Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday I celebrated my "50th" birthday......

As I think back over the last 50 years I am amazed at how much God has blessed me......Who would of thought that I would be where I am today. I can see God's hand upon my life, protecting and guiding me....He has always been present and sometimes I have sensed him right there and other times not. I have two beautiful children who both love the Lord and are following after Him. A son-in-law who loves my daughter and a daughter-in law who loves my son and two grandsons that make life grand.....I have great friends, (which was part of the reason we stayed). God has answered so many prayers and still continues to hear me when i call out to him.

It has been an emotional two weeks, but I can say that God has been with me through it all and sometimes trusting him is harder than other times. But I know that he is always faithful to complete the work that He started in me.

Thank you Lord, for keeping me in the palm of your hand the last 50 years. For the many healings you performed in my life, physical and emotional. Thank you for the people that you so carefuly placed in my life. You care so much a bout the little things in my life, like friendships. Thank you for my husband who loves me and for my children that you entrusted us with. For the grandchildren that you have given us....they are just added blessings and they make life grand. You are an awsome God and there is none that compares to you.

I don't know what the next 50 years has for me, but I do know that God will be with me and He will always be faithful even in the times when I am not faithful.

The Dog Stays

Well, seems like God has other plans. The lady who bought our house decided the last minute that she didn't want the dog, so guess what? He is living in the apt. with us. Ethen was so excited. His response when I told him was "YES"!!! It was almost like the dog new something was about to happen. Last night he looked sick and hadn't eaten for 2 days. This morning when we found out he was staying with us, he ate his food and doesn't look sick anymore. I think he thinks he is a person. Oh well......he will be company for me when John is gone in March.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to Sam

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday my son......Its been 25 years and I can still remember the day as if it were yesterday. Words cannot describe the feelings I had that day. What a blessing you have been over the past 25 years. I have watched you grow into the Man of God you are today. I have watched you struggle to get where you are today and I am so proud of who you are and what you have become. You never compromised, but stood up for what you believed to be right. You have stepped into the destiny that God had for your life and you are example of His love and grace to those He puts in your path. You have a passion for life and for God that has never been quenched. Whatever you do you do with excellence. You have brought much joy into our lives and still continue to be the joy of our hearts.

Thank you Jesus for bringing Sam into our lives. I thank you that he follows you with all his heart and hears you when you call. I thank you that he is obedient to your call and never compromises in his walk with you. May you continue to bless him and grant him the desires of his heart and may you always stay close to him guiding him in every decision he makes.

Sam, may you have a blessed day and I pray God would continue to bless you with the wisdom from above and the joy that can only come from Him. I love you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Death of a Dream

Well as most of you know, we are NOT moving. We will be staying here. We did, however, sell our house so we will be moving temporarily into an apt until our new house is built a block from where we are living now. It has been a crazy week and an emotional rollercoster. I felt like a death had taken place and to be quite honest with you did not understand it. I wanted to move. I was excited about being in a new place and tackeling new adventures. Making new friends, but still keeping in touch with the old ones. Being in Michigan was like being home. It reminded me so much of where I am from. I felt like I was home.

But God had other plans. I know Him well enough to know that His plan is for good and not harm and that He knows my beginning from my end. So for now, we will be staying here. I was reminded this morning in service that He has a plan for my life, so my prayer is that He will help me to heal and to be able to dream again and that my dreams would line up with His plan for my life, whatever that may be.

More Greetings from "Michigan"

It has been a great day......it rained all day :0)..We looked at another church today. No services going on, but we stopped anyway to check it out. We were able to meet the Senior Assoc. Pastor and he showed us around. We will probably check that church out the next time we are here.

we managed to look at several apts for rent this morning :0( told John there is no way we are doing that. We just have to find a place to buy and move in. Most of the apts do not rent 6 months and the one that would was really tiny and i was not impressed.

We went to lunch and I was sitting next to a table where two women were sharing gifts and their lives with each other. it was the sweetest thing. I got all tearied eyed as i was thinking about my special friends back home and it reminded me of the times we would have lunch together and share with each other.

We went after lunch and looked at about 8 houses......WOW.....I found one that I really liked. 4 bedrooms, a great room, dining room, basement. It is 2 stories with the master suite on the first floor. We are going to look at some more in the morning before we head to the airport.

At supper tonight, I told John that I still have mixed feelings. On one hand I want to move because I know it would be good for him and I don't want to hold him back, but on the other hand I don't want to leave my friends. Making friends is not easy for me. He responded by saying that if I didn't want to go we wouldn't, but to remember that we won't be in Michigan for long and if we stayed in Texas and he continued to do what he was doing in about 2 years we would be moving to "DELRIO". (ugh) Could you see me living in DelRio....I think not!!!!

Well, that was the jist of my day. I hope to see all of you at the Ladies Christmas party. I am looking forward to being there and making more memories with everyone.......

Greetings from the "Mitten State"

It is cold here and I absoulutely love it. It hasn't gotten over 32 degrees the whole time we have been here. We have been house hunting today.....I think this is going to take longer than I thought. There are absolutley TONS of houses to look at. I am being very picky though. I want a big house with a back yard.....they have big houses but NO YARD. If I don't find one this trip we will find one next trip, as it will be spring and I'm sure more on the market then. Our agent is absolutely a trip....We just love her.

We went to a church on Sunday morning.....it was in a strip mall in a store front. The church is called Rock Community Church, the church without walls. I noticed that John and I were overdressed....Almost everyone there had jeans on....The Pastor preached in a nice pair of pants and nice shirt....no tie or jacket and walked up to the podium with a cup of coffee in his hand. I might add that they have a cafe bar to the left of their sanctuary and that the sancturary is not any bigger than our fellowship hall. they have two services and are in a building program. The Pastor is 42 and has a 9 year old and married. he taught on the gifts of the spirit. The worship was good. However, John and I both looked at each other and said the same thing. It was like being in a Chapter one service only with 20 and 30 somethings. there wasn't very many people our age and and it seemed like it was a fairly new church plant, which is okay, but that would mean lots of work for us, which we are not afraid of, just not sure if that is where God wants us yet. I was very impressed at how we were greeted. We were greeted by at least 6 people before we even got to our seats and one of them was the Pastor. How awsome is that! I think we will probably visit a few others before we make our decision.

Marme I have some ideas that I stole. I think you will like them!

Tomorrow is Tuesday and we will be going around with the Real Estate Agent looking at the inside of the homes that John and I checked out today in the car. I will post again and let you know what we found. Love you all.

ALL PACKED UP

the last two days have been pretty crazy.....my precious husband and I have packed up almost everything in my house. all that resembles me (30 years of stuff) and who I am is sitting in the middle of the garage in boxes...I know we are not supposed to be attached to things, but it was what made our house a home. Although it is not our house anymore or won't be after Christmas. Transition is always hard for me.....and here I am having to do it for 3 months....I left the house today in tears and have been fighting back tears all day...I think that reality is finally settling in. there is still a peace about it all though. seems strange.

CHECK OUT THE POST UNDER ETHEN'S PIC

sorry it is not in order. I had to put the finishing touches on it. Check it out and feel free to comment. I didn't realize how long it was, but well worth reading as it sort of is a tesimony to God's grace in my life. Love y'all

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHEN

I'm a little late in posting this.......November 23 was Ethen's 8th birthday......This was a picture of him as a "mad scientist" Our first "grandson". He is strongwilled like his momma, but gentle and tender at the same time. What a joy he has been and will continue to be to us......I can remember being there when he was born and the all the joy that came with experiencing his birth, looking at him through the glass window of the nursery as he lay there sleeping and trusting that we would take care of him, that God would take care of him. Because of him, his mama learned to trust in God and saw God move in her life.....Thank you Ethen for making us your Nanna and Pappa. We love you so much and miss you. We couldn't imagine life without you for you have made it "grand".

A New Chapter

Reading Marme's blog got me to thinking about the crossroads in my life.

• I remember when I got married, to the most wonderful man I might add, not only did I have to adjust to being "one flesh" but had to do that in a strange land. We moved right away to San Angelo TX and then to Maryland....all in the first year we were married. Lots of adjusments., as we moved from there to the Phillipines and then to Nebraska and then back to San Angelo...The constant moving every 3-4 years caused me to have to learn to trust in God



• Then there was the birth of our first child.....How exciting it was. To look into her eyes and count all her toes and fingers and just love her for who she is.....she is the best thing that has ever happened to us.....Then there was the birth of our second child......another crossroad as I had to learn how to love two children instead of just one.....It wasn't hard though, as I think God enlarges our heart each time.....
• I remember the time when John got orders to go to Korea for a year, unaccompanied. That was a difficult time for us, but also another growing time. I was mom and dad at the same time to a 2 year old and a 7 year old. Everything I was involved in came to a hault as they became my main focus. I learned what it was like to be a single parent and would not want to ever have to do it again. I wouldn't of made it without the Lord. I got over many fears that year and learned to rely and "trust on God" more.
  
• Then there were the crossroads of watching our children grow. Taking them to school and hoping that they would be alright without mom to control their day. Trusting in God to take care of them as they became teenagers......and hoping they would pursue the destiny he had for them.


• One road, (though there are many), was when we found out we would be grandparents for the first time. Excited but sadend at the same time. Hoping and praying I would say the right words and wanting so desperately to help my daughter......God helped us through that rough time (crossroad) I learned a lot about myself and about trusting God. I wouldn't have traded that time for anything. It was a valley and a hard one to walk, but I know I didn't walk it alone. And neither did she......We are so much closer now than before and what a blessing our Ethen is. He has brought so much joy into all of our lives.....Oh and lets not forget about Seth......We couldn't imagine life with out these two precious ones....For they are a part of us and will continue the cycle of life......



• Perhaps the hardest and most recent one was when Sam went off to California to pursue his destiny..............I think that was the hardest. All my fears came crashing in....can he live there without "me" It is such a big place......We don't know anyone there. Who will help him when he gets into trouble? another road to cross. God so sweetly reminds me that He is everywhere and will take care of him.....and that He did. Another trust lesson. Then he got married.....Another crossroad for me as I had to find how I fit into this plan of being a "mother-in-law" It wasn't so hard when Angela got married, but it sure is hard the second time around.....Even though I love her dearly and believe she was a blessing sent from God to our son and to our family it still is hard at times. Maybe it is because they live so far away. It is so hard to have both children gone and living so far away..... I miss them.....I miss our talks and the times they lived at home.....but I know that they are both doing what God has called them to do and I am proud of all of them.



• This brings me to the "new chapter" in my life.......Another chapter on trusting God. In March of 2008 we will be moving to a new location.......John is being transferred to Michigan. Right smack dab in the middle of the great lakes. I know it will be cold, but that is okay. don't mind the cold. It will be an adventure, not sure I like adventures......I like to be comfortable if you know what I mean. I definitely don't want to leave my friends...(another trust lesson) but I know that God will have good things in store for us. His plans for us are of good and not evil.....We have lived in San Angelo for some 20 years and of that 20 have been at SAFA for 2 years. God brought us there not only to grow us but to heal us. We have experienced such tremondous healing and acceptance, not for what we can do, but for who we are. We have eperienced a part of God that we wouldn't have expereinced anywhere else. He is real in our lives and I can see his hand in everything in our life. I am so thankful for the precious friends (you know who you are) that He so carefully placed in our lives for they are instruments of His hand in our lives. You will hold a special place in my heart and those that come after you I am sure will have a hard time measuring up.

I think it is good once and a while to ponder on the past and take a look at what God has done. I have learned so much in the past 20 years, more so in the past 2 years. God is so good and He never does anything that would cause us harm......I am choosing to think upon this move as a "new chapter" in my life and am trusting God to grow me some more and carefully place new people in my life to accomplish that purpose.

Thanksgiving Memories

It has been a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.....Lots of memories have been made. John and I have the most truly amazing wonderful friends. We spent the day with Randy and Tonya. At first early in the a.m. I was a little bummed because I missed my kids terribly.....I did talk to both of them though before we went to Tonya's and they called me....amazing. I know they missed being with us as well. We had a great time with Randy and Tonya.....They truly are a gift from God to us....The food was great, she is a great cook, the company was awsome...We fellowshiped, ate, watched the game, planned our strategy for Friday, ate some more, talked with Ryan some more and then played Rummycube. I absolutely love the game. Love it so much I just think I will have to go buy it,....After a couple of games of that we said our goodbys and went home only to wake up at 4:30 to go, yep, SHOPPING. We met at Old Navy and shopped until we couldn't any more. We got everything on our lists and found lots of great bargins. I am done Christmas shopping......Actually I shopped mostly for me. The kids get checks in the mail....It is cheaper to send and easier for all concerned. At any rate, thanks Tonya for the memories, I will never forget you or Randy. Thank you Jesus for the wonderful friends you have sent to us......Life is so much sweeter and easy to live when you have great friends.

They are moving AGAIN

Yep, Angela is moving again. I think if there was an award to be given for the person who moved the most, she would get it hands down. She just can't seem to stay put. I think she just likes to pack and unpack and likes a good adventure. This time same city, same state, just a better house. The apartment they were living in was too small, no washer and dryer, (this meant laundramat every other day) and a crazy lady lived below them. She really scared Angela, so bad that Angela filed a complaint with the police on her. At any rate they found a 4 bedroom home, victorian style with a basement, backyard and a tree for the boys to climb......It is much bigger than the one they are in now. Oh and the best part, you guessed it, a LAUNDRY ROOM. No more laundramat for her. !!!!! I am excited for her and can't wait to go see her. I miss her so much......

A REYNOLDS CHRISTMAS

Here are some of the Reynolds' Christmas Traditions.......

• I always put up the tree Thanksgiving weekend. Also decorate the house at the same time and make sure that every room has some Christmas in it......Outside lights also go out at this time.


• When Sam and Angela were little they had their very own tree decorated just for them. The tree got passed down to Ethen and decorated with ornaments just for him.


• The week before Christmas is when I do my baking......my favorite cookie to make just happens to be my Dad's favorite. It is a chocolate butter cookie with nuts....yummmmm


• On Christmas Eve, when I was growing up, we would have a fondu for the evening meal and then we were allowed to open one gift that mom would hand to us....When I got married we changed the tradition sort of, no fondu, but we do have Lasagne for supper and then snack all night on cookies, and watch Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, but it has to be the one with George C. Scott.


• On Christmas Day, since it is Sam's birthday, every year for the last 25 years we watch White Christmas.....this is because when I was in labor it was the only thing on in the military hospital and that is what we watched. For lunch we have left overs and snack somemore........


• This last year I started a new tradition. I bought an ornament for my daughter and my daughter-in-love. I told them both that each year they will recieve a special ornament just from me.......


• We always go out for breakfast on Christmas day after we open presents......The kids really looked forward to this and so we just kept it up.


• On Christmas morning when I was growing up we opened the rest of our presents one at a time.....My dad would play Santa. Not all of our gifts were wrapped. Santa always came and left stuff under the tree. When I got married we still did the same thing no wrapping some stuff and just putting it under the Tree. The surprises on their face were just priceless. We would open the rest of our presents one at a time and then get ready to go out and eat breakfast. One thing we did different is we would take turns who played Santa each year. Usually we would let Sam do it because it was his birthday.....and we couldn't remember from year to year who played last.


• My favorite thing was to see all the wrapping paper on the floor and everyone having a good time.

These are just a few that I can remember for now.....I'm sure there are more. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It's the time the child comes out in me........it is the time when familys spend time with one another, just being with each other......it is a special time.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Briana
Happy Birthday to you!

She may never see this, but I'll say it any way. I am so glad she married our son.....she truly is the one we have prayed for ever since he was a little boy......God has not only blessed our son, but has blessed our family with her presence. She is such a joy to be around and is easy to talk to. She loves God with all her heart and just enjoys life.

Thank you Jesus for Briana. Thank you for bringing her into our lives. Thank you for the grace that flows through her life. Thank you that she walks uprightly before you and choses to live for you each day of her life. I pray that you bless her abundantly and that you reveal yourself to her as she goes about her day. May you never leave her side and may she always know your presence in her life.

Briana we love you and wish you the best birthday ever.

I've been Tagged and I'm Ready

Yeah!!!!! I've been tagged......Here goes

Seven things you never knew about me and maybe now wish you didn't. Or as you put it...Seven strange/weird/crazy things about me:

1. Always was afraid I would miss the rapture because I wasn't good enough or didn't pray the sinners prayer right, or I would miss it because I wasn't doing what I was supposed to do. I now know that it has nothing to do with what we do, but everything to do with my heart being right.

2. I'm a list person. Have to have a list. Don't want to forget anything......I have been known to forget, and it was because I didn't have the list with me. What is worse, I have to do everything on the list IN ORDER. Enough said there.

3. Hate to multitask. Hate it with everything in me. I will do it if I have to, but please don't make me. I just can't function. I get very frustrated when I can't finish one task at a time and see it to it's completion.

4. I used to play with Barbies until I was 13. That was when my mom told me I was to old to play with Barbies and then I stopped :0( I had the playhouse and used to make my sister play with me only she had to be Ken and I would get to be "in control" and boss her around. Older sisters can do that you know.

5. Oops that's another one. I am the eldest of 5 siblings......I guess that is why I always like to be the boss and be in control.

6. I am a neat freak. Everything has to be in order. Can't stand anything out of place. If it is out of order I feel like I can't function and I'm "out of order" if you know what I mean. I mean really everything has a function and everything HAS ITS PLACE right :0)

7. Because i am such a neat freak, once while growing up I shared a room with my sister. She was obviously the opposite of me, yes a complete slob (but I loved her anyway). I was so mad at her one day I took Silver Duct Tape and taped the closet off and our bedroom and told her she could not under any circumstances come on my side (unless she cleaned stuff up). Mom didn't like that to well, neither did sis.

Well there you have it. 7 things you didn't know about me and now you do....... I tag all of me and little picket fence

HOW TO

To all those who have music on your site....How do you add. I have gone to the link and tried to add a music link but there isn't one.

CHECK OUT THE NEW PICTURES

Well, I was able to recover some of the pictures.......I had saved some pictures on my myspace website, so I went and saved them to my hard drive on my laptap and walla!!!! These aren't all of them, but that is okay. At least I have the majority of them....I did buy a "flash drive", so I will be backing up quite frequently. At any rate, check out the new pictures I have put up. I think my favorite one is the one of the newlyweds smelling the flowers. They are such a fun couple. They love life and love God. Isn't that the way it should be? Enjoy!

Blogger page

Thanks for all the tips on how to get my page back. I have tried them all and nothing worked, so for now I will go with what I have.......I was able to recover some pictures as John had backed up our hard drive and I found almost all of the pictures, but none of the wedding. I will be loading some different ones on the right side of the page. Maybe I can work on it and make a little different. Last I heard from Casey he was going to try one more thing, but everything he tried so far wasn't working.....Hopefully Sam and Bri will hurry and register on the web site so I can see the pics and order some. That stinks, because I'll have to pay for them, but that is the way the "cookie crumbles"......Will post more later

FRUSTRATED AND UPSET

HELP MARME AND BACAMAMA. Calling ALL treasured fellow bloggers.....If you haven't noticed, I have lost, yes lost all of my pics on the right side of my page. I also lost all of my links.......I refuse, I repeat refuse to venture and try to change my page ever again....:0( I want to cry as I cannot recapture those pictures thanks to my other computer not working. Still don't know if I can recover them.....I don't know what happen. I saved the template before I started this and when I went to restore wala, no pictures.......No links, no ANYTHNG....I still have all of the sayings, but no pictures. Oh and the scripture is gone to. That I can restore. I'll have to think of another saying as i can't remember what it was, something about treasures and moments I'm sure......Okay I think I have vented long enough.......No more changing blog pages.....I will stick to the one I have and try to make IT look better than it does right now!!!!!

HIS FIRST BABY FISH

Have you ever seen a child so in awe!!!! Daddy tried to get him to touch it, but OCD kicked in and he probably thought "you want me to do what"? Actually he probably just said a sharp NO and shook his head.......

APPLES OR PUMPKINS ANYONE?

HELPPPPP

Okay, fellow bloggers and computer experts. I found a new page I really really want and can't get it to load.......can someone help me!!!!! I promise to bake you chocolate chip cookies, or if you are watching what you eat maybe a fruit plate???? I have been trying to do this for the past hour and it ain't working :0( Any suggestions!!!!!

BIG FISH

Ethen caught this Bass all by himself. No help from Daddy. He caught a lot of fish that day, daddy caught nothing. This was the biggest! He said he caught this with a little tiny worm. His expression says "I can't believe I caught this big fish all by myself"!

OH THE BEAUTY!!!!

Maine in the fall. My favorite time of the year. Below are my two favorite boys in the universe.
Yes, those are sweatshirts they have on. It is only September. This weekend they are going to the apple orchard to pick fresh apples.......what fun.....Oh the memories of when I lived back East, East coast that is.......:0) (lol) I told Angela to take lots of pics.....

My hands are cold nanna!

Proximity Creates Intimacy

While I type this I am listening to Sam preach. I am so excited because I don't get to hear him as often as I would like. He is preaching at the church he is associate pastor in. He is preaching on "Intimacy with God" You can go to http://www.baysidelifechurch.com/ and hear what the Holy Spirit is saying through him. I am amazed at how God is still talking to us about intimacy with Him since the retreat. Could it be it is the heart cry of His heart? It is so awsome, because he is reinforcing everything that was said on the retreat. I encourage you to check it out. When you go to the web site click on the listen button and then scroll down until you find his name.

Awsome Movies

Okay, When I came home this afternoon, i watched an incredible movie. "The Ultimate Gift". After reading Marmies blog, you guys need to rent it. It is about a rich dude who never worked a day in his life. He is angry at his grandfather because his dad died and he blames his grandfather for it. At any rate the grandfather dies and leaves an inheritance. The uncles think they are getting it, but they don't. He gives his grandson a series of gifts before the ultimate gift is given. It is so good. You just have to rent it to see what happens. Good for a girls night or a couples night.

NEW TOY

Okay, I finally did it. I took the plunge. I bought a laptop. I really won't have time to do anything else now but blog and play on the computer. At this very moment the clothes in the dryer are screeming at me to get them out before they are to wrinkled and then I will have to iron them. I chose to ignore them and just run them through another cycle. Oh well there are worse things. It has been a great weekend. Relaxing and quite.

A MOMENT IN TIME

A few mornings ago I was getting ready for work. Doing the usual. Fixing hair, putting on makeup. I heard the sound of birds singing in the back yard. Not an unusal sound as they do it every morning. But this time I had my Retreat Worship CD playing. I was enjoying being in the presence of the Lord while getting ready for the day, when I noticed the birds stopped singing for a split second. I thought about this and came to the conclusion that the sun must have been coming up and they noticed the beauty of it all.

I am reminded of the scripture that talks about silence in heaven. I wonder if it will be because we are just so awestruck at the "beauty of His presence" that we just can't speak and all we want to do is Gaze into his eyes as he gazes upon us. There is a song on the Worship Whisper CD that talks about us "stealing his heart with just one look in my eyes" (I think that is how it goes, it's late, can't remember)......At any rate, everytime I hear the song, which lately is quite often, I want to steal his heart. To be captured by his presence. Can't you just see him gazing upon us, loving us and longing for us to be closer than ever. I want to know Him. Everything there is to know. I want to always be filled with His presence and I want His desires to be my desires. I want others to know the joy of being in His presence and the peace that comes from knowing that He loves us no matter what.

All and all it has been a good week and I pray that what He has written upon my heart this last weekend will have a lasting effect for eternity.

ADDICTED

Okay, I am officially hooked. My desk top has been down for 2 days now. I am resorting to using my husband's laptop (thank you honey, you are a blessing). Tonight I was having withdrawls because I couldn't get to the computer. I wonder if this is how a drug addict feels. I think my hardrive has crashed. This is not good, because the last time I backed up was in Jan of 06 when we thought it crashed that time. I just hope Casey can fix or retrieve. ALL MY PICTURES are on there. I do not have any hard copies of pictures any more. Oh God I pray that I can retrieve my pics or that it can be fixed. At any rate, I went shopping for laptops today. Found one I like, but they only had the display model. I'm not sure it is a good idea to buy the display model. You never know what other people have done to it. So I will hold out and hope they get one in and that it will be on sale. :0)

It was nice to be able to catch up. It only took about 2 hours. Right now it is so quite. I love the quite. My favorite time of day is in the early morning when I'm the only one here or late at night. Seems like I can think better.

Overshadowed

I can definetly say I was overshadowed this weekend. I can't seem to get the song out of my mind, don't think I want to. I wake up singing this song, go through my day singing this song, and then lie down at night singing this song. His presence is so sweet and I needed it so desperately. I know no matter where I am or what I am doing, he will always be with me. Thanks Marme for being sensitive to the Spirit and following his leading. To all who did not go, make plans to go next year, because it will be better than this year. He can only get better as we pursue Him.

RESPONSE TO LA'S COMMENT ABOUT CHIGGER BITES

Unless anyone physically stepped into an ant bed, they are NOT ant bites. They are the lovely little darlings called chiggers. BUT if you think you have ant bites, try the clear nail polish. It just might work for those "little buggers" as well.

Chiggers Anyone!!!!!

Okay, never had these before and never again want to get them. I did discover a tremendous treatment for the "little buggers" CLEAR NAIL POLISH. If any of you acquired these on the retreat dab some nail polish on them and it kills them and the itching instantly. Better than the chigger medicine you buy on the market. Praise God for the person who invented nail polish. I bet you thought you could only put in on your nails!!!!!

NEW PICTURES OF THE WEDDING

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Ethen called me and told me about his first day of school. He is in the second grade now. He absolutely loves school. He says his teacher reminds him of me. He says that her hair is like mine and that she has the same skin color and that she is nice to him like me. He said that it was like having me there every day. Isn't our God good to do that for him. He has made lots of new friends and is very excited about going to school. I am so happy for him as the last two years in New Mexico schools was a struggle. So much that they pulled him out and home schooled him which he liked better anyway.

As for Seth, still no school for him. He still will not go in the POTTY. He will be 3 in just a few months. I told her not to worry, as I have never seen a 5 year old in kindergarten in diapers.

UPDATE

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. Havn't had much to say and I've been pretty busy. At any rate, wanted to let everyone know that Angela has found a home to rent. It is a Victorian Style Home that has been converted to 4 apartments. They are renting one of the apartments upstairs. It was a great find as the rent includes their heat, which in Maine can get pretty costly and it is oil heat. Tell me that was not God!!!! The house is just 1 block from Ethen's school, so they walk to school in the morning and she walks to pick him up in the afternoon. Everything should fit in the apartment, except no washer or dryer as there is no hookups for one. So she will have to go to the laundramat to do laundry. They went to visit a church last Sunday, which someone Ramiro works with invited them to and then went to this persons house for lunch afterward. She says the people are really nice and they are setteling in.

Thanks for praying.

Finding The Balance

It's been a while since I posted.....just been busy! Well they have been married for 2 weeks now and I have only talked to my "sweet" son once.....He called me. I was totally surprised. However, I am struggling with finding my place as the "mother-in-law". I don't want either of them to think I am bothering them, but there are times when I just "need" to talk to him. I miss our conversations and the many things we talked about. Hey, I'll be honest, I just plain miss him. I know he is "preoccupied" now, but really a phone call that takes more then 2 minutes would be nice. And where do I find the balance so my sweet daughter-in-love doesn't think I'm trying to come between them......Any suggestions?

PRAYER REQUEST

Well Angela made it to Maine. Only took her 5 days to get there. They left on Wednesday and arrived sometime on Sunday. She sounds like a different person. All she says is how pretty it is....Poor thing she has been deprived all these years.....She said apartments are very limited, so they are looking for a rental house. They need to find one pretty quick as their stuff will be arriving soon and they will need a place to put it. I know God is faithful and will lead them to where they need to be as he has led them this far already. Also be praying for a church. She was telling me she went to Niagra Falls and how pretty it was. Made me want to be there. She said the weather in Maine is a chilly "58" degrees and that was at 6:00 this evening. I guess you all know where I will be next summer.....Just think, the summer home in Maine and the winter home in Sacramento, CA. Kind of nice don't you think and I don't have to pay for either one.

Wedding Pictures!

I will post more pictures when I get them.....These are a few that Heath Miller took......

WEDDING THOUGHTS

Well he's married......sounds funny.......but he did it......it was a beautiful wedding. The weather was perfect.......wasn't hot, but sunny and a gentle breeze......enough to keep things cool, but not so much your hair was a disaster after you walked outside......It was a picture perfect night.......There were seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen, all decked out in black and pinks and mauve tones........I don't think I've been to a wedding where I watched two people commit themselves to each other where you could see how much in love they were......She was a beautiful bride and he was a "very handsome" groom all decked out in his tux......Her dress was kind of a vintage style dress (I'll post pictures when I get them)

I'm sure you are all wondering if I cried during the ceremony????? Nope, not one tear.....kind of strange though......There were moments when I would think of him when he was little, but the tears did not come until the reception when he came and took my hand and escorted me on the dance floor and danced with me......(we used to do things like that in the kitchen when he was a teenager) even now when I think about it I get teary eyed......It was just me and him and we talked about things that only we would understand and laughed about things that only we would understand. There was no one else there at that "momement" in time, even though there were 250 people watching......Yes I treasured every word he said and treasured the few momements we had......then at the end of the song I had a surprise.....John came and danced with me......yes more tears because he said he would never do this......it was a special evening. (My friend took lots of pictures of this, will post when I get them)

I am still in New Mexico and will post when I get home the many pictures I took......I had a freind there who happens to live 45 minutes from where we were and he offered to sneak around and take some pictures of stuff they wouldn't not allow us to take, but he did it any way.....I will get those posted for you as soon as I get them.....I also got some souveniers for you of the bride and groom if you want them......

It was a stressful week, but a great ending.......talk to you all soon

DAY 3

Today was a great day in CA.......The weather was perfect and I do mean perfect......I think it was about 80 with NO humidity.......I ventured out with the rent-a-car on my own to the outlet mall.......I've never been one to venture out, but today I have "grown up".......I spent some time just me and Sam in the morning (we went to our favorite spot) and then spent the afternoon with Angela doing what we do best, SHOPPING......Found some great buys.......

Tomorrow we will spend the day in Apple Valley with Sam and then go to his house for dinner. He is cooking!!!! We are having so much fun and enjoying being with our family making lots of memories......unitl tomorrow.....I will try to take some pictures and download them for you all to see.....

Chicken Fetaccini

Does anyone have an "easy" recipe for Chicken Fetaccini.......We are going to be serving this at the next Chapter One dinner the second week in September......?????? I am trying to make it as easy as possible for those that help with the dinners.....

The Adventure

Just thought you might like to come on an adventure with me on my first day on vacation......it was a "stinky"one.......our flight was great, we arrived in New Mexico and Angela came to pick us up.......I found a pair of shoes to go with my dress, yeah!!!!! Then we went to lunch.....they took us to a Brazilan restaurant. Food was great, but I think a little to rich for Seth ......all of sudden we smelt this smell that we just couldn't get a way from......I had forgotten what it was like to be with "little ones". We decided to pay and change him before anyone else smelt this delightful smell. Well, let me tell you, when he goes, he goes......as Angela was changing him in the car on the back seat, there was so much of it that he got it on the seat and the back of his shorts, so we stood him up between the two parked cars and proceeded to strip everything off and use wipes, (thank heaven for wipes) to clean him up. He had it everywhere, and I mean everywhere....his fingers, his nose (how it got there, i'll never know) at any rate we ran out of wipes. Just then the people who owned the car next to us (who had children thank the Lord) noticed we were OUT OF WIPES and blessed us so we could finish the job......(I now know why I never had fancy nails while my kids were little, not only could I not afford them, but it is really hard to keep them clean if you know what I mean).........Okay so know we are traveling down the road to go to the store to pick up a few things, when yes, I had to go.......(must have been the rich food) and if I didn't go soon it wasn't going to be good. Well have to have a toilet I can sit on.....You know all those things your mother told you never to do!!!!!!.......So we stopped at the Embassy suites to use the bathroom.....(they live 45 minutes from the city, which is were we were) ..Aah yes life was great, the bathroom was clean, (I still didn't sit) however, when I was finished I heard a clump clump clump and someone coming in the next stall......I noticed they had pretty big feet and had on black boots and the front of the boots were facing toward the wall.......I didn't think anything of it. I thought, hmmm, maybe they think they are in China and are squatting backwards. At any rate, I came out of my stall and went to wash my hands when the person who was in the next stall came out and said, "Oh excuse me, I thought I was in the MENS room".......Yes go ahead laugh, run to the bathroom if you must.......I was shocked.......so shocked that when I came out I made sure that I was in the right bathroom and of course I was.........What an adventure.

Ya'll have a great day and I will try to blog again soon......You never know what is going to happen on this trip......

THE NEW LOOK

okay, so tell me what ya'll think.....be honest.....I wanted to smile with my mouth open and show my pretty "straight" teeth, but the person taking the picture told me to keep my mouth closed.....thus we have a "dorky" smile...

I've just gotta get this smiling thing down.....don't want "dorky" smiles in the wedding pictures.......

ALWAYS ON TIME

Okay so here is part two......the house is SOLD......yes I said SOLD......and the best part is that God answered her prayer.....she asked in the very beginning that He would sell the house in 30 days......well you guessed it......30 days to the day......She couldn't believe it......AND she gets to keep her washer and dryer (the one I dream of having some day) She kept telling me, "but mom you don't understand"......there are 60 houses alone in my neighborhood which is in the middle of nowhere and some have been on the market for a long time......I proceeded to tell her, but that is our God......Never early, never late, but always on time......

I am so thankful that He showed himself to her, because now she knows that He is her God personally and He answers Her prayers personally......She doesn't have to go through me......

The other part of the prayer was that Ramario would find out soon when he has to report.......They have to be out of the house in 30 days......We are still waiting to hear about that, but I know in whom I have believed that He is faithful to do exceedingly and abundantly all, yes I said ALL that we could ask or think.....

Yes God has a plan.....sometimes we can't see it, but I know He has a plan for our lives and it is always for good......

FOR MY GOD IS FAITHFUL......

For those of you who don't know, our daughter who lives in New Mexico (yuch) will be moving to Main (even more yuchier), yeah the other side of the map.....at any rate they are trying to sell their house......this is very hard where they live because they live out in the middle of nowhere and I do mean nowhere.....any way they had someone look at their house yesterday. She called me and asked me to pray, so I did.....God answered prayer in 24 hours.....they made an offer which was about 5,000 less than their asking price and they wanted her washer and dryer which I could only dream of having......(I have the cheapo ones).....So they counter offered to include the washer dryer and refrigerator.......we will see if they except tomorrow....(7/31). I will let you know......

God is so faithful.........I just know that this house will be SOLD soon and they will be able to move TOGETHER instead of being seperated until it is sold. Where she lives right know is not a very safe place and we would rather she wasn't left alone. I know my God knows this and He has a plan for them and He will protect her and the boys where ever they are, but for know pray with me that it is SOLD.......

JOYS OF BEING A NANNA

I will have to say that these two little ones make being a grandparent so much fun.....We recently were blessed and the Lord allowed us to have Ethen, the oldest, for a whole month......It was so much fun......just to relax and play games and do the things i never did with my kids when they were little. I think we played games every night and stayed up late and ate lots of snacks and watched lots of movies and made LOTS OF MEMORIES. It was hard when he left. We both cried, but took comfort in knowing that in 3 weeks we would be together again.

Why is it that we wait until we have grandkids to do this......It seems like when our kids are growing up we are to rushed to spend time with them and make memories......maybe that is why "LIFE IS GRAND" when you have grandkids, you don't feel rushed and you just know that spending time with them is the most important thing in your life.....it's like God gives us a second chance.....Thank you Lord for that second chance......It was such a blessing to have him with us for as long as we did and look forward to the next time he can be with us.......They will be moving to Maine......Yeah Maine.....Could they get any farther away.....that is almost to Canada.......So now we have one the West coast and one on the East coast......I think we will stay put because this is middle ground.......

And to all of you moms out there......spend lots of time with your kids.....they grow so fast....All of the cleaning and cooking and stuff can wait. It will be there later, trust me.....but your children grow up so fast, sometimes to fast......So make lots of memories while they are still with you, you will be glad you did.....

At any rate, I love being a Nanna and wouldn't trade it for anything.........

Wedding Thoughts

Was just thinking this morning about the wedding.....It seems like just yesterday that it was quite a bit away, and now it is almost here. Just 10 days to be exact......I wish that they would have gotten married here in San Angelo where all of our friends are.....Feel like I'm going to a wedding where I only know the bride and groom. Just wishing that i could share the happy day with all of my friends! I guess I'll have to pay for web service on my phone and text pictures to everyone......I'll have to definitely get the "T-9" lesson before I leave. :0).......



I'm such a klutz.....I was curling my hair the other morning and dropped the curling iron on my "arm". The first thing I thought of was, yes you guessed it, what it was going to look like in my dress......My dress is very sleevless. I'm praying the mark will be gone before August 10th. Otherwise my right arm WILL NOT be in any of the pictures.....Also, i think I am having anxiety over getting my contacts in time......They are still not in and I leave on Friday......this is not good as they are soft contacts and i have never worn soft before nore do I know if they will even work......sounds like vanity I know, but then that is me.....I always have to look perfect.......I guess I could not wear my glasses, but then it would be like "Mr. Magoo".......hmmmm maybe I need to pray about this vanity thing?

Beginnings

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the "secret place". When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

This is probably one of my favorite scriptures. To think that God reached into my life when I was merely a tiny embryo and began to shape me within. He originated me. He began to put me together while I was still in the soft silence of my mother's womb. It was there my inward parts were originated by God. Is it any wonder why my inward parts cry out to him today. Why wouldn't they. He created them. He created us to worship Him from the "inside out". What an awsome God we serve that He knows my beginning from my ending.

New At This

Okay, here goes. I have waited long enough. I will join the ranks of bloggers. Who knows, this could be fun. I might could learn something from all of this. Maybe even something about myself. Hey that's a thought. I'm not very good at this, but we will give it a try. Could be an outlet for me. You never know.