A Gift, Turned Down...

My mom called today to offer me a gift that I turned down...

The conversation went something like this. Mom said, " Would you like to have some more cats? Dad and I found a litter of cats that we think you would like. They are a real pretty black and white. You would just love them because they are sooo cute. The kittens were following dad around where ever he went. They are called pole cats." My answer, "Mom, pole cats are skunks. No, I do not want skunks!"

Of course Mom and Dad just laughed at my come back. But, I did suggest that they get rid of the cute little kittens because they will grow up and be one big stink!

Catching Up...

So many things have happened in the last couple of weeks. A reunion, birthdays and a trip. I know that I keep promising pictures. They will come. I will share some soon, promise. For now, I will just share a little.

Sometimes, I am so bad about postings. I get them wrote and let them sit. I don't have time to get the pictures together at that time that I want, but I have the words. That is why my blog makes an explosion of posts at times. Like today, I deleted some earlier unused posts and others I published. Hopefully, I'll improve.

Merrill and I had such a nice trip to Amish Country. We drove and drove through the country. The people are always so friendly and waved. They have some of the most beautiful gardens and flowers. Merrill knows his way around very well, since we gone there many years. It is nice to have your own private guide. :)

We stayed in Berlin, Oh. We walked to the shops in town and looked at all the hand made things that were displayed. I looked and looked for the most perfect birthday gift. I didn't find it in town, but at an Amish country store. I found an Amish canning cookbook that had an old recipe that I wanted and some very interesting things that I would like to try. Merrill bought me the cookbook and we bought some cheese which was totally delicious. Merrill got his popcorn that he likes so well (20 lb.) This is not the kind that we raise, so this is an important purchase for him. We do eat a lot of popcorn and we share a lot of popped popcorn with others. For breakfast and supper, we ate at two delicious Amish restaurants. It was just a pleasant trip!

Saturday morning, we left for Franklin, Pa for a friend's mother's birthday. She was 100 years old. She had 13 children, but one died at a couple weeks old. At her birthday table she sat with her 12 living children. It was neat! Merrill's friend, Paul Ritchey was her last child and he was born in her 40's. She had a couple letters from President Bush, the State of Pa & Dept of Ed.,Pa and a news article on display. She seems to be in great health for a 100 yr. old person.

Wilma, the girls, June Ritchey, Melissa Ritchey and her children and I took a walk through the park and uptown. It had a neat old town look. There were several big beautiful old houses and buildings around this town that I enjoyed looking at.

That just about covers our travels for this time...

Spreading God's Word

Yesterday, on our way back from Pa, this song kept going through my mind. We use to sing it many years ago at church, but I haven't heard it in recent years. We were put here to share the gospel with others. One on one and one at a time. So many times we try to lay our burdens at others feet and expect them to visit, call and share the gospel with those in need, but it is our duty. We are all called. I'm not a theological student by any means except for the excellent preaching that I've heard down through the years, but I think Jesus meant for each of us to individually reach out to the mission field all around us, not just the pastors or church workers in different ministies of the church. For sure, things are getting worse and times are getting short and America's mission field is getting bigger. May God lay some soul on all Christians hearts!

Lord, Lay Some Soul Upon My Heart

Lord lay some soul upon my heart ,

and love that soul through me.

And may I ever do my part,

to win that soul for thee.

Top Of The Morning To Ya...

Well, last night was a fun night. I have a little story to share. Kinsey and Caden were spending the night with us. We were going to sleep in the camper. We were trying to get situated which was a story in itself, but I'll just let you imagine a little boy and girl trying to get situated on where they want to sleep. Finally, they decided that they would sleep in the living room.


It was windy and raining outside. Basically, we just had the camper parked at the end of the house, so that we could plug in the electric, and it wasn't anchored, so we could feel the wind. I heard Caden say to Kinsey, the camper is moving and it isn't Grandma! Well, that was the rest of the story. We decided to go in, at the hardest raining time of the evening. By the time we ran from the camper to the house we were soaked. Quite frankly, I prefer to be in a strong, solid house than in a camper in a storm.


It did make a funny memory!

Pictures of The Birthday Girls

Connie (Top), Beth (L), & Amy (R)

Breanna

Happy Birthday to Us!

Happy Birthday to us... Connie 60 yrs. old, Beth & Amy ? yrs. old, Breanna 5 yrs. old.

Did I ever tell you the story?...

Thirty years ago I was expecting twins. The fun part of this was that Merrill and I decided not to tell anyone in the family. It is called peace & loads of fun! As my pregnancy progressed and I got the size of a small cow, people did start asking questions. I was put on 3 weeks bed rest in the end. But, believe it or not, I made it to one day before my delivery date. I went into the doctors office and he informed me that I was in labor. I already knew that, but he confirmed it. His office was at the hospital and no matter how much I begged to go home, he wouldn't let me. I was wheeled over to the hospital and my husband was contacted. My labor went fast. I went into hard labor fast and Merrill did not get the papers signed until after the delivery. (I'm not sure that would happen today.) Merrill was there, four nurses and three doctors. All we needed was the cake and ice cream and they could have called it a party! I remember it well, even after all these years. I contained myself with the well taught breathing techniques and provided the world with two wonderful girls.

This was just the beginning... we were the talk of the hospital. I had four boys and now I had twin girls that were born on my 30th birthday! Everyone was talking about it. It was an exciting time. Later, they brought me up a little birthday cake. It was just an amazing thing to happen and lots of people were happy! The grandparents... well, some thought we were putting them on and some just laughed! It was fun and we probably would do it the same way again.

Last, but not least, is this little blond haired girl that was born five years ago on our birthday. This is her big year because she gets to go to school in the fall.

Now, folks, how often does this story happen?

God Bless America

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV