For my Bethlehem Classmates

From Russia with Love

THE KREMLIN and CROISSANTS

Today started off later for me- I got up at 7:30- came out to the living area of our apartment and found Kelly sleeping in a chair and Matthew asleep on the floor. They have both gotten up at 5:30 when Jon called and then decided to nap out there. Kelly was so groggy that I insisted that she go back to bed. I fed Matthew breakfast then went to the computer where all my friends had responded to my pathetic plea for e-mails-and read with delight their responses. Matthew played quietly behind me with his toys- or so I thought......



Kelly got up about 10 and we spent the morning doing...???? I don't know what.





After lunch we headed over to the Kremlin


and bought tickets to the Cathedrals inside and to the Armory which is like a museum.
Since Kelly and I both taught World History- she at the high school level-me at middle school- we were enthralled with all the historical things about Russia and the fabulous display of everything from chariots to suits of armour- coronation gowns- table settings of gold silver, diamonds and rubies and the actual thrones of people like Ivan the Terrible and Catherine the Great. We had an audio tour which IN ENGLISH walked us through different displays of the museum. It was just a delight for both of us. The only down side was that Matthew wet thorough all his clothes, the snuggly and all of Kelly's clothes! WE got out of there at 3:48 and had to be back at our apartment by 4-the time at which Matthew's passport was to be delivered.On the way out we caught the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier-the goose step of the Russian soldiers is so very Russian! We really high tailed it back-which made us arrive only 5 min. late but VERY hot and sweaty! It was a really fun afternoon though.
Tonight we had another gourmet dinner-





soup, salad, bread and dipping sauce!











And now, close to bedtime-we take our 2 Tylenol PM to counteract our chocolate- then have hot chocolate and chocolate croissants! They are quite a high light of Russia that Kelly found for us at the local deli-
It is QUITE the building and they are QUITE the treat!
So...tomorrow we pack up- take another trip to Red Square and St. Basil's and get ready for our departure on Friday!

There are Some Things I Just Don't Like!!!

Matthew eats almost anything...but this one was a definite no...can you believe it...a mini OREO! He also didn't like graham crackers or Cheerios but today he made the leap to try both of those again and liked them. I started off by soaking the graham crackers in water (his Grand Dad Hasz would like that! especially if they had grape jam and THEN dipped them in water...yuck!!!) but eventually he took the hard graham cracker and ate it! But the Oreo last night...he spit it out and managed to spread it on his face, the table, and anything else in sight...just to get it out of his mouth!
We later had a better experience just playing with an empty egg carton and the Noah's ark figures. He plays well alone but loves being played with also.
Two days and counting!!! Kelly got her passport back today...we should get Matthew's tomorrow-then have a day to wait until we leave here on Friday.We are both very anxious to get back home to Texas to hubands and children!

Another day in Moscow

The day started off with Matthew being ravenously hungry as usual- he DOES enjoy eating- seems to eat anything offered to him and EVERYTHING offered. You can see here- the oatmeal above his left ear-and the general mess he made-he is not real good at feeding himself but gobbles down every bite put into his mouth. He does not know how to hold a sippy cup upright to get the liquid into his mouth which is a bit frustrating for him.
Kelly and Matthew took naps, then lunch, then we headed over to Red Square just to get out and do some souvenir shopping. We walked through the department store across from Red Square- it is 3 stories but the 2nd and 3rd are -2 and -3 on the elevator because they are underground- very interesting- I have seen more trim- cute girls in their very sheik dress- and NO overweight women or men anywhere! The streets are spotless and the people well dressed and friendly -well-at some things. Like women and men offer us seats on the subway but NO-ONE will hold a door or allow us to go through first- even with a stroller.
Kelly is nursing something- fever and sore throat and flu like symptoms. Please pray for her!
Tomorrow we head out for a few more visits with country officials. Just 4 more days in Russia until we head home on Friday. We are both very anxious to be home!

Russian Sites

We have been in Moscow for a total of 5 days now and are getting a bit more used to getting around. Today Kelly and Matthew and I ventured out on the Metro (the subway system). It is only because I am with world traveler, Kelly, that I would attempt such a fete! We started out this morning in the middle of downtown Moscow and went out to see the Cathedral of Christ our Savior. It is a beautiful Cathedral but a bit frustrating since all the historical facts, etc. are in Russian and we, both being history buffs of sort- well= at least we both taught Social Studies! Anyway- we couldn't read it! Tonight we have spent some time on the internet reading a bit of Russian history for some of our future ventures! Kelly carried Matthew all day in a front pack and since we got off at one stop a bit farther than we had intended- we got lots of walking in. We had to stop and have pizza to recoop and then came home and napped quite a while. So...tonight we will be up reading and updating our blogs. Be sure to check in at Babyjellybeans.com and put in Matthew Hasz for more details from Kelly.
Matthew is doing so well in adjusting to his new life. He had a rather rough day yesterday- but for his first outing and probably first restaurant meal today- he did great. He took his morning nap in the front pack and enjoyed while awake- seemed to be taking in all the sites and sounds of Moscow. He is sleeping and eating well and is a happy little boy. He sings- which is so cute- and smiles often. Tomorrow we will venture out on two different Metro lines to take in a Shopping District. Kelly does not have another "meeting" until Monday when we go to the Ministry of Education and the American Embassy.
We so appreciate all the prayers of you all. Thanks for stopping by!

From Russia with Love

Here he is! With his happy and proud mama! We were on the way home from the orphanage after a LONG day of getting all the proper documentation in Moscow and then again in his town- 2 hours from Moscow. We got him about 7 last night and then drove home in beautiful snow to Moscow. He slept well all night and woke up singing! What a joy!
Today we are off to the DR and then to the Passport office (which is closed today..but...we'll see) Things are going well here. THanks for all your prayers and keep praying. We would like to get out of here before our Dec. 5th scheduled departure and that all depends on getting the passport and visa earlier. Prayer can move mountains...and Passport and Visa offices!

We're Going to Russia

Last Wednesday I got called out of Staff Chapel at Teen Mania to receive a phone call from Jon- He and Kelly were in Moscow, Russia. I knew that their court date had gone well that day and that Matthew was "officially" theirs. So- it was with fear and trepidation that I made the walk from the Cafeteria to the Ad building to await the call. Why would they be calling me???? They had already talked to Dave in the morning and given him all the details. What had gone wrong? When the phone rang- Jon sounded quite relaxed-some small talk- then asked me if I would like to come to Russia with Kelly to pick up Matthew next week. I was so surprised and so honored to be asked to do this...so after checking with Dave ... and making sure the Hasz 4 were covered ( I had already agreed to assume partial care of Dave and Beth's kids while they are in Italy) I said yes.
Now, we are anxiously awaiting my passport and Visa which are on a rush order and are due here by Friday.
Sunday is the take off day for Moscow and Tuesday is the day that Kelly can get Matthew. We then have to stay another 10 days before we can leave the country with Matthew. Since Kelly is a veteran world traveler and tour guide- she will keep us busy I'm sure. Our apartment where we will be staying is just 2 blocks from Red Square so we'll at least see those sites.
I ask that you pray for all the details of this trip and I'll keep you posted and updated.

O Give Thanks Unto the LORD!

It was a day of cooking and fun and sleeping and movies and eating and cooking and sleeping and eating and cooking and...
Saturday morning 18 girls stepped out of their "homes" to a crisp, windy but sunny day and headed north from Teen Mania to our home for a day of Thanksgiving dinner preps from SCRATCH! About the only thing that came out of a "box" was corn starch and baking soda. We started the day about 9:30 with all the raw ingredients- a turkey, flour, yeast, cranberries, celery, onions, apples, pumpkin (this was in a can-but not the pre-mixed kind); potatoes, etc. By 4:00 after all the girls had several turns in the kitchen they turned out a 16 lb. stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, a luscious salad, a cranberry relish jello salad, Parker house rolls, and PIES! 2 pumpkin, cherry, apple, chocolate and lemon meringue. What a feast it was.
Some of the girls had never cooked anything from scratch so we had some interesting moments- learning to READ and follow the recipes....working with yeast doughs, and lots of laughs and just really great fellowship. We had girls from all over the country, from California to Maine, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, Oklahoma, Indiana, Ohio, and beyond.
Thank you Lord for the opportunities you give me to speak into these young girls' lives. I am so blessed!

Children ARE a heritage from the Lord!

Yes...how blessed we are! For 3 days we had the 4 youngest of the Smith kids with us while the rest of the family was on a Teen Retreat for parents and kids from their church. We had lots of fun times-swimming- crafts- going to cousin Henry's soccer game- garage sales- making funny faces- stories- Bible time-church this morning- and just hanging out with them. Ana created a "State Fair" on Sat.- complete with "roller coaster" which occupied much of their time. Fun!


Tonight Sam and Dave are out in the tree stand- waiting for the right deer to come by! God is good!

I Care About More

This is What I care About

Prayer for Jon and Kelly Hasz!

We just wanted to ask all of you to PLEASE fervently pray this next week specifically for three people who are KEY in getting little Matthew home where he belongs with his Mommy and Daddy.

1. Serge. This is the coordinator in Russia who will be getting all the documents he needs today. He tends to be incompetent and not do his job. Please pray God will light a fire under him to get this process moving forward rapidly. All of this COULD be finished in as little as a week (if all three of these people would be motivated to move quickly . . . but could take up to six months if they drag their feet!!) Let me emphasize that QUICKLY is crucial as Matthew has a serious heart condition and needs to be with his Mom and Dad as they will then be making very serious decisions about his needed heart surgery.

2. Whoever is assigned to translate the documents. This person will be receiving the documents tomorrow morning and they COULD be completed in as little as TWO DAYS. If this person isn’t motivated though, it could take up to a month!

3. The Judge. Serge is able to meet with the judge on Tuesdays and Fridays. If he will get the paperwork done quickly and the translator will also move quickly, the judge COULD have the paperwork by THIS Friday. He then could either turn it around the NEXT DAY . . . or sit on it. We need to pray that all three of these individuals will MOVE QUICKLY.

The final thing that would then need to be done is for the judge to request any final papers needed from the orphanage. The orphanage is really great about expediting the process as they recognize that is best for the children.

When all of this is completed Jon and Kelly will receive their long awaited phone call saying, “Book your flights and come get your son!”

Please everyone, take a few minutes even now to join me in fervently praying God will war on their behalf and enable them to bring little Matthew home.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. —James 5:16

EXPERIENCING GOD chelly

"It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

For the third time in my life I am working through Henry's Blackaby's "Experiencing God" Each time God reveals new things to me but this time is the BEST.
On day three, He says, "God takes the initiative. When He comes to a person, He always reveals Himself and His activity. That revelation is always an invitation for the individual to adjust his life to God."
That weekend I felt like I should go in to work on Monday- I don't work that day but since ESOAL was on Thursday and I wouldn't be working that day- I decided to go in-even though I had no appointments scheduled. I was there about one half hour, had printed something and went to the next room to get it off the printer- returned to my desk and in a few moments one of the girls I know-plopped down in my chair. She had been next door visiting someone near the printer and heard my voice and heard God tell her to come see me. A painful, troubled young woman sat in the chair. I immediately prayed and then asked her what was going on. She proceeded to tell me about a horrible toothache she had been experiencing for 4 days. (I immediately thought of a dear friend of ours whose son had a similar pain- went to the dentist- the dentist said it was probably a tooth acting up that had work on it some years before- and he died in his sleep that night.) I, of course, did not tell her this but took it as a red flag that I needed to do something to help her. We bowed and asked God for wisdom on what to do. (God was inviting me to adjust my life to His right then and there!) To complicate matter for us (but not for God) she told me she had no money and no dental insurance. God- we really need you to show up here!
The first thing I tried was a local dentist who had done much work for several of our immediate family- they referred me to United Way- who referred me to a local Texas group- who said they were too busy with Hurricane Ike relief to do anything about local problems. Not knowing where else to turn I called my dentist in Quitman- and they said since it was a wisdom tooth problem we needed to speak to an oral surgeon. $$$$$ They gave me the name of one in Tyler whom I called, explained our dilemma to which they said...we'll call you back. They did and said they would see her about 3 that day.
We drove to Tyler- crying out to God for help and mercy. Driving up to this very exclusive looking Oral and Facial Surgery office we entered the waiting room which was furnished with beautiful leather furniture and furnishings and had 3 very polite ladies behind the counter who "helped" us. They gave Chelly many forms to be filled out- one being the financial form. It said that "having no insurance, I take full responsibility for all charges." She looked at me and I told her to go explain her case...to which the lady behind the counter replied- If you don't sign it- the doctor won't see you. She looked at me and I said, "You HAVE to sign it." She did. They soon called her name and we went back and had the "round the head" x-ray; (I KNEW this was a very expensive x-ray..a few years back the dentist in FL wanted Dave to do that fro $700!) We then waited with a nurse to see the Doctor. She was very kind and knew the Lord. Finally the Dr. came in and examined her. Chelly explained that she was leaving to be on the road with Acquire the Fire in just 6 days- The Dr. proceeded to tell her that she needed to have and one and possibly 2 wisdom teeth removed. He then asked if she had any questions. She said, "yes- I understand what I need but I don't have any money." He looked at her kindly and said, "I will cover it." Music playing, butterflies flitting- sunbeams dancing- we were praising the Lord and Chelly was crying!
He made arrangements for the surgery the next morning at 8 am and took out 2 wisdom teeth. (The Dr. is also Christian and was so kind.)
Chelly is now in Amhurst, Mass. at the ATF tonight-totally healed and rejoicing in the goodness of God. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY...GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE...
I just praise and thank our God for inviting me to be a part of this miracle.

She FINISH FINISHED!!!

Wisconsin Company led by #302; 2nd Lieutenant Lisa Hasz








Lisa- We are SO very proud of you and what the Lord has accomplished through you during this ESOAL. His hand is upon you and preparing you for great and mighty things for His kingdom. We just love you SO So very much!
And this is just one happy man and one happy family to have their mom back!


These are the women of Wisconsin Company who finish finished. This is one tough group of women who are out to change their world!


MOMMY! LET'S GO HOME!!!!

Be good keepers at home.

To be keepers at home. One of the young women I have become friends with at Teen Mania shared this on her Facebook a few days a go. I want to share it with you! This is Courtney and a friend-Not Luke, with whom she is in a courtship relationship.

I’m currently reading this book entitled Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney. In this book the author takes Titus 2:3-5 and breaks down each part. The chapter I am on now discusses being a stay-at-home mom. In our society today staying at home as a mother is not regarded as an honorable status. Mrs. Mahaney states it well when she quotes Dorothy Patterson:Much of the world would agree that being a housekeeper is acceptable as long as you are not caring for your own home; treating men with attentive devotion would also be right as long as the man is the boss in the office and not your husband; caring for children would even be deemed heroic service for which presidential awards could be given as long as the children are someone else’s and not your own.This is so true of our society today. If you do anything that is required of a good mother and wife you are rewarded and highly esteemed, unless in fact you are doing those things as a mother and wife only. Why is it that we regard women who enter the professional world more highly than women who raise those who will enter the professional world twenty years from now? Since when was it more important to make a success of yourself than making a success of your husband and children? I do not in any way think that women are to be subservient and silent or complacent in society, but I do believe that we should regard women who take on the, in my opinion, most challenging role in life very highly. They sacrifice everything they may desire to pursue in order to make their children’s dreams come true. I also do not believe that women should never pursue a career or a dream. I do believe that women who have a home, husband and children to care for should set their priorities in line. The woman mentioned in Proverbs 31 was definately a good businesswoman. She knew how to trade, sew, shop and the like, but her first priority was the home. If we, as women, do what Titus 2 tells us to do and stay at home and be good homemakers when we are married and have children, I believe that when our children enter society as adults they will be better equipped to do what they are called to do. If you are under such cercumstances that you have to work, then do it with all you are. I completely understand as I know several people like that. I believe that the Lord will bless you for providing for your homes. But in such cases where this is not a requirement, make every effort to be at home. I looked up the Greek word that is used in Titus 2 and it actually means to stay at home. This should clear up any confusion about the meaning of “homemaker.” To sum this all up, our first ministry is in our home. It starts with our husbands and goes to our children and then outside of our home. If we do things the way God designed us to do them we will be sure to find more success than if we do it our way.

September thoughts

Wow! Where did that last month go? It was supposed to be the month that I took time off and we went somewhere. Well, that didn't happen for a variety of reasons. I did have a day or two that I took off. The August interns graduated on Aug. 9th and the new class came in on the 15th. The week between I helped get ready and then the next two weeks I helped with various other things and now...I'm back in to the full swing of things at Teen Mania and loving it.
We got to see ALL our children and GRANDCHILDREN out here this month. Josiah came out to celebrate his 11th birthday and all his family and all our family came to join in the fun! We had a party for Lisa to celebrate her life

...and also had a party to celebrate Nicky's 2nd and Ashley's 13th birthdays.
We just love it when our kids and their kids come up to swim, play cards, hang out. We are blessed! God is so good to us.
We will be starting a small group meeting with our church- 30 days to Live is the name of the campaign. We are looking forward to getting involved with a small group of people whom we can share life with and share our enthusiasm for JESUS.

On Sunday nights we are attending a series via DVD at David's house along with staff from the Honor Academy on Spiritual Warfare. We are excited to be in on the awesome prayer time that follows this too.

I am taking 2 classes at Teen Mania- one is called the Intense Communication Track taught by Shannon Ethridge- meeting for 2 hours on Thursay nights until March! There is a pretty heavy reading schedule for that and I'm excited about it. I'm also taking a 4 series session on counseling which is really good.
Since I'll be going to classes on Thursday nights Dave will be going to our "card group" alone. This is a group of people, primarily from our church, that play Hand and Foot every Thursday night. It is a Texas thing!
We still try to get to the Dance Hall on Sat. nights to kick up our heels and enjoy dancing and having fun together. This also is very Texas style- we really miss the ballroom dance group from Florida!
My roomate from college, Gay Vogel Traster and her husband will be here in a few days and we are so excited to see them. It has been 25 years since we've seen them. Gay and I lived together off campus at Concordia Teacher's College in River Forest, IL. We both had a boyfriend named, David- and they were both off in other parts of the country teaching. We would sit on our bunkbeds at the Siefert's home- where we had a room- and wait for the phone to ring! We both ended up marrying these boyfriends. They are making the trip from Nebraska and will head down to the Houston area in time for IKE!
Today we got to go to Henry's kindergarten and have lunch with him. We surprised him and it was such fun.

Looking through my pictures...I take them all so you'll see lots of Dave and the kids. As you can see, he adores our grandkids...as do I! Until next time....thanks for visiting!

Tijuana-Team- Phuket

This video gives a good idea of what things looked like for us last week. We had the Band, Unhindered-leading in worship and working out on the work site-pounding nails and wroking right along side the kids.


We just completed an 8 day trip to Tijuana, Mexico with Global Expeditions. What a awesome opportunity we had to interact with many of the 700 teens on the trip and the almost 100 leaders and support staff. It was our joy to sleep in a tent on the dirt floor of Tijuana-get up at 5:30 ech morning and begin with WORSHIP and then travel by school bus to the ministry site - eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches EVERY day for lunch- lead many people to JESUS- minister to 100's of kids through Bible school at our "Soccer Field" each day. The teens would walk through the neighborhood and invite children and just an hour later 60-100 kids showed up! They are so hungry for Jesus! Our team built a house in just 4 days for a woman and her 2 children. The 40 some teens on our team were amazing! They led Bible school; evangelized the neighborhood; took out 5 gallon paint buckets and painted fences, houses, walls; hammered nails, hung dry wall, sat on the roof and shingled...they did it all! At night they worshiped God with such zeal and then got poured in to by men and women of God. WOW! Sam and Lisa were the TL's (team leaders) and did such a great job. What a privilege for us to watch our own kids leading teens and stepping up for Jesus. God..you are SO good!

He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pelasant and fitting to praise him!...He determines the number of the starts and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit

Summer time is such a great time to sit outside in the hot tub at night and view the Milky Way...that is IF you live in Colorado! But...since we are in East Texas and it is still over 90 at 9:00 at night...we sit inside in our air cooled home and look at photos on the internet! Got is still awesome and we have many other opportunities to enjoy His creation all day long and all year long in East Texas!

On the slim chance that anyone still looks at this blog...I thought I would update. We have had a busy summer- all children and their spouses and all 16 (almost 17) grandchildren have visited numerous times to our delight! Dave and Beth and Sam and Lisa both moved into new homes this past month so we helped out with those moves.

Dave and I are preparing for a short term missions trip to Tijuana, Mexico with Teen Mania and 700 teens. We are looking forward to what God might do through two old folks like us! We continue to remind ourselves that Moses was 80 when God called him! We serve an awesome God!

We'll let you know how things go..in the meantime...please keep us in yoru prayers.

OFF TO DALLAS

It's been a wild and fun weekend- my sister, Sandy, has been here from St. Louis- first visit to my house in MANY years! We had such fun..and now it's time to make the trek to Dallas and see her off to St. Louis. We'll go to Frisco and join Amy and family for church this morning. Maybe I'll have time to recap our 4th this afternoon.

4th of July FUN

Counting it all JOY

I am so blessed that my GOD grants me daily strength, grace and JOY as I am able to help out David and Beth and family. They are still living with us- since June 1- as they await the completion of their new home. Beth is 110% involved with fighting cancer naturally so spends most of her day juicing, preparing fresh and raw foods, taking supplements and boosting her faith through the WORD, books and watching the Florida revival. The children are in culture shock with us trying to change their diet to one of a more natural, healthy variety!
Teen Mania still is my focus for 3 days a week where this week I had the privilige of mentoring some women who were so much in need of freedom. GOD, grant me wisdom and grace each day as I sit in for you to talk with them and pray with them and seek freedom.
We have had several family outings here at the lake and everyone is enjoying all the facilities down there. THe 90+ days make the water so inviting!
Dave continues to work on his traactor and prepare our "clay" for "grass" from the house to the lake. One of these days maybe I'll have a picture.
God is good and we continue to look to HIM daily for all our needs!

Coming Missions Trip July 26 to August 2

Travel to the ends of the earth....

Our cause in Mexico is to: Build
We'll be traveling with Teen Mania as Country Assistants- doing the logistical work for one of the Project Directors on this HUGE project which will inclue 700 teens building MANY homes in just one week!
Ministry Tools: Service Project, VBS, Personal Evangelism, Street Drama

Serve alongside Unhindered in Tijuana!

MEXICO TIJUANA BLOWOUT
Just across the border from a wealthy California lies a poverty-stricken Mexico in which people fight to survive. Teams will be given the amazing chance to reach out to these hungry people whose hunger reaches far beyond their physical needs. Missionaries will have the chance to meet the needs of the impoverished community in a very practical way while also ministering to their hungry souls

The main focus of this trip will be to build new houses for families that are homeless or are desperate for a decent place to live. In building the house for a family, the lives of that family will be completely changed. Part of the day will also be spent going house to house and ministering to people in the surrounding neighborhood. This provides a great opportunity to touch their hearts and show them the love of Christ in an environment that is comfortable and familiar to them. This week will be packed full of physical and spiritual building!
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We will have the opportunity to partner with Baja Christian Ministries based in San Diego, California as well as many local Tijuana pastors to meet the physical and spiritual needs of these hurting people. We will minister through house building, service projects, drama, skits, and children’s ministry. Check out how the houses are built and even the building plans.
You check all this out at http://www.globalexpeditions.com/projects.php?ProjectName=Tijuana%20Blowout and even sign up to come with us!!!

more news coming soon

I know it has been awhile. Last weekend we had LOTS of company (Sam, Lisa, Henry, Jonah, Bridget, Jon, Kelly, Jordan, David, Beth, Ashley, Jonathan, Cole, Nicholas, Russ Underwood, Stephen Briggs, Jen, Megan Baker) and loved every minutes...this weekend we'll be helping Dave and beth move; helping run the Teen Mania Track meet; hosting a Gen Lead Team Bar B Que; dancing on Friday night; helping pack with Beth opon Saturday; going to church; and making our home available for Henry's 5th birthday party on Sunday afternoon. If I find a spare minute...I'll post some pictures and stories about our ever busy life!

Dave and His Garden

I am so proud of my husband...and thankful to GOD for making this garden grow. I think maybe Dave missed his calling...he is happy driving his tractor.WOW! It sure looks different with leaves on the trees now! Yea for Spring!!!..running his cultivator....doing all the work around this property. God, you are so awesome and good. Thank you for the health and wisdom he has to do this.!
Just in case you missed my post yesterday...I did a month long review!

A Visit from the Welshs and a High Tea

If I am on the highest mountain, in the air, on the water, or under the deepest ocean, nothing can ever separate me from You. My spirits soar like the eagle; You are there. They sink to the lowest despair; still I know You are with me, showing Your magnificent love.

Wow...I can hardly believe that it has been almost a month since my last post. Where did that month go?
I guess we spent some time in April getting ready for our guests from Wisconsin. The Welshs-Nancy and Terry- our long time friends, came to visit and spent 10 days with us. We tried to entertain them East Texas style...which had its ups and downs. I guess we have become quite accustomed to our lifestyle here. That included dinner with Sam and Lisa, and dinner with Jon and Kelly, a visit from Larry and Becky Hansing over the weekend, a tour of Teen Mania, chapel at Teen Mania, playing cards, fishing, talking over old times .... and time dancing. We have adapted our ballroom dance to the East TX style but that didn't go over very well with the Welshs. This is our style now..but Terry and Nancy have progressed to a different level of dance, so the dance floor was not big enough for their style so they were disappointed to not be able to dance..thus...that was the end of our dancing time in Texas! Nancy came prepared as the "story teller" and thrilled some of our grand kids with her rendition of "The Three Little Pigs." One day we had lunch with David- I took them to a special "Organic" restaurant which Nancy and I loved but Terry and Dave were less than thrilled and went away hungry and wanting some "real" food. Jon and Kelly and Jordan came for dinner one night while Larry and Becky Hansing were also here and thrilled us with stories of his visit to India and few years a go and the advancement of the Gospel there which he was able to experience first hand. Dave, Nancy and I spent most mornings reminiscing about old times and new times and sharing insights from the WORD while soaking up the sun in the hot tub.

We spent the last night in Little Elm with Amy, Brian and family and took in the concert which Caitlin, Haley and Tori played in. It was fun to be with them. Monday we took the Welshs to the airport and saw them off back to Wisconsin.
I spent the rest of the week preparing for the "High Tea" which I helped give at Teen Mania on Saturday for 250 girls. I had wonderful help from Emily and Sarah- two interns who spear headed the transformation of the auditorium into a garden and prepared "tea sandwiches, scones and desserts" for these ladies. These girls were absolutely amazing
and I know all the girls really appreciate all they did to put on this event for them! Dave and I did a Waltz demo for the girls. That was fun and especially fun to see our male servers- who were some of the male interns- trying out the steps behind the scenes!
I've been spending the rest of this weekend resting up! We did go down to Sam and Lisa's last night for dinner and cards and took in a local play this afternoon. Tonight I sat on the pier and read while Dave proceeded to catch a batch of blue gill which we came up and ate for dinner...along with our salad from our garden. God is good! We are so blessed! Can live get any better than this?