It is Well With My Soul

by Horatio G. Spafford

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Glory and Jonah

Although Glory has a bad cold, she was still very happy and playful!

Jonah's examining the soil in the garden.

What a surprise! We found something other than onions.

Jonah and Pam gathered some veggies.

"Friday's Fotos" History

The Beginning of "Friday's Fotos"

The family is on vacation. Dad takes out his camera, poses his wife and the kids. He takes a quick shot. Eventually, the picture is filed away in the family photo album. A meaningless activity? Whoa there!! Wait a minute. Let’s try this again!

The family is on vacation. Mom takes out her camera, poses her husband and the kids. She takes several shots. Within a very reasonable time, the pictures are printed for framing and photo albums. A meaningless activity? NO WAY!!!

Hundreds of family pictures are taken weekly with little regard for the meaning of the recorded image. I (as well as many of  our family members) support the theory that photographs document the events that shape families’ lives. They record family history. In some cases, pictures may just be the only biographical material people leave behind after they die. Interpretation of these is a form of communication. They tell a story. One picture is just an event; but put some together and you begin to unveil patterns, traditions, and themes within a family.

I have thousands of pictures tucked away in photo albums and filed on the computer. I have them from my childhood as well as Rick’s. A great majority of them have been taken since our family began in 1977.  I love most all of them. I say “most” because I can think of some that some people would question why I kept them. They are the ones far from flattering for the subjects involved. Those, too, are a part of the visual journal of our lives. Take them out and you lose a little piece of history. (Examples: when I had sinus/nose surgery, Justin’s facial injury in elementary school, Jenna’s foot surgery in high school, etc.).

Because all photographs are so important to me, I have created “Friday Fotos.” This weekly post will be for the sole purpose of just sharing memories through random photos. I hope you enjoy this as much as I know I will. Please feel free to comment with additional information about the pictures. 

Hey, why don’t you do “Friday's Fotos” with me? Copy the header and get started searching through your photographs!

This is Rick at about a year and half old with his mother, Edna.

A mother's love and adoration for her baby boy......

This is also Rick outside his house.

Gotta love the tractor and "Daniel Boone" hat.

The car is a 1955 Chevy bluish green color 

according to Rick.

Interview with God

Provided by this Internet Marketing Online site.

Simply Stunning

Enjoy my hibiscus (Candy Cane) blooms. Aren't they pretty?

Garden Gems

This is pretty exciting. Throughout all the rain and hail storms, most of the plants have survived. And even more exciting, they have evidence of little precious 

vegetables and fruits.

What a great sight for this amateur gardener!

1. holiday weekend
2. camping in the trailer
3. several cookouts with family and friends

4. Sunday lunch with friends

5. worship time

6, answered prayers

7. digging for worms with Jonah (see post)

8. birds chirping in the backyard

9. smell of an afternoon shower

10. great music

"Memorial" Memories

Worm Wonder

This weekend is proving to have many highlights! Jonah and I had a great time Saturday "diggin' up worms" up at the lake. He had a blast looking for the biggest one we could uncover. We found alot of them. He gave a few to Randy, the cook, for the evening. They cornmealed one or two and even fried them up. Jonah and I both had a great time getting down and dirty!

Four Days Late

written by Aaron Wilburn

The news came to Jesus
Please come fast
Lazarus is sick
And without your help he will not last

Mary and Martha watched their brother die
They waited for Jesus
He did not come
And they wondered why

The dead watch was over
Berried four days
Somebody said
"He'll soon be here, the Lord's on his way."

Martha ran to him and then she cried
"Lord if you had been here
You could have healed him,
He'd still been alive"

But Lord, four days late
And all help is gone
Lord we don't understand
Why you waited so long

But his way is God's way
Not yours or mine
And isn't it great
When he's four days late
He's till on time

Jesus said
"Martha, show me the grave"
But she said
"Lord, you don't understand,
He's been there four days"

The grave stone was rolled back
Then Jesus cried
Lazarus come forward
Then somebody said
"He's alright, he's alive."

You may be fighting a battle of fear
You cry to the Lord
"I need you"
But he has not appeared

Friend don't be discouraged
'Cause he's still the same
He'll soon be here
He'll roll back the stone
And he'll call out your name

But he's four days late
And all help is gone
Lord we don't understand
Why you waited so long

But his way is God's way
Not yours or mine
And isn't it great
When he's four days late
He's still on time

He's still on time
Oh my God ...
When he's four days late
He's still on time
He's still on time.

Be Careful on the Last Day of School

It was the last day of school, and all the students were bringing presents for their teacher. A florist’s daughter came up and gave her teacher a box. The teacher said, “I’ll bet these are flowers!” The girl replied, “How did you know?" “She said, “Just a lucky guess.”

Next, a boy whose family owned a candy store came up and gave the teacher a box. She said that she knew it was candy. When the boy asked how she knew, she again said, “Just a lucky guess.”

Finally, a boy whose father owned a liquor store came up and gave the teacher a box, but one of the box’s corners was damp from a leak. The teacher asked the boy if it was wine. The boy said, “No.” She touched the leak and put it to her tongue and asked if it was champagne. The boy again said no.

Finally, she gave up and asked him what was in the box.

He said happily, “A puppy!”

New Cookie Recipe

Today at the lunch table, one of our subs shared a new cookie recipe. I made them to give the ladies in my bible study tonight as we finish up "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." Easy and very good! (She didn't tell us the name of them, so let's just call them "Easy Cookies.")

One Pillsbury Cookie Dough Roll

To this simply add:
Cranraisins
White Chocolate Chips
Pecans
1 t. vanilla
1 t. orange flavoring

I baked them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Confession: I forgot the vanilla and orange flavoring. Although I will try to remember these next time, I don't think the cookies suffered at all!

Recess at School

All testing is completed! We are down to the last few days of school. That's a great time when you are a kid (well... teacher, too). Usually, this means a little more free time within the day and lower stress levels. 

The weather is great.  I am watching all the kiddos outside playing right now. Hallelujah! Bring on the fun. 

Made me think about recess in the "old" days of my elementary years. You don't hear of these games much anymore. But here are  two very popular outside games that we played all the time.

Red Rover, Red Rover In this game, the kids form two opposing lines and attempt to "break through" the opposing team's line. At first, two teams are chosen of equal size, and they form two lines, facing each other and holding hands. One side starts by picking a person on the opposing team and saying "Red Rover, Red Rover, send ___ right over." Jason then lets go of his teammates and begins a headlong rush for the other line. His goal is to break through the line by overpowering the kids as they hold on to each other. If Jason breaks through, he chooses one person for the opposing team to join his team, and they both go back and join in their line. If he fails to break through, Jason becomes part of the other team. Each team alternates calling people over until one team has all the people and is declared the winner. Note that since all the players are on the winning team at the end, there really are no losers in this game.

Drop the Hanky

Have the children form a circle and stand facing each other.

Choose one child to be "it" by drawing straws or guessing a number. The child who is "it " holds a handkerchief or a piece of cloth and begins running around the outside of the circle.

Wait for the "it" child to eventually drop the hanky behind one of the other children, whereupon he will take off running as fast as he can. The child behind whom the hanky was dropped must pick it up and run after the "it" child to try to catch him. The "it" child's goal is to run completely around the circle and get back to the open space before the child with the hanky does.

Watch for the child with the hanky to catch the "it" child; if she does so, the "it" child must be "it" again, and try once more to get a spot in the circle. The game can be played for long as the children remain interested.

Without God

Got this from an email friend. Thought it was worth posting.


Without GOD our week would be:
Sinday  
Mournday 
Tearsday 
Wasteday
Thirstday  
Fightday  
 & Shatterday.

Blue Bird of Happiness

This beautiful blue glass bird is a widely accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, the renewal of springtime, etc. Virtually any positive sentiments may be attached to the bluebird.

Mother had a very special friend, Neva Streetman, who shared these beautiful little birds with her many friends over the years. Mother acquired several of these from Neva during times when their paths crossed--usually when Neva would visit Mother in the hospital. She would bring Mother one of these special little friends as a token of her friendship and love.

I am so grateful that all of us-- Marilyn, Jenna, Keelie and myself--have these to enjoy. I have mine in very visible places and get reminded of friendship and love between two special friends every time I look at them.

A Time To Exalt our God!

One post is certainly not sufficient to express my joy, peace, and thanksgiving for God Almighty’s plan and provision for our FBC family this weekend. However, I’ll keep it to one.

The journey began months and months ago as we began seeking the Lord’s guidance and fervently praying for Him to lead us to the one man He had already chosen to be our next Senior Pastor. I am so grateful to have been available as an empty vessel to join Him as He worked in the lives of each of us. I regret not one meeting, prayer session, resume, taped sermon, ---nothing--- giving all credit, glory and honor to our God! It was a privilege to watch Him provide and go before us to make the way. His Word tells us that He always does this as we walk with Him scripturally in Spirit and Truth.

Yesterday morning, after a much anticipated wait, the entire congregation gave a standing ovation and just praised the Lord when Bro. Jack and his family enthusiastically accepted the call. What a sweet and precious memory! Our family members join hearts and minds as a congregational-led church to move forward under the leadership, love, and service of our new pastor to further God’s kingdom and the plans for FBC.

 1. a new pastor
 2. visiting with friends
 3. homemade yeast rolls

 4. answered prayers

 5. worship time

 6. cool breezes

 7. great meal at La Hacienda

 8. answered prayers (gets two slots on the list) 

 9. a beautiful Sunday a.m. sunrise

10. the geese "singing" on the pond

Afternoon Delight!

Jonah had a great time outside yesterday afternoon. Glad he is feeling better.

Miss Glory got a turn, too, with a little extra help!

My Ship Has Come In!!

Jerry sent this to me. This is on the beach near his place in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Look closely. The "cabin cruiser" is named "Di." Not really what I had in mind!


Another view of the pretty beach near his room.

In The Kitchen

Ever since I got a new mixer, baking cookies has gotten so much easier! These are Ranger Cookies. Try them and enjoy!

1 c. Crisco
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
Thoroughly mix all the above.

Gradually add:
1 c. crushed Wheaties
3/4 to 1 c. oatmeal
3/4 c. nuts
3/4 bag chocolate chips
1 t. baking soda
(Can adjust the amounts of cereal, nuts, and chips to your preference.)

Bake 375 degrees for 9-10 minutes.

Next try this Quiche Lorraine that I just made for the second time. Sooo good!

4 eggs
1 can evaporated milk
1 T. flour
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 chopped medium onion
1 1/2 c. swiss or mozarella cheese
3/4 lb. bacon
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Blend all ingredients and pour into a deep dish uncooked pie crust. Bake approximately 50-55 mins.

Great hint: I didn't have bacon on hand today. So I used a bottle of real bacon bits. Super easy and tasted yummy! 

Even Rick likes it. I will tell you the first time I made it I just told him it was a new casserole recipe. Didn't use the word "quiche." Knew that would kill its chances!

Lovin' Them!

This is one of the four plates that Keelie and Justin gave me on Mother's Day. They look so pretty on the table!



And here is the wonderful diffuser that Jenna gave me. The scent of tuberose and gardenia is simply amazing!

Thank you to Justin, Keelie and Jenna. Love you!!

Dog gone it!

So sad!! Jonah is not feeling well today. Let's hope that fever goes away quickly!!