Xanga

Victoria & Peyton

Friday, November 27

It’s been a busy day, and my body is weary, so I’ll just give you a small glimpse into our day by posting pictures of two, pretty little girls we met for the first time today.

Victoria Nicole (five months)

She is the youngest granddaughter of my brother Dale and his wife, Dot.  Victoria and her parents, Derek and Sheyla, are visiting from Texas.

Peyton Delene (six weeks)

She visited our house for the first time tonight – along with her parents Jakey and Crystal.  She is the first granddaughter of Cerwin’s brother, Elvin and his wife, Pat.

~~~

More about our day in tomorrow night’s blog.

~~~

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

Colossians 3:16 (New King James Version)

What Am I Most Thankful For Today?

Thursday, November 26

This morning while in church, listening to testimonies of God’s faithfulness, I thought, “What am I most thankful for today?”

I’ve celebrated sixty-five Thanksgivings, many of them with family and lots of food.  They were times we thanked the Lord for the usual things – family, food, shelter, clothing, and health.

But, as I look back over my life, I am most thankful for the struggles and difficult days – because those were the times I grew in faith, and love, and trust.  

The good times are wonderful – and I’ve had a lifetime of those – but the times of hurt and struggle are when I grew emotionally and spiritually.

Today I am most thankful for the difficult days.

~~~

We had a wonderful, quiet Thanksgiving.  After the morning Thanksgiving service at church, I made a delicious lunch of broccoli and cheese-stuffed chicken breasts, along with brown rice and peas and a small baked potato (Cerwin was hungry for a baked potato.) 

In the afternoon we made some preparations for tomorrow evening’s meal – when we expect about thirty of Cerwin’s family members to be here – but for the most part, we enjoyed a relaxing day.

~~~

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.

Psalm 145:1 (New Living Translation)

Wet Was the Word for Wednesday

…plus a chocolate/raspberry treat

 Wednesday, November 25

~~~

The cold, dampness seemed like the perfect afternoon for a cup of coffee.

~~~~

One of these raspberry-mousse-filled chocolate cupcakes hadn’t even entered my mind, until I made the fourth of a planned five stops on an afternoon excursion today:

STOP ONE – drop off sample programs at Theda’s house (for Ladies’ Fellowship at church) for proofing.

STOP TWO – pick up TFC items at Faye’s house.  She stitches names and the TFC logo on shirts, jackets, etc. for our staff.

STOP THREE – go to the paper supply store to purchase plastic tablecloth, napkins, and small plastic cups (fruit salad), for the High supper on Friday evening.

STOP FOUR – get crushed pineapple and mayonnaise at the grocery store for Friday’s meal – because I forgot to get those items yesterday.  It was here that coffee and something sweet became a temptation – all because I walked by the store’s bakery and was reminded of the yummy raspberry mousse-filled cupcakes at a nearby restaurant/bakery. 

STOP FIVE – (unplanned stop) yielded to the temptation to buy a cupcake, and saw a piece of maple/pecan baked oatmeal that I knew Cerwin would enjoy for breakfast. 

He came home from West Virginia tonight.  They only saw a few deer, without any good shooting.  However, it sounds like they had lots of fun being together.

STOP SIX – take eleven trays of mail (three chaplains mailings) to the post office.

These delicacies are so rich and sweet that I can only handle a half at a time. 

I shared the second half with Cerwin after he got home tonight, about 7:30.  It is good to have him here again – for a few days.  He’s leaving on Sunday for another hunting trip – this time with Jere (our son) and Josh (Jere’s son).

Here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name.

1 Chronicles 29:13 (The Message)

Window On the Sunrise

This is what I face each morning as I sit on my La-Z-Boy, drinking black coffee, thinking about my day, praying about my concerns, praising God for His faithfulness, choosing a Bible verse for this blog, and checking on my internet friends.

~~~

It’s the window I opened each morning for a week (between 6:40 and 6:45) to take these pictures.

Sunday, November 15

Monday, November 16

 Tuesday, November 17

Wednesday, November 18 

 Thursday, November 19

 Friday, November 20

 Saturday, November 21

Now tell me, how can a Sunday morning get better than this – drinking coffee, watching the sunrise, and listening to Bill Gaither and George Beverly Shea sing Amazing Grace.  It’s like having church before going to church.

~~~

I love my window on the sunrise.

   Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set.

Psalm 119:5 (The Message)

Lunch With Deb & Roy

Sunday, November 22

Our daughter Deb lives an hour away from us, and her friend Roy lives almost two hours away, so when they are in our area, and invite me to meet them for lunch – I don’t turn it down.

I know they will love this picture, but it’s the only one I have of them and Cerwin’s mother.  The lunch was a belated ninety-second birthday gift to Mother, and because I am a hunting widow, they invited me to join them at the Airport Restaurant near Lancaster.

A lettuce salad with hot bacon dressing is a favorite of mine.  I also had a yummy cup of seafood bisque.

Roy was the only one who chose dessert – pumpkin cheese cake.  It was delicious – I know because he gave each of us a piece to savor.

Thanks!  It was great having lunch with you.

Guard your heart above all else,

for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 (New Living Translation)