Sorry I've been lazy

What - you say? You haven't updated your blog in a very long time.! You think???? It's only been about 2 1/2 months. Don't even have a valid excuse other than I guess I just haven't done it. Now that I know there are a few people who check it periodically, I'm going to try to keep this thing going - one way or another. Please bare with me!!!

By the way, in case I don't get around to doing it before Christmas - MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!

Birthday Party Time

My, how time flies. Madison turned 7 on October 3 and Annie will turn 4 on November 17. Kristi and Jeremy hosted a combined birthday party at the bounce place where 26 little children and their parents came to celebrate the girls birthday. A very organized evening, lots of bouncing, cake, ice cream and presents (lots of presents). A great evening for the birthday girls.

Fall 2008

Here it is Fall. Where did the summer go???? Don't misunderstand me - I love Fall, as long as the sun shines and it's not freezing but I know what follows - winter, snow and cold and that's the part I don't like. In Michigan however, we are truly blessed to have four seasons of beauty so with the beauty - it helps a bit to be able to endure it all.

So, here we go into another season - and with each season I ask myself what changes are going to take place with my life. Only God knows for sure - I just wait for Him to direct. Sure does make life purposeful and exciting.

The pics are of the guys on their last golf outing together for 2008. Dad, Brandon (my nephew), Jeremy (my son-in-law) and Eric (my son) set out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to enjoy the Greystone Golf Course.

Long Distance Family - it's hard!!

I think, when we're with those whom we love very much and see all the time we take that time for granted. I'm trying hard to always appreciate and cherish the time I have with Kristi, Jeremy, Madison, Annie, Eric, my mom and dad and my precious mother-in-law as well as other extended family that live right here and I see all the time. For those that aren't here, missing them??? You bet.!! It's the moments that you see pictures of them, hear them over the phone or see them on the webcam that really get difficult. In my family I have Todd, Letty, Mikayla (9), Travis (8), Austin (3) and our unborn newest one that will arrive in November living in North Carolina. Then there is Jeff, Val, Janelle (7 this month) and Isaac (3) who live in New Jersey. And now our latest separation, Jessica. Jessica has already become an important part of our family. Her and Eric have been together for almost a year and she fits in just fine! Jessica has decided to go to Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, MI to finish up her degree and even though I know that she will be coming home once in awhile, she's not only missed by Eric but by me! (I think Madison and Annie miss her, too)

So what do we do?? I think we pray alot, have moments of sadness, lots of tears and times of dreaming about when we will be together again. The old saying of "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is so true. When we do reunite, we build more memories and cherish the time that we have together.

Some of the pictures that I've posted are from Valerie when they went down and visited with Todd's family last week. I sure did appreciate getting them.

Wii games

If you have a Wii system, then you know how vigerating and addicting it can be. I've come to the conclusion that they should have named it something else because it doesn't take a wii bit of time to play it. It's downright fun and once you start playing, you can't stop. I have to tell myself I can only play it at night when I've accomplished all that I need to do. (yeah right!) At least I can use the excuse that my doctor has highly recommended it for my MS. Ummmm, do you think it can be a tax write off? (lol) Really, the doctor told me that!

Time flies so fast

Here it is Labor Day, September 1, 2008 already. Where did the summer go???? My family and closest friends know how much I am dreading the change of seasons. Although I do love fall with the beautiful trees that change their color, the smell of the air, apple cider, apple pie and apple orchards, candles burning with the apple scent, schedules getting back to normal (whatever normal is) etc. I do dread what follows fall. WINTER!!!! Winter is not a favorite season because of the cold which affects my health, icy roads which keeps me homebound more and no sun. (although I will admit the snow can be beautiful)

This year I am offering a Bible study in my home to a group of women entitled "There is a Season" and one of the chapters is called "Rejoicing in Every Season". Now mind you, this is not referring to the seasons of weather but the seasons in my life. However, I got to thinking abut that chapter title and I thought how I need to rejoice in every weather season also. God does not want me only to be happy and productive in the kinds of weather that I like, He wants me to be a doer for Him all the time. "For if anyone is a bearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful bearer, but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does." James 1:23-25

May God be with us and bless us as we carry out His mission no matter what the season of weather is or what our season of life is.

Sharing my prayer:

I thank You for this day, I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak....Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You tha I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fights.

I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it in Jesus' name. Amen!