Blessed

Erin tickling Bodie's feet while they play in the laundry basket. :) :)

So far we are really enjoying our blog attempts. :)  What amazing blessings we received reading your replies to our email and at the end of our blog.  Thank you for sharing the joys and prayers of your lives, too!  I wonder how we ever stayed in touch before Facebook and blogs and Myspace and email!!!  I think I figured out that you have to either have a Yahoo account or a Google account to "follow" us, but (I think) if you follow us, Google will send you a message each time we post to our blog.  If you don't have a Yahoo or Google account, just add our blog to your bookmarks, and when you think of us, check out our blog from time to time.

It's been a busy week here, but aren't they all?  We have a new roof on our parsonage (thanks, Church!!!) and on the Church and Fellowship Hall as well!  They look amazing, and if you live here, drive by and admire it!  :)  We thank God for His provision and blessings.  Joe has taken lots and lots of pictures which I am sure he will post to the church website (www.southsideperryton.org) and to his facebook account.  He is teaching our church members how to study the Bible, teaching on the book of Amos, and just finished teaching about Jesus feeding the 5000 and the 4000 in the book of Matthew.  The more we learn, the more we want to know about Jesus.   We changed our service time from 11:00 a.m. on Sundays to 10:45 (making Sunday School begin at 9:30), and it seems to be working very well!  He also managed to fit in a few rounds of golf this week, so his week gets a thumbs up. :)


Erin worked on the letter Ii this week, and we made igloos out of marshmallows (well, Daddy and Mommy made them while Erin licked them), made homemade ice cream, ice cream cone cupcakes, and the cutest little iguana craft.  Her memory verse, Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," has ministered to us all week.  We are realizing that the phonics review is pretty unstimulating for her and that she is really just ready to read, so I am going to look into getting some kindergarten/1st grade readers (if you have any, let me know!).  She enjoyed her dance class so much this week and was so proud that we have to get her bigger tap and ballet shoes!  She spent her last gymnastics class with Mrs. Tammy for awhile -- please join us in prayer for Mrs. Tammy -- she is beginning cancer treatments next week.  Erin got a surprise visit from her "best friend Lisa" this week, and she is looking forward to her Good News Bible Club with her friend Hannah today.  Happiness. :)

Bodie man is a sick little guy today.  But he is all snuggles when he doesn't feel well, which warms this momma's heart.  Some Tylenol, a cool bath, a popsickle, and a tent full of balls have turned his whimpers into squeals of delight.  Joe (what a great man) sacrificed the plans for his day and went to help care for his mom so that hopefully she won't be exposed to whatever Bodie has.  At this moment Bodie is sitting in the middle of his tent throwing balls at his "DiDa" (that's Bodie talk for Sister).  He didn't greet me this morning with his usual "No-No," and he only told me "No-No" twice  yesterday, so maybe that stage is passing (please?).  I am really thinking I need to schedule his first haircut soon but I DON'T want to cut off all his precious little curls...  What to do??? :)

Joe's mom Angie is doing well.  It is an absolute joy to spend our days with her.  She has horrible, horrible swelling which makes her pretty uncomfortable, but her sweet demeanor ministers to us all day long.  She KNOWS that she will spend Eternity in Heaven if the Lord wills for her to die from this, and her love for Him only grows each day in spite of her circumstances.  She is amazing. Her brother, whom we affectionately call Hunkle Harold, is here for awhile too, and we are enjoying him. :)

My precious Momma has a 2nd eye surgery in October and will soon be facing ankle reconstruction and knee replacements in the coming months.  As you pray for us, please pray for her too;  she has a long couple of years in store, but there is relief in sight!  I'm hoping to convince Dad to let her stay with us some while she recovers after each surgery...  Maybe that's the biggest prayer need of all! ;)

I have decided to read my Bible from cover to cover for the first time ever.  I am enjoying that and am already feeling accomplished knowing it is a goal I will fulfill (especially since I haven't put a time limit on it!!!) -- there is nothing better than reading the living and breathing Word of God.  It is a fresh drink of water for this thirsty soul.  As I look at my life, I humbly realize how very much I have to be grateful for. 

Thanks for reading!  Many prayers for blessings to you and yours!