Dec. 20, 2007
A Trip Down Christmas Lane.....
I don't know exactly why, maybe it's all the ornaments the children made over the years, but the Christmas season always makes me nostalgic. You too? Memories of digging up our tree (yes, we dug it up and replanted it long before the word "environmentalist" had been conceived - it was called being 
didn't check to see if the oven was hot. No, I had never heard of this thing called delayed cooking. No, I didn't want to be tanned and would lie back down (beside the tree of course!!).
Did your Santa come wrapped? Ours did. It wasn't until after I was a parent and my dear hubby asked what planet was I from that I actually realized there might be a 
Ralphie" sort of way.) Because it affirmed to me that I had parents who actually loved me for who I was and not what everyone told me I should be/not be.
My favorite Christmas? This one, of course. Memory lane is beautiful but today I can give hugs and love and laughter that will make beautiful memories for tomorrow. Presents will come and go, memories will last for a while but love will never end. Enjoy, savor, laugh and cry with those you love today. And as Lea says so beautifully, "Have a fine day, all day long."• Post A Comment!
The above pretty much says it all. The events of the past several weeks have made me realize more than ever that I am truly content with my station in life, my husband, my children, my family, the craziness of life. I've gotten to watch up close and personal, many folks that are striving to be or to do or to attain a certain thing or a certain status. Discontentment robs and destroys. Contentment, while often illusive, brings joy and peace beyond measure.
My prayer for you all at this most festive time of year, is true contentment that comes from the inside out and permeates your holiday plans, your homes and families and your relationships. May the Spirit of the One we celebrate dwell in your hearts!
Dec. 9, 2007
Contentment
Contentment
"a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1 Tim. 6:6; 2 Cor. 9:8). It is opposed to envy (James 3:16), avarice (Heb. 13:5), ambition (Prov. 13:10), anxiety (Matt. 6:25, 34), and repining (1 Cor. 10:10). It arises from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence (Ps. 96:1, 2; 145), the greatness of the divine promises (2 Pet. 1:4), and our own unworthiness (Gen. 32:10); as well as from the view the gospel opens up to us of rest and peace hereafter (Rom. 5:2).
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary"The above pretty much says it all. The events of the past several weeks have made me realize more than ever that I am truly content with my station in life, my husband, my children, my family, the craziness of life. I've gotten to watch up close and personal, many folks that are striving to be or to do or to attain a certain thing or a certain status. Discontentment robs and destroys. Contentment, while often illusive, brings joy and peace beyond measure.
My prayer for you all at this most festive time of year, is true contentment that comes from the inside out and permeates your holiday plans, your homes and families and your relationships. May the Spirit of the One we celebrate dwell in your hearts!
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Nov. 22, 2007
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday of sorts. I have fabulous memories of Thanksgivings on my uncle's orange grove in Florida when I was very young. Food, family, more food, fun; it was always a great time. Ever since then, Thanksgiving has been special. And it continues to this day. My family loves to have people in, feed them, make memories and traditions. Its a blast!
This year we will be heading to my mother-in-law's for dinner. Our niece is coming up from Georgia and we will be gathering to spend time with her and her son. I'm looking forward to seeing her. Olivia and I have always had a special bond. When I first came into the family, she was five years old. I sat down and she climbed in my lap that very first day. She's been sitting in my lap for the past 25 years!! (Fortunately she's very thin!!) She's had many ups and downs over her life and definitely kept us on our knees, but to me, she'll always be that little girl so willing to accept someone new in the family. We just got the news that she'll be getting married this summer, so a wedding is in the works as well. My prayer is that, even though she got things a bit out of order in her life, that God will use the upcoming wedding to show Olivia just how much He loves her and how there is redemption regardless of how much she chose to run from it in the past.
So, on this Thanksgiving, I have many many things to be thankful for as always. But this year, in particular, I'm thankful for Olivia who is a constant reminder of God's mercy and grace!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday of sorts. I have fabulous memories of Thanksgivings on my uncle's orange grove in Florida when I was very young. Food, family, more food, fun; it was always a great time. Ever since then, Thanksgiving has been special. And it continues to this day. My family loves to have people in, feed them, make memories and traditions. Its a blast!
This year we will be heading to my mother-in-law's for dinner. Our niece is coming up from Georgia and we will be gathering to spend time with her and her son. I'm looking forward to seeing her. Olivia and I have always had a special bond. When I first came into the family, she was five years old. I sat down and she climbed in my lap that very first day. She's been sitting in my lap for the past 25 years!! (Fortunately she's very thin!!) She's had many ups and downs over her life and definitely kept us on our knees, but to me, she'll always be that little girl so willing to accept someone new in the family. We just got the news that she'll be getting married this summer, so a wedding is in the works as well. My prayer is that, even though she got things a bit out of order in her life, that God will use the upcoming wedding to show Olivia just how much He loves her and how there is redemption regardless of how much she chose to run from it in the past.
So, on this Thanksgiving, I have many many things to be thankful for as always. But this year, in particular, I'm thankful for Olivia who is a constant reminder of God's mercy and grace!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
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Nov. 15, 2007
Thank you to all our Soldiers, Veterans and Military Families!
I know you've probably seen this, but just in case you haven't - it is a must see. Amazing that a girl of 15 has the insight to put together a piece as heart-wrenching as this. And if after viewing it you want to do something, go to THIS SITE and chose a soldier. Send them a card, letter, anything to encourage them. Please.
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and here are the two cars my children raced in the Awanas Gran Prix:
Emma's "Jewel-y" truck (note "bed of roses" in truck bed!) got 3rd place for design (yes, that's google eyes and purple sunglasses!)
and Ethan's got 3rd place for speed (note the "guns" on top - what a difference between boys and girls!)
Nov. 9, 2007
Awanas
We love Awanas. Our children learn an amazing amount of scripture, biblical truths and discipline of the mind, all while having loads of fun. Here is my "widow with her two mites" 
on October 31st "Bible Heroes Night" at Awanas :
on October 31st "Bible Heroes Night" at Awanas :and here are the two cars my children raced in the Awanas Gran Prix:
Emma's "Jewel-y" truck (note "bed of roses" in truck bed!) got 3rd place for design (yes, that's google eyes and purple sunglasses!)
and Ethan's got 3rd place for speed (note the "guns" on top - what a difference between boys and girls!)
out of all of these cars:
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Nov. 5, 2007
Fall Fun
So here are Emma and Ethan with some of their tree identification rubbings and our traditional "waxed paper leaves" - this was perfect timing for studying trees.
And then here they are getting ready to record the measurement of their plants (we are recording the germination time and rate of growth for 3 different seeds)
We had rain last week when friends were over and they all had a blast making a "dam" to build "the world's biggest mud puddle"! Funny but I didn't realize until this week that our next study was on dams and bridges - again, great timing!
Big brother "alien" ??
Hmmmmm.......
And then here they are getting ready to record the measurement of their plants (we are recording the germination time and rate of growth for 3 different seeds)
We had rain last week when friends were over and they all had a blast making a "dam" to build "the world's biggest mud puddle"! Funny but I didn't realize until this week that our next study was on dams and bridges - again, great timing!Big brother "alien" ??
Hmmmmm.......• Post A Comment!
Nov. 1, 2007
Yet Another Birthday Remembrance
November 1st! (Where did October go? Was a very quick and busy month!) At any rate, today begins another month and brings with it the memory of my dear grandmother, Blanche. Today is her birthday, and will be forever remembered as such even though she died a decade ago.
I was one of the truly blessed ones that I not only had awesome grandparents, but I had them well into my thirties! They got to see both of my children. Since I am an only child and an only grandchild, it was very important to me for my grandparents to know my girls. They didn't spend alot of time together because of distance and age, but they knew them; that's what counts.
So today as we begin the countdown to Thanksgiving, I will be thankful for Grandma. For the countless days we sat at the big picture window and identified birds on the feeder. For the many trips through her prize winning yard learning the names of plants, flowers (and weeds). For the many Saturday mornings, I would walk across the road to help her make spinach and celery juice! For her generous spirit that helped me (us) out year after year. For her special way of saying "I love you" ... "aye aye" (no she wasn't in the Navy!) For the many trips to the NC mountains! For being rather persnickety and particular about the strangest things! For taking me to church and letting me visit her in the choir room as she prepared to play the organ year after year. But mostly for just loving my mother and me unconditionally ....
Thank you Grandma and Happy Birthday!!
I was one of the truly blessed ones that I not only had awesome grandparents, but I had them well into my thirties! They got to see both of my children. Since I am an only child and an only grandchild, it was very important to me for my grandparents to know my girls. They didn't spend alot of time together because of distance and age, but they knew them; that's what counts.
So today as we begin the countdown to Thanksgiving, I will be thankful for Grandma. For the countless days we sat at the big picture window and identified birds on the feeder. For the many trips through her prize winning yard learning the names of plants, flowers (and weeds). For the many Saturday mornings, I would walk across the road to help her make spinach and celery juice! For her generous spirit that helped me (us) out year after year. For her special way of saying "I love you" ... "aye aye" (no she wasn't in the Navy!) For the many trips to the NC mountains! For being rather persnickety and particular about the strangest things! For taking me to church and letting me visit her in the choir room as she prepared to play the organ year after year. But mostly for just loving my mother and me unconditionally ....
Thank you Grandma and Happy Birthday!!
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Say "Hello" to a fascinating family raising three little ones as they are called to minister to the lost in Bolivia. They have battled everything from the flu to having one of their young children have to undergo surgery. This is while trying to learn a new language, adjust to a very different culture and trying to establish some relationships in the community. Please take a few minutes today and pray for John and Jenny and their sons - Caleb, Luke and Elijah. Pray that the Lord would heal them quickly and help them see what He wants them to do each day. Praise the Lord for their faithfulness and willingness to go and tell!
Oct. 28, 2007
Missionary Mondays
Say "Hello" to a fascinating family raising three little ones as they are called to minister to the lost in Bolivia. They have battled everything from the flu to having one of their young children have to undergo surgery. This is while trying to learn a new language, adjust to a very different culture and trying to establish some relationships in the community. Please take a few minutes today and pray for John and Jenny and their sons - Caleb, Luke and Elijah. Pray that the Lord would heal them quickly and help them see what He wants them to do each day. Praise the Lord for their faithfulness and willingness to go and tell!• Post A Comment!
I just got the news that a wonderful young couple who has dedicated themselves to the Lord and His work in Macedonia have added a new baby to their family! Rejoice with Brian and Mandy for the Lord's blessing of Kate Joy Davis! How wonderful!!
Oct. 16, 2007
Welcome little Kate Joy !!
I just got the news that a wonderful young couple who has dedicated themselves to the Lord and His work in Macedonia have added a new baby to their family! Rejoice with Brian and Mandy for the Lord's blessing of Kate Joy Davis! How wonderful!!• Post A Comment!
Oct. 18, 2007
Missionary Monday
Here is a video from Audrey in Japan - it's made just with her small digital camera but her heart is a lot bigger than her camera :) ! Pray for her and all the young people who are on the mission field today. When many young people are pursuing personal gain these wonderful young people are living away from friends, family (and familiar foods!) to help reach the lost and dying world around us. Praise the Lord for them!!