Let the children come

I received an email from my son Mike last week and he has given me permission to share it with you. 

Hi all,

During the thanksgiving service at calvary a father walked up front with his son who has a disability which appears to be downs syndrome but I do not know for sure. The father, Steve, gave a brief intro which is already stated in the video so I won’t repeat it, but he added that his son John saw the microphone up front and wanted to say something again so he brought him up. As you will see there was no understanding a word that he said but it sure did hit you in the gut. I went home and searched all afternoon for the video and finally found it and hopefully the links below direct you to the right place. Steve Demme as it turns out is the one that produces “Math U See” the math videos that we used when we were homeschooled. He also has a website full of family resources  http://thefamilythatstaystogether.org/ that I thought were very relevant for us. The video is about 26 min long and is hard to understand most but it is still a must see. It took place in the chapel at Calvary and while it is not full it is still neat to see all the people that showed up. Not sure why but this really struck me and it was hard not to get emotional over it. What a blessing to have so many resources such as this in our community. I have seen this father and son many times at church before and was sure that I knew the father but did not know their story, so it was neat to complete the picture.




http://demmefamily.blip.tv/   (in case the above movie clip doesn't work.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike

PW Cookbook

One of my favorite addictions pasttimes is blog surfing.  Soon after I joined Blogspot I stumbled across The Pioneer Woman.  Her writing styles makes me laugh and I was first sucked into her website through reading her story "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" of how she met her husband and completely changed her life plan and went from a city life to a ranch life.  She cooks, she takes pictures of everything, she homeschools, and she loves her husband and her life. 

She is currently on a book signing tour and I don't think you'll be in our local area so I've purchased my own copy.



She writes and shares pictures of her family.


her life on the ranch,


and her cooking - she loves sushi and her husband loves steak and potatoes.  This cookbook is her version of making award winning recipes with ranch food.

I've laughed out loud often when she shares about their basset hound, Charlie.

She swoons over her husband in his chaps.

The flyleaf price says $27.50 but I found it much more to my budget price on Amazon.

Black Friday

I was home today within the quiet and peaceful walls of my warm home.  You couldn't pay me enough to venture out into the throes and throngs of the masses storming down aisles full of special pricing.  I guess I don't have the patience for it - I'm missing the shopping gene in my DNA.

I have done most of my Christmas, birthday and gift giving shopping across the keyboard of my computer the past 4-5 years.   Catalogs also come in the mail which allow me to compare pricing from one to the other and then order online and my purchases show up on my doorstep.  It's too easy to find exactly what I'm looking for and very often purchases can be made with minimal or even free shipping.  That's a no brainer for me.

Some of the catalogs that appear in my mailbox are:  (this turned out to be a jumbled mess - apologies! looked so nice and neat in the compose window)

Betz and I used to fight over this catalog.  Now she gets her own.  =)  One summer we, along with my mom, drove down to the Country House in Maryland - 30 miles from Ocean City.

www.thecountrystore.com/store
It's a wonderful place to get lost in for a day or afternoon. Be sure to allow yourself at least 3 hours - it's packed full of all their country decorations.

http://www.thecountrystore.com/

Although the CBD catalog arrives in my mailbox and I browse through it I make most of my book and CD purchases through Amazon.  Shipping is free for purchases that total more than $25. http://www.amazon.com/

This catalog is a fun place to find the wacky things you may be looking for.  Mike loves ketchup on almost anything and I found a wall plaque that said "I put ketchup on ketchup".

www.catalogfavorites.com/

 

I've used this catalog/website for years.  It was a grand place to find cheap award type things for a childrens church club.    

www.orientaltrading.com/

Brookstone - a world of innovation A gidget, gadget catalog - electronics, fitness/health, things for home.  When I'm ready to convert all of Jay's reels of slides and negatives to digitial storage I'll look here for current pricing.

www.brookstone.com/

This continues to come but I'm not a regular purchaser but they do clothing well. 

http://www.llbean.com/

After having some knee issues I found some great summer flip flops and sandals for the summer that were in my price range and were my favorite footwear this summer.  I found my Crocs with the fuzzy lining here at a good price also.

http://www.footsmart.com/

I'm also a fan of http://www.zapp.com/

Shipping is free both ways - in case you need to return them and you have 12 months to return an item.

                                                                                                                                                                   

One of my favorites to browse through.  has unique things for your garden, patio and fireplace to name a few.

http://www.plowandhearth.com/

This one shows up in my mailbox because of an order a placed a few years ago on another site.  If you're into western wear and decorating you may find something to interest you.  According to the little yellow sticker on the front it may be my last catalog because I've not ordered anything for a long, long time but I can always look on the website if I'm ever interested.

www.backinthesaddle.com/

Abbey Press provides gifts with a Message.  http://www.abbeypress.com/

                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Collection Etc. has cheap, not-high-quality items.  Occasionally I've found a fun treasure.

http://www.collectionsetc.com/

                                                                                                                                                           This was a  new one in the mailbox this year.  Didn't have a great need or want for something but I fell in love with the stockings.  I'm on the hunt for stockings for the grandkids.

I would love to order all four. But at $30 a piece? I don't think so. I thought maybe I'd keep my eye open for some colorful sweaters at the ReUzIt shop and maybe take a stab at making my own. Wish I had more time to play with fun projects.......

So there's a glimpse into just some of the paper that gets drug into my home and then fills the recycling box.  But shopping from my sofa through catalogs or laptop is what works for me these days. 

I did try something new this morning.  I make all my office purchases through Staples.  Anything and everything is shipped FREE and usually arrives the next business day.  My sales account buddy who calls me once a month to give me updates, specials, etc... told me that I could take advantage of the Black Friday sales from 6-10 this morning online.  I thought the sales only applied to in-store purchases.  He warned me that they only had 1,000+ monitors that I was looking at and the connection may be slow with the anticipated increased online activity.  I tried for 15 mintues simply to log into my account and then spent the next 15 trying to place my order but I was successful.  So by 6:30 this morning I had made the purchases I was hoping to and I was done shopping...... all with a cup of coffee in hand and not looking quite yet presentable for public.  Now that's my idea of a perfect Black Friday!  Trust all you die-hard shoppers are as pleased with your day as I am with mine.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving

Things will be quiet here today as we'll wait to have our family Thanksgiving meal and celebrations when Betz & Mr. Studly arrive in about a week and a half.  But we have many, many things to be thankful for as we count our blessings.  The LORD has been faithful.  Hoping you have a grand and blessed Thanksgiving.

A Turkey Speaks

I have never understood

why anyone would

roast the turkey

and shuck the clams

and crisp the croutons

and shell the peas

and candy the sweets

and compote the cranberries

and bake the pies

and clear the table

and wash the dishes

and fall into bed

when they could sit back

and enjoy a hamburger.

~Author Unknown

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=HY27482779

Announcement

Last week Mike walked into the office where Jay & I were sitting and said "Never know when the time is right to tell you but we're expecting again."  Well, woo-hoo  -- ANYTIME is the right time.  So we're looking forward to another grandbaby joining the gang next June.  Much to be thankful for.

Answered Prayer

My daughter-in-law sent this email story to me. Truthorfiction.com hasn't been able to substantiate the story's validity.  But it made me chuckle and I also recognize that many people could provide countless examples of how God miraculously answered prayer in amazingly creative ways.  Although it may not be a true story we serve a big God who could if He chose to.  =)

Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.

That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke, the tree went "bong!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighbor-hood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No.  Nobodyhad seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.

A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it,  so he asked her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"

She replied, "You won't believe this," and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, "Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it."

She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her."

Never underestimate the wisdom of God!

Another Christmas present

Love when family sends me updated pictures I can share.

Jason holding Rachel, Lacey holding Jessie

Sweet Fellowship

This week I enjoyed breakfast with 2 of my cousins.  We began meeting for breakfast a few years ago and it's been a highlight of the week whenever we can make it happen.  We usually meet at Panera Bread and our time together has been known to take up 4 hours at a time and still we never seem to get completely caught up.  Other cousins have threated to invite themselves but we figure the 3 of us can't get caught up in 3-4 hours how would we ever get it all said?  =)

Plans needed to be changed this week and we thought we may need to reschedule.  But we simply agreed to meet much earlier then usual and also meet at the Ellmaker House where my one cousin is the innkeeper.  I wasn't sure if breakfast plans were made but upon arriving and walking into the area where she normally serves her guests breakfast,  this was waiting for us.

Verna started with a prayer that included thanking the LORD for cousins who we also call friends.  I added my own thankful Amen.  And then we started with warm baked apples with cream.

Along with eggs and potatoes and strips of bacon we had muffins with my favorite jelly - homemade strawberry jelly.

And gingerbread to finish off a delicious meal. 

She often eats her own breakfast food that she serves but usually when everyone else is served and gone and then hers is cold.  So this day she enjoyed a hot meal right along with us.

Verna is an amazing host.  She is barrels of fun and she is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and readily shares her faith and her lifestyle with the guests she serves.  She meets some amazing people and I'm always fascinated to hear her experiences with people who walk different walks of life in different places then what I've been accustomed to. 

I am grateful to have her as family and BLESSED to know her as friend.

Early Christmas Present

I am one who waits to listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.  I'm not a fan of setting up Christmas displays/decorations earlier and earlier every year.   But this week I received word of a 'future announcement' - details coming  =)  and then today I received an early Christmas present.  What fun!

Isaac (2) and Elianna (7 months).

Happy Birthday Mike!

28 years ago this young man made me something I always dreamed of.....a Mom. He was my firstborn and he made us a family. He was born needing a haircut. I prayed much during those beginning years - didn't want to mess this kid - or the two that soon followed him -up. And despite all of my mistakes as a Mom he didn't turn out too bad.

He's a dad himself now and he's a really good dad.

These photos were taken this spring but they capture the fun this family has.

You make me so proud, Mike. I love you!
Happy Birthday.

Caramel Apple Pie

I'm always looking for new breakfast ideas for my Thursday morning routine.  Thursday is slaughter day at the butchershop and taking breakfast over for the mid-morning break is something I look forward to and enjoy.  Feeding hungry guys (there are a few women) is always fun.

Judy at http://www.justalittlesomethingforyou.blogpsot.com/ had this recipe posted on her November 6, 2009 post and it was enjoyed by all.

The recipe Judy has posted makes one pan but I always need to double or triple recipes to make sure there is enough for everyone.

God's timing is best

The month of October was a stressful one but with November things finally started moving in the right direction.   In a nutshell Betz and Mr. Studly have moved from the ranch about an hour away to the nearest town.  Town being described as the main road is paved, mail is delivered to the PO in town every day and there is a gas station and grocery store.  Their decision to move was not an easy one and the process was one with details changing daily and for about 2 weeks those details changed a few times within the 24 hour span of a day.  Mr. Studly will be working on a ranch about 10 minutes from home.  Betz's drive to 'the big city' will still take about 1 1/2 hours but the trip will all be on paved roads - no more bouncing around on gravel roads or sliding home on a prayer when it rains or snows.  We can give testimony to the  awesome and amazing timing the Lord has.  Housing for them was timed literally at the last minute.  Why does God do that?!  =)  It's been a faith building time for all of us but exhausting.

Betz previously had a 10 day trip back to PA planned before things started to unravel and the timing again was perfect.  She enjoyed visits with friends and family and it was so nice to have her in the house again. 

She was here to witness Elianna being dedicated last Sunday.

Betz was so worried that her little nieces and nephew wouldn't remember her.  But they didn't need any help knowing who she was.

She has a little something always ready to give them or something to keep their attention.  A tiny wind up monkey had him smiling.  (I'm frustrated at the moment because the icon to insert a movie of the monkey is missing from my choices).

 

He was especially fascinated by a game on her iTouch that had his attention for a long time.

She reconnected with Rachel and Jessie as well but I wasn't around with a camera to capture those moments. 

Betz flew out this past Wednesday along with her in-laws.  FIL never flew before and said he never would.  For his 50th birthday (Wednesday) his family planned his day for him and he didn't have much choice in the matter.  He was a much, much better sport about it then I would have been.  We managed to get him to the airport and when we opened the back of my car to get Betz's luggage out he thought to himself - she sure has a lot of bags.  Then he family told him that he and his wife were leaving now with Betz on her flight.  Long story short - he discovered he likes flying.  At least enough that he'll be a good sport about returning to PA again by air.

Again - the Lord's timing of things has been amazing.  When Jess left to fly back to PA she drove out the ranch lane with boxes backed high in the house.  She returned to MT to a new home that Mr. Studly had moved all the boxes into and started unpacking.  To have Mr. Studly's parents there to help them FINALLY settle into a home of their own that has their own personal space- well, God is Good!  The four of them celebrated with a Thanksgiving meal last evening. 

Saying goodbye again this week was much easier knowing that Mr. Studly and Betz will be driving in and spending the entire month of December with us.  Betz's nursing job the past 5 years has hindered many of our family holiday plans but this year we can plan, plan, plan.

Noah's Ark

I've received this in email form a few times and each time am so impressed with the creativity and ambition of this man.

Man builds working replica of Noah's Ark (exact scale given in Bible)

In Schagen, Netherlands

The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was opened to the first crowd of curious townsfolk to behold the wonder. Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark , built by Dutch creationist, Johan Huibers, as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.

The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.

Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.

A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine.. Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been.

Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son, Roy. Construction began in May 2005. On the uncovered top - deck not quite ready in time for the opening - will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs, chickens, goats and one camel.

Visitors on the first day were stunned. 'It's past comprehension', said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape.

'I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big ' There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark. Huibers, a Christian man, said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands , where church-going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.

Now that I am old and Gray...give me the time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles.  Psalm 71:18