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.

I can't believe it's Friday. I've had a good week overall. When Mike left Sunday I was afraid It would be long but I was able to relax, spend some good time with friends and family and get some projects at least started. He'll be home at midnight and Kerri and I will be at Picnic with the Pops earlier in the evening. It's also been another week that reminds me we really don't know what each day will bring. Uncertain times for family but lots of prayer will sustain us all. I really want to be there for all my family. I love them so much. Well, it's a a beautiful day, lots to be thankful for. Today I want to live expecting - expecting good things for those I love, expecting to see God's hand and expecting His faithfulness that has always been there for us.

Mike left yesterday for a week at the Vegas Furniture Market. I hate it when he is gone that long. Oh well.... you would think I would be o.k. with it after all these years. I had a really good day with Kerri, the boys and Jen yesterday. I even had dinner with Eric. I think I will take advantage of this week and finally work on my scrap book from our first family beach trip, almost a year ago. We will be heading that direction in just a few weeks so I thought it might be nice to have last year's book done. The boys should be bouncing off the walls when I see them next. They are going to a Maurice Sendak Exhibit of some of his books; Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen. It includes costumes and role-playing. What a great time they will have. DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA KERRI!!!!

I Do Believe

So many questions, discussions, arguments, politics, religions. I have realized lately I am a VERY simple person. For me, it works. And yes, I find songs that say it for me because like I said, I'm simple and not very clever. So below is someone's words that speak to me, just thought I would share:

Some say faith is just believing
Others say it's self-deceiving
Inventing childish dreams to get us through
But deep inside me there's a yearning
For true wisdom not just learning
I'd trade all my clever questions for one answer that is true

Lord you know I need some answers
Questions eat at me like cancer
Make me once again a simple child
Help me take the risk of losing
Lose it all to find in choosing
To believe You are the answer earth and heaven reconciled

I do believe
You are the One
The home I've longed to find
My only hope
God's only Son
I do believe
I touch I see
That all along you've longed to be
My Lord my God.

We attended Eric's sister's wedding yesterday. What a breathtakingly beautiful bride!! Riley was so grown up and did a wonderful job with his "job". He escorted his little 2yr. old bride down the aisle and looked so handsome doing it. Then there was Trey in his "shorts" that hit him about mid-calf because his legs are so short. By the time he arrived at the reception his shoes had been disposed of and he was flirting with all the bridesmaids and dancing on the dance floor before the music actually began. He is definitely a ladies man. I realized that between the Stetler's and the Pressley's there is only one more to marry off - Pup. I'm not sure that will happen before Riley gets married!!
My husband is really tired from a lot of traveling. So right now he is spending Sunday in his chair eating eggs, bacon and sliced tomatoes and watching the British Open.

Well I've learned lately that we must be flexible. We had to postpone Mom's b-day dinner because Riley was sick. We were a little concerned because of his symptoms but fortunately he has just picked up a virus. The little guy was having some serious headaches and we were glad to hear that it wasn't anything worse. We will shoot for dinner next Monday night. We really want to have everybody there if possible since it's such a milestone for Mom. Hopefully we will be able to pull it off.

Another good day. A good worship service, we found a really good chinese restaurant, some office work(lots of Value City orders - a very good thing) made dinner for Mikey and his girlfriend, we went putt-putting and wrapped up the evening at the Dairy Queen. (Not a healthy choice as Riley would say!!) Think I'll go to bed I've got a busy day getting ready for Mom's B-day party. Another week already. The summer is going entirely too fast!!

A really good day. I spent the morning with Kerri, Jen, Riley, Trey and Micah. A visit from the mouse who stars in "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie". Pizza for lunch. Home where I helped my husband with some office work, made some dinner, listened to some good gospel music, took a walk, all in all a good day. I'm looking forward to the sabbath. I'm planning an 80th birthday dinner for my mom Monday. Simple pleasures, they're definitely the best. Good-night

I love these words:

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid
I know my name is clear before my Father
I am His child, and I am not afraid
So greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother
The law of love I gladly will obey

I then shall live as one wh0's learned compassion
I've been so loved that I'll risk loving, too
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges
I dare to see another's point of view
And when relationships demand commitment
Then I'll be there to care and follow through

Your kingdom come around and through and in me
Your pow'r and glory, let them shine through me
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor
And may Your living Kingdom come in me
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor
And may You feed a hungry world through me
Amen

I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
even when I don't see, I still believe

I haven't been feeling well the past week. Not sure what is wrong just not feeling 100%. I can't believe June is almost over. Seems like I say that every summer some things just don't change like how fast time flies. Today is my husbands birthday. He is such a fantastic guy. I am truly blessed to be able to share my life with him. Spaghetti dinner and cheesecake tomorrow night, two of his favorites. Steaks on the grill tonight with just the two of us. Happy Birthday Mike!!! He is counting the days for Red White and Boom. He just LOVES it!! Ha!! But he'll be there with bells on that's just the kind of guy he is. Of course the price we pay is listening to him complain the entire evening. Actually that started about May. He's such a twit!! Come by and visit us. We will be in our normal place right by the City Center in the grassy valley. It's a great spot. Well enough rambling. Have a great 4th.

Today was our wedding anniversary. I am married to the best guy in the world even though he did plan a golf trip during our anniversary. That's o.k., he sent me a dozen roses and he's still the best guy in the world. He'll be home late tomorrow night. I'm glad. I miss him. I always miss him when he is gone. Not bad for 31 years - to be able to say I still miss him. I'm really blessed.

Mike and Mikey left before dawn for their long-awaited golf trip celebration. This is a special trip to celebrate. Some people might wonder what we have to celebrate. I've learned to celebrate each day. The past has taught us so much and we are different people today due to choices that have been made but primarily due to God's faithfulness. I told Mikey yesterday how proud I am of him. He has paid and is still paying for his choices but he has allowed these experiences to make him a better person. I hope these next few days are full of memories they will never forget. They are playing my favorite golf course even as I am writing this and I'm sure Mike and Gerald have figured out a way to get some strokes from Mikey and Jeff. Then they will head to Pinehurst. I'm sure good times will be had by all. I imagine Mike is having a great Father's Day - playing Old Beau with his son. Who could ask for anything more!!