Catch Up - - - Warning - - - long post

Well, where to start??? It's been a while since I posted and we have been very busy. I'll start with Thanksgiving. I posted some photos, but didn't get a chance to tell you how much fun we had in Texas. Grandma, the boys and I had a good drive down. It was uneventful and a beautiful day to drive. On Wednesday we went over to Ginger's house and a friend of theirs came over to take photos of Grandma and the kids outside. That all went pretty well, other than everyone bribing Nathan to sit still and smile. I actually had to go inside the house. He can be so testy sometimes and I think my presence was making it worse. Imagine that! That's one time I was missing mom. She was so good at getting him to do what he needed to do and she never lost her patience. There have been a couple of times that she has taken the kids to get photos done without me even going. They both were always so good for her. Once we got thru with the photos, we went to ChuckECheese (a bribe for Nathan) and then we went to Wal-Mart (another bribe for Nathan)! Too many people bribing him!! He definatly knows how to work the system. Later that afternoon we went to the mall and to see a movie. We saw Bolt. Thursday of course we stuffed our faces with food all day at Stacy's house. And let me just add right here that Stacy is such a blessing to me. She has a lot of that patience that I was talking about earlier...reminds me of mom that way. Friday we went to Kohls somewhat early...9:00 I think...with Ginger. I'm having trouble remembering what else we did that day. Oh, yes, we went bowling and then the kids exchanged Christmas presents.

Saturday we took all the kids to a place that has laser tag, rock climbing, video games, etc. They had a ball! Kurt did his first official rock climbing and loved it! Photo is Kurt, Sara, Baylee, Kelby & Ryan.

My Rick & Grandma ended up going back on Saturday. Rick M, the boys & I went back Sunday. This trip was not so uneventful. The dvd player did not work until we were almost home, Nathan threw up in the car and we hit icy roads over the mountain on 540! So glad I had that "man" in the car I spoke of in my earlier blog!!

We also had our Thanksgiving in Russellville with Aunt Jane, Uncle Terry and the bunch down there. We again had way too much to eat and had a ball. We took the kids on a hay ride to the park and played for a while. It was pretty cold, but fun.

We have taken our annual trip to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas lights. We barely saw the lights. We got there around 2:00 and barely made it to 5:30. It was FREEZING. I think the temp started out around 35 or so but quickly dropped and the wind was horrible!
At Branson Landing

Kurt got locked up while we were there!Nathan waiting for his favorite thing...the train! They always have Santa there of course. Nathan wouldn't sit on his lap, but he did write 3 letters and dropped them in Santa's mailbox. We also had our Christmas in Ft. Smith with Kristin and her family. I'm so glad that they live closer now. We get to see them a lot more often. The 4 boys have so much fun together.Of course we also had our Christmas at home. Rick M. spent the night with us on Christmas Eve so he got to witness the excitement of Christmas morning at our house. The kids played for a while and then we went to his house for Christmas dinner. I didn't feel ready to brave a turkey this year, so we cheated and got a ham from Honey Baked Ham. I made everything else, except the dressing and dessert. Grandma made her wonderful dressing and also a peach cobbler. We tried not to over do it on the food, but still had tons of food left over. Why is that???? Anyway, we had a good day. There were a few tears shed for mom, but we know that she was definately having a better Christmas than us!! Kurt made a Christmas card for Nana at school...

Both of the boys have such big and loving hearts!!!! Nathan was being very quiet one morning in his room and this is what I found... He was writing I love (heart) Jesus. Isn't that so precious?!?! I just love the backwards "S"

Let me close by saying that Ginger and Harv are here...got here today. It's a big week for us...Grandma's birthday (79 yrs) and Mom & Rick's anniversary is tomorrow, Nathan's birthday is Friday and the anniversary of Barry's death is Saturday. Please continue to pray for us.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish you many blessing for the new year!!

"If You Could See Me Now"

This was one of the songs Aunt Kathy had written in her bible - a song she wanted at her funeral. The words to this song are very meaningful and bring much comfort in the year of "firsts." It is an amazing feeling to know that she is in no pain, standing tall, walking the streets of gold and most of all looking at the face of Jesus. While she is greatly missed here now, I can't help but smile to know what she is doing now. I thought I'd share the words and you tube video with you.

Our prayers have all been answered. I have finally arrived.
The healing that had been delayed has now been realized.
No one's in a hurry. There's no schedule to keep.
We're all enjoying Jesus, just sitting at His feet.

If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold.
If you could see me now, I'm standing tall and whole.
If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face.
If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.
You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place,
If you could only see me now.

My light and temporary trials have worked out for my good,
To know it brought Him glory when I misunderstood.
Though we've had our sorrows, they can never compare.
What Jesus has in store for us, no language can share.

If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold.
If you could see me now, I'm standing tall and whole.
If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face.
If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.
You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place,
If you could only see me now.

If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold.
If you could see me now, I'm standing tall and whole.
If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face.
If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.
You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place,
If you could only see me now.

You wouldn't want me to ever leave this perfect place
If you could only see me now
If you could see me now
If you could only see me now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK8g0fBEgP8

Uncle Rick, Christy, Rick, Kurt, Nathan & Grandma, we love you and are thinking of you always!

Love you all!
Stacy

Great Photo!!

Papa with Kurt, Jace, Nathan & Garrett. He loves his grandsons...and his granddaughters, but unfortunately they were not here the day this photo was taken.
We are going to Silver Dollar City this weekend to see the Christmas lights. We are looking forward to it and hoping the weather holds out on us.
Have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving in Texas & Breakfast with Santa

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I don't have much time today to blog, but I wanted to get these photos up so you could see them. The first ones are from when we spend Thanskgiving in Texas. The ones with Santa are from our Breakfast with Santa this morning. Hope you enjoy...Love, Christy

Bible Verse of the Week....

PROVERBS 11:25 (NIV)
A GENEROUS MAN WILL PROSPER; HE WHO REFRESHES OTHERS WILL HIMSELF BE REFRESHED.

Generosity is like a rare gem, don't you think? Not alot of us possess it, I know I am having to ask the Lord to help me be generous more than I should at this point in my life! When you see generosity it does seem to "sparkle" in the one giving it. What admiration it will bring from onlookers. I am asking the Lord today to help me be "sparkling" for Him. I need His help to be sure that I am not so focused on my own "busyness" that I am misplacing this precious gem called generosity. \

This past Thanksgiving holiday our family was so blessed to have Rick, Mother, Christy, her Rick, and their boys (my precious GRAND-nephews) Kurt and Nathan here with us. Us older folks had the blessing of receiving much generosity from these younger ones. Our daughter-in-law Tanya was so generous with her time that she got up at 3am Friday morning to start making homemade cinnamon rolls (she is a wonderful cook, just like her Mom) so that she could surprise us with them at our breakfast time. She was so excited that we enjoyed them.....she "sparkled" ! Our daughter Stacy was "sparkling" as she was making sure Kurt and Nathan saw and did lots of neat things here on the Gulf coast. Kelby, Baylee, Ryan and Sara enjoyed sharing their time with Kurt and Nathan so they too "sparkled" as they reach out in their love and excitement to have everyone here. They always had a hug for Uncle Rick and Mother...........how they were "sparkling". My son Russ and son-in-law Steven "sparkled" as they made sure they spend plenty of time with our family that came for Thanksgiving. I watched as they all hugged, laughed, and continue to built those precious memories with each other. In my eyes they were all "sparkling" just reaching out in love to each other. As I watched Christy sit our whole family down and stand in front of us with her arms loaded in gifts for the adults (the kids had already exchanged their gifts) she told us that she had shopped for Christmas for Kathy earlier in the year. Kathy loved Thomas Kincaid Santa Christmas ornaments. Christy had no doubt put lots of thought and time into the gifts because they are beautiful delicate little Santas, each different and unique. Christy could have easy kept these for herself since her Mom is spending her first Christmas with Jesus. There would have been nothing wrong with that had she chosen to do that. But that was not the case. She had wrapped each one and gave each of us one to hang on our Christmas tree until we too join our love ones in Heaven. What a precious kind-hearted act of generosity she displaced. My sister Kathy was very thankful and humbled for the young woman Christy has become but I want to say with a very humbled heart that Kathy would have been so blessed to know that Christy through her grief reach out with her generous heart and you could tell once she did it she too was refreshed. Like the verse says you can't be generous and it not come back to help you right where you are!

There are many example you can give of ways you see your love ones are being generous. I just share some of my life stories with you. We call our family the grace-soaked bunch because we know we are in need of God's grace each day. He is so generous with us and how blessed we are! We don't always do and say the right things but praise God we know who to go to when we do mess up. God is so generous to clean us up and keep using us.

Lord. thank you for memories we have of those we love being so generous and kind. Lord I pray for those that need a extra dose of you today. I thank you for being so generous with your grace to each of us. Lord help us in our busyness that we stop, be generous to others and take time to feel that peace that comes when we do what you say we are to do. In this busy holiday season help us to be generous in sharing the reason for the season with those you put in our path. Thank you Lord for forgiving us, loving us, and using us for kingdom gain. Keep us humbled Lord. Thank you for those reading this. I love you Lord. Amen

Through the grace of God allow Him to let you "sparkle" for His gain and glory and watch how you are refresh in who you are through Him!

In His grip, Ginger

Golden Star, Early Thanksgiving, Road Trip...

Nathan had a dress rehearsal for his Thanksgiving program that they are doing for an assisted living home in Springdale. Parents aren't allowed to go on the field trip because we have so many K4 students this year, so they decided to do a dress rehearsal for the parents. Nathan was not in the mood for some reason. These are the best of the photos before the program...


He certainly did not want to be there! Once the program started he stood up with the rest of the kids and instead of singing and doing the motions, his bottom lip just started quivering and he started to cry. Big tears were running down his face. I hated seeing him like that so I motioned for him to come sit with me and he did for the rest of the program. This was after the program...he was in a little better mood....



"Golden Star" was the Indian name that he picked out.

Nathan's wonderful teacher Mrs. K.

We had Thanksgiving dinner in Russellville yesterday. We all went down (Rick & Grandma included) yesterday morning. Grandma went to visit with one of her friends. They went by to pick up Billy and take him to lunch. I could tell that she had a really good time. I know she misses them. We went to Aunt Jane & Uncle Terry's for lunch. There were 14 adults and probably close to that many kids. We had a wonderful meal and a good time visiting with everyone. Of course, we missed Aunt Susan, Gran and mom greatly. It just was not the same without them. But they are praising God every minute of every day in Heaven and full of joy. Aunt Jane had lit a candle in their honor, which was very nice. We also had a hay ride. Sara and Chris were able to find a trailer and loaded it with hay and took all the kids a few blocks to a park. We played at the park for a few minutes and then back to the house. It was VERY cold on that hayride, but it was a lot of fun!

We are headed on a road trip on Tuesday. If you think about it that day, please pray for us to have good weather and traveling safety. Grandma, the boys and I will be heading out at 5am to Lake Jackson, TX to see Aunt Ginger and all the Texas bunch. We are so looking forward to it. Rick & Rick will be leaving out at 5am on Wednesday morning. Please pray for them also. I am a little nervous about traveling without a man. (Don't tell them I said that!)I have never traveled this far with the kids alone. Grandma will be with us, but can you picture me and Grandma trying to change a tire...I think not!! Anyway, I am off work tomorrow and the boys will be in school. I should have plenty of time to get everything packed and ready for our trip. I have three new movies for the boys so that should keep them occupied for a while. What in the world did our parents do to keep us occupied on our roadtrips?!?! before portable dvd players and handheld video games and sometimes with no air conditioning! I'm surprised they have any hair left. I would have pulled all of mine out already! :-)

For anyone traveling for Thansgiving...have a safe trip and enjoy the time with your families! And try not to eat too much!!

Love to all,

Christy

Photo of Kurt's ornament...

Isn't this beautiful?!?! Have a wonderful evening!

Thankfulness....

I am thankful for my boys. I am thankful that they are able to go to a Christian school where they can learn about Jesus and read the Bible daily. I am thankful that their little hearts are so open and soak it up like a sponge. I took them today to pick out their Christmas ornaments for 2008. I have always bought them one, but this year I thought I'd let them start picking them out. We went to Hobby Lobby. They always have a ton of different types of ornaments and this week they happened to be 50% off. Nathan went for something that I guessed he would....a train. He loves trains! Kurt, on the other hand, surprised me a little bit. I was trying to help him and I suggested a few different ones that had to do with baseball. He fell in love with baseball this year. But he said no. After searching the many rows of ornaments, he all of a sudden stopped in his tracks. "I found it mommy, I found my ornament!" It is a beautiful ornament of an angel with her wings spread. Within the spread of her wings is Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. He thought the angel was so pretty and he always loves anything that has to do with Jesus. He is so proud of that ornament! I was almost in tears right there in Hobby Lobby!
As Thanksgiving approaches, please remember to be thankful to God for what He has blessed you with! It's all His anyway. And also let you family know how much you love them. Every moment you have with them is precious!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Love,
Christy

Bible Verse of the Week...

PSALM 17:8 (NIV)
KEEP ME AS THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE; HIDE ME IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS.

To pray this verse before God as David did is so humbling. David prayed that God would keep him. With as much care as a man keeps the apple of his eye with which nature has wonderfully fenced and teaches us to guard. If we keep God's law as the apple of our eye( Proverbs 7:2) we may expect that God will keep us; because it is said that those whose touches them touches the apple of His eye. (Zec. 2:8) With much tenderness as a hen would gather her young ones under her wings with; David prayed for God to do the same with him.

I love this verse and use it in my own personal "apple ministry" that God has given me. Some years back Harv gave me 2 different pictures with apple theme with Psalm 17:8 on them because He knew how uplifting the verse is to me and how much I love apple things. My "apple ministry" is about reminding others they are the apple of His eye. I will put together a very simple lunch and ask a girlfriend to come and join me. I use all apple dishes, glasses and so on. When someone comes for the first time they take home a apple potholder or hand towel as a reminder that they are the apple of His eye. I have done this ministry for years . Every girlfriend that has been so kind to be my guest has been a blessing to have for lunch. Many times the friends are on their lunch time so everything is ready for them when they get here. I always look forward to whoever is coming. I am getting ready to start the "apple ministry" up again and excited for great times with grand ladies! There are many new friends that I am now going to be able to include. And yes, I can't wait to visit again with some of you that have already been here. There is just something special about sitting down with a girlfriend one on one for lunch...

Just as this verse brought encouragment to David I am sure it brings encouragement to all of us too. You might want to turn it into a minsitry too. If not this verse then pick one of your favorite and ask God to show you how you can minister in His name through the verse.

Relationships are so important to God. The 10 Commandments are all about relationships, first to God then to others. Who do you have a relationship with today that needs a reminder that they are the apple of God's eye? I just smile when I quote this verse..........can't help it.........so uplifting to me. I pray you see how it can also bring a smile to your face and lift your spirit.

Lord thank you for allowing us to be the apple of your eye when we seek you and obey you. Lord thank you for peace in knowing we can hide under the shadow of your wings and never be alone. Lord help each one of us this week to remind someone they too are the apple of your eye. Help us all to be in ministry serving you for your gain and your glory. I love you, Lord. Amen

Let me encourage you this week to give someone an apple and tell them it is a reminder they are the apple of His eye. I promise you it will make your day, touch their heart , and bring a smile to the face of our Lord.

Loving others to Jesus with you.
In His grip, Ginger

Papa & Nathan

Papa & Nathan ... I think this is one of the sweetest pictures. It really sums up papa, dad, uncle, etc. that Rick is. Both Uncle Rick and Aunt Kathy were just the bomb to all the kids. No matter how tired or wore out either of them were they always made the kids feel special on all their many visits here in Texas. Even on the days when the reports weren't what we wanted they always managed to bring smiles & joy that will be remembered always. While Aunt Kathy will not be next to Uncle Rick when he is here now we will still hold those memories close to our hearts of the times we had. We are sooooo looking forward to our visit with Kurt, Nathan, Aunt Christy, Grandma Georgia, Uncle Rick and the other Uncle Rick over Thanksgiving!!! We love you guys!

Bible Verse of the Week...

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 (NIV)
GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS.

The holiday season, more than any other time, we count our blessings. We should be running out of time before we exhaust the list! I love Paul's word here in 1THESSALONIANS 5:18. He is not telling us to give thanks for all circumstances but be thankful in them. Because you and I know there are many circumstances we find ourselves in, that we could never have an attitude of thankfulness for being in those circumstances; but because we know the LORD is with us in those difficult circumstances we should be thankful for HIS PRESENCE in them. GOD'S will for us is to always see HIS SON JESUS in the circumstances. When we exercise our faith and see JESUS in our circumstances, no matter how difficult the circumstances are, then we will give thanks from our humble heart that HE is right there with us. Having this atttitude will overflow in gratitude before HIM.

I was sitting out in the backyard the other day after school with our youngest grandchild, Sara Paige. She and I were sitting in the swing just having a grand time being together. Sara looked around the yard at her Grand-Dad's pumpkins and mums on the deck, his 2 colorful fall flags blowing in the wind, roses and flowers blooming. She then looked over at me and told me that she was so thankful for the fall season! She said "you know Mimi pumpkins and tomatoes just make me think of fall!" You would have had to see her little face as she shared this with me to fully appreciate her excitement. I have no clue as to why she threw "tomatoes" in there, but she was thankful for her little view of the fall season just the same! As I have pondered what Sara said, I thought to myself the "pumpkins" are what we associate with the fall and Thanksgiving season so they are the things we will be thankful for. Then here comes the "tomatoes," which we don't think of as being apart of the fall and Thanksgiving season, so we have a harder time being thankful in the "tomatoes" (difficult times). So my friend, I give thanks to my little grand-daughter for reminding me how I am going to do my best to thank the LORD for this fall season, thank HIM for the pumpkins and yes, thank HIM in "tomato" times!

Precious LORD and only SAVIOR thank YOU for this fall season with all it's brightness! LORD help us to have an attitude of gratitude before YOU for the good seasons in our life and for YOU being in our difficult and painful seasons. Regardless of what season we are in, we are never in a hopeless season so PRAISE YOU LORD! I pray that we will stop and count our many blessings and realize how YOU bless us. Thank YOU LORD for loving us and forgiving us of our sins. I love YOU, LORD. Amen.

You are a "pumpkin" in my life..........so uplifting encouraging, and kind! Thank you and have a CHRIST-center week.

In HIS grip, Ginger

Photos from the Pumpkin Patch....

Memories of My Sister

Leta sent me this poem framed with a picture of Kathy and me. It meant so much to both Harv and I as we read it so I want to share it on here.

How well I do remember
All the special times we had
As we were raised side by side
Sharing good times, sharing bad

Sometimes we would disagree
But always made up in the end
But as we grew to be adults
We became the best of friends

Then you heard the voice of Jesus
Gently calling from on high
He was holding out His loving arms
But I could not say 'goodbye"

So I said "see you later"
Dear sister, wait for me
In the beauty of God's Heaven
Where the best is yet to be

In loving memory of my baby sister, In His grip, Ginger

Fall Colors....

For Ginger....

It seems that only a few trees here and there are turning right now, mainly maples. The one in our yard still has not started turning. I haven't seen many oaks that are starting yet either.

They boys spent the night with Papa last night, so Rick and I went to the movie. We saw Eagle Eye. I recommend it. It was very good and definatly kept me awake!! Kurt is in a performance at church tonight. The kids choir is performing. He is in the rhythm section. I'm anxious to see what they have been learning. We finished up fall baseball yesterday. Kurt had so much fun being catcher.

Please pray for Jason Jackson's family. He is the son of Ginger & Mom's cousin, Steve. He was in his mid-20s and went to be with the Lord yesterday. He has had a long battle with cancer and had a stem cell transplant in the last few weeks. As with mom, God has healed him completely, but as we know it's still so hard for all his family and loved ones. Please life them up in prayer. Thank you!!

I hope you have a wonderful week full of blessings!!

Love, Christy