Happy 31st Birthday my son!

Wow!  It doesn't seem possible that 31 years ago today I was enormously busy trying to bake multiple loaves of banana bread and peel a bushel of apples, rolling out pie dough to make even more pies!  All the while in labor with my 3rd child Matthew!

Happy Birthday my son!  I'm so proud of you!
For all your accomplishments - and soon-to-be daddy!  How exciting!

I will write more!  I need to resolve myself to write more diligently!  I've been slacking - and very busy helping my daughter move to a new place!  Their landlord is selling their house - so they had to move.

For now......reflections.......in this note.......

For whatever is pure, love, just and admirable - think on those things!
Praising God for all His blessings!
The brisk and morning dew and with it - the cooler air bringing the Fall colors into full bloom!  Oh how I LOVE the Fall time!  The colors, the smells, the cooler air!
Have a blessed day!

A Surprise Birthday Gift!

Extraordinary night of mystery unveiled! My oh my was I surprised!!!

Prayer of my heart.....

...please Lord Jesus....allow healing and deliverance to rest upon those who are in pain and suffering. Draw them close to you and mend their aching hearts! Supply all our needs according to Your great riches. You can do exceedingly abundantly above ALL things. Help us in our weaknesses and unbelief! Restore lives and relationships where restoration seems impossible!!! Helps us to remember that in Christ Jesus - we can do all things! Help us not be distracted or caught into a web by the world's chaos affecting countless! Grant us a zeal to pray all the more! Remind us that in Christ - we are new creations - prepared in advanced to do good works! That greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world! Show yourself mighty in all we do! In our weaknesses - You Lord are strong! Grant us the ability to finish the race...giving you all honor, glory and praise! Pour out your Holy Presence and Your Spirit upon this earth and return the hearts of the fathers to their children. Strengthen those who stumble and renew our hope! Forgive us Lord - forgive us! May we stand and live by the truth of Your Word and discern the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of error! Testing the spirits to discern which are from You and those who are not! I praise you Father God! You alone are worthy of all our praise! Holy, holy holy, to the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come! Holy holy holy! To you be the glory forever and ever! You are the Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end! The firstborn among many brethren. King of kings and Lord of lords. The Prince of Peace. Our Emmanual - God is with us forever! Heal our land, our hearts, our homes, our relationships! Forgive us where we have fallen.......Draw us unto yourself! Thank you...... Come Lord Jesus! Amen.

The Holy Lands! Orlando, Florida

Whirlwind! It's an Understatement!!!

Another adventure has been fulfilled! On Mother's Day weekend - no one was going to be home or around, (SADLY!), so I packed my bags and headed to Michigan! (An 8+ hour drive!) I picked up my cousin Sue and drove another 3 hours to Detroit where we got a hotel room and spent the night. The next morning I took her to her favorite Annual Scrapbooking Convention! WOW! It was an adventure! And at least we had a wheelchair to manage to get through the very crowded convention center! After hours of shopping and visiting all the booths, we headed back to her house. On the way we began to discuss our desires to go to Florida to see The Holy Lands in Orlando. Sue and her husband Kris had just purchase and furnished a "SnowBird home" in Deltona, Florida. So - out of a very wild whim!.....we did something neither one of us did - and we headed to Florida! It was Sue's dream that her and I would visit the Holy Lands together! It was my dream too - as I've always wanted to go! Without a long-drawn-out story detailing our entire week-long trip - I will just say that we arrived at the Holy Lands for an all-day experience! And experience it was! Oh my goodness! All I can say - is thank you Jesus!!!! It was phenomenal! I'm not sure if the shows or the scriptorium was my favorite. It was exceptionally awesome! Seeing though, the scrolls from Queen Esther from the Bible - topped my day!!! It was so beautiful and I cannot wait to go back!!!

Flying over NY City's new Twin Towers

What an absolute privilege to see first-hand the rebuilding of the Twin Towers in New York City, NY!
Steve got the rare opportunity to fly out of NY right over the towers and took a picture!
Through flight-following - they gave him 2 choices; either fly up and over the city - or fly lower over the Hudson River. He chose the Hudson River!

May God bless our nation - and protect us from those who despise us!

Dollywood Adventure

I had my grandson Micah for the weekend - as my son was working out of town. So I took the opportunity to pack 'em up and head 'em out to Sevierville, TN to see my daughter and other grandchildren. Micah needed to see his Auntie Chell - and the cousins were anxiously awaiting the next time they could see Micah.....so we headed out. It was cousin bonding time!

It was a fun-filled weekend packed with adventure - mostly to Dollywood. I needed to rent a scooter because of the fall I had taken the day prior to my departure where I twisted my ankle. But other than that - it was a great day, and the scooter was a tremendous blessing! The double stroller was also a blessing to cart around the 2 youngest ones.

I think Micah was a tad overwhelmed by the newness of everything - and uncertain about the rides.....but all in all I think he had a good time, along with everyone else. The weather was perfect!!!!

I want to go back.....being that we now have a season tickets! What a fun way to enjoy my grandchildren! Besides, I didn't take nearly enough pictures!!!

Happy Easter! Resurrection Sunday Celebration!

Praise be to God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who died for our transgressions and arose again on the 3rd day!

Yet ANOTHER Whirlwind Adventure!

Soon after returning home from Colorado, I unpacked, repacked and made my way down to Sevierville, TN to see my daughter and grandchildren. I was South Carolina bound to see my son and daughter-in-law. Oh - how I miss them all!

I wasn't sure how I would manage with my foot giving me fits, but thankfully my son Chris came to my rescue and filled my gas tank at the gas station!!!
But by the time I got to Sevierville, (a mere 3 1/2 hours later), my foot had gotten increasingly painful and very swollen. I just couldn't walk on it - and my grandchildren and daughter helped me into the house from the car.
I put my feet up - but the throbbing pain in my left foot became unbearable - and my daughter thought it best to take me to the emergency room.
Yikes!!!!! All I can think of is dollar signs!!! $$$$$$$$

Thankfully, it wasn't very busy and I got in right away. Plantar Fasciitis was the diagnoses! Sure wished this thing would go away. The podiatrist I saw a month or so back - sure didn't explain very much about it! 2 painful painful injections later - with no results - I refused to go back. Come to find out - they aren't real doctors and don't have to go to medical school to inject people's FEET! Good gracious!

Yes yes.....my daughter and I lit the town and spent the evening in the ER! lol....not so funny! But - something to do to occupy our time.....ha! Like we had nothing better to do.

Anyway, a brief visit and a prescription to help me through the pain of it all - some crutches to help me walk - and we were on our way! Sure do wish my foot would heal!

I made my way to South Carolina and attended church with my son and daughter-in-law. They showed the BEST missions video that I have ever seen! WOW!
http://www.frontlinemissions.info/
It's worth it to check it out!

I'm wishin' I had funds and I'd buy Bibles so that these countries can have access to the Word of God in their own language!!!! It's so desperately needed!

Short-lived visit - and soon I was homeward-bound! My daughter-in-law whipped up a great dinner! Bless her heart! She is a great cook and in process of hopefully one day opening her own restaurant!!!

I said good bye to my son Matt and his precious bride and headed back toward Sevierville on my way home.
Spending time with my grandchildren and daughter always warms my heart. And as always - there isn't enough time. I miss them with fury and wish that we lived closer so that we could see each other more often!!! Especially now that my grandson Ben is in baseball! I would love to see his games!

I'm back home now after a very long drive's home! Soo tired too! I think I may start to like that flying from here to there - as Steve loves to do! .I'm sure he would if I even hinted that I wanted to fly It's not my favorite form of travel - but it sure gets you there a whole lot quicker!!! The bad part though - is not having wheels to get around! And yet another reason that I like driving!!!

Signing off for now. My brain is mush, my feet ache with fury - and I'm so sleepy!

It's been adventurous! And my poor cat missed me!!! She hasn't left me alone since returning! Silly thing....truth be told....I missed her too!

Colorado bound and back

Wow....what a whirlwind trip! To Colorado and back again. Steve's job was supposed to take only 3 days to accomplish - but once there - it took more like a week!
The Parks Meadows Mall in Lone Tree, Colorado is absolutely beautiful! Wow! But very crowded and emmense amount of traffic that I am unaccustomed to. But once inside - the mall-world is beautiful - right down to the Dining Hall with it's 15-20' high stone fireplace.
SPECTACULAR!!!!

It was a very quick visit. While Steve worked - I visited family there. The only problem was that I lost my voice while there - and my visiting - sadly haulted!
A return trip is coming up SOON!!!

MUST RUN....MORE LATER.

Hello March 1st!

What on earth happened to February! OH wow! Days blend into days and time just slips by all too quickly! I cannot believe that it's March 1st already.

The month of March has mixed blessings! One of joyful reminiscense of my youngest son's birthday on the 3rd. Oh my! He will be 25 years old this year. My baby is a young man!!!!! Now I really wonder what happened to all the years! It seems so long ago that he was so little and I was busy sitting on the bleachers at his peewee baseball games!

The other thought of March is my mother's birthday on the 24th. I miss her so much....but I know she is in a better place. In May it will mark 6 years since she died...and I still think about her often! Sometimes I wish she could have seen my precious grandchildren - her great grandchildren. She would have been so thrilled!!!

Here we are in March already - and I've already let my blogging slip by on the back burner and not make it a priority! I must promise to try harder to keep up with everything this year.

Prioritizing my life is utmost in my thoughts and on my agenda for this year. Reassessing my life, my priorities, God's will for my life.....
No easy task! Lots of prayers later and I still wonder what to do when I grow up! Ha!

Happy March 1st!
I pray God's blessings on you today!!! On you every day!!!
May we each seek God's will - being DOERS of His will - not hearers only! If not in church - then find a church - a fellowship of other believers in Jesus Christ!

Oh help us God that we may be found faithful servants - to be a light in this dark and fading world!

Pray....pray....and pray some more! God will hear and answer every prayer!

Today......1st Day for new things!

Today my son Joshua will start working for us again. The economy is a rough subject - and although he's been doing well with another painting company - he's had to sit more than work lately!

God has blessed us with work! Woo hoo! We were so slow last year - and this year, we pray, it will pick up substantially more. So far - so good!

Josh will come this morning and help finish up the painting job for the airport here. The beacon tower is looking fine!!!

NOW....IF the weather will hold out so we can finish it! That's the million dollar question.

The weather report said that we are going to have some hairy weather later this afternoon - toward evening. Sure am praying for NO TORNADOES!!!!! There has been a lot of them....and this is just the beginning of the year.

God's blessings to you - as you pursue His will in your lives!

Pictures forth coming. I need to get busy and take some!!! :)

Bitten in the Tail

My poor cat Sadie had to taken to the veterinarian today. We had a stray cat that looked much like her - only a male...and he was quite territorial. When I fed him - Sadie thought she'd induldge - and he ended up biting her.

So - her tail is shaved and the vet gave her 2 injections. One for the fever reducer and then an antibiotic. Poor baby. No wonder she hasn't wanted to eat.

Now I must apply a salve on her two wounds and give her antibiotics orally.

NOT at all an easy task - but necessary.

I just hope she doesn't get cat luekemia!

Next time a stray shows up - I think I'm driving it to the animal shelter immediately from now on.

Happy Valentines Day

February 14, 2012
Happy hearts day! We just returned from a trip to South Carolina and back...stopping half way to spend a short visit with our daughter, grandchildren and son-in-law!

Pictures forthcoming when I can gather them from various places.

Meanwhile...

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Missed posting Hannah's Birthday Tea Party

January 20th, five years ago a little red-headed grand daughter was born. Precious gentle flower graced us.....with a little spice at times. Ha ha! Happy Birthday precious Hannah! We love you so very much!!!!

Sweet Blessings!

These moments that I am privileged to experience with my grandchildren are priceless! Innocence....Priceless and so beautiful to behold. It tickles my heart.
Little H needed a nap and I explained that all princesses need to "Sweeten"....She proceeded to ask, "Once I'm sweet again - can I get up?" I had to laugh!
Sweet pea!

I love this little redhead! She is my closest buddy!

Chloe, although sick with a croupy cough, runny nose and somewhat fussy - will cuddle up to me. A rarity. I've waiting a LONG while for her to buddy up to me. She's such a cuddle bug now! Today she looked at her momma and said in the most pitiful voice I've ever heard, "I sick!" Bless her little heart. She has been sick....Her poor little nose! I know it's got to be so sore! :(
But despite her not feeling well...she still managed to play with her sissy.

Today was an eventful day for not having much to do. Mostly - I stayed in with my daughter - and sick grandchildren.....But....the oldest Bek - got to go with her daddy for a daddy daughter date. She got all dressed up and even wore blush and mascara for the occassion. They braved the rainy weather and caught a movie, The War Horse, (excellent movie we were told!), (in hind-sight NOT my favorite!), and then later dinner at the Olive Garden! WOW!

All in all - it's been a fun time of catching up and bonding with them all! I love all the hugs and kisses.....so long I don't catch their bug!

Wednesday.....Hump Day!

...But still...
THIS IS the day that the Lord has made - so let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Sometimes though - it's difficult to be joyful in affliction! Trials and trauma that test every fiber of our being - is not an easy task at times. It's then though - that we MUST reflect in WHO God is - NOT what is going on in our lives! Worshipping His majesty....He is our everything! In that - I do rejoice when I begin to ponder all His marvelous ways - from the sunrise to the sunset....formations of clouds, the birds that dance and sing, wind that blows across a wheat field, leaves of a tree so perfectly formed and countless other things to bask in the wonderment of God and His creation!

Still....though....
My heart is heavy today when I remember my daughter and the baby she is carrying is no more. Somewhere in the midst of her first trimester - the baby failed to thrive and died. . . it's her 3rd miscarriage.

They named the baby Enoch. Enoch walked with God and then God took him.
My daughter's surgery will be on Friday - and my heart has a small glimmer of hope that perhaps the ultrasound was wrong - and when they repeat it - they will find that missing heartbeat - and see the blood flowing through that precious baby...and our sorrow of loss will turn to joy!!!

It's a difficult process - and my grandchildren are having a rough time of it trying to deal with the loss! We were so hopeful!

Still - though - life continues - and we must pick ourselves up and go on. Lest we be rendered useless in the growth of the Kingdom of God. Whatever happens on this side of Heaven is nothing to be compared to that which awaits those who follow Jesus! By God's grace - we will go on....

Today's passage of scripture is found in Proverbs 4:23...

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.


I can think a countless sermons that could be preached on that subject alone! Our hearts?.....we must guard our hearts! Protect it from the world's insults and barrage of condemnation that oozes out of the fabric of, not only our nation, but our entire world!

Remember today.....and never forget.....we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God created US for HIS pleasure to have fellowship with us! He loves us so much that He sent His son Jesus to die for our sins! It's by grace we are saved by faith! Remember always that He promises to never leave or forsake us and will be with us to the very end! He has engraved you on the palm of His hand and called you His. You are the apple of His eye. Remember WHO YOU ARE! In Christ Jesus - we are the righteousness of God! When the "world" comes trying to knock you down - stand therefore with a armor of God and remember that we are the Saints of God in Christ! [Ephesians 6:10-18] A MIGHTY ARMY that will defeat those not following Jesus. The Kingdom of God will never be shaken - NEVER!

Be blessed today!

A Proverbs a day.......Keeps the blues away....

Well? It rhymes! I'm not sure if reading in the Book of Proverbs daily keeps the blues away .... but I do know - that it is packed-filled with immeasurable wisdom. Proverbs IS a book about attaining wisdom for our lives! If we read a chapter of Proverbs daily - Chapter 1 on the 1st, 2 on the 2nd...and so on - we will have read the entire book 12 times within the year!

Today's scripture found in the 3rd chapter of Proverbs....

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6


One of my favorite passages of scripture and one in which I have lived with for as long as I can remember. Not always do we understand that which happens in our lives - but we can always trust that - no matter what - God will always be with us, never give us more than we can bear, (even though we think we can't handle it....somehow God gives us strength to get us through). God promises to never leave or forsake us. He will be with us to the very end! He also promises that His sheep hear His voice telling them that this is the way to walk!
Some people mistakingly believe that God will somehow reveal Himself in magnificently grandiously ways so that no one can mistake His perfect sovereignty! (And God can - and does at times), but sometimes He reveals Himself in a still .... small ... voice......
. . . a whisper . . .

In order to hear Him... we must be still . . . .

Lean NOT on your own understanding! DO NOT be wise in our own eyes! The world tells us to trust in our own hearts - but the WORD says that the heart is deceitful above all else and cannot be trusted! God tell us that the wisdom of the world is as foolishness to Him!

The measuring stick we use MUST be HIS....not by the world's standards!

Be blessed today as you bask in His presence - thanking Him for WHO He is and for all He is about to do through you this year!!!

We do serve an AWESOME God!

New Year's Resolutions....and other stuff!

Wow....it's 2012!!! A time of renewal - and starting over! Just what do I want to accomplish this year??? I pray that God can use me in a productive way to bring Him glory, honor and praise in all I do!

After all - isn't that what we are purposed for? To be in relationship with God - our Heavenly Father and to exemplify Christ in all we do?! To BE Jesus with others in hopes that they can see God's love resonate through us!

Resolutions? Hmmm....
To pray more
Read my Bible more
Eat healthier
Work out and lose weight! (Isn't that on ALL New Year's Resolutions!)

I want to accomplish something - be productive - understand and DO God's will. After all - it is the "Doers" of God's will that inherit the Kingdom of God - not just the hearers only!

This list could be endless - so I'll stop for now!


This new year is starting off a little sad however! The excitement of bringing in the new year with my daughter's new baby-to-be - ended with great sorrow! Still in the process....the disappointment, sadness.....I have no words to describe! My grandchildren are trying to cope with the loss too. Just a LOT to pray about during this emotional time of turmoil!

This is the day that the Lord has made....let us rejoice and be glad in it! Even amidst the trials - God is still on the Throne of Grace paying attention to every detail in our lives. One day He will wipe away every tear!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!