The Word of God

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

~Hebrews 4:12-13

Blessed are those.....

Yes, I know it has been about two and half months since my last blog.



My baby girl had an incredible trip to Brazil making life long memories. She came home on a Thursday evening - the same day my forever friend was admitted to the hospital. I've mentioned Melody before in previous blogs. Melody was courageously fighting a rare cancer.


I was experiencing such conflicting emotions that day. I was so thrilled that my baby was coming home from a distant country and yet so heart broken that my friend may be living her last days. My precious friend, Rachel, prayed with me over the phone while I was standing at the window watching her plane taxi into the gate.



One of the first things my daughter asked when she got off of the plane was "How's Melody?" I said not good, she was admitted to the hospital today, do you want to go see her?


So off to the hospital we go. What a precious time watching my daughter tell my friend that she prayed for her at a beautiful chapel in Maringa, Brazil.

My friend met Jesus 3 days later.



I have been reading a book by Randy Alcorn entitled Heaven. He writes, "Death is an abnormal condition because it tears apart what God created and joined together. God intended for our bodies to last as long as our souls."



I have spent a lot of time thinking about this sentence.



Earthly death was not suppose to happen. But sin entered the world causing our spirits to separate from our bodies.



God created relationships. Death separates us from the ones we love.



That's why grieving is so difficult. It's abnormal. It wasn't suppose to happen.



There will be a day when our bodies and relationships will be restored for those who know Christ as their personal Savior.



I love this picture of my daughter. She is home! We are waiting with open arms and a bouquet of flowers.




It makes me think about Melody's entrance into Heaven and who greeted her at the pearly gates.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

Snap, Snap

My sister-in-law, niece, and daughter

BYE! LOVE YOU!!

Have you ever heard the saying about when children leave, apron strings are broken. Well, I had some big snaps today!!!

My baby left with her team (of 30+) to Maringa Brazil this morning. I tried very hard to be brave and not cry, but I failed.

She will spend the next 29 hours flying or waiting in 1 of the 6 different airports that they will travel thru arriving Friday evening about 5pm.

The team will spend their time doing construction projects at an orphanage. I'm imagine alot of playing with the children will happen also!

Please keep them in your prayers (and maybe mommy too!).

It's been how long??

I can't believe it has been over 3 months since my last post. Alot has happened so I think I will just give brief updates of the different events.....

-- I traveled with baby girl's travel team to Springfield, MO for homeschool basketball nationals. While I was there, I received a call that my favorite cousin on my dad's side of the family lost her battle to cancer. I wasn't able to attend the funeral in Atlanta. I'm part of the oldest generation on my dad's side. There were 7 of us cousins - we lost Patsy several years ago. So the 6 remaining cousins, all of our spouses and many of our children gathered in Atlanta in May 2008 for a reunion. Oh!! I'm so glad we did!! We had a great visit, took lots of pictures and just enjoyed each other. If you have special people in your life that you haven't seen for awhile - please make plans to see them.

--My father-in-law celebrated his 80th birthday on March 28th. All of his children (and spouses) and most of his grandchildren gathered in Nashville, TN. We toured the famous Ryman Auditorium and just enjoyed being together.

--While we were in Nashville, we went shopping. There was a store in this high end type mall that I have never seen in my entire life. They sold oxygen!!! Apparently if you suck in large quantities of oxygen, you can get a bit of a buzz. I can't remember the price but I think it was $20 for 20 minutes for your choice of 3 different flavored scented oxygen!! Can you believe it!!

--My forever friend Melody who I've mentioned before received news that her cancer spread to her brain. I have had the privilege to attend her dr's appointments and take her to a few of her radiations. It's so hard to watch her deal with such a tough road. She's the picture of God's grace and a beautiful hand maiden of God!!

--We drove to Detroit, MI to watch the Tigers (my favorite team) lose to the Boston Red Sox (baby girl's favorite team). While there, I was able to visit my mom's brother who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. I was also able to visit with my mom's childhood friend which was such a delightful and special time.

--We had a HAIL STORM!!!! We will get our 2nd new roof in 3 years (also due to a hail storm!) and some other repairs to the house. Thank you American Family Insurance!!

--I spent a week at our church's teen camp as 1 of the 2 nurses. Very interesting week. I may write more about that later!

Well, I guess that's all for now. Just trying to spend the summer doing things that I can't do during the school year - deep cleaning, scrapbooking, etc.

I have other thoughts rumbling around in my brain but they haven't developed into complete sentences. If they do, I will let you know!

Good Bye Snowmen!

I can't believe February is gone!!


I spent most of the month following the Indy Blazers throughout Indiana and watching their basketball games. That's baby girls' traveling team. This past weekend the girls won the Lafayette Invitation tourney. Next weekend is the the state tourney and then we spent a week in Springfield, MO for the Nationals. I also spent the month helping the girls design new spirit apparel for sweatshirts. Do you know how hard it is to get 12 adolescent girls to make decisions!!

Wanted to share a few pictures of some of the snowmen (and women) I collect.....

This one is a special one...... In 1996, I was shopping with baby girl and she said "Look, there's 3 of them. Just like us!"







This one is the grand daddy of the group.........my first one. In our homeschool co-op years ago, one of the moms was teaching a home ec type class. He was the class's example and I thought he was so cute. At the end of the class, my friend gave him to me. Now I have dozens and dozens of snowmen sitting throughout my home. My family and friends know about my snowmen and have added to the collection!



In December, when I put them out - they are cute! Now it's time for them to go back into their boxes to hibernate til next winter!!



I hope Spring comes quickly!!

I've been tagged!

On Facebook, I've been tagged to tell 25 random things about me. I thought I would share it on the blog also. I have really enjoyed reading other's random facts about themselves.



1. I have been to 48 of the 50 states - just need to visit Alaska and Hawaii.



2. I LOVE cats!! We have 2.



3. I like dogs too and would have 1 if I could train it to potty in a litter box.



4. The first car I bought was a brand new 1984 Ford Thunderbird. I loved that car. We had to sell it, so we could buy a minivan for our growing family. My brother, Jim, bought the car and totalled it on a trip to Florida. (Thankfully, he wasn't injured.)



5. I love to laugh!



6. I spent 3 weeks in Haiti during my senior year in college.



7. I have 2 brothers - my younger brother Jim and my older brother Michael who is in heaven with my parents.



8. On August 1, we will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary. (My parents were only married 19 years before my Dad passed away.)



9. I spent Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, Israel in 1986. My husband was stationed in Sinai Egypt and I had the opportunity to visit Israel and Egypt with him.



10. My favorite vacation was at the Grand Canyon! Absolutely the most beautiful place that God has created.



11. I'm very proud of my children and who they are becoming.



12. I like watching baseball and basketball. I still don't understand football - it just looks like a bunch of fat guys piling up like a bunch of puppies.



13. I have 3 screws in the base of my femur (thigh bone).

14. I'm in my 15th year of homeschooling. (1 more to go!)

15. I teach chemistry in our homeschool co-op.

16. I'm afraid of large bodies of water. Because of that, I don't know if I will ever go on a cruise.

17. I have seen Bob Seager, Barry Manilow, Phil Collins and Neil Diamond in concert. At the Bob Seager concert, my ticket was 7 rows from the stage!

18. I love to scrapbook!

19. I hate having my neck touched!

20. My heart breaks when I see people being mistreated.

21. I collect snowmen.

22. Certain smells trigger vivid memories for me.

23. My favorite job was being a labor and delivery nurse. Seeing a baby born is an incredibly emotional experience.

24. I hate going to the dentist.

25. I am very thankful that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and I accepted Him as my Savior so I can spend eternity with Him.

Still celebrating Christmas!

Sometime during the Christmas season, we get together with my cousins. We tried to gather on the Saturday after Christmas at Edna's but it didn't work out. So we celebrated Christmas at our home this past Sunday. Here are some pictures of my extended family.




My little 3 year old twin cousins meeting Phillip. My cousin, niece and daughter relaxing!

Toddlers in the house sure add to the excitement. Aren't they cute!

I'm so thankful for a loving family!