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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Dear God, I can't find my......


I would venture to guess that just about everyone has lost something at some point in their life....Keys, shoes, glasses etc. When you lose an item such as these what do you do? Do you retrace your steps and hope to find the item that way? Do you ask a member of your household if they have seen the item? Do you PRAY and ask GOD to show you where the item is??

19 years ago I was a new believer. Something I experienced that proved to be HUGE in building my Faith was when I would lose something.....my keys, my purse, my glasses or dare I say it .... even a shoe ~ God would take me too the lost item

EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

This has continued over the years and still to this day God takes me straight to it!

Wednesday proved to be another example of HIS Faithfulness and HIS care and concern even in the little things. We had planned on taking Jenna's prom dress to be altered. I was loading up the car with all the items she would be wearing and of course that would include some high heels. Because I haven't changed out my closets from Winter to Spring/Summer I had to do a little hunting for those particular shoes. I found one shoe right away but couldn't for the life of me find the matching shoe. I looked all over my closet, Jenna's closet, the mud room closet where we keep the "out of season clothes". I LOOKED EVERYWHERE!! I might add, I was on a tight schedule and didn't really have time to be hunting for one shoe! So I did what I always do when I can't find something ~ I prayed and asked God to show me where the shoes was.....

Not 30 seconds later did I find the matching shoe!!

It just NEVER ceases to AMAZE me and bring me SUCH JOY when the Lord does this!! Like a sweet kiss from HIM saying I Love YOU and care about you .... even this.

There have been times that I have shared with others how the Lord has shown me my "Lost" items before and some will say...


Oh gosh! How silly! I would never "BUG" God with such small details ~ OR ~

You seriously ask God to help you find your keys or a shoe? Like I am some weirdo or something LOL


You know what.... I do. I ask and HE shows. It encourages me soo much and has at times, turned my day around ~ from frantic to joy-filled! Just knowing the Lord heard me and cares that much..... WOW

What about you? Has you ever asked the Lord to show you where your keys are? Or even a lost shoe? Isn't it just awesome when HE does that!! :) If you haven't ever asked HIM before.... just know this! HE really does care and loves you enough to help you find what you are looking for! Even a lost shoe!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

An Important Read

My Friend Melanie shared this on Facebook and I thought it was important enough to share here as well! An unbelievable and oh so important read (in my opinion) It's longer than my normal post but it's an important read



THE PRESIDENT WITHOUT A COUNTRY



© 2011
"We're no longer a Christian nation." – President Barack Obama, June 2007

"America has been arrogant." – President Barack Obama

"After 9/11, America didn't always live up to her ideals."

– President Barack Obama

"You might say that America is a Muslim nation."

– President Barack Obama, Egypt 2009


Thinking about these and other statements made by the man who wears the title of president … I keep wondering what country he believes he's president of.

In one of my very favorite stories, Edward Everett Hale's "The Man without a Country," a young Army lieutenant named Philip Nolan stands condemned for treason during the Revolutionary War, having come under the influence of Aaron Burr. When the judge asks him if he wishes to say anything before sentence is passed, young Nolan defiantly exclaims, "Damn the United States! I wish I might never hear of the United States again!"

The stunned silence in the courtroom is palpable, pulsing. After a long pause, the judge soberly says to the angry lieutenant: "You have just pronounced your own sentence. You will never hear of the United States again. I sentence you to spend the rest of your life at sea, on one or another of this country's naval vessels – under strict orders that no one will ever speak to you again about the country you have just cursed."

And so it was. Philip Nolan was taken away and spent the next 40 years at sea, never hearing anything but an occasional slip of the tongue about America. The last few pages of the story, recounting Nolan's dying hours in his small stateroom – now turned into a shrine to the country he foreswore – never fail to bring me to tears. And I find my own love for this dream, this miracle called America, refreshed and renewed. I know how blessed and unique we are.

Is Shariah law coming to a court near you? Get "Stealth Jihad" – Robert Spencer's expose about efforts to quietly establish the Muslim system in Amerca

But reading and hearing the audacious, shocking statements of the man who was recently elected our president – a young black man living the impossible dream of millions of young Americans, past and present, black and white – I want to ask him, "Just what country do you think you're president of?"

You surely can't be referring to the United States of America, can you? America is emphatically a Christian nation, and has been from its inception! Seventy percent of her citizens identify themselves as Christian. The Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were framed, written and ratified by Christians. It's because this was, and is, a nation built on and guided by Judeo-Christian biblical principles that you, sir, have had the inestimable privilege of being elected her president.

You studied law at Harvard, didn't you, sir? You taught constitutional law in Chicago? Did you not ever read the statement of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and an author of the landmark "Federalist Papers": "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers – and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation – to select and prefer Christians for their rulers"?

In your studies, you surely must have read the decision of the Supreme Court in 1892: "Our lives and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian."

Did your professors have you skip over all the high-court decisions right up till the mid 1900s that echoed and reinforced these views and intentions? Did you pick up the history of American jurisprudence only in 1947, when for the first time a phrase coined by Thomas Jefferson about a "wall of separation between church and state" was used to deny some specific religious expression – contrary to Jefferson's intent with that statement?

Or, wait a minute … were your ideas about America's Christianity formed during the 20 years you were a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ under your pastor, Jeremiah Wright? Is that where you got the idea that "America is no longer a Christian nation"? Is this where you, even as you came to call yourself a Christian, formed the belief that "America has been arrogant"?

Even if that's the understandable explanation of your damning of your country and accusing the whole nation (not just a few military officials trying their best to keep more Americans from being murdered by jihadists) of "not always living up to her ideals," how did you come up with the ridiculous, alarming notion that we might be "considered a Muslim nation"?

Is it because there are some 2 million or more Muslims living here, trying to be good Americans? Out of a current population of over 300 million, 70 percent of whom are Christians? Does that make us, by any rational definition, a "Muslim nation"?

Why are we not, then, a "Chinese nation"? A "Korean nation"? Even a "Vietnamese nation"? There are even more of these distinct groups in America than Muslims. And if the distinction you're trying to make is a religious one, why is America not "a Jewish nation"? There's actually a case to be made for the latter, because our Constitution – and the success of our Revolution and founding – owe a deep debt to our Jewish brothers.

Have you stopped to think what an actual Muslim America would be like? Have you ever really spent much time in Iran? Even in Egypt? You, having been instructed in Islam as a kid at a Muslim school in Indonesia and saying you still love the call to evening prayers, can surely picture our nation founded on the Quran, not the Judeo-Christian Bible, and living under Shariah law. Can't you? You do recall Muhammad's directives [Surah 9:5,73] to "break the cross" and "kill the infidel"?

It seems increasingly and painfully obvious that you are more influenced by your upbringing and questionable education than most suspected. If you consider yourself the president of a people who are "no longer Christian," who have "failed to live up to our ideals," who "have been arrogant," and might even be "considered Muslim" – you are president of a country most Americans don't recognize.

Could it be you are a president without a country?

Monday, March 28, 2011

Firsts and Lasts


When your daughter is a Senior in High School, let me tell you..... "The time flies by way tooo fast!" Experiencing so many things for the very last time can at times break this mommas heart.



Her last High School Spring Break
Her final football game as an Athletic Trainer
Shopping for her last ever Prom Dress
Her final Basketball game as an Athletic Trainer
Multiple Senior Nights recognizing them and all of their accomplishments
Her final Soccer game as an Athletic Trainer


Along with all of these Lasts in her life we are also experiencing Many "Firsts"

Applying to Colleges
Being accepted and deciding where to go
Attending College Open Houses
Filling out countless Financial Aid Forms
Going to the College Greek Discovery Days


I will be honest, whether we are experiencing a First or a Last Situation I am in need of some serious KLEENEX! This weekend alone, we found the most beautiful Prom Dress for Jenna's very last Prom EVER! The very next day we were up and on the road by 7am to drive down to the College she has chosen. We went down to "Greek Discovery Day" to see if joining a Sorority is something she might be interested in.

During the Parent session one of the college advisers told us our #1 assignment as parents is to stop being Helicopter Parents ~ definition ~ to stop hovering over our children.

All the Parents listened and laughed and if they were like me they had to look within and ask...."Am I a Helicopter Parent? Do I hover?"

The Lord has blessed me abundantly with my children. To love them, care for them, and lead them in the way they should go. Each day has been such a gift! I know I haven't always done things perfectly, and no doubt at times I have definitely hovered.
I know letting go is a process, so for now, I am CHERISHING every single day....whether it is something we are experiencing for the first time, or sadly.... the last time.

I am so excited to see all the Plans God has in store for my girl....her Hope, her Future

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Friday, March 25, 2011

TGIF ♥



Hip Hip Hooray It's F-R-I-D-A-Y

You know what that means :) It's time for some Friday Funnies! Kim over @ HomesteadersHeart hosts FF each week so if you want to enjoy more funnies head on over there or even better than that, join in with us, and share your own funny!! The More Funnies, the more Laughs for everyone!!

My Son found this funny and he said "Mom, you are going to love this and I bet you will want to use it for your Friday Funny" He was CORRECT!! This is soo cute! This sweet baby can't figure out if his Momma blowing her nose is scary or funny??


Happy Friday my Friends!

Thought for the Day:

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.
-- Mother Teresa

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Trusting in YOU Lord

I am so thankful that with so much going on that brings a heaviness and concern we have Hope in the ONE who cares for us and is with us no matter what. Thank you Lord for Spring and the signs of "all things new." Thank you for seasons in our spiritual walk as well.

I know many are hurting and in need of a touch from the Lord. Some need a breakthrough. Some just flat out need a miracle. I have received many emails for friends needing prayer. As I interceded on behalf of my friends, I felt the Lord showing me how my grand- children live daily knowing they will be loved and cared for,and having all their needs met, that He too would be there for all these needs I was laying at the foot of the Cross. In seeking what to blog I had this on my heart and thought of these pictures of my grandkids.... The Joy on their faces and the trust in their hearts....

Thank you Lord for meeting the needs of those who put their Trust in YOU




The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Ps 28:7

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Ps 9:10

Monday, March 21, 2011

DIGIORNO HOUSE PARTY




Blogging has given me and my family soo many blessings! One of those blessings is having the opportunity to review items and then share what we think! Receiving FREE items is AWESOME!! I recently was given the opportunity with Houseparty.com to host a DIGIORNO Pizza & Hoops Party. I got a PartyPac in the mail that was filled with awesome GOODIES!! Throwing a party for Friends and Family and sharing all these new items is sooo much fun!

Here are some pics from our party

We got FREE.....PIZZAS, BREADSTICKS, WYNGZ, AND COOKIES


Did Someone say FREE PIZZA???


My Sweet Grandson was sporting the Basketball attire but bless his heart he was soooo sleepy ;)


My Honey got busy makin all the DELICIOUS food


DiGiorno has some delicious Pizza!! They are introducing their WYNGZ and Cookies as a side to their pizzas! The Wyngz were gone in literally minutes! They were a SLAM DUNK!! The Cookies were Nestle Tollhouse soo you know they were fabulous!!!




Rylee & Jen helped too!



We shot some HOOPS


LOOK AT THAT AIR!!



Rylee LOVED Playing Basketball INSIDE


She Scores!




Some of the Party Favors we received were some REALLY LOUD noise makers



We shot some video of the crazy and OH SO LOUD noise makers....it was sooo loud but at the end of the video you will notice it never even phased my Grandson! HE SLEPT ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT!




THANKS DIGIORNO AND HOUSEPARTY!! THE PARTY WAS A HUGE HIT! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN PLAYING HOOPS AND LOVED EVERY SINGLE BITE!! IT WAS DEFINITELY NOT A DELIVERY NIGHT.....IT WAS ALL DIGIORNO!!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spiritual Sundays ~ Blessed by Burdens




Today for my Spiritual Sunday post I am sharing from my Billy Graham Devotional ~ Unto the Hills. To join in and share your own post go here


Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as adversity has done. Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, the most poignant poems, the most gripping stories. Out of suffering and tears have come the greatest spirits and the most blessed lives.

J.R. Miller wrote, "Many of us find life hard and full of pain. We cannot avoid these things; but we should not allow the harsh experiences to deaden our sensibilities, or make us stoical or sour. The true problem of living is to keep our hearts sweet and gentle in the hardest conditions and experiences."

Our oldest daughter married a Swiss. They had seven children and usually spent their summers in Switzerland and their winters in America. Sometimes when we visited them in Switzerland we took the children and went high up in the Alps on chair lifts. We crossed over miles of land, looking down below at some of the most beautiful flowers to be found anywhere in the world. Those flowers had survived the heavy snows of winter. The burdens of ice, snow and winter storms added to their luster, beauty, and growth. It was hard to believe that just a few weeks earlier these flowers were buried under many feet of snow. Our burdens can have the same effect on our lives.

As Christians face the winds of adversity and the storms of trouble, they rise like the skylark. They are like the trees that survive the storm because their roots are driven deep. They are like the trees that grow on our mountain ridges in North Carolina ~ trees battered by winds, yet, trees in which we find the stronger wood.

The skylark, the flowers, the trees -- all these illustrate Job's words: "When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (23:10NIV). The Christian who understands this aspect of God's nature can find comfort in his suffering and peace in his pain. "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal." (Job 5:17-18NIV)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our Father and Our God, thank YOU for the blessings and burdens of my life. Please help me to be gentle and sweet, in spite of hard expriences and difficult times. Teach me to be humble in good times. Let others see Your Strength and love shine through my life at all times. Because of Christ.
Amen.





May you all have a blessed weekend

Friday, March 18, 2011

TGIF ♥



This has been such a wonderful week! But Seriously, it has gone WAY TOOO FAST!! The Icing on the week is to end it laughing right ;)??? Of Course it is!! So join me over @ Kim's why don't you?


Not only is this just the cutest video but I think we can all learn alot from this little girl!! Let me know if you agree!! ENJOY!!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A New Look ~ lovin it!!

I shared with you all I was getting in some new curtains this week. They arrived 2 days early!! WOOHOO! We have lived in our house for 5 years now. When we had our house built, we were one of the only houses back in our area so having curtains wasn't all that necessary. Plus we love our view! Deer walking through our backyard and trees ....glorious trees! Well, fast forward to today and there are no more empty lots. We have neighbors everywhere and have finally decided to cover the windows. I am not a decorator at all and have always looked to my Mom or friends for their expertise. Last week my Mom helped me look online for some curtains and we found some that we both loved! I ordered them last Friday and they were delivered Tuesday :)

Here is the before




And....the After



It is so cozy and we both love it! Thanks Mom!

Hope everyone is enjoying their week! Today is Angel @ All the Mus' birthday so everyone who knows her hop on over and give her some birthday love!! She will love it!

Monday, March 14, 2011

A little bit of this and a WHOLE lot of....

This week is SPRING BREAK!!! If you could see me now you would know I am doing the Happy Dance :)

What do you ask, are we going to do? Hmmmm, well let's see:

Stay Up Late. Sleep In

Take My Grandbabies to the Park and enjoy the warm & wonderful sunshiney weather that has been forecast

Hang my new curtains that should arrive on Thursday! (pics to come)

Shop with my daughter for Prom Dresses

Have a DiGiorno Pizza Party for HouseParty ~ shoot some hoops, take some pics and enjoy all my family & friends who come

Have a Slumber Party with the kids and grandkids

Go on a lunch date with my Mom ALONG with the kids!!

Read some awesome books to review.

Go visit my daughter at her NEW JOB!! So proud of her!

Cut my Sons Hair!! My oh My.... is it ever long!!

Cherish the days that my husband is able to take off towards the end of the week ♥ ♥ ♥

Spend time with the ONE who has blessed me with so much. Worship the ONE who is soo worthy of all my Praise. Seek the ONE who, in times of trouble, gives us Peace.



Have a blessed week my dear friends!
XOXO

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Spiritual Sundays


I received Joyce Meyer's The Confident Woman Devotional for Christmas and I LOVE IT! Today, for Spiritual Sundays I am sharing from it. If you would like to Join in with others or just read other inspirational posts go here

COOPERATION REQUIRED

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11

The most important thing is not how we start but how we finish. Some people get started with a bang, but they never finish. Others are slow starters, but they finish strong.

God has a plan for each of us. It is our destiny. But it is a possibility, not a "positively." Even if someone prophesies over us wonderful things in the name of the Lord, what is being prophesied is the heart, the will, and the desire of God for us. It doesn't mean it is positively going to come to pass. We have a part to play in seeing that plan come true.

I challenge you to cooperate with God every single day of your life to develop your potential. Every day you should be a bit further along than you were the day before. We must each discover our God-given gifts and talents, what we are truly capable of, and then put ourselves to the task of developing those gifts, talents, and capabilities to their fullest extent.


Lord, I am thrilled that You have a plan for my life. That I have a destiny is amazing. I want to cooperate with You today and make that a reality. Amen

Friday, March 11, 2011

Friday Funnies ~



Happy Friday Everyone!
! I ESPECIALLY L♥VE this Friday because as of 2:35 today we will OFFICIALLY be on SPRING BREAK!!! Hallelujah, Thank YOU JESUS!!!! Are those of you who have kids on Spring Break this coming week as well? I was so worried with all the snow days we had that they were going to take our Spring Break away but Praise the Lord they didn't!!

ANYWHO..... Back to Friday Funnies! If you would like to join in or just need some to laugh, head on over to visit Kim


My daughter showed me these pictures and they had me crackin up! Knew they were perfect!!

"Want to catch some rays.....get in line"


"Found this attached to my panty hose!!!"


"Can you stick out your tongue and touch your nose?"



"Oh DEER!"


Happy Friday my Friends! Remember ~
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Stoner Drug & Soda Fountain Happiness


I shared last week about my Mom and I taking a road trip from Oklahoma to North Dakota to attend a funeral. We had such a blessed trip. I LOVE LOVE LOVE time with my Mom ~ truly, it doesn't matter what we do, and being able to have her with me one on one is like a sweet gift from the Lord!! We had many laughs, some deep talks and rarely did she get upset with me about my driving ;)~

As we were on our way home the second day, we both needed to take a potty break and we were both in desperate need of some COFFEE!!! We saw a sign on the highway that read Soda Fountain and Stoner's Drug. Immediately Mom and I were like..."Stoner's Drug??? ~ we MUST check this place out!!" So we exited the highway and entered what looked to be a itty bitty town that might have a population of possibly 100!! NO LIE! We went a couple of blocks and turned onto main street and saw the sign we were looking for in all it beauty..... STONER DRUG. I looked at mom and said "maybe we will see Charlie Sheen!!!???" hahaha

We parked and walked in. OK, I must tell you ....THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS PLACES ON EARTH that "I" have ever been to!!!
You walk through the doors immediately entering the "drug store" and then you see in the rear of the store the SODA FOUNTAIN counter. Stools lined this authentic old fashioned Soda Fountain. The wonderful aroma of strong coffee and laughter filled the air, and most of the bar stools were occupied with many of the towns retirees, spending their afternoon as they do most everyday, there @ Stoner Drug. Of course, everyone knew everyone and the lady who worked this Soda Fountain knew exactly how every single one of her customers like their coffee. So, If you think two strange women can walk into such a place and the people not know we are "Just passing through" .... think again.

We approach the sweet smiling lady behind the counter and Mom asks, "How is your coffee?" One of the gentleman immediately turned around and said "It's great, you want a sip of mine?" We all got a chuckle out of that and we ordered our coffee, and both of us asked for cream. The woman poured our coffee and then proceeded to hand us a half a gallon of milk and a spoon.....This is their cream ya'll.....MILK!! LOLOLOL I just snickered and poured the milk into my coffee. Mom made her way to the back of Stoner Drug to visit the potty and I decided I would sit down and visit a while with all the older gentlemen (seriously, I was in heaven!!) I noticed a gentleman across the way sharing some cute jokes with a bunch of older retired women and wondered to myself if he might be the town pastor. Guess what....HE WAS (recentlry retired but nevertheless)!! I started talking to the man beside me and found out he was the towns Barber. I told him that I did hair as well but knew he must be far better than I ever was!

Here are the men lined at the bar of the Soda Fountain


Talking and having their coffee


Here is Bob the Barber and the towns recently retired Pastor


Mom returned and I introduced her to my new friends and yes, I knew some of their names already!! My mom just laughed at me introducing them to her as if I had known them forever. At this time, out of courtesy the woman who worked there asked us the question..."Are you all just passing through?" We said yes, and shared that we saw their sign on the Highway and just had to check out a place called Stoner Drug. She looked at my Mom and said "Well, will you all sign our Guestbook and then we will give you a souvenir. UH? You have a Guestbook? and Souvenir's???? Why yes, yes we will!

Here is the Guest book signed by all of those who have just "passed through" and found this wonderful place called Stoner Drug



our Souvenir....a pill box to carry with us always reminding us of our stop in Hamburg IA


As Mom opened & signed the Guest Book, we glanced over some of the signatures and comments. Would you believe someone from Yugoslavia found Stoner Drug?? Not only that, but they enjoyed their very FIRST milkshake!!! WOW! Guess what? They loved it too! Doesn't surprise me at all. Sitting on those stools, Mom & I met the heart of this community. It truly was one of my favorite moments on the whole trip. I did not want to leave!! The atmosphere was filled with Joy and a simplicity of days where no one was in a hurry to get anywhere. Fellowship was the only thing on their minds. Technology wasn't evident anywhere, and No TV's blared in the background either. Just Precious People with smiles on their faces and kind words on their lips. They say coffee is always better when shared with a friend, and I met some friends that day. I may not ever see them again this side of Heaven but I know God allowed us to meet these wonderful people, for that ....
I am truly Thankful!

What about you? Do you have any special road trip stories?

Monday, March 7, 2011

25!! How can it be ??

Our oldest daughter turns 25 today! We spent last night celebrating HER &hearts
We had a yummy dinner and.....

Birthday Brownies of Course!


Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Krista, Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuu


Bentley slept right through it all


Daddy napped some too bless his heart ;)


What did Papa do you ask??? He played in the Dora the Explorer tent ~ OF COURSE ;)~










HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTA ~ We love you so very much and are soo proud of the Beautiful Woman and Momma that you are!
xoxoxoxo

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Spiritual Sundays ~ My Nana

When praying about what I would post for Spiritual Sundays I felt led to share about my Nana.

When I became a Believer I learned that I was adopted. Adopted and received into Christ. I have a royal heritage. For me, learning this was lifechanging (as it should be) but to know that ....really know it, just humbles me. God cares for generations and having someone in your family who leaves you with such Christlike examples is by far one of Gods greatest gifts!

Today is my Nana's earthly birthday, she would have been 84. My Nana was an amazing woman. A true Proverbs 31 woman! She lived her life caring for others and serving them too. She was 1 of 14 children!!! Can you even imagine?? But growing up in such a large family she learned so much and she passed that on to us. She was a very frugal woman to say the least. We would always tease her because she would always have odd shapes of foil in a drawer because she wouldn't throw it away. She would fold it back neatly and have it ready for the next use :) She always made whomever she was with feel like the most important person in the world. She loved deeply and when we lost her all those years ago, every single one of us still has a huge hole in our heart, that only Nana could fill.

She taught us all the importance of hard work. What it meant to be diligent and persevere no matter what your circumstances are!
Even on the tiniest of budgets she had such a gift of making every situation soo very special!

As I get older I am learning the importance of passing on to my children and grandchildren. My Nana did that. She passed on so many things to us. I remember when I was with my Mom and we were going through Nana's stuff after she had died and I found her Bible. It was bookmarked in Proverbs verse 31. I just cried because I know it was no coincidence I am the one who found her Bible. It was the Lord's gift to me. Nana's too. Confirmation of a godly women, who loved and lived for Christ and it showed in all she did.

What about you? What example are you leaving to those generations younger than you? Your children? Your grandchildren? Do they see someone who lives their life glorifying Christ and serving others as HE would? Loving them like HE would?

Have a blessed weekend my friends!

For more spiritual sundays go here

Friday, March 4, 2011

TGIF ♥

I am so glad it's Friday aren't you!! Plus, Friday's are always better when you laugh don't ya think?? So join Kim @ Homesteaders Heart and share a funny today!!





Have a laughter-filled day my friends!

Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

"4" Days, "Four"teen Hundred Miles, all "For" the love of Uncle Bob

Have you all ever been to North Dakota? Do you know how VERY COLD it is in North Dakota?? You know the movie "New in Town" with Renee Zellweger when she is just arriving and doesn't think it is going to be "that bad" outside those airport doors...well this is exactly how we felt in North Dakota! IT WAS SOOOO C.O.L.D!




Mom and I loaded up on Saturday and arrived in Valley City, ND very late Sunday evening. My Mom was born in North Dakota and has wonderful memories of living there. Years later, they moved to Missouri, so my Mom and her Sister would return during the summers to visit and stay with their grandparents. You could just hear the Joy in her voice as she reminisced and shared how much she loved this place and all of her family there! It has been quite some time since she had seen some of them and for me, well, I haven't seen any of them since I was a baby some 40 or so years ago :)

Saying good-bye to someone you love is never easy but being surrounded by those who loved them and sharing memories certainly help. It was so special for me to be by my Moms side and to hear the stories of so many who loved our Uncle Bob. One of our cousins sang at the funeral and as my Mom so nicely put it, "Isn't it wonderful knowing at least one of us has a beautiful singing voice!" LOL It was quite the emotional moment for all of us but He truly did a beautiful job and I know Uncle Bob would have loved it as well.

This community is a close one for sure and tons of people came to say good-bye and to give love and support for our family. Uncle Bob had many friends and some since their elementary and high school days. His best friend was there and shared a beautiful poem about the gift of friendship. We all laughed, cried, loved and in the end, it was just so very special! I was so thankful to have been able to celebrate the Life of Uncle Bob!

My Aunt and Moms Sister Lynette(left) and on the right is Uncle Bobs daughter Pam


Bobs kids Pam, Curtis and his daughter in law Donna along with my Mom, Aunt Lynette and her husband Don


This is a very special group.....Bobs longtime girlfriend as well as two of his very longtime friends. Such a deep bond they all had ~ truly a gift from the Lord!


Family....a bond never broken, no matter how long it had been since they had seen one another, it was just like yesterday. Family was so important to Uncle Bob and he would have loved everyone being together!







I just want to thank all of you for your prayers and love! Thank you for praying for my husband who did a WONDERFUL job as usual while I was away! I am so very blessed ~ Thank you Honey! I Love and Appreciate you more than words can say!