed for 25 years for their marriage to be oneness. Finally last October the Lord began to deal with Nanciann. She finally broke; their marriage is healed, her spiritual condition is healed; their family life is completely changed-their two teenage children can see a real difference and it has impacted them!
Then the pastor preached from Matt. 26:1. I won't go into that but it was very good. I took lots of notes.
We're cancelling our small group tonight. We can't ask folks to drive out here in this weather. Heavenly Father, thank you for the good service this morning. Thank You for keeping us safe as we drove in to town and back home. Please, keep others safe as they drive. I praise You because You are Sovereign and In Control.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Good Evening!

Well, the chili supper is now history! Was it a success? Oh yes! There were well over a hundred folks, approximately 150! Maybe later we can come up with an accurate number.
A lot of them I didn't know, friends of Rob & Jessica. A lot of them I did know! There was such a good friendly atmosphere, it was truly wonderful! Folks donated over $2,200.00! Now they can get their home study done! Oh yes, they have a blog: http://www.robshaitikids.wordpress.com/ So check it out. Thank you, Lord, for this evening. Thank you for being there! I know you were! Please continue to lead and guide Rob and Jessica. I love you, Father.

Chili Supper

Today is the chili supper! 6:00-8:00 PM. I've got three crock pots going in my kitchen to take later to the church. It's going to be an interesting time. Rob and Jessica will be showing pictures of the kids they're in the process of adopting and sharing their hearts behind this huge undertaking. Elmise and Armon, 3 and 4 or 4 and 5 years of age! They now live in an Orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It takes over a year to adopt and thousands of dollars! Don't ask me why! Father, please meet with us this evening. Help there to be a good turn out of interested folks. Bless Rob and Jessica as they strive to do your will. This is huge, Lord, we need the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Elmise and Armon

Here is Armon with is new-to-be mom! She had just arrived at the orphanage along with the rest of the team. Kids came running to greet them. This little boy hung on to Jessica, after she held him for a few minutes, she tried to put him down so she could find Armon. But this little guy wouldn't let go! She finally asked for help to put him down, then she asked his name...Armon! This was her little guy, Armon! What a precious story!
I tried to post a picture of Elmise but it wouldn't post. I'll try again. Heavenly Father, thank you for these two precious children! You have a plan for them. Bring the little children to me and forbid them not...

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Lorraine! Well, now you're the same age as Jerry! We've been sisters a long time! We've shared dreams, ideas, secrets, paper dolls, school books, and lots more! Sisters are sisters! Have a great day today. I hope your daughters and their families treat you well today. I love you! Heavenly Father, thank You for Lorraine. Give her understanding and wisdom and love and peace and joy and...

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Do you feel loved? Jerry and I gave each other a Valentine this morning. Mine has two very cute, sweet puppies on it! I thought maybe he was giving me a little puppy, but he said, "Don't even think it!" To all my friends out there: Happy Valentine's Day! You are loved! God loves you and so do I! Thank You, Lord, for friends. This is one of your richest blessings to us: friendship!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Snail Mail

Here's something interesting! Saturday we received a Christmas card from good friends in The Netherlands! Here is what makes it interesting: It wasn't sealed, it said 'air mail' on it, it had no post mark on it! But it made it here...that's what counts! Who cares if it was two months late? Thank you, Lord, for the mail system. What would we do without it? I praise you, Lord.

Senior Luncheon

This valentine bouquet was given to Jerry yesterday at our Senior Fellowship Luncheon! He was told he could share it with me! The reason he got it was because they asked three questions: 1) Who has been married the longest? Herb & Jane-54 years; 2) Who has been a Christian the longest? Lena-approx 75 years; 3) Who has attended our church the longest? Jerry-72 years! Each was given a bouquet that was on the serving table. It was very nice. Because so many folks are either gone, sick, or had other commitments the number attending was down but it was still very nice. One of our pastors crashed our party along with his wife and son! That was good! We always have a really nice, relaxed time of fellowship. Thank you, Lord, for these senior luncheons when we meet together for good food and sweet fellowship.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Sledding!







Today I took Sydney, Isabella, and Haleigh sledding on the big hill here in our town. They had lots of fun, along with a lot of other folks. Bella ended up with a bloody mouth. We're still not sure just what happened. I think she's going to lose one of her upper front teeth. We saw one teenage boy land hard and possibly broke or cracked his tail bone. But most of the time folks, including my three girls, had fun, fun, fun! It's hard to see them in these pictures and it was hard to take the pictures! They go so fast down the hill and I had a hard time keeping up with them! Lord, thank you for fun times and memories they will have forever. Please touch Bella's mouth and help it to heal and her tooth to come out normally.

Michigan Winter Wonderland!




This morning we woke up to a Michigan Winter Wonderland! I had to take more pictures! These are in daylight. The last post was in the dark! I wonder when the snow is going to fall from the archway?! The picture of trees is from the front porch looking west. Heavenly Father, I can't help but marvel at Your Creation!

Phenomenon!




The wonders of winter and snow and ice! Jessica stopped over last night and told us about the snow hanging from our trellis archway. She said she even ducked as she ran under. It's kind of a phenomenon. This morning it's hanging even more! The ice on the railing is hanging on an angle! It's really weird! Lord, I thank You for the beauty of Your creation! You are the Creator!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

This & That

Life goes on from day to day...everything that goes on doesn't get posted. I'll try to mention a few things here. Jerry's doctor appointment went well. His cholesterol is down! Maybe that's because I'm cooking a little more healthily these days!? (Is healthily a word?) We got our income tax made out and sent in. That's always a relief. I left my winter jacket down at Christy's house...so I bought a new one this week. I got in on a 70% off sale, since winter is winding down! Then because I'm a senior, I got another 15% off! I love the jacket, it's fleecy on the inside and on the outside and is very light weight! It's also very warm! It's black with a hood. I talked to my mom last night. She's doing well considering her age. Jerry and Rob got us all plowed out today. Rob's and Jessica's adoption plans are moving along. It's so exciting to hear each new detail and answer to prayer! I've taken the first step in our plans to go to Malaysia next year...I got the papers to fill out and send in to renew our passports! That's the first step. Next step will be to fill them out, get our pictures taken, write checks and send them in. Well, I guess that about does it for now. I praise You, Father, because You are always with us, in the small every day details and in the big important events that happen. I love You, Lord.

Winter Wonderland!

We have about a foot of snow. Today is a snow day for the kids! The sun is shining so I waded out and took these pictures. I think they are self explanitory but #1 is the front of our house. #2 is the back. #3 is looking through the back yard and through the trees. Heavenly Father, thank you for the four seasons. Thank you for the snow and for the sun shine


Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Snow

We're getting lots and lots of snow! I actually love it. All activities are cancelled for this evening. It's supposed to stop snowing about midnight. The wind seems to have died down, it was like a blizzard for a while. We've got a fire in the wood stove and we just finished eating bowls of chili. We're very warm and comfortable! Thank you, Lord, for all the seasons and for the beauty of snow. Please, watch over folks who are traveling.

Things To Do...

We received a postcard in the mail from a real estate friend. The message on the card is so good I thought I'd pass it along to you! Thanks, Carol! Things to do in 2008! 1) Visit a nursing home.
2)Make a meal for someone in need (someone you don't know). 3) Laugh and love more.
4) Rekindle an old friendship. 5) Visit a family member you haven't seen for a while. 6) Don't be afraid to hug. 7) Say you're sorry if you've offended someone. 8) Never forget to thank God for all you've been blessed with. Thank you, God, for all that I've been blessed with. Thank you for my friendship with Carol. Help me to do these eight suggestions, not just once during the year but over and over again.

Walk Through Inspection

We had an interesting day yesterday! Some friends are buying a log home and asked if we'd go with them to their walk through inspection! Because we live in a log home they thought we might notice something they would miss. What a beautiful home they're buying! It's the same age as ours, in the middle of a woods, has an attached garage, and it has a loft but that's where the similarities end. It's made of pine logs, ours are cedar. Being pine the logs are anywhere from 12 to 18 inches wide! They have a full basement, we have a crawl space. Theirs is twice the size of ours. Two bedrooms both on the main floor, we have one up and one down. Their loft is big enough for a separate room but it's all one: a great place for all the grandkids to sleep! Their stairway is very plain, ours is log and spiral! So we came home after inspecting a big, beautiful log home and discovered once again that we love our little log home! It's right for us. The other one didn't have the warm comfortable feeling when we walked in. I think ours does (I hope ours does) and I think, when our friends move into the other one that they'll give it a warm comfortable feeling. The folks who live there now really didn't have it furnished in a homey way. They did have some interesting antiques but it was more like going through a show piece, not an inviting home. So it was a very interesting day and we came home, not feeling envious of our friends, but happy for them, and feeling very good about our own home and loving it even more, if that's possible! Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You give us. Thank you for our log home, for giving us the strength to build it. Help us to keep it as a blessing to You. Help us to be hospitable and for folks coming in to know that we love and serve You. We love You, Lord, and we Praise You.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Small Group

This evening was our small group. Six of us met, two couldn't make it. We really missed the two absent ones. But we had a really good discussion. Our Pastor is such a good preacher. He brings things out that we never think of. Today his sermon was on Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-9 Oh yes, we all know that story! Well, instead of looking at Zacchaeus Pastor had us look at Jesus! (1) He had a habitual awareness of lost people! (I need to be less selfish) (2) Jesus sought out the hungry. (I pick the easiest people to reach out to) (3) Jesus lived the anointing. (I'd rather try harder) Anointing is required for me! (4) Jesus lived his role. (I am here to be a disciple of Christ. I must be full of His Spirit. I must be aware of others around me.) Learn from Jesus. Yes, we had a good discussion but it goes deeper than just discussing. We ended our time with each of us deeply touched. Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your Word. Lord, thank you for Pastor Dave and his ability to speak your truths. Bless him with Your Anointing. Help me to receive Your Anointing. Use me, Father, to reach out to folks for You. I love You, Lord.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Off To...

Here's little Maddie off to preschool! She's 14 months old today! She seems so little to be going off to school! She only goes one morning a week, I think, and that's good because it gives Christy a little time off to do whatever she wants or needs to do. On this morning the three of us went birthday shopping for Megan. Thank you, Lord, for Maddie. Thank you for this preschool, provided by their church, where Maddie is well taken care of .