Christmas Morning 2013

     Christmas 2013 has been a hectic time.  The great ice storm of 2013 struck Vermont December 20th through the 22nd.  So many people lost power.  The road were treacherous and the ice that decorated the trees and homes rivaled any Christmas decorations that we use to adorn!  Paul and I had to work Friday, Sat, Sun, Mon and he worked Tuesday also.  Driving through the ice and getting ready for Christmas.  Definitely a memorable time for anyone living in Vermont!  I, for one am so grateful that we never lost power.  I am so sorry so many of my friends and neighbors went without power, heat and water for days. 

 

Absolutely amazing and beautiful how God decorated Vermont this Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, Holly and Anthony went home around 7pm to get the kids in bed.  Nolan and Kay arrived at around 9pm. They had leftover pot roast and then we all played a fun game of

Apples to Apples til bed time!

Santa arrived to stuff the stockings!  I heard him tiptoeing through the living room!

 

Christmas, with three dogs in the house is extremely hectic. 
Kay brought her dog Kayla a husky and
Jake brought his friends dog Kato. 
Grover was trying to maintain his status as King dog.
 Not easy when you only weigh 20 pounds!

A few nights ago when we said grace at the dinner table,

I prayed for God to rain joy upon this home. 

He certainly did when Ebonie showed up and then Kay! 

 Kay has such an infectious laugh and once she gets giggling, it is hard not to join in.

  Here she is!  Thank you God for the laughter

 that filled this home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

The dogs were everywhere at once!

Here is Kato!

 

                                        Audrey is happy with her Cashmere glow!

 

Jake opening his goodies!

 The fun, the mess, the joy of just being together!

 

 

 Good time!

But the best surprise of all was when Paul told Faith

to go in the kitchen and get the box under the blanket on the kitchen table!

 

 

It's the bunny she has been begging for!

Paul said no way was she getting one!

SURPRISE!

The bunny's name is Doublestuff!

 

Christmas Eve ~2013

  On Christmas Eve, Holly came with her boyfriend

Anthony and son Brody and Ebonie of couse.   

 They weren't able to come on Christmas Day

so we celebrated with a pot roast dinner and yummy desserts.

 Ebby with her new doll and Auntie Faith.

 

 Anthony and Brody

 

 Sistas

 

 Sisters~what we do without them?

Love my girls!

 

 Ebby loves to have her picture taken.

 

 Watching Mommy open her gifts.

 

Hey Mom, stop taking pictures!

 

 Pretty living room

 

 Our tree, from Bakersfield tree farm

 

 Watching Aunty Faith's expression~

 

 We got Anthony a remote control helicopter

and Ebonie was enthralled watching it fly around the kitchen!

 

 She laughed her head off~!

 

 This little girl exhibits so much joy! 

It is contagious!  How I love her!!!

 

 Aunty loves you too Ebby~!

 

Chocolate cream pie for dessert! 

It was a sweet night all around!!

 

Merry Christmas to my beautiful family!

Angels

     I never really thought about angels seriously.  But recently my sister Susan read some books about them and some of the stories she shared with me really struck.   Surely angels are from God and have a purpose.  I have been looking up some verses about them in the Bible and here are a couple of them which really seemed proof of how they sometimes come to protect us while we are in trouble here on earth.  However I must preface this writing with the fact that I believe God is the one who chooses who and when to send angels to, to help.  He is the ultimate determiner of this.  I place my trust in Jesus and what He deems best for me.
     "Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.  For it is written;  He shall give His angels charge over you , and in their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."  Jesus said to him, "It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God."  Matthew 4:6
     I believe that when God has a purpose for someone that has not been fulfilled in this life, that He will send an angel to save them should they be in a dangerous situation.  I think that He sees the whole picture and knows all circumstances.  He places us where we need to be when we need to be there.  In this way, His purposes will be fulfilled. 
     Matthew 26:53 says this  "But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?"  This is what Jesus said to the men in the Garden when He was about to be arrested.  A legion is equal to an army of 600 men so 12 legions would be equal to 72,000 men!  Wow!  He had no doubt that God would send angels to help Him if necessary to save Him!  But in this situation, God's purpose was for Jesus to die on the cross for us. God did not send angels to save Jesus because His purpose was for Jesus to die to save mankind. 
     When I was a little girl of about 8, I was walking over to my friends house.  I had to cross Main street which was a fairly busy street at the time.  The year was 1973 or so, so it was more safe in those days to walk places.  It's just the way it was.  We often had to walk to the store to pick up things for my Mom.  I was standing across from the A&P, in between 2 cars parked along the side.  I looked both ways for my chance.  I remember seeing a truck coming but thinking that it was quite far away.  Surely far enough away for me to make a dash to the other side.  My judgement at age 8 apparently was not correct.  The next thing I knew, I opened my eyes and was looking straight up at the underside of a vehicle and not realizing how I got there.  I had no recollection of being hit or of any pain whatsoever.  I was just confused.  I was flat on my back.  I rolled myself over and crawled towards the front of the vehicle to get out.  I remember it so clearly.  When I got to the edge of the front end, a man was reaching down for me.  He grasped my arm and I shook him off and just ran towards the sidewalk.  All I knew was that he was a stranger and I had to get home.  I ran as fast as I could.  My next door neighbor, a boy, Joe S. was on the sidewalk watching and then he grabbed me.  He was delivering newspapers and he saw the whole thing.  He and the man, walked me back to the truck and brought me home to Mama.  It was such a scary thing.  But the beautiful thing was that I did not get hurt.  Not even a bruise on my body.  I remember my Mama laying me on her bed and checking out my arms and legs looking for bruises or cuts or broken limbs.  Not a thing wrong!  Looking back now I would say that an angel shielded me from harm that day.  I was not hurt at all.  This precious life of mine was protected.  Hopefully for the purpose of sharing the love of Jesus with my family and friends.  For this time. 
     I don't want to write this to hurt anyone.  Just to share a story.  For I know that some people die young.  It is so unfair.  It hurts too much.  We question why didn't He send an angel to save someone?  Someday, our questions will be answered.  Only He knows His purposes.  We just have to trust that He knows best. 

Waiting

     Do you ever feel like God is silent?  Like you wish He would tell you what to do or when to do it.  That you pray and pray for someone or something and it doesn't seem He listens.  I could go on for a long time about this.   It is difficult; especially when I am a get things done kind of person.  I want to move forward and feel impatient for new things to happen or for someone to get healed.  For everyday troubles to fall into place.  I have to wait on God.  Sometimes I just wish He would write answers in the sky.  But still I wait. 

     Yesterday I was exercising to an Insanity video.  The sound stopped working so I found myself completing the workout  without any encouraging instruction or the sound of the music.  So quiet and strange.  There was only about 20 minutes left to the workout so I kept plugging along.  I knew what to do and how long each exercise lasted but still nothing seemed right.  I like hearing the voice of Shaun T and the music.  I like hearing my teacher speak!  After about 10 minutes of silence except for the sounds of my jumping around, the sound blasted back on.  Yay!
 
      At the time I was comparing this to listening to God's instructions in life.  Sometimes He is silent.  He wants me to continue doing what I am doing to the best of my ability.  Working, loving, taking care of my patients and family and giving as much as I can.  I stay in prayer and read His word.  I know what He expects of me.  He trusts me to do the best I can.  I feel like He was telling me that when He wants me to make a change, or do something for Him, or make a new move in life, He will tell me and it will be loud and clear just like the sound of that video volume turning back up!  As I wait in expectation I am excited about my future and what He has planned for our family!

I pray this prayer.  In the morning you hear my voice, in the morning I place my requests before you and wait in expectation.  For I know that you have all my plans in place.  Plans to prosper me not to harm me.  Plans for a hope and a future.  I trust you with my life Lord!  I hope it is loud and clear when you speak.   In Jesus name, Amen.  I am learning to wait.  I am not always patient but I know He will answer. 
     I read this verse today in James. "Therefore be patient brethren until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."  James 5:7&8  I am glad He speaks to me even when I am exercising!

The Daughter of a King

     I have had a few situations lately where I feel I have disappointed others.  I try, but I can't do as many things as I would like.  There are so many needs around me.  Work, patients, children, my parents and my husband.  Sometimes I feel  guilty when I can't fit everything in and have to remind myself that it is not what I do but who I am in Christ that matters.  The reason I write this blog is to share the love of God with my family.  This poem is what God gave me in 2007 and I would like to share it again. 

The Daughter of a King

I am the daughter of a King

An heir to all that this brings

Not of riches of gold

But of a wealth that has only begun to be told

The riches I will inherit

Are not earned on my own merit

But are a gift of grace from my Father

And a prize that is beyond measure

Of the gifts that He bestows

Forgiveness is first and foremost

The forgiveness leads to peace

And a feeling that is oh, so sweet

And relief from all the pain

This is what I gain!

I sit, not on a throne

But at the feet of one to behold.

I am not adorned in silk clothes

But in a robe washed clean as the snow

What else am I to aquire?

Lands or jewels or fortune?

Not, these things are not to be

What I will inherit is eternity!

This life has already begun you see

It started the day Jesus came to live inside of me

The path to my Father is He

The Father, the Son and Spirit

Trinity

I will live forever in joy

With my brothers and sisters all there

A river of life is our food

In a place where the streets are paved with gold

And a Father who is always at home!

Yes, I am a daughter of a King.

And all this inheritance brings.

1/8/2007

Happy 17th Birthday Audrey

 On September 4th we celebrated Audrey's 17 birthday!  It seems like just yesterday she was 16!  How the years have flown by.  This girl is special.  Pretty, loving, huggable, a hard worker, devoted, loyal and strong!  She has loved and learned alot of lessons already in her 17 years.  Especially in this last year.  Getting her liscence, her first job, and a car!  She has loved and lost someone special.  She has poured out her heart to me.   This makes me so happy.  Because she shares with me, she wants me to know stuff and she clings tightly to her Mama! 

This new "woman" child is always gonna be my little girl.  I marvel at how she has changed and grown. Sometimes I can't believe she is that same little girl.  How she carefully looks at situations and how they affect not only her but everyone around her.  How she can apply what she learns to every part of her life!  She complains that she is not good at anything.  Not true.  She is HERSELF and no one does this better thant Audrey!  She is grasping, seeking and so passionate about life!  I love her.

Happy Birthday sweet daughter!

Enjoying birthday dinner with Mama, Paul, Faith, Jerica and Nikki

Turtle cake with sparkler candles!

Make a wish~the best is yet to come!

Here is the poem that Audrey wrote for me for my birthday last year.  So funny and so Audrey!

Herman Mama

Happy Birthday to my Mom

She's not mean, nor dirty

I forget how old she"s gonna be

So let's pretend she's thirty

You know what Mom!

You're really not fat

You're Beautiful

& unfortunately allergic to cats

That plaid big butt

I didn't get from you

with you as my trainer

I'll be brand new!

You're such a great role model

Except when you tooot

You taught me to fight back

When witches threaten to prosecute

Denying my request for a dog

Year after year

Now Grover loves you best

Not exactly what I feared

MAMA KNOWS BEST

There are no "nice boys"

Who needs the male gender

You supply all my joy

This is the first poem I've ever written

So sorry if it's dirt compared to yours

Oh and by the way,

I need more zit cream to cleanse my pores!

How fun is this poem?! 

Love you girl!

How Music Touches Us

 

  

     Last month I had the pleasure of watching my granddaughter Ebonie for the day.  She is almost 2 now and I love watching her change and grow.  I took her to Joannes fabrics and taught her how to say pretty and color.  She kept grabbing at the different fabrics to see how they felt.  Then we drove to Grammas house to spend some time with them.  It was the first time since she started walking that she actually sat still and in my lap for a time.  A whole hour actually.   Nice that she is slowing down just a little.  Long enough to look at a picture book with me.   
     While I made dinner I played a Robin Mark cd.  She really responded to it.  She stood near the music player swaying and dancing a little.  When the music was fast I would pick her up and twirl her around to see her smile get bigger! 
     Then as I continued to prepare our meal a song came on that was a little softer.  She got so quiet and still and just stood there listening.
 The words were these...

How great are you Lord! 

How great is your mercy

How great are the things that you have done for me

Your loving kindness is filling my heart as I sing.....

How great are you LORD!

How great is your love

It reaches to the heavens

How great is the heart

That sought and rescued me.

 

Even at the age of almost 2, my little granddaughter was able to discern the sweetness and specialness of this song.  May God bless you Ebonie.  May HE hold you in the palm of HIS hand and keep you safe all the days of your life!

 

Love Mima

 

Art Hop with my oldest and youngest

 

Faith and I set off for Burlington Saturday morning to see what we could see.  I thought we could picnic on the water front or poke around on Church street.  We got there at 12:30 and found the Farmers Market was hopping. 

     We sampled cheese, and nuts and hot pepper jelly on crackers and cinnamon, maple peanut butter.  Faith even tryed stuff she wouldn't normally eat. We grabbed some cotton candy and some Indian food and planted ourselves on the grass. I was hungry to people watch and it was a delight to my senses to watch the children running around chasing enormous bubbles.  We listened to some men playing banjos and watched the action. 

       It was kind of chilly so we decided against walking down to the waterfront.  Faith decided to call Jake and wonder of wonders, he answered on the first ring!  He told us to walk down to Pine street and meet him.  Faith is always thrilled to spend time with her big brother so I knew she would be happy no matter what we were doing.  He said you gotta check out the Art Hop!  So we traveled down Pine street and in and out of old factory buildings, perusing the Art studios of Burlington's finest!  Quite an adventure and just plain old fun being together and looking!
    

                                                             Setting off to see the sights.

Cool Rhino!

Pretty girl!

Makes my heart sing just seeing these two together!

Faith loved this phone booth because it reminded her of Dr Who's traveling police box!

Jesus loves you!  and me too!

Breakfast anyone?

This circus inspired Faith to make one of her own Sunday night.

 

On the roof

I like this alot! 

Chilly out!

I really liked that insulator light.  Perhaps Paul can build me one!

 

 

Paul would have liked seeing these pieces!

This is the restaurant Ramen where Jake works.  He built the tables.   Nice job Jake!

Lil sis, Big bro  :)

What a sweet day!

Faith made her own circus display last night.  Very inspired by the art hop!

Thanks to you Lord for inspiring me with new sights and sounds on Saturday. Thank you for my children.   Every good and perfect gift is from above.

Planting Seeds

    I love to garden.  I have started alot of my perennials from seeds.  One flower that really takes off well is the Daisy!  I remember putting tiny seedlings in the ground about 4 years ago in the garden closest to my house.  Feeling excited and hopeful about how pretty they would look.  I love daisies.    Well, they grew! And they grew and they grew and they grew!  This year I had so many daisies that I could not even see the rest of the flowers.  Maybe about 50 plants and tons of tiny baby daisy plants. I do like them but they were really starting to take over so I knew it was time to dig some up and give them away.  To move some away from the house to the field where they can take up all the room they want.  I want to have a couple in the garden but I also want other colors and textures.

     I couldn't help being reminded though of the way this compares with life.  Hopefully, I am pleasing the Lord as I sow seeds in HIS kingdom.  Seeds of kindness to my patients.  Seeds of helpfulness at church.  Seeds of friendship and love to my family and friends.  And especially the seeds of salvation to those in need of a savior.  I like to think of the abundance of flowers in my garden as proof of the seeds I planted.   All of those flowers are beautiful.  Hopefully when I share my stories here on my blog and tell my patients about the Love of  God, I am planting seeds that will bring forth the fruit of salvation.  Every time, I listen to God when HE tells me to talk to others, share a book or a Bible with them, give them an uplifting note, or a smile, I am planting seeds of hope and love.  And someday they will have that peace of knowing HIM as I do.