TX trippin'

Well the time came when we could kill two birds, the two eldest, with one trip. The youngest is off-track for March, so off we went to Dallas and San Antonio for a visit - coincidentally in time for the crucial OH and TX primaries. The eldest did the early voting, but will be participating in the caucuses on Tuesday. She said democratic presidential candidate Senator Barak Obama called their house.

Anyway to get back on subject, its a cold Sunday 9:27 am on highway 40 east outside of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. We just left Denny's for breakfast after catching some shuteye Motel 76 from 1-6 am. The innkeeper was very accommodating even though the only room available was a king-size/smoking - felt like we slept in an ashtray. But we are all refreshed and its a beautiful day.
So...we left in the foggy mist of noon yesterday north on highway 15 into the sunshine of the 40. We've seen where Cars took place and interestingly a lot of race car carriers like the one in the movie. We've also seen very long freight trains moving about the countryside - on one we counted 99 including the three engines, another with 133.

The youngest has finished the last episode of The Spiderwick Chronicles. He's recording all the state license plates he's seen (even Alaska). We've gone through Barstow, Bullhead City, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon area and Gallup.

Comparing to the majestic moutain ranges in Oahu, I was equally enthralled with meticulous sculpting of the Arizona mountains we saw - the Lord put forth an intricate display!

Can't say too much about New Mexico - what we are seeing is wide-openness with buttes on the horizon. Fernando, found your town though :-) - Villanueva NM! We approach Amarillo now.

So now I am getting back to our time of worship and praise and prayer. We are having an awesome time with mp3s. We are overcomers...order my steps...hold me Holy Spirit...He's taken my heart and shown me the right way...I will open my heart to everyone I see and say Jesus Christ is the Way!

Will get back to this later. If pictures aren't here, will insert later.
Texas here we are! Now we are leaving warm and windy Childress heading toward Wichita Falls; its 1:36 pm Cali time. We love Sonic commercials, but have never been to a establishment, not having near us. Very enjoyable - the youngest had chicken strips kids meal, the husband who has done all but 8 hours driving on this trip had a huge cheeseburger, and I had the bacon cheeseburger on toast which included an onion ring. I got a 'brain freeze' in the throat with my strawberry drink, then the husband got one over his eye with his green apple drink, and then the yougest who thought he had escaped was attacked causing him to hold the side of his head by his ear by his lime drink. No wonder they ask "how many have you had"?
Now we are on the road again encountering a little rain with distant lightning strikes, hoping to arrive around 5 pm Cali time. Saw my sister's block, Laurie St. Indeed, we did arrive the corresponding Texas time 7 pm.

Hits of the Season ...

Christmas on Division Street was initial tissue fare - a good movie with Fred Savage looking at sides of life that matter; aired today

Today, saw the black and white of It's a Wonderful Life showing how a life matters, again. The wife, Donna Reed, in this version reminds me (look at their eyes) of Kirstin Davis who I just saw in the entertaining film, Deck the Halls about getting caught in sides of life that don't matter with Danny De Vito, Matthew Broderick, and the lady with a lovely voice - Kristen Chenoweth - she's filming a Christmas movie coming out next year called 'Four Christmases'

Jane Seymour, who I love most from Somewhere in Time did a review I enjoyed of Christmas films over the years - A Hollywood Christmas

The husband and youngest were at the keyboard singing christmas carols - priceless! We put our lights out today, a lovely nativity scene, and dressed our tree yesterday evening, the first time in my adult years not having natural tree. The youngest assisted the husband with the lights and me with the tree. He went to bed early in anticipation of tomorrow's events

The giant is a navy seaman. He graduates Friday in Chicago and on the same day is bound for San Antonio. Am hoping to see him there, the Lord willing. Two kids - eldest and giant - in Texas ...

Yesterday the children sang for christmas in our worship service, and the night before we gathered for a fellowship of caroling. The Ace sang a moving 'Mary Did You Know', and I was able to accompany her singing 'O Holy Night'. Worshiping the Lord in song in celebration of His birth - precious!

I was able to get the husband a gift he never suspected and would love! Time after time he has been there for me - lifted me up, been my strength, my safety blanket, my as it is described in one of Madea's movies representation of God's love. He loves the wind up clocks that chime the hour. Not long ago, his was over-wound. Come to find out they are expensive to fix or buy. But I found a deal. I hope chime after chime, it reminds him how much I love him.

Merry Christmas every one!

Praise the Lord! Jesus Christ was born! Go tell it!

A friend's needle

Can I needle you for a minute? Listen (read)...

“Did I tell you about the needle story?”, she said. We agreed that she had not. She urged us on to finish with what we were doing and then she would tell us. But we knew her stories were always excellent and so we assured her we were done. “Tell us the needle story now!”, we said. So, as best as I can recollect, here is the story told to us by our friend who had not been with us in awhile because of the things going on in her life:

When I left you guys last Tuesday, I went home and got on my computer. I was on there for about an hour arguing with my ex, so absorbed I lost track of the puppy and you know how when its quiet they are up to something.

I went to get up to see what the puppy was up to and it felt like something was slicing around my ankles. I looked down and there was thread all around my feet. I had had a large spool of thread that I had used to repair the puppy’s teddy bear and the puppy had gone crazy with it! There was hardly any thread left on the spool. The puppy had been up and down the stairs and all over the house with the thread. He had run around the chairs wrapping my feet in the thread and he had it all over himself, some of it too tight. I had to cut it all off of him. But the darning needle was gone and I was suddenly afraid the puppy had swallowed it.

I felt awful, having been wrapped up on the computer arguing with my ex and not paying attention to what the puppy was doing and, now, he might have swallowed the needle. I had a cat that once had swallowed a needle, and only because it had gotten stuck in the upper part of his body, it hadn’t made it fatally to his guts. So I began to look all over for the needle, up and down the stairs. The thread was everywhere, but I couldn’t find the needle. I got very upset because I was worried the puppy had swallowed the needle and it was very late and I had to get some sleep in order to go to work in the morning. But I couldn’t sleep without knowing where the needle was – the puppy!

I felt I had to find the needle. This was not something you ask God. It was my responsibility. I was supposed to be watching the dog. I had to find it. And then I grew very upset! In despair, this became my life. I can’t find this needle and I can’t find my life – something in my life is lost! I wanted God to show me where the needle was; to find it! If He couldn’t find the needle, how could He find my life? That part of me that ignores that I know better kept saying God couldn’t find the needle, right? He’s not down here – He’s out there.

Early in the morning, I arranged with the veterinarian to x-ray the dog. But I had to go to work! How was I going to do all this? But I had to know where the needle was! I asked God please find the needle and I heard Him answer me, clearly, “Go upstairs, and stand by the window and wait.” “Right,” I responded and then immediately said “I’m sorry Lord”. I went upstairs and stood by the window. It was still overcast. All I could think about was that I had to go to work soon. How long was I supposed to wait? Why am I waiting? It is silly of me to ask God to find a needle. How long should I wait?

As I realized the sun was beginning to lighten the sky, I just had to get ready to go to work. I started to turn to do so, when a glint of something below caught my eye. It was the needle! Buried in the carpet with only a glint of it exposed by the sun showing, was the needle! God showed me where the needle was. God could do that. God did! God can find my life! How wonderful is our God!

The only thing God asked me to do was tell people. So I am telling everyone; I am telling you!

Thank you my friend for sharing God in your life; it ministered to us all. What a wonderful treat for our Tuesday Women's Study. So many messages to us in there. We serve a mighty, loving, unfathomable God.

So I’m sharing my friend’s story with you.

Cheers to 10 Years

Congratulations Lee and Cathy on the blessing of ten years of marriage!

and now, cheers of the day ...

On the tailcoat of a wonderful Christmas Eve praise and worship where the children sang 'Happy Birthday Jesus' sounding like little angels, on Christmas Day I slept in and even the little one slept in because he tried so hard and managed to stay up late. When I arose the husband had been up as is his way. We had morning coffee flavored with cinnamon or caramel. In times past, there would be a decorated tree under which were an abundance of presents; but we didn't get that far this year - no tree, no lights, etc. We did manage to display the paper decoration that the little one had made, a huge ornament with snowflakes and such streaming from it; it adorned our front door. The usual nativities (we've collected a few sets) were adorning tabletops. The dining table had an array of gifts upon it and Christmas cards. I didn't get around to sending this year either, but next year I think we'll be more on track with our usual holiday celebratory activities.

All of us lazed around through the morning listening to carols, watching festive television programming and chit chatting and however kids laze. We had everyone around except for the girls with the exception of the middle one; all of the boys were present. The eldest and her husband spent their first Christmas in their new home. The other daughters were with their perspective other parent enjoying family there. When the little one opened his presents, he spent time on each one, overjoyed every time - talked about 'bonicles' and such and went from one to the next putting them together and seeing what joys they beheld. But before opening his, he took the present to his dad.

The husband wasn't wanting or expecting anything - we have had such a bountiful year, but I always try to find something he has wanted and this year the little one got him a pair of very nice tennis shoes for a very 'husband' cost (he aims the spend the least possible for for the most of anything, which has served us well). The Giant's girlfriend was able to get them where she works for a 'steal'! It's always a pleasure to see him get what he is not expecting, as generally he is not expecting, and be pleased. He liked the shoes. The children this year all received VISA gift cards, which really delighted the one's in their teens, and the older ones all struggling with their various goals and endeavors were greatly please with the financial enhancement. For the little one who had been going on and on and on 'till the break of dawn' about new games, it was a dream made possible.

In the afternoon, keeping the agreement, I went about preparing the Christmas dinner - ribeye roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn, with rolls. I have to pat myself on the back, it was delicious. I guess one of the keys for me is to keep it simple. I experimented with making a rub - I combined a couple of packages of marinade - I'll call chipotle peppercorn - some garlic pepper, a special hot sauce, smoke seasoning, a splash of wine and olive oil into a warmed gritty liquid paste and rubbed it into and all over the roast, then let it sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours (a marinade instead was recommended to take a couple of days - no time for that!)l. We cooked it in our new countertop oven which is full of options and quite tidy. The gravy I prepared on the stove with the makings of a package of Lawry's au jus seasoning and with the browning of flour - the taste was wonderful.

I rather enjoyed making dinner this year. The table was festive with the Christmas dinnerware. There was apple pie for those whose stomachs eventually made room for dessert. We, at the middle daughter's suggestion, went around the table revealing our goals for the oncoming year. It is a time too for reflecting on our blessings and where the Lord would have us in the new year. May yours be blessed and prosperous.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS

Written by Donald Arey, Sr.

I had a birthday party, most everybody came.
They danced and ate and had a ball
But no one spoke My name.
They gave each other presents, as nice as they could be.
People came from far and near, But no one mentioned Me.
The stores were filled with shoppers,
The restaurants crowded out,
But no one seemed to really know what the party was about.
They talked about a reindeer. I think Rudolph was his name.
Then someone mentioned "Jesus"
And they hung their heads in shame.
You see, it was My birthday. They didn't even know.
That is why from heaven My heart is grieving so.
I came to earth from heaven on that first Christmas day--
Born in a lowly manger From sin to show the way.
I died one day on Calvary, on a cruel Roman cross
To save a world of sinners From a life of awful loss.
When you next have a party, with presents, friends and tree,
Remember Me, your Savior Whose birth has set you free.

-- Jesus

PS: I am coming again soon.

Maybe seemingly not so, but we were at the party in heart and mind, being less Martha than Mary. It was a lovely day. Never neglect to come to the Lord's banquet.

Happy Birthday Jesus; we love you!

They're Homeowners Texas Style

Praise Report - Rosie, our eldest, and her husband Jon - yeah the artiste under guise of mild mannered business man, - are homeowners. It's been a trial through which they have come valiantly (pay no attention - is that - no - gray hairs - they're so young yet)! God is good and ever prevails! Click those ruby slippers Rosie!

We just got the word. Party time! We have offspring that won't be moving back LOL!

Thank you Lord for you mercies never cease despite our humanity; they are new every day! Great is thy faithfulness!