Christmas 2009

We start with Jesus, after all it's His birthday! So Christmas Eve we went to church, Jacob was the sweetest little lamb and Ray a shepherd, then came the dinner, yum yum :0) The "little girls" spent the night with their hubbies and little Lily, to awake Christmas morn to Lily's joy, of a new riding toy that has more bells and whistles than I can count. Christmas gifts and breakfast, and a walk along the coastal path with Abbey and Jon completed our celebration; onward to the New Year! Maranatha!

Pumpkin Fun

I had fun with Ray and Jacob last week as we searched for just the right pumpkin for each of them :0)

All Things

Calvary Chapel Pastor's Wives Retreat 2009

What a wonderful time I had recently perched on this rock, considering the truth of Ro. 8:28 "And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Sometimes you need to "come away" and spend some quiet time with the Lord and let Him whisper His love, grace and mercy anew in your life, true refreshment indeed!

Mums the Word

Nothing says "Fall" like the beauty and color of Autumn flowers! And for all the women in this family Autumn is a favorite season, with beautiful changing leaves, cooler temperatures, candles, tempting treats with pumpkin and spice and all things nice!

what's new at IKEA

We had good intentions of getting things we needed; Lind's, (looking at light fixtures) Chelsea & Lily (along for the ride) Abbey, (bottomed out because she had guests and couldn't make it) and me? I'm always looking for candles or vases, but alas we had lunch and left with only tea lights! Lily, Chelsea and I finished off the afternoon with cheese and fruit at Starbucks, not a total loss :0)

new beginnings & cousins

Abbey & Jon have made their move to Modesto, a few hitches a few glitches but they made it and Ab is well on her way to making and feathering her new nest :0) I went up to give a little hand on Wed. and returned Sat. evening, staying with Lindsey, Peou and Finn and then went back and forth to Abbey and Jon's place to help unpack. I love that in time of need our family works and comes together, we love and sacrifice for one another, it's who we are! As a mother to these, I pray that I have been that example to my children that well after I'm gone they will be that kind of mother, grandmother, sister or brother for each other. Chelsea and Lily also came up to provide moral support, that gave wonderful opportunity for the cousins to love and smooch on each other, very sweet :0) So blessings Ab and Jon in your new home and on this new part of your journey together!

Remembered

There are few people that come into our lives that we can readily call them mentors or heros but these two folks have been spiritual giants in my life! This pic was taken on July 4th, it would be the last time I saw Marvin on this earth because he went to be with Jesus July 13th. He knew his time here was short but viewed each day as a gift and lived each day for Christ. Yesterday we celebrated Marvin's life with a memorial service in the church I was saved in 36 years ago; Marvin and Louanna have been people that God used to show me what unconditional love and service looked like in the body of Christ and it was a joy for me to testify to that yesterday. I also learned yesterday that the song, Over the Rainbow was Marv's favorite song and it was sung in honor of him; what a joy to know beyond that rainbow, where blue birds fly where dreams that you dare to dream, have come true for him as he walks those streets with the One who loves us most. Thank you Lord for the gift Marvin has been in my life, the strength and godliness he portrayed in every circumstance of life, the spiritual father that would always point me to you, my heavenly Father, in Jesus name, amen.