Katrina

I'm praying today. May God keep us all in an attitude of prayer for the people living the nightmare brought on by this storm.

A Sunday the way Sunday's are meant to be. A house full of family, water gun fights, basketball, food, swinging on the front porch, a monopoly game, and beautiful paintings by two of the cutest little boys you'll ever see. Just kickin' back and relaxing. Thank you God for the beautiful gift of this day.

We went to the high school football game last night. First of all I can't believe it is time for football again. Then, I continue to see kids I had in pre-school; cheering, graduating, all the things they're not supposed to be old enough to do. Isn't there some way we can make time slow down?!! But I really don't feel that old and for that I am thankful. We had a good time. Saw lots of people I hadn't seen for awhile. Plus, Gahanna won. So begins fall. But our family is still in the summer frame of mind - we still have two weeks at the beach to enjoy.

Just a few days til we leave for the beach. I'm trying to start packing but not making much progress. I am so blessed to be close to my grandchildren. This morning Riley asked me if I would go to the park with him. Gee, let me think about it - YES!! It won't be that long til he won't be asking me to go to the park. So a quick trip to the park took up my morning. I was really sorry to hear that Palmer is back in the hospital. So hard to understand but still resting in the fact that God is in control. Praying for complete healing like my friend last week. Our speaker at church Sunday reminded us that healing is not for healing sake but for the glory of God. May God continue to make Himself known through Palmer's life.

I love the old songs of the church and I appreciate God bringing them to my memory from time to time.
Redeemed and so happy in Jesus no language my rapture can tell.
I know that the light of His presence with me doth continually dwell.

I know I shall see in His beauty, the King in whose law I delight.
Who lovingly guards every footstep and gives me a song in the night.

Redeemed, I'm redeemed.
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am

It's been a good week even with my husband gone. I'm glad he's coming home today though. I took Mom and Dad down to see the boys this morning. Riley wanted them to see his new bike. We had a good time. Dad doesn't complain quite as much about things as he used to. Ha! Guess he's learned it doesn't change anything. I spent Thursday night with Jen and Kerri and Trey after seeing the Wiggles. Dinner and a video. Then Mikey and Deanna let me hang out with them last night. I love my family. Life is good today. One day at a time I always say.

God has really been speaking to me about "practicing His presence". Seems as if I have gone through a time in my life that I haven't done that quite as naturally as I have in the past. A lot of how I have been feeling lately made sense when God tapped me on the shoulder and made me aware of this. He has also gone out of His way in the past 24 hrs. to show me that He is still at work in the lives of people. A long time friend of mine has had physical problems for the past 2 yrs. Long story short; she was in the operating room at the Mayo Clinic already under and ready and the doctor decided for some reason to do one more test to see what he was facing. The kidney blockage that she had arrived with was no longer there. They literally scratched their heads and sent her home. She feels great, no white cells in her blood or urine and there is no stint in her kidney. Go figure!!! I really love the Lord tonight. Just needed to say that. As Riley says, "Dod is dood, yes He is." Prayers go out for my family tonight, especially for Ginger. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Joy comes in the morning. Hugs to all my family.

Another nice week-end. Some good friends were over Friday night and Kerri and the boys spent the night. I always love that. One evening we had an impromptu invitation to our neighbors. They had grilled too much food and we shared a meal with them on their porch. Sometimes things that aren't planned are the best. The exterior of our house has been brightened up with a fresh coat of paint. Vacation is getting closer and I will probably start piling things in the corner to begin packing. Trey has no idea what the beach is but everytime we mention it he claps and puts his hands up in the air. I think he sees the smiles on our faces and figures it must be something good. Mike will be leaving again Sunday for yet another market. I bought the coolest desk lamp with a little fan in it - hopefully it will take care of my hot flashes. I'm just rambling but what that means is life is fairly normal. Yes, normal even boring can be good. We were woken up at 1:30 a.m. by the phone ringing. Scared the #*!^ out of us. Too many of those over the years and you tend to find your stomach in your throat when it happens. Luckily it was a wrong number. Think I'll close now and see if there is anything interesting on e-bay.

We celebrated Riley's birthday tonight. I can't believe he's turning 4. We had such a good time. We played putt-putt and then came back to our house for pizza and birthday cake. He loved his Buzz Lightyear toys and the electric car was a big hit. It was cute watching him take his little brother for a ride. It was a pleasant distraction to have something so fun to do after saying good-bye to Eric, Chan and the kids. That wasn't fun. I'm such a weenie when it comes to good-byes. Our prayers go with them. We're having some friends over tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it, it's been a while since we've seem some of them. Sure hope this hot weather breaks. Looking forward to a good week-end.