Bakers' Blessings

Old pictures are fun

2012-01-25T21:36:00.001-08:00

The journey through old photograph albums has always been a favorite pastime of mine. Lately, it’s been just as much fun for me, but I will apologize for the quality of the pictures as they are pictures I have taken of pictures and then edited as much as I can with my limited tools. The best way to edit old pictures is to begin by scanning them… our scanner is not here at Mama Trudy’s.

This first picture is my mama and her older sister, my Aunt Jennie. Mama Trudy is the cutie in front on the horse. Happy is the mystery man in this picture. Harvey and Shelby were my maternal grandmother’s brothers.

This cropped version shows how cute my mama was.

My daddy and mama in 1942, a year before my brother was born. Mama is 24. Look at that waist!

Jonny, my big brother, and I.

Big brother and me in a west Texas dust storm.

My beautiful mama and me.

Mama has always been a sharp dresser and a perfect seamstress.

The DeRusha Family in 1952.

I love this picture of my mama.

Even at the age of three, I seem to be fascinated with the camera.

My daddy, Sam Herren (Bill) DeRusha, on the right, in his Army uniform in 1942.

After three months in the Army, daddy wound up in the infirmary with stomach problems. He was awarded a medical discharge.

Stay tuned for more “old” pictures.

Kris update: Visions and Answered Prayers

2012-01-23T22:03:00.000-08:00

Dearest Loved Ones and Friends!

There is just so much to tell you this time, I hope you will bear with me. We are excited and so is Kris and her family. In the last update (dated Jan. 11, 2012), you may remember we were waiting for the VA to set up Botox injections for Kris. This is to help Kris’s neck and the fact that it is becoming more and more difficult for her to work and raise her head up. So let me start there.

On Friday, Jan. 20th, Russell went with Kris to the new Audie Murphy Poly Trauma Center (that new addition to the huge VA hospital in San Antonio) for those Botox injections. This afternoon, one of the therapists who works with Kris every day at Country Care Manor sent the attached video. Please understand, Kris has a tremendous sense of humor and I can tell she was really going along with this little “show!” I do hope you can view it. It’s awesome!

Having said that, it gets better. On Monday, January 30th, Kris will finally be admitted to the Audie Murphy PTC for at least a month (we’re hoping longer!) of stringent therapy work on her communication as well as all of her motor skills through speech, occupational and physical therapies. Russell said he has given her a “pep” talk and we certainly have done that, too, over the phone many times. It will mean hard work and be intense. I think she is truly “up” for this and her depression has lessened tremendously. It is something for her to really see happening now, and I believe that’s the real “shot-in-the-arm” she has needed. It is just so difficult, however, knowing I cannot be there when she is admitted, but... I can’t. So Russell has assured me that he and Joshua will get her all packed up and moved efficiently. Okay, guys... I’m counting on you!!!

As I said, this has already given her something to really look forward to and see happening. It’s been a long time since she has seen progress on her behalf. Which brings up another subject: renovations to their home. Many have asked me about that so I’ve gone directly to the source of that information: Russell. He told me last week the architect seems to be dragging his feet and his builder hasn’t returned phone calls. Okay! If they don’t want the money, I’m sure someone does! Any of our prayer warriors in the San Antonio area know any good builders? Kris wants to come home, and she will need 24-hour care. Certain provisions must be made for her to live at home, and care will be necessary. It’s just that simple and... well, anyone up for the job and/or open to join her care program may want to give Russell a call. (How’s that for advertising?!!)

As I said, we’re excited but we are well aware none of the upcoming therapy and work to “come back” will be easy for Kris. But it’s another start, and it’s pulled her back up from despair. That’s an answer to a prayer in and of itself. Speaking of answers to prayers, let me share briefly this little story. George and I presented a gospel concert Sunday evening in Zephyrhills, Florida. After the concert, many people came to us to share their thoughts. One lady was so moved and took my hand. She kept talking on and on about “writing stuff down” and sharing with older people, and she complimented our ministry and, then, she looked at me and said... “I see your daughter! I see your daughter, Kris, right now and she is standing straight up.”

Of course, I was in tears by that time and we have shared the story with different ones, including our oldest daughter on the phone just yesterday. When we finished explaining about what had happened, she was moved, too. And then she said, “I can’t believe this, but I had a dream about Kris last night.” She said, “I was there with her and asked her if she wanted to take a bath.” Diana then said, “Kris made a face, as if to let me know she doesn’t want to, and then Kris said, ‘I don’t want to take a bath,’ and then she stood up.” Now this has nothing to do with Kris not wanting to bathe, believe me! But it has everything to do with “dreams” and Kris standing up and speaking.

George then told Diana something he had told me some time ago. It was after a gospel concert up in Kerrville, Texas back in August 2011. We were leaving the pastor and his wife who had invited us, when George recounted the “dream” he had the night before. He said he spoke to Kris as she sat in her wheelchair, and she suddenly spoke back to him, and then she stood up and walked toward him. The pastor’s wife was in tears, and she said, “...Your young men shall have visions; your old men shall dream dreams.” Joel 2:28 It was and is pretty powerful stuff!

Truly, we believe God is sending us “visions” and “dreams” to give us hope. He will hear our prayers and all of yours, and Kris will walk and talk one day soon. She is trying very hard even now to speak. So, as always, we praise an ever faithful God, and we thank you for your prayers, your love and your concerns.

Blessings and love in the Lord,

Carol and George

P.S.

Since you are all such great prayer warriors and have shared our deep concerns for Kris for all these many months, we humbly make a special request. After a conversation with our son, John, on Sunday afternoon, and an email from his wife today, we decided to ask you to add one more name to your prayer lists: our 44-year old son, John Kline.

Some of you may recall he had a melanoma removed from the right side of his head two years ago, and he has had ongoing problems since then and has had to endure various procedures and surgeries. We’ve just learned he will undergo yet another surgery to remove a very painful “bundle” of nerve endings (called a neuroma) at the back of his neck. In addition, there appears to be some sort of lump next to the “bundling” and that should be removed at the same time. A biopsy will predict what will be done and what the outcome should be.

Once this surgery is complete, it is our prayer (as well as that of his wife and family) that John will be pain free for the first time in nearly two years. Your prayers for him, for the pending surgery, and for his complete recovery this time will be sincerely and deeply appreciated.

As always, blessings and thank you so much!

Carol and George

Praise!

2012-01-23T09:41:00.001-08:00

Posted on Facebook at 11:30 AM today:

I want to tell you about prayer... it's a powerful thing. God has instructed us to come to Him in prayer for a reason. It brings glory and honor to Him and it's most beneficial to His children. Having said that, I am thrilled to report this morning that Don is feeling better and Mama Trudy is gaining strength! She's requesting certain foods and eating very well. Her appetite is back!!! She walked with her walker this morning and not with my help. Last night was the third night in a row that she did not have a coughing spell!

God is so faithful and I just know He is smiling and saying, "FaceBook may have been created to make money for the creator of it, but I'm using it to bring my family together in unity and love for each other!" God is greater!! Thanks everyone and don't quit praying for each other.

There's also a little baby boy, Noah, who needs our prayers and the healing power of God.

The sun is shining here today, literally! That makes my hubby, who is presently in the kitchen (YAY!!) very happy. :-)

The old conservatism is the new Green

2012-01-22T16:27:00.001-08:00

All things come back around.

History is repeated.

Usually for different reasons.

Frugaldom is a new word I’ve created. It’s the world that Mama Trudy grew up in. She is a product of The Depression Era.

For example, she rarely throws away a plastic container, which is not a bad idea when you consider being Greener. Of course, she doesn’t heat anything in the microwave in them. But she does freeze leftovers in them. I’m not at all opposed to reusing these plastic containers a few times.

This is where she stores the plastic lids.

And the subject of this picture motivated this blog post. When Mama stores something in one of the recycled plastic containers, she takes a piece of masking tape and places it on the lid writing the name of the contents on the tape. When she removes a container from the freezer or frig, she removes the tape label and attaches it to the side of the container where the lids are stored, to be used again. She is the queen of recycling.

Lest you think she forgot she already had a strawberries label, she stored two containers of strawberries at the same time.

C of M.R. Soup = cream of mushroom soup.

I just found this treasure stash…. I’ve been making new labels!!!

And throwing old ones in the trash!!! (Gasp!!)

I grew up in the next generation to the kingdom of frugality. I remember washing plastic bread sacks and using them. Mother “washes” aluminum foil and re-uses it. She uses zip lock plastic bags until they spring a leak. Rubber bands, twist ties… you never know when you might need them for something.

And no one saves the trees like Mama Trudy… do you want to talk about toilet paper? No. I didn’t think so, but I could.

What do you remember your parents or grandparents conserving?

A blast from the past

2012-01-21T17:03:00.000-08:00

I love looking at old pictures. These are of yours truly.

January 1953, taken near our home in west Texas. I loved our neighbors dog. Looks like he liked me, too. I was a tall 3 1/2 year old.

I have absolutely no recollection of why I wore this jackrabbit suit. I do know that Mama made it and it was for something at school. There’s a lot of starch in those rabbit ears! I think I was about eight years old here. Strange what you remember… I remember Mama telling me to hold my hands up like a rabbit when she took this picture.

Moving on to my junior year of high school when I was sweetheart of our local riding club. Mama made this western outfit of gold and cream lame’ and the blouse was cream colored lace. It was beautiful. My horse, a registered Quarter Horse, named Little Jo Jake. He and I competed in Western Pleasure classes. He was so easy to ride.

The Resume of Jesus Christ

2012-01-20T15:20:00.001-08:00

Address: Ephesians 1:20

Phone: Romans 10:13

Website: The Bible .

Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

_______________________________

Objective

My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

_______________________________

Qualifications

I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)

I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)

I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)

I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)

The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

_______________________________

Occupational Background

I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49 ).

I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)

_______________________________

Skills Work Experiences

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).

I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33 ).

Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

______________________________________

Educational Background

I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).

In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).

My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).

I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

_____________________________

Major Accomplishments

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 ).

I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15 ).

I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15 ).

I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!

There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

_______________________________

References

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

_______________________________

In Summation

Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15 ).

Send this resume to everyone you know,
you never know who may have an opening!
Thanks for your help.

...and at His discretion He gives power and strength.

FINALLY!!

2012-01-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

Don is here in Georgia with me and my Mama Trudy. He arrived about 4:15 this afternoon and oh how wonderful it is to see him and have him here with us. And he brought the laptop!! Yay!! So, now I can try and catch up on posting. I know I will omit some things, but will post the pictures I have taken.

So, check back to blog post dated December 12, 2011 and read forward to follow.

It’s wonderful to be back online on a full screen!

Prayer request: Don has a miserable cold so prayers for him to get over the cold are greatly appreciated. Pray also that Mama Trudy and I will be protected from getting a cold. Thanks.

Cousins, grands, great-grands, second and third cousins…

2012-01-15T20:17:00.000-08:00

Nephew, Jamey and his girlfriend, Allyson, arrived about noon from Nashville.

Today is a beautiful day and the great-grands loved playing outside.

Diesel is all boy. This trick awarded him about four splinters in his hand.

Once in awhile, Camden had to come in and get a game fix.

Sitting around visiting.

I’ve got a feeling that it’s a good thing he’s so cute.

The kids came running in, “Nonnie, Nonnie, come see the dog!” (There are no leash laws in this town, so we get fur-visitors occasionally.) They named him AJ and he loved all the attention the kids gave him. Yes, he has baby blue, almost white eyes.

AJ didn’t understand facing the camera.

They all wanted their picture taken with AJ. That’s some cute kids!!

Back inside, cousins Leslie and Jamey, my brother’s youngest.

If these are children of cousins, are they second or third cousins? I always understood that I was second cousin to my cousin’s kids and my kids were third cousins to my cousin’s kids. It’s all so confusing!!Blaine, Caleb, Emma, Lydia, Camden (in Lydia’s lap), AlexAnn, Sophie.Silly picture time.

Got a great picture of Sophie’s big brother, Caleb. Other brother, Blake, had other plans tonight.

Upside down time again for Camden.

Lydia took pictures with my camera while I took pictures with my phone.

Cousins, having fun. We sure missed Tammy and Tommy.

Timmy, Leslie, Jamey, LaNae, Sammy.

There were pictures taken with Mama Trudy and all of us, but it must not have been with my camera.

What a fun day and evening.

Faces of Rocket

2012-01-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

Blaine just turned ten back on the 22nd of Dec. Love this GRANDkid.

My family arrives!!!

2012-01-13T18:23:00.000-08:00

Daughters Leslie and LaNae and families left the Dallas area last night about 9:00 PM and arrived at our door this morning at 8:15! Thank You, Jesus!

LaNae is threatening my life if I don’t put the camera away!!

It’s so good to see them all. Mama Trudy has been so excited to see them all. It’s been at least two years since she has seen them.

I had breakfast ready for them. They ate. Loved on Mama Trudy and then went to their rented cottage on the mountain for some shut-eye and showers. They came back this afternoon.

Our little Emma was fascinated by the fireplace.

Camden is getting the typewriter treatment from his daddy. He loves it.

Upside down tickle time. Camden hollers and squirms and comes back for more in typical five year old boy fashion.

Son-in-law Khalil is in rare form today. Must be all that road noise still roaring in his head. That’s my beautiful baby girl, LaNae.

Emma watching Camden playing a digi-game. Well, maybe she’s telling him how to play it.

Cousin Sammy and his daughter, Sophie, arrive and the second cousins are all introduced for the first time.

“And this is Camden.”

Sophie doesn’t know what to make of Khalil… weirdo.

My gorgeous first child, Leslie, and her hubby, Khalil.

My crazy son-in-law loves my equally crazy brother, Uncle Jon.

Sitting around eating dinner.

Rocket clowning for Nonna’s camera. Can’t believe how much Blaine is growing up. He’s so sweet.

Today is our Lydia’s 14th birthday. I ordered a cake and ice cream for a party! Leslie lights the candles as Emma asks, “Is this a surprise party?”

Lydia, you better hurry and blow out those candles. They sure are making a large flame. Notice the look on Camden’s face.

She kept blowing and blowing and they just wouldn’t got out. Notice how smoky it is in the kitchen. Khalil got a mask so he could breathe.

Sophie entertains herself at her dad’s expense. Very cute, isn’t he?

Sammy’s a good sport and a good dad.

We were sorry that Sophie’s mommy was sick and couldn’t come to the party. Her teenage brothers also had other plans.

It’s wonderful to be together with family. Mama Trudy loved watching the great-grands playing and she loved all the hugs she got.

It was a wonderful day!

Kris update–Happy New Year; New Hopes

2012-01-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

Dearest loved ones and friends!

A very Happy New Year to you all, and we pray your Christmas was beautiful and the New Year will be filled with health and happiness!

Our New Year began with the joy of spending a week with Kris out in LaVernia, Texas. I say “our” New Year but, actually, George kept the home fires burning while I flew out last Wednesday. My trip was made even more joyous because our daughter, Diana, and her husband, Jon, flew down from Pennsylvania, too, and we spent six days enjoying a wonderful visit with Kris.

The first day there (Wednesday, January 4), we sort of visited, shared some tears, and got re-acquainted with the nursing staff and others at Country Care Manor. Let me just reiterate something I’ve said before: The nursing staff there at Country Care is outstanding and some of the most caring I’ve had the pleasure of knowing in the field of health care. Knowing the situation will never be perfect because of Kris’s inability to express her needs since she still cannot talk, it remains an efficient, effective nursing care facility because of the nurses and the administrative staff. Of course, I still cannot say enough about Susan, Rene, Heidi and David, the therapy team.

By Friday, it was decided a “road trip” was in order. After lunch, we gathered up Kris, filled a tote bag with the necessary items for the adventure, and off we went. Our first stop was the “still operating” and rustically fascinating S.A.S. Factory. For those novices in the world of shoes (as I was!), that stands for San Antonio Shoe Factory, and the shoes are very popular. Moreover, the shoe factory has been turned into a great tourist spot, with the added attraction of a wide assortment of antique cars. We were all agog!

Our next stop, as you can see by the photo attached, was the infinitely impressive shrine known as The Alamo. We’ve been visiting it with Kris since 1984 (when she first went into the Air Force and was stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio), and we continue to enjoy it, especially with all the beautiful upgrades, renovations, and impressiveness of the structure itself. Kris was a trooper and seemed to enjoy the afternoon. She slept very well that night, I’m sure!

On Saturday, Kris’s husband, Russell, had invited all of us to their home for a cookout and some delicious “real” Mexican food. Shortly after the noon hour, we loaded Kris into the rental car again, and off we went to her home right there in LaVernia. It was a lovely day, and Kris enjoyed watching a movie with Andrea, her daughter, and son, Joshua, as well as some other friends who stopped by. Russell made a great grilled brisket and some chicken “something” (I’m no good at remembering all the Mexican names!), while their housekeeper prepared fresh tortillas, pico de gallo (a great chip dip but not sure of the spelling), a rice dish, and pinto beans called... okay, forget what they were called. It was all delicious. I managed to feed Kris a small amount of the beans and rice, and a little red velvet cake, which she enjoyed. (Well, it was mostly the icing from the cake!) She is still trying very hard to eat, but things must be mashed and moist and soft. But there are some problems which leads us to the rest of this email.

Monday, an all important meeting was held with Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Director of Therapy, at the very beautiful, newly opened Audie Murphy Poly Trauma Center in San Antonio. Diana, Jon and I went with Kris in the transport van and Russell met us there. I had invited Kris’s Air Force case manager to join us, and she in turn invited two other case mangers to join us as well. The “big guns” were present!

The findings were: Kris’s neck continues to be a serious problem. With her head turned to the left and down so much, the muscle tone is simply growing that way. Her wheel chair doesn’t help, and a new one is essential. I asked if they might have something that would recline a bit with a head rest, and Dr. Johnson agreed that would help. Hopefully, they may even find a loaner until one can be assigned permanently to her. She simply must resort to gravity pulling her head up and back when she is in a chair.

Botox injections are a must (once again) now that she is eligible for them. (Three months must lapse between injections, and she is definitely due.) So... Because the Center is already heavily booked, Kris’s Air Force liaison, Darla Sekimoto, suggested she will try to have an appointment made at BAMC, and the doctor agreed. As soon as those injections are made, at least one week must pass before she can be admitted. Kris will then go into the Center as an inpatient for at least two to four weeks for those in depth, stringent therapy sessions (OT, PT and speech therapy), some psychological evaluations, and training in her new wheel chair. They are also contemplating using a very newly designed head/shoulder/neck harness on her to see if it will help. Hopefully, all of this will enable Kris to move forward in her recuperation, and that she can at least be re-trained to communicate in some form using special devices. Some of them may even be the key to her speaking again one day.

After numerous setbacks and some untimely health issues (Kris had pneumonia in late November), the New Year has once again provided us all with a great deal of hope. Russell has been given the go-ahead with house renovations, and that’s going to be a definite uplift in Kris’s spirits to finally see things begin to really happen. Over the past year, there have been so many things presented that gave us all hope, but they seemed to fizzle after a time. (The Pittsburgh trip that might have helped her facial features be restored, and several other possible moves forward that didn’t happen.) After seemingly being in a “one step forward, two steps back” mode, 2012 looks truly promising. And we truly praise God for that.

Our visit ended, as always, much too soon, and with many tears. But the hope of a healing Spring and some real moves in the right direction for Kris has certainly lifted our spirits. Hers will take a bit more time, I’m afraid. Depression set in over the past few months, and we are really praying expecting great things from God! Your prayers, as always, will be deeply appreciated.

Warmest possible New Year wishes, again, and thank you... as always... for your cards, your letters, your emails, your caring. God’s angels are everywhere, and we now have so many working on our side!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

Shower day

2012-01-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

Denise, hospice CAN, came today and helped Mama Trudy with her shower. Here, she steadies Mama while she combed her hair.

Foggy morning

2012-01-09T17:35:00.000-08:00

Can’t see the top of the mountain.

Why Did He Do It? ~ Max Lucado

Posted: 02 Jan 2012 10:01 PM PST

He himself likewise shared in flesh and blood, that through death he might destroy the one who had the power of death, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were in bondage. Hebrews 2:15

Why do we do it? Endure the airports, cram the trunks of our cars and SUV’s? You know the answer. We love to be with the ones we love!

It’s the four-year-old running up the sidewalk into the arms of grandpa. The cup of coffee with mom before the rest of the house awakes. That moment when, for a moment, everyone is quiet as we hold hands around the table and thank God for family and friends and pumpkin pie!

We love to be with the ones we love.

May I remind you? So does God. He loves to be with the ones He loves. How else do you explain what He did? Between him and us there was a distance—a great span. And he couldn’t bear it. So he did something about it.

He gave up his place—and made himself—nothing! He did it for you and me.

Out of the bed today!

2012-01-08T15:43:00.000-08:00

With help, Mama walked to the living room with her O2 tube trailing, and sat in the recliner for a while this afternoon.

Mama Trudy update

2012-01-06T15:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm going to try to organize my thoughts for a Mama Trudy update. It’s been a busy day. We had 3 hospice personnel visits today, including the doctor. Both doctor and nurse insisted that Mama use the oxygen machine especially to help her get over this upper respiratory infection. She was up for awhile when they were here.

She is eating. Meds are helping with coughing. She has coughed so much and so hard that her chest is sore.

Listen. It's quiet. Praying she gets some good rest. We feel your prayers for all of us. God has faithfully provided Don's replacement and he is at peace about it and can't wait to get here. Will arrive the 18th. Having some really sweet times with my mama that I will cherish forever.

God bless you.
LaVon

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Sometimes…

2012-01-04T15:07:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, my camera and I walk out the front door, when Mama is asleep, and see what we can capture.

Doubt—An Unwanted Visitor ~ Max Lucado

Posted: 04 Jan 2012 10:01 PM PST

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Doubt. He’s a lousy neighbor. An unwanted visitor. An obnoxious guest. And he’ll pester you. He’ll irritate you. He’ll criticize your judgment.

His aim is not to convince you, but to confuse you. He doesn’t offer solutions. Doubt only raises questions.

Had any visit from this fellow lately? If you find yourself going to church in order to be saved and not because you’re saved, then you’ve been listening to him.

If you find yourself doubting that God could forgive you again for that, you’ve been sold some snake oil.

If you’re more cynical about Christians than sincere about Christ, then guess who came to dinner?

I suggest you put a lock on your gate. I suggest you post a “Do not enter” sign on your door! Say no to doubt.

Mama Trudy update email

2012-01-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

Mama's coughing has increase starting yesterday. Which means that the congestion around her heart is worse. Coughed most of the night. A lot since before 3:00 AM. Also, with the coughing she can hardly breathe. Jon is going to call the Dr this morning for diuretic and to start hospice so she'll have a Dr coming here to check her weekly and a nurse will come regularly.

Dizziness is worse with spells of almost passing out. If she's horizontal with eyes closed, she has relief, usually. Spends a lot of time horizontal. However, breathing is more difficult when she's horizontal. It's a catch 22.

She is determined to move around some everyday and so far we haven't missed an evening without playing a little Mexican Train dominos.

She also has not missed a day without reading her Bible. When she can't read, I will read to her. She is still praising God.

Thank you for praying for us.

Because He lives,
LaVon & Don, Mama Trudy and Jon DeRusha

PS. Dr will not prescribe meds without seeing her. If coughing persists, the hospital may be our next move, depending on how quickly hospice will start.

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

It’s the South…

2012-01-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

New Year’s Eve 2011

2011-12-31T12:13:00.000-08:00

This is Timmy, my brother’s fourth born. He and his daughter, AlexAnn, came by before going back to their home in the Nashville area. It was early and Mama Trudy was still in her robe.

We wondered what AlexAnn was whispering to her dad.

Well, it seems that, if Timmy removes his partial plate, they all three have teeth missing and Alex wanted a picture of the three of them together with teeth missing. Timmy laughed …. an complied. Why so “no” to such an innocent and cute request. Love is stronger than vanity, after all.

Poor Timmy. You can hardly tell that Alex and Mama Trudy are missing teeth!

I love Timmy’s shoes!

Last picture of Mama Trudy in 2011.

She had a long nap this afternoon, so we played Mexican Train until midnight. Happy New Year!!

A good neighbor

2011-12-29T21:47:00.000-08:00

Mama’s neighbor, Iona, came to visit this afternoon, bringing candy. Iona’s daughter came, also.

Can you tell, from this picture, how much Mama enjoys company. She just loves Iona! Two beautiful Christian ladies.

Iona Mama

The sunsets behind the mountain.

Mama is making a point to play Mexican Train dominoes as long as she can. We have played every evening since I have been here. She says it helps her not think about how bad she feels. Who’s she kidding??? She just loves to beat me!!!

It’s a beautiful day

2011-12-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

Today is especially sunny and pretty out. These pictures are part of the view from Mama’s front porch, looking east.

The top of the ridge. A highway runs along the top of the ridge.

I am passing time looking through old pictures and scrapbooks.

A full page from the newspaper. Mama has saved this for years. Now you understand why I am so patriotic. That’s right folks, we should all teach our children and grandchildren to love our country and … is that a cross in that picture??? Exactly.

Click on this picture and hopefully it will be easier to read in the new window… but come back when you finish reading it.

A clipping from the local newspaper, Sept. 1954, that Mama liked and saved…. all these years.

Family Christmas Caroling

2011-12-25T21:14:00.000-08:00

Members of her family are coming to see her and sing Christmas carols…. of course she’s going to get dressed and be presentable. It took us awhile, but she was sitting in the living room waiting for them when they arrived, like she always has when company is expected.

Mama Trudy Rhodes, Christmas 2011.

AlexAnn and Sophie singing to Mama Trudy.

The next pictures were taken with my phone without good lighting, so please excuse the quality.

Jamey.

Timmy, Jessica and Alex.

Jonny read the Christmas story and prayed. True to his soft heart, he had trouble getting through the "thank You, Lord, for Mama Trudy" part. We could never honor her too much.

Mama Trudy, getting a little tired, but would not miss a word of what Jonny was saying.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T19:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings from NW Georgia. Thankfully, the storm missed us last night, being about an hour east of us over the mountain. (There was a tornado in north Georgia last evening.)

I am somewhat "bummed" out tonight.

The optimism I had that mama would tolerate the Digoxin to lower her heart rate, has been dashed. Yesterday afternoon she begin to itch severely and by last might she could hardly stand it. She got no sleep last night. By this afternoon, the rash was evident just beneath her skin on her abdomen, back, sides, chest, neck and shoulders. The cardiologists said stop taking the Digoxin and try Atenolol, 1/2 tablet every other day after her rash clears and itching subsides.

I am not holding out much hope that her body will tolerate the Atenolol, but we continue trusting God with mama's condition. He knows what's best for her.

The Dr recommended Benadryl cream and I applied it for her tonight. Bless her heart, she is so miserable.

Well, that is where we are in our endeavor to help mama be as comfortable as possible. She is such a trooper and walked in the house today for 18 minutes. She tried to make it for 20 minutes but gave out. All this in addition to her constant dizziness. No sleep last night didn't help. She did get a good 2 hour nap this afternoon due to sheer exhaustion. That helped so she wanted to play dominos to try to keep her mind off the itching.

I don't know how many meds the Dr will try before mama says, "no more."

Thank you for keeping her in your prayers and praising God for getting the toxins out of her system quickly.

My brother, Jon, is wonderful to check on us everyday, going to the stores for us and doing whatever mama needs done. I am so thankful for him. We are both grateful for each other. Being an only child would be so hard at a time like this.

I apologize that my update is lengthy, but writing helps me to organize my thoughts and figure out what we need to do.

Until next report, God bless and Merry Christmas.

Love,
LaVon

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

I helped Mama remember how to play Old Sol, as she calls the game of solitaire that she used to play when she was a kid.She plays about two hands and then she’s tired and lays down.

When life gives you scraps

2011-12-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

A quilted wall hanging made by Mama Trudy and hanging in her home. A philosophy that has served her well.

Seeing Cardiologist today

2011-12-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Mama Trudy has an appointment with the cardiologist today, in Chattanooga.

We took our picture before we left to go to the doctor. (I cut the top of my head off!)

But even though I can’t seem to get to many pictures with my mama, it’s not about me… it’s about her. For the first time in her life, it’s going to be all about her. I’m going to make sure of it.

The love and joy in her spirit shines in her pictures even though she doesn’t feel good. She makes an incredible effort to keep people from knowing that she feels like poo and her head is swimming. She comes from a tough generation and somewhere along the way, she learned to make the best out of any situation and hide her feelings. In my eyes, she has never been more beautiful.

From the back seat, I took this picture not far from Mama’s apartment.

The trip to the cardiologist went well. They provided mother a wheelchair while at the clinic and that kept her from getting exhausted. Her diagnosis is congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and tachycardia. He prescribed something to help lower her heart beats per minute, which currently ranges from 80 to 136 bpm.

Here’s the email update I sent today:

The cardiologist prescribed a low dosage of med to help slow her very rapid heart rate (which may be the cause of her 'swimmy' head). If her body tolerates the med and she feels better, PTL. If not, he will try a low dosage of diuretic. He is being very attentive and cautious and we appreciate that. She will have blood work done, locally, in a week to evaluate the level of the new medication in her system.

Dr visit went well. I know all your prayers are making a huge difference. She's tired, back home but not completely exhausted.

Stay tuned. :-)
LaVon

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

The first email update:

2011-12-19T19:34:00.000-08:00

Dear family,

Just a note to keep you informed as much as possible.

In addition to he "swimmy" head (her word) , Mama Trudy has gotten much weaker in just the last month. The arrhythmia is more and she now has congestion forming around her heart. These conditions cause her to cough a lot and she is very tired. Walking from one room to another wears her to exhaustion and breathing is also a challenge most of the time. The only time her head isn't swimmy is when she is lying down.

Her body does not tolerate medication well, at all, but tomorrow we (Jonny & I ) are taking her to her appointment with the cardiologist in Chattanooga. She is not looking forward to the 45 minute drive but she's not complaining. We just praying for short wait time.

Primarily, we want to find out if a diuretic will help her with fluid and a Med for her arrhythmia that maybe she can tolerate.

Her comfort is a priority to us.

She's ready to go Home, she told me tonight. Jonny and I are processing letting her go. Pray for us.

I am so thankful at how awesome God is to get me here with mama so quickly. A true testament of His love for us. There are some wonderful, precious, obedient servants of God in this family and we love you all.

Until the next report, keep singing His praises!

Sunday is here

2011-12-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

My handsome brother, Jon, came by after church.

First sunny day came on Sunday

2011-12-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

The sun came up this morning and we saw it! The clouds are gone. We had a very heavy frost this morning and the trees were shining in the early morning sun coming over the mountain.

This afternoon, I bundled Mama up and she sat out in the sunshine to get a little natural vitamin D. Tonight, when she saw this picture, she said the funniest thing: “That makes me look like an old woman.” Mama is almost 93 1/2 years old! At first, she couldn’t figure out what I was laughing about and then she got tickled at herself. I love my mama.

I understand, though, why she said that… she really doesn’t look like an old woman, even in this picture.

See the house above the apartment across the parking lot, the one up on the side of the mountain? I wonder what it looks like close up?

Now, I wonder if anyone lives there. If so, they have a nice view in the winter when all the leaves are gone.

Mama didn’t stay outside very long. Got tired and we went back inside.

Don called me after church this morning. In fact, several friends from the park called me to tell me how good church was this morning and what a wonderful sermon Don preached. I miss hearing him preach.

Georgia bound

2011-12-15T15:59:00.000-08:00

We had to be at the airport at 5:00 AM, which meant that I was up at 3:30 AM.

It seemed rather quiet at the air port, so Don and I sat in the lobby and chatted until almost time for me to board at 6:25 AM.

This Christmas tree in the lobby is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. I love how they have decorated it.

The leg of my flight from McAllen to DFW was in the worst seat on the plane… last row by the window. I opened the shade on the window and there was an engine. I didn’t care, I was on a plane going to my mama! The next leg, DFW to Nashville = First Class… that was N.I.C.E. Sat beside a nice lady and chatted a little. Was met at the Nashville airport by my brother, Jon. The two hour ride to mama’s apartment went by quickly as we visited.

We stopped in Trenton and I bought a poinsettia for Mama Trudy and I had purchased a red ribbon for my hair. When we walked through the door, she didn’t recognize me at first and then she realized who I was and I sat down on the couch beside her. She grabbed me and just sobbed and sobbed. We both did. No. We all cried, my brother, included. This picture was taken after we regained our composure.

She was so surprised and she can’t believe I’m here. She knew our plan was to spend next summer with her, but she’s been telling my brother she doesn’t think she will make it to next summer, so she’d been praying that God would let her live until Don and I got here.

She’s very weak and coughs a lot.

Kris Update: The very latest news

2011-12-13T17:55:00.001-08:00

To all our dear friends and loved ones!

The last update, dated November 16, was chocked full of great things and uplifting experiences during my week’s visit with Kris back in November. I was excited to just send it out to you all. Without being too much of a kill-joy, however, let’s just say not every day can be so “chocked full of great things,” and such was the case the week after I left.

Kris became very ill, I’m afraid, and was finally diagnosed with pneumonia. It’s bad enough when anyone is down with the “bug,” but it’s really very difficult in Kris’s situation. She cannot speak, so she can’t tell you what hurts, where she feels bad, or even that she needs her nose cleaned out. She evidently ran a fever for several days, and they started her on an antibiotic. That didn’t seem to help, so she was given another stronger antibiotic, and that must have helped a good bit. She wasn’t taking her tube feedings for a while, so they started her on Pedialyte liquid for hydration. She was in bed, however, a number of days for the most part, and that’s not good for someone who is already having trouble with muscle tone. She didn’t seem to want to go to therapy, and likely had some depression in there as well. Who wouldn’t?!!!

The worry factor hit an all-time high for me, so the telephone conversations between Sebring, Florida, and the director of nursing, the assistant director of nursing, the nurses on duty, and the therapy gals became even more frequent. They were all concerned. Fortunately, the medical doctor for the facility has an office there in LaVernia, too, and he seems very good about coming in to check on patients. Kris was better by the end of last week, finally, and today I understand she had some mashed potatoes and gravy; at least several teaspoons full. Another good sign. She’s back in therapy and was even playing checkers the other day.

Last Wednesday, Kris had an appointment for more evaluations back at the newly opened VA Audie Murphy Poly Trauma Center in San Antonio. Russell went with her, of course, and he said Kris will likely be fitted with a neck brace of some new design that has helped quite a few people with her type of disability. Kris is now more and more prone to having her head to the left side and down, and it’s becoming more difficult for her to keep her head up. That will make it really hard for her to drive her motorized wheelchair when she gets it, because she has to be able to look ahead and see where she’s going. This new neck brace should help, and we are very hopeful that it will.

Even now, it is so difficult not to be there, but I know that everyone is doing their best to take good care of Kris. Russell will go with her again this Wednesday for two more appointments at the VA, and a final determination will be made the first week of January as to whether Kris will be able to come there for several weeks of in-depth therapy and speech training. Fortunately, I will be able to be there that week, and I am truly thankful and praise God we’ve been able to book some more shows in January and February especially to help with our finances. In the meantime, I talk to her every day via Susan, the speech therapist there at Country Care Manor, or through Russell. It is such a help to me to be able to do that.

Now, for those who have asked... a very quick update on the remodeling of the double-wide we bought last spring. We bought it in late March and left for Texas April 2nd. We decided to paint when we get back. Once we returned to Florida in the middle of October, however, we decided the kitchen needed some work on the cabinets, and then we’d paint. It’s now December 12, and the kitchen will be done when the new floor covering is in (coming soon to the Home Depot!). Never say you’re going to “just paint” when you’re married to a carpenter/electrician/plumber perfectionist!!! I’m the painter, he does the rest, but I feed him well so that keeps him happy! After 30 years of marriage, we’ve decided we will definitely live through this whole-house renovation project, and it will be lovely when it’s done!

We’ll miss not being there with Kris for Christmas this year, the way we were last year. But Kris’s family is close by and they will be with her I’m sure. Russell said they attended the special Christmas party for residents this past Thursday evening. He took a picture of Kris with Santa, and he said she even tried some stuffing at the dinner. These are all positive things and we just thank God for and for giving us such hope. This is the time of year to have hope, after all, to rejoice in that Hope, and to praise Him for every joy that we have, and even for the rough spots. Corrie Ten Boom once said, “In order to feel the worth of the Anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.”

May your Christmas be blessed, may your New Year be filled with health and happiness, and may you find the peace that is brought to us in the form of a Babe in a manger. This is the time when it’s hard to be away from all our children and grandchildren, and so we wish all of them a joyous Christmas, too. But Jesus is the reason we celebrate, after all, and so, with grateful hearts, we wish to all of you... a very Merry Christmas!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

PS:

Truly I meant to put Kris’s mailing address in last night’s update. Now that several people have already asked me, George said, “Why don’t you send it out to everyone now!” Good idea!!!

Maj Kristine Ratliff

Country Care Manor

2736 FM 775, Room 302

LaVernia, TX 78121

At this beautiful season of Hope and Love, Kris will be delighted to hear from any who wish to send a card. And, again, a very Merry Christmas to you all!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

God is so good…

2011-12-13T10:24:00.000-08:00

Don checked online for an airline ticket to Nashville and found nothing for less than $700+…. ouch. As you may know, I swallowed my pride and sent out a request for air points. Within a couple of hours, God had provided a ticket for me for next Thursday. That’s day after tomorrow!! Wow! God is awesome!! Many, many thanks to my step-nephew who works for an airline, for stepping out with mega blessings. The airline even flies out of McAllen, so Don will not have to drive me to San Antonio or Corpus Christi and back to the Tip alone. The McAllen airport is about 10-15 minutes from our park.

I hardly know where to start to get ready. Don took me shopping for a pair of boots… it’s colder in northwest Georgia than it is in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas this time of year. Found a really comfy pair at a really good price.

I have really fretted about leaving Don alone, but God has worked this all out way ahead of me, so I know Don will be alright. My Heavenly Father is the best keeper and I trust Him.

… All the time.

Christmas fellowship with friends

2011-12-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

This evening, we were invited to Gene and Rosalyn’s for a little Christmas fellowship time with friends.Wava loves to bake!!Rosalyn’s cousin and Wava’s husband, Ralph, makes the punch.Rosalyn sets out plates and cups.

Wava serves up the punch. It was yummy!

Well, this is where we were when I got the call from my brother that Mama Trudy wasn’t doing well at all. I have some mental processing to do.

Feeling really creative ;-)

2011-12-10T21:01:00.001-08:00

Just click on the picture for the recipe to this amazing Carmel Corn Mix.

Note: In the Q, I only have one microwave bowl, that I actually purchased today to make this recipe and didn’t realize I needed two microwave bowls…. so, I actually prepared the syrup in a pan on the stove top. Just as fast.

2nd Note: I also added just a smidgen of baking soda to the syrup after removing it from the stove and before pouring it over the pop corn, rice Chex mix and roasted peanuts. (that’s the ingredients I used).

This would make great Christmas gifts in individual containers and it’s soooo easy. Takes about twelve minutes, total.

Dizzy Day

2011-12-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

Well, for Pete’s sake…. Walk Away the Pounds kicked my patootie today! We did the Walk Strong segment with intervals of squats and lunges with 2 pound weights. During the last segment of cool down, I thought I was going to pass out and had to stop. The rest of the day, I felt really “punky” as Don calls it.

Walking to the main hall, Don had to stop walking for a second, because he was feeling very light headed. This happens occasionally with him.

During Bible Study, Louis, the gentleman sitting across the table from us, was telling his wife that something was wrong, he just didn’t feel good. Don asked him if he was dizzy and he said he was. Louis stopped Connie and said he needed prayer so we stopped right there and prayed for him. And then Barbie, nurse and the first responder in Bible Study, drove he and his wife to their house. Barbie checked on him all through the day and he said he was better. I walked with him out to the car and he said at one point, he could not even see Connie. Barbie said his blood sugar may have dropped or he may have had a T.I.A. Don suggested he see a doctor, also.

We needed to go over to Donna to see the man who is going to repair the Q. He was out for an hour or so, so we drove over to Weslaco for lunch. (I wonder if he was dizzy, too.)

Main street.

Not Main Street.

Very pretty Catholic church on Oklahoma Avenue.

Back at the Q, I spent the rest of the day, horizontal on the sofa.

It was a dizzy day.

Lunch with Donna

2011-12-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

Finally, Donna and I met for lunch today.

Donna and Jim were our park managers last season. Donna was also my walking partner. This season, Jim has taken job outside the park and Donna is being the stay at home …. oh wait, she’s retired!!!

It was so good to see Donna again. We had a great time catching up and made plans to meet for lunch again soon.

It’s beginning to look…

2011-12-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

I found a Christmas tree!!! Grant it, it’s only thirteen inches tall, but it fits in the Q. And I love it’s message.

These are decorations from last Christmas…. that have been hanging, oh my goodness, for a whole year.

So, I found a few more red and gold decorations to go with them.

Here. You get the full effect.Hmmm. It looks more festive than this picture reveals. I think.

I’m already wondering where we will store these decorations. I know. You’re hoping I don’t store them right where they are.

Onward Christian Soldiers

2011-12-06T13:18:00.001-08:00

Honestly. What does a personal relationship with Jesus Christ look like?

The Psalmist writes:

13:5 – But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

13:6 – I will sing to the LORD because He is good to me.

Verses 5 and 6 are the last two verses in chapter 13, so had the LORD already “rescued” him when he wrote this? Let’s check:

13:1 – O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?

13:2 – How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

13:3 – Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

13:4 – Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

Doesn’t sound like someone who has already been rescued, does it? But it does sound like some one who has a personal relationship with the LORD. He talks to the LORD, honestly. Immediately, he reminds himself and the LORD, that he trusts HIM.

Read verses 5 & 6 again.

David knows Who is with him. He knows Who is all powerful and he know Who loves him. So he begins to praise the LORD!

No matter what is going on in your life, God is with you, if you have made Him LORD and Master of your life. No matter your trials and troubles, praise God. Satan will not hang around when his purpose (to kill, steal and destroy) is not being established but instead, God is being praised!

A personal relationship with God starts with knowing His word (the Bible) and believing what you know. What follows the knowing and believing is acting on what you know and believe. A personal relationship with God is inviting and involving Him in every area of your life, intentionally, until there is no difference between your life and His life.

Marvelous Monday

2011-12-05T19:08:00.001-08:00

Wow! Our December calendar is getting busy! Lots of things going on this month.

I managed to make it to Walk Away the Pounds this morning. Worked up a good sweat for 2.5 miles.

Next was the “lets watch wet paint dry” time. Better known as the Monday Morning Meeting here at the Tip. However, it was more interesting this morning, thanks to characters like Rene St.James.

A new website is being created to help residents know what’s going on in the park. http://totfyi.com

I’ve made an ‘executive’ decision. We have officially started an iPad Fund at the Q. Got to have one of those.

Don and I had to make a trip to Camping World for a few RV items this afternoon. Being so close, we buzzed on over to visit Snookie and Bob and wound up staying for a few hours. What a good time we had with them. Loved hearing about their trip to the Bull Fight at Santa Maria in LaGloria. I still can’t believe they are this close to us this season!

We stopped at a fresh produce place. They had fresh squeezed orange juice and grapefruit juice. Yum-yum.

Beautiful day today. Cooler, but very nice in the sun.

What??? No pictures???

Sunday is Here

2011-12-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

I have a difficult time writing about our Sunday’s simply because they are so delightful and praise worthy that I don’t feel like I do them justice with my meager words.

Don’s sermon was “What is Hope?”

Look up these scriptures and see if you can write a sermon about HOPE:

1 John 5:11-12

John 3: 16

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 49:23

1 Timothy 2:1

Psalm 33:16-22

Don told this story:

There once was a fabulously wealthy man who loved his son above all things. To stay close to his son, they began to build an art collection together. Every spare minute, they were out at auctions and sales acquiring rare works of art: everything from Picasso to Raphael. By the time the Vietnam conflict broke out , they built one of the rarest most valuable collections in the world. A letter came one day informing the son he had been drafted. The father offered to pull some strings, but the son felt compelled to serve his country as his father and grandfather did before him.
The son went off to war, but he wrote his dad everyday. One day the letters stopped. The father's worst fears were realized when he received a telegram from the war department informing him his son had been killed while attempting to rescue another soldier. About six months later, there was a knock at the door. A young soldier with a large package under his arm said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the man your son saved on that faithful day he died deep in the jungles of Viet Nam. He had already saved many lives that day, and as he was carrying me off the battlefield, he was shot through the heart and died instantly.
Your son was my friend and we spent many a lonely night "in country talking about you and your love for art." The young soldier held out his package and said, "I know this isn't much and I'm not much of an artist, but I wanted you to have this painting I've done of your son as I last remember him. The father tore open the package and fought back the tears as he gazed at a portrait of his one and only son. He said, "You have captured the essence of my son's smile in this painting and I will cherish it above all others." The father hung the portrait over his mantle. When visitors came to his home, he always drew attention to the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other masterpieces.
When the father died the news went out that the entire collection was being offered at an exclusive private auction. Collectors and art experts from around the world gathered for the chance of purchasing one of them. The first painting on the auction block was the soldier's modest rendering of his son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel and asked someone to start the bidding. The sophisticated crowd scoffed and demanded the Van Gogh's and the Rembrandts be brought forth. The auctioneer persisted. "Who will start the bidding? $200? $100?" The crowd continued to turn up their noses, waiting to see the more serious paintings. Still the auctioneer solicited, "The son! The son! Who will take the son? Finally a squeaky voice from the back said, "I'll bid $10 for the son." The bidder was none other than the young soldier the son had died saving. He said, "I didn't come to buy anything and all I have is $10 to my name, but I bid it all." The auctioneer continued seeking a higher bid, but the angry crowd began to chant, "Sell it to him and let's get on with the auction." The auctioneer pounded the gavel and sold the painting for the bid of $10. An eager buyer from the second row bellowed, "Finally, on with the auction." And just then the auctioneer said, "The auction is now officially closed." The hostile crowd demanded to know how after coming, all this way could the auction possibly be over? The president of the auctioning company came to the microphone and said, "When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a stipulation in the will I could not divulge until now. According to the wishes of the deceased only the painting of the son was to be sold today and whoever takes the son gets it all. So today, for $10 this young man has bought one of the world's most priceless art collections and the entire estate in which it is housed -- auction closed." And with the swing of the gavel, the crowd sat in stunned silence staring at the young soldier.
The moral of the story is simple. You can stop trying to be good enough for God. If you take the son, you'll get everything else the Father has to offer.

It's this simple and yet this sublime: "whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son, does not have life.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:12-13)

You could hear the air leave the room when Don said, “Whoever takes the son, gets it all.”

Do you know the definition of Biblical Hope?

Don is preaching with such urgency and passion and folks are listening and being affected by the Holy Spirit. It’s a beautiful thing to watch the Light come on.

There were about a dozen more in church than last Sunday. I love seeing folks for the first time after being apart for the summer… lots of hugs.

This afternoon… nap. New sofa sleeps really good!

Super Saturday

2011-12-03T19:50:00.001-08:00

Do you see it? In our beautiful palm tree?

A squirrel in a palm tree just doesn’t look normal to me. We are curious as to what they eat here. This palm trees don’t have nuts or dates, but they do have an abundance of little black seeds certain times of the year. Nonetheless, he’s here in a palm tree that doesn’t offer him much play area. He was stretched out on a hanging basket hanger, that’s nailed much lower to the ground, when we came out of the Q this morning. He scampered up to the very top and watched us.

I’m so excited! We decided on the bonded leather sofa over the microfiber one. Both were bargains. Before we purchased this one, we went to another store and looked at a Lazy Boy high grade leather sofa. Very comfy, but I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it knowing how much it cost… well, it was just way out of our budget. We are very pleased with this one. It is very comfortable.

It was almost dark when our new sofa was delivered. We were glad that they picked up our old sofa and recliner and will take them to the Salvation Army to be repaired and used.

We needed drinking water, so I rode my bike up to the main hall to get a gallon, taking my camera with me. The indoor pool area is very pretty in the evening. I’m wondering why Don and I aren’t stirring up these waters.

The front of the Main Hall is pretty with Christmas lights. This building houses the hall where church is held, kitchen, the manager’s office, meeting rooms, billiards room, library, store, indoor pool, post office, sewing room, arts and crafts room (where chapel choir practice is held), showers, small prayer chapel (which is closed for renovation), and the large laundromat. It is a big building.

Well, that’s the last time I go with them (wink, wink)

2011-12-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

Today was an amazing day, except for the part where I forgot to go to Walk Away the Pounds this morning! And Friday is my day to ‘man’ the TV! Thank the Lord for Lynne and Betty who stepped up.

9:00 AM – Bible study. This year, Connie is teaching Until Christ Returns by David Jeremiah. There was already a bunch of folks attending. That’s wonderful!

After Bible Study, we stopped by a gentleman’s RV to visit. Very interesting visit. I could have listen to him for hours. God has truly worked in his life and I love hearing about that.

Around 11:30, Nancy and Jeanelle picked me up and off we went to lunch at Friends, a lunch café, and then to the Fashion Bug in Edinburg for a little shopping. I tried on an outfit, but decided against buying it because I just wasn’t sure I would get that much wear out of it because the top is a lightweight sweater. When I came out of the dressing room, I hung the sweater and pants back on the rack to not purchase. Nancy promptly picked them up and she purchased the pants and Jeanelle purchased the sweater… for me. I would like to say that I will never go shopping with them again, but I would be lying. Now I have a new Date Night outfit! … complete with necklace and earrings. Hey Girls, I’m free the 16th to go shopping again!!

Seriously, I’m joking around because, “Thank You” just doesn’t seem like enough to say. I’m so blessed to have these girls in my life. They are amazing friends.

I must tell you an amazing story that happened this week. It involves our LaNae. She’s been having a very rough week that started last week. Out of the blue, she received a text message that was nothing but a verse or two. She received a verse every day from the same person, someone she did not know, and the verses were exactly the encouragement she needed each time. Well, today, she finally called the mystery person to thank them and find out who it was. It turns out that he’s a farmer/rancher in north Texas who thought he was sending encouragement to a friend who had the cell number LaNae now has… got it last Friday. He was thrilled that God’s timing was perfect for LaNae and that God had used him. Oh, how God loves us! LaNae asked the gentleman to keep sending her verses! He said he would be happy to. I’m blown away.

5 questions you should ask your child(ren) every day:

2011-12-02T20:40:00.000-08:00

Connecting with your kids doesn't have to be complicated. With just five questions a day you can build a stronger relationship with your kids.

1. What is the most important thing that happened today? This is a great way to get more than a yes or no answer.

2. How are you and your friends getting along? You'll get to know your child's social circle and may get a heads up on drama that could be brewing and may cause some later problems

3. What Is Something I Should Know About You? This question is great for growing any relationship - and you're guaranteed to learn something surprising. Just be prepared to have an answer, too!

4. What Should We Celebrate Today? Make it a goal to have fun with your kids and bring joy into your family's life on a regular basis. It can be as simple as popsicles on the back porch, a good grade on a quiz, or your favorite show being on TV. Savor the little things together.

5. Do You Know That I Love You? You can never say this too much. Always tell your kids you love them - and for who they are, not just for what they do.

I thought these were really good and I’ve even used them with my granddaughter … texting. I learned that she wants to be an astronaut!!! Wow! (She’s so funny)I also learned that her daddy will be deployed again on Dec. 13. Please keep Mike in your prayers.

Trimming the trees

2011-11-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, this is what palm trees are supposed to look like.

But the tree trimmers have been in the park every calm day we have and today is a very calm day, so up the trees they go. It took this guy all of two minutes to cut all the limbs off that you see on the ground.

Now our tree looks like this. Isn’t that just lovely? NOT. Looks sad to me.

This morning, after doing Walk Away the Pounds and the laundry, we headed out to look at sofas to replace the horribly uncomfortable and broken sofa that came in the Q. The Q is only three years old and already the sofa and the recliner that came with it need to be replaced. The sofa never has been my favorite, but we tolerated it until now. We found one or two at a furniture factory warehouse here at very good prices. They really want our business. After we left, we begin to notice that several furniture stores are closed here since last season. We measured the sofas and came home to talk about it and pray about it. What we looked at were sofas with recliners on each end to replace both our present sofa and my recliner. With that thought, there is a challenge. To our knowledge, only Lazy Boy (too rich for our budget) makes a sofa with detachable back, but this warehouse had two wall-away sofa recliners that have the snap on backs. The detachable back is required to be able to get the sofa through the Q door…. it must be done in two pieces. You can imagine how delighted we are to have found very nice sofas with detachable backs that aren’t so expensive.

Regardless of what we decide, we had fun today.

God's cake....

2011-11-21T15:04:00.001-08:00

[Thank You! to Jeanelle Barry for sending this to me.]

Sometimes we wonder,

'What did I do to deserve this?' or

'Why did God have to do this to me?'

Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says,

'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'

'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers.

'Yuck' says her daughter..

'How about a couple raw eggs?'

'Gross, Mom!'

'Would you like some flour then?

Or maybe baking soda?'

'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies:

'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way.

Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good!

We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you.

He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

If you like this, send this on to the people you really care about.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

CRM Saturday

2011-11-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

First on my agenda this morning was Breakfast with the Independence Street girls, meeting at Eileen’s house at 8:30. I don’t live on Independence Street, but Eileen is the organizer and she always invites the pastor’s wife. If they don’t want me to come, they shouldn’t invite me, right?

Eileen, Onalee and Kay standing in the middle of Independence street waiting for everyone to arrive.

Come on, girls! Let’s get in the car and go! I’m hungry!

This morning, eight of us went to the Tejas Restaurant just a short distance from our park. That’s Sue on the front end of the table. She’s new to the park this season and works in the office. Next to her is her friend, Sheila, also new to the park. Really fun girls. We hit it off. Next are Diane, Alice, Taima, Kay, Onalee and Eileen.

Diane was here last year, but didn’t get to know her so really enjoyed visiting with her this morning.

Kay, down on the other end of the table, is just too cute in her cap.

I decided that I need to take Don to the Tejas in the near future.

At noon, we headed over to Alamo Rec Veh Park for our monthly CRM potluck and meeting. It didn’t take us long to line up and fill our plates.

Our General Director, Dennis Maloney is presiding.

A tremendous addition to the CRM list of chaplains is Raymond Smith from the UK. We’re excited about the ministry he has begun in Los Fresnos to the Winter Texas from Quebec, Canada… French speaking. Yes, Raymond speaks French and we’re all excited about encouraging Christians to go back to their homes in the summer and be bolder to share Jesus Christ with their friends and neighbors there…. wherever ‘there’ is.

The CRM ladies gathered round in a different room to plan for this years ladies retreat.

Sally Maloney distributes ‘assignments.’ I will be videoing the retreat this year. Retreat date is Friday, February 17, 2012.

Featured speaker was Robert Zapeda who is serving as chaplain at an RV resort in Los Fresnos, Texas. Robert is also the Director of Missions for the Southern Baptist Churches in the Rio Grande Valley.

It’s been a busy, but a great Saturday.

The beginning of the repair process.

2011-11-18T18:12:00.001-08:00

Mr. Phil Pray, owner of Mid-Valley RV Repair, came out today to get all the information he needs to make an estimate on repairing the Q.

Mr. Pray found our water leak! Or where the rain is leaking in. Fleetwood quality control fell down on their job. There is absolutely no caulking around the top of the door frame of a storage compartment in the bedroom slideout. None. He will fix that.

Kris update: Lots to Tell

2011-11-17T22:44:00.001-08:00

Dearest prayer warriors and loved ones!

Where to begin! There is just so much to tell you all and, yes, it is all good stuff!!! The only bad thing about heading to Texas last Tuesday (November 8th) was that we had to leave home by 5 a.m. in order to make the drive to Orlando and catch my 8 a.m flight. From there, it was smooth sailing all the way.

Wednesday morning, Kris had an appointment at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) with the ear, nose and throat team. Once again, the discussion turned to Botox injections and it was decided she is still a candidate to continue the injections, albeit, perhaps stronger doses and in more areas in her neck. They checked her esophagus by scoping her, and found the voice box to still be very good, the airway well protected and covered, and the epiglottis still functioning very well. Feeding her small amounts of soft or pureed foods and water very carefully should continue. True to form, the therapists at Country Care Manor have been doing just that and, as a matter of fact, the day I arrived, Kris had been eating mashed potatoes and doing extremely well. Another... Praise the Lord!!!

On Wednesday afternoon, the three case managers working with Kris representing the VA and the Air Force came to Country Care to visit her. Russell, Kris and I met with them for almost an hour before they went out to Kris and Russ’s home in LaVernia. They wanted to see where the renovations will be made and get a feel for what the VA inspector saw and suggested several weeks back. Russell informed them the plans are with the architect and there are two potential scenarios: enlarging an existing bedroom to include all the equipment and everything Kris will need, or building a completely separate little studio-type apartment at the back of the house which will also house everything she will need. It will be connected to the house itself by a very short breezeway. There are pros and cons for both.

Thursday, I did something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Kris usually wore her hair with a bit of auburn highlights and, of course, that hadn’t been done since before the accident. I had talked with the beautician at the facility and she let me use her shop. I gave Kris a hair color, shampoo, haircut and style right there, and the outcome lifted her spirits tremendously. We had so much fun doing it, and the “ooo’s” and “aahh’s” Kris received really made her smile.

On Sunday morning, Joshua brought Andrea to see Kris, which always makes Kris’s day. (I snapped the attached photo on the front porch of Country Care Manor.) Then, at long last, Russell and I were finally able to do something we had talked about for some time: take Kris home to her house for a brief visit. There was a lot of explaining and admonishing this would be merely a first step and there will be more visits. She will be going home for good one day, but she would have to return to Country Care for now. The visit lasted almost two hours, and Russ explained all the things he wants to do to make the house ready for her. She wheeled around inside with wide eyes, and he even showed her some of the projects he’d been working on.

Kris hadn’t been home since she left for work the morning April 21, 2010, that horrible, fateful day. Sunday was a monumental occasion!!! Even their little dog, Jason, was excited and, of course, Andrea and Joshua were really glad to see her start this series of visits. In all honesty, she handled it pretty well when it came time to leave, but she did get depressed for a time once back at the facility. I had bought a Christmas tree for her room and proceeded to put it together and she actually helped me put some ornaments on it. That seemed to help a bit.

Another milestone occurred Friday last week. We were told an appointment had been approved for Kris to finally go to the Audie Murphy Poly Trauma Center to be interviewed by head of the Center’s rehabilitation department, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson. The appointment had been set for Wednesday, the 15th, but I would have to leave on the 14th. So, once again, our dear Air Force case manager prevailed and had the appointment changed!

Dr. Johnson is a delightful, lovely lady; very articulate and extremely “on top of things” in her position at Audie Murphy PTC. She interviewed Kris, who responds very well to yes and no questions, and I helped supply other information as well. Dr. Johnson was convinced her “team” of expert therapists could do great things for Kris. She decided to start with several sessions for them to “nail down” what device or devices Kris could best utilize for communication, then bring Kris in as an inpatient for several weeks to really work devotedly with her in all forms of therapy while concentrating heavily on speech. Once the plan is formulated, Dr. Johnson wants Kris to undergo some x-rays to determine the condition of the cervical spine, then she will have her eyes examined, and have a psychologist perform some mental cognitive evaluations as well.

Kris was then interviewed by the man in charge of all mobile support equipment, and he evaluated her for a motorized wheelchair. This will aid Kris in being able to recline just enough to allow her head to be against a head rest. This will enable her to straighten her head and neck, which have been strongly drawn to one side. So much so, that it is extremely difficult for her to look straight for any length of time. Kris took to the chair immediately and took off down a hallway like a shot! I expected to see a burnout spot on the floor! Laughingly, he said she will have several return visits with him for “driver’s ed” and, hopefully, Kris will have that much needed motorized chair very soon.

All in all, the entire set of events last week have again raised our hopes and expectations to an all-time high. Early Tuesday morning (yesterday), I met with the medical doctor on staff there at Country Care Manor, and he was already making the necessary changes to some of Kris’s medications as had been suggested by Dr. Johnson the day before. The rest of the morning was filled with making certain Kris was up, fed, dressed, and ready for her day. As my time to leave approached, good-bye became increasingly more difficult. But, in her own little way, she reassured me with a little tap, tap, tap on my shoulder as we hugged. It was something we started that last fall: we hug each other and I pat her shoulder while she pats mine. It’s her way of saying, “It’s okay, Mom,” and, “I love you.”

I had to leave for the airport by early afternoon, and Russell was kind enough to drive me there. He said he was grateful for my visit because he knew it helped Kris and him. I was extremely grateful for the use of his truck and to be able to stay at their house. It gave me at least a little time with the kids, although not near enough because they leave for school so early in the morning and I returned late each evening.

My apologies for such a lengthy update. It is packed full of possibilities, however, and even possibilities are good where Kris is concerned. She’s a tough little gal, as many of you already know. She now has a great deal to work toward, and we have so very, very much for which to be thankful. God has opened doors time and again. Please pray believing, as we do, and we thank YOU for each and every prayer!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

Champs (for tonight only)

2011-11-16T20:58:00.001-08:00

Mr. W.H. can’t complain tonight! The Guys beat the Dolls two out of three tonight in Spades.

We still had fun.

Sunday is here!

2011-11-12T22:39:00.000-08:00

Church was glorious this morning. 149 smiling faces in the building. The only reason I report how many were in church with me this morning is so you can rejoice with us that 149 people worshipped together and heard the wonderful Good News that Jesus SAVES!!!

It was a extra special morning for me… I got to sing in a quartet for the special music. That was so fun!! Wish I had “assigned” someone to take our picture. Still can’t believe I did that.

Fabulous Friday

2011-11-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

This was a busy Friday!

Up at 7:30.

Walk Away the Pounds at 8:00. Walked two miles.

Road bicycle for 1.5 miles.

Moved 26 boxes of 10 hymnals each to be loaded in Dennis’s truck and delivered to another park where there is another CRM chaplain.

Lunch somewhere with a dear friend in the park. It was a nice little soup, salad, and sandwich place. I had the Stuffed Avocado with chicken salad. I don’t know why I didn’t notice the name of the place, except I was more interested in visiting with my friend.

After lunch I road with her up to the Edinburg post office to get her passport forms. Mission unaccomplished. It’s a holiday. Well, duh! We both knew that.

Back at the Q, Don had returned from delivering the hymnals. We rested in our recliners with the door and vents open. Beautiful day.

Don said that Barbie had come over to see if I would like to walk, so I went over, but Ken said she had just rode off on her bike. I got on my bike and went looking for her. I found her in the indoor pool doing water aerobics. That girl. We made plans to walk after she got finished.

About 3:30, Barbie called, and we took off walking, for two miles.

I like days like today.

Happy Camper

2011-11-10T17:02:00.001-08:00

If you have been reading my blog very long, you will recognize the name, Snookie. We are wonderful friends and have been since our first winter in Arizona at Quail Run.

Fast forward to today.

The CAT is out of the bag! I can't believe that Snookie "lived a lie" for MONTHS!!!

Snookie and Bob, came to see us today. They are workamping not far from us and have been here for quite a while and keeping it a secret from us, just so they could surprise us. Well, we sure were surprised today when they drove up!! They will be here in the RGV all winter just minutes from us!!! I'm a happy camper... mad at her for keeping this a secret, but wouldn't expect anything less from Snookie. I'm a happy camper!

I mean, you would not believe what all she has told me just so we wouldn’t know they are here in the Valley. You just wouldn’t believe it. Unless you know Snookie.

Did I mention that I’m a happy camper?

Kris update: An answer to prayer!

2011-11-08T07:29:00.001-08:00

Dearest friends and loved ones!

You’ve heard the expression, “Be careful what you wish for,” I’m sure. Well, I’ve been wishing and hoping and praying ever since we left San Antonio on October 8th that I could go back during the week of November 8th. This week is going to be very important for a number of reasons for Kris, and I wanted to be there. So I worried, I prayed, I stewed, and I hoped beyond all hope, but – deep down – I knew it wasn’t going to be possible. The budget just wasn’t going to stretch.

Last Wednesday, I was talking to Kris’s Air Force case manager and told her my plight. She said let’s see what they can do. Because of Kris’s disability, her special needs for care, because she is having some real difficulties now with muscle atrophy and not being able to hold her head up straight, for very important appointments coming up in the next several days, and because the military just happens to have funding available to assist when necessary, I will fly out of Orlando at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. Kris’s husband, Russell, will pick me up at the San Antonio airport shortly after 12 noon! My ticket is paid and I am just absolutely praising God, thanking the Air Force, and I’m overjoyed! Prayers are answered. No doubt about it.

Kris has an appointment this Wednesday at BAMC to meet with a neurologist to see what can be done about her neck. It has become increasingly more difficult for her to hold her head up. That will certainly affect swallowing, her balance, and her focusing ability. It’s difficult to look straight ahead when one’s head is turned to the side and down.

In addition to all that, the director of therapy at the VA Audie Murphy Poly Trauma Center is now going to evaluate Kris to see if they can possibly help her to better communicate consistently. As I have so often said lately, her speech therapist (Susan) has really worked so very hard with Kris. But there are just some things that likely require more in depth study and, hopefully, the newly opened Center will be able to help. Meeting with the director, Dr. Johnson, is going to be a big step, I’m sure, and I really wanted to be there with Kris.

So... thank you, thank you, thank you to Kris’s Air Force case manger, to the military for making this trip possible, and thank all of you for your prayers in general. And, more than ever, I thank God for hearing this prayer (among so many others). I’ll return to Florida on Tuesday, November 15th and will no doubt have lots to share with you in the next update. In the meantime, the attached photo of Kris speaks for itself. Courage, strength, determination. George tacked this photo of her up on our medicine cabinet mirror just after her accident in April 2010. It’s still there. It still gives us hope!!!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

Engraved on His Hand

2011-11-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

November 7

Morning (by Charles Spurgeon/updated language mine)

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands."
Isaiah 49:16

The Amplified Bible states it this way:

¹⁶Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands;

No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word "Behold," is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me." How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God's favored people? The Lord's loving word of rebuke should make us blush; He cries, "How can I have forgotten you, when I have graven you upon the palms of my hands? How dare you doubt my constant remembrance, when the memorial is set upon my very flesh?"

O unbelief, how strange a marvel you are! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of his people.

He keeps his promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt him. He never fails; he is never a dry well; he is never as a setting sun, a passing meteor, or a melting vapor; and yet we are as continually vexed with anxieties, molested with suspicions, and disturbed with fears, as if our God were the mirage of the desert. "Behold," is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed, we have a theme for marveling. Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness to the heart of infinite love as to be written upon the palms of his hands. "I have graven thee." It does not say, "Thy name." The name is there, but that is not all: "I have graven YOU." See the fullness of this! I have graven your person, your image, your case, your circumstances, your sins, your temptations, your weaknesses, your wants, your works; I have graven you, everything about you, all that concerns you; I have put you altogether there.

Will you ever say again that your God has forsaken you when he has imprinted you upon his own palms?

The New Living Translation reads:

Isaiah 49:16

¹⁶ See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

Now, before you say, “Well, that’s different, that’s not the same thing as my picture being imprinted on God’s hand,” consider who is speaking. God is speaking and when He thinks of me or sees my name, it is impossible for Him to just see a word written. He sees all of me and all the things concerning me and about me. So, it’s the same thing, I just like the Amplified version the best and I love the elaboration of Charles Spurgeon.

There’s no peace like the peace of knowing that I am in the Hand of God, forever. Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the Cross for my sin.

[Warning: Romans 8:28 sounds like a feel good verse, but be aware that what God considers “good” is not the same as what the world considers “good” … it is sometimes a painful journey to “good,” but God is always with us in our refining and purifying process.]

Fun Friday with Friends

2011-11-04T20:46:00.001-07:00

Just to emphasize the beauty of the day and the clear blue sky. Only God could arrange to have half the moon hidden at certain times of the month. Isn’t that just curiously amazing?

From the door of the Q showing a lack of neighbors, palm trees and more blue skies.

Tonight, we prepared dinner (grilled pork loin steaks, baked veggie medley and salad) for CRM General Director, Dennis and Sally Maloney. It’s wonderful to be back with such good friends. I’ll just insert here the fact that Sally and I beat Dennis and Don in Spades tonight. A fact that earned Dennis the name of Whiney Hiney. When in public, we will respectfully refer to him as W.H.

Ooops.

Holding it to three

2011-11-01T17:17:00.001-07:00

My favorite picture from today’s camera.

Second place is the same tree and cows, but from a different angle, passing by.

And the yellow ribbon goes to this rare body of water. Almost all of the stock ponds along our route today, were dried up, so it was rare to see a small lake. Notice there is no green grass.

If you prayed for our safety today, thank you. And thank God for our safety.

~~~Lily Art~~~

2011-11-01T16:04:00.001-07:00

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Lily, with four initials, who is a dear friend of our granddaughter, Lydia, who also has four initials.

Lily is quite talented with the camera lens and I have thoroughly enjoyed admiring her art work. Lily is just fourteen and having fun with a hobby, so I’ve named her pictures.

Solitaire Mimosa

Glade Reflections

Forest Warmth

Dead Tree (Now, do you understand why I think she is so talented?)

Lily’s subject only gets more beautiful.

Lydia. or. Forest Warmth 2.

Stars come out at night.

L.W.T.P and L.A.T.L. (Don’t try to figure it out. It’s their initials.)

And for some teenage fun… Lydia, at a high school football game.

My gratitude to Lily for taking these beautiful pictures. Keep up the good work, Lily. You’re going places.

On the road again

2011-10-31T20:32:00.001-07:00

Just a few going down the road pictures.

I wonder what’s burning over there.

The drive through southeast Oklahoma is pretty, but it didn’t show up very good driving into the sun.

More golden colors of fall.

The state line, the Red River.

I don’t know what lake this was before the drought this summer.

But that’s just sad.

The Q landed about 3:00 PM near Canton, Texas. Thank You, Lord, for safe traveling today.

Sunday is here!

2011-10-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

It is Sunday and Churchday. We thoroughly enjoy sharing worship time at New Beginnings Baptist Church, Bixby, Oklahoma, with Stephanie and family.

After church, we all went back to their home for a delicious lunch that Stephanie had prepared… beef stroganoff.

After resting and taking pictures of the color of fall in Stephanie’s backyard and beyond, she decided to make caramel corn. It was a team effort: I popped the corn and removed all the unpopped kernels and she made the caramel coating. Then, every 15 minutes, I helped her stir the corn… for an hour. It’s been a long time since I had homemade caramel corn and boy, was it amazing. Stephanie bagged up some for our road time tomorrow.

Here’s just a few pictures I took this afternoon.

Tonight, back at the Q, we watched the Cowboy/Eagles game. Embarrassing for Cowboy fans.

Kris update: A Message of Hope

2011-10-30T19:40:00.001-07:00

Dearest friends and loved ones!

Yesterday (Saturday) marked three weeks since George and I left San Antonio to return to Florida. During that time, I have learned all over again the necessity of relying on nurses and nurse aids to care for Kris, as we did last winter when we had to leave. But Kris is in a very different place this year. It is a long term care facility, which is geared more to good patient care than a stringent therapy program. That was good last year at RIOSA; but care and being active is obviously the key now. And, in spite of a few rough moments of trying to understand and convey concerns by telephone to the folks there at Country Care Manor, this email will serve as a real “message of hope” that everyone is trying very hard there, and we are extremely grateful.

In addition, Kris’s husband, Russ, has been there after work daily, and is able to spend more time with her on weekends than ever before. Her son and daughter are able to visit more as well. Since Kris is right there now and only 10 minutes away from their home, we feel it has made a fantastic difference. And, as I mentioned in the last update, Kris has rallied with an intensity and a drive to do more in such a short time than I could have ever imagined. That is in large part directly facilitated by Susan, the speech therapist, there at Country Care Manor. But, really, all the therapy folks are fantastic! In addition, the activities department seems to be taking Kris under their wing as well, getting her involved and doing things she hasn’t done before. The first week after we left, for example, I called one day to find Kris was playing Bingo with the residents and had already won three times! Three quarters! Now that’s cold hard cash!

The week before last, I called in the morning one day to find the nurses, activities and therapy folks were in the process of loading up the wheelchair van to take a group of ladies fishing! Fishing?!!! Yep! It was a picnic/fishing trip to a nearby pond and Kris was on her way out the door. A family friend was there and he was going along, too, which made it even nicer for Kris. The attached photo shows Kris and Susan (the therapist you’ve heard so much about) having lunch. Lunch?!!! Yep! Susan said Kris managed to eat several spoonsful of rice and beans (a Mexican dish), which she loves, and enjoyed it. Then she spotted a brownie with chocolate icing and enjoyed a bite or two of that, as well. I was amazed, delighted, and in tears! They were tears of great joy and being extremely thankful for all of the hope this brings.

What a relief it is to hear so many great things that Kris is doing. That makes it a bit more bearable for us now to learn to let go, which I realize I truly must do. This past week, Russell met with a Veterans Administration representative who met Kris at Country Care Manor, then followed Russ out to their home. The representative was there to inspect, advise and direct Russ as to what renovations should and/or could be done for Kris’s greatest benefit and welfare, and to enable her to finally come home. It is her greatest desire to live at home, I believe, and we truly want whatever is best for Kris. As Russell said, it will take quite a bit of renovating and he wants to do it right. Kris will have her own room and full bath with walk-in shower, a kitchenette with sink and a little refrigerator for certain medicines and things she may soon be able to eat. There will also be an access door to the outside in addition to the one inside, which is mandatory according to the VA rep, in case of fire. Russ said he wants to make a covered porch of her own so that she can be outside and get fresh air. But another requirement is to have a concrete walk all the way around to the front porch, then gradually ramped to the driveway. He’s also talked about a service that will send a trained sitter to care for Kris during the day, seven days a week. So he is making great plans, and Kris seems very excited and, of course, so are we!

In the meantime, I believe with all my heart that Kris will continue to heal and gain back more and more of her abilities. Russ put a phone in her room last week, and we are able to call when he or someone is there to give her the phone so that she can hold it to her ear. That helps more than you can imagine, just to hear her little “sounds” and know she is okay. Susan is also working to get Kris to speak again, and was able to have her say three vowels a week or so ago. The two of them have bonded tremendously, and Susan said she is not giving up on Kris. Hooray!!! That’s exactly what we wanted to hear!!!

So this is a message of great hope! Hope that, in time, Kris will be able to walk and talk, enjoy her favorite foods again, go shopping, swim and jog, and help Andrea with her school work. She may even help Joshua as he prepares to go to college next year. And, some day, maybe she and Russ can come for a visit right here in Sebring. These are all wonderful hopes and dreams and, with God’s help and healing and answers to prayer, any or all of the above will be cherished. We continuously thank God for how far Kris has already progressed, for all your wonderful prayers, and for the hope of fantastic things to come.

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

“The Battle For Your Mind”

2011-10-28T09:32:00.001-07:00

Place a check mark beside some of these practical things you can focus on in order to refocus your mind when it begins to wander into negative territory:

Meditate on a Bible verse
Sing a praise chorus to yourself (or out loud)
Quote Scripture you have memorized (Hint: ones in this study are excellent to start with.)
Memorize Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”
Thank God for your blessings
Pray phrases to God such as: “I give my mind to You, Lord.” “Use my mind for Your glory, God.”
Pray with God-given authority to resist Satan.
Keep your mind actively engaged and challenged, not allowing it to just drift.
Remove temptations that you know will lead you down the wrong paths (inappropriate music, movies, TV, conversations, words, etc.)

If we’re thinking what’s right, we can’t be thinking what’s wrong.

[From Life Worth Living and Adrian Rogers]

The Philbrook Museum of Art

2011-10-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

Today, Don took me to see the Philbrook Museum of Art.

My camera was very happy… until the battery died. But it wasn’t until I got lots of pictures. A few of them may be seen here >>>

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2531334880038.141294.1153473108&type=1&l=7852285ffb

Chef Jack and Kathy

2011-10-19T20:16:00.001-07:00

We had a very special treat today! Chef Jack and Kathy Gordon came to see us on their way back to Arizona from their home in Michigan. Stephanie made chili for dinner and invited us all over. They met Chef Jack and Kathy when they visited us in Arizona almost two years ago. Jack did almost all the cooking for us while Stephanie and family were with us, so that’s how he got the name, “Chef Jack.”

Kathy and I played a game of Zilch with Logan and Taylor after dinner.

This has been a very special afternoon and evening of friendship and fellowship and catching up with two wonderful friends.

Thanks for the rhubarb cake, Chef Jack!! It’s even better than we remembered. And the Monster Cookies!!! We’ll have a slice of banana bread with our coffee in the morning.

Hey, we don’t call him Chef Jack for nothing.

Home building

2011-10-18T15:01:00.001-07:00

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. ~ Proverbs 14:1

I read this verse yesterday and thought, “hmmm. okay.” But it didn’t really speak to me.

For some reason, , I read it again this morning and, wow, it spoke volumes to me.

Do you ever feel like your home is falling apart?

According to this verse, it is within the power of a woman to “build her home” or destroy it. Therefore, it is my responsibility to tap into the power that God gives me to build up my home, because, after all, who really wants to destroy their home?

I don’t like to focus on the negative, but how many ways can we destroy our home?

Emotionally. Am I “building up” my husband? My children? Well, my children are grown and have families of their own, but I try to “build them up” and encourage them to build their homes wisely, when they will allow me to. I pray that I am an encouragement to my man and support him in every way I can.

What is a home? It’s the members of the family and, of course, it’s also a house. If we don’t take care of our house, it will literally fall down around us. Of course, most of the maintenance of the home falls upon the man or we hire help, but the inside of the house is a team effort where everyone pitches in. The woman of the house usually organizes the “chart” of duties and, hopefully, the man of the house reinforces and helps out. Who does the leading here is not of great importance, just as long as the home is maintained, clean and as uncluttered as possible. There’s a happy balance where the house doesn’t own the people in it, but it lends itself to harmony and warmth and a sense of “I enjoy being here.”

God encourages and commands harmony and unity and love and grace and mercy. Our home reflects our obedience to Him.

God, help me to build our home to bring glory to you.

There is a definite advantage to living in 275 square feet! Less to clean. Takes minutes. Thank You, Jesus. Full-time RV-ing is liberating!!

Ooops, I got a little off track.

Back to Proverbs 14:1 – Father, I repent of the times I have destroyed my home and the hearts in my home. Please restore what the “canker worm has eaten” (due to my ignorance and lack of wisdom). Help me be a wise woman and build my home. I certainly don’t want to be referred to as a fool.

Time with Lydia

2011-10-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

It’s so much fun taking three thirteen year olds to breakfast! I called Lydia and invited her and her two friends to had slept over, to breakfast. It was already 10:30, but they jumped in the truck with pancakes on the brain.

They all protested when I said I was going to take their picture, “nooooo, I don’t have on any make-up!” but they smiled anyway like sweet girls.

Must have been an interesting text message.

We enjoyed eating at the new Jimmy’s Egg restaurant in town.

Back at LaNae’s, Lydia posed with one of LaNae’s recent purchases for Fall.

This pumpkin art is really pretty. Wish I could see what she’s going to do with it.

So… Saturday was going along smoothly. LaNae went to pick up a birthday present and items for a birthday party. Don went to visit his Aunt Bernice. I stayed with the seven kids at LaNae’s. And then it happened. Marley, big dog, and Tank, little dog, got out of the backyard. Blaine and friends finally got Tank back in the house, but they couldn’t find Marley. In a few minutes, the front door bell rang and there was Ronnie, from across the street, holding onto Marley’s collar with the announcement, “Marley’s been hit by a car and I think that’s her coming up the driveway.” It was her and she was very upset. Marley is dripping blood in the foyer and it’s pure pandemonium. Well, to make a long story, short, LaNae came home, took Marley to the vet where it was determined that Marley’s front right leg is shattered just above his foot and will need surgery to insert a plate and screws, to the tune of $1800. My eyes have rolled back in my head. Marley is spending the night at the vet and will have surgery Monday. Poor guy.

Kris update: Finally Home

2011-10-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

Dear loved ones and friends,

George and I arrived home in Sebring this evening (Saturday) at 5:10 p.m. Eastern time! We left San Antonio one week ago today and, in case you are wondering what took us so long, George surprised me by arranging to have friends from Pennsylvania meet us at an RV resort in Louisiana. They were sitting at their RV at a site next to ours when we pulled in! What a surprise! We spent several days there and then they traveled along as we headed east to another RV park in Mississippi. We left them there yesterday and headed home, but it was such a treat to kick back, relax and enjoy their company. Thanks again, Carol and Terry.

But, having spent over six months in Texas again this year, leaving Kris, as I expected, was heartbreaking and extremely hard to do. I still shed tears when I think of so many things that should be done or could be done. This time, however, leaving was not near as traumatic for me as it was before. Thankfully, I believe with all my heart that Kris is now where she is supposed to be, I believe God had His hand in all of that, and we are truly at peace and comfortable with where she is now. George snapped the attached photo the night we left. It was late and Kris was tired, but her laughter at something Diana said just started us all laughing together. Later, when it was time to go, Kris closed her eyes and went to sleep, as if to say, “It’s okay, Mom. Go ahead. I’m okay now.”

As I mentioned in the last update (entitled “Kris’s New Home”), moving her to Country Care Manor in LaVernia, Texas was the very best solution and the very best choice. She now has the best of both worlds: closer to her own home, family and friends, and she has wonderful care. She has therapy every day, Monday through Friday, and is moving about on her own in her wheelchair (which is something we’ve hoped and prayed for!). After therapy one day, they didn’t see where she went and started looking for Kris. They found her down the hall in a lady’s room who has befriended Kris, and the two were watching TV together. That, to me, is a fabulous breakthrough!

We are thrilled with the therapy group. Susan, who is the speech therapist, has already had Kris saying a few vowels, gave her some pudding one day (which went down easily!), and evidently took her to Bingo (yep, Kris has won four quarters at Bingo already!). Sue graciously allows me to call Kris when she’s in therapy or Sue calls me. I can speak directly to Kris that way, and it’s been a tremendous help to us. I am able to speak to the nurses and other staff members if necessary, and that too is helpful. As I mentioned in the last update, we were able to fix up her room and make it homey for her. Russell has been able to stop in every day after work and is there much more often on weekends. That, I’m sure, makes Kris happy, especially now that both Andrea and Joshua can come in more frequently. And, by the way, Russell said she drank water from a water bottle, then put the cap back on the bottle by herself! Every little step forward is a breakthrough!

As for the rest of the therapy group, Rene, who is the occupational therapist, has been working with Kris’s shoulder, neck and arms, in a continuous effort to keep the tone more pliable and flexible in those muscles. And Dave, the physical therapist, works with her on the bicycle and walking her with her upright walker, as well as stretching and bending. Add that to other events and activities, Kris has a pretty full schedule during the day. Being the facility is comfortably smaller, however, it is easier for Kris to get around on her own which, as I said, is something we have been hoping and praying for.

So, to answer some of your questions, we will be scheduling shows and concerts throughout the winter months here in Florida. If all goes well here in Florida and Kris continues doing well in Texas, and “if the Good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise,” we hope to return to Texas the first part of April 2012 and stay for a few months. Beyond that we will travel to some of the states to which we’ve been invited for performances, then arrive in Pennsylvania by late August to stay until the end of October. Our granddaughter, Jessica, gets married October 20th, and we just have to be there for that.

Beyond that, your friendships, your emails, your prayers, your faithfulness to write or call or send cards: all of that has blessed us so and I know it has been a blessing to Kris. I shared the updates with Kris each time I sent one out, and I’ve read your cards and many of the emails, and I know they have touched her heart and helped lift her spirits. Russell will do that now, so never hesitate to send cards and notes to Kris.

Thank you just does not seem sufficient, but we thank you so very much for your prayers. God has been so gracious in easing the pain of leaving Kris again, and you have been so kind in your thoughtfulness toward us and Kris and her family. Isaiah 41:10 has always been my favorite Bible verse, but I recently found a new favorite: Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, for I will help thee.” And He has!

Blessings and love always,

Carol and George

P.S. I will continue to send updates as appropriate and as Kris progresses. We welcome your emails, too.

Rain, Sweet Rain

2011-10-08T22:21:00.000-07:00

After so long, it rained today. And rained and rained. Blaine and friends were so excited, they ran outside and played in the rain. I didn’t have the heart to tell them not to. Every child needs to play in the rain at least once and today was just pure rain; no lightning; no thunder; just beautiful rain.

They had a lot of fun playing in the rain and rainwater and I had fun taking pictures of the fun.

Knowledge & Understanding

2011-10-06T14:50:00.001-07:00

Is there a difference between knowledge and understanding?

Consider Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Knowledge is reading this verse. I read it. Now I know it. I will recognize it the next time I read or hear it.

However, when the focus of my knowledge moves from “I can” to “through Christ,” that is when I begin to understand.

A more complete understanding occurs when I experience, personally, the truth of that verse. In other words, I will never fully understand the verse until I experience the strength I have in Christ to do everything He calls me to do. And I will never experience that strength until my focus is on Christ and not on myself.

Jesus Christ is the provider of my strength.

What was the original question?

Kris update: NEW HOME!!

2011-10-06T08:46:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends and Loved Ones!

When God opens doors, He doesn’t fool around! In our last update, I talked about Air Force Village II. Well, they didn’t call back in time. In the meantime, I emailed a facility last Saturday that Russell had mentioned some time ago located right there in LaVernia (where they live). Believe it or not, the administrator emailed back on Sunday (she just happened to check emails) and we went to see it on Monday. We moved Kris there Tuesday afternoon! No hitch. No snafus. No problem.

It is a lovely facility, not new but very well kept, at the outskirts of LaVernia and just across from the high school where Joshua goes. The school where Andrea goes is just down the way, too, and one of the therapists at the facility worked with Andrea at the special school and knows Kris. (AND... Kris remembered her when we arrived at the facility on Tuesday!)

Before I forget (I’ve been known to do that in times of happiness!), Kris’s new address:

Maj Kristine Ratliff

Country Care Manor

2736 FM 775, Room 302

LaVernia, TX 78121

Yes, we are very happy with Country Care Manor: the staff is caring and kind, many have worked there for decades, it’s small and very pleasant and in a lovely setting, the therapists are terrific and the therapy room is directly across the hall from Kris’s room. She will have all therapies: speech, OT and PT, and the speech therapist is the gal that knows Kris. The administrator was warm and welcoming when we met her Monday, and the admissions/office manager has already been a tremendous help. We will be in close contact and they don’t mind if I call!!!

We were able to decorate her room and fix it up with all sorts of amenities to make her comfortable and not feel as though she was in a hospital setting anymore. I spent the night with her Tuesday night and, Monday morning after I had her up and dressed, I asked if she wanted to go “look around!” She toodled herself in her wheelchair out into the hall and headed for the lobby, which is right there almost. She looked around and checked out the nurses’ station, headed out in the great room, where so many of the staff greeted her and welcomed her, and then we went out on the front porch. (The weather finally broke, by the way. It’s not hot!)

Kris and I sat there on the porch for almost an hour. It was peaceful and breezy, and she seemed so much more relaxed and “at home!” A sweet elderly gent (who is also patient) wheeled up to us and started chatting. Kris was engaged! She looked at him and listened and smiled and it did my heart good to see that. Normally, she is reluctant and hangs her head, I believe because she cannot speak or converse. That didn’t matter Tuesday.

On the way back in to her room, she stopped at the therapy room door, looked in, everyone greeted her, and she rolled herself right in! I am just amazed. The facility, as I said, is relatively small, and the nursing staff actually “communicate” with each other and do things “by the book.” They have been so helpful and, when George and I left her last night to come back to the RV, I felt totally at ease. Russell can stop every day on his way home and, often, he said he could come back in during the evening to be with her until she goes to bed. It’s about 15 minutes from their house and, likely, when he has the house wheelchair accessible, she may be able to visit for an hour or so.

Kris understands, if she progresses now, that means she will be able to go home eventually, once the house is renovated and special accommodations are built in for her. She also understands that hard work still lies ahead and she seems “up” for it now. I must say I did not feel good about moving her to the facility in Floresville last week so, when that all fell through, we were a bit fearful because we knew we have to leave this coming Saturday. But Country Care Manor is honestly where God wants her to be and, Tuesday morning, I awoke actually feeling happy for the first time in a long time. There is a feeling of joy when God has His hand in the works, and I told George we would move that day. Well, the call came by 10 a.m. that Kris had been completely approved and we could come. Russell drove his truck with Kris and I. George drove our van loaded with all the boxes and belongings. By 2 p.m., she was moved in. By last evening, Kris was totally settled in and her room is lovely. Didn’t get pictures yet, but we will today. (The attached photo was taken last weekend when George was showing Kris how to drink with a straw again. It reminded George of when he was teaching our oldest son how to drink with a straw years ago, and that made us all laugh. It didn’t quite work yet this time either, but she got so tickled and it was just one of those photo op moments.)

It is about an hour’s drive from where we are in the RV park now, but George already found one just 10 miles away from LaVernia. That’s where we’ll stay when we come back in the RV in the spring. For now, our leaving Saturday will again tear my heart apart, but we do leave with greater assurances that Kris will be well cared for, loved, encouraged, and... who knows... she may talk and eat and walk before we know it.

As George and I were returning from a “shopping spree” for Kris yesterday afternoon, a lovely lady who was getting ready to leave started talking with us. She visits her mother-in-law several times a week, she said, and raved about Country Care Manor. Before we knew it, we ended up exchanging email addresses and she decided to come back inside with us to meet Kris and Russ (who was there by then after work). Before we went in, however, she prayed with us right there in the parking lot. It was one of those special moments God gives to really encourage and let us know... it’s right, it’s okay, this is what He wanted! You just can’t help be at peace with that, so... thank you all for your many prayers. They continue to work!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

Are you weeping tears of joy? We are!! I just burst into singing, “Oh, how He loves us. Oh, how He loves us so.” I can not even imagine the relief that Carol and George feel, knowing that Kris is in the perfect place that God has provided. Praise His Holy Name!

And that picture of Kris is just too precious. Love her new haircut and those red, white and blue bell earrings. Cute!!

Should you be motivated to send Kris a card or letter of encouragement, please tell her that you know her through Don and LaVon Baker, and let her know of your prayers for her and that you will continue to pray for her and her family.

Now scroll back up to the picture at the very top of this blog and read, preferably out loud, the verse under the picture of the chapel.

Thank you all beyond measure, for your prayers (past, present, and future) for Kris. God hears and answers.

To read the beginning of Kris’s story, my first blog post and update begins here: http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/2010/04/please-pray-for-kris.html

More information and a webpage (with pictures) dedicated to Kris is found on Carol’s website: http://www.carolkline.net/id13.html

Carol and George would be so encouraged to hear from you, also, to know that you are praying for Kris.

Lydia cheers!

2011-10-04T20:54:00.001-07:00

Tonight, we went to watch Lydia cheers. They we so cute and are really good. Can you find Lydia in this picture?

Hint: Backrow.

Lydia is in the back of the middle group.

When they are not cheering, they stand uniformly as the first picture portrays.

Their team didn’t win, but the cheerleaders were awesome!

One order of brains, please

2011-10-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

I have now entered the Smart phone world. With the two $50 rebates we got back from Don’s ‘free’ phone and mother’s ‘free’ phone, I got a Smart phone for ‘free.’ I don’t know how that works, exactly, which should be the first clue that I don’t belong in the Smart phone world.

The beginning of a love-hate relationship.

My new phone has an auto-correct feature when typing a text message. It’s great. I love it when my large fingers hit the wrong key and the misspelled word is corrected automatically for me.

On the other hand, I hate it when I am trying to type a proper noun and this confounded thing keeps changing the spelling. There’s a story behind how I learned this was happening and how I learned to proof-read my text message before clicking “send.”

When we arrived in Norman today and got all parked and set up in the RV parking section of the county fairgrounds, I texted my daughter, LaNae:

“Yay! We are within walking distance of Braum’s!!!” (An Oklahoma-based ice cream and hamburger establishment.)

LaNae read: “Yay! We are within walking distance of Brain’s!!”

LaNae’s reply: “Great, Mom! You better start walking now!!”

Quilt by Mama Trudy

2011-10-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Mama Trudy requested that I take a few pictures of the quilted throw that she made for Emma, so I did. This is a quilt that I had not seen before we got to Leslie’s.

The perfect quilt for our little lady.

Low water

2011-10-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

On our walk around the park this morning, I took a few pictures to show how much the water is down in Lake Waco.

Normally, the water is up to the road across the water.

Don was talking to me and wasn’t prepared for me to take his picture.

Lots if dead tree photo opps with the water level down so much.

However, the water is still pretty.

After our walk, Don took this of me.

The temperatures are pleasant in the mornings, but it’s still warming up to almost 100 degrees in the afternoon.

Kris update: After almost one year.

2011-10-01T12:08:00.001-07:00

To all...

After just five days short of one year at Health South RIOSA, Kris will be there for possibly another week or more. Apparently, one person who serves on the board of the Frank Tejeda Texas State Veterans Home evidently was not going to “bend” from the bylaws to admit Kris. It is, after all, a veterans facility and she is not considered a veteran (he contends) until she is fully discharged. Never mind that her husband holds a discharge from the Air Force, which makes him a veteran, and the bylaws state that the spouse of a veteran can be admitted. Never mind that she was discharged from the Air Force after her first four years, then joined the Air National Guard for 10 years, was discharged and returned to full military again as a 2nd Lieutenant with a nursing degree. Never mind that she has done two tours in Iraq and was headed for her third, she is not eligible according to their bylaws. I might add that the entire staff at this Veterans facility was all for Kris coming there, and the administrator was willing to work with us any way he could to make it happen. That particular board member first said two days ago he needed written proof in hand Kris’s insurance would pay for her stay, and her insurance had already been pre-approved for a week. When everyone jumped through hoops to get that information to him, then he trumped it all by noon today saying simply she is not a veteran. She is not eligible. I hope this isn’t indicative of the treatment all military get from the Texas State Veterans Homes.

So, forgive my grumbling. It’s a mother’s prerogative to fuss when her child is put through such stress and, because of Kris’s condition, it was irresponsible and unconscionable on the part of this board member as far as I’m concerned. I’m all for playing by the rules but rules must be revisited if they are unfriendly, uncaring and unworthy of the responsibility they carry. What this board should realize is that times have changed. We are fighting in a new era and on numerous fronts, and there are wives and husbands serving in our military together. If one is seriously wounded and requires long term care, are they not eligible until after they receive their full medical discharge? That could take months even years, and their care and rehabilitation could suffer.

Well, in any case, we are back to the drawing board. But there is a light: our first choice in the beginning of our search is a very beautiful facility called Air Force Village II. I’ve already made some contacts and the ball is rolling, but our time is running very short. We had so hoped to have Kris placed and settled in because we must leave here October 8th to return to Florida.

A bright spot came today when Dr. Richard Teff and a nursing associate dropped by to see Kris at RIOSA. As you may recall from numerous updates these past 18 months, he is the neurosurgeon who truly saved her life the night of the accident. We were so grateful they stopped because Kris was quite obviously very down from all the events of the past several days. She is always happy to see Dr. Teff, as well as his associate (who helped care for Kris, by the way, when she was at BAMC).

After two very grueling and heart wrenching days, we realize God evidently didn’t want Kris at the Veterans Home in Floresville anyway. We’ll let you know as soon as we know where she will be. Hold those cards and letters, and forgive a tired old gal her ranting... there’s always tomorrow. Please know that I don’t now what I would have done without your prayers nor without my husband standing faithfully by my side every minute. He has kept me together, and God has taken us through.

Blessings and much love,

Carol and George

Kris update: A Very Long Winter?

2011-09-29T21:25:00.001-07:00

To all our dear loved ones and friends,
If I were to compare today with the most frustrating day ever, I would have to say it was much worse. And I am going to give you the new address for Kris tonight, but I will send out a caveat in the next day or so confirming she made the move. That should give you some idea of where we are.
Yes, the approvals were all done. Yes, the military, the insurance company, the VA: all approved. The medical records were sent, the application was filled out, all admission information was completed. We had Kris packed up, everything loaded up on a cart, and we were just waiting for delivery of a new special walker for Kris, with every intention of leaving at noon today. Then I received the phone call from the admissions person down at the facility where she will (hopefully) be going. Someone on their board needed a written letter attesting to the fact that Humana (Tricare) will definitely being paying for Kris’s to stay there. It was an afterthought. It was a snafu. It was an oversight. But it extremely upsetting, took us by surprise, and ruined what was to be an easy transition for Kris.
Well, we managed to contact all the right people (military liaison, case workers, Tricare liaison: anyone who might be able to help on short notice), and I think we will move Kris tomorrow (Friday). The frustration and telephone calls going and coming all afternoon made it very difficult to be positive and, by the end of the day, we are still not 100 percent certain. But, here is where you can send those wonderful cards and letters:
Maj Kristine Ratliff
[new address will be posted later]
As always, Kris is so aware of everything that is going on and, when phone calls started coming and going and worried comments were being made, I know she was worried, too. Thinking how she must feel is our foremost concern, and I must tell you it was difficult to conceal our frustration and anger so that it would not affect her any more than necessary.
As to whether we have made the right decision to send her there or not: we just have to hope that we have. It is close to her home, it will be easier for Russell and the children to visit (especially Joshua, who will turn 18 in December, by the way!). As soon as Russell gets the renovations at their house completed (enlarging a bedroom and adding a full handicap accessible bathroom), Kris will be going home, which will make Kris and the family very happy, I’m sure.
The facility is only ten years old and we were able to visit there again yesterday. We talked to several of the folks who will work with Kris and saw her room – a lovely private room with full bath. So... as you receive this update, please pray for our continued guidance and that we have chosen wisely. But, most of all, continue to pray for Kris. George and I truly must leave here in a week or so to return to Florida. It is going to be even more difficult to leave now than it was last December, because I know the winter months will be very long. I have already talked about coming out several times and that will help, but there is just no way to be comfortable not being here every day.
Physically, I do need some time, I’m afraid. We both do. George keeps reminding me I’m not as young as I used to be and, much as I hate to admit it, he’s right! But Kris has plateaued and my greatest fear is that she will decline again as she did during the three months we were not here last year. There have been beautiful, caring Christian folks working with her at RIOSA, and they have uplifted our spirits on numerous occasions. A retired pastor and present employee at RIOSA prayed with us and anointed Kris with oil today. It was just that extra “portion” we needed. Our prayer and strong hope that his prayers (and yours) will be answered: Kris will walk and talk again one day.
George and I bought Kris a special hat last Saturday. (See attached photo.) Across the front, it reads: Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. She was so tickled when we gave it to her and wears it every day to go to therapy. Today, Russell brought in one of her oak leaf cluster pins signifying her position as Major, and George pinned it on the front of the hat. Watching her smile and realizing how very proud of her service she is helped make the day bearable, truly. And watching her salute fellow veterans who are at RIOSA as patients is a definite heart warming experience. Kris is a very special little lady, and the respect that has been shown her is an indication everyone agrees on that. Without being able to speak, her smile, those sparkling blue eyes and that salute... you just can’t imagine! God is not done with her yet, and He will use her in a very special work for Him... I have no doubt.
Blessings and love,
Carol and George

Leslie leads worship

2011-09-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

A couple of Sunday evenings a month, our Leslie is part of the worship team at their church. We were thrilled to be here on a Sunday that she was singing.

I could listen to her sing all day long.

A picture of the screen in the auditorium.

She did a beautiful job singing Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone).

Have camera, will play all day!

2011-09-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

Emma loves taking pictures. She took this pic of her Nonna.

When my cousin, Patsy, came to visit, Lydia took our picture. I have always loved and wanted curls like Patsy’s. She’s always wanted straight hair… like mine. Isn’t that the way it always is.

Outside, Emma is still taking pictures and Camden being Camden.

Time-out to watch the video Emma just took.

She is oblivious that I am taking a picture of her as she videos herself singing. It’s a toss up which one of us is having the most fun.

Time-out, again, to watch her latest video. So serious.

Our All-Boy Boy.

Camden loves watching Emma’s lens “art.”

Not only does she take the pictures, she creates her own movie, complete with background music.

We walked down to the boat ramp so they could watch the fishermen loading their boats onto their trailers.

I’m just thinking how things change, but stay the same. When I was a kid, I loved taking pictures, too, but it was expensive to have pictures developed, so I couldn’t just carry a camera with me all the time and take pictures of everything and everyone. Now, it’s different and I think it’s wonderful. Now I’m wondering what taking pictures will look like for Emma’s children.

What a fun day we had!

We love hats!!!

2011-09-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Waco Wednesday

2011-09-22T15:16:00.001-07:00

Grandparent’s Day at Camden’s school

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We were excited that we are here when Camden had Grandparent’s Day at school.

First, they served breakfast for all the kids and grandparents and then all the students and grandparents went into the auditorium for their Thursday chapel time. It was really good and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

After chapel, I went back to Camden’s classroom to take a picture of him with his teacher.

Good job, Camden! Thanks for inviting us to your school.

Look who we found!!

2011-09-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

It’s Tzu Tzu (pronounced Su-Su) that we met at Johnson Creek RV Park.
Tzu Tzu's ‘parents’ are parked just a few sites from us and they are here to close on their new home. They’re moving to Waco!
I promise you, she does not know she’s a dog.

It’s ‘moving’ day!!

2011-09-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

This has been the longest week! Always, we begin to get excited about going to see our kids and grandkids about two weeks before it’s ‘moving’ day. And today has finally arrived. By 9:00 AM, we are hooked up to the Q and rolling.

In Marble Falls we found construction going on. Looks like they’re building a new bridge across the beautiful Colorado River. As always, to pass the time quickly, I take pictures.

The Colorado River. We were thrilled to see that there is water in the river.

We stopped at the Evant Café (nothing to write home about) and ate lunch because … we were hungry.

Back on the road and about twenty-five minutes from Waco, we crossed a small bridge, felt a bump and instantly heard KAAAPOWW! We both new instantly that we’d had a blow out on the Q.

We didn’t want to see it, but we couldn’t wait to get stopped to assess the damage. It wasn’t pretty. Why can’t someone invent a tire that doesn’t blow out? I mean, really, think about it. How difficult could it be? It’s like the tire has been invented and it works, with a few flaws, so we’ll just let it go at that. Cone on, Creative People, you’re missing a golden opportunity to GET RICH!

Are we ever so thankful for cell phones? Yes, we are. Got roadside assistance headed our direction quickly.

Standing on the side of the highway with traffic going by, not slowing down at all, by the way, and watching the Q rocking as it is parked on a slope and I think for sure the next big truck that comes by is going to blow it over. Anyway, Don and I are both thinking that it’s going to take a big wrecker type truck to attach to the Q or something big to take care of this problem of getting the spare tire on. Well, me more than Don, probably. So, you can imagine my surprise when this little Kia pulls up behinds us. We get out and I keep looking down the highway expecting a wrecker to be following, but it’s just this little car and Ray Walker, who isn’t as tall as I, who had assured me, on the phone, that he had jacks that would handle tons of weight. Mr. Walker was so nice and reassuring, stating that he’d changed a tire on a 5th wheel about a week ago. He even asked if we needed a bottle of water or anything. He gets all the needed equipment out of the trunk of his little car and goes to work jacking up the Q, getting the spare off it’s wrack and replacing the rude tire. See that yellow tank in his car? He used that to put air in the spare.

We were delayed only about two hours and were soon parked at our destination in Waco.

Before we arrived at our park, I took this picture of a huge Texas flag along the way. Can someone explain to me how a flag flying outside, with the blue sky in the background, creates a shadow? Is that weird or what?

Soon, Khalil arrived with our two grandchildren and three of their friends. He also brought Bush’s fried chicken… our favorite!!! So we had a picnic!

Grace, Emma, Ashley, and JoJo, who wanted to sit by Leslie who had to be at open house at her school tonight.

Our grandson, Camden.

Big sister, Ashley, helping little sister, JoJo, who usually drinks from a sippy cup.

After the picnic, the kiddos all wanted to go down to the lake before it got dark.

Precious girls having fun with rocks and sticks and shells.

We got to watch a pretty sunset.

Pretty soon, it was time to head back to the Q so Khalil could get the kids home and ready for bedtime.

Waco Time in the Fall was slow getting started with a little delay, but it’s off to a good start.

Goodbye to Chapel in the Hills

2011-09-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

A parting picture taken in the early morning today.

Goodbye Chapel in the Hills.

Beautiful Ms. Etta

2011-09-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

At First Baptist Church Ingram this morning, I took this picture of a beautiful young lady, Ms. Etta Shell.

We have fallen in love with her and she kept telling me this morning, “I am sure going to miss y’all.” Ms. Etta will be 95 in October and she has been in church every Sunday we’ve been there, since May 12th.

I pray that I have as sweet a spirit as she has should I live to be 95.

God bless you, Ms. Etta. We’re going to miss you, too.

Took a picture of Chris Dahse, the pastor. It’s not a very good picture, but at least, I got a picture.

Sisters on the Fly and Suzie

2011-09-17T12:55:00.001-07:00

There’s a Sisters on the Fly rally going on at Johnson Creek RV Park and Resort this weekend. They started rolling in here on Thursday in their cute vintage trailers.

One of the Sisters happens to be Suzie Humphreys on her “maiden voyage” with the Sisters. “Who’s Suzie Humphreys?” you ask. Suzie is a radio and TV personality that I loved during the late 60’s and early 70’s in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

When I rolled up to her site on the park golf cart, we hit it off like we’d been friends forever. Yesterday, while I was working in the office, she brought me her autographed book, “If All Else Fails, Laugh!” and invited me to come see her trailer.

>>> Click here <<< to see pictures of some of the vintage trailers and a picture of Suzie and I.

The Sisters love it here and are having a wonderful time together.

There is a solution

2011-09-11T23:17:00.001-07:00

On this 10th anniversary of 9/11, we heard two really good sermons.

There are so many emotions and thoughts in my head, that I can’t process them all right now. I thought I should watch something on TV to remember that horrible day and honor the lives taken, but I just couldn’t. It just makes my heart hurt too much.

Instead, I walked outside and prayed and took pictures of the setting sun.

How calm the water that reflects the clouds above.

When I got back to the Q, it was almost dark. I sat down outside and called my mama. While we were talking, the deer entered the orchard. You have to look real hard to see them in the distance, but I wanted a picture that showed the pecan orchard. We still need rain here.

Tomorrow starts our last week here at Johnson Creek RV Resort and Park. Our summer here has been wonderful and relaxing. As beautiful as it is here, the best of all are the friends we have made.

I will be working all next week, so I may not be able to take very many pictures, so I hope you have enjoyed these today as much as I enjoyed taking them.

I do remember. I remember how life in the United States changed ten years ago in a matter of a few minutes. I remember how this nation has lost it’s way.

We are in a “storm” and our “ship is sinking” unless we cry out, “help us lest we perish, Lord Jesus!”

Here’s the declaration: The problem is our SINful condition!

Here’s the solution: Jesus Christ

Kris update: “We have a plan!”

2011-09-11T15:58:00.001-07:00

Dearest loved ones and friends!

As I’ve said many times, Kris wants to go home. No doubt she misses her beautiful home outside San Antonio, and the big yard and the pool and patio out back. She misses being home for holidays, spending time with Andrea, kidding with Joshua (he’s quite the cut up, especially now that he’s a senior in high school!), and enjoying Russell’s endeavors on the grill. We see Kris’s efforts to work hard every day, but the weekends are very difficult. Try as we might to keep her mind busy, when Russell and the kids leave after their visit on Sunday, it’s very, very hard for Kris.

It’s also very hard to think about Kris spending time in a long term care facility after her month-long special communication therapy at the VA. But that seems to be the general consensus of the military doctors who have evaluated Kris: she cannot go home yet. However, Russell and I were talking just today and a plan appears to be unfolding. There is hope and that hope is what Kris and all of us will hold on to in the months ahead.

Part of Kris’s benefit package is an allowance for home renovation which will enable Russell to either add or refurbish a large room at their home. That room will include a full bath with large walk-in shower for Kris to utilize a rolling shower chair. It will have all the amenities of a hospital room, including a little refrigerator for meds and special things for Kris, a counter sink, lots of cupboard space, a beautiful mechanical bed for her, lots of windows and a door that leads to the patio, or to a walkway that leads all the way around to the front of the house. It will have monitors and special doors and plenty of room for a dresser, desk and a recliner chair, and a smooth, soft tile floor. Russell said she’ll have the best TV, too, so they’ll all be able to watch TV or a movie with her.

Now we are really excited! Of course, it will still mean Kris must have a full-time care nurse during the day at least, possibly for 12 to 16 hours. There may be some VA requirement for that when all is said and done, and that’s perfectly understandable. Kris will need lots of care. But she’ll be home and that gives her something wonderful to look forward to.

As of right now, we have to be approved for an interim long term care facility for Kris to go to after her month’s stay at the Audie Murphy Center. Russell is working on the admission packet, and he will submit it at once. This coming week may be her last at RIOSA, and certainly she is ready to move on. Not that the care hasn’t been great and the stay there hasn’t been super. It has. RIOSA’s staff and employees have truly been kind, understanding, and worked very hard to make Kris’s stay a good one. We are so grateful, too, for the tremendous therapy folks. I’ve said before there are cases at RIOSA that would touch your heart. The young man there now, for instance, who just received a Purple Heart for his bravery in Iraq. His commanding officer and a whole group of fellow Marines and officers came to RIOSA to present it to him.

There are many more wonderful stories of recovery and healing and, of course, Kris is a part of the tremendous work done at RIOSA. We are so deeply grateful to everyone there. But, as I said, she is ready now to move on to her next step, then the next, and then, prayerfully, hopefully, to her brand new room at home with her family. Of course, when we visited them before Kris’s accident, there was always room for our motor home in the driveway along side their house. Russell said we’re always welcome, and that’s music to our ears.

Today was a tremendously emotional day all across the country. George and I both had to pause this morning during a time of devotion, as we prayed for the survivors of September 11th, for Americans everywhere, and for all our family. May we never, ever forget the horrendous loss of life that day at the hands of those who still seek to do us harm, and the courage of our men and women in the military who help keep America safe while serving on foreign soil. For those who don’t believe in their sacrifices, be assured you would not have your freedoms had the first soldier not put on the first uniform hundreds of years ago. We have a grandson who just joined the Marines, and we are extremely proud of him, too.

The attached photo was taken in Balad, Iraq in 2007 during a benefit run. That’s Kris waving at the camera as she takes a fast sip of water.

Please continue to pray for Kris, for her family, for her siblings and their families, and for all her friends and fellow service men and women who serve. We have a plan now and, with God’s great help and strength and unfailing love, He will see us through!

Blessings and much love,

Carol and George

[Hallelujah!! We are rejoicing with Kris, Russell, the kids, Carol and George! Praise God! This plan sounds like something Carol and George can live with.]

#3 comes to the orchard

2011-09-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

When I home from work today, we sat outside and watched the deer.

#3 and her mama showed up in the orchard today!!

>>click here<< and scroll to the end of the album to see pictures of how much she’s grown.

Enjoy!

Don and Mohs

2011-09-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

Even though the bed was as hard as the floor in our Motel 6(we decided our room must not cost more than it would cost us to drive back and forth to San Antonio; we saved money) room, we both slept well last night and were up early. We drove to the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and then headed to the Audie Murphy VA Medical Center a few blocks away.

We were more than an hour early for Don’s 10:30 A.M. appointment and it paid off. We were leaving almost by the time it was time for his appointment. They got him right in and made the first removal of malignant tissue from his face took only a few minutes and the waiting while they examined the tissue took about 25 minutes. The report: “We didn’t quite get all the affected tissue.” So, back in with the Mohs surgeon and then another 25 minute wait.

“Success. Got it all!” Thank You, God.

It took longer to stitch up the incision than it did for the whole process, almost.

This was one of the waiting areas and corridor to the dermatology department.

Don was asked if he wanted pain meds and he declined. He was advised to put ice on the area of the incision for a few minutes, off and on. Any one want to bet that never happens?

Now, it’s my turn to drive. Don took two Aleve, just in case the local anesthetic wore off and we headed back to the Q.

The rest of the afternoon, he spent in his recliner or sitting outside in my “recliner.”

So far, the pain has been fairly minimal. An answer to many prayers and we give God the glory.

Health day in San Antonio

2011-09-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we go to San Antonio to the Audie Murphy VA Med Center to have Don’s pacemaker checked. We will spend the night to be there for Don’s Mohs surgery tomorrow.

Because of a wildfire not far from San Antonio, there is a lot of smoke in the air.

A very cool 1969 Pontiac Firebird.

It’s amazing to me how that little box in Don’s chest records every beat of his heart and can be printed off and read. The appointment went well, except that it makes Don feel like he’s doing aerobic exercise and really wears him out.

After Don’s appointment, we met Carol and George for lunch at Martha’s Mexican Restaurant and then we went to our Motel 6 room to see if we had a table in the room to play cards on. We did!!! That room didn’t have much in the way of extras, but it did have a table and 3 chairs… I said on the bed. We all needed the fun time we had together.

Carol and George left around 6:00 PM to go back over to RIOSA to check on Kris and get her ready for bed.

After the big lunch we had at Martha’s, we ate light at Denny’s. I only had a peach smoothie.

It’s been a good day. We are so blessed.

Abby in dots.

2011-09-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

I got to sit by Abigail this morning while her mommy played the keyboard.

Why go to church?

2011-09-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25

Do we have to go to church to worship God?

No, we can worship God wherever we are, so why go to church?

1. Because God tells us to: “not giving up meeting together.”

2. For fellowship for the purpose of support and growth in faith and life… all the more as we understand that Jesus will be returning soon.

3. For community, to love and serve each other and the world around us to bring glory to God and draw the lost to Jesus Christ.

There are many reasons why God instructs us to assemble together, but these are some of the highlights that Don touched on this morning in his sermon.

It’s easy for some to find reasons not to go to church, especially while on vacation, so we commend those who come to worship with us here in the RV park. We pray that they were encouraged in their faith in Jesus Christ and we pray that seeds were planted where needed and God will continue to drawn souls to Himself. We stand on God’s promise:

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:11

Movie location

2011-09-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Today, we took a short road trip. It’s amazing how much beauty one can see within an hour’s drive here.

Well, Don said, “Let’s go to Utopia!”

It’s not often that one gets to visit the location where a really good movie was filmed….

So, off we went.

Enjoy our day with us by clicking this link:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2353491434063.135653.1153473108&l=4b2aeb2d84&type=1

Final question of the movie, "Did he make the putt?" Don said, "I don't care about the putt, I want to know if he got the girl."

My husband, the romantic.

Bakers' Blessings

Old pictures are fun

Kris update: Visions and Answered Prayers

Praise!

The old conservatism is the new Green

A blast from the past

The Resume of Jesus Christ

FINALLY!!

Cousins, grands, great-grands, second and third cousins…

Faces of Rocket

My family arrives!!!

Kris update–Happy New Year; New Hopes

Shower day

Foggy morning

Out of the bed today!

Mama Trudy update

Sometimes…

Mama Trudy update email

It’s the South…

New Year’s Eve 2011

A good neighbor

It’s a beautiful day

Family Christmas Caroling

Christmas Eve

When life gives you scraps

Seeing Cardiologist today

The first email update:

Sunday is here

First sunny day came on Sunday

Georgia bound

Kris Update: The very latest news

God is so good…

Christmas fellowship with friends

Feeling really creative ;-)

Dizzy Day

Lunch with Donna

It’s beginning to look…

Onward Christian Soldiers

Marvelous Monday

Sunday is Here

Super Saturday

Well, that’s the last time I go with them (wink, wink)

5 questions you should ask your child(ren) every day:

Trimming the trees

God's cake....

CRM Saturday

The beginning of the repair process.

Kris update: Lots to Tell

Champs (for tonight only)

Sunday is here!

Fabulous Friday

Happy Camper

Kris update: An answer to prayer!

Engraved on His Hand

November 7

Morning (by Charles Spurgeon/updated language mine)

16Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands;

Isaiah 49:16

Fun Friday with Friends

Holding it to three

~*~*~*Lily Art*~*~*~

On the road again

Sunday is here!

Kris update: A Message of Hope

“The Battle For Your Mind”

If we’re thinking what’s right, we can’t be thinking what’s wrong.

The Philbrook Museum of Art

Chef Jack and Kathy

Home building

Time with Lydia

Kris update: Finally Home

Dear loved ones and friends,

Rain, Sweet Rain

Knowledge & Understanding

Kris update: NEW HOME!!

Lydia cheers!

One order of brains, please

Quilt by Mama Trudy

Low water

Kris update: After almost one year.

¹⁶Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands;

~~~Lily Art~~~

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:11