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  Many of you know from reading here for a while, that my husband was put on Opiate pain killers for his back pain.  Never being informed by his Dr that they were addictive and then another Dr. sent him to a Methadone Clinic to get him off the pain killers.  Through the last four years of symptoms getting worse and worse.  Irritableness, withdrawals, profuse sweating, no energy, weight gain and everything else caused by opiates, it's been hard to understand why God would allow something like this to happen.  Did he have a purpose?  Could He bring good out of all this horrible stuff going on in our lives?  Those Dr.'s should have to pay for what they did!  It isn't fair!  Why us, Lord???? 

Well a lot of our questions have been answered!  While it still doesn't seem right that a Dr. would get his patient addicted to an opiate and then that another Dr. would send him to a Methadone clinic to get hooked on the worst drug of them all, I don't have the anger and resentment towards those Dr.'s  that I did. 

Last Saturday, we left home around 4:30am and headed for Ohio to pick up my Uncle Frido and Aunt Beth.  We arrived at their house in the rain, later than we had planned.  We had to pack their luggage in the van in the rain....not so pleasant, but we lived!  And we ended up getting left about an hour later than we wanted to.  But we did arrive in Macon, GA at our Hampton in not too bad of time! 

Sunday we traveled on to Indian Shores Florida, where we reserved a condo for a week.  We arrived there about 8pm and unloaded.

We walked across the street to the beach, on the Gulf, and marveled at the wonders of a mighty God!  We always end up singing, "How Great Thou Art" when we get to the ocean!  It truly is marvelous!

Monday Morning, Uncle Frido took Todo to Tarpon Springs to the Helen Ellis Hospital where Florida Detox is located.  He had his blood work and paperwork done, while Uncle Frido came back to the Condo, the rest of us loaded up in the van and they took me to Florida Detox.  Todo and I attended the 3 hour seminar and Uncle Frido and Aunt Beth took the boys and went grocery shopping for the week.  Monday evening Todo and I met with Dr Sponaugle and went over options and what would take place through the treatment.  We discovered that Dr. Sponaugle has a love the the Lord and we are so thankful that God led us to him.  Uncle Frido's picked us up and since Todo was to go under anesthesia the following day, Dr. Sponaugle told him to go eat, but not to eat any meat.  So we went to Olive Garden and Todo had a Ricotta Manicotti!  He did good! 

Tuesday morning Uncle Frido, Todo and I headed for the Helen Ellis Hospital again.  After some problems getting the money wired in, they finally got the confirmation and Todo was taken up to the 7th floor about 11:20am.  Uncle Frido and I headed back for the Condo, had lunch and the boys napped.  I called the Hospital about 3:45 pm and was told that Todo was nearly done with the procedure and there was no complications, he was stable and would sleep all night.  Thank you Lord Jesus!  After the boys woke up, we took them out on the beach to play in the sand and pick up shells.  It was so nice and Sunny and we had so much fun.  We took some lovely Sunset pictures! 

Wednesday morning after 9am, we were  allowed to go see Todo!  That was hard waiting that long.  But we got around and got to the hospital about 10:30 or so.  Todo was sleeping and he woke up when we came in.  He said he could definitely tell the Opiates were gone from his system!  He could think clear again and felt like a fog had lifted.  Praise God!  It worked just like we expected it to work!  He took a little walk with us down to the second floor patio and we visited for a little bit, but he was still really groggy, so we didn't stay too long.  We did stop at a  fruit stand after we left the hospital.  Todo didn't have much appetite but he did say that fruit sounded good. So we got him some strawberries and Honeybell oranges and took them back to him.  Then we left him to sleep the rest of the day and we went to WalMart, had lunch at Subway and took the scenic route back down to Indian Shores.  We went out on the beach again for a little while, played in the sand and took some more sunset pictures. 

Thursday, I drove myself the 40 minutes up to Tarpon Springs to spend the day with Todo, while Uncle Frido and Aunt Beth took the boys to the beach, gave them naps and fed them.  I had a Care Takers meeting to attend Thursday morning, so I went to that and then went up to see Todo.  We went for a walk downstairs for Todo to get his first Massage and while I was waiting, I ran some errands for him and when I came back, Gary, one of the nurses, told me not to run off, they were going to be releasing Todo!  We weren't expecting him to be released till Friday!  But he was doing so good, they released him early.  So when he was done with his massage, we met with Dr Sponaugle again and we had no more than got in his office and he asked us to stand as prayer warriors as he prayed for Gary.  So the four of us spent about 45 minutes in prayer for Dr. Sponaugles nurse who was going through a rough time.  I won't go into those details, but I will say that I could tell that Gary was very touched and I know that Todo and I were too.  I was so humbled by Dr. Sponaugles prayer and through it, God showed me and for this purpose He brought us to Florida Detox.  His plan for our lives is perfect and He needed us there at this moment.  Not only to stand in intercession for Gary, but to see in our lives that we are too often ungrateful and selfish.  This made me realize that I couldn't be angry with the Dr.'s that put Todo on the opiates or the Dr that sent him to the Methadone clinic.  God had brought it to this end and it was perfect.  Just as He is perfect!  We came out of that prayer feeling more blessed and humbled than we've felt in a long time!  God was certainly in our presence in that office!  We took a 5 minute break and then we met again with Dr. Sponaugle and Dennis to talk about the meds that Todo would be taking temporarily to help with withdrawals and anxiety.  By the end of the evening we felt like we had a special bond with Dr. Sponaugle and that he was a friend and brother in Christ, more than the Dr. that performed the treatment!  He wondered if we'd be interested in moving to Florida the next time an opening comes up for a person to answer phones and talk to those calling about going through the treatment!  Wow!  What an opportunity to minister to others and encourage others!  He likes to employe people who have been through the treatment because they know what it's like and they can be so reassuring and helpful to those who are coming in, not knowing what to expect!  We were so blest by talking to Paula, the lady that answered the phone when we called!  She had a wonderful testimony!  So we will be in prayer about that until the time comes and know that God will have an answer ready for us!  Here's a picture, left to right, Dr. Rick Sponaugle, Todo, and Ryan (Dr. Sponaugle's son) 

Friday morning, Todo and I took the boys to the beach, the boys were so excited to have their Daddy back! 

And by then I could tell that Todo was a totally different person than he's been for the last 2 years!  He's more chipper and positive, not irritable, not hot all the time!  Thank you Lord, for bringing us to Florida!  I would recommend that anyone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, go see Dr. Sponaugle!  God has blessed him with the knowledge to know how to administer the Rapid Detox in the safest manor!  The other clinic's and Hospitals aren't as safe as the way Dr. Sponaugle does the treatment.  He gives all glory to God for showing him how to do it in a safe and effective manor!  We are so Thankful we didn't go to MI.  God was watching out for us the whole time, if we could have only seen it!  We know now that God wanted us in Florida, not MI, not Chicago, not California, He wanted us in Florida.  He knew Todo would be in the safest hands there.  That Hands of His child; Dr. Sponaugle.

Well folks, I'm going to retire for tonight and finish this out later!  I do want to thank you all for your prayers this past week!  A miracle came to our family and we are so grateful for the prayers and a God who loves to bless His children!

....CONTINUED......

After meeting with Dr. Sponaugle and Dennis, on Thursday we took some pictures and went back upstairs to get released and collect Todo's belongings.  All I had eaten all day was 3 granola bars so I was starved and when we walked in his room, his supper was there.  He still didn't have much appitite so didn't want it.  So I sat down and ate it.  It was delicious!  Turkey, dressing, gravy, peas and carrots, roll, pumpkin pie and iced tea!  YUMMY!  The Nurse came in and went over all the meds with me that I would be administering to Todo.  The reason for the caregiver is after going through Rapid Detox patients will tend to forget if they took their medication, so a caregiver is asigned to take care of that.  I'm not sure my memory is as good as Todo's though!  I can't seem to remember everything they said, but the good thing is, I can call them anytime I need help.  They want us to call everyday, but we don't get it done.  While I was eating, the mother of another patient came in.  She had been in the caretakers meeting with me that morning and we'd visited some.  I had shared that we couldn't afford to come back down for a followup like they suggested, and she wanted to help us be able to come back down.  She gave me a little wad of money, which, I was so touched I didn't count it right away!  But when I did there was $600!  God!  You really will care for our every need won't You?  Why is it so hard for us to just trust You? 

Friday after we went to the beach, we put the boys in the van and went back up to Florida Detox for Todo to get his other Massage.  Dennis wanted to see us too, so we spent some time going over meds and how it was going and we took the scenic route back to Indian Shores!  Friday evening we just layed around the Condo, did some laundry.

Satruday morning, we spent the morning on the beach again!  Aunt Beth and I walked the beach picking up shells while Todo and Uncle Frido played with the boys.  About noon, Todo took the boys back to the Condo, fed them lunch and they all took naps.  I stayed out with Aunt and Uncle.  Uncle Frido and I went out past where the waves break and waded thigh deep in the Gulf. 

Aunt Beth relaxed on Todo's launge chair for a while and Uncle Frido and I walked the beach.  We went back to the Condo about 3pm, took showers and got dressed.  We went down to St. Pete Beach and ate supper at Crabby Bills.

  Watched the sun set over the Gulf.  On the way home we stopped at a souvineir shop.  When we got back to the Condo, we packed most of our stuff and went to bed.

Sunday morning, we got around, loaded the van and left the Condo about 9:30 or so.

  It was really hard leaving that beautiful weather and coming north!  It started to rain somewhere in GA.  We got to Cleveland TN about 8:30 or 9 and spent the night at a Hampton Inn.

Monday morning, we left the Hampton after breakfast and traveled about 1/2 hour to visit with Todo's parents for a little while.  They live in a Christian Community in TN and we hadn't been to their place yet since they moved. 

Todo's parents house.....

.....and their new house, not yet done.

 We didn't get to spend much time there.  But they sent us on our way with a bunch of bulk stuff from their little market.  We got back to Ohio to Aunt Beth's about 10:30 pm.  We spent the night there.

Tuesday morning, Aunt Beth fixed us a yummy breakfast and we sorted out all our stuff in the van and headed home about noon.  We got home about 4:30 and walked into a COLD house.  The batteries in the Thermostate went dead while we were gone.  There was water dripping in the basement, one ceiling tile was soaked and there was a little puddle of water on the floor in the master bathroom.  We discovered that it must have been leaking because it was chilly, but no busted pipes.  We changed the batteries and got the furnace going and it took a while to get it warmed up, but by bedtime it was warm.

God really blessed our trip and we are grateful to Him for traveling mercies and for leading us all the way!

Here is our Itinerary, Please keep us in your prayers! 

These last two weeks have been quite an ordeal for us!  Let me start 4 years ago when Todo re-injured his back, causing sciatic pain so bad he couldn't work.  His Dr. put him on opiate pain pills, not once telling us the dangers of him getting addicted to them.  We were totally ignorant about these pills, so didn't think a thing about it.  His orthopedic surgeon was a wonderful Christian man and he suggested that if Todo felt at all like he was doing better, to NOT have surgery, which now we're glad we didn't go that route!  So two years after later, his pain is totally gone and he quit taking the pain pills.  Hold it, NO!  He couldn't!  That's when he discovered that his body had become so dependant on them that when he stopped he felt like his insides were crawling out and horrible nausea, shakes and more!  It was awful!  So he went to his Dr, who by this time was a different Dr. as we moved from CA to IN in that time.  His Dr. here didn't want to mess with him, so he sent him to a Methadone Clinic to take Methadone.  Never telling us how horrible it could end up.  Methadone is the Monster of all drugs, they use it to help Heroin addict stop shooting up, and also to help people addicted to opiate pain pills get off the pills.  But now, we find out that it's virtually imposable to get off the Methadone without being off work for months if not over a year!  We can't afford that!  So we surfed till we found a method that's been found to be 100% successful in getting off the Methadone in 7 days and back to work the following week!  What a miracle!  We have been praying for some time that God would help him get off this horrible stuff so we can have a normal life again.  It's a controlling monster and nobody ever should want to get hooked on it!  Todo hates it!  I can't imagine, having never been on it personally what it must be like, but I live with him and I know it's horrible!  So anyway, we were working on figuring out how to get a loan to save the funds to take him through Rapid Detox for some time and on Jan. 3, he was called into the office at work and asked to resign until he's off the methadone.  If he would resign, THEY WANT HIM BACK!  And he won't lose his employee position, his seniority or his vacation status!  He's a star driver (milk truck driver) and they didn't want to have to do it, but a law has been made since he was hired that it's illegal for them to hire anyone on Methadone and it's illegal for him to drive semi on it.  So it really is a  blessing that they asked him to resign.  Plus this put the heat on us to get the funds to take him through the treatment.  So we have funding now and we started making plans and accommodation reservations!  I thought that part would be fun, but I've found out it can be a headache!  I talked to Todo's Aunt Bryna yesterday about getting a time share, but the only one available is an hour and 20 minutes away, all through the City of Tampa, FL.  Oh yeah, back track, we're going to the Florida Detox in Tarpon Springs FL.  We don't really want to drive that far, so we decided to keep looking.  Uncle Frido and Aunt Beth are going with us, so glad that worked out!  And after talking to Uncle Frido on the phone last night, as we both surfed the net for accommodations, and me still looking online today, I found a Condo that is perfect!  It's only 40 minutes away from the hospital and it has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, fully furnished kitchen, living area, fenced in court yard (which was suppose to be $50 extra each night, but she forgot to tell me that so she waived that fee!) And it's right on the Gulf!  It was remodeled in 2005/6 so it's basically new and it has a gorgeous setting!  We did get a pretty good deal on it, so we're excited about it! Here's some pictures....

There's a beach within walking distance of the condo!  We have a washer and dryer on premises we can use.  We can cut down on our dining expense by shopping and cooking in our condo!  And it will really be nice for the boys to have the fenced courtyard to play in! 

So we leave EARLY Saturday morning, drive 4 hours to Uncle Frido and Aunt Beth's, they'll ride with us.  We have reservations in Macon, GA for Saturday night and then we'll arrive at our Condo, Lord willing on Sunday afternoon.  Todo's the only one who's ever been to Florida and then it was just to deliver a camper, not a vacation!  So we're all excited about going!  But the highlight of the trip is, we're going to get our hubby/daddy back!  After the treatment most people feel like a totally different person and are back to work within a week of arriving home!  Had he chosen to go off of it by just decreasing his doses, which he's tried several times and it never worked, he still would be looking at months of horrible withdrawals and since Methadone stores in fat cells and bone marrow for 6 months after you're off of it, he still wouldn't be able to go back to work for months after he's off of it.  So comparing cost of the treatment with loss of income in the time he would be off to try going off himself, it's much cheeper to do the Rapid Detox.  We really feel like God has been watching over us and through searching led us to find Florida Detox! 

The rest of this week will be cleaning, packing and getting ready to go, so I won't be posting much.  Please keep us in your prayers from the 13th through the 21st, that we'll have safe travels and especially on the 16th - 18th, while Todo is in the ICU getting treatment!  Prayers are so powerful and we've felt them so far through  all we're dealing with now!  Thank you so much for your prayers and continued prayers!

Love in Jesus,  Todo, Berylla, Berylac and Olo

We're Unemployed!

Well a great day, turned a little bit bittersweet!  Todo had his meeting with the Human Resources lady and the Operations Manager when he got back to the yard today.  He was asked to voluntarily resign until he's off of the medication.  Because it is illegal for them to employ anyone who is on that specific medication.  The Human Resources lady felt really bad about having to ask him to resign, she said, "You don't know me, (she's new) but I know you well, I've poured over all your files and you're a wonderful driver and WE WANT YOU BACK!"  It's tough, but we do understand that they can't do something that's illegal.  When Todo was hired in 2004, the state was still deciding wether or not to make it illegal to drive on a CDL with this medication.  And since then it has become illegal.  So it's out of our hands and Todo's employers hands.  Which in the long run it's going to be better this way, because we were working on getting the funds to get him through the 7 day detox anyway and now we just have to get more serious about it and get it here so we can go up to the clinic.  We're hoping and praying my Grandparents will help us out.  Please Pray for us that we'll be able to get the funds!  And believe me, if I could sue the Dr that got him on this stuff to begin with, I would!  But it's been 4 years and after 3 years, our attorney said they can't do anything about it.  It seems so unfair that a Dr could so such a criminal act against a patient and act as if it was totally okay and normal!  GRRRR....... I'm still trying to see anything good in this that I can! 

The one good thing is, that he could be back to work within the month!  If we can get the money to go through the antisthesia detox as soon as next week, it will only take 7 days and he'll be free and clear and back to work!  They also told him that he will not loose any seniority and they won't even think twice about hiring him back.  They all want him back!  That's so comforting to know that he has job security once he can go back to work!

So here's my plea!  PRAY FOR US!

I had a wonderful day today!  I met a xanga friend and we really hit it off!  We are so much alike, you'd think we were related or something!  We met at McDonalds and sat and visited for a little over 2 hours while the kids played in the playland!  I have only ever done that with another mother one time and it's so fun, I should definitely do it more often!  I think we could have sat there and talked longer, but she had appointments and I had to run to Sam's Club and the bank.  So yeah, after McDonalds we went to the bank, then to Sam's Club.  I had to get a bunch of blank video's so we can record some movies....our DVR list is getting full! 

Todo called and has a meeting at work with the Operations Manager, he's a little worried, not sure what it's about, but I'm sure he'll be fine, he's been a good worker and the dispatchers and owners seem to like him, so I'm not to worried.  Anyway, God's in control and whatever is suppose to happen will happen.  He's hoping he's coming home after that.  We haven't seen him since Sunday evening when he went to work!  Oh my goodness!  That means we haven't seen him yet in 2007!  Since last year!  Oh, that sounds bad!  I'm really looking forward to this weekend and being able to spend time with him.

Well, I need to go declutter my living room and wash a few dishes.  I'm doing good today with no sugar!  I had a salad for lunch and ate a few of the boys apples with their caramel sauce, so didn't have much sugar there!  I'm on a roll, I'm going to try to not have to much more today.  Keep prayin' for me!  I know that if I go a few weeks without it, I won't crave it as bad anymore, so I really have to work hard at giving it up.

Now I Resolve.....

A New Year, New Beginnings.  Lord to follow you more closely and to see You in every situation we find ourselves in!  To know that you are walking with us every step and carrying us when we cannot walk alone!

1. Spend more time with Jesus each day
2. Learn to lead a healthier lifestyle
3. Exercise at least 4 times a week
4. Establish routines for each day
5. Teach the boys to follow routines of their own
6. Let my Light shine, that others may see and know truth
7. Avoid gossip
8. Try to Send Birthday cards to relatives and friends better
9. Strengthen Friendships
10. Leave the Past behind, Forgive and Forget

I use to think New Years Resolutions were crazy, because nobody ever follows them anyway.  But why not have some things that you want to make a new beginning and fresh start on in a New Year! 

Thought for the day: [You cannot go forward looking back, you will eventually run into something]

  I mentioned before that the guys couldn't wait till Christmas to open gifts, so since Todo had two days that he delivered early and got home early, we decided to have our Christmas one of those days.  On Friday the 22nd we opened gifts.  First Todo Read the Christmas story from the Egermeier's Bible Story Book,

then I did the Usborne Advent book with the boys. 

 I know it's suppose to be spread out over a few weeks, but I just don't have a place to keep a little cardboard nativity set up for weeks.  So we read the book and set up the pieces!  They loved it!

Then we opened gifts.  Berylac was totally thrilled with his Leap Pad

and Madagascar book! 

 And Olo was exstatic about his Leap Frog Phonics train set! 

And "Lets Go Fishin' " game!

They both loved both things and they share them really good!  I'm so proud of them!  Maybe there is hope!

Then we had potato soup for lunch and tore into the gingerbread house we made earlier this week!  That was a yummy treat!  I've NEVER made a Gingerbread house before!

What a fun Saturday!  I didn't get much done that I wanted to, but I spent quality time with the boys and it was so worth it!  First we went to Michaels and got some soft touch cookie cutters!  Ever used them?  They're wonderful!  They are metal, but they have rubber cover on the top so you don't damage your hand when you push it into the dough!  While we were there I got some wrapping paper, a couple Christmas presents that I'm going to take back,  and a few odds and ends and a Gingerbread House Kit!  We've never done one of those and Todo has wanted me to get one before, so I called him and he was all for it, of course!  Then we went to WallyWorld....I very much dislike that place, but it's hard to find stuff at their prices!  I was looking for a seat cushion for Todo's truck seat and I can't find one anywhere!  All we got there was more wrapping paper, gift stickers and bows.  Then we stopped at Dollar General for blank videos to copy movies off the TV and back home.  The boys just couldn't wait to start making cookies!  I only made a 1/2 a batch.  Todo has a certain cookie in mind and I haven't been able to figure out what it is, so I keep trying recipes and so far haven't found the right one.  So we'll see if this one is it.  I got the recipe from Aunt Beth and she said the lady she got it from was a wonderful cook and worked at the High School she went to.  So, here's the recipe:

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 pint sugar
3/4 pint lard
2/3 pint sour cream and milk  (if using all cream, use only 1 cup lard)
2 eggs
2 tsp soda
a little salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp lemon extract
Flour--enough to make soft dough--about 10 cups

Cream Sugar and lard.  Add eggs and salt--beat well.  Dissolve soda in milk and stir into lard mixture.  Add flour, nutmeg and lemon extract.  Roll and cut with cookie cutters.  Sprinkle with sugar and bake, or bake and ice with buttercream frosting. 

This is an old recipe, so it doesn't say what to bake them at, but I baked them at 350 for about 10-11 minutes.  You don't want them to feel done when you take them out, or they will end up too hard!

Oh yes, we got Christmas Sprinkles at Michaels too!  It was so fun....now to stay out of them!  They are really good!  I'm going to make another batch tomorrow. 

Currently Watching Love's Abiding Joy By Brianna Brown, Mae Whitman, Logan Bartholomew, Blake Gibbons, James Tupper, Erin Cottrell, Stephen Bridgewater, Brett Coker, Kevin Gage, Madison Leisle, John Laughlin, Frank McRae, Dale Midkiff, Drew Tyler Bell, William Morgan Sheppard, Thomas Stanley see related

Have you ever offered to help someone out if they will do certain things first?  Or helped them and then try to manipulate them to live like you want them to because you helped them? Or has someone offered to help you if you will live the way they want you to?  What kind of loving and giving is that?  If God loves us unconditionally, and he helped us out, by sending Jesus to die for our sins, unconditionally, why can't we do the same for others.  Imagine writing a letter to a needy family and saying.  "If you will go to this church, send your kids to this school and work at this job, I'll pay your rent for 6 months." If I was the needy family, I'd be thinking, "What kind of Christian is that?"  I am always catching myself telling the boys, in fact I did it today.  "If you'll be good and listen while we're in town, we'll stop at McDonalds on the way home."  What on earth was I thinking.  That doesn't work.  It never has and I keep doing it.  Taking privileges away does not work for my kids.  I don't know about yours, but not mine.  And if I tell them that, that Conditional.  God's love is not conditional, he blesses us with so much even when we fail.  Praise God for His Tender Mercies and Unconditional Love for us, His imperfect people.  Can we see our way to bless others no matter what they do or how they act? 

So today, yes, we went to town.  Went to Penneys for our final picture taking fiasco!  And what a fiasco it was!  As I said I bribed them, but it didn't work.  You'd think I'd learn.  Anyway, they both totally cut up the whole time and would not settle down.  But Miracles do happen!  And I happen to Love the photographer that took them today.  I always request her.  She's a mom herself so she's not as frustrated with wiggly kids as the young single photographers can be sometimes.  She did get  some snapped just in time, in between their wiggling, squirming and dancing.  I'm so glad it's over!  This happens every time I try to take their pictures together.  I think they feed on each other and it makes it worse.  I told Todo, that next year, I'm taking their yearly pictures the month of their birthday and at Christmas time all I'll have to worry about is family pictures or ones of both boys together, whichever we're doing. 

This afternoon, I have laundry to do and I'd really like to work on my desk again....those of you who were reading a couple months ago when I cleaned my desk off,  well, it's back to the way it was before and needs a lot of sorting done again!  Don't know why I can't just keep it clean!  I HATE PAPERWORK!!!!!!!!!!!

Forgiving an offender

Here's a subject that has been hard for me for a long time.  We have a family member that has offended most of my family and forgiveness on my part has been a huge struggle.  This person refuses to hear anyone who comes to him on this issue, making it double hard for me!  But this morning, I was watching Joyce Meyer.  I wasn't ever a fan of heres till recently I started listening to her and she really has some awesome points.  I struggle with women in the ministry, but I also know that we can still learn from them, even if we don't agree with everything they do.  This morning she was talking about Forgiving an offender.  Someone offends you and you just really want to retaliate.  But that's not what God has in mind for us.  We ask God to forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Joyce had a guy on the show that was talking about how a church leader had offended his wife over and over and how he struggled with forgiving this man.  God told him that He wanted him to Repent.....What?  Wait!  He didn't do anything, he's not the offender here...but yeah, God wanted him to repent.  He repented for his thoughts and actions, then God wanted him to forgive.  Forgiving not only saying I forgive you, it's also doing as God does and FORGETTING about it.  Now that's a tough one!  But God does bring healing when he sees the sincere heart of the repentant person.  He helps us to forget those things, when we are sincere about forgiving and forgetting.  Not saying that it won't ever cross the mind again, but it doesn't bring the bitter sting it once did.  Then I think the third thing he said was loving and giving to the person who's offended you.  Give them gifts, show them love.  Joyce mentioned that this also happened to her and when she obeyed and did these things, a year later, the offender came to her and asked her for forgiveness.  How awesome is God, if we'll just step back and allow him to work on the offenders heart instead of trying to fix it ourselves!  Trusting in Him to work in our lives and others is what He wants us to do.  He is in control, why do we feel like we have to take the wheel? 

 
Father in Heaven, help us to yield and to step back and allow You to do Your work in our lives and the lives of those who hurt us.  Give us peace, help us to forgive and forget.  Teach us to Love unconditionally.  Purify our hearts and cleanse us of any evil thoughts.  Transform our lives that You may shine through us!  Thank You for your amazing unconditional Love for us!  And for your perfect sacrifice for us!       In Jesus Precious name, Amen.

Excerpts from "The Prayer that Changes Everything" by Stormie Omartian Names and Attributes of God: He is Good, powerful, great, excellent, love, wisdom, holy, patient, changeless, merciful, almighty, glorious, righteous, just, Grace, majestic, all-knowing, all-wise, true, pure, sinless, radiant, faithful, magnificent, worthy, Creator, Redeemer, strength, truth, lifter of my head, all-sufficient one, Savior, Hope, Son of God, my Resurrection, Holy Spirit, Light of the World, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, authority, consuming fire, Restorer, comforter, stronghold in the Day of Trouble, resting place, refiner, deliverer, refuge from the storm, overcomer, peace, bread of life, fortress, everlasting Father, shade from the heat, healer, counselor, author of my Faith, Rewrder, Hiding Place, shield, purifierm, sustainer, Sovereign Lord. TEN THINGS GOD NEVER SAYS 1. "Oops!" 2. "What have I done?" 3. "How did I let that happen?" 4. "I made a mistake." 5. "It was an accident." 6. "I don't know what to do". 7. "I'm afraid of what will happen now". 8. "I can do better than this." 9. "What do you think I should do?" 10. "Why didn't I think of that?"

In Loving Memory of Grandpa

74 years 7 months & 1 day

I didn't have the privilege of knowing Todo's Grandpa for very many years, but from what I did know of him and what Todo has shared with me, he was a wonderful, gentle, compassionate man.  He loved to read his Bible and loved Prophesy.  Children were a delight to him, he loved to watch them play.  He had 9 grandchildren, all of them married.  And 22 great Grandchildren. 

In 1997 Grandpa was diagnosed with Parkinson and from then it gradually took it's toll and on Dec 3rd 2006 he went to be with his loving Jesus!  We will miss him greatly, but we know he is in a much better place and he no longer suffers the symptoms of his illness!  Grandpa was very patient in his affliction, though at times it did get frustrating for him, but he took it much better than many could or would.

Memories from Todo:  

Grandpa was a farmer, I remember when he had sheep and if he had a sick lamb, he'd hold that little lamb in his lap and feed it brandy till it was well.  He was a very kind, loving shepherd.

Grandpa use to have water fights with us, he'd hike his pants up and take his shoes off and come after us grandkids with 5 gallon buckets of water!  I remember him just laughing and soaking us!

I remember helping him cut wood, and dip baby pigs in medication.  He let us shoot his guns. 

He always used the same kind of soap, I think it was the blue coast, He'd come in from a hard days work and wash up in the wash basin on the porch.  He had real hairy arms and he'd take his shirt off, down to his white tee shirt and he'd lather up with his blue coast, he was always really clean.

He read the Bible every morning, he loved the Psalms!  He was always reading the Psalms.

I respected his opinion enough that I ask his opinion of  Berylla before I proposed and he encouraged me to hang on to her, he told me she was a keeper and seemed like a very nice girl.  He told me to always treat her right and love her with all my heart. 

Grandpa always spoke well of everyone, he wasn't the type to run anybody in the ground.  He always complimented me and would build me up in everything I did.  He always really made me feel good about myself.

He liked to tease Grandma, she'd get all worked up and he'd just wink at me!

He loved to scare us Grandsons by howling like a coyote late at night. 

I loved my Grandpa, and had much respect for him, He loved the Lord and he spoke of heaven a lot..  Now he's gone on and I look forward to seeing him again on that Golden shore.

 Anyone who knew him are welcome to leave memories in the comment section!       Hmm, not sure about his opinion of me, but Todo has taken his advice and has been good to me!  Yes, we've had our times, but we are always closer in the end. 

 So we left on Friday about noon or a little after.  Don't remember for sure.  But we didn't get left as soon as we wanted to.  We had clear roads and no precipitation, but it was really windy!  It was so windy it was really hard to drive and it really wore me out!  I had to turn it over to Todo before either of us wanted to.  We got to Cincy about 7:30pm and checked into our hotel!  Hilton Garden Inn!  It was really nice!  AND CLEAN!  Aunt Beth and Uncle Frido got to the hotel from the rehearsal dinner about 10:30 and the boys and I visited with them a little bit.  Todo had already sacked out.  Saturday was the wedding and we got up, had a hot breakfast downstairs at the hotel and then went back upstairs, Todo and the boys took naps while I got ready and then they got up and got ready for the wedding.  The wedding was beautiful!  She is my little cousin....I remember when she was born and it's hard to believe that she's married now!  I'll share some pictures here in a bit.  Her colors were red, black, silver and cream.  She had Red roses for each of the grooms grandparents that are no longer living.  And they gave each of the mothers a red rose during the ceremony.  I don't think anything really went wrong in the ceremony.  We stayed after to take pictures before the reception.  Here's some I took.

The wedding party.  I just love her colors!

Todo, me, Rigo, Uncle Frido, Aunt Beth, Bodo, Riadoc, Rosie and Bom, in the front are Olo and Berylac.

Here's the guys, in age order.  Bom, Rigo and Bodo  Aren't they handsome!

After the wedding and reception, we went back to the hotel, which by then it was late enough and the boys hadn't had naps so we pretty much went right to bed.  The next day we had to be out by 11 am, so Todo and the boys and I got up, got our swimming gear on and went down to the pool for about an hour.  Then back up to our room and we found a note from Aunt Beth saying they woke up earlier than they expected and they wondered if we wanted to go eat Breakfast with them.  So we got showered and changed and took Uncle Frido and Aunt Beth to Bob Evans for Breakfast.  We were checked out of the hotel first of course.  Anyway, then we went to Traders World, it's an indoor flea market.  Just for a little bit and by then Todo found out that he didn't have to work that night, so we decided to take the boys to Aunt Beth's for the night and Todo and I went to Dayton and got a suite.  We never got to do anything for our anniversary this year, so we celebrated late.  Monday morning we got up and went shopping at the Dayton Mall and while we were there, Todo's Uncle called and said his Grandpa had passed away.  So after we ate at the food court we headed back to Aunt Beths and were planning to come home so Todo could work that night, but I told him to call his dispatcher and tell him his Grandpa had died and when the viewing and funeral was.  So he did and they didn't even hesitate, but gave him off till Wednesday evening!  So we stayed all night with Aunt Beth Monday night and Tuesday morning traveled 3 hours into Indiana to Stay with Todo's Aunt and Uncle.  We got to their house about 1:30 yesterday and changed for the viewing, got to the viewing about 2:30pm.  Viewing hours were from 3-5 and 6-8.  We were served supper in between those times.  Todo's brother from Oregon got there in time for Supper with his family!  They have 5 beautiful kids!  The baby is about 8 months old and we haven't seen him yet!  Todo's sister from WI got there after Supper and we haven't seen them for a long time either.  The only family that wasn't able to make it was Todo's parents, which is a son of Grandpa.  Dad just had hip surgery and just couldn't sit that long, so they hope to wait a few weeks till he can sit better and then come up here for a couple weeks.  I think Grandma will be able to enjoy them more then too.  It was good to see all the cousins again, we don't all get together very often and we weren't able to go to the family camp out this year.  We plan to all be together for Christmas in January again.  That's an annual thing with Todo's family.  So back to last night, we stayed all night with Todo's Aunt  and Uncle, and this morning we had to be at the church early because Todo was a Paw Bearer.  After the funeral and the grave side service we were served lunch.  Visited a little while and then went back to Todo's Aunt's and changed, packed and said goodbyes.  We left there about 3:30 and got home about 5:30.  It was a long week, but we are so glad we were  able to take it all in and be there for the wedding and the funeral.  I dropped Todo off at work on the way home tonight, so he hasn't been home yet.  The boys just had baths and they're eating supper.  It will be bedtime soon and I'm so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again! 

Today was one frustrating day!  I had to go shopping today and get a top to wear to my cousins wedding and dress pants and shirt for Todo.  I went 5 places to find a  top for me and finally I found the perfect top in my size, AND I DO NOT TRY STUFF ON IN THE STORE!  Maybe today I learned my lesson.  It doesn't fit.  Well it fits all except the sleaves won't go over my forearms.  And it's not stretchy.  So I'm back at square one.  It's so frustrating to go to a store and everything that is perfect is too small.  Makes me want to stop eating and never eat again.  After all I have to look like skin and bones if I want anything to fit me!  GRRRRR

I got dress pants and shirt for Todo and I got little suits for the boys, they were on sale for $14.99 each.  They're so cute, black dress pants, white shirts, and Christmas plaid vests with satin ties.  They'll be adorable!  So everybody is dressed but me!  I have a skirt!  But no top.  I did find a blazer at Penneys I may go back there and get that.  It's black and I could wear something burgundy under it.....or silver, maybe I should go back to Kohl's and get that Silver sleeveless turtle neck to go under the black jacket.  I just don't like turtle necks, I feel like I'm choking.I guess I shouldn't fret about what I'm going to wear.  I'm sure something will turn up. 

Other than that I did laundry and house work all day, I hate leaving on a trip and leaving a mess.  Especially this time, if Grandpa would pass away while we're in Ohio, we'd probably have to go straight there from Ohio, and Todo's parents will probably be coming up and they might want to come home with us for a few days, so I need to try to make sure the house is presentable, just in case!  And it's so nice to come home from a trip and have peace instead of chaos.

So that was my day, and it's still not over, I need to get busy and get the bathrooms cleaned and some more laundry done.

Wow, what a week! 

Last night was my Pampered Chef party, I had 3 guests, and sold another $60, so I have $280 in sales now!  I'm still working on getting more orders!  My goal is $500!  Then I'll get $90 free, 2 1/2 price items and 25% off all other products I purchase!

Today I pulled the tree out of the garage.  It's prelit. and 1/2 of the lights don't work anymore, so I spent all morning untangling the lights off of that tree!  And prelit ones have the lights on good and tight!  But I finally got that done.  Went to Wallgreens to get some lights, and they had them on sale!  Buy 1 box of 300 lights and get the second one for a penny!  wow!  Well, I got two boxes and that wasn't quite enough so I had to go back in and this time there was a lady there that wanted some of the lights, but didn't want two boxes, so I told her I'd buy 2 boxes and sell her one of them for $5, so that's what we did!  She was pleased as punch.  I also got a box of 100 to finish out the tree, so now I need to decide where the other string of 300 is going to go....  The tree was prelit in white and I was getting tired of white, didn't think that would happen!  So we did colored this year and we all really like how it turned out.  Oh and I also got a tree skirt, which I've never had a nice one, and it was on sale!

Tomorrow, I have to go to town shopping for a top to wear to my cousins wedding this weekend.  We're planning to leave on Friday sometime and get down there in time to go to rehearsal.  The wedding is Saturday @ 2:30. We're planning to come home on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning.

Haven't heard how Grandpa is today, so we're guessing no change. 

Well, it's bedtime, need to get the boys to bed!

Hugs to all -- Berylla

Currently Watching A Little Princess By Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Rusty Schwimmer, Arthur Malet, Vanessa Lee Chester, Errol Sitahal, Heather DeLoach, Taylor Fry, Darcie Bradford, Rachael Bella, Alexandra Rea-Baum, Camilla Belle, Lauren Blumenfeld, Kelsey Mulrooney, Kaitlin Cullum, Alison Moir, Time Winters, Lomax Study, Vincent Schiavelli see related

Grandpa Todo's Grandpa is in the last stages of Parkensins.  He's not good at all.  Sleeps most of the time, doesn't eat much.  Hospice is helping Grandma care for him.  Please pray for comfort and encouragment for Grandma!  Grandpa doesn't know much at all, from what we hear.  So it will just be a matter of time. Love in Jesus, Todo, Berylla and family Currently Listening The Best of the Supremes & the Four Tops By The Supremes and The Four Tops Little Drummer Boy see related

Today's been a normal Monday, so far!  Crazy, trying to get back in the swing of things after a holiday weekend.  I took Berylac to get his pictures retaken.  The first lady didn't do that great of a job, so we had to do them over.  So we got some good ones this time.   We went to Kohl's and I got 2 shirts for me, on sale, one was $4.80 and the other was $7.98.  I also got a Turtle Tank and a top to go over it to wear this weekend to my cousin's wedding.  The Turtle neck is burgandy sparkly and the cover top is black with a lacy v neck.  Hopfully it looks okay with my Ballshirt.  I want to try to find a burgandy shirt for Todo and a pair of black dress pants.  Evidently it's not really the thing to wear suits to weddings anymore, so he'll just wear a shirt and tie with dress pants.  The boys will probably wear the shirts I did their pictures in and black dress pants.  

After Kohl's we went to McDonalds for the boys and then a stop at the Credit Union and now we're home, the boys are sleeping and I'm working on closing the Book Fair we did last week.  And I still have to get my house cleaned up for the Pampered Chef party tomorrow night!  I don't have to make any food, that's the cool thing about PC!  She makes the food in the demo!  I do have to go get the ingredients though!  We're having the Cranberry Turkey wreath!  jesusmotherof4 told me about it a long time ago, so that's why I chose it!  Thanks RJM!

Well, I should get busy and get my stuff done!  Last call for Pampered Chef!  If you need any, let me know, you can order online and it will come to your house!  Here's the link to get you to my E-show  http://www.pamperedchef.biz/carolscooking?page=host-search-results&showId=958406

Well today was pretty much a normal Saturday.  Other than a few fun seasonal things!  I love decorating for Christmas.  Well, I didn't put the tree up yet, will probably do that next week or wait till the first week of Dec.  But I got out all my PartyLite Snowbell family stuff...they're snowmen!  I love snowmen, but PartyLites Snowbell series are the cutest!  I have 6 pieces.  One of them has a little snowman that skates on a pond to the tune of Jingle Bells.  One holds a 3 wick or, I have a 6" snowball on it.  Two are tealight holders, one is a votive holder and the other is a tealight lamp. 

I put lights on our little evergreen tree in front of the house.  When I got my lights out, I discovered that most of them don't work.  But I did get one string put together that all works and it's on the little tree.  So if I want more, I might have to go buy some more.  I'd rather not, seems like a waist of money, when they aren't really that important!  My tree is prelit, so don't have to worry about that.  Last year, I put clumps of pillow stuffing on the tree branches for snow, I think I saw that on Martha Stewart or some home show.  I'm not a Martha Stewart fan, but once in a while, she has a really neat idea.  I make Applesauce Cinnamon ornaments, I've made a batch the last two years and I have a lot of them, but the first years are about out of scent so I may make some more this year.  I have 3 friends that might come over and make them with me. 

Other than that, I went to the tanning bed, put the turkey in the brine to soak, oh yeah and last night I made 2 pumpkin pies, one of which is 3/4 gone already!  It's our favorite!  And I made the Cranberry Mousse I mentioned in the previous post.  Tonight I need to mix up the butterhorn rolls!  MMMM, have  you ever had them!  Oh they are absolutely the best rolls! 

The turkey will go in the oven tonight, the rolls will be cut out and set to rise in the morning, the dressing will be baked tomorrow, potatoes will be cooked and mashed and gravy made after the turkey is done!  I'm so excited!  I know it's just us 4, but I love Thanksgiving dinner and I cooking it is half the fun! 

I wanted to go help serve at the mission this year, but I heard that they have an over abundance of help on Thanksgiving Day and I don't have a babysitter that can keep both of the boys on a holiday.  So I pray God blessed each hungry person and family with a lovely Thanksgiving meal at the Mission. 

Well, I must get those rolls mixed up!

Thanksgiving is over and the biggest shopping day of the year is today!  Did you go shopping!  Did you get any great deals!!!   I didn't get any deals because, I decided a long time ago, after all the horror stories of the day after Thanksgiving, that I would not go shopping that day! 

The boys and I spent the day yesterday, with my cousin's in-laws!  It was fun, the boys called them Grandpa and Grandma all day!    They made apple butter, so I went about 8:45 so I could help get the apples cut up.  It didn't really take us that long, we were done cutting by about 10:30 and it was just me, my cousin's wife and her mom.  The boys played outside and Berylac was even stirring the apple butter for a while! He did a great job for a 4 year old! They cooked it outside in a copper kettle and stirred it with a big wooden paddle.

  After we did the apples, I helped get lunch ready and took pictures outside of the kids in the wood trailer.  "Grandpa"  took them in the wagon to get wood for the fire, they had such a ball! 

For lunch we had Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry mousse (see recipe at bottom of post), mixed vegetables, bread, pumpkin and pecan pies.  It was so good!  They wanted to try my Mom's dressing recipe, so I can home and got it and they made that!  Dressing is always my favorite part of the meal!  The cranberry mousse was next and the pies next.  Turkey is okay, I like it, but not the highlight of the day! 

After lunch, we cleaned up and went out to fill the jars with Apple Butter.  We took pictures of all the kids on the handle stirring the apple butter!

We had to leave a little before 3 to pick Todo up.  He had to work and of course he had to go to Indianapolis!  It's about 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive.  So he didn't get to join us.  But we're going to have our Thanksgiving Turkey and all the fixings Sunday for Lunch!  I'm looking forward to cooking it all again!  It won't be as much as last year because we're not having company this year, it will just be us four, but who says we can't still have Thanksgiving!

So, hope you all had a wonderful day.  I pray God will bless and touch those who don't have family and can't enjoy the bounty of harvest we have been so blessed with.  We need to keep them in our prayers and help out as much as we can! 

30 days till Christmas!

Cranberry Mousse

1 (6 oz) pkg. cranberry, raspberry or strawberry jello

1 c. boiling water

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple

1 (16 oz) can whole berry Cranberry sauce

3 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp lemon zest

2 c. sour cream

Dissolve jello, drain pineapple, set aside pineapple and add juice to jello.  Stir in cranberry sauce, lemon juice, nutmeg and zest.  Chill till mixture thickens.  Fold in sour cream and pineapple.  Pour into a glass serving dish or a greased 9c. mold.  Chill until set.  At least 2 hours.  Serves about 16