A few Thanksgiving photos

We're here at McKinney thoroughly enjoying our Thanksgiving vacation with the Risses and Ledbetters. Grace is letting me post on her computer. Oh yeah. I GOT A NEW CAMERA TODAY. I went "blitzing" with my mommy, my sissy, and her mom-in-law.  Wal-Mart was so much "fun" at 4:45 this morning. Not too many nasty customers, but we did spot a few. Thankfully, I got a really good deal on my 10 megapixel Samsung point-and-shoot camera. I was also able to pick up a $4 jogging suit for Mikayla and the much anticipated $4 mini chopper. Now I can make my own applesauce!

Here are a few pics. My mom finally had all her baby grands together in one place. Good times, to be sure. How was YOUR Thanksgiving?

Are you game for a most profitable challenge?

I am! My mom told me this evening that she's taken the challenge to memorize Scripture sponsored by challies.com. I'm very excited about this. When we hide God's Word in our hearts, it's never a wasted thing. Think about how often we (I!) waste our time. The Bible tells us to redeem the time because the days are evil. I know this will be so good for me, and if you take the challenge- for YOU, too! I challenge you to take the time to memorize Scripture even if it's not in this particular way- it's an extremely profitable use of your time and energies. It's amazing to me how the Lord brings to my heart/mind verses I've memorized at such perfect times in my life. Click here to get started!







http://www.challies.com/archives/memorizing-scripture/memorizing-scripture-together---it-begins-today.php

Birdwells' Shoot

Thanksgiving plans

I'm terribly excited about Thanksgiving this year. It's my favorite holiday. To me, it just makes the most sense. That, and my birthday, of course;) I love family being together, the cooler weather, good food, thankful hearts.. ahhhh...

This year we are planning on going to McKinney the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. There will be LOTS of people staying in Grace's new 5 bedroom/3 toilet house. Even Mike and Misty and fam will be coming all the way from South Dakota!!!! I really look forward to spending time with the everyone's children. Paul and Dan are also planning on being there. And my parents. Does it get any better than that?! AND we might be having a raw food "cook"off. I think Mike's going to just slice up some raw hot dogs. (I'd say that's cheating, wouldn't you?:)

Today Grace and I talked on the phone and came up with a menu for the time that we'll be there. Making a menu makes me excited, for some reason:)

Last year we spent Thanksgiving with Jody's side of the family and had a blast. I'd like very much to be with them again this year, but we've decided to go visit them in December when Jody has over 2 weeks off!! It'd be so nice to be in 2 places at one time, but I guess that's not an option. I do hope they have a most blessed time together.

So much to be thankful for: breath, life, babies, husband, strength, friends, salvation, parents, siblings, family, a home, food, pumpkin bread, raw chocolate, bananas.... I could go on and on. really, I could. Answered prayer. so much to list. we should be such a humble people.

Happy Birthday, Mamasita!!!!

What a blessing it is to have such a mother as I do. A most godly, loving, caring, considerate woman she is. She also makes a terrific grandma (Emmie, Ems). I have so much I could write about her, but time does not allow for it all. Suffice it to say, she's a JEWEL. She loves her Lord so passionately and longs to grow in Him and learn more and more of Him. I think that's the most attractive thing about her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRECIOUS MOMMY!!! YOU ARE LOVED!

and she's coming to see me today; does it get any better than that??

Great quote on providence

I'm not really sure what the title of this book is; I feel kinda silly even admitting that, but it's hard to figure out just from looking at the cover. ANYway, part of the book is called The Life of Susannah Spurgeon by Charles Ray. Mrs. Spurgeon wrote:

It is a mercy that our lives are not left for us to plan, but that our Father chooses for us; else might we sometimes turn away from our best blessings, and put from us the choicest and loveliest gifts of his providence.

A peaceful Saturday

First of all I'd like to say THANK YOU, ladies, for your bread suggestions. I will try them all and give you my opinion of the softest bread:).

Are YOU having a good weekend? I've having a most enjoyable one. The weather is pretty cool, but not compared to the temps in the north. (right, Misty?!)

Our 9 1/2 month old son got his first HAIRCUT today from our favorite barber BR. He did so well. I took a pictures with my phone, camera, and our camcorder. Phew! And I don't even have one to post. What's new, eh? He looks like SUCH A BIG BOY!! Oh, how I love him. sigh.

I'm teaching in Jonah 2 tomorrow. That's where one of the most wonderful verses in the Bible is found- "Salvation is of the Lord." (verse 9). How good, how true, how wonderful. Hope you have a most blessed Sunday.

I'm goin' on a bread hunt...

Please help me. I enjoy sandwiches on SOFT bread. Does anybody out there recommend a certain brand of bread (white/wheat/whatever) that continually is soft?? I think sandwiches are pretty blah when the bread is kinda hard. Help!



ps. I've never been "tagged" for anything! Talk about feeling popular... I'll read posts and somebody will say, Now I tag Sharon, Beth, and Christine!!!!! I've NEVER read I tag...SARAH! Am I the only one in this boat??

A picnic with Grandma and Grandpa

What a lovely fall day the Lord has blessed us with! I got between 2 and 3 hours of sleep last night b/c our Mikayla was not feeling well. And Jody went into work at 3 this morning. It's so neat how the Lord will give the right amount of strength and grace for each day.

I decided it'd be a good day for a picnic. So, we packed a lunch and away we went. We went to Coggin Park and sat under the pavillion and ate lunch, which consisted of ham/provolone cheese sandwiches, chips, cookies and white grape peach juice. It was chilly in the shade! When we finished eating, Grandma, Big boy (Joseph) and I spread a blanket in the sun while Grandpa and Mikayla played and played. It was so much fun to watch them together :-). I should've taken pictures, but sometimes it's just nice to enjoy your surrounding without having to worry about a camera.

We've had a most wonderful visit with Jody's parents. They'll be leaving this afternoon to go visit Cisco. I'm sure Mikayla's heart will be broken when she has to say goodbye. We've enjoyed them SO much.

The leaves are changing!!! And they're BEAUTIFUL!
Have you noticed?

A nugget in the night

On Friday we set out to go to Winters to visit my parents. Before we left I checked the mail and what a surprise. My sis-in-law Laura sent us a sovereign grace music cd. How kind! So, we listened to that on the way to Winters to see my mom and dad. I'm too lazy right now to go find the name of the cd, but it's a good one:) We went to my dad's last home football game and had a super time- enjoying the cool weather, yummy treats, and good fellowship. And I got a phone call from Christy asking me where my dad was???? She didn't know I was at the game and I didn't know she was there. So, we met up and enjoyed the rest of the game together. Fun!

That night we went to bed VERY late and my poor (little) Joseph had some very bad gas pains. I was up most of the night with him. Now I know that sounds like a very simple sentence, but to really be up MOST of the night is NOT fun. So, I tried to pray and the Lord put it on my heart to read Psalm 37. I was excited when I did.

Psalm 37:18,19
The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

I highly recommend reading that whole chapter if you have the time. If not, make the time;) Just thinking about our next new president and all the uncertainty that many feel, these verses were shown to me at such a good time. No matter what the future holds, we have a God who is true to his word. And he promises to never leave or forsake us. WOW!

Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

God WILL provide for his own and will give us the strength to meet the day he has prepared for us. And I thank him for that.

So, that was my "nugget in the night."

In other fun news- my in-laws are coming for a visit this week!!!!!! How I love when they come. They are such a joy to be around. :) Better get some housecleaning done and a menu prepared. Hope you all had a good weekend!