How Big Is Your God?

The other week in our staff devotion time at school one of the teachers shared this and I asked if I could share it with you.

     Jennifer was an inquisitive nine year old, who had been looking forward all day to her father's arrival at home from work. He usually sprang through the door, saying "Where's my girl?" She was accustomed to greeting him by taking a running leap into his waiting arms.
     She didn't know why but today was different. Instead of bursting through the door with open arms, he slipped quietly into the house and made his way to the family room, where he slumped in an overstuffed chair.
     Jennifer stood at the door for some time, looking into the darkened room. She had no idea why he was acting so differently, but she discerned that something was troubling him. After several minutes, she made her move, stole into the room unnoticed, and found her place, standing like a silent sentinel beside her father's chair. After waiting for a respectable period, she laid her small hand on his.
     He broke the silence, "Hi, Princess."
     Instead of responding verbally, Jennifer simply crawled up into his lap and gave him a big hug.
     "Daddy," she said"is it true that God brought Jesus back to life after He had been dead for three days?"
     " Yes, dear," he said. "That's right."
     It takes a big God to do something like that, doesn't it?" she said.
     "Yes, it does," he said.
     Jennifer looked her dad straight in the eye when she asked him, "How big is your God, Daddy?"
     In a moment, that Dad snapped out of his depression. He realized that the God who had raised Jesus was certainly big enough to help his family through their time of crisis.

ABC Thanksgiving

Last year about this time I heard someone say that a great way to prepare for thanksgiving was to go thru the alphabet and think of a blessing for each letter so this year I started early and almost have one for each letter.
I am having a little trouble on the last few,but wanted to post this before Thursday.

A- Assurance of everlasting life thru Jesus Christ our Lord.
B- Bible The blessing of being able to pick up God's word anytime(even at work) and read His promises.
C- Mrs. Crosby:  the teacher I work with each day, She is not only a friend but a mentor with my teaching and         some to ask advice about being a Godly wife and mother.
D- Dwight and his family: My younger brother, Even though we don't get to see each other very often I know if I need him he would be there.
E-
F- Faithfulness of God: God has been faithful through many events this year and over the years and shown us He is in control.
G- God's love for us: He sent his only son to die for us.
H- Health For the most part we are all healthy. Some aches and pains here and there put over all good.
I- In-Laws: I am thankful for a wonderful mother and father in law. They love to do things  as a family and are a wonderful example to our family of God's love and making a marriage work.
J- Job: I am thankful I have a job. Many do not have a job and I get to work in a Christian school and this year learn so many things by working in a class with a seasoned teacher.
K-Keys for Kids: This is a ministry of Children's Bible Hour that we listen to each evening with Rachel as our family devotion time. This gives a chance to talk to her about things we may not always think about.Check it out on www.ITOADU.com
L- learning being able to learn each day more about Christ and teaching.
M- Memories  not only from my childhood but we have made in 18 years of marriage. A mom who is still living and trust God. She raised us to love the Lord and to teach our children well.
N- Nieces and Nephews Timothy,Taylor, Brandon, Brayden and Ashlyn , Each is so different and special.
O-
P- Philip A loving husband and friend, God has truly given me the man best suited for me. He loves  God and me no matter what and stands beside me through every part of life. What more could  a girl want.
Q- Quiet times  Sometimes this is early in the morning, on the computer, reading God's word or just relaxing with coffee.
R- Rachel God has blessed us with her. She has a true desire to follow God and has asked Jesus into her heart. We have some rough times but that is part of growing up.
S- Salvation The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We don't have to earn it. The assurance that fellow believers are with him and we will see them someday.
T - Tim and Tania and their faithfulness to take care of Mom and their family.
U- Unfailing love of God- God is there all the time He NEVER leaves us!
V-
W- Wise teachers and Staff at Ridge Christian Academy ( Rachel's and my school)
X- Exceeding great and precious promises are given unto us. 2 Peter 1:14   (I know it starts with e not x)
Y-
Z-

We Went To The Fair

This past week we went to the fair here in Charleston. We all had a great time and spent most of our time in the animal barns. Above is a picture of Bobwhite chicks. They were so small. We saw  the Mommas, the tiny eggs and then about 100 of these little guys and girls.They really looked small since we were use to seeing Lizzie and Mike's chicks.

We took this next picture to show Lizzie this colorful rooster. As I was ready to take this he turned his head and acted like he was posing for me. Look at the feathers on his feet.We just thought this was so odd and that his colors were so different then what we were use to seeing.

Rachel loves animals of almost every kind and so when she was able to she pet as many as possible. She loves this little bunny . Several of the bunnies had  newborns in with them and she loved seeing those. Sorry I couldn't get any good pictures of those.

We saw many cows and this "cow" was set up so children could "milk" her. This was a fake cow so the children would be safe. Rachel still had a good time. We tried to get Grandma Hoyt to show us how it was done but found out she did not milk the cows by hand they used machines.(That puts a new twist on the stories about getting up early to milk the cows.)

This horses's name was Honey and he is sixteen years old. He is used as a rehab horse for people with disabilities. He was so gentle and stood very, very still. I love his little hat.

Rachel loves to ride on the merry go round and had a wonderful time. She went once by herself and once with our friend Miss Bambi.

Michael said the only reason he goes to the fair is to eat fair food. Here he is enjoying a turkey leg It must have been really good with that face he is making.

Rachel went on this slide. Most of the time she has been on these it has been hard for her to get to the bottom because she doesn't slide very well. This time her eyes got as big as saucers as she came down. She slid clear off the end of the slide and would not go back down again.

For those of you not from South Carolina this is an Elephant Ear. I am sure I looked like I just fell off the turnip truck when I went up and asked what is the difference between an elephant ear and a funnel cake.  I was told that a funnel cake is make with waffle batter and an elephant ear is made with a sweeter batter. I also saw that chocolate, apple pie filling, cherry filling or many other toppings are put on elephant ears. We bought one of each and as a family had a taste test. It was about 3 to 2 for funnel cakes. Mom Hoyt liked them both.

Here Grandpa and Rachel are getting on the last ride for the evening. It was like a hang glider and just went in circles. Rachel kept her eyes closed most of the time. This is the same girl that has gone on the Ferris wheel with Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Mike. She never stops surprising me.

Halloween

We have wonderful neighbors who love to spend time with Rachel . Here Bonnie is helping Rachel paint a face on a pumpkin at a neighborhood party. We all had a great time.

Rachel dressed in her costume for Halloween and went to Grandpa's Wal-Mart. There was a cake walk, coloring contest and The best costume contest. Rachel beat two other girls for the best. She won a big chocolate chip cookie cake. (Just what we all need) She had fun.

Bonnie and Tim told Rachel they would help her carve a pumpkin for trick or treat night. I had never used pumpkin master kit. A great investment for four dollars. I am looking to buy one for next year!!! We all had fun! As you can see the dogs got in on the fun also.

When we were done I introduced Tim to eating roasted pumpkin seeds. I think he liked them.

Our finished pumpkin. We really liked doing this! Doesn't he look so happy?!

This is a picture of me on crazy hat,sock and tie day at school. I know I don't have socks on. You can't see my pig hat very well but we all had a good time that week at school. 

I Have Been Tagged

Kathy tagged me and I will answer these but have no clue who to send these to. I hope you enjoy reading my answers.


1. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas!!! I love Christmas. I love to give gifts to people. I enjoy seeing the look on someones face when they open a gift from me. Many of the traditions my family had each year at home and the ones I am working on making with my family now.  We always made tons of cookies, so we had plenty to take to school and other places we went. We always went with my Granddaddy to cut down a Christmas tree on the Saturday before Christmas so we could leave it up through Jan. 6th  (my older brother's birthday). I could go on and on.....


2. Where did you go on your last vacation?  Philip and I went on a cruise to Rouatan, Grand Cayman.
I went to visit family this summer.


3. What do you enjoy doing on your free time? I enjoy scrap booking, reading, and just relaxing.

4. What is your favorite Bible verse? Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."


5. Have you ever been to Las Vegas if so what did you think? Yes, I have been to see Kathy, I always have a good time. Just wish the time change would not be so rough. I love looking at the hotels but hate to see the people just throwing their money away hoping to hit the jackpot.

6. What is your favorite easiest recipe that people really enjoy when you make? Lately it is stuffed shells

7. What do you like most of your occupation? Working with a wonderful teacher. Having fun as we work. Working in a Christian school where I get to teach God's Word.

October

I wanted to put this up in honor of Mike's birthday. This one of my favorite pictures of Mike and Rachel. Mike would have been 44 today. We all miss him greatly but know that he is with our Lord and Savior. Rachel said the other day that maybe the angels will sing Happy Birthday to him. I know if they do it will sound much better then we can sing. Mike always was willing to help anyone he could, he had a wonderful hug and smile. We only knew him a short while but there is still an empty place in our family. 

I love the fall weather in October. It also makes the drive to school beautiful in the morning. The sunrises have been wonderful. This is a picture looking down to the end of our street with the sun coming up. It makes the short drive much nicer. I hate to think of driving in the dark when the time changes. 

The first weekend my Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Ed came to visit and we had a great visit. The weather was wonderful and this was taken outside church on Sunday morning.

We went out to eat at the Kickin Chicken after church and of course Rachel Had to sit between Uncle Ed and Aunt Bonnie. She just loves playing games and spending time with them. 

Boy can you tell these two are sisters? Mom got to come down with Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Ed. She went to school with me several days and then I took a day off school and we went shopping and spent time together. It was a nice visit but way to short!

The other day we had close to thirty geese at the pond behind our house. These are some of them there were some in the pond. I guess that is why the town beside us is called Goose Creek. It was so fun to just watch them.

These two guys are two of the four neighbors dogs. The top one is Frankie and the bottom is Stoney. Rachel has a wonderful time playing with them, rubbing their tummies and giving them lots of TLC. She also enjoys talking with Tim and Bonnie their owners. What wonderful neighbors we have!

This is the beautiful  setting that God has allowed us to use for our church to meet in for the time being, It is so nice between services to set in the rocking chairs and talk to people. The children love to watch the fish in the lake and to throw a chip or two in and watch them swim for it.

More Update Pictures

Rachel and her favorite Uncle Paul(She also has a favorite Uncle Michael and Uncle Mike and Uncle Big Tim and Uncle DD). Do you get the idea she has lots of favorite Uncles? This was at Lizzie's on Saturday when things started to quiet down a little.

Open House the night before school started. This is Rachel at her desk getting excited for school to start.

Rachel and Mrs. Benedict at Open House at school.

The first day of third grade. Doesn't she look so tall in this picture.  The lunch box she is holding is an early birthday present from our neighbors and their four dogs.

Rachel with her great Aunt Judy and Aunt Lizzie out for breakfast for the beginning of school. We try to go out the day before school starts but since school started on Friday we went the day after school started.

Rachel and Aunt Lizzie

We had some of Rachel's birthday early( August 30th) since Grandma and Aunt Lizzie were not going to be here for her real birthday. Rachel wanted a giant chocolate chip cookie  for her cake.

Rachel got American Girl books from Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Mike and the red box is full of card making supplies from Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Michael. She wants to make cards like Aunt Lizzie does.

Aunt Lizzie and Rachel making Grandparents Day cards.  Lizzie is helping Rachel know that less is more.  They both had fun. 

Rachel and I went to Chick-Fil- A the other day and she loves the cow now, she use to be afraid of even getting close to it.

Upper Picture:   Michael cooking us hamburgers and hot dogs over Labor Day. 

Lower Picture: Rachel at a place she likes to eat called Gilligan's Dockside, people can pull up in their boats, tie it up and eat.

Update Through Pictures

This year I did my first canning on my own. I had helped Mom many times when I was a child but this time I did it all by myself. (Well I did call Mom once or twice). I made 7 pints of Zucchini relish. We will see how that turns out. I also tried Pear butter but it is way to runny so I did something wrong there. Oh well there is always next year.

Rachel had a chance to go to a craft class about two weeks before school started and had a blast. It was an hour and a half long and she made four different items. She gave them away to her teacher before I got a picture. Sorry:(

This was taken at Lizzie and Mike's home. This is the family taking care of the chickens. This is what Mike called Fort Cluck. Rachel and the other niece and nephew always loved taking care of the chickens. The chickens have since been given to a family that Lizzie knew.

I like this picture from Mike's service. The service was so like Mike. The gospel was presented for all to understand. It was very dignified and rather joyful. We know Mike is with the Lord which makes it a bitter sweet sorrow. It really hit me then that he was gone and has really made me think about my daily activities and am I pleasing the Lord in ALL I do.  I guess it hit me hardest that Mike was only five months older then I am. That could have been me and what memories would  my family and friends have of me? Would they be Christ honoring?  

This was during the service and because Mike was a marine years ago he was given military honors and  a bugler was there to play Taps.  I am told this is unusual because most services use a CD now and not a person playing.

This gentleman was representing the Marines. I found out later that he is in his eighties and is a World War II vet, he is a believer and goes to the airport two or three times a week to greet soldiers coming home from service and gives them each a tract.

This is flag being given to Lizzie in honor of Mike. I love this picture even more since I know the story behind this gentleman.

Time to Update

     I know I have been gone for a month now but what a month it has been. We have been  on the go so much I have not gotten pictures loaded or even really had time to post. For those who don't know all that has been happening I will clue you in for those who do sorry for the repeat. 

     It all started back on August 16th with getting geared up for school. I had started getting my classroom ready all through the summer and then I was told  we may not have enough students for two K-5 classes. All during the following week I prayed we would have enough students for two classes. 

     The next day Philip called from work at about 10:00  and asked me to pack him a suitcase that Mike (my brother in law) had passed away that morning. We spent the next few days traveling and being in Ga for the service. 

     Teacher work week started that Monday and school that Friday so any teachers know what that week is like. I still didn't know until the first day of school if I would have a class or not. As it worked out I am a teacher's aide for the K-5 class. I am looking at it as a learning year so that next year (when I have a class) I will be a great teacher. Rachel started third grade and has really had to work harder in this class then any grade in school before. It is a big adjustment for her and Mommy when it comes to homework. Keep us in your prayers.

     The following weeks included Philip being in Atlanta for work training, a trip back to help Lizzie pack up the house, finishing paperwork  and the many other things that need to be done here at our house. God has protected us with all the traveling and all the work that has been done over these weeks. Be looking for some pictures in the next few days.

Maryland Trip Week 3

Arlington Cemetery - It was amazing to think each white headstone was for a person who was important to our country.  We were told that in 50 years the whole 600 acers of the cementary would be full.

This is The Tomb of the Unknowns. Wow what a place to be and show respect for those who have scarificed for our freedom.

The changing of the guards. What a sight! WOW! What an honor to be chosen for that job.

HELP!!!!!  Rachel and I sat in this plane and she was pretending to fly. So I was acting scared! I told her I was going to stay on the ground if she was flying.

These next few pictures are from the new Air and Space Museum by  Dullas Airport called the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. This is not the real space shuttle but was used to practice moving the real one back and forth from Texas. It was called the Enterprise.

This is a view of the Space Center. It is full of all kinds of aircraft from hot air balloons to space shuttles. It was really neat.

We went by the capital many times while driving around Washington. Did you know that no statue in Washington may be higher then 19 1/2 feet. That is how tall Lady Freedom is on the top of the capitol. It may be on a pedestal 100 feet tall but the statue can not be more then 19 1/2 feet.