This past month has been a blur of activity and fun. Our church, Blackburn Chapel Baptist kept us busy! The rebirth of this old church has been a miracle! Pastor Larry wrote that we had 46 salvations and baptisms this past year. We are so glad that we were asked to be a part of this ministry last August. The church had its first Christmas choir and drama in 6 years. There were 15 in the choir and 6 in the adult drama. So, so funny! Everyone laughed and laughed!
The week before Christmas, Bill and I enjoyed our timeshare condo at Willow Ridge Resort in Branson. Since it is 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Noel and Janice joined us. We enjoyed the Hughes Brothers and the Irish Tenors. We all agreed that the highlight of our week was eating a Christmas dinner at the College of the Ozarks. It is beautiful at Christmas and the dinners so delicious! It is so popular that we had to make a reservation. It is very classy with white linen table cloths and waiters in white jackets.
Bill played a trumpet solo, "Angels We Have Heard on High" at Galen's Christmas Eve service. After, we ate Mom's homemade Swedish ring (and my lasagna soup) and opened gifts at her apartment. Everyone was so generous! It was fun watching. We bought Mark a Santa Bear that sings and dances. I loved it!
On Christmas, Noel and Galen were with their children and grandkids. Kirk called from California, Kelli called from Michigan on her way to Nebraska. She reported that she had a promotion to project manager for Cornerstone University. We skyped with Keri's family in East Africa. They will be reassigned to England next summer to work with refugees. My brothers, Roger and David also called. Christmas is my brother, John's birthday and I sent him a card.
I cooked a spiral ham dinner for Bill, Mom, Ian and Phyllis and myself. After, Bill and Ian watched Thunder basketball and the women played Skip-Bo. Bill gave me pearl earrings and other very nice gifts for Christmas. I gave him Polo and a weekender bag by Polo. We also upgraded our Dish to include the Heartland Channels. We both enjoy watching the Hallmark movies.
God has been so good to us! Catch me on face book when you get time. More pictures!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Thanksgiving Week
It's pouring rain today with a lot of thunder and lightning. Wouldn't you know that this is the day we were given free tickets to the OU game. Our friends are going hunting instead. We may stay for a few minutes under the concession stand roof and then leave. We'll see.
We've already had 2 dinners this week. Our church fed 170 people on Wednesday evening. And then on Friday, we had another turkey dinner at the Senior Center. It was potluck so there was tons of food in addition to the meat and dressing provided. I made an apple dump cake which seemed to be enjoyed.
Thursday, I went with Bill to the eye doctor. He was shocked to find that he has the beginning of macular degeneration which can lead to blindness if not treated. He always thought he would take care of me with my warped retina in the right eye. I guess it will be the blind leading the blind if we both live long enough. Ha!
Our tribe is growing! Steve has a new baby boy. Melissa has a new baby boy as well. This week we heard that Michelle has a baby girl. Bill and I cannot believe that we are getting so old!!
President Obama just keeps doing more things that are controversial and possibly illegal. He really loves the attention and I have never seen anyone more into himself! He has such a difficult time looking at the entire picture before he acts. That can be expected when one is Godless and has no wisdom. I cannot imagine depending merely on human understanding. It is so limited! God have mercy on America and forgive us for we know not what we do.
We've already had 2 dinners this week. Our church fed 170 people on Wednesday evening. And then on Friday, we had another turkey dinner at the Senior Center. It was potluck so there was tons of food in addition to the meat and dressing provided. I made an apple dump cake which seemed to be enjoyed.
Thursday, I went with Bill to the eye doctor. He was shocked to find that he has the beginning of macular degeneration which can lead to blindness if not treated. He always thought he would take care of me with my warped retina in the right eye. I guess it will be the blind leading the blind if we both live long enough. Ha!
Our tribe is growing! Steve has a new baby boy. Melissa has a new baby boy as well. This week we heard that Michelle has a baby girl. Bill and I cannot believe that we are getting so old!!
President Obama just keeps doing more things that are controversial and possibly illegal. He really loves the attention and I have never seen anyone more into himself! He has such a difficult time looking at the entire picture before he acts. That can be expected when one is Godless and has no wisdom. I cannot imagine depending merely on human understanding. It is so limited! God have mercy on America and forgive us for we know not what we do.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Michigan/Mom/Church/Winter
I haven't written on my blog for so long! I spent a week in Michigan visiting with my kids. Keri's father-in-law passed away so her family flew to Grand Rapids from Africa for the funeral in Sparta. I flew by myself to Grand Rapids and stayed with my second daughter, Kelli in her new home. Kirk's family also flew in from California and stayed with Kelli as well. Keri's family stayed with her husband's twin sister, Kerri in Sparta. It was a wonderful time of eating, sharing, going to the Pumpkin Farm and trick or treating in the snow. Yes, the snow! On Halloween, we had dinner at MacDonald's where Kevin was a manager before his Marine and college days. The 4 grandkids who are still very young were so cute! When I took them to the restroom, I found myself holding a Spiderman suit and a cat's tail so the kids could do their business. When we returned to Kelli's house, Hannah (high school senior) and her step sisters, Sheridan and Gabby had invited a group of friends for a costume party. They did an outstanding job of creating atmosphere and setting a table of goulish delights. They had even bought a pinata and filled it with candy.
While in Michigan, my grandson, Caleb, came home from college to visit with the family. Keri's kids, Selah, Sofia and Isaiah taught him to play Skip-Bo with us. When I heard that Kelli, his mother, was going to drive Caleb back to Indiana Wesleyan University which is a 4 hour drive, I went with them. While there, Caleb introduced us to his roommate and many friends who are on his tennis team. I was so impressed with the campus. Very, very nice! Especially the indoor student mall with a movie theater. I was most impressed that Caleb is going to church again and has friends who are very spiritual. He seemed so mature and I knew that my little Caleb is becoming a man. I will also mention that he is a free lance sports writer for ESPN. He is aware that he gets his talent from his Mom!
Sunday, I taught my Bible Study Class which includes several pretty girls from OBU. I played for the morning worship service and then again for the Christmas choir rehearsal in the evening. When I returned home, Mom called and said she needed to go to the hospital. Her blood pressure was 220/85. By the time we reached the ER, the machine registered 226 and started to flash red. She was sent home at 3:30 a.m. after getting tests and 2 IVs of blood pressure meds and pain killers for her headache. I brought her to my house and we were both sleeping soundly by 4 a.m. She is fine now and back to her apartment. My sister-in-laws have helped so much with food and checking on her. I love my family!
It turned cold in Oklahoma today. We were blessed with really nice weather until now. Bill and I have winterizing our home for the past month. We put away the patio furniture, bought new gas logs for the fireplace and replaced our electric blanket. Today, I remembered to get out the humidifier. It gets too dry in the house with the heat on.
Bill still teaches on-line music for K-12.com., scores twice a week for the Educational Testing Service and has begun teaching English on Thursday mornings for students in China. They pay $30 an hour so he doesn't mind getting up early. I teach 4 piano students each week. I ask 2 students to stop due to lack of progress.
Sunday, my lesson was about Psalm 23 and the peace we can have in any situation if we let God be in control. I got to practice that lesson this week and truly had peace. I knew the hospital staff from my volunteer chaplains work and it helped the 5 hours go fast while Mom was there. When Christians relax, other people around us relax as well. Peace is catching! It's time Christians come out of the closet!
While in Michigan, my grandson, Caleb, came home from college to visit with the family. Keri's kids, Selah, Sofia and Isaiah taught him to play Skip-Bo with us. When I heard that Kelli, his mother, was going to drive Caleb back to Indiana Wesleyan University which is a 4 hour drive, I went with them. While there, Caleb introduced us to his roommate and many friends who are on his tennis team. I was so impressed with the campus. Very, very nice! Especially the indoor student mall with a movie theater. I was most impressed that Caleb is going to church again and has friends who are very spiritual. He seemed so mature and I knew that my little Caleb is becoming a man. I will also mention that he is a free lance sports writer for ESPN. He is aware that he gets his talent from his Mom!
Sunday, I taught my Bible Study Class which includes several pretty girls from OBU. I played for the morning worship service and then again for the Christmas choir rehearsal in the evening. When I returned home, Mom called and said she needed to go to the hospital. Her blood pressure was 220/85. By the time we reached the ER, the machine registered 226 and started to flash red. She was sent home at 3:30 a.m. after getting tests and 2 IVs of blood pressure meds and pain killers for her headache. I brought her to my house and we were both sleeping soundly by 4 a.m. She is fine now and back to her apartment. My sister-in-laws have helped so much with food and checking on her. I love my family!
It turned cold in Oklahoma today. We were blessed with really nice weather until now. Bill and I have winterizing our home for the past month. We put away the patio furniture, bought new gas logs for the fireplace and replaced our electric blanket. Today, I remembered to get out the humidifier. It gets too dry in the house with the heat on.
Bill still teaches on-line music for K-12.com., scores twice a week for the Educational Testing Service and has begun teaching English on Thursday mornings for students in China. They pay $30 an hour so he doesn't mind getting up early. I teach 4 piano students each week. I ask 2 students to stop due to lack of progress.
Sunday, my lesson was about Psalm 23 and the peace we can have in any situation if we let God be in control. I got to practice that lesson this week and truly had peace. I knew the hospital staff from my volunteer chaplains work and it helped the 5 hours go fast while Mom was there. When Christians relax, other people around us relax as well. Peace is catching! It's time Christians come out of the closet!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Getting Busier By the Day!
This week I have volunteered at the hospital, played the organ for a funeral, taught piano lessons and got my household chores done. I am trying to get caught up so that I can be there for Noel on Friday morning at north Heart Hospital. He is having a 2 hour ablation surgery. The surgeon is using a pent -a-ray to determine where the electrical currents are straying from his heart. It looks like a tiny spider with 5 legs going into his each section of his heart.
I took Mom to have a sonogram this morning at the clinic. Her kidneys are being checked and she wasn't thrilled about drinking so much water.
Last night, Bill and I had pizza with Noel, Mark, Mom, Galen, Sondra and their grandkids, Bailey and Brynnlee. I decided I like Firelake Fry bread better than their pizza. Pizza Hut is still the best.
Today at lunch, Bill won a game of Bingo and I won 2 games. It was our lucky day! It was worth a total of $15.
It's time to go watch Fox News. The only place you can get both sides of the story. Sometimes it's the only place you can even get the story.
God is good all the time. No matter what the news is for the day!!!
I took Mom to have a sonogram this morning at the clinic. Her kidneys are being checked and she wasn't thrilled about drinking so much water.
Last night, Bill and I had pizza with Noel, Mark, Mom, Galen, Sondra and their grandkids, Bailey and Brynnlee. I decided I like Firelake Fry bread better than their pizza. Pizza Hut is still the best.
Today at lunch, Bill won a game of Bingo and I won 2 games. It was our lucky day! It was worth a total of $15.
It's time to go watch Fox News. The only place you can get both sides of the story. Sometimes it's the only place you can even get the story.
God is good all the time. No matter what the news is for the day!!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Faith versus Fear of Virus, Ebola, Isis etc. continued
If one listens to the news on any channel, you can become very fearful. Our country is out of control economically, socially and spiritually. There are wars, rumors of war, illness, social evil, and those who are still fighting to take God out of our country in every sense of the word. Knowing that God loves me unconditionally and I am forgiven when I make a mistake, I don't worry about what is going on in my world. Of course, I will do what I can to right the wrongs around me, but I know that I can only do so much. God has promised me that the day will come when evil will be thrown into hell. Yes, Jesus spoke about hell many times in the New Testament. Either Jesus is the Son of God with all authority from heaven, or He is a lunatic lying idiot. Everyone must choose who He is. In faith, I have learned to call on God in the name of Jesus in every situation. He has proven to be faithful and I can look back and see all of the blessings I have received. I don't deserve the wonderful life God has given me and I thank Him everyday. I only wish I could choose for others so that they could have the same life through faith. God cannot bless someone who does not believe in Him nor trust Him. That makes no sense!! They are on their own. When I close my eyes in death, I will not fear, only trust.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Faith versus Fear of viruses, floods, ISIS etc.
The weekend kept me hopping and I haven't stopped yet. I drove Mom to Farmer's Market on Saturday and then brought her to my house to skype with Keri and her family in North Africa. Sunday was Keri's 45th birthday and she still looks like she did in high school. No kidding! Her children are doing wonderful in the British school there. Isaiah is 4 years old and already sounding out words and read his first book. Selah and Sofia spoke to me in the local dialect and sang a song about love. Selah is 7 years old and Sofia will be 10 years old in November. I do pray for their safety everyday. I know they have a host of angels all around them.
Sunday, I taught my first new Bible Study Class at Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church. There were 5 that left the other class and now we can grow. Since I am the church pianist, I have to arrive at church early to practice the songs that Russ has chosen. On the spur of the moment, I was asked to play the offertory. I chose, "Speak to My Heart" from the old Baptist Hymnal. There is a new hymnal that was published 4 years ago with all of the new songs.
Yesterday, I took Lorna and Victoria out to lunch and then brought them to my house to play Skip-Bo. We were celebrating their birthdays. Victoria and her husband left today for Seoul, Korea. Her sister works for the American Embassy. She was so excited!
This morning, I volunteered at St. Anthony Hospital. Galen works on Tuesday mornings as well. I visited with 10 new mothers and then worked half of 2nd floor. A doctor walked into one of the rooms where I was just about to pray with the patient. He asked if he could join us! That's the third doctor to do so. It makes me feel so good to know there are doctors that are believers and pray for their patients! Wonderful! There really is a spiritual warfare going on.
Sunday, I taught my first new Bible Study Class at Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church. There were 5 that left the other class and now we can grow. Since I am the church pianist, I have to arrive at church early to practice the songs that Russ has chosen. On the spur of the moment, I was asked to play the offertory. I chose, "Speak to My Heart" from the old Baptist Hymnal. There is a new hymnal that was published 4 years ago with all of the new songs.
Yesterday, I took Lorna and Victoria out to lunch and then brought them to my house to play Skip-Bo. We were celebrating their birthdays. Victoria and her husband left today for Seoul, Korea. Her sister works for the American Embassy. She was so excited!
This morning, I volunteered at St. Anthony Hospital. Galen works on Tuesday mornings as well. I visited with 10 new mothers and then worked half of 2nd floor. A doctor walked into one of the rooms where I was just about to pray with the patient. He asked if he could join us! That's the third doctor to do so. It makes me feel so good to know there are doctors that are believers and pray for their patients! Wonderful! There really is a spiritual warfare going on.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Life is Getting Faster and More Exciting!
The older I get, the faster time goes. I am so busy everyday and run out of energy as well. Friday, we had lunch with friends at the Elder Center and then went swimming for an hour. That night, we had dinner with Noel and Janice at their home. Janice made a pot roast with all the trimmings. Yum!
Saturday morning, we went to Tecumseh Pioneer Days. First, we enjoyed the Tecumseh H.S. Band Concert, and then watched the parade. That evening, we attended our Bible Study Cook-out at Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church. There were hot dogs, hamburgers, vegies, beans and every kind of dessert imaginable.
This morning, we attended Bible Study and found the room crammed with 18 people. A decision has been made to split the class and I have been challenged to teach this new class. Before worship, a lady came up to me and said that she was in a new relationship and wanted it to be a close one. She and her friend would be attending our class. We're planning to see the movie, "Left Behind" as a group!
The worship service was great! Four were baptized. Bill played his wooden recorder for the special and I accompanied him on the piano. Being church pianist keeps me hopping. Russ is always handing me new music and I have to get it learned in 15 minutes. So far, God has been with me and no one seems to know the difference.
Galen and Sondra joined us for worship this morning and then we went to lunch. It really is nice to be with family! Noel and Janice went to Springfield for Mark's health issue. They plan to return to Shawnee in a few days.
Tonight, 3 of my lady friends is going to our church to see the movie, "God is Not Dead". It speaks to those who have an open heart and mind. Otherwise, it is nothing. I have learned that there is a time when the Holy Spirit can speak and people will listen. If they wrap their hearts in steel, soon it becomes very difficult but not impossible to penetrate. I continue to pray for those hard hearts. God is stronger than Satan who keeps those hearts in prison.
Saturday morning, we went to Tecumseh Pioneer Days. First, we enjoyed the Tecumseh H.S. Band Concert, and then watched the parade. That evening, we attended our Bible Study Cook-out at Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church. There were hot dogs, hamburgers, vegies, beans and every kind of dessert imaginable.
This morning, we attended Bible Study and found the room crammed with 18 people. A decision has been made to split the class and I have been challenged to teach this new class. Before worship, a lady came up to me and said that she was in a new relationship and wanted it to be a close one. She and her friend would be attending our class. We're planning to see the movie, "Left Behind" as a group!
The worship service was great! Four were baptized. Bill played his wooden recorder for the special and I accompanied him on the piano. Being church pianist keeps me hopping. Russ is always handing me new music and I have to get it learned in 15 minutes. So far, God has been with me and no one seems to know the difference.
Galen and Sondra joined us for worship this morning and then we went to lunch. It really is nice to be with family! Noel and Janice went to Springfield for Mark's health issue. They plan to return to Shawnee in a few days.
Tonight, 3 of my lady friends is going to our church to see the movie, "God is Not Dead". It speaks to those who have an open heart and mind. Otherwise, it is nothing. I have learned that there is a time when the Holy Spirit can speak and people will listen. If they wrap their hearts in steel, soon it becomes very difficult but not impossible to penetrate. I continue to pray for those hard hearts. God is stronger than Satan who keeps those hearts in prison.
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