7 minutes away from 2008

2007 was an Incredible year, so many firsts, so many blessings. While we were looking for photos to capture the essence, many wonderful memories unfolded before us. The year went really fast, except for August (which felt like 3mos) and the 4 1/2 days without power. Thankyou El Baracha (My God who blesses me)!!

Our Christmas was very refreshing! Full of peace, love and joy. We had 11 days off from work, and oh how we needed that time! We enjoyed the slow pace, and each other immensely! Still waiting for Caleb to be born.

Happy NEW YEARS...we are offically in the year 2008!!! I've had alot of time to think this afternoon about resolutions, goals, and hitting the mark. We all have hopes, dreams and plans. Writing them down helps us to organize, and aim for the mark. Breaking them down into steps, helps us realize the progress we are making towards our goals. Telling someone else, keeps us accountable, and gives us an encourager. Before I tell you some of my goals, I first need to tell you to take your hopes, dreams and goals to the Lord, He is the best encourager of all! He doesn't need us to, because He already knows you...everything about you!! Even before you were born! He wants us to. He wants us to partner with him, because the outcome is so much more astounding!! With God, all things are possible!! El Eleon (God is Huge)! Pull out your Bible, dust it off....He's got alot to say, and He wants you to breathe in every promise.

God is who He says He is

God can do what He says He can do

I am who God says I am

I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength

Gods word is alive and active in me

Believe BIG....write those 5 truths down, and carry them with you! This year, commit to Believing the word of God, with all that you are!

Our Pastor had some good ones too: Forget your failures, give up your grudges, restore your relationships, turn your back on your transgressions.

My Theme: I want to Live out Loud by Faith...I want to enjoy Life to the full! Every moment has a potential for a memory. My goals:

1. exercise 5days a week (must be able to lift the grandbabies!)

2. Get more sleep - aim for 8hrs

3. Read more books - 1 a month

4. Learn Hindi, and Web page design

5. and most important..Seek to know Jesus more intimately

Thus far, the Lord has been my help! Remember that, cuz life gets tough, but My God is my Rock!

May your 2008 be amazingly Great!

I spent some of my "off" time, revamping the blog, and added a Family Celebration calendar towards the bottom of the page, to help us all remember important dates!

Love you all very much!

Children with Santa this year

HoHoHo

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Candy Cane

Merry Christmas everyone, and may we remember the Reason for the Season!

A Candy Maker TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman12-16-2007

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.... - John 3:16

A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness of his faith. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy-white to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church and the firmness of God's promises.The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also be thought to represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, and by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.The candy became known as the candy cane-a decoration seen at Christmas time.

But the meaning is still there.During Christmas, do you reflect on the real meaning of the season? It is one season we can use like no other to bring the focus on Christ. Ask God to give you opportunities to share Christ with someone this Christmas.

Ice storm of 2007

Today the Son shines!! Praise the Lord!

The past week has been long and harried. The ice storm that hit on Dec. 9th left much damage throughout Oklahoma. Clean up will go on for months. Many are still without power. I Praise God that we are no longer powerless. 4 & 1/2 days without power, and by day 3 I was just "so done". The temperature inside the house was at 50 and dropping, the batteries for the flashlight, the one and only flashlight were dead, and Alex had an allergic reation to the scented candles we were burning for light. Even the cat was having sneezing fits because it was so cold.

Don spent the whole day determined to get a generator, and Glory to God he did! By the time I got out of work, he had us hooked up with a light, T.V., refrigerator and an electric heater, and coffee pot. The temp in the house was 57! After dinner, he went to Home Depot to get another heater, and they had just gotten in a truck load, Hallelujah!! Don is such an angel!! and my hero! Wednesday night it got up to 63 inside...it was a taste of heaven, and oh so thankful we were! And Marybeth, another angel of light in my life, went on a special shopping mission to find a plug for the generator that was no where to be found in Tulsa! Shipped it overnight, along with windup flashlights for the boys, and the cutest slippers for me! Thankyou Minny!!

I have already begun what I call is a survivor kit, a box to hold flashlights, batteries, and Unscented candles, all the things you need to provide light in the darkness. All the things you can't find when you are suddenly dropped in the dark. It will have a special place, and be left intact! The next storm won't find us as unprepared.

We saw everyone pulling together to get thru....people were very patient, tho the stores were out of everything essential to getting by. Gas stations ran out of gas, with lines of cars waiting to get some. Batteries are still non existant, and candles the same. Amazing! Martin's mother had everyone at her home, including Alex during the day, God bless her huge!! Tho I got very aggitated, we were really only inconvienced, no one hurt, our home is not damaged and we were blessed with the resources to take care of things. So many have lost so much, and their Christmas will be, just returning to their homes. Thank you Jesus, for being our sheild, our protector, and Our source of Power and light! Help us be prepared when the storms come. And help us to keep our eyes on you, in the storm.