Decatur Children's Museum

Ambulance driver - Zachary
Hospital Admissions
Abigail & Zachary

Dr. Jason & Abigail

Well Baby Clinic

Dr. Jason

Zachary Store Clerk

Mystery Shopper - Naomi

Clerk Jason

Cashier - Abigail

Little Shopper - Aaron

Happy Thanksgiving

We will return from Illinois with pictures. We trust you all have a wonderful time with with your loved ones. Love to you all

Happy Tuesday Everybody

We went to my mother's over the weekend. My cousin's daughter was married Saturday. The pastor did a wonderful job challenging the newlyweds to follow God's design for marriage. Yesterday was spent catching up on laundry and unpacking. Today this grandma is enjoying 2 of her 7 grandchildren. So that includes walking Zachary to kindergarten. Then going back to pick him up at 11:00. We fixed lunch. Then I supervised Abigail as she home schooled. With the little white snow flurries that have popped up the last few days (not to mention the picture our son texted us of their new Christmas tree) I have developed a mild case of Christmas Spirit. So Zachary and I have been rearranging furniture. I think 3 computers doesn't help anything in a small living room. I have my PC, Phil has his laptop, and Naomi and the children have a computer just for their games. See all very necessary. LOL I really must get busy wrapping presents since we will be having Thanksgiving with our son's family in Illinois which is half way between Kansas and Michigan. So it won't be a homemade turkey dinner but we will be with family.Now we just have to pray some restaurant will be serving something like a Thanksgiving dinner.We won't be able to get together for Christmas so we will have Christmas with them at Thanksgiving time. Plus Luke's birthday is on Thanksgiving Day and his mommy's is the Day after. So I really must get back to work. Oh dear.....I have baking to do too!!! So much to do so little time when will I have time to put up the tree?

Our Civic Duty

Romans 13:1-7

1LET EVERY person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment.(A)

2Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them].

3For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation.

4For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.

5Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath and escape punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of conscience.

6For this same reason you pay taxes, for [the civil authorities] are official servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service.

7Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.

I thought the Amplified Bible spoke so plainly about our duties as citizens. Is it easy to submit to a ruler who opposes what we believe ? No, not easy but it is possible when we consider that it is ONLY with God's sanction and permission that this person rules. So as much as we are able we must give what is due to those over us. If we can not respect the man we must respect the position he holds.

Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Paul in his letter to Titus put it this way:

Titus 3:1-2
The Message
Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.

The electoral outcome was a sad day in America's history. To be honest it has been easier to read other peoples blogs today and share their feelings than to write my own feelings about the out come of the elections. I know the Bible says God will put into authority whom He chooses, but when I look at the values of the man chosen as president it breaks my heart when I think how his decisions will effect the future of America and our Churches. As never before we need to pray for our country. But as I write that I am also aware that these same feelings were within the persecuted Church throughout history. It is a fact that the persecuted Church was a growing Church. May we be strengthened by God's Grace for the days ahead.

IN GOD WE TRUST

(may it ever be so)

PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY

Remember to VOTE!

Today is a sick day. Are Mother's allowed those? I didn't see that clause in my contract. Just the minor stuffy nose, sore throat kind. I sound like I could sing bass if in fact I could sing. So the tea, chicken noodle soup, cough drops, and Vick Rub are keeping me company. Please don't forget the tissues. I'm so thankful Jesus is with me even when I smell like a drug store. He's the BEST friend!

Happy Sweetest Day!

On Saturday I returned home from my Mother's where I had been assisting her while she had her other hand operated on for carpel tunnel. This is what my Darling Husband had on the table to greet me, 4 bottles of my favorite tea ( Gold Peak Tea), 2 dozen Roses, and 2 Sweetest Day cards. He then took me out for supper at Golden Corral. Yes, you are correct..... I AM Spoiled! But I really LOVE the man. Thank you Phillip. You are my sweetheart.

1972

Phil....Can it really be????

1954

1968

1988

1970

1990

1962

1968

This is tooo funny.....me with the BIG bangs! 1982

1984

1974

Yearbook Yourself

http://www.yearbookyourself.com/

I think I'll stick with the yearbook picture I had. I will try to post the picture they showed of me in 1974 it was NOT like the one that I have.

Have I read this someplace before?

After blogging I visited my daughter Sarah's blog and I found she has blogged some of the same family events as I so instead of duplicating the wonderful time we had Saturday at the Butterfly farm and Grand Rapids, Ohio I encourage you to check my list of fellowbloggers, find Sarah and Tony's blog and read all about it!! She does a wonderful job of adding pictures. It was so touching to this grandma's heart to hear Abigail and Zachary say, "This is the best day EVER." I'm very happy they enjoyed themselves.

Wedding Bells

Friday evening we attended the wedding of Joseph Thoroughman and Lynette Watters. it was a lovely candlelight ceremony. The bride was so beautiful as she walked up the isle on her proud father's arm. The bride's father Tim Watters and the groom sang a touching song called My Little Girl as Joseph pledged his love and to care for Tim's "Little Girl" before Tim gave her hand to Joseph. After the invocation Joseph sang a song he wrote to Lynette called Between your Heart and Mine. Then Tim gave the charge in his humorous way as he assured Joseph it was in his "best interest" to be gentle with Lynette and he charged Lynette that she would now submit to Joseph. The vows were exchanged, Bibles presented,unity candles lit, followed by a prayer of blessing by Joseph's grandfather. Concluding with Joseph and Lynette singing so eloquently To Serve Christ. Then the moment Joseph had been waiting for (so stated Lynette's father) as they were pronounced husband and wife. A reception was held at the Tecumseh Community Center. The menu included ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, green beans, and rolls. Lynette's mother, Esther out-did herself with her special recipe for the potatoes. The entire wedding was a lovely, touching, and Christ-honoring event from beginning to end. The newly weds are honeymooning in the heart of Amish country in Ohio. As Abigail stated at the conclusion of the ceremony,"Now they can live happily- ever after." May God grant that it be so. Congratulations Lynette and Joseph Thoroughman.

What have you been up to?

September 27 Th was the Newman reunion for my Mother's family. I didn't take many pictures this year but I did get a photo of my Mother during the Memorial Service lighting a candle in Memory of my father. This is done for each of our grandparents, their children (and in-laws), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We always have a delicious meal and Mom of course brings her famous home-made noodles. Naomi enjoyed hunting for the bubble gum in the whipped cream without using her hands. I believe my granddaughter won that race. They also enjoyed painting ceramic crafts. I enjoyed meeting all the new grandchildren that my cousins have had born into their families over the past year. Of course we always have a great time at the close of the day with the hot dog roast and chili/bean soup and the hay ride. One of my second cousin's grew her own mum's (over 300) for her wedding last fall and this year she brought them to sell at the reunion. The huge attraction at the reunion this year was a box of photo's that my cousin brought which belonged to his mother (recently deceased) who was a collector of pictures. So many memories were re-lived as we dove into this treasure chest of memories. The annual live and silent auction was so much fun as always. I purchased a couple items my crafty cousin Dianna made. One was a fall wreath for my father's grave. The other was I am saving as a Christmas gift so I shall not mention it who knows who may be reading my blog. LOL

Well the following week my daughter Naomi, granddaughter Abigail and I stayed with my mother. Mom had carpel tunnel surgery on her left hand. We went with her to the out patient surgery and as the nurses were prepping her getting IVs hooked up Abigail said, "I feel sick." She couldn't stand seeing them stick needles into her "nanny." In her defense Abigail really did come down with a 24-hour bug that caused her to be sick and have a fever but recovered quickly. Mom got along very well throughout the week and it has helped her with the pain and numbness she was experiencing. I came home on Sunday and imagine my surprise when she called me on Thursday to say that when she went to the doctor to have her stitches removed she also set up her surgery for her right hand for next Wednesday. So here we go off to Mom's next week. LOL Bless her heart she would do the same for me in a heartbeat! Abigail is excited to be homeschooling so it gives her the freedom to go with me. Her only request was NOT to go in the room where they put needles in "nanny."

Love, Respect, and Fun

Friday Phillip and I went to Tony and Sarah's home and ate pizza then Hannah kindly babysat Naomi, Abigail, and Zachary while we left to attend a Love and Respect video conference produced by Emerson and Sarah Eggerich. http://www.loveandrespect.com/index.php It was the same as the live Conference Phillip and I attended in Troy, MI several years ago. We enjoyed it just as much as the first time. What a wonderful refresher course on the need for a wife is to be LOVED and the need of a husband is RESPECT. The knowledge of these truths was spoken with such humor and yet so pointedly that we couldn't miss it.

The conference was a 2-day event so Saturday morning we left the children in Hannah's capable hands to attend the final sessions. We were finished by 1:30. The church we are attending http://www.raisincenterfriendschurch.com/

had a Family Fun Day. So after the conference we went to the church park where Hannah had already taken the children. There was food, a hay ride, volley ball, three-legged race, a moonwalk for the kid's, Bible quiz games, pumpkin painting, a cake walk, and a bonn fire. Over the course of the day there were over 100 people who attended. It was a huge success and so much fun. Thank you Hannah for once again making it possible for us to attend the conference and Thanks to Tony and Sarah for going with us. What a full and enriching weekend!

A Gentle Reminder

Today started as usually.. having more things to do than time to do it in.. I was so behind in work.. I was trying top rush and get it all in... You make mistakes when you do that.. I am 5 hours behind and need to rush!!I have several items to mail and thought I would mail them tomorrow. I decided I had to get the items out now. We have a storm headed our way.. I really didn't have time to go, but I went anyway..I arrived and there were 12 people in line.. Oh my, I will be here for awhile... People were in line and you could sense their restlessness.. toes were tapping on the floor, fingers on the counter.. no one was a happy camper.. An elderly man wasin the line.. I would find later he is 97!Finally the moment arrives and I place all the packages on the counter. The Postal Lady starts doing my packages.. out of the corner of my eye, I see the elderly man start to shuffle back in... he goes to the back of the line to start over..As soon as I finish, I head out the door.. but, something inside tells me to stop and ask this man how old he is.. I tap him in the shoulder and ask.. He replies "97" ... I leave and as I start to put my key in the car.. Something inside.. says.. STOP!!!! I know it was God, but I didn't have time to stop, I had places to be.. I am in a rush!! I am 5 hours behind!!!!I listened to God... I went back inside the post office and the same man is waiting patiently in line..now there is 14 people in front of him. I can sense that he is blessed just to take another breath.. He is not in a rush.. he is taking each breath of God in patience! I gently tap him on the shoulder and say "Sir, I will wait in the line for you and pay for your package" He turns and his gentle old gray eyes.. say "Thank you"... Suddenly, the postal worker behind the counter said: "Ma'am... that's o.k... have him come to the counter..".... Everyone started clapping for this man and this elderly man turned and smiled at all..(Yes, I am in tears as is everyone in the line" .. )Suddenly the Post Office Changed.. Everyone turned to the person next to them and said: "Have A God Blessed Day"... Frowns turned to smiles and the kindness in the room was more than most people could take.. Doors were being opened... Gentle whispers of happiness were being shared... At that moment.. "Not having enough time to wait" turned into a lesson of life and what awaits!As I left, I saw the elderly man in his car.. He had left several moments before I.. Why was he taking so long to leave.. .. Oh yes God.. I see...Because he is not in a rush... He is taking each moment with a single breath...Take time today to show kindness and remember that life is not to be a race.. it is to be taken with a single breath.... Who knows, by slowing down, you may feel the presence of God working within you...May you all have a very blessed day.....

The Mill House B&B

http://www.themillhouse.com/

Saturday, August 30th Phillip and I headed for Grand Rapids, Ohio http://grandrapidsohio.com/ in honor of our 34th anniversay.

The Garden Room

http://www.themillhouse.com/garden.htm

We enjoyed this room on Saturday but we were moved to another room on Sunday because another couple had reserved it that night. We later discovered it was a Soldier and his wife who was being deployed for Iraq on Monday. They were sharing one last oasis of privacy and peace.

Sunday morning August, 31st (Our Anniversary) we shared breakfast with another couple who were from Columbus, Ohio on the terrace. It was a lovely meal. Tasteful in looks and content. We had a fruit cup, egg souffle, sausage, mini bagel, and scones. Then we attended a church in the area. We came back to our room and just spent time together. In the afternoon we took a walk to the dam. Notice the small island in the background. Phillip and I sat on the bench here on this island late that evening and did some smooching. LOL Very romantic for whispering sweet nothings. This fall it will be completely renovated with a new bridge and flowers.

Phillip and I enjoyed the Terrace and the beautiful flower gardens just outside our Garden room.

An Invitation to Swing

This 1/2 mile path led to the dam with some swings and benches along the way.
Birds and Ducks congregate on this shallow river and many people walked here also
Kyak and Canoe rental were available

Phil walking the Maumee River
Walking the Dam
Steps to the River
The Canal behind the Mill House

Day Dreaming by the River

Fishing and Playing ~ this part of the river is only about 2 feet deep and children and adults enjoyed activities here. There are state parks on both sides of this lake. Who would have guessed that 45 minutes from our home was this nice getaway.
Sunset on the Maumee
34 years together

The Canal Boat (The Volunteer) is pulled by mules. We had planned on Monday to take a ride but it is closed on Monday so we will have to come back another time.

inside the canal boat
Tee-Na-Beek Room
We stayed in this room Sunday night. It was a small room but so artfully decorated.
The signature refreshment served at breakfast and bedtime were these delicious Scones. Some were filled with fruit and others with Chocolate chips.
Sitting by the entrance of the canal. The steps come right down to a picnic table.