Are You Someone's Simon?

"A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the Father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross." Mark 15:21

Like Simon, you may see yourself as an innocent passerby being forced into service - helping an aunt recover from a stroke - assisting a neighbor who just got out of the hospital - lending a hand to a co-worker who recently was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

And like Simon, the task may take you unaware, your plans may be interrupted, and you may feel put-upon. But as you carry the burden of a hurting friend or family member, you may discover that your attitude will change - especially when you see that smile of relief and gratitude. You'll discover the privilege of being someone's Simon.

May this be your prayer today:

What a privilege it was for Simon to carry Your cross, Lord. In a way, I have the same privilege as I bear the burdens and carry the hurts of Your body, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let me be a Simon to someone today.

Chestnuts Roasting...

on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose...

that's us in Skiatook, OK. It's now cold enough to have a fire in the fireplace. When we moved into this house 2 years ago the fireplace had been turned into a gas log fireplace. We kept it this way for 2 years. We love a real fire in a real fireplace (smoke and all)! Now that natural gas prices have gone up, Warren finally converted the fireplace back to burning real wood. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...we love it and it keeps the front room so toasty, cozy!

Wait a minute...I guess it is not really so cold here after all... our son Todd told us today that this is Cedar Rapid, Iowa's last warm day of the season. It got into the mid-40's today. Then for the next 2 or 3 days, the high will be below freezing. They probably won't see it above 40 till March. They could get 5 inches of snow this weekend.

And we are going there for Christmas...we need our long john's for sure!

The Twins are Seven!

On Sunday, November 18, the twins, Riley Kate and Tanner Roy S. turned 7 years old.

It really does seem just like yesterday that their mother was going to the hospital to have them!

Click HERE to enjoy their Birthday PhotoShow.

Back in Town

This will be short and sweet! Have lots of pics and photoshows to create and share as time allows. Holiday times are always busy and fun. We were out of town for 6 days during Thanksgiving time so I am behind on housework, laundry, Bible study, grocery shopping, etc, etc, etc!

CaringBridge...

Amy B has created a CaringBridge website to keep family and friends up to date on Camden. CaringBridge is a nonprofit organization that helps friends and families stay connected.

You can visit Camden's CaringBridge site at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/camdenmatthew

Please visit this site anytime to check in on Camden, read the journal entries and send messages by signing the guestbook. Be sure to save this URL in your favorites so you will have quick access to any updates.

Camden Update

Many of you are asking me about our grandson, Cam, so I thought I would send out an update.

At 2 1/2 months old he is a big baby boy! Amy tells me he is not as laid back as her last 2 children. He has his happy, awake times and his fussy, awake times!

His surgery for his craniosynostosis is scheduled for January 15, 2008.

Also, he has a doctor appointment with a urologist on December 6, 2007 for a hydrocele. (A hydrocele is a collection of fluid inside the area of the scrotum, surrounding the testicle. Hydroceles are common in newborn infants and normally resolve after a few months after birth). Camden continues to show symptoms of the hydrocele so he needs futher examination to rule out an inquinal hernia. Camden's brother, Grant, had 2 operation for this same problem.

Thank you for asking about him. We do covet your continued prayers for him and the family.

Psalm 139:13-15
For You formed Camden's inward parts;
You wove Camden in his mother's womb.
We will give thanks to You, for Camden is fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
Camden's frame was not hidden from You,
When he was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth...

Psalm 138:8
The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting...

Grandparent Bragging Post...

Here she is our first grandchild, Katelin B with her Cello.
She is quite the musician!

Last year in 6th grade she was awarded Outstanding 6th Grade Orchestra Student of 2006-2007.

Last weekend in All District, she was awarded First Chair in Cello. I am not sure what all that means but I do understand that it is a BIG deal!

She definitely has an ear for music. We are so proud of her.

Way to go KB! Click HERE to view more pics of KB and her cello.

Among the Giants...

...the RV Giant's that is!
Well, once again I have held off publishing this post. I wanted to upload a picture but have not been successfull over the last few days and since time marches on I will go ahead and post it.

W and I are members of an RV Camping Club. We go on weekend camping trips each month if we are able. Since March we have made 5 of the 9 scheduled campouts. This RV group are Christians with the same values we have. W and I are probably the youngest couple there! Most of the campers are in their 70's & 80's. We have a ball with them and always feel so encouraged and loved on when we are there. We have a church service and prayer time on Sunday mornings before heading back home. W. has been asked to lead on several occasions. It is such a special time.

Since I could not post pictures of our last campout of the season, you can click HERE to go to my photoshow of this weekend.

I hope you find yourself resting in the Lord today.

Take a SHARK Break

This is really cool! My brother in law sent it to me. Thanks R.M.!

Just click on http://www.sharkbreak.com/

A few instructions: Move your cursor around and the shark will follow it.
Change the scene by clicking on the different scenes at the top.
Change the Shark to an Orca by clicking on it.

Have a good and godly day!

The Narrow Way...

Leads to Life...

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate;

For the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction,

And there are many who enter through it.

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life,

And there are few who find it.

Take a Look at...

what I call my "Multipurpose Room"

just 49 days before Christmas!

Sewing and Embroidery Center

Ironing and Nap Center

Layout, Cutting, Planning, Storage Center

The Brain Center

As you see in these photos there is a whole lot going on in this room especailly when I am motivated and pushed for time to finish projects and start new ones.

I luv this room. It is ALL mine! Warren comes in only when he is summoned! Not really! But you do not often find him in here just hanging around. He does office in the bedroom right down the hall from this room. So we can call out back and forth to each other when needed!

God is Good!

Making a Special Memory...

but NOT the one you had planned!
Has this ever happened to you.?

Warren wanted to take me on a last boat ride for the season to see the fall leaves on Skiatook Lake. It was to be a wonderful, relaxing, warm afternoon for the two of us.
All was going as planned until:

We put the boat in the lake.

It would not start.

The boat battery was dead!

Now before you scold, W. had charged the boat battery all night and even tested it before we left home. Of course it worked great then.

W. had a backup plan (that had worked before): take the car battery out of our Expedition --take it to our boat that was already in the water and use it to help charge our boat battery. So all looked good to continue making a special memory. Right?? Maybe Not!

Using our car battery, W. did get the boat started and the battery did recharge. YEAH! Our boat ride was just moments away -- BUT Warren informed me that we now had a new problem:

After removing the car battery, he closed the car hood and door...leaving the only set of car keys we had with us locked inside the car. No problem, since we have a push button code on the door that will unlock it...EXCEPT when it does not have a battery in the car!! UGH....BIG time UGH!

Warren said he knew it the minute he closed the hood but it was too late! I did feel his pain and was glad it was not me this time!

The good news is that we just changed our car insurance to get a lower rate with AAA and also bought AAA car assistance. So Warren was able to call them (Thank you Lord for cell phones) and they came out in an hour to get our car unlocked.

So we were able to ride around Skiatook Lake after all for about an hour before AAA arrived. We were still on the lake at 6:30 pm in the dark (thanks to Daylight Savings Time) and the last ones at this dock to get their boat out of the water! A first for us!

We plan on NOT making these kinds of mistakes again. Always good to learn from one's mistakes! Even though this memory turned out different than we had planned, at least we were together, and God did give us a beautiful sunset to end the day!

Click here on sunset if you want to view a few more pics of our Memorable Boat Ride.

Happy Days are Here Again!

Click on song to hear the beat of my heart!

Hubby is home!

YEAH, (FLIP), YEAH, (FLIP, FLIP) YEAH!!!

Home Alone...and BORED!

(bor'dem) n. the condition of being bored or uninterested, tiresome, dull; ennui*

One more day and my hubby will be home. YEAH! (FLIP!) YEAH! He has been on a business trip for 6 days now. We have not been apart for this long of a time in quite awhile. The fact that he works from the home makes me miss him more! Now, don't get me wrong, I do not mind a few days of business travel, but a week is just tooooooo looooooong!

It has been good to have available all this time for myself to do some sewing, start projects, finish old projects, cleaning (did I say cleaning!), computer work, Bible Study, reading, cooking, exercising, etc., etc, etc!

BUT the fact is it seems:

when hubby is not here I am not motivated & just get bored!

I waste more time than getting anything done.

I have a list in my mind what I want & should do for each day but...

the day slips by too quickly & I have not accomplished much of anything!

I go to bed too late & need to take afternoon naps.

I have no reason to put on makeup or do my hair...

I have no reason to dress up for that matter!!

lunch time is here before I know it!

I snack or eat premade meals!

I have the "Scarlett O'Hara" syndrome (from Gone With the Wind) : "I'll think about that tomorrow!"

Does ANYONE relate???

As you can see (in my bordem) I have redesigned this blog page, well actually, I just chose another template from the blog list! I am not that computer savvy!!! I also wanted to post the above pic sometime on this blog so now is as good of a time as any. I just think it is so funny!

Well "tomorrow" is finally here for today I am on a mission! Hubby will be home tomorrow after lunch. YEAH! (FLIP!) YEAH! And I WILL get everything done for his arrival. I am motivated and will see it through!

It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there's no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (The Message)

*I have learned a new word in my bordem: ennui (aun'wee, Fr) n. weariness and dissatisfaction resulting from inactivity or lack of interest; boredom. HELP me, Lord!

Escaping Holiday Stress

This devotion has been adapted (by me) from Girlfriends in God .
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. " Philippians 4:12-13

As the holidays approach, stores exhibit displays of Thanksgiving and Christmas at the same time! Do you find yourself thinking about the "stuff" of the holidays, instead of giving thanks and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Take charge of your focus this holiday season...and guard against greed.

What happens when we live as if He is not enough and He is not all we want? Greed happens! And stress always tags along with greed.

Stress is a deadly disease that can wreak havoc in our lives... especially around the holidays. The frightening reality is that stress seems to run rampant, unchecked and in epidemic proportions through our relationships, our job, our home...every part of who we are. It does not have to be that way. In fact, a stress-riddled existence has never been and will never be part of God's plan for His children. No, but that would be Satan's plan for us because he knows that stress is a powerful tool through which he can work. Stress is his invitation to set up shop in our lives.

Stress management begins in a personal relationship with God. Without Him, we are in eternal trouble. A little girl ended her bedtime prayer with "Dear God, I need you to please take care of mommy, take care of daddy, take care of my sister and my brother and please, please God, take care of yourself because if you don't we're all sunk. Amen!"

May this be your pray during the holidays:

Father, I choose today to celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas instead of being stressed-out and caught up in the "stuff" of the holidays. Please help me to focus on what is important and discard what is not. Give me eyes to see the needs around me...and find a way to meet those needs. Guard my heart against greed and an ungrateful attitude. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Take the time to be alone and plan your holiday attitudes. Just as you plan meals, parties, gift-giving...and every part of the coming holidays, you can plan your attitude. Choose joy! Choose contentment! Choose to focus on God and His goodness to us. Make a list of your blessings...and keep that list with you during the holidays. Refer to it often and set your heart on peace.

Stress happens! But we do not have to allow stress to control us.

Think on the promises of Psalm 23 in relationship with the points below - keys to help you escape from stress.

• Know whose you are
• Recognize your source of strength
• Know when to be still
• Expect some valleys
• Count on Grace

Blessed Holiday Planning!

(P.S. Don't you just love that pic. Thanks SH for emailing it to me!)