Sunday July 31, 2005

New truck fever has hit our family....Keannon bought a new truck the end of June....I don't know how I managed to not get any pictures of it yet but I will. Doyle went with Keannon to do some truck shopping which was good for both of them. Doyle went and bought one right before we went on vacation. He went to a local man whom he had bought his last truck from. The truck he wanted was at a dealership somewhere between Houston and Victoria (southeast Texas). So it took a few days for it to get here. It arrived while Vanessa and I were in Missouri.

Vanessa couldn't stand it she wanted a new truck. She and her dad did some looking and wheeler dealing and she found what she wanted but like Doyle it was at another dealership and she would have to wait for it to come in. Her truck came in on Monday July 25th. She is so proud! Her dad helped her but it's in her name and she will be making the payments.

Vanessa signing her life away for her new truck while Dad looks on.

 

 

 

 

 

Front view of Vanessa's 2005 Chevy 4 door short bed p/u.

 Not only was this the day she got her truck but it was also the grand opening of the new store that opened here in Mineral Wells that she is the manager of called WOLY Board Co. A skateboarder store. But it's not just skateboards but cool clothes as well. The owners are the youth pastors of our church. That's where the name came from (Well of Life Youth). It is not associated with the church but several of the kids from church do work there and they hope to be able to reach kids through this avenue.

Saturday July 30, 2005

I didn't post yesterday because I cropped at the scrapbook store until time to go to work. I was supposed to meet the farrier (for those who may not know a farrier is a person who trims and puts shoes on horses) this morning at 8am where the horses are. They are being pastured 14 miles from me so it takes about 15 minutes to get there. I wasn't sure how hard they would be to round up so I was going to allow myself some extra time. I planned on leaving the house at 7:15AM. Well, I didn't wake up until 7:25AM. I jumped out of bed hurriedly threw on some clothes and headed North. (I discovered much later after I got back to town that I had put my t-shirt on wrongside out!) I got there and God was very gracious to me after the week I had. I went out in the pasture (36 acres) rattled a bucket of feed and they came right up. Thank you Lord! I had everyone caught and ready by the time the farrier showed up. I needed to take up a roll of film and thought ya'll would enjoy seeing some pics so here goes...

 

Here's Clyde our Quarter Horse being a gentleman while our farrier Curtis is putting shoes on.

 

 

This is Zebbie (short for Zebediah). He's also a registered Quarter Horse. He belongs to the young girl holding his lead rope. Her name is Leslie (pronounced Lezlie) Her parents own the property were our horses are. Zebbie is still trying to get used to the idea of having shoes on his feet so he gives Curtis a little more trouble.

 

As you can see this is a different angle which means he didn't stand still! Leslie didn't like the idea of me taking pictures of her so she's hiding out!

 

 

This is my baby, Blue. He wasn't very nice to Curtis today. He decided to pull back on the rope a couple of times. (Bad Boy!)

 

 

This is Valentine. Isn't he beautiful! He is the color horse I wanted but he's just too short! He's our oldest horse being 20 yrs old.

It takes Curtis about an hour per horse to put shoes on all fours. First he has to remove the old set. In this case most of the work was done for him as I waited to long to call him and all of the horses and at least two or more shoes missing! Then he trims them up and shapes the shoes to their hooves. He does a great job and is very patient with my crew!

Well this post is probably long enough for tonight. I have more pics but will share later of Vanessa's new job and new truck and Doyle's new truck.

This is what the Lord says, He who created you, He who formed you: Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you;
and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

Blessings

Thursday, 28 July 200

Gosh I spent so much time telling about my trip that now I don't know what to talk about. Well that's not really true. I'm going to get real here and I hope ya'll don't mind. I've been very stressed ever since we got back from our trip. I don't know if it's real pressure or pressure I have put on myself unnecessarily. Knowing my personality and how "responsible" I am it's probably more me. But then again it may be God. I was telling someone the other day that blogging is beginning to consume my time and I think God is jealous. How many of you know that our God is a jealous God and He doesn't want to share us with anyone or anything else. Not that we can't do other things or have relationships but they shouldn't take precedence over our time with Him. Unfortunately, and I hate to admit this, but blogging has gotten more attention than Him. It wasn't my intention. Actually I have been struggling in my relationship with God for sometime now. Now ya'll might find that statement strange. Let me explain. It's not that I question my salvation or whether or not to follow Him. Those issues are settled. I've been struggling with being aware of His presence when I do take time to be quiet before Him or read His word. Last Sunday was the first in a long time that I "knew" He was there! I miss His still small voice. I miss the way we used to spend time together when I would worship at home on my piano or guitar. I miss the way He used to give me melodies to sing His word to. I'm not sure what changed and because He's perfect I know it wasn't Him. I still love Him but I want to love Him more. That I am so focused on Him that He is all I see. That I don't get so easily distracted by the things of this world. That everyone I talk to would know that like the disciples they would say "she's been with Jesus". One of the songs we sing that is the cry of my heart is called True Intimacy

With all of my heart, I hunger for You
All I want and all I need is true intimacy with You

Here I stand waiting Lord, touch me now like never before
Let me change, be transformed, true intimacy is what I'm longing for

Intimacy is the longing of my heart Lord of this heart

Another song we sing is called Passion for Jesus

I'm calling out to you, there must be something more
Some deeper place to find some secret place to hide
where I've not gone before

Where my soul is satisfied and my sin is put to death
And I have made the choice to listen for Your voice
as natural as a breath

The love I knew before when You first touched my life
I need You to restore...I want You to revive..

Oh, place in my heart a passion for Jesus
A hunger that seizes my passion for You
My one desire my greatest possession
My only confession my passion for You.

Light the Fire Again

Don't let my love grow cold
I'm calling out light the fire again
Don't let my vision die
I'm calling out light the fire again

You know my heart my deeds
I'm calling out light the fire again
I need Your discipline
I'm calling out light the fire again

I am here to buy gold refined in the fire
Naked and poor wretched and blind I come
Clothe me in white, so I won't be ashamed
Lord, light the fire again.

One thing I do know that "He who began a good work in me will complete it."

I am still doing the Beth Moore Study "Believing God". This is an awesome study. Everyone should do it. I'm am being made aware of how little I really believed God. It's more than believing in Him it's believing Him. Who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. Believing that I am who He says I am.

Yes, Lord I want to believe You...help my unbelief!

Wednesday July 27, 2005

HOMECOMING FROM MISSOURI TRIP Sat. July 16th.

We arrived home Saturday afternoon around 3:30pm. Keannon and Doyle were waiting for us outside and helped us unload the car. Vanessa and Keannon took my mom's car to wash and vacuum it before she took it back to Houston. Our cell group from church made plans to go to the new local coffee shop downtown called H2JO. There was supposed to be live music there but the schedule was changed and we didn't know about it. We still enjoyed visiting and catching up sipping our coffee as we shared our trip and the things going on at home while we were gone.

Sunday was so nice to be back in our home church. I think it helps every once in a while to go somewhere
else to help you appreciate what you have! Our neice (Doyle's sister's daughter who had been staying with us a lot this summer) was baptized. She lives in Plano which is about 2 hours away. Doyle's sister stayed with him to help with the animals while he was at work. I think it kept him from being so lonely too! 

Vanessa invited Bekah over a couple of years ago to go to youth camp. While there she received Christ. Several months after that she went to a youth retreat and was baptized in the Holy Spirit! 

This was Jeromy's first baptism. He was really excited.

I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. having been buried with Him in baptism...and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Colossians 2:12 NIV

 

 
That's all for tonight. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

Tuesday July 26, 2005

Gosh I bet you guys are thinking...."Does this trip ever end". The good news is Yes! And now that I have taken all week to write about our week trip I have a week's worth of stuff that has happened to tell you about so it will take me a little while to catch ya'll up.

Day 7 Missouri Trip Friday July 14th continued.......

We'll we finally got Mom in the car and her stuff...I think she has the biggest suitcase in the world!! Now try putting a collapsable dog kennel, suitcases for three people and various other items into a truck of a chevy cavalier! It took some manuevering and shoving but I finally managed to slam the truck shut and it stayed!  Now just one more stop of loading and unloading the car before we get home! We leave Blue Springs around 2:45 only about 45 minutes off the schedule I had for us to leave. Oh, well...its is vacation right?! We were be bopping through KC when we had a "close encounter" of the car kind. I was in the middle lane traveling at the posted speed limit of 65. There was a car in the lanes on either side of me. When the car on my right decides he/she (I didn't get a look at who) wants to merge into my lane before they complete are around me! It's God's grace that keep my head cool and I just stepped on the brake allowing the car to make it over without colliding with us. I did have a semi up my butt but at least there was enough distance that wasn't a big problem. It sent cold chills all over me. A little too close for comfort! Thank you Lord for your protection! We finally arrive I forget now what time exactly but we had a wonderful meal awaiting us. Everything was so nice I almost thought we were in a fancy restaurant! Uncle Bob & Aunt Cindy fed us Ribeyes and Filets with baked potatoes and wonderful salad and herb toasted bread. Ummmmm GOOD! My Aunt and Uncle are the ones with the dog named Molly that Kaidence had so much fun playing with so guess what....yes they ran, wrestled, chased, tumbled, ran into people until their tongues were hanging out!

We had a great time visiting. Uncle Bob showed us all the landscaping he had been doing. The yard is beautiful! Sorry I didn't take pics of it. We also looked at a scrapbook that my grandmother (my mother's mother) had. It was very interesting. So we spent the rest of the evening looking at old pictures.

Vanessa wanted to hit the road at 8am Saturday morning. I really didn't think we would get going that fast....and I was right. I was the first one of my crew up. Bob and Cindy were already up having coffee. Mother started stirring...she is usually the early bird. Cindy asked if she could fix us breakfast and I said "Sure!" Then Vanessa got up in a huff...remember she wanted to leave at 8am...its' 8:15 now. Anyway, I told her we'd get there soon enough. Finished a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, coffee, juice and a really nice bowl of mixed fruit. A breakfast fit for a king!

Before we left we had to get a group picture. Cindy is taking it since she still had her jammies on! She didn't want that recorded!

Uncle Bob, mother, Vanessa and me in front of Bob & Cindy's house.

 

 

Monday July 25, 2005

I'm going to take a break from journaling my Missouri trip this post because what happened at church today was so awesome.

I got there as usual around 9:30am. We try to do a sound check. Then we go behind the stage and pray before the services. Our pastor and his wife left for Russia on Monday so they were not in services today. Usually when they are gone attendance is down and things don't go as well. We asked God to fill the void in their absence and meet us. Our worship Leader for this Sunday said she believed that we needed to focus on the "bigness" of God. To declare just how big He is.

During the worship time I don't really know how to explain it but one of the Elders in our church who is very prophetic got up and said he believed there was an anointing for the "Song of the Lord" to come forth. If you don't know what the song of the Lord is...it's singing what God is saying....usually His written word. We had just sang "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble" which is a warfare type song when we (members of the worship team began to sing spontaneously. I sang several scriptures, so did the other members of the team. Then a woman from our congregation who is usually extremely nervous to just get up and read a scripture in front of everyone came to the front and sang Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold form those who walk uprightly. It's really hard to explain what it's like to be in the presence of the Living God but it is awesome. I really sensed and felt that I personally had some breakthrough today but I also believe we as a congregation also had breakthrough. God is so cool and awesome.

Omar's brother was doing better then yesterday he had a set back. He was having fluid build up in his lungs. Please continue to pray for Omar, his brother and rest of family. I am praying that God would reveal to Omar that He is truly his Father God and know His great love for him. What the enemy has meant for harm...God will make good.

I will resume my travel log tomorrow.

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High
Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV

Saturday July 23, 2005

 Day 6 Missouri Trip July 14th part 2

When we got home from Lexington we went back to Grandmother's to visit. Then we rode to Chillicothe with my Aunt Lyndie and Uncle Alan to their oldest son's YMCA basketball game. His team didn't do to well .

While at the game I saw a person I went to school with in Cowgill. He looked just like I remembered just older. Then I met another person I went to church with in Cowgill. He and his wife had heard about my cousin Andrew's ability to play piano so we hunted down a music room and Andrew gladly performed for us.

Andrew performing "Great Balls of Fire"

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the game we went to Dairy Queen for a bite to eat then to their house. I insisted on getting a family photo before I left.

 This is my Uncle Alan (who is 3months older than me) His wife Lyndie from Texas and his oldest son Aaron (17) by his mother and his brother Andrew (14) by his dad.

I'll post the beginning of our coming home trip and the pics Vanessa and I took of some of the small surrounding towns population signs. You'll enjoy that!

Friday July 22, 2005

Day 6 Missouri Trip Thursday July 14th

We decided to go to Lexington. I hadn't been there since I was a kid. I remember taking a field trip. One of the attractions in Lexington is the bridge across the Missouri River. Dad told me that a new bridge had been built and the old one closed. I was rather sad because it was such a neat bridge.

Vanessa and Kaidence standing at the entrance of the bridge crossing the Missouri River. This view is looking away from Lexington. There is a highway that runs in front of it.

 

 

 

This is the memorial across the highway from the bridge where Vanessa was standing earlier. See the steps leading to the top. This picture is deceiving but it's very step and LOTS of steps!

 

 

This gives you a little better perspective of the distance. These are the steps at the top of the memorial looking toward the Bridge. It was rather hazy so it's hard to make out the bridge.

We also went to the Battle of Lexington Historic site.

After the museum we went out back to the battle field area. There in the middle is the Anderson House which was used as a hospital during the battle. It was considered neutral territory but considering the strategic importance and general confusion it was attacked repeatedly by both sides.

When we walked out to the battle field we didn't realize we were at the back of the house. As we were waiting for the tour to began we were taking pictures when the tour guide said "do you want to see the front of the house?" Oops!

It started getting hot so we decided to go downtown. Vanessa wanted to look at some shops but we forgot one small thing...called Kaidence. Hard to go shopping or eat with a dog. We decided to just head home and ate at a McDonald's in Richmond. We ordered food and I took Vanessa's to her while she sat with Kaidence.

This post was really long so I'll give the rest of day 6 tomorrow. We went to Chillicothe to watch my cousin (my uncle's oldest boy) play YMCA basketball.

Sweet dreams...the Lord gives His beloved sleep.Psalm 127:2b

Thursday July 21, 2005

Day 5 of Missouri Trip Wednesday July 13th

Wednesday we spent most of the day with my grandmother. Wednesday evening I spent visiting my Aunt who married my uncle that is my age. She is originally from Texas. She met my uncle when he came down to visit us and .... well he swept her off her feet and all the way back to MO! My dad used to pastor the First Baptist Church in Perrin where my aunt is from. She and her family were members then.  

Grandma and I visiting and I'm looking at her pictures.

Well, only a couple more days. Tomorrow I'll post about day 6 where we take a short trip to Lexington and do a little sight seeing.

I almost forgot. Would you guys be praying for Omar? His brother who lives in Houston was in a serious car accident. Keannon took him down (its about 5 hours from us south). Omar was recently saved so the enemy is coming against him strong. I would ask that you would agree with me in prayer that Omar would know the Father's love for him in the midst of these circumstances.

Blessings to you all, Goodnight.

 

 

Wednesday July 20, 2005

Day 4 Missouri Trip, Tuesday July 12th

Dad wanted to show us his corn field that was south of where they live. So we piled up in his pickup.

My Dad, Vanessa, Kaidence and his corn field.

We saw two deer while we were there. I love to watch deer but Dad was wishing he had a gun because they were eating his corn. They were making quite a mess of it. They corn looks really good but if they don't get some rain soon the yield per bushel won't be very good (how'd you like that farmer talk!)

  

After revisting the old stomping grounds we went back home. Thank goodness...I was motion sick! (If you don't know about Missouri, it has lots of rolling hills and the roads do the same thing) I now remember why I was always car sick as a kid! After my stomach settled we had a wonderful lunch. Dad grilled pork steak and we had green beans fresh from the garden with new potatoes! Yum Yum! Needless to say I put on a few pounds while I was gone! After lunch we went to visit my grandmother again. This time I showed her my scrap books.

 Do you see my stack of scrapbooks on the right?

Ya'll have a blessed and mighty favored day!

Tuesday July 19, 2005

 Day 3 Missouri trip

My Aunt Sandy made us "girls" breakfast. We had biscuits and egg casserole. UM UM Good! Had some coffee on the deck and enjoyed the morning until it started getting hot. Then we loaded up and went to my cousin Roxanne's house. She lives in Kansas City and it is about 30 minutes from my Aunt.

Roxanne has a really nice older home on an acre lot. It's beautiful. There are several acres of protected woods just across the street from them. She says deer come on their property all the time and eat her flowers.

This is my cousin's dog named Forrest. He's a mix of Brittney Spaniel and Border Collie (I think that's
what she told me). He's a beautiful dog. He loves to play frisbee and she was showing us how he plays. Kaidence is trying to catch on.

In my cousin's back yard.

We left from there and went back to my dad's.

Good night

 

 

Monday July 18, 2005

Day 2 Missouri Trip

This was Sunday, July 10th. Vanessa and I went to my dad's church. He pastor's a church in Breckenridge, MO. It's a very small town population about 500 or less. I've been kicking myself...I didn't get a picture of the church or the sign at Breckenridge. I was too intent on seeing my grandmother which we did after church. 

 This is my grandmother (my dad's mother) Donna Mae Stephens. 

Vanessa with Grandma.

 

 

 

We then went back to my dad's for lunch. After lunch we packed up and went back to the "City" to my Aunt's for the mini reunion.

 

 

This was everyone that was there. Can you find me?

 

 

 

  

My favorite cousin Roxanne (13 days younger than me) looking at scrapbooks!

 

 

 

 

Me, Vanessa, Kaidence and my mother (Nancy). This beautiful scenery is right outside my Aunt's house. The stairs behind go to a deck on the back of her house.

 

 

 

This is my mothers siblings. L to R my Aunt Sandy, Uncle Bob, Mom and Uncle Gary. There is one sister missing who lives in New Hampshire. They are standing in birth order which is what they have done ever since they were kids. My Aunt Kay (from NH) goes between my Uncle Gary and my mother. My Uncle Smitty (Sandy's husband tried to get in the photo!)

We had a great time visiting and looking at pictures. We stayed up until 1:15AM. We finally went to bed. Aunt Sandy put Roxanne, Vanessa and I in a room and my mother and her Aunt Betty in a room...Guess who was still talking at 1:45AM?! It wasn't us youngun's!

I best close.  I'll talk about day 3 tomorrow and post some more pics.

Sunday July 17, 2005

It is so good to be back! By the looks of everyone's posts and comments all seem to overall have a good week except that you missed me! I feel so special! Thank you all for your sweet comments and well wishes! The trip was good and I believe I accomplished what I had hoped to. Sorry I don't have pictures yet but hopefully by tomorrow.

The night before....

It was Keannon's BD so on top of trying to catch up laundry, pack and remember to double check to make sure I had done everything, I cooked him dinner and made him a cake! Even though he was working he was able to come by for supper.

My mother arrived about 5:30pm. She stayed until about 8pm then went to visit my brother and family since they weren't traveling with us. He lives about 15 miles from me. She got back and I was finally packing. It was 12:30am before I finally crawled in bed!

Day 1

I woke up at 6:30am! (guess I was anxious to get on the road). Doyle worked the night before. He didn't get off until 7am so I told him I wouldn't leave until he got home. I finished packing, mother got up and I went in to get Vanessa stirring (not an easy thing to do!) I began packing the car. That was interesting. Three women, their luggage and a puppy in a Chevrolet Cavalier (my mother's car)! My scrapbooks took up one side of the back seat! My mother had the biggest suitcase of us all! I asked her if she was planning on staying another week! Thanks to my dad and my mother's dad's blood in me I can pack a car! Too bad there aren't any pics of that! We're finally packed and headed out a little after 8am. We stopped at our local McDonald's for breakfast and hit the road! Not knowing how the puppy (Kaidence) would travel I made our first stop in Gainesville, just south of the OK border and Red River. We needed gas anyway. Then we were off again. Kaidence was a very good traveler. All she needed was a bathroom stop every once in a while and an air conditioner vent!

Our next stop was in OK City for lunch at a Braum's and another potty break. We took about 30 minutes and let Kaidence eat and run around a little. Our next stop was in Emporia Kansas were we fueled again. We arrived at my Aunt Sandy's (my mother's sister) at 7:30pm. She fixed us dinner! It was really good! We visited then it hit me...I still have an hour to drive to get to my dad's! Kaidence had done real well on this trip but when Vanessa and I got in the car to go to my dad's she refused to get back in the car! Can't say that I blame her! Finally we get her in and she decides to ride on the dash! I thought that was a bit bizarre! We make it to my dad's at 9:30pm. Now we had to unpack! Bear in mind we carried a 3 ft by 4 ft collapsible cage for Kaidence and all our stuff!

I'll write Day 2 tomorrow and hopefully we'll have some pics! A big thank you to Lisa who Linda told me about for helping me figure out how to get some tunes on my site...not exactly the music I was looking for but I'll keep trying. Thought the "Doobie Brothers" who I used to listen to as a teen, would be fun! Especially singing Jesus is just alright! Cause He is! Some others of you have tried to tell me how to put music on my site but I finally was able to follow Lisa's instructions!

P.S. Hey Mom, if you're reading this you can tell me if I don't tell the story right!

Saturday July 16, 2005

I'M HOME!  We got here around 3:30pm this afternoon. We left yesterday from Kansas City, MO around 2:45pm  and drove to Wichita, Kansas where my uncle (my mother's brother lives) and spent the night. We arrived around 6:30pm. They fed us a lovely meal of steak, baked potatoes, salad and herb bread! Yum Yum! We felt like royalty! We visited and looked at old pictures and let the dogs play. Vanessa's dog Kaidence and their dog some type of white Terrier breed named Molly! They were so much fun to watch! They played until their tongues hung out. They'd rest and go after it again. We got up, had breakfast and hit the road again! We stopped for lunch in Pauls Valley, OK.

I dropped off my film to be developed and CD to be made so should have ready in a couple of days. I have lots of catching up to do so will try to tell you more about the trip when I have some pics to post!

Love to all! 

Friday July 08, 2005

 Today is Keannon's birthday. He turned 24 today. Got him a set of dress clothes. He has only one nice shirt, tie and pair of slacks. It was tough when he was going for interviews! (We call his nice clothes his interview clothes!) So he now has a choice. He has to work today but I plan to cook him dinner tonight and call him when it's ready. If he's not on a call he can come by and eat dinner. Speaking of which I need to bake a cake! OMG!

Well, this may be my last post for a week. I leave for Missouri tomorrow morning early (it's an 11 hour trip). We're taking Kaidence (my daughter's new puppy) My mother is on her way up from Houston this afternoon. My Aunt called this afternoon to give us directions (that's how long it's been since I've been up there...they've moved about three times). I am really getting pumped. I'm taking time now to post while I'm doing the laundry.

I am so going to miss everyone!! Don't get used to me being gone! I'll take lots of pics too! I'm sure I'll have lots to post. If I can I will post while I'm gone. I just know I'm going to spend each moment I can with family visiting and catching up. I've been away too long!

I love you all. May God keep you all safe and well.

Thursday July 07, 2005

Posting a little earlier today. I have to work at DriveSafe tonight. Just a reminder I will be leaving for Missouri Saturday morning 7/9 and will be back late Saturday 7/16. I don't know how much computer access I will have but if it's where I can I will try to post. I will be visiting my grandmother (dad's mother) my dad and my stepmother and my mother's side of the family. Who some live about an hour away. I will be seeing a cousin that I was close to as a kid but sort of lost touch with over the years. We are 21 days apart! I'm am beginning to get really excited. There is so much to do so I can be gone that long. I've got to do the church bulletin for two weeks instead of just this Sunday's! I guess the Sunday I come home will be rather generic since I'm doing it this far ahead.

I finally got my pics from the one-time use digital camera. 

Nancy Gashi (my friend I made the scrapbook for) and me at her restaurant (Baris)

 

 

Me and Nancy with her scrapbook open to a page.

 

 

 

 

 

Kaidence 3 month old Blue Heeler (Vanessa & Keannon's puppy
Isn't  she adorable!

Well, I've got packing to do, shopping to do, cooking to do (Keannon's 24th birthday is tomorrow!) Hope everyone is doing well. I speak blessings over each and everyone of you. I love you all so much. I have been so blessed to have gotten acquainted with you. I've enjoyed your comments and encouragements! I pray (as apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians) that you , being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV

Wednesday July 06, 2005

Well, today was cool. After I got off work I went to Baris (the Italian Food Restaurant that my friend owns, who I did the scrapbook for) I gave her the scrap book completed. She looked through it again and enjoyed the new pages I had added since her birthday. She just loves it. I asked her if I might take it with me to Missouri. She said yes. I'm going to let her keep it until Friday then go pick it up again. I'm taking the digital camera in tomorrow to get prints...hopefully I'll have pics for tomorrow's post.

I went with Doyle today to shop for him a new truck. He sold his pickup 3 years ago so our daughter could have a vehicle to drive. (He's such a good dad). Now that we have sold the house and paid off some debt we are now in a position for him to get something different. He's been driving his brothers car which was a 1988 Buck Century. It worked for getting back and forth to work but he wasn't comfortable driving it out of town. The a/c doesn't work either making it unbearable with our weather. He could carry his tool box either which was another inconvenience. Anyway...he bought a truck today. A 2005 Ford F250 crew cab (4 doors) with short wheel base. It's not really the color he wanted but for the price he will grow to like it. I'm just proud he's finally in a truck! He will be much happier now.

I guess I better get off here and do my bible study homework. I'm not sure how but I managed to get behind somehow. It all started last week when I fell behind and haven't caught up yet. So of those "poor choice" things. Spending too much time on the pc or doing something else instead of the study. Ya, know, I was sort of hoping this would be easy but it's not. Imagine that! That's what I would like God to change in me is to fall so in love with Him that I'm not so easily distracted with pc's, TV, riding horses, etc. That I would set my face to be with Him. He's the one who caused me to fall in love with Him in the first place. I just have a hard time occasionally (well more than I really care to admit) that it would be nice if I could really see Him, really feel Him instead of having to just "faith it". I know we're supposed to be a people who "walk by faith and not by sight". I know some people personally that have had an encounter with God so powerful that they were forever changed. That's what I want. That's what I'm asking for. Why He hasn't done that yet, I'm not sure. I know intellectually the truth but I need more of it "in my heart" I want to experience all of Him that I can humanly stand. Am I willing to pay the price? I would like to think that I would say yes but I don't know what that price is? I want to say yes. I always want to say yes to Him.

Sorry I kind of went off the deep end there. Got carried away and then realized "hey, anyone can see what I've written" but it's okay. I don't want to hide anything. I want to be real and genuine. I don't like anything that remotely looks like religion. I want to know Him as personally as is humanly possible sort of like that old hymn

And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Epesians 2:22 NIV

Monday, 04 July 2005

Happy 4th to everyone! I've got to go to work at DriveSafe tonight. So guess I'll miss the fireworks display. Will be the first time in many years but it will be okay.

Each year there is a fireworks display at the country club on the golf course that is next to the highway coming into Mineral Wells. Directly across the street is a small factory outlet mall. The people of Mineral Wells and surrounding area come and park in the parking lot and wait for the fireworks display.

Our church has been doing an outreach to that group of people for 6 years now. We buy bottled water, put a Well of Life Church label on it with the address, service times and the scripture from John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

It's a great non-intrusive way to bless the people of the community and open doors of opportunity to pray or speak into someone's life. The first couple of years we did it people were very suspicious of our motives. They first thought we were selling it etc. But as we kept coming back each year now the people are looking for "the church that gives away water". Even though we've not seen a lot of visible fruit we do believe we are planting seeds and touching people's lives and we will eventually see a great harvest because of it.. We usually hand out between 1,500 and 2,000 bottles of water.

It's not as hot today (97) but not by much. I've stayed inside today under the A/C and finally finished my friend's scrapbook! Yippee! I am so proud of it I want to take it with me when I go to Missouri to show off! I'm not sure if I can talk my friend into letting me do that or not but I'll give it a try. I did take pics of it using a one-time use digital camera but it's hard to tell if the pic is actually able to capture my handi-work or not. Guess I'll know more when I take it in to print pics.

Well gotta go...have to be at work in 1 1/2. Hope it isn't dead tonight. Guess if it is I can work on my "Believing God" study. It is a good study but I don't think I've been totally wowed just yet. My prayer to God is that I won't just go through this bible study but that I will be changed, transformed, different because I've encountered Him in the midst of the study. Don't get me wrong, it's a good study. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for or expecting but I just so much want to be so in love with the Lord that I'm not so easily distracted by everyday things. To be so focused on Him that my everyday ordinary life exhibits the life, love, compassion of Jesus to a lost and dying world and to those who are saved but have never known what it's like to have a personal relationship with Father God. I want people to know that God is a good and loving Father and that He wants the very best for them.

There is a song we sing that the words really sum up what I feel. The song is called Passion for Jesus.

I'm calling out to you
There must be something more
Some deeper place to find
Some secret place to hide
Where I've not gone before
Where my soul is satisfied
And my sin is put to death
And I have made the choice
To listen for Your voice
As natural as a breath

The love I knew before
When You first touched my life
I need You to restore
I want You to revive

Oh, place in my heart a passion for Jesus
A hunger that seizes my passion for You
My one desire, my greatest possession
My only confession, my passion for You.

And may the peace of God which transcends all understanding,  gurad your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 NIV 

Sunday July 3, 2005

WOW! Church was awesome this morning! One of the best services we have had in a while. The youth group just got back from 2 weeks in Argentina. They shared testimonies and then pastor said anyone who wanted to be prayed for by the team to come up for prayer. I of course wasn't going to miss out. Anything they had to give I wanted it.

Then our elementary age kids (we call them Bucket Brigade) just got back from camp so they had testimonies too! It was great!

I had a co-worker from DriveSafe come to church for the first time. She's 23. It blessed my heart so. She seemed to really be enjoying it and getting something from God. She came up for prayer too!

Keannon's friend Omar who I mentioned in my post yesterday and who's birthday it is today, was really getting a touch from God today. He was crying during the service. One of the elders and a cell pastor went over to him and prayed for him. That was cool too! He's just recently been coming to church and he was raised Catholic. He thinks we're a bit weird but he really likes it and us. I really want to see him come into the kingdom.

After church today I invited him to our house for lunch and BD cake. He was so blessed. I just love this guy and I hardly know him! He turned 25 today. I'm sensing I'm getting "another kid" in my life to be "mom" to. He has parents but they recently moved back to Mexico and what family he has here were all gone for the weekend. So it really was God that I had him over. He's used to being with his family on his birthday and he was kinda bummed. I think I may have helped a little.

Vanessa and Keannon got themselves a dog together. They were at First Monday yesterday (it is a flea-market) in Weatherford. They have been wanting a dog and had decided that they wanted a Blue Heeler. They came home with a 3 month old female. She is adorable. Don't have pics yet but will get soon. She's not registered but can be and they got all they need to get that done. They think they might breed her and sell puppies. They named her Kadince (I think that's the spelling).

Well, I best close...I seem to make longer and longer posts!

Saturday July 2, 2005

Hi everyone! Sorry I'm just now posting. It has been a long and full day. First off I got to go riding WOOHOO! . Took my riding buddy Leslie with me. This was her horse's first trip out of the pasture since she' bought him two years ago. We rode  at a friend of mine's place where there is 600 acres! Parts of it are rather rocky too. My horse lost a shoe and cut the bulb on his right front but other than that it was a great ride. My horse is okay. After washing off the wound, it isn't serious. I cleaned it and put some ointment on it. We rode for a couple of hours. After taking Leslie and the horses back I came home and had some lunch then went to town to shop for some shorts for my upcoming trip. I hate trying on clothes. Especially when I don't like what I see in the mirror. I lost 15 lbs last summer and then gained four of it back over winter. I still haven't got rid of those and still need to lose about 15 more! Ugh! It won't happen before the trip! I'll have to get serious about my eating habits. I think I'm exercising adequately. That's the only thing that's keeping me from putting more weight on! Enough of that let's talk about something else!

Anyway, Vanessa's boyfriend has a friend named Omar who is a really sweet young man. He's been coming to church and I found out his birthday is tomorrow so I am making plans to have him over for dinner for his birthday and having cake. I discovered his parents have moved back to Mexico. I'm not sure what it is about this young man but I really have a heart for him. I'm making my "famous" chocolate cake. I guess my Xanga buddies don't know about my cake. It's a recipe that my mother got from a friend years ago and I usually bake it for birthdays and special church dinners. Everyone that has had my cake has begun to request that I make it. Anyway, I made my cake for Omar. I wanted to get him some little something but couldn't come up with what to get. My daughter said he would be happy just to come to dinner and have cake. So I'm going to take her at her word.

This is what happens when we're not home! Mercy (Great Dane) and

Speedy (the cat) soaking up my bed!

Sorry I don't have any pics of my ride this morning. Didn't take time to stop and get a disposable camera. Maybe next time! 

 

Friday July 1, 2005

Woo Hoo! We got so much needed rain! Thank you Lord! It didn't come without some damage though. We had some significant wind blow through (about 65 MPH) there is some roof damage through the eastern side of MW. I had cracked my windows when I got to work and forgot about them until right in the middle of the down pour. You guessed it, my seats are soaked! Oh well, I can deal with it. Would rather have the rain!

Sirens of emergency vehicles can be continually heard. Must be lots of things going on I don't know about. Probably some downed power lines too would be my guess. My husband didn't have to work today so he's listening to the scanner.

I'm know as the official "weather person" among my friends and family. When someone wants to know what the weather is doing they call me! I got two calls from my daughter's boyfriend Keannon this morning. He was taking his sister to the doctor in FW for the baby's check up. He just bought a new truck and was concerned about hail. Then my daughter calls me.

I am a weather watcher. I think some of that stems from my days on the farm because we were always watching the weather. Everything we did was based upon the weather. But it fascinates me as well. Alot of time when there isn't anything else on TV, I watch the Weather Channel. I was so excited when I began working for the cable company in 1987 and discovered there was a channel designated 24 hours a day to the weather! The most fascinating thing to me about weather is watching the formation of a Thunderstorm. I like watching the clouds build, the lightning show...I still have respect for it though. I don't like when the wind gets severe. I have lived in "Tornado Alley" all my life. First in Missouri then in Texas but I have never had to go through an actual tornado. I've come close a few times. In Missouri, I remember getting in the storm cellar a couple of times. It had to be really bad for us to do that because those things were scary! One time after we moved to Texas and were living in Alvarado. My brother and I were home alone. My mother was at work, my dad in seminary (school). A storm blew up in the afternoon. It got severe enough that my mother called home and told us to get in the bathroom and cover ourselves with my brother's twin bed mattress. Thankfully it didn't come our way. I've not ever actually seen one though I'd like to from a safe distance but I have personally witnessed the damage it can create.

Our internet service is fixed finally. I didn't get back on last night because I had my "Believe God" class and I was working on my friend's scrapbook. Got four more pages done! I have to work at DriveSafe tonight so I don't know if I'll be on later or not.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!