God is LOVE...and SO loves us!

It has been a COLD week in East Texas and we are looking for a warm up!

This picture was of our beautiful Camalia bush- in full bloom- BEFORE the big freeze. Dave covered it but the cover blew off in the night and MUCH to his dismay- all the blooms are now history. Next year we'll do a better job! We hit a low of 17 here which is absolutely FRIGID for East Tx. We are READY for spring.

Amy and family hosted a wondeful Valentine's party for the cousins- Henry and Jonah were there earlier in the day and Ash, Jay and Cole at night. Jordan opted to be home that day! Later Brian, Amy and Dave and I enjoyed a pizza by the fireside in their bedroom retreat area....very nice!

We enjoyed dinner with our cousins Larry and Sue last night and then had the Smith's spend the night with us due to their well pump being out. WE didn't see much of them as they went to bed as soon as they got here and left as soon as we got up this morning.

Dave is busy working in his "well house" getting his workbench all completed so we can move the things from the garage out there.

It is a bit crowded in the garage!

<<<<<

But..he has been working hard and I am so proud of ALL the things he accomplishes! With a minimum of bandaids too! What a guy! How blessed I am!

Kelly is doing better..her mom is here now to care for her and Jordan and Jon. I'm sure they are all taking full advantage of all her skills...and she is there all night to take care of Jordan if she awakens...like she did this week with the flu! Poor Jon and Kelly...Kelly scrubbing carpet with her back brace and all! She has to wear the brace for 6 weeks- 5 now- and is learning to do things to care for Jordan in spite of the brace! Thank the Lord for the brace- the tech. that fitted Kelly said this used to be a body CAST.... Kelly is looking much better these days but thought you might want to see her the day after...I'm sure Kelly will appreciate this!

We love you Kelly and we are SOooooooooo very glad that GOD spared your life and you are still here with us! To GOD be the glory!

What a difference several days makes!

It has been almost 2 weeks since I last sat down to blog and even check e-mails very much! We've been busy- visiting and caring for kids and grandkids!

Last week, Dave and I were up early, ready to go to Quitman- Dave for an annual check up- me to work out at Curves and then head down to Lindale later in the day for Jonah's second birthday- he is Sam's youngest. About 8- just as we were ready to head out the door- we got a call from Jon saying he had a call from the police that Kelly was in a wreck and the ambulance was on the way- he was on the way to the scene- just down the road on the way to Teen Mania. HE had Jordan with HIM!...and arrived on the scene while on the phone. He said, "Oh my gosh- what did she do??? I have to go!" Here is what he drove up on.

We didn't get another call for about an hour- and Sam called to say that Kelly was on the way to

ER. He said- she is alive but I don't know the extent of her injuries. We were about an hour away from Tyler- so we headed there immediately. We were met in the ER waiting room by David, Beth, Brian, Amy, Jon and Jordan. Kelly was being xrayed, MRI'ed, etc...and was later admitted with lacerated spleen, a boken vertebrae and multiple lacerations and bruises...but ALIVE! We are so very grateful to God for His mercy. She was there just a little over 24 hours- enough time to be fitted for a body brace (which now takes the place of a body cast) and to check out her spleen to make sure she didn't need surgery. She is home and mending and we are helping out with Jordan and doing what we can to be here and support them.

We DID get to Jonah's party- late- and it we were all exhausted...but Jonah turned 2 and is such a sweetheart!

On Saturday, I came down to help Kelly but she had lined up some other help for the day so I was able to go back to our original plan of babysitting for the youngest 5 of the Smith kids for the day. I drove their van back home and we had a great day.

The kids played outside in the sand, ran and jumped and swang on the swing (is swang a word???) and later each had a puzzel to put together and then we all watched "Mary Poppins- can you believe that Dave and I have NEVER seen it????) It was a great day!

On Sunday, after church, we headed to Tyler again, this time for the Smith girls' violin orchestra concert. The twins are in the younger orchestra- which sounded fantastic- and Caitlin is in the high-school; Jr. college orchestra- which sounded like the Denver Philharmomic to me! It was such a blessing to see and hear them play! AFter the concerts we went to a banquet (which they had totally paid for by fund raising- thanks girls!) and enjoyed a wonderful dinner and fellowship with the 7 members of Amy's family who were there. (Sam and Lisa kept the 3 little ones) We had a wonderful day. God is so good and we are so grateful to Him for our children and grandchildren and especially for sparing Kelly's life this week. Thank you Lord!

(YOu can see Kelly's link on my side bar for more info from her!)

Transformed by Love

Transformed By Love

My friend, Brandi, posted this on her blog and I post it here with her permission. from A Place Of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

In the old testament book called the Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs), we read the story of a wealthy king who decides to find a bride. Much to everyone's surprise, the king does not pick one of the wealthy, well-educated, well-bred young women of the city. Rather, he goes out into the country and selects a common, ordinary peasant girl to be his bride. She is not beautiful; in fact, her skin is rough and dark from having worked out in the sun in her family's vineyards. When the king brings her back to the palace, the "daughters of Jerusalem" are astonished at his choice. And no one is more astonished than the girl herself.
Nonetheless, the king takes his bride into his bedchamber, where he lavishes his love on her. By the end of the story, this young peasant girl has become a lovely, radiant woman whose beauty attracts the attention of all who see her. What has happened? She has spent time alone with her bridegroom. And she has taken on his characteristics. It is not her own loveliness, but his, that others see in her. She has been transformed by his love.
Deep within the heart of every true child of God is a longing to be like Jesus, to reflect His beauty. We cry out,

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fulness -
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

-Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960)

But there are no shortcuts to Christlikeness. Shortcuts only lead to masquerading. There is no substitute for spending consistent, quality time alone in His presence. The cost is great. But the rewards are even greater. If we want to be transformed, we must be willing to

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word . . .
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Much time spend in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

- William D. Longstaff (1822-94)

Created to be Dave's help meet

We've been home a week-
It has been QUITE the eventful week- have you ever had one of these days...
On the day before we left to go back to Florida we ordered a hot tub on line from Costco. Now we are home...getting ready for the delivery...so we get out the set up guide we printed out....Dave has questions about the wiring...so he calls the number on the set up guide...the wait is 10 minutes...
Yes, can we help you? No, we don't make that hot tub!
So...we go back to the literature...and discover that it is some set up guide that we got who knows where?
So what hot tub DID we order?
We go to the Costco site- it, of course is no longer on the site. So we call Costco- the wait...10 minutes.
We finally get to talk to a live person anda they tell us how to get to the "cached" web site...
we hang up...go on the Web- via dial up- another 10 minutes.
The information they gave us does not work
Go off the web...call Costco...the wait...10 minutes
They again say that they have tried what they tell us and it works...so it MUST be something we are doing wrong.
We go back on the web...10 minutes via Dial up...
The information STILL does not work.
So...we decided to call the company who manufactured and will be delivering the hot tub.
WE call.....and....a ten minute wait...of course.
The girl there says...I think we make that hot tub but I can't find it on my computer! Please hold.... dial tone.
Call back....WE ae sorry...our office is closed for the day!
In the mean time I go to Google and enter the name of the hot tub and it comes up on the cached site of Costco...so we are able to get the informatin we need.
By this time we are WEARY...so we settle in to watch t.v.
BUt...no picutre. I won't bore you with the details but after 7 or 8 calls to the t.v. manufacturer...Direct T.V. and about 2 hours later...after having gone to the 3rd level tech guy...they say they will have to send someone out- it will be 2 days.
The NEXT day...Dave is working on getting electrical connections set up- but is not working with live wires...but I suddenly hear a LOUD explosion in the living room. Since there is a fire going- and Amy just told me about glass screens exploding- I expect to find glass all over the living room- but...nothing. I remember Dave is working with electricity so I franatically run outside yelling, DAVE! DAVE! expecting to find him lying in a heap at every turn...I check all the places...the garage..the well house...screaming frantically...and then trip and fall face down on the cement patio in back...just then I see him down at the lake...I yell for him to come quickly. As he SAUNTERS up the hill ( I momentarily forget how happy I was that he is ALIVE!) ...I smell electrical burning smells and notice there are NO lights on the DVR...the surround sound or t.v. system.
After much investigation...having an electrician and the Electic company out...we discover that the Surge protector on the t.v. etc. blew...but it seemingly didn't hurt the equipment on it.. but..it also blew 2 other circuits...blowing out a telephone and the computer. We will see how good the surge protector warranties are. It was a most stressful day. The monster surge protector co. is sending out a new unit so until then...no t.v. in the living room...we are relegated to watching t.v. from our bed! ...and using the lap top computer.

This morning in my devotions I began again to ask God what it means for me to be Dave's help meet. I began the day by asking...what can I do for Dave today that will bless him and let him know he is the most important person in my world?
I'll be trying to post more on this topic.
I find it an utter privilege to be a help meet to this man! The most awesome man in my world. I am so very, very blessed! This is a much more relaxed day in Florida when Dave connected with his chicken at the basketball court! That's my man!..

There's no place like home

As we were within 20 miles of home we said to each other, "How is it that we were only gone 3 weeks but it seemed like 3 months?" (It was 3 months total but we were home for a month in December.) It is SO good to be home. Especially that we came home to rain...it only rained about the last 30 miles though, even though the weather map yesterday showed that we would have rain ALL the way home! We prayed...God answered...praise the Lord! We remarked to each other after we were home...if we never left...we would never appreciate home so much! The reasone we were not minding the rain here is that it is filling up our lake...which was down 6 feet...and now is down only 2!
We are looking forward to church tomorrow and maybe seeing some of our kids and grandkids. Come on over kids...we would love to see you!

Florida...the last Hurrah!

Florida...family...Disney World... Today we spent several hours at Disney...oompliments of a friend from TM- a former intern Bryce. A BIG thank you to him. He worked for 3 years with Jon and Kelly and this was a thank you to them that we cashed in on! Jordan was fascinated much of the time but had her head buried in her daddy's neck part of the time! We are now home for "naps" and will return shortly for the evening- parade and fireworks. How fun with a 2 year old! Truly a magical experience. God is good! All the time!

Tomorrow we plan to leave for Texas and, Lord willing, be home by Saturday night. We are So anxious to be home again. Our time in Florida has been good...but there's no place like home!

What am I?

"What am I? Well, here is what I am. I am the worst sinner I know. And by the grace of God I am doing better than I deserve. For I deserve the righteous wrath of God because of my sin. I deserve to be punished eternally. But in the mystery of His mercy, God sacrificed and crushed His Son on the Cross--as my substitute--so that I might be forgiven of my sin and know God as my Father rather than my Judge. What am I? I am truly amazed by the grace of God. That's what I am." ~ C.J. Mahaney Together for the Gospel Blog
Thanks to Brandi for this quote on her e-mails. This is what we are!

44 Wonderful Years

New Year's Eve...our celebration of 44 years since our engagement! I was probably the happiest woman alive that night...I had been waiting for 3 1/2 years for this moment- and it came as a total surprise! Next June we will celebrate 44 years of wedded "bliss". Dave and I were just talking yesterday- after watching a great message by Dr. Creflo Dollar on marriage- how we are still growing more in love each year and how much fun our retirement years have been...and how we both love spending 24/7 together. So many people told us that this season is such a hard one to adjust to...we have not found that to be true. We love being retired and doing so many things together.
I have to tell you how proud I was of Dave today. We went back to our rental home here to work on the garage door opener- again. We had spent about 6 hours working on it before Christmas. Dave is the most patient man I've ever known! I was privileged to be the "helpmeet" on this job- holding the flashlight- getting the right tool- holding the motor up with a garden hoe wrapped in a rag so it wouldn't fall on his head...and making encouraging remarks like, "I would just take the whole thing and dump it in the trash and say, 'this house no longer comes with an electric garage door opener!" Dave took the entire motor apart- screw by screw- I thought he was nuts! thinking...He'll NEVER get this back together. He had to repair something or other in it and do many other miraculous things that simply amazed me! He worked on it for another 3 -4 hours and when all was done...it worked! I was flabergasted! He is THE MAN! Thank you Lord for the privilege of working side by side with this man of yours. I am so blessed.
And then....

How many women would die for a husband that takes her ballroom dancing 3 times in a week? Yes, we went to a wonderful dance on New Year's Eve, then to the Sons of Italy Italian club last night and to our Deltona Dance Club tonight. We dance here in Florida with a great bunch of people. Tonight as we were cleaning up there was a couple handing out a Ray Comfort tract! We of course struck up a conversation with them and found out we have so much in common. It was their first night there. The picture here is Dave doing a line dance! We both love line dances and tonight we were discussing what our favorite dance is...we can't decide between Rhumba and Waltz and Swing...we like them all so much. God is good. He has so blessed us. We want to continue living out our lives for HIM and thank HIM that he has given us each other. For anyone reading this...who may be going through tough times...we say...be committed to each other...hang in there during the tough times....God is faithful!

Merry Christmas...my 3 sons...daughter...and...

Christmas Eve...already 5 days a go! What a glorious day it was for us. That morning ALL 23 of our children, spouses and their children showed up at our church, Church on the Rock, in Quitman, Texas, to worship with us. What a blessing and the best Christmas present one could want! (Jon obliged us by wrapping up a box with a card that said, "We came to church".
That afternoon we shared dinner (Beth shows Amy how to do the green bean thing!)
and gifts but the best gift was the morning and then just having them all in our home for the day. The kids played and had so much fun...adults ate...and ate...and ...
visted and cheered the Broncos to victory!
Christmas...children....15 grandchildren...could we be more blessed? God is SO good and we Praise HIM for all HIS mercies in our lives.

A week with grandkids

Mom and dad are gone on a cruise and we get to have the 8 kids for a week. So far the first two days have been gloriously wonderful weather- 75-80- so the kids have had a ball outside- in the sand- on the lake- fishing- hunting for lures since the lake is down and generally having a great time.




Their mom had all the meals prepared- most frozen- and a list of who takes care of little ones- who does meal preps- and everything SO organzied. Today we took all 8 to Walmart 'shopping'. Quite an experience. Tomorrow is church and we'll see what the rest of the week brings!
Here they are having breakfast.

Home in Texas

It is great to be home again...we've been here almost 2 weeks and it has been a whirlwind of activity since we hit the ground in Texas on Dec 2. We've been to Amy, David's and Sam's for dinner...had all 25 of our family here at our house for dinner for Amy's birthday. Then that week I was blessed to be able to share on "The Power of Color...or "Dressing like a Queen for a KING" at the Teen Mania Honor Academy optional girl's meeting. About 50-75 girls came and learned about what "season" of colors they should be wearing to look their best. That day we also went to lunch at Amy's house for JM's 8th birthday party. Then on Sunday we had about 25 of our home group from church here for a pot luck dinner and children's gift exchange. Monday was the day of "THE TEa"..this is an event I've been planning and working on since about October. We had about 40 ladies from church here last night for a "Celebration of Joy" high tea. We couldn't have done it without the help from my cousin, Larry and his wife Sue, Dave, Amy and girls and a few girls from church who served. Sue and I worked ALL day on setting tables and baking everything from breads to scones and desserts and sandwich fillings. It was all served beautifully by our "serving staff" to the accompaniement of Christmas Carols played by the string trio of the 3 oldest of Amy's girls. It was beautiful! Dave had decorated the outside of the house with lights and lined the long drive with luminarians- it really looked nice. Everyone really enjoyed it...I don't think most of these ladies in east TX have been to many "high teas" and they felt honored. I was blessed!
We've loved spending time with our kids and grandkids- and are looking forward to this week when we get to babysit for the S. "8" while their parent go on a cruise! They will be here for a week and their mom and dad will return just in time for Christmas. We hope to have the whole family out here for Christmas day...then just 4 more days and we'll be returning to Florida. So goes life here in East Texas.
Oh yes...the tag game...I was tagged by Lisa...having to name 5 things people don't know about me.
Well, my life is an open book so there isn't much that is not known and absolutely NOTHING of any interest! so....her goes..
1. I really enjoy cooking and miss not being able to do that much any more since we are always on a diet! I love it when all the family comes and I can cook!
2. I enjoy sitting at the computer and writing and sending e-mails. I am the self appointed "secretary" for my highschool class of 1959 and keep everyone abreast of current events in families. We are currently sharing "Christmas letters".
3. I love to read...but never read in high school and had to "fake" most of my book reports. My favorite authors are Karen Kingsbury and Francine Rivers.
4. I enjoy riding bikes, walking on the beach, and most anything I do with my husband.
5. My most favorite activity with Dave- well, almost the most favorite- is Ballroom Dance!
sooo. My tag goes to Jan Barron- you can catch up with her on my side bar!. Jan...you're it!

Teen Mania...Honor Academy

I know that most who read my blog do not comment. But....I know you are out there and checking in because you tell me! You know that all of our family works for the Lord- most of them at Teen Mania. Today's article in the Tyler paper will give you a good insight into what the work of David and the Honor Academy does. (actually this article came out in October but I JUST FOUND it when I was cheking Google to see what there was about the Honor Academy etc....oh well, who would tell mom????) Just paste the address into your browser and read away!

http://www.tylerpaper.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17389213&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=510175&rfi=6

Florida happenings

Looks like it is cold in Florida? It WAS a few days a go when we visited Blue Springs to view the Manatee. They come in when the ocean waters get cold- to Blue Springs where the water is 72 degrees year round. It was a great day for viewing these Manatee...we saw about 30 in the clear spring waters in one place.




All those large grey images in teh water ar the manatee. Quite interesting.

Today we are reading, watching football on t.v.- after our a.m. trip to the library and the Thrift Store and to help set up for tonight's dance ( only they set up last night! ):
Tonight we attend the dinner dance. Thought you might enjoy seeing a picture of Dave line dancing...we do lots of that here and love it! Such a life. God has granted us the joy of being together here in Florida and enjoying each other's company and for that we are THANKFUL! Now you are wondering why we are so anxious to get home??????

Okay...let's try again...here Nina and I are inside the front door. Awesome huh?
Here's a shot from the master bath...
and...Thanksgiving dinner Phillipines style...
...just one of the deccorative items in the living room...
We started the day there with Mass...mostly in Phillipino...but beautiful...and then had a fantastic meal...and danced the afternoon and evening away with music played by our DJ- Sonny- the same that was on the Cruise with us...A beautiful, fun day! God is good!

Thanksgiving Week

And what a week it has been. We have SO much that we are THANKING our God for this week...for our salvation...for our 43 years together, our children and grandchildren, our friends, our freedom, our health, and on and on. THANK YOU FATHER GOD!
We have done a variety of things this week as we have every week we've been here in Fl. Last Sunday after church at Metro we visited our favorite restaurant.
Most days we go to the Y and work out, Dave goes to the basketball court and shoots and we also ride our bikes. All that exercise! plus all the dancing we do...you'd think we'd be in shape and losing weight.
Our week has also included our almost daily trips to the library...literary giants? No...we check out movies...end up watching about 1 out of 5 that we start. Any suggestions????
One of the highlights of our week is our Wednesday trip to the Flea Market...mostly to stock up on fresh Veggies- but we end up finding other bargins as well...Dave was especially enamored with these!
Today, Thanksgiving Day, we had the unique pleasure and privilege of spending the day with hundreds of Phillipino people who were invited to the home of Dr. and Mrs. Capuloung from our dance group. They live in a most exquisite home! This is the inside entrance - the front door- imported from Hong Kong! okay...Blogger is not allowing me any more pictures so I'll try to add more to another post.

Home away from home

Hi From Florida- this is our home away from home-
These are our TWO home in Texas and...
this is our home away from home in Florida.
In just 2 weeks, Lord willing- we'll be back home in Texas- we are oretty homesick for our kids and grandkids and can't wait to get back.
This morning we had breakfast with two of our friends from Jesus Center Denver days. Their youngest daughter, Lenore Berard, was a classmate of David and Jon's. They are living in their 5th wheel near here in Sanford. It was good to reconnect.
The cold front hit here- only about 65 our right now at 2 o'clock. It is great sleeping weather at night though.
Have to run...time for the bike ride!

WE Danced all night and then some!

We have been in Florida now for 2 weeks...and been on a cruise and back- to the Eastern Carribean- St Thomas and St Marten..and danced the nights away for 7 nights.
We had a great time...the weather was beautiful (except for the last night heading back to Florida- they had to shut down our dance and didn't allow the "show" to go in for fear of safety for the dancers in the main lounge...other than that...it was great! No sea sickness on our parts either!
We were with about 20 of the people we dance with here in Florida, our dance teacher and our friends from Wisconsin- Nancy and Terry Welsh were with us which made it that much more fun.
We had lesson in Waltz, Swing, Rhumba and Cha-Cha and also had private dances several times during the week. Each night we could dance in several of the lounges so there was plenty of times to practice and try to remember how to dance something other than the Texas 2-step which is all we've done the last 7 months!
We got off at two islands- on St. Thomas we took a cab to Cokey Beach and had great snorkling- we held "dog bones" and the tropical fish came right up and ate the food out of our hands...really cool. On St. Marten- the fish were not as plentiful and the water was a bit rougher but we enjoyed the beach.

Of course the food and dining experiences on a ship are outstanding. We enjoyed two formal nights and EVERY meal was wonderful. We were on a new ship (2 yrs. old) and they had a new menu which was really outstanding. Now it is back to reality and cereal for dinner!
We DID spend several mornings in the gym- trying to work off some of the meals which we didn't dance off! At least it eased our conscience some.
Today we were back at Metro Life for church and that was also great. We saw most everyone from our home group and enjoyed the sermon by Benny Phillips and the great worship led by Todd.
We are settled in to the campground where we are living for now and looking forward to dancing 4-5 times each week. God is So good to us!

The Medievel Festival

And what a festival it was!
Amy and children worked 6 or 8 weeks on this Medievel Festival-each of the children working at their own levels
Caitlin, Haley and Tori made ALL the costumes for all the children and the girls did almost all the cooking and planning of games, etc for the festival! Their mom reported that they used a large 2 lb. can of Crisco and 5 dozen eggs just making the pies! (14 of them) They also made this incedible bread- many round loaves of DELICIOUS bread-they called it parsley bread but it had raising and maybe nuts and was so good. I wish I had taken a picture of it.
Over 30 people were in attendance-most were in costume and all very much in the spirit of things!

Friar Dave and Lord Brian confered before hand on the events of the afternoon and evening

Friar Dave and Lady McBeth wait for the games to begin

They played several authentic Medieval games- the first called "Caomping- the goal was for the team to get the ball (a basketball ) in to a soccer goal. There were NO rules which made it very interesting. About 3 minutes in to the game the Ref-Friar Dave- added the rule that they could only take 4 steps with the ball. Much fun was had by all.
Camping game


They also had a "horse raise" where the little ones chose a big one and rode them piggy back- the riders knew the path but could not talk- only point to the horse to tell them where to go.

Slaying the Dragon- the kids had made a really cute green dragon pinata and hung it in the tree. There was the typical pinata contest and Amy shows the wounded dragon and prepares to scatter the contents.


The feast ws presented in 8 different "removes" or courses- one more spectacular then the last! This delicacy was reserved for the head "family" table.!






The festival was complete with the court jesters!


The evening was culminated with a huge bonfire and Lord Brian wrapped up things with a spritual message- he had also done this at the conclusion of games-linking them to real life issues.

This was an experience that the family will remember for a long, long time.