Pre-Christmas

While we were up at Mom's for  Grandmas funeral we gave Mom her Christmas- a new toaster/convection oven. 

We all went to Mountain gate at Christmas time and Rachel wanted to sit with her cousin Ashlyn.They always have so much fun together.

When at home there is a farm that has a big light display for Christmas. They also have this display of sheep in the front yard. (They raise sheep) Those who come by to see the lights may get out and pet the sheep.  These two baby sheep were born on Thanksgiving and there was one more expected before Christmas.

Rachel was very excited this year to have a speaking part and a solo in the school Christmas program. Here  she is trying to get her microphone turned on to say her part. They all did a wonderful job.

Grandma's Funeral

December 6, 2010 I got a phone call on the way home from school that Grandma had died. This was not unexpected she had been going down hill since Thanksgiving. I knew it was just a matter of time and prayed it would be quick since I knew she was having pain. I knew she was now with Granddaddy and most importantly with her Lord and Savior who she loved both very dearly. This was a joyful time really since we knew how much she missed Granddaddy. She had made this very clear over the three and a half years they had been apart.  As we talking at the church Daddy and Aunt Rosalie could only name a handful of times that the two of them had ever been separated. 

I had only once before seen since such an example of a husband and wife working together and sticking together as I did Grandma and Granddaddy. They had been married 73 years. They also grew up together so they really knew each other. They worked hard at their jobs, Granddaddy at the road department for 30 years and Grandma at home, ironing for extra money, working in the garden, canning and freezing food, taking care of her parents when they lived there and many, many other things. They both knew how to have fun too. Granddaddy each year at Christmas with a silly gift for each of us and many years he would buy us clear toy candy to eat. Grandma went right along with  him and laughed the loudest when we opened our gifts. 

Grandma and Granddaddy left us with many happy memories: a love of birds and nature, going each year to cut down the Christmas tree, camping, going to the bread store, going to the barber shop with Granddaddy, going to Waynesboro for groceries, picnics in the backyard each summer, roasting corn on the cob on an  open fire, freezing and canning food, taking care of Mam Maw and Pap Pap,working in the shop downstairs, learning to sew and trying to knit, learning to spend our money wisely and many other things BUT most of all to love our Lord and Savior and to listen to our parents. We miss both of you already but know we will see you some day soon with our Lord!

This is Dwight (my younger but just as gray as I am) brother with his lovely wife Carrie. Aren't they such a cute couple.

My older brother Tim ( has the least gray of all three of us) and his wife Tania. What a sweet couple. Can you tell they were picking on me about my gray hair?

We got a little snow while we were there. Thankfully we did not get this the day of the funeral. Rachel tried to make a snowball or a snowman but it was way to dry.

Thanksgiving-Christmas All at One Time

So Sorry I am soo late getting these posted. It was a month of traveling during December. We made two trips to Maryland during the month. We had all of Philip's family together for Thanksgiving and Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend. This was so important to be together for a fun time. The last we were all together was at Mike's service. We had a great time.

Philip had wanted a WII fit board so that we could start exercising with our WII. He was glad to get this for part of his Christmas.

Rachel is starting to get into making cards like her Aunt Lizzie and she received lots of stamp pads, ideas and materials including this great tote in which to carry her stuff.

This was Rachel's and my big project this year. We made all the ladies aprons these are four out of the 10 we made. Rachel wanted to learn to sew and she picked this project. (Some of the others will be in a later post..)

Aunt Kathy and Aunt Lizzie wanted to get pedicures and decided to treat me. Rachel was treated to a manicure and most of us got signs of Christmas put on our nails. Rachel had small snowflakes on each thumb.

Rachel with two of her favorite aunts.

We celebrated Paul's birthday while he was here and he really wanted to see the Yorktown so we spent a cold day on the ship. It really was neat!

My own picture of the bridge at the top of my blog. It was really beautiful that day.

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-