Hello Everyone!
I cannot believe that it is already June and I have not posted anything since April! WOW! Where did the time go?
Oh, I know! It went to the doctor, the emergency room a couple of times, to sleep for hours on end, to eat at strange hours of the night and morning, to a Mother-Daughter tea directed and put together by yours truly, to graduation parties for our seniors at church, to the graduation, to etc, etc, etc... Do you catch my drift here ladies? Any pastor's wives out there who relate?
The new baby is making its presence known in my "blooming" anatomy as well as its very active leaps and bounds within.
I do not know what it is yet, but we will hopefully know by the end of the month. My nesting instincts are getting worse everyday with major overhauls happening in every room of the house. I have so much news, I won't overwhelm you with it all in one setting. Hopefully, I can update everyone in pics and short notes along the way this month!
I am ready for a snack (probably ice cream cone -- it's after midnight!!!! :-) and some more delicious sleep! More to come later! God Bless!!!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Spring has Sprung
Hello everyone! I just wanted to check in and let you know that I have not dropped off the face of the earth. Along with enjoying the FINALLY-arrived spring warmth and sunshine, I have been busy with two gardens. One is my veggie and flower garden outside, and the other is a new little life growing, inside. This has resulted in those glorious days of sleep, sleep, sleep and eat, eat, eat. Plus, YUK, YUK, YUK!!! Just kind of nauseated every once in a while. We are really excited about this new little venture headed our way. My due date is November 18. People ask, "What do you want it to be?" We reply, "We want a ........ HEALTHY!" More to follow, but I am hungry and will starve to death in the next five seconds if I don't go fill up quick! Alan and I are convinced this baby is a strapping boy who will one day play football the way I stay so hungry for red meat and potatoes! Ha! Catch you later. Love to all!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Wonder of Joy in a Child's Eyes
There is nothing so precious as a little child singing its heart out in happiness and innocence. We discovered our little "diva" belting out songs known only in "babyese" clothed only in her red winter hat and a droopy diaper. Needless to say, we cracked up and had to get some shots of our little "punkin."Tuesday, March 18, 2008
"The Ark is Coming Down The Road"
Mercy me! It has been soooo long since I posted anything. I have been as busy as a mouse in a Kansas granary. We have a new little girl in our congregation and our church helped to do meals for a week so that Mommy and Daddy only had to worry over their little princess. She joined a big brother who is one month younger than our Emily! We are sooo excited for our young family!
We were overly blessed with more snow than anyone should have to endure this late in the season! There was a snowfall of 15 inches in approximately 48 hours, if I remember correctly. This forced us to cancel church on March 9th, and I was a miserable wretch because I missed our precious brothers and sisters in Christ so much!
However, we did enjoy a wonderful service with Glenn and Stephanie Gault and their cute little, Kaitlyn. They are missionaries with Hope International and serve in the region of South Africa. Bro. Glenn shared an exciting slideshow of their work and we felt as if we had been to their mission outpost! God bless our precious missionaries who sacrifice so much of our "American conveniences" so that the Gospel message will go forth to all nations!
Over Friday and Saturday, my mother-in-love and I attended a writer's conference. We had more fun than anyone should have in that short a period of time! Because Mom suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, I pushed her in a wheelchair and was there to assist her in anything she needs. While she is able to walk, it is easier to go mobile in a large place like that was. We were late to the first session on Saturday morning and I was attempting to sneak into the conference room without making a scene. I pushed the door open and was preparing to wheel Mom in quietly and as unobtrusively as possible. Wouldn't you know, that door was on hinges that were so loose that when the door swung back it BANGED loudly against the wall. I tried to catch it coming back, BANG! Then a third time, BANG. Every body in that room was jerked from reverent devotion time by our untimely appearance and I declare that I saw them shudder all over every time that door banged! Of course, I could not fail to see the humor in this situation. Once we dove to our spot at a table, Mom and I nearly collapsed with laughter. You know how it is when you are supposed to be quiet -- things are twice as funny! We did come away challenged and excited by what we had learned. Until now, my brain has had such information overload, that I have not been able to write "See Spot run!" It's coming back though! HA!!!!
Now, for the strange title: Our little town is located on the side of a ridge that is cornered by two rivers. One of these rivers is a tailwater for a large dam. Due to the rapid disappearance of the afore mentioned snow and the current condition of rainfall, the water is rising at a tremendous rate. According to our church treasurer and neighbor, this happened in 2005, causing our eensy-weensy community to be marooned for over two weeks. In that time, the only two roads to our town were flooded over and everyone had to park their cars on a back road some distance away and hike out. Then they had to drive around Robin Hood's barn to get to the two relatively close cities. Eventually, FEMA reps. came around and warned everyone to evacuate as the back road was going to flood. They had no way to get to supplies or medical help. As it was, my neighbor said most people did not leave since there were complete strangers parking boats at the end of the road. Can anybody say, LOOTERS! Well, I have stocked enough stuff to feed an army, so I am ready for whatever happens. Just the same, I surely hope that we aren't cheated out of celebrating Easter Sunday, as it appears is going to be the case. But the good news is, Jesus lives whether we get to celebrate in church or not! Happy Easter everyone! Love to all!
We were overly blessed with more snow than anyone should have to endure this late in the season! There was a snowfall of 15 inches in approximately 48 hours, if I remember correctly. This forced us to cancel church on March 9th, and I was a miserable wretch because I missed our precious brothers and sisters in Christ so much!
However, we did enjoy a wonderful service with Glenn and Stephanie Gault and their cute little, Kaitlyn. They are missionaries with Hope International and serve in the region of South Africa. Bro. Glenn shared an exciting slideshow of their work and we felt as if we had been to their mission outpost! God bless our precious missionaries who sacrifice so much of our "American conveniences" so that the Gospel message will go forth to all nations!
Over Friday and Saturday, my mother-in-love and I attended a writer's conference. We had more fun than anyone should have in that short a period of time! Because Mom suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, I pushed her in a wheelchair and was there to assist her in anything she needs. While she is able to walk, it is easier to go mobile in a large place like that was. We were late to the first session on Saturday morning and I was attempting to sneak into the conference room without making a scene. I pushed the door open and was preparing to wheel Mom in quietly and as unobtrusively as possible. Wouldn't you know, that door was on hinges that were so loose that when the door swung back it BANGED loudly against the wall. I tried to catch it coming back, BANG! Then a third time, BANG. Every body in that room was jerked from reverent devotion time by our untimely appearance and I declare that I saw them shudder all over every time that door banged! Of course, I could not fail to see the humor in this situation. Once we dove to our spot at a table, Mom and I nearly collapsed with laughter. You know how it is when you are supposed to be quiet -- things are twice as funny! We did come away challenged and excited by what we had learned. Until now, my brain has had such information overload, that I have not been able to write "See Spot run!" It's coming back though! HA!!!!
Now, for the strange title: Our little town is located on the side of a ridge that is cornered by two rivers. One of these rivers is a tailwater for a large dam. Due to the rapid disappearance of the afore mentioned snow and the current condition of rainfall, the water is rising at a tremendous rate. According to our church treasurer and neighbor, this happened in 2005, causing our eensy-weensy community to be marooned for over two weeks. In that time, the only two roads to our town were flooded over and everyone had to park their cars on a back road some distance away and hike out. Then they had to drive around Robin Hood's barn to get to the two relatively close cities. Eventually, FEMA reps. came around and warned everyone to evacuate as the back road was going to flood. They had no way to get to supplies or medical help. As it was, my neighbor said most people did not leave since there were complete strangers parking boats at the end of the road. Can anybody say, LOOTERS! Well, I have stocked enough stuff to feed an army, so I am ready for whatever happens. Just the same, I surely hope that we aren't cheated out of celebrating Easter Sunday, as it appears is going to be the case. But the good news is, Jesus lives whether we get to celebrate in church or not! Happy Easter everyone! Love to all!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Hello Everybody!
Can anybody out there say with me, "I AM SICK OF SNOW?" If you live in the Northeastern part of the U.S.A. you know what I am talking about tonight! We have been overwhelmed with one snow storm after the other. This culminated in a HUGE storm system that hit Friday night and lasted over 24 hours. We were treated to an entire show of snow, sleet, ice, thunder, lightening, high wind and bitter cold. Add to that 15 inches of snow and ice and you have our weekend in a nutshell. We were not able to have church both services today, and I feel bereft. Our little flock was sorely missed, but we did enjoy a quiet Sabbath with plenty of rest and a small ride today. This afternoon the skies were "Colorado blue" and it was absolutely fabulous to see the pristine white snow glistening in the sunshine against the backdrop of evergreens and blue sky. Needless to say, I am looking forward to Spring. Yesterday, in defiance of my surroundings, I purchased seed for okra planting -- Yes, in 15 inches of snow, we traipsed to Lowes. I had so much fun checking out the different seeds for my flower and veggie garden I have planned for this year!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Happy Sunday Evening, Everybody
Have you ever felt it? It's Saturday night, 11:59 p.m. You pillow your head, but your brain is flying a thousand miles an hour. You wonder -- will my husband be alright, will everyone be as admiring of his message as I am, will everyone make it in to church tomorrow, will the new contacts we made today come?
Sunday morning: Palpitations, sweat, fluttering and flying around in general! Then you step into the quiet of the sanctuary and the presence of God meets you. Your worries fly away, your spirit calms, and no matter the problems, you know that God is in your midst! That was me today!
But, you know what my most favorite part of Sunday is? It is after I have met with God two times in a special way, after I have breathed prayers throughout the entire sermon for my husband, and I am home. I realize I have made it through another Sunday without too many tragedies or mishaps. God is good, all is well, I love my precious little flock whom I help my husband to minister to. Ah! Now that's a feeling that we all can appreciate! I have a new name for we minister's wives -- it's P.E.W. That stands for Preacher's Elastic Wife. We may be stretched to the limit in our ability, patience, yes, love, but we are always able to bounce back, fresh and revived after our time with the Lord! Hold on to your faith, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Our General is in control and will never give us marching orders that are too hard to bear! Love to all!
Sunday morning: Palpitations, sweat, fluttering and flying around in general! Then you step into the quiet of the sanctuary and the presence of God meets you. Your worries fly away, your spirit calms, and no matter the problems, you know that God is in your midst! That was me today!
But, you know what my most favorite part of Sunday is? It is after I have met with God two times in a special way, after I have breathed prayers throughout the entire sermon for my husband, and I am home. I realize I have made it through another Sunday without too many tragedies or mishaps. God is good, all is well, I love my precious little flock whom I help my husband to minister to. Ah! Now that's a feeling that we all can appreciate! I have a new name for we minister's wives -- it's P.E.W. That stands for Preacher's Elastic Wife. We may be stretched to the limit in our ability, patience, yes, love, but we are always able to bounce back, fresh and revived after our time with the Lord! Hold on to your faith, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Our General is in control and will never give us marching orders that are too hard to bear! Love to all!
Monday, February 11, 2008
"In the deep midwinter..."
It is 1:30 a.m. and I am not asleep yet. For those of you who are in the trenches with me as a pastor's wife, you know that often Mondays are "down days" in more ways than one! For us, we usually take Monday off.
Our "off-day" was really strange this time -- we went to Alan's parent's place and helped his mother defrost her freezer and Alan hauled several huge loads of wood to the basement window and dropped it in, while I raced madly back and forth to stack it in an orderly fashion close to their woodburner. Talk about good old r&r! HA! It was great fun though. I really enjoyed it.
Afterwards, we all staggered to the family room and collapsed in recliners and I, on the couch. Somehow, the fire had not been kicked soon enough (talk about "wood, wood, everywhere and no fire or heat!!!), so the house was a brisk 55 degrees when we realized we were freezing! Alan got the furnace blasting AND built a big fire in the fireplace. I was trembling under two heavy blankets listening to Alan's Mother tell Emily a story. The next thing I knew, I woke up an hour later.
Now, the snow is falling heavily outside, I am snug in my warm house, and thankful to be where there is such beautiful variety in the weather. I opened my window a few minutes ago and "listened" to the silence as my world is blanketed in feather light snowflakes. It was a perfect picture of the peace in my heart that comes from a close relationship with Jesus. And, just think, we who know Jesus are whiter than snow!
Our "off-day" was really strange this time -- we went to Alan's parent's place and helped his mother defrost her freezer and Alan hauled several huge loads of wood to the basement window and dropped it in, while I raced madly back and forth to stack it in an orderly fashion close to their woodburner. Talk about good old r&r! HA! It was great fun though. I really enjoyed it.
Afterwards, we all staggered to the family room and collapsed in recliners and I, on the couch. Somehow, the fire had not been kicked soon enough (talk about "wood, wood, everywhere and no fire or heat!!!), so the house was a brisk 55 degrees when we realized we were freezing! Alan got the furnace blasting AND built a big fire in the fireplace. I was trembling under two heavy blankets listening to Alan's Mother tell Emily a story. The next thing I knew, I woke up an hour later.
Now, the snow is falling heavily outside, I am snug in my warm house, and thankful to be where there is such beautiful variety in the weather. I opened my window a few minutes ago and "listened" to the silence as my world is blanketed in feather light snowflakes. It was a perfect picture of the peace in my heart that comes from a close relationship with Jesus. And, just think, we who know Jesus are whiter than snow!
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