Thank You , God!

Missouri has had some trying days this week with weather! Thank you, Lord for keeping our family safe.
Last Sunday was our oldest grandson's wedding. It was a simple, but beautiful, wedding. Dillon and Melissa chose some really cool music. Nothing at all" traditional"! They are Beatles fans, so there was some of that [the parents and grandparents went down the aisle to "When I'm 64!"] and some other groups that I should remember the name but I can't. Mostly I liked it because it was SO THEM!
Good friends from Webb City, Missouri came to help with the wedding. Daryl officiated as minister, and his wife Karrie was the wedding co-ordinator. They were on their way home Sunday evening and learned that the Tornado had struck Joplin. Webb City is just North of Joplin. It took them a couple of hours to go the distance it usually takes 8 to 10 minutes to cover because they had to go back roads around road blocks, etc. to reach their home. They had no damage there, but Karrie works for the hospital that was NOT hit in the tornado, and I am sure she has had a busy week! Their son did not come to Sedalia with them, but he was safe, too.
On Tuesday we went to hear Erika sing in her talent show at Heber Hunt. She was beautiful and sang so sweetly!
Wednesday morning we were taking our time with breakfast, and thinking about what we might do for the day when Karen called to say that there was a tornado warning out for Sedalia and Pettis County. We decided that it would probably be prudent to get dressed and head for the basement. We changed the TV to a local station, grabbed the radio and our flashlights, and some batteries for back up, and our books :) as we headed down the stairs. Ended up spending the rest of the morning and almost all of the afternoon down there.
When the tornado hit the South edge of Sedalia, it was VERY close to the new high school. [Jacob , Karen's son, was at the high school.] Then it tore a path through a couple of trailer parks and a sub-division before lifting about a half block from the middle school.[ Madison, Karen's oldest daughter, was at the middle school.] If it had remained on that course, it is very likely that it would have hit the hospital area, too. It did come down Northeast of the Beaman community in Northeast Pettis county and tore up trees and out buildings.
There were no deaths, and only about 15, or so, people injured--with minor injuries. There is several million dollars of damage left behind, but everyone is SO thankful that there were no deaths or major injuries!
Just want to say, once again," Thank You, God!"

Happy Easter!

Wait...this is Good Friday...we should probably dis cuss what that means, first!

Erika said to me,"Why do they call it Good Friday! It was a BAD day 'cause Jesus died because of those mean people."
"Yes," I told her," but that is why it is GOOD Friday. Because Jesus died for our sins on that day. And, THAT is why it is Good. He died to take our place in punishment. Because He died we don't have to take the punishment for the BAD in our lives."
"Oh, so BAD was Good", she said, because it was a good thing for us!"

[I hope she gets it as well as I think she got it at that time!]

"Besides," I told her, "Jesus arose again in three days. That showed he had victory over death, and that is why we celebrate Easter."

So, let me say it once again... Happy Easter, everyone!

About time...

for Easter 2010! In fact, it is 5 days from now! We still have not 'made plans' for a family dinner and egg hunt. I had better get something done about it today!
I have been waiting for God to open 'communication' between me and some one again [see a previous post]. I t has been hard...but I have felt 'comfortable' for the most part. Not in a rush to push into anything. The reward came when I was approached for a 'hug', and a sincere look into my eyes and the words "I love You!" coming from both of us. There is still work to be done, but God is THE HEALER! Thank You, Lord! Amen

Easter Egg Hunt at Papaw and Nanny's 2010

This year the weather was warm and dry, and we were able to have our 'Hunt' outside!This is Dillon and his fiance` Melissa

Dillon is congratulating Bostin on finding so many eggs while Emily and Stacy look on.
Looks like Emily's bag is pretty full, too. Mommy helped her by carrying the bag and telling her " you might look...over there...I think I see something..." It is amazing the ones they find with no trouble...and then there are the ones they completely miss that they have almost stepped on!
Maggy and Danielle are looking through the flower bed. I think Maggy found the special egg that Papaw had put money in!
There are lots of "hidey holes" here for eggs. And a few were hiding in that front flower bed, too.
We always count the eggs before they are hidden, and then count each childs 'collection' so we know if they have all been found! Years ago, we didn't do that and there was a very 'stinky' egg hit by the mower several weeks afterwards! Also, we do hide a few 'real' eggs but most of them are the plastic kind filled with "goodies". I think everyone had a great time...either hunting or helping

Giving Advice...

...can be tricky sometimes. I try to be 'oh so careful', but occasionally some one gets their feelings hurt.
It has happened again recently. someone was posting a lot of things that not everyone needed to see or read. Matters that should have been kept private.
I prayed about it a LOT, and was so sure that I had a message for them that God, himself, had given to me to pass on to them.
It was NOT appreciated! In fact, I should have kept silent until God opened the door for me to deliver the message. I was SO EAGER to 'help God out' that I pried open a door that He was not ready to have opened, yet.

Will I ever learn???

2010 Easter Sunrise Breakfast and Service

Our church has a long standing tradition of having an Easter Sunrise service and a breakfast. For several years, two couples have gone together to fix the breakfast. They know exactly how to get it done and it is always good! Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, fruit of various kinds, and sweet rolls. After breakfast is the service

Making the gravy

This pic was taken right at the end of the service outside. The sun is just starting to rise behind the tree line. The birds were singing their 'Morning song' and we began to celebrate the Risen Lord! "He is risen! He is risen indeed!!"