This and That

What can I say?

2011-03-03T12:54:00.019-05:00

Love at first sight!

...at the farm

2010-04-05T23:36:00.019-04:00

I post to share our first day with Kennedy. We went out to my friend's farm for so much fun. Everything from feeding the donkey carrots and riding on it to watching the very young calves frolic in the fields. The girls ran and ran in the big yard and we did a lot of swinging. We also took a golf cart ride in the fields and along the creek seeing all the animals and nature. We sat around a fire and made smores, yummmmm!
Kennedy and Macy pulling "Jenny" the donkey, Kennedy is saying "Come on Jenny"
a new friend, Macy

Feeding "Jenny" carrots

roasting marshmallows for smores, yummmm

Valentine Heart

2010-02-13T18:58:00.023-05:00

Ooops, where did January go? I had the wonderful privilege of going to see our children and grandchild, Kennedy. I had so much fun watching Kennedy on Friday. I had brought a bag of Valentine goodies. Among the things included was a box of conversation hearts. We opened the box and we were taking out the hearts identifying the color and then I would read what it said. There was Love U, Miss You, Hugs and Kisses, True Love and on and on. After awhile, Kennedy reached into the box and pulled out a heart and read "Kisses for Nana". It melted my heart. We made valentine cards for mommy and daddy. She loved the glue stick. Cutting the construction paper was a little difficult for her, but it didn't stop her from trying and of course she loved the stickers. We also made heart cookies and decorated them. So much fun!

She is always singing whether from her school or Princess CD or her Bible Songs CD. The first part is very quiet. We had her sing a song for her paw-paw toward the end. Thought you might enjoy! (Excuse her attire or lack thereof)

We also worked lots of puzzles.

Looking forward to my next visit :)

Family Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T22:55:00.004-05:00

This year we traveled to Indiana to have Thanksgiving with my family. Tim and Lindsy traveled north to join us. We had 50 give or take one or two for the family gathering. My sister from Fl and two nieces and one nephew and their families weren't able to make it from a distance Kennedy found that she had second and third cousins. We, also, were able to get a 4-generation picture for which I am so thankful. I am blessed to have such a wonderful family. Thank you Lord.

Ask more than once

2009-09-26T18:49:00.010-04:00

I was at a marriage enrichment conference this past weekend. It was based on "Cracking the Communication Code" by Emerson Eggerichs. This is the followup book of Love and Respect. It was very good. The above clip was played from the DVD - Laughing Your Way to a Better Marriage by Mark Gungor. He has other clips on his website. Enjoy.

A Matter of the Heart

2009-09-23T09:28:00.002-04:00

I was talking to someone who was having difficulty with a neighbor, whose children are even calling her names. I was trying to encourage her to just continue to love with a wave of the hand and greeting when she saw them. It is not always easy to turn the other cheek. My husband and I have been in ministy for over 30 years. There are those who say "that's just the way I am" speaking unkind words, or criticizing or making fun of others or putting others down. That is not the person God created, it is the person they have become. Perhaps it is the way their parents were and their parents before them. What is in our heart will come out in our speech. Our class on Sunday mornings is seeking more of God. We can read the Bible and know what is says with understanding in our head. Our class is seeking the 18-inch drop to the heart. Finding what is hidden in the rooms of our hearts is a rude awakening. I think most of us would consider ourselves to be good people. Some may even go to church each week, share personal resources with the underpriviliged or maybe even volunteering our time to a cause. Yes, all of this is good, but what is still lurking in the heart? I just want more of Jesus.

Our little princess is 2-yrs old

2009-09-13T20:45:00.017-04:00

1-yr old 2-yrs old

It doesn't seem possible that Kennedy is two years old. Getting so big and doing so many things. She has been such a joy to us. Tim and Lindsy are doing a great job being a special mommy and daddy. It takes God's wisdom to know what and how to do things. It is certainly a learning process. Being Nana is more than I could have imagined. We love her so much.

Oh, Baby!

2009-08-01T22:48:00.015-04:00

It is late Sat evening. I thought I would lay my head on my pillow and sink into deep sleep. We started this day at 5:00 am to get Kennedy back to KY. I was sure I could sleep since my sleep pattern had been interrupted somewhat this past week, but I miss my little sweetheart. No "rock you" before laying down. No snuggle time under a blanket in the rocker. No ocean sound on the monitor. No monitor. No 'where Nana go'. No Princess C-ella. I told Rod I needed held, I don't know how to cope with my loss. We had such a great time. Monday, Rod leaves for a week conference. So I am going to the complete opposite end with my schedule. Life is so interesting.

One day this past week, Kennedy dropped a toy on my foot. Her response was "Oh Baby". She just cracked me up. Her new song is from Cinderella "Sing, sweet nightengale". So cute. She always seems to have a song at any given time of play. We went to the Children's Science museum, she loved all the activities, so interested and problem solving clicking away in her little mind. So much to explore.

I am sure she is glad to be back with Mommy & Daddy.

To God Be the Glory!

2009-05-15T09:11:00.006-04:00

Our dear friend, Bob Yoder, went to be with the Lord yesterday. It is bittersweet. He has run the race and fought the good fight and is now in the arms of our saviour. He reached his goal. But there is such a big hole in our hearts. His girls are ages 24, 22, and 16. They are our precious godchildren and I request prayer for them and Rita, their mother. I know our God can become daddy and husband and meet all of their needs, but right now our loss is difficult.

We have had a busy month. Rod married his niece last weekend at Sarasota FL on Siesta Key beach. It was beautiful and so much fun.

Kennedy is a winner!

2009-04-05T00:51:00.006-04:00

WOW, I won the shopping cart cover. I don't think I have ever won anything that I can remember before the Praise Baby CD. Perhaps I should enter HGTV Dream Home contest. haha

Am I the only who has procrastinated on their taxes? I thought we would owe $1500, so why hurry to pay the gov. huh? Well, it turns out that we will get back over $2000. I was shocked, I just had not set down and punched in all the data. Great timing for some upcoming expense.

I wanted to thank you for praying for my sister-in-law, Karen. She made it through surgery on Friday. With the cancer and double masectomy, she has a long way to go. But the surgery was a huge hurdle that she cleared. The next big hurdle will be chemo. Please continue to pray for her.

Happy Easter!

Quotes on Prayer

2009-03-23T20:05:00.000-04:00

http://www.christianvocations.org/online/cv.nsf/Pages/PrayerInformation@quotes-prayer?opendocument

Hmmm clean?

2009-03-19T15:38:00.004-04:00

A cute screen cleaner below. Just adorable.

http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

Boutique Shopping Cart Covers

2009-03-12T19:19:00.007-04:00

I have run across these shopping cart covers. They are adorable. Don't know if any of you out there are in the market for a cover or a baby shower gift but in case, I am including the link to win a free one.

http://www.savannahsboutique.blogspot.com/

Smiles

2009-03-08T14:45:00.002-04:00

Everytime I open this blog, I can't help but smile. Kennedy Clare just brings out the smiles. I wonder if the same thing happens when my heavenly Father opens the heavens and looks down on me. I want to bring Him smiles and not an "Oh, dear what have I done."

I have been leading Bible studies for over a year now. They have brought me so much closer to God. I enter some of these studies thinking this will be good but I don't think there is much new here. I am hardly into the study and God lets me know just how much I do need what is being presented. It's not that He is in my face, but I certainly can't wiggle out the truth of where I am and where He wants me to be. He loves me so much.

I wanted to leave a prayer request. My sister-in-law, Karen, has just found out she has breast cancer. This is a difficult place to be when you are relatively healthy, but she has had diabetes since she was a child. She carries an insulin pump which has been working well for her, but her sugar has been uncontrollabe for awhile. Probably the cancer is the cause. She is being referred to specialists in Ft Wayne and possibly on to Indianapolis. They aren't sure just how to work with this. I am thankful that God brought one of my sisters through breast cancer and now two knee replacements with complications in one replacement and another of my sisters through a bone marrow transplant. It was a long year of comeback, but she is doing great. I am looking for God to do the same for Karen. I know she will need a lot of prayer. So when she comes to mind, would please pray for her. Thank you.

Praise Baby

2009-03-02T18:41:00.002-05:00

I Won!!!!!

Kennedy is getting a new Praise Baby CD!

Cardboard Testimonies

2009-02-25T20:48:00.006-05:00

I have included some links from our church. One is the opening video which shows a little of who we are and the second one is from this past Sunday. Rod preached on healing and the service started out with cardboard testimonies. I wept when Ann Swick and her daughter, Beth, came across the stage. Beth is a walking miracle. She almost died several times during several surgeries. Such a sweet little girl!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odwmWG6KmVg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcnd3g2adl4

Seasons

2009-02-22T14:47:00.004-05:00

We have had a winter wonderland here in WV today. So beautiful, the trees laden with snow. Perhaps the last hurrah of winter. I love the snow but am looking forward to Spring. To new things. Aren't seasons wonderful? God has given us a wonderful world to live in. I am looking forward to new things in my walk with God as well. I don't want to become stagnant, but always moving forward.

Our Bible study, The Power of a Praying Woman, pointed us one day this past week to praying for God's protection. I usually think to pray for traveling mercies, but have failed to pray daily for protection in my everyday living and all that could come upon me and loved ones. I know we have been spared many things we don't even know about. Just God's grace and mercy. I am so thankful that His mercies are new every morning.

...and that He loves me and you

A Word

2009-02-22T14:25:00.001-05:00

"Lord, draw me close as I draw near to You, so that I may dwell in your presence like never before." ("Power of a Praying Woman" by Stormie Omartian)

Woe is me, I am undone.

2009-02-16T18:36:00.008-05:00

It is always a sad time, when our kids leave. It was an awesome weekend with Kennedy. She is Nana's little sweetheart. How can you not love that smile and those kisses. She was such a blessing. At a recent trip to Lewisburg WV, I had found a plastic heart box filled with filled plastic chocoate puzzle pieces. It was cute, the top and the bottom of each candy shape was a matching puzzle with a different filled color, then each candy piece fit into a puzzle shape in the heart tray. Kennedy picked up a candy piece and tried to eat it, that didn't work so she tried another. Never did find that candy she wanted in the heart shaped puzzle. I think sometimes that is the way we are in our walk in life. We keep looking for another chocolate hoping this "flavor" will satisfy that longing or need within, thing of it is, the whole box with all of its flavors will not and cannot satisfy. Oh it may be good for a season, but only Jesus is the answer to any need or longing of the heart.

We had great services at church this past Sunday. It is always amazing how the Bible study I lead during our Christian Development classes prior to the church service on Sundays ties in with the sermon. I know Rod and I live in the same house, but honestly we don't talk about the content of our two happenings. I doubt if he even knows where my study materials are or which study we are doing. By the way we are studying, "The Power of a Praying Woman" with Stormie Omartian. It is an awesome study.

Aaaah love is in the air

2009-02-15T16:12:00.004-05:00

This was truly a great Valentine's Day weekend, spent with my loved ones. I treasure the time with Tim and Lindsy and Kennedy. I wish there were more, but am thankful for each and every one. It could be worse, they could live across country or out of the country. So I have it good.

Rod spread Valentine's Day out over the whole week. He went shopping with me on Monday (big sacrifice), brought me roses on Tuesday, candy on Wednesday, balloon on Thursday, handmade card with verse on Friday and on Saturday, a coupon assortment for all sorts of good things like massages, foot rubs, etc. with a store purchased valentine. I am loved! What can I say.
Of course he has had 35 years to reach this point.

This blog thing is high tech for a Nana. I haven't ever even journaled, so we will see how this goes. I have enjoyed reading so many of your blogs. It makes me feel connected. You are loved!

Marlene