Monday Memories

Every Monday, I go through pictures that Uncle D's mom put together in a memory book for us a few years ago as well as pictures that Aunt J's mom had and it always brings a smile as memories flood back. Today are pictures that Mammaw & Pappaw had on their wall of some people they loved dearly. I know they would be so proud of who they have become and the families that they have.

Sunday Blessings

Uncle D and I are both blessed to be able to teach Sunday School classes in our local church. I teach in the preschool class, kindergarteners. Today, I taught the story of Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego and their choice to obey God even knowing that they were facing the fiery furnace. What fun it is to see the kids grasp bible truths and hide God's word in their hearts. Today we were making the transfer of SS workers and Children Church workers, when 2 new little boys came into the classroom. The CC worker was taking care of greeting them, when I noticed their parents at the door. What a blessing to see my nephew, his wife and older son there. I then recognized the 2 little visitors as my great nephews. God is using a young couple in our church to reach out to them. I have it on good authority that the boys really enjoyed church and are hoping to get involved in our Wednesday night Bible Club as well as Sunday school next week. Please pray that this happens.

Fun or not so Fun Saturday

We started our day going to Target for Flu shots but both ended up with Flu and Pneumonia shots which would have been $148 but with insurance cost us $ .00 =). Thank the Lord for insurance. We then headed over to catch a little baseball which Reagan's team won. After the game, we headed over to pick out frames for new glasses for Aunt J. I love Brenda at Pearl Vision who helps us. We have built a relationship with her over the last several years and she is really fun to deal with. After picking out some frames we headed to Don Pablo's for a little lunch and then back for the dreaded eye exam. Truthfully, I would rather go to my dentist than the eye doctor. Nothing against him, because he is extremely thorough and very nice guy but I just HATE having an eye exam. Oh well, after the eye exam, we go back to Brenda to drop off the RX only to find out that the frames that I choose earlier really weren't going to work. Brenda already had my new frames picked out which were great and the cost of the glasses were even less than the first pair =). Again, thank the Lord for insurance. From there, we headed to Sams and ran into some really good friends from E. TX that were visiting in town and it was fun catching up with them. After dropping off our Sams goods, our last outing was to Walmart which Uncle D always loves (ha!ha!). I picked up a RX that the eye doctor had given me for allergy eye drops and nearly choked when I had to pay $25 but when I got home and saw that w/out insurance it would have been $103, I again thanked the Lord for insurance. Now we're home, doing laundry and watching some videos we picked up at Walmart. Have a GREAT Saturday night.

Friday Favorites

Now that the weather is getting cooler, I begin to think about the soups, stew and chili that will be a staple in our house during the fall and winter. My favorite accompaniment to those are Spicy Crackers and I'm going to share my recipe with you. You'll need:

Box of saltine crackers (you can substitute oyster or Ritz crackers)
1 1/3 cup canola oil
1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix
2-3 tablespoons of red pepper flakes (depending on how spicy you like them)

Dump all the crackers into a gallon container (original recipe said this container had to be glass but a gallon zip lock bag can be used). Mix the canola oil, dressing mix and red pepper flakes together (I usually whisk to make sure it is mixed really good). Now pour this mixture over the crackers and then jiggle, flip and work with the container until all the crackers have been coated. Then jiggle and flip the container a couple of times each day for the next 4 days and then enjoy. (We never can wait 4 days and have been known to start eating them after letting them marinate for 2 days or so.) I promise these are really, really good to eat by themselves too.

More promises

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned: neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Romans 8:37-39

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have we arrived?

We had a first happen to us Sunday afternoon. We went out to a buffet with friends after church and as Uncle D was checking out the receipt at the table he discovered that we had been given the: Senior Club Disc. To set the record straight we didn't ask for the discount 'cause we aren't exactly seniors (yet), but apparently we must have looked the part. Oh well, we saved $1.50 on our lunch bill and anyone who knows me knows that that made me happy. =)

Thankful Tuesday

During these turbulent times of our economy, we can remember that none of this is taking God by surprise and that He is still on his throne. I also am thankful for His promises that I can claim:

“Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalms 37:25)

Monday Memories

This picture of the LWBC Victory Class was taken in December 1996. Most of these saints are now in heaven with the Lord but each holds a special place in our memories. God used many of them to influence our lives and Christian growth. We are very thankful for the faithful testimonies that they lived before us.

Sunday Blessings

Three blessings God has given me are my brothers. Today is one of their birthdays and I want to honor him by letting the world know what a GREAT guy he is. He loves the Lord, his wife, grandkids, and his kids and I think in that order. He is a great poppy to Andy and Ben, just ask them and they will tell you. Not only does he love his immediate family he loves the rest of his extended family and people in general and he shows that love in his actions, not just in his words. Today I want to wish Ronnie a very Happy Birthday!

Ronnie shares his birthday with another member of our family and I want to wish Kimberly a very Happy Birthday, too!

Saturday Fun

We started our day doing laundry and then made our usual trip to our local:



After dropping off our loot and eating a little lunch, we were off to watch a little:

After cheering them on to a victory of 8 - 0, we headed to the church for a fish fry and fellowship:

A fun time of fellowship and food was had by all but I really enjoyed the time I had with one of my most favorite one year olds:

All in all it was a great Saturday.

Friday Favorites

Here are a couple of my favorite role models. They are both women of faith that love the Lord and are faithful servants. I want to be just like them when I grow up.

Somebody is having a Birthday Sunday !

Can you guess who it is?

Cute Peeps

God has put a lot of little people in our lives through family, church and friends. Here are a couple of little peeps who think Uncle D hung the moon.

Thankful Tuesday

Today, I want to express my thankfulness for the best niece on Uncle D's side of the family - Ashley. We also want to wish her a very Happy Birthday ! ! !

Monday Memories

Some people we hold dear in our memories.
Uncle D's Grandparents are at the top. Aunt J's are at the bottom.
I only knew Grandma (mom's mom) and Grandpa (dad's dad).

Sunday Blessings

This afternoon we had a testimony service at church and several shared how they came to accept the Lord as their personal Savior. It reminded me that the greatest blessing in my life has been that God loved me so much that He gave his only begotten Son that when I believed in him, I would not perish but have everlasting life. The ultimate sacrifice was for me. Thank you Lord!

This is a picture Uncle D took at "The Promise" in Glenrose, TX.

CFHusband Prayer Request

CF Husband chronicles an amazing journey of faith in the lives of a young couple for the last couple of years. Tricia Lawrenson is sick and I know they would covet your prayers.

Technology Challenges Conquered

We have already determined that I'm turning into my mother. Like her I am basically technology challenged, she never could figure out how to set the clock on her VCR and it was in a constant blinking mode. Uncle D on the other hand takes technology and a computer and makes it look like kids play. Viewing blogs has become one of my new favorite interests. If some blogs aren't updated regularly, I've been know to give gentle hints that updates are needed. Being older than most the bloggers that I view, I didn't think I could conquer this blogging stuff. In the last two weeks, I've set up a facebook account, downloaded the 400+ pictures from my digital camera that I've had since December, organized them onto my computer into folders, tweaked the blog that Uncle D started a month ago, and learned to insert pictures onto facebook and blog. I couldn't conquer the linking thing last night so Uncle D had to step in and help. Thanks to all of my facebook friends and bloggers that have inspired me into conquering this technology stuff. Who knows maybe I'll conquer downloading music onto my MP3 player next. :) Happy Saturday.

Friday Favorites

One of our most favorite places to eat is El Paseo: great chips, salsa and food. The Pollo Asada is very good and our favorite entree to split. We never know who we will run into there. If you have never tried it, you should.

I'm turning into my mother!

I made and packed my breakfast, poured my diet Dr. Pepper, packed my lunch and proceeded to work yesterday morning. Upon arrival at my desk, I looked for my purse to put my keys away and it was no where to be found. I then proceed back to my car in the garage to see if I'd left it there but alas it was still not to be found. Thankfully, I always pack all my snacks, drinks, etc to make it through the day because I'm too frugal (some even say cheap) to buy anything out of the vending machines so I didn't need any money. I make my way back home yesterday evening driving like a saint as I didn't have my driver's license and would hate to have to explain to any nice policeman that might have had cause to stop me that my license was in my missing purse. I get home and lo and behold my purse was sitting on the kitchen table where I'd placed it that morning. This my friend is something my mom would have done and I am tending to do more often these days. You just got to love us!