Friday, November 30, 2012

Red Apple Sunrise in Branson

Yesterday, Bill and I got up at 5 a.m. to drive home from Branson.  To the west, there was a full moon, and to the east, there was a brilliant sunrise the color of red apples.  It was like a gift from God! 

Bill and I had a wonderful time celebrating our 31rst wedding anniversary at the Meadows Resort in Branson.  We were assigned to a lovely condo overlooking the pond.  Like last year, the resort was lit up for the Christmas season.   We saw 2 shows while there - Dixie Stampede and The Lennon Sisters at the Moon River Theater.  As usual, Dixie Stampede held a capacity crowd of over 1,000 people.  I always love the dinner, and the show is first class!  After the Lennon Sisters concert, we had our picture taken together, our CD autographed and met their granddaughters who sing and dance in their show.  We also bought 2 of their ragdolls for Selah and Sofia.  Janet and Kathy Lennon autographed the legs.

While at Noel's, Janice cooked a smoked turkey for us.  It was delicious!  Steve, their son, came in and visited us for awhile.  He has driven for Schneider (sp?)  Trucking for 10 years now.  Steve had Forest (5 years old) with him.  Hunter (8 yrs.) was in school.  Steve grew up with my kids and they stay very close on FaceBook.  That has seemed to taken over many people.  I think that is about all Galen does now. 

We left Branson early yesterday so that I could go to my doctor's appointment.  All of my lab work was good.  Dr. Shaw is checking my heart to make sure that all is well due to my family history.  He also told me to be careful about too much typing on the computer.  Smile! 

Noel's procedure went well in Springfield.  Now, Mark is having some heart problems, and Noel took him to the Heart Hospital in OKC to be checked. 

When Mom returned to Shawnee from Springfield she tripped coming in the door.  Who knows why?!  She is fine, but has bruises on her arm and leg.  She wears a Medi-Alert at all times.  Good!  Last Sunday, she attended my Bible Study Class before traveling.  We had 18 in the class, and she seemed to enjoy it.  I wasn't sure if she would approve of my teaching style.  She lectures more, and I ask a lot of questions.  My class is always contributing and laughing.  Being a Christian is plain fun!

I will write more later.  We have a new computer, so I can put pictures on again.  Bless God as He blesses you!   

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  It is a beautiful fall day with a high of 76 degrees.  It feels like San Diego!  Bill and I are going to Gramma's for dinner.  She insisted!  I made pies and a fruit salad. 

On Sunday, Bill and I are driving Gramma to Springfield.  She will stay with Noel and Janice while Bill and I go to Branson to celebrate our 31rst wedding anniversary early.  We were actually married in December, but the whole family will be here around that time.

Besides teaching on-line, teaching piano lessons, and volunteering at the hospital, I have been putting up the Christmas tree, and preparing gifts for 24 people.  The guest bedroom looks like a workshop.  In between the other activities, I got my hair cut, had my nails done and paid the house taxes and insurance for another year. 

I am thankful to God for so many things this year.  I love having a close Christian family!  I marvel at my lovely home.  Bill just had my bathroom remodeled and it feels like a luxury hotel.  He insisted that my sink handles, TP holder, and vanity handles be brass.  In addition, both bathrooms have new tile flooring.  I thank God continually for His generosity!  This year I'm really looking forward to having all of my kids, grandkids and my brothers' families in Oklahoma for Christmas!  We haven't been all together like this for 9 years.  God must have planned it because none of us planned it!  Again, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, and look for reasons to be happy and content.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Elections/Teaching/Church/Hospitals

This last week has been a whirlwind of activity!  Bill and I drove Noel to emergency twice.  One time we went to South Heart Hospital, and the other to North Heart Hospital.  Noel's pacemaker was tweeked and he was give new medication.  His heart is still doing its own thing in spite of two surgeries.   We have to trust God that He knows what He is doing!

The elections were enough to give anyone a heart attack!  Our nation is already feeling the effects.  The dow dropped 400 points, and many people are being layed off.  Surprise!  Surprise!  Obama is getting his way.  He courted the uneducated, the lazy, and the bleeding hearts who have no knowledge of finance, and how it works.  Socialists will have their way if all the rich can be drained of their businesses and the government can take over.  The problem is that the hand that feeds the poor will have no more to give.   I predicted Obama would win after observing the masses of people who want to be dependent, the moral decline of our nation, and the obsession with pleasure rather than the satisfaction of a job well done.  God will judge our nation!!!  He will not be mocked!  I will most likely suffer with the nation, but I have God to walk me through the hard times.  He will give me peace and happiness in spite of those around me.  Perhaps, some will have their eyes opened.

This past week I gave5 piano lessons.   I also graded homework for the "Christian Worldview" class online.  It fascinates me to read their responses to the questions asked by the University curriculum.  Everytime we teach this class there is at least one atheist in the group.  Most of the students have their heads and hearts on straight.  The majority of our students this session are in the nursing school and have great insight.  You can feel them connecting science with the mysteries of God.  I tell them about my favorite doctor -Dr. Anderson.  She is a born again Christian and a great physician who gives God credit for all she does.  I've seen her cry over patients! (And, she's thin and beautiful!)

Last Tuesday, I spent the morning at St. Anthony Hospital.  Every week is different!  I walked into a room where a young woman lay dying from cancer.  She was in great pain.  I put my hand on her arm and began to sing, "Jesus Loves Me".  Within minutes she was asleep.  I never cease to be amazed how God can work and bring peace.  I prayed for her silently and crept out of the room.

I left the hospital a little early to meet Bill at Paul's Steak House.  Our bank was having an appreciation lunch.  When we left, they gave us a fluffy beige throw.  It was really nice since we didn't get much interest on our investments this year. 

Yesterday, Bill and I worked until noon and then took a drive to Turner Falls.  It was wonderful!  The temperature was unusually warm and there were few people in the park.  We stopped at our favorite Fried Pie restaurant and brought some blackberry pies home.  I had never heard of them until we moved to Oklahoma.

This week was Sofia's 8th birthday.  She is growing up to be beautiful, smart, and loving.  She helps the teacher at school by helping the student who has been mainstreamed into the class.  Sofia understands that God made everyone special and she must love those around her regardless of looks, intellect or physical ability.  I am very proud to have Sofia as my granddaughter!