Amazing Love

 

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

but to save the world through Him.

John 3:17

 

How you ever stopped and thought about what this world would be like if God had not sent His Son?  I think our world would be a more crazier mixed up place than it is, without hope.  We would have more laws to live under and more rituals than any of us would like.  We would not be able to speak directly with God.  We would not have the promise of spending eternity with Christ and our Heavenly Father. 

 

Thank you Father for sending your Son who so willingly gave His live that I might spend eternity with you.  Amen

 

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

by Charles Wesley,1738

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood

Died He for me, who caused His pain

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

 

He left His Father’s throne above

So free, so infinite His grace

Emptied Himself of all but love

And bled for Adam’s helpless race

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free

For O my God, it found out me!

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shoudlst die for me?

 

 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light

My chains fell off, my heart was free

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

 

 

No condemnation now I dread

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine

Alive in Him, my living Head

And clothed in righteousness divine

Bold I approach the eternal throne

And claim the crown, through Christ my own

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou my God, shouldst die for me?

Words of Life

 

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Proverbs 25:11

 

Words what are they but a way of communicating with others and they can't hurt us, right?  Oh but they can hurt us and scar us deep where no one can see.  You see words spoken in anger leave scars that sometimes never heal.  We hide them deep so others won't see how those words hurt us and affected our daily lives.  Then something happens that brings it all back to the surface and since we never dwelt with the hurt it has had time to fester and grow.  We mulled them over and over again until that hurt is all we think about and without thinking we lash out at others.  Sometimes that lashing out hurts those we love who had nothing to do with what caused the original hurt.  They just happened to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

 

If someones words have hurt you in the past, pray and asked God to direct and guide you to that person.  Make amends and offer forgiveness so that you can get on with your life.  You'll be glad you did.

 

 So today before you speak think about the words you are going to say. Don't strike out in anger! Let your words be words of sunshine that will brighten someones day.

 

Wonderful Words Of Life

by Philip P. Bliss, 1874

 

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.


Christ the blessed One, gives to all wonderful words of life
Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life
Oh so freely given, wooing us to heaven.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.


Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life
Jesus, only Saviour, sanctify us forever.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life...

Daily Walking

 

I will walk among you and be your God,

and ye shall be My people.

Leviticus 26:12

 

There is a lot going on in this old world.  Some of it good but a whole lot of it bad.  Families are being torn apart, children are suffering, people are out of work, and diseases of all kinds.  I am so glad that there is someone that cares for me more than anyone else and puts my needs first.  He carries my burdens and makes me stronger when trials come my way.  His name is Jesus and I want to spend my life walking daily by His side.

 

 

 

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Author Unknown

 

 

I am weak, but Thou art strong;

Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

 

 

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

 

 

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who care?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

 

 

When my feeble life is o'er,

Time for me will be no more;

Guide me gently, safely o'er

To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Beautiful Place

 

God made the earth by His power:

He founded the world by His wisdom.

Jeremiah 10:12

 

God has truly blessed us with a beautiful place to live.  We live right smack in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley with its Orange Trees, Lemon Trees, Grapefruit Trees, Plum Trees, Peach Trees, Olive Trees, Grape Vineyards, Tomato Fields, Strawberry Fields and the list goes on and on.  We are about two hours from the Central Coast in one direction and Sequoia and Yosemite Parks in the other.  Right now the Orange Trees and the Olive Trees are blooming.  Whether you live in the middle of a grove or not all you have to do is walk outside and the beautiful fragrance just envelopes you

 

Like I said, God has truly blessed us with a beautiful place to live!

 

I Sing The Mighty Power of God

by Isaac Watts, 1715

 

I sing the mighty power of God,

that made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad,

and built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained

the sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at God's command,

and all the stars obey.

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Leslie

O Happy Birthday to you, O Happy Birthday to you.

Every day of the year may you find Jesus near.

O Happy Birthday to you and the best one you've ever had.

 

Sweet niece wishing you a day filled with all the good stuff as you celebrate you.

 

Love,

Uncle Gary & Aunt Shirley

 

 

Name of Jesus

 

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:10-11

 

Just as these rose give off a fragrance I want to do the same.  I want to leave the fragrance of Jesus wherever I go.  I want to let others see Jesus living in me.

 

The Name Of Jesus

By William C. Martin, 1902

 

The Name of Jesus is so sweet,

I love its music to repeat;

It makes my joys full and complete,

The precious Name of Jesus !

 

"Jesus," O how sweet the name!

"Jesus," every day the same;

"Jesus," let all saints proclaim

Its worthy praise forever!

Beside Still Waters

 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

This is a photo of a Thomas Kinkaid painting my sweetie gave me the summer of 2002.  This painting has a calming and soothing affect on me.  When I look at this painting I know that my loved ones that have gone on to reside with our Heavenly Father are enjoying those still waters that David talked about in Psalm 23. 

I have a little book entitled Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller.  Mr. Keller breaks down each verse of this scripture.  He says in his book, "He (the Good Shepherd) knows where the still, quiet, deep, clean, pure water is to be found that alone can satisfy His sheep and keep them fit and strong."

So when you are thirsty and weak spend some quiet time with God, meditate upon His word and He will lead you by the still waters refreshing your soul.

He Leadeth Me

by Joseph H. Gilmore, 1862

 

He leadeth me! O blessed thought,
O words with heav'nly comfort fraught;
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis Christ's hand that leadeth me.

 

He leadeth me! He leadeth me!
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
 For by His hand He leadeth me.

,
Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,

Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.
 

Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur or repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since it is Thou that leadest me.
 

And when my task on earth is done,
When, by Thy grace, the vict'ry's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee
Since Thou in triumph leadest me.
 

Happy Anniversary L Z and Debbie

 

Happy Anniversary to you

Happy Anniversary to you

Happy Anniversary L Z & Debbie

Happy Anniversary to you.

 

Z & Debbie,

Wishing you two a day filled with love, joy, peace, laughter, and sunshine as you celebrate your love for each other and you lives together.

 

Love,

Gary & Shirley

Master Bed and Bath Update

My sweetie and I started a master bed and bath update a couple of months ago. I wanted to take pictures of the before but he painted the bathroom before I remembered to take the photos.  So here are a couple of photos right after he got the walls painted.

 

 Then the update got put on hold as we both caught whatever was going around and then took a short vacation over spring break to visit with our daughter and family in Vancouver, WA.  We have both been anxious to get back to the update since we got home and last week we got back at it or should I say my sweetie got in there and went to work.  I haven't been much help since I injured my knee a couple of weeks ago and can't do anything that puts pressure on it. Here are the before pictures of the bedroom.

Today my sweetie got in there and finished up all the painting.  I decided to snap a picture of him as he was doing all that painting.

 

Thanks to my handsome sweetie the painting is all done.  Tomorrow we will get the carpets shampooed, furniture moved into place, curtains hung, new linens and comforter for the bed and then start thinking about what and where I want to put things on the walls.  Will post pictures of the completed project.

Happy Birthday Matthew

 

 

 Matthew left us this past January for his heavenly home and today he is celebrating his 40th birthday in heaven.  He is sitting at God's table with his Mom, Grandparents, family members and friends that went home before him listening to a Choir of Angels sing Happy Birthday to him. 

 

So Happy Birthday Nephew, we love you and miss you,

Uncle Gary & Aunt Shirley

 

 

 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Faith That Endures

 

Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.  John 16:22

Today my heart is very heavy.  It seems like our world is coming apart at the seams.  Families are struggling to make ends meet, broken relationships between parents and children, people are unemployed, people are going without medical attention they need because they simply cannot afford it.  Then we have the senseless bombing in Boston that takes innocence lives all because someone is upset about something or wants to make a statement about their beliefs.  Why do those that are upset feel the need to take innocent lives?  Are they so unhappy on this planet that God in all His infinite wisdom blessed us with?  There have been so many senseless and cowardly attacks that take innocent lives around the world.  Why?  I just don't understand. 

My prayer today is for all those affected by yesterdays bombing.  My heart goes out to the families of those who lives were lost and to those still fighting the battle.  My heart goes out to all who witnessed this horrible tragedy.  My heart goes out to the first responders, the medical personnel, who see the damage these senseless acts cause.  I pray that God will heal our nation and bring us back to the principles this great country was founded on. Amen

CarolSue, a great lady and friend, stated this morning "We don't always have to have strong faith, we just have to have faith that endures. We get tired at times, our faith gets wobbly, fades in & out...but we can't give up on faith. I like that."  So let's all stay focused on our Lord and Savior, for His strength will carry us through. The song I want to share today says that very thing.

Taller Than Trees

by Johnny Cash

On your knees you are taller than trees

You can look over heartaches and pain

When my faith is gone to my knees

I will go, growing stronger and taller than trees

One night is was a long time ago now

I knelt at my mother's knee

And she said, "Son lift up your eyes to him in the skies

And you'll grow like the mighty oaks

But you son, created in the image of God

Can become taller, even taller than the tallest of trees."

And this was the answer I felt

as down at her knees I knelt

"On your knees you are taller than trees

You can look over all your heartaches

And son you can look over all your pains."

When my faith is gone to my knees

I will go, growing stronger and taller than trees.

Living Water

 

⁷ When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” ⁸ (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)  ⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)  ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”  ¹¹ “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”  ¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  John 4:7-14

 

The story of the Woman from Samaria has always been a favorite of mine.  When I was a teenager my BFF and I sang a song, Everywhere He Went, in church that told her story.  I often wonder why people can't believe and accept the gospel story as she did.  Christ simply told her about the gift of God, living water, that was hers for the asking.  She accepted this gift and quickly, I mean quickly, told others about His gift of living water.  She wasn't concerned about her lack of knowledge or what others would think of her.  She wanted to share the good news with all she came in contact with.  Why, oh why do we hesitate when it comes to telling others about out Lord Jesus Christ?

 

Will you share the good news of Jesus?  There is an old song that I dearly love that I would like to share with you.

 

I Love To Tell The Story

by Arabella K. Hankey, 1866

 

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

 

I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

 

I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

 

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

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He Will Take Care Of Me

My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

 

Isn't it wonderful to know that we have a Savior that will take care of us.  He says in His Word that all we need do is ask and it will be given.  That doesn't mean that He is going to give me that little convertible I've been wanting but that He will meet my daily needs. 
Why?  Because He loves me!

 

God Will Take Care Of You

by Civilla D. Martin, 1904

 

Be not dismayed whate'er betide,

God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.

 

God will take care of you,

Through every day, over all the way.

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

Blessed Assurance

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 

1 John 4:12

Today as you go about your daily routine let the love of God shine brightly so that all you come in contact with will see Jesus' radiance shining brightly through you and they will know and want what you have; the unconditional love of God.

The following song was a favorite of my sister Linda.  Today she is celebrating her birthday in Heaven and I felt it appropriate to share.

Blessed Assurance

by Frances J. Crosby, 1873

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

 

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

 

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels, descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

 

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Happy Birthday Linda

Today is my sweet sister's 66th birthday.  She is sitting around a great big table with our Heavenly Father, Mom, Dad, Debbie, Diane, Matthew, our grandparents, aunts and uncles.  O what a glorious birthday celebration it is as she is surrounded by all the splendor and beauty of Heaven.

Happy Birthday Little Sister!

Love you and miss you every day.

Love, 

Gary & Shirley

O What A Beautiful Morning

 

This morning my sweetie and I went for a morning walk.  It is an absolutely beautiful and gorgeous day out there.    The two of us decided to get up and move more so these old bodies will be a little healthier and won't ache so much in the mornings.  We walked along talking and taking in all the beautiful flowers in the yards we passed.  We even commented on one yard where the sprinklers where evidently stuck in the on position as they were on when we first went by the house and still on as we were heading home.  This brings me to my scripture for today. 

 

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning.  Mark 13:35

 

Just as we need to keep our bodies tuned up we also need to keep our souls tuned up.  The healthier our bodies are the less doctor's visits we will make.  By keeping our souls tuned up we will be ready when Christ returns to take us home and that is one homecoming I definitely don't want to miss.

 

Christ Returneth

by James McGranahan, 1906

 

It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,

When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking

That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory

To receive from the world "His own."

 

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long

Ere we shout the glad song,

Christ returneth! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Amen.  Hallelujah! Amen.

Daughter of a King

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

 

I just finished reading "Dancing in the Arms of God - Discover Your Cinderella Story."  This book spoke to me on so many different levels as the author, Connie Neal, had gone through some things in her life that I myself have been through.  She told how she came to terms with what had happened, how she never lost sight of God's faithfulness and never gave up on her faithfulness to God.  O there were times that she wanted to give up and let go of everything, just as I have, but she kept pressing on and with God's strength she made it.  I to have crossed hurtles and with God's strength I made it over them with a few minor bruises.  I have discovered my Cinderella story and I pray that others will see Jesus living in me as they discover their own Cinderella story.

 

I am the daughter of the King of Kings and no one can take that away from me.

 

Lead Me To Calvary

by Jennie E. Hassey, 1921

 

King of my life, I crown Thee now,

Thine shall the glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,

Lead me to Calvary.

 

May I be willing, Lord, to bear

Daily my cross for Thee;

Even Thy cup of grief to share,

Thou hast borne all for me.

Happy Birthday Brad

 

BirthVerse

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain. And God granted his request.  1 Chronicles 4:10

 

 

O Happy Birthday to you, O Happy Birthday to you.

Every day of the year may you find Jesus near.

O Happy Birthday to you and the best one you've ever had.

 

Brad wishing you a day filled with love, joy, peace, laughter and sunshine as you celebrate you.

 

Love,

Uncle Gary & Aunt Shirley

Fairest Lord Jesus

 

The winter is past, the rain is over and gone.  The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.  Song of Solomon 2:11-12

 

Oh what a beautiful world our God blessed us with!

 

Fairest Lord Jesus

by German Jesuits, 1677

 

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,

O Thou of God and man the Son,

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,

Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Spring Break, Part 3

 

Sunday was our last day with the kids as we had to head back home.  We spent the morning with them and their/our church family at Elevate Church, Vancouver WA.  After a great morning worship service we went back to the kids place for some really yummy homemade chicken noodle soup. 

 

After lunch it was time for us to head out.  I hate leaving the kids and I always feel like I leave a piece of my heart with them.  It never get easy to leave but it is a part of life we all deal with.

 

We headed out at 2:00 PM in a down pour of rain. 

My sweetie and I always trade off driving about every 2 hours so we don't get over tired.  I started out and he took over in Eugene and guess what it was still raining.  While he drives I knit and he reads or plays games while I drive.  I gave Patty a call to let her know we would be arriving at her place some time between 9 and 10 PM.  My sweetie drove for a while and now it was time for a coffee break.  So we stopped at Dutch Brother's in Grants Pass, I got a Skinny Hazelnut Latte w/Cinnamon Powder steamed in the milk (Yummy) and my sweetie got an Extra Hot Mocha, changed drivers and hit the road again. 

I was driving along singing with Allison Krauss when my sweetie said, "You know I feel really good right now so what do you think about driving on home tonight?"  Me, sure I said let's do it but we need to call Patty.  So my sweetie called Patty and explained that we had decided to drive on home.  Of course I know she thought we were crazy to do this but gave us her blessings.  We also let the kids know what we were doing.  As our daughter put,  "You crazy kids be careful!"  Decision is now made so we are off on an all night drive adventure.

Our drive really turned into an adventure.  It is, of course, still raining and we started up the Siskiyou Pass it starts to spit snow and by the time we get to the summit it is now really snowing. 

 

We continue our drive on in to Yreka as I have been anticipated the dinner we are going to have at this great little restaurant "Grandma's House" and they have a really neat gift shop.  Pulled into the parking lot and went inside to be told sorry but we just closed.  Needless to say I was a little disappointed, especially not getting to shop, so we got back in the car, back on I-5 and took the next off ramp and had dinner at Black Bear Diner.  Dinner was okay but it definitely wasn't Grandma's House.

 

After dinner we continue our drive up through the Mt. Shasta area.  Yep you guessed it!  The rain once again turned into snow, really heavy snow.  I definitely was ready for Gary to drive for a while when we pulled into Red Bluff.  Filled the car up with gas and got a couple of really strong coffee for the road and we were off again.

 

The rain continued off and on all the way down I-5 and even on the 99.  I took over driving again in Modesto and we continued on, in the rain, and arrived home at 4:30 AM Monday morning.  We were two tired people and decided that sleep was in order.  Needless to say nothing much got done yesterday as we slept until noon, had some lunch and rested the rest of the day.

 

All in all our Spring Break Vacation was great.  We enjoyed the time we had we the kids and are already planning our next trip up this summer for our beautiful granddaughter's 16th birthday. 

 

 

Rumor has it that my sweetie is taking us all to Maui!!!

 

Happy Belated Birthday Carson

Yesterday was our nephew Carson's 8th Birthday and I missed.  So Carson we hope you had lots of cake and ice cream along with lots of presents.  

 

Happy Belated Birthday to you,

Happy Belated Birthday to you.

Happy Belated Birthday dear Carson.

Happy Birthday to you.

 

Love,

Uncle Gary & Aunt Shirley

Spring Break, Part 2

We have had such an awesome time with the kids.  Today we spent a quiet day at home hanging out together and this evening we went to Laurelwood Pub in Battleground for dinner.  This is a tradition we started shortly after the kids moved here and we always have a meal there before my sweetie and I head home.  The time has just flown by.  Tomorrow we will be attending church services together, have some lunch and then we will head home.  We would love to stay longer but know that we need to get back home and take care of things there.  We also know that eventually we will be moving up here but that is all in God's timing.  He has the perfect plan for us and will let us know when that time come.

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

 

 

Spring Break, Part 1

We headed out to Redding on March 27 and stopped for an overnight visit with Patty.  It is always a pleasure to see her and she is a very gracious hostess.  The next morning we headed out to Vancouver WA.  It was a beautiful day with rain and lots of clouds.  My sweetie and I always enjoy our driving trips as it gives us lots of time to take in the beauty God has bless us with.  This picture was taken just north of Yreka.  I love all the colors displayed in the clouds with the sun trying to peek through. 

 

We continued our drive enjoying each others company as the rain continued to fall.  These pictures were taken just south of Salem, Oregon.

Everything is so pretty and green and I love the mountains and the clouds in the back ground.

 

We arrived at the kids place and settled in waiting for everyone to get on from work.  Awbrey, our sweet granddaughter, was playing in a golf tournament and Marianne was picking her up on her way home.  Once everyone arrived home we spent a quiet evening catching up on what has been taking place in our lives and preparing dinner.  Marianne is a really great cook and she prepared us broiled chicken, pasta and steamed broccoli.  It was really delish!

 

The next day my sweetie and I spent a quiet relaxing day while everyone else was at school or work.  Later that afternoon, when Awbrey arrived home from school, the two of us headed out for our traditional shopping trip.  We had a wonderful time at the mall trying on different things and being together and home the way stopped and picked up Starbucks for us and Papa.

 

That evening we had our traditional Friday evening meal of Pizza and Salad.

 

Saturday morning everyone spent time relaxing after a long week of work.  That afternoon Marianne, Awbrey and myself headed out to Farmer's Market.  I love the Vancouver Farmer's Market!  We bought some fresh lettuce, cucumbers, fresh Tulips and I bought my baby girl 6 lettuce plants to start her lettuce garden basket.  After our time at Farmer's Market we headed to the Mall.  It was now time to do some serious shopping.  We spent some time in Victoria's Secret, Nordstrom, American Eagle, Yankee Candle, etc. and then headed to the food court for a snack since none of us had eaten lunch.  After our time of shopping we headed to the grocery store for some vittles for the week.  It was now getting late and none us wanted to cook so off we went to Panda Express and took dinner home.

 

Sunday morning, Resurrection Day, we headed out to church for a great worship service, Elevate Church, with the kids.  It was "My Story" day.  So along with a short sermon from Pastor Steve we heard three great testimonies of what Jesus had done and was doing in their lives.  After church we came home for a ham dinner with scallop potatoes, sauteed green beans w/mushrooms.  Yummy!  While dinner was cooking we took the time to hide a few things in the back yard for Awbrey to find.

 

Marianne, Awbrey and myself decided to go for a walk after dinner.  It was an absolutely, beautiful and gorgeous day, perfect for an afternoon stroll and we snapped a couple of pictures along the way.

 

This week we have been enjoying our time with Awbrey and the kids.  Although they are working we love spending the evenings with them.  Marianne has prepared some yummy meals; Strawberry Chicken Salad, Chicken Noodle Soup w/Crusty Bread and last night was Turkey Black Bean Chili w/Corn Bread.  Now I must put a disclaimer on all these meals.  Marianne is doing the "Take Shape for Life" program and she has been eating Lean and Green not all the stuff we have had.  So far she has dropped 28 pounds and looks absolutely awesome!

 

Today we are spending a quiet rainy day at home.  This morning I made my sweetie and I Pecan pancakes and Awbrey wanted Chocolate Chip pancakes.  They were yummy even if I do say so myself.  After breakfast the two of them sat down to play some X-box.

 

 

Absolutely awesome day!!!