January 10, 2008

Hello Loves,

I know this finds you all well.

We're fine here. Have had some more snowfall the last few days but not a lot and not with ice, so the temperatures are warm enough today to melt most of it away. Outside of the small hill the boys made Christmas Eve for the kids to slide down. It will be there for a while.

Since dismantling our web site I've found a place to stay in touch without so much maintenance. I've not embellished it any just yet, but just got it up and running for a quick note to you all.

Pat was detailed away this week, but will not need to be away over Saturday. Said this morning that he'll be home late tomorrow. I traveled with him last week to Wichita. Aubrey was here to see after everyone. It was a quiet time away. I was able to read and study and catch up on the news. (As depressing as it usually is. :) )

I've not been to a theatre for many years, and Pat wanted to take up a movie while there. We'd seen the first National Treasure when it came out on DVD, and we spent New Years Eve at the movies. It wasn't a disappointment, and made for a nice evening after dinner.

Sarah has a new part time job at the local library, is in better surroundings, with good management. She's been able to stay on top of her school work, and that's the deal. We have a new librarian last year, a nice friend of ours over the years we've been here, she's worked there herself. It's been a place that Emily has always DREAMED of working at, being the bookworm she is, and she has submitted her own application this week. There have been vacancies with college kids going back to school. She let the lady know that she works every Friday at the newspaper office and has for years, so she was able to keep it, with this very part time job.

You all have pleasant holiday? Traditionally we have the family together over Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day the gang can be with their own families or in-laws or whatever plans they've made for the day.

It was a good afternoon/evening, followed by board games, dessert and coffee, and some good laughs. Everyone contributed to the dinner. We also celebrate Jeanie's little Stevens birthday, which is also the 24th, and he was able to open his birthday gifts before everyone else dug into theirs. I do believe he was the first one upstairs to look over what was his FIRST, eh? It's always fun. When he was very little he always thought he had the BEST birthday party ever at our house. LOL Gee, I don't know, he may still think that.

Joseph has been working for a local medical supply company...hum, I think he was working there before I took down our web pages, so that's not news.

Jocy and Jac have been playing basketball this winter.
Steven was in the high school senior play, Oklahoma this fall, and he thought that was really big stuff. I do think he was in last years production of the Wizard of Oz as well.
Jeanies kiddos were in a Christmas play at their church that they all enjoyed.

Jeanie is still working as a para at the high school and enjoys being there where Jac is.

Michael is in the kitchen right now, enjoying making dinner. It's a beef, veggie Koren dish over rice. Smelling yum.

Erin still has her day care. On the way home from Wichita last week, Pat and I stopped in Garden and met up with James and Erin and the kids to have dinner with them. Was a good time. Afterwards they wanted us to stop by the house and play some games, but we needed to do some shopping before heading home.

Next month Pat will be taking a trip out East to join in the celebration of his parents 65th wedding anniversary. Jeanie and Eddie are going, and Mary Beth and Doug have made plans to join them. He'll be there for only a long weekend, and then when he heads home, he and I will be traveling to the Springs for a few days.

My brother Darel has moved from Montana this week, he's bought a home around Col. Springs and I'm so grateful that he's nearby and not so far for a frequent visit. He phoned today and he sounded well. He's unpacking his belongings now for the last couple of days.

Emily is watching a little one for a couple of hours this afternoon/evening. A boy she watched this summer for a time. Looks like his mama needed to put in a little overtime at work. Liam is having a good time playing with another little person this evening.

The kids all work tomorrow, it will be just Aubrey, Liam and I. It's not like the kids are preadolescence anymore, but it will still be a quiet house, nonetheless.

Sarah and Emily have had pity on our old grandpa cat this winter and put him inside the garage during the cold winter nights, along with his food and water. We've tired of feeding the neighborhood strays. His name is Baby, and he moves a lot better this winter and is quite satisfied with the girls mercy upon him. :) Sarah bought him a kitty litter box in case he needed it, and it's turned out he has, so she's been in charge of all that.

A few days ago, Sunday afternoon, Aubrey and I were getting dinner ready to feed the gang here. I heard the water boiling ready to make a batch of tea for the table. Aubrey reached to make use of it and the handle broke spilling scalding water on both the tops and bottoms of her barefoot feet. She was screaming while falling to the floor, and I rushed her into the bathtub for some cold water. While interceding for her, bringing up God's Word and binding the devil that instigated this, I was declaring that there would be no blisters, no pain and no wounds of any kind. We were in there for quite some time and then I phoned for some agreement from the few that I trust to stand on God's Word, with us.

About 7 hours later, I was changing her bandages, and there were no blisters, no redness of skin at all, and no pain. My heart was so full of thanksgiving. It's always humbling when the Lord answers prayer, isn't it?

Aubrey has not had to stay off her feet, from that day on. Actually, the next day she and Mary Beth went to the gym at the rec. center to walk on the tread mills, and make use of the other equipment.

God is so awesome! He's faithful to His Word. His arm is not short, nor is his ear deaf.

Before I close this evening, I want to share some of God's Word.

I use to be so upset with Adam and Eve for not taking from the Tree of Life that God had provided them instead of taking the forbidden. While mulling over the Word recently, I've been reminded that we also have a choice to make use of the Tree of Life in our lives, as well.

....in Proverbs 3:13 it tells us....
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.

We need to seek first God's kingdom (Matthew 6:33)- we do that by putting Him first, His Word first in our lives. His Word IS OUR Tree of Life.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us:
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

It's a win-win situation for us all.

Father, I ask You to help us to put your first, to seek you with all our hearts, Your Word IS our Tree of Life and we need everything you have for us. You told us that if we would draw near to You, You would draw near to us, and I thank you for your faithfulness. Cause each of us to be hungry and thirsty after all You are and all You have for us. In Jesus' Name.

I'm Sending Love to You All,
xoxoxo
Sharon