A lot Going On

We had a good time yesterday baking cookies, and decorating them, just me and my honey, but it was a good time, we are going tonight to Saint Simon Island, looking at all the gorgeous Christmas lights.

Lots has been going on here too, please keep my eldest son Jim in your prayers, He has been sick quite a lot lately and they did a CAT scan because of all the problems he has, and they found a mass the size of a quarter on his lung, it is too close to the heart to do a biopse so they are going to do some kind of test that they injest something into the veins and if any cancer appears it will light up. 
Please pray for God's will to be done, he has a lot of responsibility and is very needed, thank you ahead of time. He has an appointment Dec 27th for a PET scan, we will know more then.
Also my husband has decided to have a much needed back surgery, he will have an MRI Dec 26th, please keep him in your prayers too.

From the Levian collection at Jared Jewery Store I got an early Christmas present from my beloved..It is just breath taking, the chocolate diamonds. Never dreamed I would get a gorgeous ring as this one, and the photo does it no justice at all.  It is really breath taking, what a man he is always looking for ways to make me happy, I am not much of a jewelry person, but those Chocolate diamonds really spark my interest.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, may God bless you real good, and may we worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords together for another year, let us sing his praises where ever we go. Be a blessing, and be blessed. 

Too Long Away

Well hello my friends, it has been such a long time, we seem to stay busy, but I really want to get back into blogging again, I do love it, and I sure miss all my blogger friends.

I am just catching up here, sipping my Blonde light Star Bucks coffee that was sent by Stevie, my grand daughter, she knows we like it, so when she gets an abundance (they get two bags a week free to take home) she thinks of her Nana and sends some on.
It is very peaceful here today, not so cold, and just a sunny nice day in Georgia, love this type of day, when I was young I did not, it would of been so boring, but now, it is my kind of day.
What are you all doing today?
Whatever it is, have a very good one.

How has God blessed your day?
What are your plans today?
Who can we pray for today?
Church services for Christmas, what day?

Just a few minutes and I have to leave, so will wind this up for now, hope you have a wonderful Saturday and Sunday,  hope to be here more often.

~JUST IN TIME FOR FALL~

Cream of Celery Soup with Bacon 



4 strips bacon
1 tablespoon butter
5 cups (loosely packed) chopped celery, stalks and tops 
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme 
1 medium baking potato, peeled and cubed
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2 cups whole milk
salt and pepper

Lay the bacon in the bottom of a large stock pot or dutch oven. Cook over low heat for about 15 or 20 minutes, until crisp (cooking time will depend on how thick your bacon is). Remove and set aside on paper towels.
Add butter to the pot, increase the heat slightly, and add celery, onion, garlic, and thyme. Season well with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.
Add the potato, stock, and milk to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the milk from forming a film, until potato is very soft.

Purée the soup with an immersion blender or by transferring it to a food processor or blender. Season to taste with salt (we added at least 2 or 3 more teaspoons) and pepper (about 1 teaspoon). Serve with cooked bacon crumbled on top.
makes 7 cups

Psalm 100:1    Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

We just can never get enough of the beauty God has created for us. This sun coming up over Lake Seminole was breath taking, I just stand in awesome wonder of how majestic the things God created are. Yes indeed the Lord is good, and his mercy is everlasting...
We spent a few day at this lake fishing, and just relaxing, so much has happened in our lives in a short time, we needed to be away from the hustle and bustle of this life and relax and spend time with God away from all else, such a great place we had to do that too. 
We both are doing well today...No problems but body parts not working well, but with age this comes, but also with age comes wisdom, from God, to see him as he is, and to make sure we worship in Spirit and truth. I do not blog much these days, but every now and then have the urge, that is why I have not deleted my blog, and the other blog when I find a good recipe I like to share with you other blogger's. So keep me in prayer, and know I am well and happy, and loving the lord. 

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE

I have not written since March 8th, so much has happened since then too, after fighting a 7 week battle the lord called our pastor home, March 28th at 3 PM he lost the battle, and went on home to be with Jesus, no more suffering, no more worries, no more pain. It is hard to understand why the lord wanted to call this young minister home, he was only 46 years old, the ministry here in Woodbine was his first one as pastor, he had been there for 3 years, every since my husband resigned this church, we felt it was time to come back and be of help to him and the folks at Woodbine Missionary Baptist Church, little did we know then that everything would change like it has, we wanted to help brother Stacy, instead he is gone and we are trying to keep the church together along with another minister, my husband does not want to pastor any longer, so we will be seeking a Missionary pastor to take this position. Keep us all in prayer as we do the Father's will, and please keep Galaine Ervin and her family in your prayers also.

We had a wonderful Sunday, and went to a really good gospel sing, the singing group whose name escapes me right now is really good, and sings many songs acapella, it was such a blessing, and the host church had a sweet fellowship after also, really enjoyed our night out. My arm is healing well and I am using it more and more these days, thanks for the prayers for healing for me, God heard and has done a great job healing it.

Well I guess that is all the news for today, pray ye one for another, and remember Jesus loves you, and gave his life just for you, what have you did for him?

Wow...

It has been a long time, lots has happened since my last post.
I had shoulder replacement surgery Feb 25th, came home 3 days later with a sling and attached rest.  I am recovering very
well, it is hard to type with left hand and one finger, lol.

It has turned cold this week, but a warming trend is starting today. Please forgive me for not being up to date in blogging, really difficult sitting here and typing. 

Keep me in your prayers, also our pastor, he is in intensive care unit, 24 days now, he has pancreatitis and is in critical condition, his name is Stacy Ervin, young man only 44 yrs old, this is his first church, I see why God sent us back there, my 
dear husband is filling in the pulpit in his absence. God bless 
each of you, will try to be more current.

Sharing the Blessings of the Lord

God has been so very good to us, this month in this new year is almost over, but I look upon things that will happen next month, we have had a busy month of January, many doctor appointments and still more to come. I am scheduled for shoulder replacement surgery February 25, so please keep me in prayer. My daughter had an Endoscopy about 10 days ago and they removed two polyps and two hemorrhoids, they a 
biopsy of the polyps and got the results back yesterday, praise God they were benign. God has been good to us, my husband
is taking the Epidural shots in his back, as often as he can, they
seem to help a little, but not as much as we were hoping for.
Our Goldie is getting older and walking with a limp, the cold weather is not good for her either, like me she suffers with arthritis. Zoie our little cutie is doing well, she has grooming yesterday that left her most beautiful, she sure knew it too, posed for many photos to be taken. Here is one

  She has her bows out today and a sweater on to keep her warm the clip came a little too early I am thinking, but she seems to be doing good. Glad to be home with mama and dady relaxing.

The church is doing well, had a few new couples join, and I am enjoying not having to drive an hour to and from church, it is only 12 miles from our home, makes it nice, can be very active in all things now. So I guess that is about all the news I have for now, sorry I do not come more often, but it just seems hard to sit for a long time any more, so keep us in your prayers and I do the same, I do go down my blog in the favorites and pray for y'all hope your day is filled with blessings from on high. 

I am happy to be a Georgia Peach, we have been in Georgia for over 15 years now, I love the weather, it has been in the 80's this week, yeah right, January and those kind of temperature, I love the people, and the ways of the South.  I am so happy God sent us here, it is our home, and our way of life now. I often think on the scripture about being content, it is an awesome thing to be content where you are and with what you have, I have learned this from living a long time, in my youth I always wanted bigger and better, but I have learned to be content with what I have, God has brought me a long way, and has given me a new out look on life.  Once you are content with who you are and where you are, the rest of life comes easy, so to speak. Being content is the most important thing a woman can do for her self, be content with you, be content in God.  Here are some scripture to help you be content where you are, with what you have, and with who you are. 

Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

We had a good day at church yesterday, very good message on serving the lord in this new year. I taught the ladies bible study Sunday night, it was all about Sarah, and just what her thoughts might of been, how she trusted Abraham very much, but perhaps trusted God a little less, how she took matters in her own hands when God's promise of a son did not come to pass when she thought it was time, as many of us have done too, and it caused much trouble, in fact the trouble goes on today even, with the two sons families fighting over who owns the land. It caused terrible division, we all need to be careful when we get ahead of God, it can cause many problems we are not prepared to handle, it was a very good study, and it was fun being with my old friends from before. 

I am going for my MRI today, and have an appointment with the surgeon the 24th to set time up for surgery. Keep me in prayer please. God bless you all, and remember Jesus loves you, and so do I. 

Well Happy New Year, I fell asleep before the new year, but guess what? It came ahead any how, so it is 2013 now, let us serve the lord with all our heart, our soul and mind, more this year than ever before, our time is running out to tell other of Jesus Christ the Saviour and all he has did for us. This is another year God has given us to be a witness for him. I sure do not want to let my Saviour down. Let's spread the word loud and clear to every one we meet.  Below is the Days of Praise Devotion for today, very meaningful, please take time to read it and take to heart what it is says. 

All Things New

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:5)

The coming of a new year is a good time to consider that glorious time to come when Christ will make everything new again. In the present age, all things "shall wax old as doth a garment" (Hebrews 1:11) under the bondage of the universal law of decay and death; indeed "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22).

"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13). There, in the "new Jerusalem," we shall each have "a new name" and sing "a new song" (Revelation 21:2; 2:17; 5:9). We shall have new bodies, "fashioned like unto his glorious body" (Philippians 3:21), and a new dwelling place, prepared by Christ Himself among the "many mansions" in His "Father's house" (John 14:2).

And all the old and dying things will be completely and forever gone. "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10).

What a "Happy New Year" that will be! In the meantime, we have His "new covenant" and have each been made "a new creature" in Christ (Hebrews 12:24; Galatians 6:15). Since all His words "are true and faithful," we know His promises are sure. Therefore, already, "old things are passed away; behold all things are become new" through faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). HMM

 

Winding Down 2012

My eldest son came up Saturday and we had a good time of fellowship with him and the boys,I made a good Salisbury Steak dinner and baked some special chocolate chip cookies for them to take home, he really liked that.  It was a good day and the babies were really good all day too. Papa rode the oldest boy around in the lawn tractor he love it, here is a photo of that;

 Sunday, my daughter Vikki, Kirby, PJ and Rosemary came to church with us, got to see and hold baby Patrick Jordan Ray the Third, lol big name for a little guy. Papa dedicated him to the lord, praying that they will raise him in church and that he will be saved at an early age. It was a good day, I sang "Mary Did you Know" Chuck and I sang The Twelve Days of Christmas and had the congregation sing along, it was a fun time, then another couple sang a beautiful song, I had never heard before, went something like Jesus had a borrowed manger, and a borrowed tomb, but the cross was his own. It was great song, the pastor preached a good message and it was good being in the house of the lord. The pastor left after church for Northern GA to spend Christmas with his family. Here is the baby dedication photos:

Last night we went to another Church to their Cantata it was so good, just breath taking at times, the Spirit of God was so evident, wonderful singing and a great skit about sending Valentines for Christmas, because God is love, and he sure gave us the best gift of love when giving us Jesus, oh it was so good and very unique.
There was a sweet fellowship after and as usual we ate too much. Got home late, and knew we had a wonderful time in the lord all day long.

Monday our daughter Shellee and her family came up to spend some time with us, love it when my children come home, lol I  made some Chili and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Yummy for the Tummy.

We had a great day Tuesday in Jacksonville, FL spent the day with our youngest daughter and her family, wow she is a good cook, had Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh green beans, and rolls, oh me I ate too much not having to cook it was extra good. Pumpkin and apple pie for dessert, Michelle you out did your self, it was the best.

I had thought much about the events of this past year, with the end of the year fast approaching thought I would reflect on all the trials and troubles, so many have been through this year, and I for one am still praising God and thanking him for all the good and the not so good things that have happened in my life this year.

Our hardest challenge was my husband having throat cancer, not knowing what the out come would be, and trusting God for his healing, if it would be his will, then being able to accept what his answer to prayer would be. As we struggled daily with going for radiation and with gas prices so high, we just trusted the lord daily, finally, putting into practice what Jesus meant when he said give us this day our daily bread, amen, he is so wonderful to meet each need that arises daily.

Well I am here to tell you that God met our every need every day, going almost a hundred miles daily for 33 treatments, we made it another Ministry for us to do for God, we made up little bags, put a gospel tract, a million dollar bill, some peppermints, a little plastic canvas cross the girls in our SS class made, and some of the little pocket crosses. As we handed these out we would ask if they would like us to pray with them, all said they would, we made some friendships along the way too, and each person in that area has heard the gospel, been prayed with, and even the staff. God used this trial for a blessing for us, to teach us and to reach those who we in no other wise would of met. We praise him for his hand upon Chuck, that even though it zapped all of his strength and energy he only missed 2 services of church. Nothing was unbearable because Jesus was hand and hand with him and I, it broke my heart to see him in such pain, and not being the strong man he was, but after almost a year of recovery, he is about back to normal, he still gets real tired easy, but we go and go and he preaches and sings and I do praise God for this trial he allowed us to go through that drew us even closer to our Saviour. Thank you lord for saving me, thank you lord for loving me, and thank you lord for keeping me in your precious sight at all times. My Beloved for 53 years...

What will 2013 bring? I am praying for good health, and to be able to serve God even greater this year, we will start it out right with my husband preaching Sunday the 6th, we will sing, and just have a marvelous time in the house of the lord, with his folks and singing his praises. God bless each of you, and my earnest prayer is that you love the lord with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul, that you will serve him with your entire being and knowing that his blessings will fall upon you.