2009 was a GREAT year in our lives.

I want to close out this year, as I did last year, with the 10 things I am most thankful for and that have made 2009 so wonderful.

#1. I am thankful for my church and our wonderful Pastor, Gary, and his wife, Paula,

and to be fed and blessed by his teaching and preaching on Sunday and Wednesday. We have been attending this church since December 23, 2006 and there is hardly ever a service that I do not walk out the doors saying, "I love our Church".

. They are so very sincere and cute and cool and just plain wonderful in every way !! We are blessed.

#2. I am thankful that God placed me in 2 woman's Bible Study groups this year.

The Monday morning group. Out of this group came The Klothes Kloset ministry at the Church. Reaching out with helping hands and hearts to help with clothing for those in need in our town and area.

This is the Tuesday night Bible Study and The 3rd Day Sisters. This is such a very special and diverse group of woman that only God could, and did, put together. We are from different churches.

3. I am thankful that God saw fit to graft us into His Olive Tree, and to be studying our Jewish roots with The 3rd Day Sisters.
Having Sandra is so wonderful because she is such an anointed teacher & leader. She spends hours preparing and studying to share with us each week. I appreciate you SOOO much, Sandra, and am learning so much. God is using you greatly and it is only beginning!!!



4. I am thankful we got to make several short, but very wonderful, trips this year.



1) In June we made a trip to Tennessee to visit Mickey's family in Nashville & Memphis. We got to see his brother, Jerry - brother-in-law, Ronnie - Nephews Wayne, Joe & Billy & his wife, Dianne and all the grand nieces and nephews - sister-in-law, Helen. So thankful to have this family and be a part of it.
Jerry, Ronnie & Mickey. Can you tell getting these three together is trouble?

2) In July the 3rd Day Sisters went to Eureka Springs & Branson for a couple of days. We visited the Passion Play and Christ of the Ozarks Statue in Eureka and saw the musical/drama Noah in Branson. What a fun time.

3) Two weeks later Mickey & I returned to Eureka Springs to visit our friends and neighbors, Wayne & Jimmie, at their delightful cabin between Eureka & Branson. If you remember the post I not only forgot the camera but our luggage!!! We had fun anyway, but had to cut the trip short.

4) In September we were blessed to go with a group from our church to a revival in Oak Grove, AR to hear Perry Stone and other great ministers. Getting to hear Perry Stone in person was truly a desire of my heart!!!Oak Grove is just outside Eureka Springs.

5) In October it was back to Branson for the wedding of Mickey's nephew, Wayne. Eureka Springs, Branson, Oak Grove I don't know why God kept sending us to this area but I'm sure there is some reason. 4 of these 5 trips were within a few miles of each other in that area!!!!

Wayne & Laura and Laura's 2 daughters. What a fun, beautiful wedding.

5) I am thankful for my family! I am so very thankful that 3 of our 4 children and all 3 of our grandchildren live in the Tulsa area and we can be such an integral part of their lives.

6) I am thankful that David, the child who does not live near us but in California, was able to come home in August for his brothers birthday and this Christmas eve for Christmas & my birthday.

7) I am thankful for the very good health that both Mickey & I enjoy and are blessed with.

8) I am thankful to get to meet 3 more blog friends in real life during 2009. Tammy, and her husband & daughter, in West Memphis on our way to Tennessee - Lisa and her husband and daughters who came through our area from TX & Dawn, who came to OK from CO. This makes 10 blog friends I have been privileged to meet and look forward to who those I will get to meet in 2010.

9. I am thankful that all my needs are met by my Lord and Savior. That I have joy & contentment and optimism about the future and what God has in store for His Body - The Church.

10. Last but not least I am thankful that we were introduced to Deann last New Years Eve.

Marc proposed to her 3 weeks ago and they are to be married in early 2010. You'll be hearing a lot more about this from me in weeks to come. We could not be more delighted!!!!

I AM THANKFUL!!!

VULNERABLE

Every year our Pastor gives us a Phrase for a Goal for our Church.

2007 - "Not without Jesus"

2008 - "I want more"

2009 - "I'm Here for HIM"

This year it is "Contagious Joy"

Oh, I pray my JOY is contagious joy.

The Word the Lord gave me for myself in 2009 was UNITY.

It was an interesting word as the year progressed and while we, here in Coweta, have not seen the Unity among the Body of Christ that so many of us are praying and believing for we have seen some inroads.

Within our Church we are entering this New Year 2010 with Unity and that Joy. In my personal life I am so thankful for the Unity within our family. I see, and hear of so many families having so much tension and strife and I am blessed that our family has love, respect and true concern and caring one for another.

I don't particularly "like" the word The Lord has given me for 2010..... It is

VULNERABLE

adj. (Latin vulnus, a wound)- 1) That can be wounded, or injured. 2) open to, or liable to be hurt by, criticism or attack.

As humans we don't want to be vulnerable. We want to protect ourselves, to not take chances, to be safe and secure. Sometimes to even hide rather than to be vulnerable.

As we enter 2010 our Nation and our World are very vulnerable. As Mickey & I continue to press into the gifts and callings on our lives we need to be vulnerable for God to accomplish all He has in mind for and with us. We need to be vulnerable to reach out and help those around us who need help.

So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." Nehemiah 4:13 The Message

Lord I will be vulnerable.

100 YEARS AGO

As we close our 2009 I thought it would be fun to share this piece about 100 years ago.

1909 Ford Model R

THE YEAR 1909 - What a difference a century makes.
Here are some statistics for the Year 1909 :
************ ********* *********
The average life expectancy was 47 years.

Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.

The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, A Dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.

Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION. Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

Five leading causes of death were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 adults wouldn't read or write and

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A.!

Plus one more sad thought; 95 percent of the taxes we have now did not exist in 1909.

I received this in e-mail. It was sent to others all over the WORLD - all in a matter of seconds! I have re-typed it here on my blog and it will go all over blog land.

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years. IT STAGGERS THE MIND.

ANOTHER FUN DAY SNOW DAY

We have been so very busy the last several months that I must admit I am enjoying the snow and an excuse to just stay home and stay in.

Prepared some more sweets today. First was Date Oatmeal Cookies

The first pan full of 4+ out of the oven.

Another full cookie jar to go along with the Butterscotch Chip cookie jar from yesterday.




The over flow from the 2 cookie jars. You can see the Buterscotch are disappearing :o)

Next was this big batch of delicious fudge. There is not much better than fudge in my opinion.

While I had been busy inside baking cookies my Mickey had been out several times working on the ice and snow in our drive way and walk. The ice is literally about a 1/2" or more thick.

I decided to go out and see if I could help out a little bit on this huge job, for us, since it got up to 45 degrees today and began to melt a little bit and we are expecting cooler weather and more snow in the next few days.

I've taught him to well about blogging and he snuck up on me and got these pictures!!! I was so busy in the kitchen I didn't get any of him when he was out doing this.

I'm not real fond of this kind of hard work!!!

All day long I kept running back to the computer to check out what was going on with Facebook. Boy, you get addicted to this r-e-a-l quickly.

Elsie sent me a little quiz to do and so I took it and this was my result.

What is God's gift in you?

Susan took the What is God's gift in you? quiz and the result is A PRAYER WARRIOR

Your destiny is a prayer warrior. Prayer is not a mysterious practice reserved only for clergy and the religiously devout. Prayer is simply communicating with God - listening and talking to him. You can pray from the heart, freely, spontaneously and in your own words. Prayer is your direct line with heaven. Prayer is a communication process that allows you to talk to God! He wants you to communicate with Him, like a person-to-person phone call.

Now you can imagine how pleased I was with this response, since Prayer is truly a passion of mine. Could be why I started Hearts For 1 Accord prayer blog and why we have the S.W.A.T. (Spiritual Warrior Attack Team) prayer meeting here in our home every Friday night.

I also posted on the frugal blog, Hands & Hearts.....for Him, this morning. It's a tip about how to soften up our feet. Drop by here and check it out.
.

A SNOW DAY

WHAT - no church?

Because of this!

And this

our church services were called off today. Not only ours but most of the churches in the Tulsa area. We first watched Perry Stone & then Jentezen Franklin on TV and our beloved Pastor Gary send out an e-mail devotion so we had "church" of sorts.

So I baked butterscotch drop cookies.
The canister is full

and this is what is left on this plate that was stacked with lots more that got eaten throughout the day!!!

And I did
It is such fun. I can't believe I didn't join before now. Oh well, better late than never :o)

Since I shared some of my birthday cards with you yesterday I wanted to share our Christmas cards today.

We received sooo many beautiful Christmas cards this year. The "world" may not be celebrating CHRISTmas but the people of my world, who love Jesus, are. Who's report will we believe?

There were also quite a few of the family picture cards which are so nice to receive. I have always displayed them on the inside front door but since this door was almost filled up

I had to place these on the hall coat closet door. The card on the left bottom here is a darling hand made card we received from Kahri, Michael and their 4 kids. So cute!!! Really touched our hearts.

It was a fun, relaxed Snow Day and we enjoyed it.

Hope your Sabbath was a blessed as ours.

Special Birthday Cards

I was blessed with so many wonderful birthday cards and selected a few of the really touching one to share with you.


(click all pictures to enlarge)
Birthday card from Granddaughter, Oksana. Reads: "Wishing you a birthday as warm as your smile, as welcoming as your hugs, as special as you. Have a Wonderful day. "





From my son, Marc: the inside continues: " I love you as my friend - someone who understands me, takes time to listen, and truly cares about how I'm doing. (to which I added as I read it - who asks a million questions!) I love what you've made me - a happy child, a grateful adult, and someone who will always look up to you. Happy Birthday."

"Sometimes, when the love is the strongest, that's when the fewest words are needed. Happy Birthday. Love You." From daughter, Suzette & son-in-love, Dave.





The above cards made me cry, (and yes my family is use to that!) but this one really made me bawl. From 10 year old grandson, Aric. Marc said he picked it himself and I was so touched he considers me a friend, as well as a grandma. The verse: "She looks at the world through experienced eyes and with wisdom she's gained through the years. She helps you to see just how good life can be. She's there through your smiles and your tears. She offers completely her help and support in everything you try to do - She's willing to share, to listen, to care. She's never too busy for you. She enriches the lives of all those who know her. The kindness she shows has no end- Her warm, gentle touch means so very much. She's your grandmother -- your special friend. Amanda Bradley There couldn't be a grandmother more wonderful than you Because you give a loving touch to everything you do -- That's why this comes with loving thoughts and thanks for all you've done And wishes that your birthday will be a happy one."

When I regained my composure enough I said, "Aric, did you read all those words as you picked out this card for me?" To which he responded, "Well, not ALL of them but I picked the card because it had a lot of words." Oh the innocence and honesty of a child. Aric really is a very gentle soul and I pray God he never loses these qualities.

This one is from my forever friend, Joan. The inside reads: "We're related by heart. And that's what really matters. Happy Birthday" and then she wrote in pen. Happy B D my dear friend - you have been a Christmas gift to me. Love you, Joan. " We truly are as close, or closer, than sisters and have been friends for 66 years. Joan & I have been through everything together and even though we haven't lived near each other most of these 66 years we are truly, not only Sisters in the Lord, but Sisters of the Heart.

Lastly I wanted to show the birthday card Suzette gave her sister, Jacque. The inside verse: "Love how we're different. Love you. Happy Birthday." It was so special because it is so true. No two girls could be different than our two daughters but they are each so very special.

Well, you can plainly see we are very serious about selecting cards and all of us will spend a lot of time, reading all the cards, and finding just the right one.


A special thank you also to George & Mary, Ginger, Carole, Brenda & Judy for remembering me with sweet birthday cards. Also, thanks for the many e-cards I received.

I am truly a blessed 72 year old woman!!!

THEY MADE IT

The tables were set and waiting......and waiting.....and waiting. Christmas Day arrived and WE waited and we got out all the food prepared the day before and re-heated everything as best we could.

THEY weathered the drive over the icy and snow packed very slick roads & highways.

But they all finally made it and who cares it's 20 hours late...."let the party begin"!!

Seated Suzette & Dave, standing Marc.

Our two sons, David & Marc. Me pulling the re-heated (slightly over done!!!) enchilada's & burritos out of the oven. Served buffet style.

Grandson Aric.

Granddaughter Oksana.

Mickey, Oksana, Marc, Aric, David, Suzette & Dave pouring the sparking grape juice.

Benny & Jacque.

Granddaughter, Jessica & Josh. I failed to get pictures of the cupcakes Jessica & Josh made :o( Each was decorated with a different top: snowman, angel, etc. So cute and they were confetti type white cake.

Mickey, Jessica, Josh, Benny & Jacque.

A very happy wife, mom, grandmother & birthday girl toasting my wonderful family. I received lovely gifts and those cards that always make me cry. I was so touched by some of them I'm going to do a separate post about them!!!

I love my family and we were so thankful David made it in from California to share Christmas & my 72nd birthday.

I don't FEEL 72!!!!!!!

A WHITE CHRISTMAS

We always celebrate our Christmas on Christmas Eve with gift opening after a big Christmas dinner.

The tables are set.

The long view of the two table pushed together.

The meal is prepared. This year I decided to serve a Mexican Dinner instead of the usual turkey or ham. The menu is: Pasole, pinto beans, 3 cheese chicken enchiladas, bean & beef burritos, 7 layer Mexican dip (brought by Suzette), 3 types of chips, white & red sparkling grape juice (brought by Jacque), and dessert (brought by Jessica). Don't know the kind yet as it's not here and I was not told!!!!

Large slow cooker filled to the brim with Pasole. For the uninformed: Pasole is a hominy made with pork, onions & red chili. The pasole comes in dry packages (like pinto beans) and when we visit NM (October 2008) I always buy a lot of bags!! I have 2 left that will have to last until we go there this coming September.

4 pans of enchiladas. 1 red and 3 green chili as our family prefers the green.

Dinner is set for 7:30 as David is flying in from California and his plane arrives at 6:30. Marc and kids are picking him up at the airport and coming right here where we will all be waiting for him.

BUT ----- We had been warned for days by the weather men that a very severe snow storm, with blizzard like conditions was coming in on Christmas Eve. NO, we did not believe it as we have been in the upper 50's. It came.....it started with rain, then turned to sleet and then to snow. The governor closed the interstate highways it was so bad. Long/short of it, after many phone calls back & forth we cancelled the dinner.

David's plane was on time. Marc & kids were there to pick him up and make it back to their Tulsa home but Marc did get stuck in his driveway so the car is sitting outside!!

Mickey & I had a delightful dinner together. In fact, it was kind of fun. Why get upset when plans go awry? Just go with the flow and enjoy!!!

See the booklet & magnifying glass? Mickey has just read how to use the tripod to take our picture together. Good job, honey. I'm on the phone to one of the kids. By the way I made the Partridge In A Pear Tree hanging over 40 years ago!!! I still love it.

On the phone AGAIN with one of the other kids.

Our our back patio door. Doesn't the filigree of the snow look great on this wrought iron table set?

The 24" snow drift out our front door. Mickey got very wet & cold turning off the light to our outside manger scene before we went to bed.

Snow does not drift in Oklahoma??!!!! It did this time. Oklahoma doesn't have Blizzard conditions.......we did on Christmas Eve Day 2009. First time in 9 years we've had a white Christmas in Tulsa.

Another shot out the front door into the drift.

We are hoping to get together this afternoon for our belated Dinner & gift opening celebration. I'll let you know!!! By the way, Mickey & I each just ate one of the enchiladas so there is still plenty left.