This is what happens when I try to smile! Pretty funny, huh? If you cover up the right side of my face with the wrap still on, I kind of look like "white trash cabbage patch." They never sold that one in stores! Well I couldn't sleep so by 2:00 am I finally got up and have been watching tv and surfing the ineternet since. When I did try to sleep last night, everytime I moved everything went blurry and I would get really dizzy, so dizzy I really can't explain it. I just know I hope that side effect doesn't last long. I was pretty bummed because usually when somebody gets an injury like this they have a really awesome story to go along with it. I just went sleigh riding. So my mother-in-law told me just to tell everybody I was in the toughman contest, and you should see the other guy!

Just one more picture of my swollen face. I look like a cabbage patch kid. And the bump on my head makes me feel like Quasimodo. I bet Paul doesn't joke about me being clumsy from now on, he had made some comment about sleigh riding ending up with a trip to the doctor's office for me! Maybe he's psychic!

Well, I'm not sure that anything will top Janet and the pond...but here goes. We went to Steve and Teresa's today to go sleigh riding. We couldn't decide where to go, so we ended up on the hill before you get to the driveway and we went down right in the dip where it isn't really steep like the banks. At the bottom of the hill the snow was piled up where the plow had gone through and pushed it over. It made for a decent landing and stopped us from going out in the road. I had actually gone down the hill on a round sled and got turned around and slammed into to snowbank with my shoulders, it wasn't that soft. So my shoulder is bruised pretty bad too. Me and Steve were taking turns driving the four-wheeler up and down the hill so he could sled too. When we went back up to the top of the hill, I linked my legs through Paul's arms and we started down the hill on the innertubes, we got turned sideways, then backwards, and then...that's all I remember. Next thing I know, they're trying to stand me up and I couldn't see anything, don't really remember what they were saying, and I had NO concept of balance at all. I have a huge knot above my left eye too. I still can't walk very well, my head feels real swimmy. At least after Janet's accident Steve could get her to stand up! HAHA

Addy, obviously we were blogging at the same time lol. Glad to hear nothing is broken. I remember falling down mom and dad's driveway before it was paved and I had little rocks embedded in my knee. It took a few weeks for them all to make their way to the top and come out through the scab. Gross, I know :{ So where were yal starting from? The top hill? Did you jump the driveway and land on the bottom road? Mark is just showing me some more pics from facebook, I just want to put some of Grandpa's Rosebud salve on you cheek lol. Love ya!!

Vonda, glad to hear David got in a nursing home and is closer to you. How far is it from you? The flowers were beautiful :) I'm sure you both will enjoy them for quite some time.

Addy, I hope you are doing well. I can only think of the headache you may have but I pray you don't. So we here in VA are curious of the story behind this. I'm thinking it may top Janet and the pond lol (no hard feelings Janet). Mark says he'll send you a football helmet :p I do hope you heal quickly though.

Did no one get any good pics of the snow? Haven't seen any yet :{ We didn't have enough to take pics. The wind chill has been quite horrible this week though. Church was cancelled Wednesday night because of that and still some patchy roads. Today and yesterday it was around the low 40's but windy so we stayed inside. Love you all :)

Well here's the after math. I really wasn't angry when Paul took the picture, I just can't raise my eyebrows because of the gauze. I'm glad Steve didn't take the first picture until I had gotten most of the blood off my face, because it looked a lot worse then! The part that hurts the worst is my ear, so far, I still can't feel much of my face, but Dr. Allen had to dig a rock out of my ear, and I still think I'm getting fragments. I'm incredibly sore, but nothing is broken, as far as I know. And I'm sure I'm going to have a black eye. I remember getting turned around backwards on the innertube and then laying in the road but that's it. And I don't have a concussion! God was definitely looking out for me today! I really could have been seriously injured, and I'm just a little banged up! I had my legs linked through Paul's arms on the innertube in front of me and he got thrown too, but he's alright! I've never been so disoriented and dizzy in my life, to the point where I couldn't stand up. When Dr. Allen was wrapping my face I told him no matter what Paul said he couldn't cover up my mouth! Not that it matters because it hurts to talk. I'm just going to walk around the house like a mummy now. I should be able to take the wrap off by tomorrow and I'll post more pics because it should look more gross then!

Vonda, you and David and family are in our prayers. Tell him we said hello and are thinking of you guys often.

All our love,

Paul and Addy

Addy sure hope you didn't break anything , that looks bad.

David's flowers

Bobbie your bible verses really fit me this morning, I can always count on you all to cheer me up , and I know you all are praying for me.It's at a time like this I wanted to call mommy, I did want to so bad.just to talk to her , she always knew just what to say. But then I know i have God to talk to and you all , and believe me I do. I know it's all in his hands, and he will work things out , his way.

David likes the food , so that is a plus , and he is still staying positive, He knows he has a long way to go. so continue to up hold us before God. That he will get the glory and praise. Love you all .Here is a picture of the flowers you all sent they were beautiful, and David said thanks , and yes , Rita I told him what you said and he laughed and said did she really say that and I told him you did!!!!!!!

IMG00183-20110115-1433.jpg

Addy had a sleigh riding accident up at the house! She is OK. Going to Doc to get checked out though.
Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Vonda and family,
I don't hear so well on the phone, so I will talk to you here. Someone said I reminded them of Momma. In this respect I agree! Ask my sons! Stop grumbling and speak up!
I watched the most magnificent, beautiful sunrise this morning. As it came up and began to warm my face, I was reading in Psalms and thinking about you and this is what I found for you.
18:6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before him, into His ears.
18:16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me. . .
18:17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy. . .
18:18 They confronted me. . . but the Lord was my support.
18:19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
18:28 You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

And then I ran upon His scripture about the sun
19:4 In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. . .
19:6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. And nothing is hidden from Jesus either! I pray He warms you with His love in some special way today. Just because He loves you. Remember! He hears you, He delights in you, and He turns your darkness into light! When you feel the warmth of the sun today, know we are praying for you and David, and that God is at work. I love you Sis

Thank you all for the beautiful flowers David really liked them, I brought them home tonight ,but am taking them to the nursing home to him tomorrow. I am tired and am going to bed will blog more tomorrow just keep us in your prayers. Love you all.

Update on dad

Hi all,

Mom went up to the hospital a bit ago to see dad. They are moving him to the local nursing home at 7:30. They are supposed to have the best facility and therapy. It is even closer to us than the hospital. It is really cold here today. I finally got my trees down today and all the stuff put away. We miss you all and wish we were closer.

we got some of David's test back , and he has a heart blockage in the front the Dr. said but David doesn't want anything done about it. So his dr. said he doesn't have to at his age , and he couldn't stand it know way . So they are working on getting his bladder infection cleared up , and his bottom of the sores he has. Then working at making him stronger so he can go to rehab , so far he's in a pretty good mode about thing so , just pray that he can make progress ,If you want to send him cards just send them to our house and I'll take them to him , because I don't know how long he'll be at this place before they move him.so just keep us in your prayers, and I'll keep you posted .love you all.

Vonda, any test results yet? You'll have to get us a picture of Becca in her nurse get up! We have beautiful sunshine here today and I'm praying that God is working in your behalf. I pray your energy is being restored. When I don't know God's plans for me I like to remember what God told Jeremiah in 29:11(NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He cares no less for you! And He's great at making His plans come together! Don't you just love it when that happens :)

Alone with God

When He was alone the twelve ... asked of Him ...

Mark 4:10

His Solitude with Us. When God gets us alone by affliction,

heartbreak, or temptation, by disappointment, sickness, or by

thwarted affection, by a broken friendship, or by a new fnendship -

when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are dumbfounded, and cannot

ask one question, then He begins to expound. Watch Jesus Christ's

training of the twelve. It was the disciples, not the crowd outside,

who were perplexed. They constantly asked Him questions, and He

constantly expounded things to them; but they only understood after

they had received the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26).

If you are going on with God, the only thing that is clear to you,

and the only thing God intends to be clear, is the way He deals with

your own soul. Your brother's sorrows and perplexities are an

absolute confusion to you. We imagine we understand where the other

person is, until God gives us a dose of the plague of our own hearts.

There are whole tracts of stubbornness and ignorance to be revealed

by the Holy Spirit in each one of us, and it can only be done when

Jesus gets us alone. Are we alone with Him now, or are we taken up

with little fussy notions, fussy comradeships in God's service, fussy

ideas about our bodies? Jesus can expound nothing until we get

through all the noisy questions of the head and are alone with Him.

David and grandkids

David

Did any of you young ladies or guys, leave a pair of purple earmuffs/headband at Grassy church? Judy gave me a pair and said they were left where most of the kids were sitting. I have them if they are yours. I have both stoves going and it took all day to get the kitchen up to 79 degrees. =) Now that is toasty. Feels good to be warm and listen to the wind howl at 12 degrees outside. Hope ya'll are staying warm.
Monica, you asked about the 2 families...one of them was the oldest guy from Mommy's church (89) and Mommy and Daddy were next to him. Pastor Butch made mention at his funeral that Bill Wallace had been at his church alot this past year, but he said that was a good thing, cause the Saints were just "Going Home". What an Amen that got!!!
The other family was a guy Blain use to work with. His mother passed away.

The Thankful Heart

If one should give me a dish of sand and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes and search for them with my clumsy fingers and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it and now would it draw to itself the almost invisible particles by the mere power of attraction.

The unthankful heart, like my fingers in the sand, discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every hour, some heavenly blessings. Only the iron in God's sand is gold!
--Henry Ward Beecher

I am only about 5 min. away from the hospital, and yes I go by myself and , yes we got snow and the roads are bad , but they are working at clearing them now , and the kids were mad they didn't get a snow day, So when I find out any more I'll let you all know and keep praying that God will work it out . Love you all .

Vonda, how far are you from the hospital. Are you getting any of our snow up there. Are you driving yourself everyday? Be careful. Praying for you all. Love Bobbie

Up date on David , They are still running test ,on his heart and arteries and such , so when I know something I'll post it. if any one wants to call me at the hospital call my cell ph.1-313-719-1880, if you want.I usually stay there most of the day or call me after 8 in the evening.just keep us in your prayers love you all.

Addy, Vonda and family, we will be praying for you :) Rita, who are the two families you mentioned? Are they friends of the family? I don't recall ever hearing their names so I am just curious. Doesn't mean I won't pray for them as well :) Again, I would like to thank everyone for posting links for the Bible reading guide. I checked them out but they wanted to send an email everyday to let you know what to read for that day. I check my email most days but not always so I was afraid I would get backed up on emails. It came to my mind this evening that it wasn't an email I had saved but a piece of paper torn out of "The Messenger". That's a little magazine we get at out church monthly or quarterly from our conference I believe. Anyway, I went to searching for it and found it! Here is the link:

cem.iphc.org/brg.html

When this page comes up the reading guide should be the first thing you see. You are able to print it out. It is two pages, print on front and back of the same piece of paper. Then you fold it between the columns and it's about the size of a nice book mark.

We had maybe an inch of snow last night. It was pretty watching it fall but today when I got up to go over to moms just about all the roads were clear. It's starting to do a little something again so we'll see what tonight holds. I expect to be seeing some wintery wonderland pics from everyone else lol. Love to all :)

Yeah it actually was during February so I guess you could call it a Valentine!  They were in their early to mid 60's.  Me and Danny were dating, we have a picture of us in the same pose! LOL   Its starting to ice here right now and of course they call school out 1 hour early so they are going to be right in the middle of it!

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no

one can fathom.

Psalm 145:3

I just came home for some lunch, so the up date on David is they are going to get the wound to heal then work with him to get him back on his feet , and after he is released from the hospital , go to a P T rehab, to get him going so keep us in your prayers that All goes well and that this will work for him. Love you All . and Trish the picture of Mom and Dad is beautiful I love it.So Happy Looking.Will Post more as I know it.

Love the new picture Trish, They look so happy together! Was this a Valentine photo?
Vonda, know that we're praying for you both today.

How's The Weather

January 11, 2011

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT

Anonymous The Register-Herald Tue Jan 11, 2011, 06:18 AM EST

RALEIGH-FAYETTE-NICHOLAS-WEBSTER-UPSHUR-BARBOUR-POCAHONTAS- RANDOLPH- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BECKLEY...OAK HILL...FAYETTEVILLE... MONTGOMERY...SUMMERSVILLE...RICHWOOD...CRAIGSVILLE...COWEN... BUCKHANNON...PHILIPPI...BELINGTON...MARLINTON...ELKINS 549 AM EST TUE JAN 11 2011  WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 AM EST THURSDAY A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 AM EST THURSDAY. * PRECIPITATION TYPE: SNOW. FREEZING DRIZZLE ALSO POSSIBLE THIS    MORNING. * ACCUMULATIONS: 6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY UP TO 12 INCHES FOR   NORTHWEST FACING SLOPES AT HIGHEST ELEVATIONS. * TIMING: PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE THIS MORNING. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS   MAINLY LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT. * IMPACTS: SNOW WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW WILL MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS. LIGHT ICING FROM FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL ALSO ENHANCE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS... DRIVE AT SLOWER SPEEDS...AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION SAFELY.  Rita

Dad

Hey all,

I just got back from the hospital and they are admitting dad for a UTI. He will be on the 4rth floor where Dwayne's daughter Becca is the nurse. She was waiting to do his paperwork. Mom seemed at peace with everything. Please continue to pray for her that the right decisions will be made for the both of them. Love you all and you can text me anytime if you need me.

Trish, I love the new look of the Blog. So much to pray about. Remember the Holiday and Shortridge Families.

david thomas

I talked to Vonda at the hospital and she said that David has progressively become disoriented.  He will be with it one minute and out of it the next.  This is making it increasingly hard for her to help him because he can't help himself or her.  She pulled her back and can't help him at all now so something had to be done.  She called the doctor this morning to have him admitted to "therapy"  but of course we know how that works.  You have to have a hospital stay in order to get it.  So the doctor told her to call 911 and they would admit him through the ER and find out what is going on with his mental status and then go ahead and admit him to a facility that can get him back on his feet...hopefully.  Maybe Vonda can get a little rest while he is there.

I have a prayer request. Last week at school one of my students, Bryce, told another teacher and some students he was going to bring a gun to school and shoot me/stab me...so he won't be back anymore. We've had meetings with his mom and stepdad to no avail. I can tell you he doesn't come from a very good living situation. I think he is in need of a lot of attention and nurturing. The whole situation has been a total disaster since Thursday, and today when his mom picked him up she informed my principal that she is sending him to a long-term institution instead of alternative school, I believe. He was in alternative before, and his mom has called the cops several times this year because he has become violent with her. He has other siblings and they are all in different places. I still don't understand how 2 parents could be afraid of a 13-year old. He is very troubled and heavy on my heart. I don't know if there is anything else I could have done for him but when he didn't get what he wanted he would throw a fit, curse at me, yell, told me I was a terrible teacher, and that I ran my mouth too much, and on and on...I was trying to give him what I thought he needed, a little discipline in his life. Just keep him and his family in your prayers for me.

Ruth called me and said that Shawn had called her and wanted her to post (she's at home and can't) that they have taken David to the hospital. Not sure exactly what is going on, but he said something about him being "in and out of it". Ya'll pray for him and Shawn, keep us posted as soon as you know something.

Vonda, I clicked to read the blog and as I looked at which song it was that you posted, I realized that it was the song I was listening to right then!

Marleigh didn't try any of the soup. I was afraid with the spices in the tomatoes and the onion I put in it it might be a little to spicy for her :0 I made a pan of cornbread yesterday when mom and dad came over and it was much better with that I believe. The first day Mark and I ate it I used slice french bread and dipped in it. It was good but I like the cornbread better lol. Thanks for all the links and tips for the Bible reading guide :)

David Crowder Band - O Praise Him

I've been reading a book called Praise Habit by David Crowder (some of you might know of him...he sings awesome praise music. love him!). It is just a book completely about praise, but not just the musical way of praise. Vonda's posts about Psalms made me want to post about it because it goes through several different Psalms, looking at how the author felt and was praising at the time. I love it so far...very interesting and he's a super funny writer. Anyways, here is one of my favorite parts so far. It is from the intro. David Crowder has just recognized God through an experience with his Chic-Fil-A sandwich...

"If He was in a sandwich, where else could He be found? Every moment was becoming holy. Nothing was nonspiritual. This was habitual praise--a perpetually sacred acknowledgment of the Giver of every good thing. A relentless embracing of good and a discarding of bad with an awareness of the one who in the beginning spoke those life-affirming words."

‎"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze." - Psalms 18:32-34

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum

of them!

Psalm 139:17

Food For Thought

Psalm 133:1  Behold, How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

I have a friend who raises and works with horses. She once explained how a group of thoroughbred horses confronts an enemy. They stand in a circle, facing each other and, with their back legs, kick out at the enemy.  Donkeys do just the opposite, facing the enemy and kicking each other. Enough said. 
Rita

Monica, I'm with you on this one. That sounds like a lot of water. I like my soup thick. And that sure was nice of Marleigh to invite you for soup. How did she like it? We had a good service yesterday too. DeAnna has been going with me. It was canceled Sat night and Sun morning due to the weather. One of Mommy and Daddy's friends from church (Albert Shortridge) went to Heaven and his wake and funeral are at the church tonight and tomorrow. He was 89. His daughter, Jean, is married to Robbie Midkiff. Also, Bill Holliday's mother (from Smoot) passed away. Blain use to work with Bill, so we will be going to both viewings tonight. Kaiden and I are "doing chores" today. He wants me to go downstairs and clean so he can play! Joe, Michelle and girls, I hope these few days are all you expect them to be. Soak it up!!

Monica, I put 56 oz. (7 cups) of water in my soup and I thought it could have used more. I guess it must just depend on personal preference.

Good evening,
We've had a good day in the Lord today. Someone there today said that "Prayer is not the grasping of God's reluctance, but the laying hold of God's willingness." Did I say that right Monica? It sounds like praying His Word back to Him, doesn't it? After church today Marleigh invited us to her house for Stuff pepper soup and cornbread! It was good too! She is coming tomorrow to stay all week with us. We are going to practice walking. And walking some more! That is our agenda.
Trish, how is it going with you?
When you pray remember a Treva Smith. She teaches in the classroom beside me. She has been healed of cancer before and we are believing that God will do it again!

Monica~ Here is another one and you can choose your reading plan and your version preference and have it delivered to your email daily. The link is as follows: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/ You can also choose your language!

Monica,
If you follow the link below:
http://www.kjvbibles.com
you will be able to then click on the date and read the Bible verses for that day in the King James Version. I believe you may even be able to turn on your speakers and listen to someone else read them. There are other versions of the Bible there as well I believe. Hope everyone is doing well. We have not heard from Michelle and Joe but that is because of activities they had planned while Joe is home.

Love you all.

More Food For Thought

Burdens may be what keeps us going

BECKLEY — Editor's Note: This column by the late Bev Davis originally was published in April 2002. Davis passed away Aug. 1, 2010, of a sudden illness. The Register-Herald will continue to publish her previous columns. 

 

 The older I get, the more I complain. Little things I used to overlook seem to become mountains.  Routine activities become burdens.  Maybe I was due for a little story I heard this weekend. 

  An old grandfather clock had stood through three generations in the parlor of a quaint country home.  A great-great-grandson who inherited the property was looking at the clock one day. Amazed that it had never missed a minute, he wondered how the aging timepiece could function so well with the heavy weight attached to a chain in the center.  Hoping to remove a burden from the cherished heirloom, the boy removed the weight.  The clock stopped.  "Why did you remove my weight?" the clock asked.  "To relieve you of your burden," he answered.  "Put it back, please. It's the very thing that keeps me going," the clock replied.  Well, there you have it. Burdens are the very things that give our lives meaning and purpose.

Rita

Food For Thought

A teacher was asked a question by one of his students who had come across Deuteronomy 6:6 that says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." The student asked, "Why does it say to put God's commandments upon our hearts instead of in our hearts?" The wise teacher responded, "It is not within man's power to deposit truth directly into his heart. All we can do is place truth on the surface of the heart so that when the heart breaks, it will fall in."  

Rita

I made the Stuffed Pepper soup this evening and it was good :) I put the 6 cups of water in and it seemed like I had so much liquid/soup compared to the meaty part of the soup. I think next time I make it I may leave out a cup or two of water or add 1 more cup of rice to it. Ruth and the others that are fasting, that is a great thing you are doing. I don't know if I will join you in the fast but I will join you in prayer. Does anyone have a link, from their church maybe, that has a yearly Bible reading guide on it that I can print out? I used to have a link from our church conference that had one on there but now I can't find it. I wonder if we will wake up to any snow in the morning? It flurried a little today but that was all. Michelle, hope you, Joe and the girls are soaking in all the fun, love and excitement you can :)

Ruth
I'll take that challenge as well.

Janet, it was not for Fayette Co. it was for a job with Brake Supply Co. in the industrial park where Matthew works. He is still praying about it so please continue to pray also. Thanks

Bobbie, I am not going to dictate the type of fast one should go on, because for health reasons, some people might not can go on the same one. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. I am not quite sure what one I will do. According to Jentzen Franklin, there are three Biblical fasts: an absolute fast, a normal fast and a Daniel fast. In his book, he cautions one about an absolute fast, since you can neither eat nor drink, and that would not be healthy for some people who have other health challenges. The Daniel fast is the longest, but it does allow one to eat certain foods and to drink water. Let me know what the Holy Spirit directs you to do.

I will! I'll take that challenge! Is this the Jenson fast? A total fast? For how long?

I feel compelled to go on a fast specifically for our unsaved family members, and I will probably begin it on January 11. (I can't pass up a New Year's dinner on Sunday at Mel and Ina's. They postponed it for us so we could go to West Virginia on New Year's Day. And, it is always sooooo good!). A fast is stronger spiritual warfare than just prayer. And some battles can only be won with prayer AND fasting. (However, I do not know what battles require the fasting also, so the way I figure it, why not fight with both guns blazing!) Anyone want to join me? The way I see it, the more warriors we have, the more likely we are to be victorious. (Fasting without prayer is only a diet, but weight loss seems to be a nice side effect of prayer and fasting, and after all that wonderful food over the holidays, who DOESN'T want to lose a little fat???)

Great Food For Thought.

Food For Thought

From Devotional:

Far too often I seek God's blessings instead of seeking God. I seek His hand instead of His heart. Like a child with a long Christmas list, at times I run to my heavenly Father as if He's a celestial Wal-Mart purposed to satisfy my every want. Instead of leaning in to hear the whispered will of the Lord, I selfishly shout my will - my desires - my demands. I'd rather have relief from life-pressures than gain the strength to endure them and the lessons I'm intended to learn from them. When I'm desperate to fill my over-sized heart-cart with things that I think I need, I rob myself of what really matters: the pursuit of God and the blessings found in Him alone.  God wants your love before your list.
~Rita~

Teresa~  Would Steve's job be night shift?  Is that the one for FCBOE? 

We will just keep praying for Steve's Job , that something will work out.

Emily thanks for asking about Steve, his interview went really well it lasted 1and a half hours. I sat in the car the whole time I didnt think it would last that long or I would have taken a book. He was offered the job right then and there and the benefits are great the pay he said they could discuss if he decides to take the job, but the hours are horrible 5pm-3:30am. We would never get to see each other because if I get a job I was hoping I could get one with the school system as an aide for the next school year(that was my hopes anyway).

Last night I dreamed Grandma and Grandpa came from Heaven for a visit with us...to come to our New Year's get together. They looked so good! They looked as I remembered them...because they pretty much only looked that way as long as I've been around I guess...though Grandpa did have his cane. They were getting around really good and laughing and talking and hugging...it was nice. I almost asked Grandpa what Heaven was like but decided not to for some reason...I wish I had! I'm curious about what dream Grandpa would have said. =) Then after a while, they both stepped in through a closet door...apparently that's how you get back to Heaven, lol. Nice dream. =)

Teresa, how did Steve's job stuff go?

Janet, sorry about no baby. =( At least Matt is maybe prepared for another now? lol.

Michelle, Joe and girls...if you happen to look at the blog, hope ya'll are having a great time all together!

I have not seen the movie Simon Birch, but I read the book A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving on which it is loosely based, and I really liked it, so I am sure I would like the movie.

Love the golf ball story! You would think the path of no resistance would take it the farthest, but then it would have no character when it got there. And what good would that do anyone!
Janet and Mathew, I was so looking forward to another little one for you guys. Did you ask that Doctor how many times he, himself has been wrong? But God's plan is still best! On a lighter note, Janet this could only happen to you! :) God knows you can handle it! He knows how He made you.
Speaking about God having a plan for us all, has anyone watched the movie Simon Birch yet? You have to see it! Almost forgot my praise! Marleigh went to sleep with a fever of 102.5 last night. I anointed her little head with the sign of the cross in that name above everything else and she awoke this morning just as cool! Good is good ONE MORE time!

Food For Thought

When golf balls were first manufactured, their covers were smooth. Golfers soon discovered that after a ball had been roughed up a bit they were able to get more distance out of it. Manufacturers then began producing golf balls with dimpled covers. Life is a lot like that. It takes some rough spots to make us go our farthest. It takes some storms to teach us that God is faithful. When was the last time you threw a party to celebrate a trial or storm in your life?   

~Rita~

Janet I'm sorry to hear about you not being pregnant but

I'm also relieved that nothing was wrong with you or what you thought was a baby. You and Matthew will just have to try harder(oh what a shame). Love and prayers to all!

IMG00173-20110105-2005.jpg

Teresa Valentine tree!
Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Well~  I appreciate your prayers today.  It has certainly been a roller coaster of emotions.  Turns out, I was not even pregnant.  I assumed that once a doctor told me I was~  that was the green light.  I also had several positive tests.  Who knows?  Well, if nothing else "positive" came out of this, Matthew said that he had gotten used to the idea of having a baby:)  

 

Sounds like we need to add everyone to our prayer list.which is a good idea.Don't you think.

Thought some of you might like this recipe. I sent it to some of you already. I made it and it was delicious.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

1 lb. hamburger
1/2 c. onion, chopped
Beef base to taste (I used 4 tsps.)
2 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes (with garlic, oregano and basil)
2 28 oz. cans water
1 c. Uncle Ben's brown rice (instant rice if you want it to cook in 10 minutes)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large or 2 medium green peppers, chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika

Brown hamburger and onion. Drain grease. Add tomatoes and water. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook approximately 10 minutes or until rice is done. Enjoy!

Julie: Sounds like you are teaching them to back up what they believe by scripture.

Chemo left my bones, legiments and tendons damaged. Now my ankle bones etc. are deteriorating, the legiments/tendons are in permanent sprain at stage 3 out of 4 stages and my shins are in permanent 'shin splint' condition. The braces are forever. I could choose not to wear them but within 2-3 years I would be in a wheel-chair. But the theory is these braces will post pone that for some time.
SS debate? That will be hard to explain, but here goes.
I will write Bible truths on Preteen/Teen issues, Bible truths for salvation and Bible Doctrine VS. the answers the world, eastern religion or humanism give our Youth in schools and colleges . Over a period of 2 months there will be 6 teams made up and divided into Pro and Con teams. They cannot give personal opinions during the debates. It will all have to be based on 'facts' and Biblical truths. At the end of each debate, they will decide what they believe based on information given...as well as... some other material I will collect and give to them. This way they will not be given lectures only on basic beliefs...nor will they be left to just go with what is being taught at school, sex education, college...or... in my class for that matter.
Obviously, these will be bare bone basics...but it will give them some knowledge as to how to reason out what they believe or don't. The questions they've been asking is what tiggered the idea. I will have one leader who is a college student at UF and another leader who is a young Minister in training. I will be the Moderator over each debate.
Do keep us posted about Janet.
Love to all.
Julie

Julie~What are the braces for and how long will you wear them? How do you write a SS debate? Is it for a Sunday School Class? Janet has a Dr. appt at 1:00. Should know more this afternoon.

Rita, I will pray for Janet and baby.
Trish how are you feeling? How much longer will you be having chemo?
I believe Joe got home today so I don't look for Michelle to blog for awhile. I will not attempt to connect with her so as to leave them to 'soak' up time with him. 14 days will go by quickly, I'm sure.
They will have their Christmas today/tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will go to have braces put on my legs. Pray I can adjust quickly to their clumsiness. Rita, Bobbie, my shoes will not compare to your 'sassy' heels now. Ha! They will be tie-ups and they are U-G-L-Y! Oh, well!
Steve you are in our most earnest prayers as well.
Much love is sent to all of you today.
Well, must hush I have a Preteen/teen Sunday School debate to write today.
Love and Prayers,
Julie

Hey All
I need you all to pray for Janet and the baby. She is having some problems. She called crying and said that, of course, she would always call Grandma at a time like this....

Facebook

Shawn is finally on Facebook but because of his past we had to make a identity that just the family would know. If you get a request from Big Daddy it is him.

Teresa, We will be praying for Steve and his job interview's, That the Lord will lead him to the right one .Thanks Emily for the info on the other blogs, sounds good.Trish, how are you feeling?is the chemo bothering you as much this time as the last? I hope not , and hope it works for you too. We are praying on this end for everyone Love you all.

Hello all!

Since you all seem to have the hang of our blog, I thought I would share some of the other blogs that I read.

The Big Red Pot

This one has a lot of recipes and tons of ways to save money. She shops at Kroger a lot and posts deals and coupons.

The New Frugal Mom

Similar to The Big Red Pot.

This one has a lot of healthy recipe ideas, as does this one.

Two things I want to do this year are eat better and save money...these blogs deal with both! Just click the links and click 'follow' on the blog's page if you want to follow it.

I haven't had a whole lot to do over my break....so I've been reading a lot of blogs, lol.

love ya'll!

Steve is on his way to a job interview in Beckley and he also had a call today for a machinist job in Beckley, he also has to go for classes for the Fayette Co. School job this week. Please pray the he will get a good job with good benefits. He is really tired of the lumber mill job and the conditions are terrible. Pray Please that Gods will be done.

I love the picture of the birds! He swoops in and gets his portion, then flies to the power pole to eat it, where the other birds can't bother him. I think the woodpecker is beautiful!
Hershey will get used to Kaiden coming everyday, and Kaiden having Hershey all to himself!

Teresa~  I love those purses that have the kids and names on them:)  I'll be doing some Christmas shopping with you next year!  If this doesn't work out for you, you can always go back to Mary Kay. 

If anyone has or knows of someone that has a crib, mattress, swing, or bouncy we would like to borrow or buy.  I have mine but it is in my best friends house and her baby is due in Feb. What can I say?  I didn't think we were going ot need it:) 

I must say that my little man looks cute! 

That is so sweet of Kadin and Hershey, looks like he has found himself a buddy. and the picture of the birds is really pretty, and yes, I can see the woodpecker's head .We have sunshine and cold today , Just had to go get my license and tabs renewed, and there was about45 people ahead of me , but it only took an hour and a half. so that wasn't too bad.

 

 

Kaiden has made up with Hershey or maybe it's the other way around. Bobbie~You asked me if the Cardinal still comes...everyday. If you look at the top of this one pic, at the top on the telephone pole, you can see the woodpecker's head. Sometimes, I get all kinds at once. I wish I had Emily's camera! I could get my Christmas Card picture. Kaiden and I are going out running around today. Got some errands to run.

Good one, Rita. Food for thought!

Rita, thanks for the reminder of who is in control, hope you don't mind ,but I put that on face book, so everyone can see it, Spread the word.Amen!!!!!!!

God IS in Control

When God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat

~Rita~

I loved that news story, how awesome!!! Mark is watching football so I'm going to go clean the kitchen and dining area lol :p

Hey everyone, just wanted to let everyone know that I have decided to start selling Thirty-One which sells purses, wallets, totes, etc. I needed something to do with all my spare time and thought I would try my luck at this, I've tried everything else so why not. You can go online to thirtyonegifts.com to review the catalog and call or email me at treadway.teresa@gmail.com. If you would like to have a party to earn free items just contact me.

Happy Birthday Wendy.and hope you have many many more.

Yea, Bobbie Ruth's head is a little hard I think , but she finally gets it Lol ,But then so is mine

You are right, Bobbie, God talks to me in threes. But I think it is just because I am hard headed! Awesome story!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY!

We have beautiful bright sunshine in VA today!
That was a wonderful miracle story! "When the prayers go up, His blessing come down." Isn't it Ruth that the Lord works in 3's as well?

Local Nurse receives Medical Miracle from God, Read how God worked

http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x2131361540/BARH-nurse-recovers-from-brain-aneurysm

This lady works at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital. You may have to copy and paste into your browser, but this is worth the read. It will make your day! Or you can go to registerherald.com and look for the article on the front page

We had a wonderful time this weekend visiting with everyone. We missed those who couldn't be there but we were thinking about you :) Zac, you will definitely need to post more videos of those famous chipmunks lol. That was awesome!! Addy, where were the dogs while you were dancing? I thought I saw Fozzie zonked out on the couch. Paul, we are expecting to see you dancing next! Marleigh had a great time at church last night. She clapped to her little heart's content. At the end of service they sang a few more songs while closing and she was clapping some BIG claps. Then she would rub her eyes. Then clap. Then rub her eyes. She slept all the way back to Janet's then slept till 8 this morning. I think she's glad to be back in her own bed tonight though. When I put her to bed she rolled over and didn't make a peep. That will probably be me here in just a few lol!! Steve and Teresa, thanks again for everything, we love you :) If we don't see you before Easter, I guess we'll see you then. Love to all :)

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

David & Julie-Yes, today was the day so I guess that puts me & your daughter-in-law a day apart.

Rita-Someone said that their was some dirt found somewhere a little while after you was born and no "new" dirt has been reported being found since. Sooooooooo, I guess that makes you "older than dirt"! LOL

Steve-We will take a collection to buy Elliott some tires before his next attempt to the top. Lol

Matt & Janet-Congrats again!!

Emily-It is between you & Kim for the next little one.

Addy & Paul-3rd time is a charm. Although, if I manage to find someone who is giving a tractor or 4-wheeler away, I will make sure that it is on the next truck/trailer to WV. Lol

I grew up watching "Alvin & the Chipmunks". I don't remember the episode where they added 39 more! LOL Good job Zac!!!

Everyone else who was not mentioned in the above, you are a great support cast and none of this weekend could've happened without you. With that said, Lord willing we will see you at the next "chipmunk" gathering.

Clara in the snow from a couple weeks ago

Good Evening Everyone
We have had a wonderful day of worship in the house of the Lord! Our pastor was much better(he'd been sick) and his message today could not have been any better than it was. His new year's resolution is to take us all into the presence of the Lord with him. A place no one else can go for you. You must go for yourself. It was great! And so true!
Amy I hear you are returning to work tomorrow!(Like growing babies and teaching them to walk and talk is not work!!!!!!)Dah :) We wish you well and I just wanted to tell you that you will forever be the pumpkin roll story lady in my mind! And when I think of how you pulled that story together for us to remember, I know you will be a force to be reckoned with as a lawyer or judge or where ever the Lord takes you. And you were so right! It was good but it was different!
Steve and Teresa, we add our thanks as well for the beautiful, festive home to have our gathering in! I heard lots of complimentary words of praise in your honor! Thanks again
I think Easter comes at the end of April this year. Maybe it will be warm and we can do something outside!

Happy Birthday Mark! If today is the day, then you and Wendy (our daughter-in-law) nearly share one. Hers is tomorrow. Thank you for posting those videos. They were terrific. We laughed at the chipmunks. Stroke of genius to put it on at that speed. Trish was that your idea? When Devin and Kiera come over tomorrow we let them watch it and they will crack up I am sure. Daddy would have been proud of the song 'Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem", he loved that one so much. Congratulations Janet and Matt. But you both are spoiling Rita by giving her those beautiful grandchildren. I hope you realize that!
Glad that everyone was able to get together. Yes, Vonda, Daniel and I missed being there but Trish your Blogsite makes it possible for us all to be a part of the gatherings no matter how many miles separate us.
Love you

Happy Birthday Mark.

Happy, Happy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARK!!! Are you older than dirt????

I had a great time yesterday and enjoyed the food and fellowship. This is what it is all about. This is why we moved back, it was worth the sacrifice. We love and enjoy being with family.

Rita, I didnt mind the moving of furniture or anything, things like that are no big deal. Hope everyone that was traveling made it back safely.

I wish everyone could have been here to enjoy the day with us. We miss you all!!!

Wow, Wow, It looks like you all had a wonderful time , just wish I could have been there to join you all,Those videos were the bomb.lol especially the 12 days of Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!! All you needed was your costumes of the chipmunks, that was great one to remember.And all the pictures were beautiful too. Congrats Rita on being a Nana Again, And Congrats to Janet and Matt. What does Olivia and Kadin think about that?And Marliegh looked like she was having a ball.So glad you all had a good time at church.I think you All did Mom and Dad very proud, I am sure they were watching, and wondering if those people were kin to them lol.Just wish I could have joined in on the celebration.Love you all.

Well, I see you all were up late last night. But we are up early this morning. ruth got up before 6. Church was really good last night. You should'a been there. We had a really good time yesterday. Teresa and Steve, Thank you for opening your home to the whole bunch of us and letting us take over. LOL...You know, moving the furniture and all...! I think we have some hidden talent in our family, especially that Partridge in a Pear Tree and those 5 Golden Rings...And maybe those 3 French Hens.
Oh, And did I tell you that we're going to be Nana and Papaw again!! When I said we were getting a new addition to the family (meaning the dog) I just didn't realize what I was saying, did I? I wonder who will be next year.
You guys should have seen Marleigh in church. I believe she is practicing to be a Worship leader! She is so animated.
Thanks Zac, for the videos. Everybody has a gift and I think that is yours.