Time and Happy New Year!

Wow, the last day of 2009 fell on me to write a post for KJV Directory. The next post will be typed in a brand new year: Twenty-ten. I've thought much about 'time' lately. Seems like yesterday, I was still in school, still under the care of my parents, getting married, giving birth to two sweet babies, rocking and singing to those babies, teaching my children their alphabet and numbers, going to Little League games, attending ballet recitals, and the list goes on. I am now two short months away from celebrating my forty-fifth birthday, six months away from celebrating Scot and my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, and about 17 months from ending our home school journey. TIME. Time moves at the very same pace as it did when I was a little girl, but I do know that it seemed like it took forever and a day for my birthday and Christmas to arrive each year.

To be honest, I struggle with this TIME thing. I am a creature of habit; I like things the same; but TIME has always been like this; it stands still for no one. Webster says that Time is every moment there has ever been or ever will be. That is a very deep definition to think on. Time is a gift, a responsibility. In the Bank of Time, there are 864,000 seconds a day. What have I done with those precious moments of time in my almost forty-five years? Regrets? Oh yes, I do have regrets. But, I can say even with the regrets staring me in the face, time has been on my side. I have been loved all my life, I have loved all my life, I have met some of the most wonderful people in the world, I have played until I could play no more, I have laughed until I hurt, and I also have had moments of what felt like never ending tears to pour from my eyes.

The day of my fortieth birthday, someone asked if turning forty bothered me. I told them that the age really didn't bother me, just the time that had so quickly passed to get me to this milestone. But, I went ahead to say that should my life end for some reason, I had been blessed with a good life and I wouldn't be able to complain.

Am I going to make a New Years Resolution? Resolution- Fixedness of mind, perseverance. A thing determined upon, decision as to future action. Resolute- fixed and firm in purpose, determined. I love that word Fixedness. Fixedness is not in my dictionary, but Fixed is. Fixed- firmly in place, established; settled, unchanging, ... That makes me think of my salvation that was so freely given to me. My salvation is fixed; it's firmly in place, it's established, and it's settled! That makes this Baptist gal wanna shout a great big "Hallelujah!"

I usually do make New Years resolutions, and the resolutions usually involve weight loss and Bible reading. Can you relate? And sad to say, I usually plow through for a few weeks with success and then I get slack. The newness of the New Year wears off.

I'm thinking I will not make a resolution this year; at least nothing specific. I do want to read and study Romans 12 and 13 and try to apply those chapters to my life. Here are just a few of those verses: A quick warning: these two chapters in the Word of God are not very popular anymore, so read at your own risk! Anyone who should attempt to apply these scriptures to their lives could possibly be considered a 'weirdo'. (smile)

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:9-15

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:10-14

The year 2009 is coming to a fast close. It is a year that will probably always stand out in my memory. This time last year, I would never have thought that 2009 would hold the things it did for me and my family. There was sadness and hurt, unanswered questions, more moves than I liked!, but the good news to all of that is this...Our great big unchanging God never left us or forsook us; He was our comfort, He was our peace, He was our joy, and He was our hope. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I learned that when you don't know what to do; just pray and do nothing. God came through for us in ways that we wouldn't have even known to have ask for. Even in the midst of pain, hurt, fear, and disappointment, God was real and He was faithful and true. I can stand on that dear friends. I don't know what my future holds, but I do know Who holds my future! 2009 also held many good things. We have a new church family, Cale's Spartan Team (Cross Country) did great, Noelle celebrated her 21st birthday, we are all healthy as far as we know, and good memories were made with family and friends.

In closing, I want to share with you three more verses that I hope we will remember all the days of our lives...and the last sentence would be our prayer each day.

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:10-12

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26

That is my prayer for each of you in 2010.

Check out the KJV Directory here: http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/

Happy 17th Birthday To Cale

Happy 17th birthday to Cale Scot George.

It's such a pleasure and joy to be the Mother of such a fun-loving, kind, generous, and easy going child. Cale is so not like me, and very much like his daddy. He thinks things through, he is soft spoken, a non-worrier, very adventurous, and quiet young man. I have to add one more adjective...MISCHIEVOUS!

Cale melts this Mother's heart. "Mom" comes from his lips and I can just feel my inner self getting all soft and gooey. The very last day of 1992, we brought this Big bundle of joy home and it's been like living in a theme park ever since! Cale is so much fun and unreadable, so you just never know what is next! Cale is a private person, unemotional on the outside; and thinks we people who are so emotional waste alot of time and energy! Ha.

He is an appreciative young man, always so thankful for anything anyone does for him or gives him. Lazy is a no-no to Cale; he is a hard worker and expects everyone else to be so. And one more thing I have to share...Cale is not a quitter! He sticks with and finishes whatever he starts. He hates kisses, but is always ready to give his Mom a hug! I learn so much from my son...oh to be more like him. Happy Birthday Cale and much love from Mom...(WOW) (between me and Cale)

Baby Cale

First day in home school

He does love pancakes!

and

Ice-cream

and

Steak

and

Sweet tea!

Cale shares his birthday with Bro. Tony.

Happy Birthday Bro. Tony!

My laid back, easy going boy.

Sad, Yet Beautiful Story

The following is a newspaper article I read this morning. http://nems360.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Couple+married+56+years+die+3+days+apart%20&id=5322794&instance=secondary_stories_left_column

MEMPHIS — A Memphis husband and wife married for 56 years have died three days apart, one in a nursing home, the other in the hospital. Glenn and Martha Faulk had been apart only the last two months of their lives, when both were sick.

The Commercial Appeal reported that Glenn Faulk died Dec. 19 at age 90, and Martha Faulk died Tuesday at age 77.

One of their three daughters, Teresa Faulk, said after she broke the news to her mother about her father's death, Martha Faulk's health declined. "She cried and then you could just see her start to deteriorate," Teresa Faulk said. "We were moving her to hospice the day she died."

Glenn and Martha Faulk raised a family, ran a hardware store and lived a quiet, simple life in a Memphis neighborhood called Raleigh.

Glenn Faulk, a Navy Seal during World War II, was aboard the USS Chicago on Jan. 30, 1943, when the ship sank off Rennell Island in the South Pacific. He was one of 1,049 survivors.After they were married, the couple had three daughters.

In 1974, Glenn Faulk bought a hardware store and put Martha Faulk in charge of running it. Martha Faulk wore a pearl necklace, dress, hose, heels and clip earrings to work every day, her daughter said. She became an expert in just about every department, including the gun department. Martha Faulk became known as the "gun lady" for her knowledge of semi-automatic weapons. The couple worked side by side at East Park Sporting hardware for 24 years.

In June, Martha Faulk was diagnosed with cancer and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy. In September, Glenn Faulk contracted pneumonia and eventually had to move to a nursing home. Ten days later, his wife went into the hospital where she stayed until she died.

The pair talked on the phone every day, just chitchatting.

"When I told her that Dad died, she told me she had woke up about 3:30 in the morning and felt like he was going to die," Teresa Faulk said. She slipped into unconsciousness Monday.

The couple shared a joint memorial service on Christmas Eve. They are buried side-by-side in a Memphis cemetery.

Merry Christmas To All

May the greatest Gift of all be your joy, hope, peace, and love today and always. JESUS, there is something about that name!

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew:1:21

Happy Birthday Jesus

and

Merry Christmas to all

~from

The Georges

Sharing

I have tried so hard lately to blog about all the events taking place in our lives during this busy time of the year, that I have failed to really write about anything personal...like my feelings and thoughts. Today is Christmas Eve Eve... Cale will begin his Christmas break from school this afternoon. Normally, he would have gotten out of school last Friday, but this year, we decided to work up until Christmas Eve and he won't start back to school until January 7th. This is due to the new puppy (Remington) that he will get hopefully sometime next week. He can spend extra time with him on those days. Noelle and Scot will both work half a day tomorrow and will be home until Monday morning. As for me, I am preparing for Christmas Eve. We will have Christmas Eve here with my parents. Most of you know that I'm an only child, so it will just be my four and my parents. We always have a very good time. I am not even sure of the menu yet. I have several thoughts running through my mind...I may just do a good ole country supper like peas, cornbread, mashed potatoes, corn, baked beans with bacon, English peas, and some kind of meat. My mother loves my potato soup, so I am making a pot of that also. Noelle, Cale, and I will bake our annual Happy Birthday Jesus cake. We are thinking chocolate on chocolate.
Seems like we get so engrossed with the planning and all the doings, we're so tired by Christmas Day, we sadly don't even feel like celebrating. I have been very busy, but for today and tomorrow, I am cleaning my house and cooking a normal meal for my family. I hope to get a good nights rest tonight and be able to actually feel the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT tomorrow and Friday. I want to be vibrant, alert, and happy...and spread love and cheer to my family. Some would call it being in a good mood! I don't know why I'm blogging about all of this...I guess it's just what is on my mind. Christ in my heart and my precious family and friends is what will make the next two days so special. I honestly could care less if I even get a gift; I love to give gifts; I'd probably be a bit sad if I couldn't give gifts to my family and friends, but when it comes down to it...I possess the greatest Gift inside me and I need to share that Gift with others. I need to let my life be a tribute and an honor to that Gift...I need to give out gifts of hugs, pats on the back, I love yous, you are specials, I treasure yous, kind words, let me do that for yous, etc.
I need to make sure that my family and friends know how I feel about them and that after the Christmas season has passed, they look back and have happy memories of how they felt when in my presence. I know Christ's presence in my life made a difference; I need to make a difference in other's lives, beginning here in my home. OK, I'm getting teary; no time for that, but my heart's desire is to give gifts of blessing, and of hope and love to all I come in contact with. I can give those gifts because of the wonderful salvation given to me by the Reason for This and All Seasons, My Lord and Saviour Jesus. Merry Christmas Eve Eve.

Christmas With The Minnis Family

Saturday, December 12, our friends David, Kathy, & Josh, my parents, & my family got together for Christmas. We met at our local restaurant for supper, then came to our home for desserts and gifts. We've been celebrating Christmas with the Minnis family for many years now. It's a time we always look forward to. I was very excited for them to open their gifts. I knew they'd love what we got them. I put three chairs in the middle of the room to where they couldn't see each other's gift. I had bought each of them a Mississippi State Bulldog ornament. All three ornaments were the same except that I monogrammed each ornament with their individual names.

I was right! They loved their ornaments. It's hard to see the ornaments in the picture. I wish I had taken a close up of the ornament itself.

They went back to where they were sitting and opened another gift from us. Remember, I am an Ole Miss fan! I broke down and bought Josh and David Mississippi State t shirts and hats. We got Kathy a pink Mississippi State hoody. They loved these gifts as well.

The Minnis's gave my daddy a nice shirt. Noelle and Cale watched him open it. They gave my mother a gift card from LifeWay Book Store. They both liked their gifts.

Kathy could hardly wait for Scot to open his gift from them. She bought him A Look at Life From A Deer Stand Devotional. The author Steve Chapman signed the book to Scot. He has kept this book beside the recliner and I've seen him reading it quite a bit. They gave Noelle a gift card from Ulta, a new store in the mall that is a girl's dream store. They have all kinds of make up, fragrances, hair and bath products...like I said, a girl's dream store! Cale received a gift card from Dick's store, which is a store in the mall that has everything you need from hunting and fishing to exercising, running, tennis, etc. Scot and Cale love to shop in Dick's!

Now, let's talk about the gift my dear friends gave me! Let me tell you about last years gift first. You may have read "About Me" on my blog sidebar...well, in those few paragraphs, I share a few of my dislikes. David chose one of my dislikes which happens to be oysters and gave me a can of oysters last year for Christmas. This year, he chose cough syrup! I will cough til the cows come home before I take cough syrup; it honestly makes me sick to think about swallowing it...just give me a pill! The gift box was Big and Pretty. I opened it carefully and found a small box inside. Inside that small box was another small box....anyway...you get the picture. If anyone needs some cough syrup, I have a spare bottle! My real gift was a pair of beautiful sterling silver cross earrings and my favorite perfume, Tova. I rarely buy Tova for myself, so this was such a treat. Tova smells like nothing I've ever smelled...it's so clean and warm...not soapy clean. I just love it. Tova is my all time favorite thing to smell!

Here I am with my cough syrup! YUCK!

After we exchanged gifts, we enjoyed coconut pie, banana nut bread, tea cakes, coffee, tea, and cola's. We sat around the table and talked for quite a while. David, Kathy, and Josh are very special to us. I have blogged about them many times before, but once again, I have to say that they are the closest thing to a sister, brother in law, and nephew I'll ever have in this life. Thirty years ago this summer, God allowed mine and Kathy's paths to cross and I will forever be thankful for such a treasure as our friendship.

David and Kathy discussing something....

Christmas Questions & Answers (By George)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Some of both.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually December 26, but if I'm having friends or family over for New Years Eve or New Years Day that haven't seen my tree, I leave it up until January 2nd. Cale's birthday is December 29th, so up until he was about 13, I took the tree down religiously the 26th. It was birthday celebration time for him and I didn't want him to have to share it with Christmas.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, Yes, and Yes! But, do ya'll know how many calories is in just a small cup of that stuff? And sadly, I can't drink just one cup!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Oh My! This is hard! I guess what stands out in my mind more than anything else is the tall blond doll that walked. You had to hold her hand and sort of maneuver her to walk, but I was just thrilled! The Barbie camper was great too. My favorite things to do included playing with my baby dolls, barbies, reading, and coloring, so my Christmas gifts were usually centered around those things! Mother and Daddy made each Christmas special.

7. Hardest person to buy for? This is a hard question for me also. I guess my father in law and my sister and brother in laws. Seems like I get my father in law clothes every single occasion just because I don't know what else to get, plus I love buying clothes for him. He has gorgeous blue eyes and I love picking out clothes that look good on him. Pa Pa G, if you are reading this, you aren't getting another blue shirt this year! ha.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My children and Scot are easy to buy for. Scot tells me what he wants and I have my children to make a long list of things they seriously would like to have and I go from there. They don't get everything on the list, but I have choices, and of course they don't know what I chose until they open. I can buy sterling silver or costume jewelry, movies, books, and clothes for Noelle, and she's happy as a lark! Cale usually wants one big thing; like a gun, bike, something for his gun, hunting equipment, etc. This year he asked for a weight set or a new trail/mountain bike, but ended up deciding on a Border Collie. I have him some surprises though. (My children rarely read my blog, so don't worry, the secret is ours!)

9. Do You have a nativity scene? Yes, I have several and I love them all.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards? Mailing and receiving Christmas cards is the highlight of my Christmas. I adore Christmas cards! Each one is so special and such a treasure to me.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? (clearing my throat!) I guess a can of oysters last year and a bottle of cough syrup this year from my dear friend David! He looks at my dislike list on my blog and goes from there! What a friend! :)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Here we go again, do I have to choose just one? Of course not, this is My blog! ha. My favorites include but are not limited to: Borrowed Hearts, The Christmas Card, Holiday Affair, The Nativity Story, A Boyfriend For Christmas, and of course, Frosty The Snowman, even though I still tear up when he melts.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I am getting slack! I used to start in July or August and be completely finished by Thanksgiving. No more! I started the week before our first Christmas party this year, which was the first week of December. Shame on me, but I got it done!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably...I don't think I just gave it to someone else to keep from buying them something. If something didn't fit that I received, I have passed those along to someone else, but I would tell them.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? When I was growing up, my Ma Maw Claudie made a Raisin Cake every year and I sure miss that raisin cake, and I miss my Ma Maw. I guess other than that, my mom made all sorts of candies and cakes which were always delicious.

16. Lights on the tree? Multi colored :)

17.Travel at Christmas or stay home? We usually stayed home when I was growing up, which meant I could stay in play clothes or pj's all day... The first several years of marriage, we would go to Scot's grandmothers in Red Bay (just a few minutes away) at 11 a.m. on Christmas for lunch. Since his grandparents death, we go to Scot's mother and daddy's on Christmas day.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We usually opened presents on Christmas morning, but since the kids are older now, we sometimes open them the night before due to all the rush of Christmas Day.

Let me know if you want to post your answers on your blog. I got this idea from Lois over at Walking On Sunshine. You can click below to visit her blog...she's always a blessing.

http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Thursday This 'N That: A Christmas Game

Click below to read today's post for KJV Blog Directory. I am sharing a fun Christmas game with you there! Enjoy! :)

http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/2009/12/thursday-this-n-that-christmas-game.html

Remington Gauge George

If you read my blog regularly, you know that our sweet Snick passed away in October. Our hearts were broken and we still miss him terribly. I told Cale that when he got ready for another dog to let us know. He told me that it would probably be a while before he wanted another dog, so we were thinking maybe next spring or summer. Cale told me one day last week that he had dreamed that he got a dog. He told me what kind of dog he dreamed about. Cale likes to read our County Shopper and the Classified Ads in the Daily Journal Newspaper. I didn't think about him keeping an eye on the dogs for sale, but the very next day after he told me about his dream, he came to me with the classified section of the paper and pointed to an ad about some Border Collie puppies for sale. He said that was the first time Border Collies had been advertised in several weeks. We told him to think about what he really wanted. He had asked for a weight set or a new bike for Christmas. We explained that due to the price of the puppy, we wouldn't be able to get it and another big gift. He thought on it for a while and came to me and told me he decided on the puppy. So, I call the number and talked to a very nice lady about her pups. When Scot got home from work, we discussed it with him, I then called the lady back and set up an appointment to go look at them. She lives near Oxford, which is about two hours from us. Cale, Noelle, and I picked up the Minnis's on the way and here we all go dog-hunting! The lady I had spoken to on the phone was very nice and we could all tell that she adored her pets. She had horses and Border Collies. She also had some kind of hunting dog in a cage in her living room that she had rescued. It showed up at her church one day. She tried to find it's owner and with no luck doing so, she ended up bringing the dog home with her. She named her Grace. Grace loved the puppies. She would go to them and lick them. Her tongue was almost as big as the puppies were! I had told Cale before we got there that if these puppies were not what he expected, or if he changed his mind about them, to just let me know and we wouldn't get one. We went in and we all oohed and awwed over them for a while. Then, we backed away and let Cale look and play with all of them. He very carefully made his decision. The puppies won't be 6 weeks old until the week after Christmas, so we won't get to bring it home until then. We are all so anxious to get him. Cale named this sweet little boy Remington Gauge George. We will call him Remington. I am very thankful that God heals our hearts and helps us make room in them to love more than one person or pet at a time. Cale still misses Snick terribly, but he has opened up his heart to love another. Cale is a dog's dream owner. He's very patient, kind, and loves to play and teach them things. That is why Snick was so smart and loving; he had a good teacher. I will post more pictures as soon as we go get Remington.

They all piled up and rested!

Cale making his decision. It was hard to choose.
They were all so sweet.

The puppy on the right is Remington. He looks like a guinea pig from the front to me!
His markings are very unique as well. He wasn't overly hyper, but wasn't extremely lazy either.

Cale holding Remington

On the way home, we ate at McAlisters in Oxford!

Check out these State fans in front of an Ole Miss sign! (David & Kathy)

After we left the restaurant, David drove us around the Ole Miss Campus. The kids and I had never been there. I'd like to go back sometime in the daytime. We had a very good night.

Christmas with The Holland Family

Saturday, December 5th, 2009, we celebrated Christmas with our friends The Hollands. We all met at Belmont Restaurant for our meal, then, came back to our house to exchange gifts and to eat dessert. Chrissy brought Scot's favorite, Four Layer Delight, and I had made a fudge pie and a butterfinger cake. After we opened gifts and enjoyed dessert with coffee, we played dominoes. We always have such a good time with this family. I'm thankful for good friends!

Noelle, Kanah, & Cale

Chrissy and Kanah

Kanah

My family with my parents

The Holland Family

Butterfinger cake and 4 layer delight! YUM

A mean game of dominoes!

Thursday This ~N~ That: A Few Of My Favorite Christmas Things

Please visit KJV Blog Directory. I posted today about some of my favorite Christmas traditions, etc. Beware, you just might end up in the Christmas Spirit! :)

http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/2009/12/thursday-this-n-that-few-of-my-favorite.html

My New Christmas Ornament

Lisa Joy and Liesa Jo

A few weeks ago after I dropped the boys off at Cross Country practice, I went on to park the van. After I parked, I started walking up the hill to the track and there came my friend Lisa Joy (she's a JOY, I'm a JO!) coming down the hill toward me. She said, "Come with me, I have a gift for you!" I said, "A gift for me? I love gifts!" And here we went like two little girls to her vehicle, almost skipping, and definitely giggling! When we got to the van, she pulled out a bag with pretty "PINK" paper. I pushed the paper over so I could see down in the bag, and I saw more PINK; a pretty soft pastel PINK! I ever so carefully pulled the gift from the bag to discover a BEAUTIFUL pale PINK MONOGRAMMED CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT with PINK ROSES on it! All things I love! The ornament had my name (spelled correctly) on it, so I knew she hadn't just happened by this ornament. (cannot find anything with my name spelled like I spell it) She went on to tell me that she had found the ornament on EBay, and that the first one they sent her was misspelled (e before i), so she contacted them, and they sent her another one with the i before the e. Lisa pays attention to details...she knew that pink is my favorite color, pink roses are one of my two favorite flowers, I love monogrammed anything, and I collect Christmas ornaments. What is the big deal you may ask....She got on line which took of her time, she was thinking of me, she looked for something unique to give me...now, how sweet and generous is that! I have to tell you a bit about Lisa now. I met her in 2008 at Spartan practices. I met her sister Julie first, and then, put it all together that they were sisters, etc. Lisa and I really didn't talk a whole lot last year, just now and then. One of the first things I discovered about Lisa is that of course our first names are the same (spelling different), and that our middle names are similar. My middle name is Jo (Mother almost put the y to it) and Lisa's is Joy! So, I started calling her Lisa Joy...all because our names are so much alike. This year, she and I walked a good bit together and would always look for each other at the practices and races. She has a good sense of humor, she's a terrific young mother, and believe it or not...she shared with me just a few months ago, that when she first met me, she thought I was snooty! Why did she think I was snooty??? I asked the same question! Here is why....you ready? Because I always had my hair fixed and makeup on! Funny, huh? By the end of this year, she told me that she believed that I'd even love a snake! I told her that was going a bit far! ha. Funny how we think certain things of people just because of the way they look or carry themselves, isn't it? I'm glad she didn't stick with her first impression of me. She is my dear friend and I cherish the bond she and I have formed. This post started out about my new Christmas ornament and actually ended with "this is the moral of the story". And maybe this post is of no interest to anyone...but to me, it's like a "Dear Diary" thing; something I never want to forget. Thanks Lisa for the pretty ornament and especially for all the kindness you've shown to me and for the smiles you're always ready to share. Life is grand!

Thanksgiving 2009

We celebrated Thanksgiving and three November birthdays at the Georges Friday night before Thanksgiving. I didn't take many pictures, but the food was wonderful. Ma Ma G. had ham, dressing, green beans, corn, sweet potato casserole, butter beans, fruit salad, English peas, rolls, and several desserts. We enjoyed the meal and then several got at the table and played dominoes.

Noelle with our nephew Tristen. (on the same team)


Tristen and Scot


I also didn't take alot of pictures at our house Thanksgiving Day...

My menu included:
Roasted Turkey
Dressing (my mother)
Gravy (my mother)
Cranberry Sauce (my mother)
Creamed potatoes
Corn (my mother)
Peas
Macaroni and Cheese
Candied Sweet potatoes
Fried Okra
Rolls
Mini Cheesecakes (the Minnis's)
Coconut Pie (my mother)
Apple dumplings

Scot cut up all the potatoes and apples needed for the meal.

Our friends Josh, Kathy, and David Minnis joined us for Thanksgiving.

It was a special time of fellowship! (Notice their Mississippi Bulldog attire!)
They are lucky I even let them in my house! Ha.

Mother, Noelle, Cale, and Daddy

Josh, Noelle, & Cale

I love Thanksgiving. God's been so good to me and my family. I'm thankful for His great salvation that He so freely gave me, His love, mercy, and grace, the family He's blessed me with, our health, our home, and for all the daily blessings He so richly bestows upon us.

Ladies Night at Freedom

The ladies at Freedom Baptist Church planned a special Ladies Fellowship November 5th, 2009. We were very pleased with the turn out and were especially honored to have so many visitors to enjoy the night with us.

Mrs. Dotty, Mrs. Becky, and Mrs. Barbara did a fantastic job decorating the fellowship hall and the sanctuary.

We all enjoyed Taco Soup, Potato Soup, Sandwiches, Meat and Cheese Trays, Lots of different cheese balls, dips, and desserts.

A gold star ornament lay at each place setting. Everyone took a star home.

Lisa and Bethany Monk were our guest singers.

They did an excellent job on each and every song.

Mrs. Martha Crawford of YES Ministries (her and her husband minister to families in crisis) was our guest speaker. I had heard her speak a couple of years ago and I felt like God had placed her on my heart to invite her to speak at our ladies night. This dear lady is very upbeat and happy; quite jolly! But, she's country as corn-bread! I love to hear her talk and her positive outlook and her love and dependence on God are so obvious and contagious. Here are the notes I took that night as she spoke:

Forgiveness

There are 105 topics on Forgiveness in the Bible.

Matt. 18:21-22, Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Forgiveness is:

Something we do in spite of our own feelings.

It is loving that person and believing they can change.

Decision to throw away the Get Even attitude.

Deciding to keep relationship with person with no strings.

Forgetting who is right and who is wrong.

Setting you and the other person free causes us to change.

We have to die to self.

Matt. 5:44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Forgiveness is hard, cost is high, value is higher.

Matt. 6:14-15, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But, if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We have to CHOOSE to LOVE the people who do us wrong.

We have to CHOOSE to BLESS the people who have hurt us.

We have to CHOOSE to BE GOOD to our enemies.

We have to CHOOSE to PRAY for them as well.

LOVE, BLESS, BE GOOD, PRAY!

Have you ever refused to forgive someone?

Nursing a grudge can cause bitterness and hatred.

Col. 3:13, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

She gave examples of Joseph and the Prodigal Son...

Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him...The Prodigal Son's father welcomed him home with open arms.

Whose life are you personally affecting because you won't forgive?

God met with us that night. I had prayed that God would give Mrs. Martha just what I needed. Needless to say, the subject of Forgiveness is not an easy one to hear, and especially not an easy one to heed to. I was helped that night, and I thank God for it. After Mrs. Martha spoke, we all met around the altar and had prayer.

Mrs. Becky and Mrs. Dotty then drew names for door prizes.

One of the recipients looking in her goody bag!

A good time was had by all.