THIS IS THE LORD'S DOINGS AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES!

PALA--That's with a long "a" on both "a's"! It is a hebrew word and it means: to be wonderful, extraordinary, to act miraculously. That is what comes to my mind this morning just hours after "Apple Pie"'s graduation from nursing school! It's not that we are in shock that she was able to do it!! But that God had this in His plans for her is amazing to us.

And He did it with such splendor!

A.P. was able to go through nursing school debt-free! (a real plus when you want to be on the mission field!!) She also graduated with a 4.0...much to her older brother's delight! (He was proud as a peacock with her last night!) She was also given a scholarship to continue her education.

Isn't God good!

Just had to let you know! Can you tell I'm bursting at the seams!

Home Repairs, Breadmaking and Shopping

Fall has been busy! We have been having some repairs done on our roof. I'm not talking about reshingling, which we also had to do. This was serious stuff! We had some cracked rafters which needed replacing. Some previously poor construction caused this problem. While we were having this done we also had our kitchen ceiling raised and straightened. It had started sagging because of improper support. Now if you came for a visit, you would not be able to tell that a thing had been done but I am happy as ever because now when Honey and I are old we can sit in our rockers and know that we've got a good roof over our heads!!

Often, either Monday or Tuesday, I make bread. Breadmaking is something I love. I've made bread from the time I was in my early 20's and single. The smell of fresh loaves baking in the oven is a homey comfortable smell. I know on cold days that a pot of homemade soup and fresh made bread thrills my family, especially the ones who have been out all day.

Today I ground my wheat and made 4 loaves of whole wheat bread. I also made cornbread from cornmeal and whole wheat flours. Not everyone in my family likes the cornbread since it is heavier than store bought cornbread and not as sweet. We also made store bought cornbread from a mix. I did this for a very specific reason! On Tuesday nights we bring some dinner to share with our "Growing Kids God's Way" class. My friend Suzanne and I plan a week ahead and split what we are making. She made a wonderful pot of vegetable-beef soup and I provided the bread. Since I knew not everyone would love corn/wheat bread, we made the boxed kind to take along.

It seems that in the fall and winter, I do more bread baking. It serves a dual purpose--the house gets a bit warmer and it smells yummy! I've been having a growing interest in fermented foods and I think I will try to make some sourdough starter. I will blog more about this later and let you know how this venture turns out!

I buy my wheat in 50 lbs bags about twice a year. Just a few days ago, I looked at an order I placed for wheat in 1995--that's 13 years ago. The price of a 50 lb. bag of wheat was 12.95. My wheat that should be arriving this week is selling for 32.00 a bag. Same company, same product!!

Tomorrow, the younger girls and I will finish (we hope) our shopping for recital/Christmas performance outfits. Sweet Pea (the younger) was able to find something today but Sunshine (the older) still has not found that something special! I sure do love those girls! They are a joy to me!

What songs will we NOT sing in heaven

This is a spin off from the Thursday night Bible study we attended at our friend's church. We had a song service led by Jay F. He asked us what we thought the "top ten" songs were that we would sing in heaven!! Now there's some food for thought. Of course we are talking about Christian songs to begin with 'cause we know some songs we'd be embarassed to sing before God's throne.
Let's see----we won't be singing:

Rescue the Perishing
Almost Persuaded
Is Thy Heart Right With God
There's A Great Day Coming

I'm sure we could add to the list. But what WILL we sing? I don't know for sure except to say that we will be forever grateful to God for sending Jesus to redeem us from our sins. So here's one that would be a good one for the Top Ten:

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.


Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side

Now there is an expression that paints a picture. Because I live in a bit of a rural area, this expression brings to mind a cow sticking its head into my yard while behind him are acres of rich green grass.
But last night this was the title of a sermon we heard at our friend's church. The "Other Side" was not my neigbor's field but...Heaven. Ah, yes the grass is greener there. As a matter of fact, according to Revelation 21:18-27 there will be a lot of other things that will look better. The street of the city is pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Having worked in a large jewelry store in my younger years, I have seen some beautiful gold. But as Charlie B. pointed out last night in his sermon, this gold is different. Our best gold here on earth holds impurities in it. Heavenly gold is clear--transparent. Yet so often we strive here for what is of lesser value. I love jewelry. It dazzles my eyes. I've always loved jewelry. When I was little and my dad worked in the city, he would bring home rings for me. They were just inexpensive ones with adjustable bands but I loved them. When they broke, I would put them in a desk where I could look at them when I opened the drawer. Dad would always buy me another to replace the broken one. The stones were not real but I didn't know that. To me they spoke love and beauty and being thought about by my father. That jewelry was just a vehicle he used to let me know how much he loved me and thought about me. How good of my dad to do that for me. My Father in heaven has done this too. He has surrounded me with trees, rivers and lakes that sparkle but as Charlie told us, heaven has greater!! One day this will all be gone and then, those that know HIM will see the fullness of HIS goodness.
As my earthly father showed me a picture of my Heavenly father's love and devotion so God has given us this earth to direct our attention to HIM who has so much more.
So where should my heart be?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO. Matthew 6:19-21

First Fall Trip to the Zoo 2008

October 1, 2008--I told the girls I had a surprise for them when their school work was finished. It was one of those longed for autumn days and staying in the house was just not an option! We headed out to the zoo, which the girls had not been to in about 8 years! Great kids, great day, great zoo!

My Intentions

Another blog?! Here's hoping this will be more than that. This is intended as a keepsake for my family about our everyday life.

This past year David's mother passed away at 91 years old. We found in her belongings a journal her mother kept for 5 years. It started in 1932 and ended in 1937. It was simple but gave us so much history of her life and those of the family and friends around her.

With these thoughts fresh on my mind, I endeavor to delve into the world of non paper journalling. It is not without apprehension that I proceed. You see, I have begun before and been woefully negligent. So here is to new beginnings and forging forward!

Enjoy!