Heading to the Hills

As we age, many things affect our lives we did not anticipate. We also change our thinking on how we would accomplish or do certain things.

Often, we become caregivers for older relatives or parents. I have been that for my Mother for twenty years (actually helping for mor than that.); but for the past two years, I encouraged her to live in Tennessee with my sister. SHe was not happy when she left here, but praise the Lord,is now happy to see us wehn we visit and is very teary-eyed when seh greets D1&2.

I am now needed to help take care of her fo a while ( she will be having heart surgery). Also, my sister will have knee surgery amn my BIL has to have some back treatments. All that said to say, "THEY NEED HELP". I, along with my trusted sidekicks, will be the ones to perform that service.

Thus, I will probably not be able to keep in touch...but I will try.

Keep us in your prayers.

I Hear Bells(Wedding, that is!!)

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE,

I present you with the first set of pictures, taken by #1!

http://howards.myphotoalbum.com/

Se if you can guess family members by clues in the pics!!


Blessings to you!!

Self Improvement

Not Another Self-Improvement Program



Why Grace Changes Everything


For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. - Galatians 5:17


God will allow us to follow self-help, self-improvement programs until we have tried them all, until we finally come to the honest confession, "I can't do it. I can't be righteous in my own strength!" It is then, when we admit our utter powerlessness, that we find hope. For it is then when the Lord intervenes to do a work that we could not do for ourselves.
- Chuck Smith

I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES

How blessed we are!!

I have been reflecting on my position.
As a Christian.
As a Wife.
As a Mother.
As a daughter.
As a grandmother.
As a friend.
As a teacher.
As a mentor.
As a person.

Do I have conviction enough to stand?
Do I die to self in forder to have life?
Do I parlay my need for a walk with Christ every minute of the day?
Do I show a steadfastness that has carried me this far?
Do my relationships point to Christ?
Do I give the lessons I have learned with hope?
Is Christ all I need?
Can the world about me always see Christ through me?

You see, I am my worst critic. I beat myself up over responses and relationships.
I do know however, that whatever state I am in, I do love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind, and that my life, and all its relationships I desire to give glory to Him.!!

I eill always be mindful, though, that others are looking for a glimmer of hope in life, and I know that this is afforded only through a personal walk with my Saviour!!

My life verses are Psalm 121 - therin I have promises filled with encouragement and hope.

In a seeking world, I have found position.

Thunderclouds

We are closer to getting pictures, so, in the mean time, I will write a short post.

We hit turbulence (a big storm which the pilot had tried to miss, but it was EVERYWHERE!!)...we had been informed about 200 miles out of this storm. (I bet you've had some fun flights, too, Rita!! But, your planes were smaller!)

Anyway, of course, it was the usual bumps, until we hit a free fall area and kids started screaming (I believe they get to watch too much TV and movies!!!),

We were privileged to have two pilots sitting across from us who live in Tampa. They did not seem concerned, so, the girls, Anita, the pilots and I were laughing and enjoying the ride. One female pilot looked at me and saw I was not concerned, so she said "Woo, hoo, here we go!!)


Then we were free falling again!! when the stewardess came over the p.a. system and said everything was fine and that it was just turbulence, some mouthy young lady yelled, "No it isn't!!"....to which my friend turned to me and said, "Well, if we are going to heaven, I can't think of anyone better than you and the girls to go with", to which I heartily agreed!!

We did land with alot of rain on the tarmac, but it was a fun flight!!

Return to Reality

Yes, I am home...., and my feet hit the ground working!!

I have been busy....thank God we took two extra days in Pa. and visited Hershey Park,,,,,,,,no, it DOES NOT SMELL LIKE CHOCOLATE ALL OVER THE PARK.....one could only wish. The girls had their first ever roller coaster rides ...and second. They were able to ride with my niece and a friend whose flight was cancelled the night before!! I cannot ride as I get this pounding headache, so most are just spectator rides for me. Anita and I (a longtime friend from Fl. and I walked around and observed....and yes, I did bring DH some fudge...

WE also were able to spend a couple of hours (+or-) at Valley Forge....I love that place.....I can envision all those people encamped and George and his crew laboring there....and, of course, the great woman behind the man, Martha!! It was great.

The rehearsal dinner was fabulous---I will post pics......we had a dining room with french doors across one end which opened onto a balcony, and everyone loved overlooking the golf course!
It was beautiful to see all the foiliage, etc, and to watch a storm roll in!! The food was great and the fellowship was wonderful!! I included all out of towners who traveled in!

I must say, the wedding was a blur....too busy for a short time, but we were able to share dinner Sat. nite and breakfast on Sunday morning with friends, and then everyone went their separate ways....some home, some off touristing, and some to explore, but most went home, including DH, son#1 and family and son#3.......wish I had a week to go there and relax and just do whatever!!!
(Do you see a $49 in the search for future reference???)

Maddy was adorable as a flowergirl...she and Madeline, another 4 YO accompanied Luke, the ringbearer and were had a great time!!! When we were in the dressing room for the last hour, everyone ate and change clothes (to preserve wedding clothes) and they little girls were playing in their slips, and Maddy called out in a sing-song voice "we're playing in our slips!!! WEEEE'RE
NAKED!!!" Of course, we all died with laughter!!

The girls were the best guest book attendants ever (and cute, if I must gloat!!!)....Aaron was a handsome best man, and Josh, Tracy and Emma were the finishing touch to complete the family!!

And yes, I held Emma every chance I got!!

The song for the lighting of the unity candle was one my son wrote for Sharon, and a friend from college days played the piano and sang and another young man the violin(of course a violinist for a violinists' wedding!!)

And to answer all the questions, as soon as I learn to post pics, you will get some!!!

I feel like I am in a time warp....the rain is a constant reminder of the slight turbulence we hit approaching Tampa.....we laughed, but others were not so happy........will elaborate later!!

One last update....my Mom goes for testing with the neurologist tomorrow, Friday.

God is good!!