at 02/24/13 12:15AM
Sometimes I find the beginning of a new year hard. It seems that the last 3 or 4 years has started with the deaths of loved ones. This year was no different.
On the 2 month mark of my dad's passing, I was attending the funeral of a very dear friend. He was 81, and my husband and I have known him for over 30 years. He was an elder in a congregation we worked with at one time. We have lots of good memories of times with him and his wife over the years. They were members of the congregation where we are now.
Time marches on.
On a happier note....
We were able to make the trip to be with our grandson, Jacob, on his birthday this month. He turned 10! How is that possible? We enjoyed visiting with Kris and Cynthia, Skylar and Jon-David also. Jacob had a very nice party. Cynthia's parents were able to make the trip up from Alabama also. It was good to see them.
Our weather has been kind of crazy this year. Cold and snowy, then a few warmer days, then back to cold and snowy. The result of that is I am now in the 8th week of being sick, unfortunately. Bad cold, cough, headaches, sinus, etc. It seems to be going around. Warmer weather on the way!
We will be traveling once again at the beginning of next month. Again, I have to fly. Not my favorite thing to do, but the last trip went better than previous ones so hopefully this one will also. David has a meeting in Wyoming, so we will be flying into Colorado and driving from there. That was the closest we could get. Who knows what the weather there will be like! We will enjoy the meeting sunshine or snow :-)
So, what have you all been up to, and have you survived your winter weather OK?
at 01/22/13 10:40PM
Today would have been my father's birthday. He would have been 82.
at 12/24/12 4:58PM
It has been a week since my father’s funeral. I would like to thank all who sent cards, food, flowers, but especially wish to thank you for your prayers for my family during this time. The strength of my immediate family has been wonderful in helping me get through the sadness. Plus, the strength of my Christian family (here and elsewhere) is also a blessing. My father was a good Christian man, so we have the hope of one day seeing him again, if we live our life in accordance with God’s word.
All 4 of my sons were able to come home. Kris and Cynthia were actually here for 2 ½ weeks…..they had come for a few days visit but stayed to help. Thank you, Huntington brethren, for allowing them to be away so long! I am so glad they stayed. Cynthia was such a blessing. I did not worry about anything at the house; I knew she was taking care of things for me. Kris spent time at the hospital with us, and that was also a blessing for us. Aaron and Nikki and their girls came to the hospital and waited with us. Shawn was able to come up, but Suzy was sick and unable to travel. Justin and Laura, along with Gabriel, came for several days. To have daughters-in-law that come in and take over, cook, do laundry, etc., so I do not have to deal with things at such a time is truly wonderful! I am blessed, indeed!
To God be the glory!
at 10/06/12 2:24AM
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October is here already.....how is that possible? Seems summer just began! But, the changing colors on the trees in my yard tell me differently.
The last few weeks have been a whirl of activity. We had a gospel meeting, which was excellent. We were hoping to stir up the community with the topics, but it did not work, unfortunately. I wonder if anything will wake people up these days? Are you willing to defend what you believe in, no matter who is opposing it? Are you willing to listen to another side of an issue if what you are hearing goes against what you have always heard? Maybe hard questions to answer, but maybe something to think about.
We had a visit from some very dear friends from New York. They used to come every year, and stay almost 2 weeks sometimes, but as their children got older and got married, their vacation time was spent visiting them. I guess I understand that :-) But, it was so good to have them come again, even for just a few days! Their visit overlapped Shawn, Suzy, and Mari's visit by one day.
Shawn came to do a one night meeting for us. He did a great job. They were able to stay a week, so we really had a great time. Mari has learned to do so much since we saw her last. They are so cute at that age, always searching for new things.
We leave for Michigan in the morning for a Gospel meeting. I have never been to Michigan, so I am looking forward to the trip, and meeting new Christians.
We will be home from Michigan 4 days, then fly to Colorado for a Gospel meeting. Again, I am looking forward to that trip and meeting new Christians. I love to travel, and looks like I will get the chance to enjoy myself this month!
A change of subject: If you are looking for a great gift, here is a website to check out.....
http://www.cafepress.com/countryroadsphotography
Items will be added regularly.
Well, that's about it for now. Hope everyone is enjoying fall weather. Winter will soon be upon us!
at 08/14/12 8:20AM
It has been a while, again, since I updated here! I check in often to see what you all are up to, but can't seem to think of anything to write that would be of interest. It does get to the point of being embarrassed when I see my last post has been up since April!
The move I talked about in that post has happened, and they seem to be doing well. I have adjusted :-)
Our summer has gone by really fast. We have had a couple of trips, one to Alabama where my husband held a gospel meeting. It was with a congregation we have had ties with for many years, but had not been back for a few years, so it was good to renew friendships. Plus, meeting some new people that were not there the last time we were.
The meeting started on Sunday, and it sure was a busy day! They start their morning service at 9am, so we left the home we were staying about 8:30am. After the morning service, a couple took us out to eat (a couple other families also joined us), then there was an afternoon sing that started at 2, so we made it back to the building in time for that. Then, their evening service started at 3 (they only start that early during meeting weeks, usually they start at 5pm). After the evening service, another family hosted a pot luck, so off we went. When everyone had eaten, someone came through saying "they're getting ready" and people started clearing out. I had no idea what they were talking about, but noticed most of the crowd moving outside. I decided to check it out, and to my delight found some of the men playing instruments and singing! They were very good, and one of the ladies eventually sang with them. Yep, southern hospitality and entertainment......what christians do on Sunday evening! It was a great day! I took a couple of videos of them singing, I posted them on my facebook page if anyone would like to hear.
The week after we got home from Alabama, Kris and Cynthia brought their children up, and we all went to the Pittsburgh Zoo. They left their children with us the next day, and we were blessed to have them with us for the next 10 days. It was a busy time then, also, as we also had David's mother for 5 days as she recouped from eye surgery.
We took the children home in time for Skylar's birthday. We had to promise Cynthia we would have her home in time. She has been gracious enough to allow her to be with us the last 2 years on her birthday, but Cynthia wanted her home this year (I cannot blame her!). Skylar turned 7.
A little story to tell you:
Skylar has been saving her money to buy a gun so she can go hunting (yes, she comes from a family that hunts). Well, her daddy found the gun she wanted, and bought it but did not tell her (a pink camo gun). He also bought a case for it. They had a little party for Skylar on her birthday, had a few friends come over, so when it was time to open the presents her daddy brought out the case and she opened it. It was an empty case. She was thrilled with it. She would have been perfectly content with just that! Her daddy said "now you have a case to put the gun in when you get one", to which she answered "I have some money saved up".
Skylar went ahead and opened all the rest of her presents from everyone, then her daddy brought out a long wrapped box and handed it to her. He got a picture of her face when she opened it and saw the gun. It is priceless! First words out of her mouth? "Daddy, does it shoot deer?" :-) BTW, it doesn't, but it will shoot squirrels. With supervision, of course!
She was one thankful little 7 year old!
They are doing a good job with their children.
I am trying to get things put back in order after having the children here :-)
There are a couple more trips for gospel meetings in the next few months also. Then Thanksgiving will be upon us, which means hunting season and family :-)
Hope whatever is going around goes away soon. XOXO
My daughter and grandchildren were staying with me from July- last week. I stayed with my other daughter the first few nights, rather than being here alone. Last night she stayed with me. The house is quiet now. I can even hear the clock ticking. What a change!
Some "times" are more difficult/challenging than others. So glad you have had some happy times to counterbalance the difficult ones.
Safe travels. Did you run into snow? I love that part of the world.
