WOW Woman Bible Study -

I started up WOW Woman (Women of the Word) again on January 21st after about a 5 month break. We meet in my home every Tuesday evening at 6:30. 

(left to right) Jeanne, Kathy, Glenda, Sandra, Carmel, Brittney, Susan

I love these precious woman so very much.  They encourage me, stretch me, and make me a better Child of God as we study and share together on a weekly basis.  

This group was started on January 18, 2011 so we are beginning our 3 year.  Some ladies have come and gone but the core of the group has remained.

January 21th I showed a dvd by Brad Scott about Satan and his tactics that was from the 2013 Revive Conference in Dallas.

January 28th we watched a teaching by Pastor Mark Biltz from May, 2013.  We have ordered 4 dvd's by Pastor Biltz on The 4 Blood Moons that we will be watching and studying next.

At the January 21st meeting we also anointed 3 prayer cloths and prayed over them.  One was sent to Washington State, another to Arizona and the 3rd Mickey & I took to a man from our church.  We do not always do that but prayer requests are an important part of our meetings.

I highly recommend that you find a women's Bible Study to attend, or maybe God wants YOU to be the one who starts one.  You will never regret it.

   

Our Amazing God

There is a story behind this road sign!!!

Go to Double Nickle  and read ALL about it.

I love the way God works in mysterious ways!!  I first met Jen and her family about 7 years ago via her blog Pen of Jen.  She and I have followed each other faithfully over these past 7 years and we were even scheduled to visit them in October 2004 but had to abort that visit due to Mickey's heart.

I have followed their wonderful, inspiring journey of The Double Nickle Farm and the growth of her children leaving the nest.  Our connection was first and foremost based on strong Spiritual beliefs and values.   

This is another picture Jen took and even though it is showing the desolate surroundings and I know that is a telephone pole and lines in the picture it also looks like a Cross!!!

So as Mickey & I and Jen & Bill follow Gods leading and direction in our individual spiritual walks with God we know, without a doubt, that God has had and does have His plans and purposes for this connection.  Nothing happens by accident in the lives of us who have made Jesus LORD.

Yes, the road sign reads:  

Joy Road & Hope Highway!!!

WORD for 2014

Since 2009 I have asked The Lord to give me a word for the New Year.  

2009 Unity

2010 Vulnerable

2011 Persevere

2012 Fervent

2013 Expand

My word for 2014 is FORWARD

for.ward (adjective) 1) near or belonging to the front part of something 2) moving or directed ahead or toward the front & 3) moving toward the future or toward a more advanced state or condition

Oh I love this word!!  The first thing that came to me when He gave it to me, was definition 3 moving toward the future.  When I looked it up and saw definition 1, near or belonging to the front part of something, I really got excited.  

FORWARD feels right!!!  I'm not sure what God is planning to do in my life and walk with Him as He moves me FORWARD and EXPANDS His plans and purposes FERVENTLY. but. I determine to PERSEVERE, and continue to make myself VULNERABLE, as I strive for UNITY in The Body of Christ.

It is so amazing how these words have "built upon themselves" over the past 5 years and I am eager, and very expectant as I move FORWARD.

2014 here we go!!!! 

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

There are many words to describe us.  One word to describe me would 
definitely be READER.  I can no more imagine not reading than I could imagine not breathing. One of the many things having a blog has done for me is I have, for the first time in my life, kept a listing of the books I've read for the past four years.  As I finished up 2013 I realized I had read even more books this year!  2010 fifteen - 2011 sixteen - 2012 thirteen 

 The TWENTIETH book for 2013 

This book was not only my twentieth for the year, but also the 5th book of study in our Real Christianity small group.  As you can see, this is The New Pilgrim's Progress and yet it holds close to the original work, in maintaining some of the more archaic wording than many of the more modern translations. Kent (the co-facilitator) actually selected the version based on our discussion of not wanting to use the most current translation.    

I first read the above earlier translation in 1966.  I earned this book from The Bible Memory Association, Int. of St. Louis, Missouri after completing several of their Bible Memory programs.  An aside, I am so thankful that I began to plant The Word of God in my mind and spirit way back when I was 29 years old.  It set a pattern for my life that has served me well in my walk with Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee."  Psalm 119:11 KJV & "I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt." The Word

I know I recommend a lot of books, because there are a lot of really good books available to us, but THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS is, in my opinion, a MUST READ for any Christian.  First published in 1678 his Allegory of spiritual and moral truths rings as true today as it did 335 years ago.

Begin the New Year 2014 right by reading this classic.  

NUTCRACKERS

Jacque was not able to make the Florida Christmas trip in 2013, due to her work schedule.  Uncle Jerry brought not only Jacque's Christmas gift, for our exchange, but a BIG box for us to bring home to her.  As soon as we arrived home on the 29th we immediately went to her home in Broken Arrow to give her the surprise.

Uncle Jerry sent her ALL these lovely nutcrackers.

3 big 

5 medium

2 small

10 total

Needless to say, she was thrilled with this show of love.  

These had belonged to Jerry & his wife Sunnie and had been boxed up for the past 8 years. 

You can see the massive collection she already has...

including the three we just gave her at her birthday dinner on December 20th.

 on the bookshelf

 on the mantle

 on the plant stand

Another shot of the plant stand showing the 3 Halloween Nutcrackers she purchased in October, plus the BIGGEST Nutcracker which was our gift to her Christmas of 2012. 

Jacque called me yesterday to share that Benny had brought home a new bookcase to display them on all year-round.  How sweet. 

Collections are fun things!

Christmas 2013 #4 - BIRTHDAY

What a Christmas - Birthday 2013 was!!!

I have, over the years, had many people say how horrible it must be to celebrate my birthday on Christmas.  I have never found that to be true from my parents and early childhood and growing up, to my marriage, my husband and my children making it very special .  

Christmas presents have been opened and now it is time for me to open my birthday gifts.  David, the host for this grand 4 day Florida visit, wanted me to open his and Karin's gift first.  And, besides it was the BIG sack I'd been wondering what was in it.

My brand new Dell Optiplex 760, with Windows 7 Professional software, keyboard & mouse.  Look at that grin....David is as pleased & happy as I am. 

Next came the beautiful worded card from Marc, and since I always cry when reading them they HAD to get a picture of my ugly cry face!

Opening Marc's gift.  A beautiful silver bracelet with turquoise and other beads from Kairos 10.  "Kairos" means "the appointed time in the purpose of God."

The card accompanying it read "Your purchase provides a life-saving mosquito net to a family in Africa to protect them from the spread of malaria.  Each piece is handcrafted by native African women with beads from various native regions.  Through a unique partnership with these women, they receive sustainable income to provide for their families."

Photo's out of order but nothing would do but David set up my new computer!!

For me to sit down, log on and check my fb!!!

The silly birthday card from Mickey that said "You're the greatest" and then "sang", very loudly about me being a rock star, etc.!!!  We were ALL laughing hard.  Notice Marc's bracelet on my arm. 

Liz Taylor's White Diamonds Perfume, my favorite from Jacque.

 This says it all!!  I am loved by this family and they show it to me in every way possible, not just gifts and materially, but in their actions.

Silver 24" chain was my birthday gift from Mickey.

Three new Pandora charms to add to my wonderful bracelet this family gave me for my 75th birthday last year.  

Shiny ruby & crystal orb is from Mickey for Christmas. 

Blue orb with hearts is from Aric.

Sterling Silver Palm Tree is from Jessica 

(To represent this Christmas 2013 in Florida)

Yes, my 76th Birthday is "1" to remember.

Christmas 2013 - #3 - HOMEWARD BOUND

December 26th and last day - Family time of fun and sharing,  David took Marc to the beach where he surfs which is north of Vero Beach. Mickey & Jerry walked the 1/2 block from the house to the beach several times.  Marc, David & Jerry all went to the putting green to hit balls and for Uncle Jerry to give them tips on golfing, since the boys are just now getting into the game for real.

 We took 2 cars and drove to the main beach strip for breakfast.  Mickey & I chose to go in David's new car as he showed off all the bells and whistles and we enjoyed the ride and the sights.  

 This is the 1,000 piece puzzle I purchased for Karin & I to put together while the guys did their thing.  Here we have just gotten the pieces all turned over.  You can see the table cloth and center pieces all push back to make room for this project. 

 We did not start working on it until about 3 that afternoon.  This is how far we'd gotten at bedtime.

 Our progress by bedtime on 2nd day.

 Karin putting in a piece as we are nearing the end.

 FINISHED!!  I think Karin is going to seal it and hang it on the wall since they have little on the walls yet in this new big home, after the small condo in San Fran. I started out working on the Yellow portion and Karin started out working on the Blue Clock the first day but the next day, and until we finished it we found ourselves changing chairs and focus quite a bit. 

 Son David, Granddaughter Oksana, Grandson Aric & Son Marc.

We were so sorry that Daughter Jacque and Granddaughter Jessica did not get to go and had to celebrate together in Tulsa.

 6 of our wonderful family of 8

 Good-byes to Dad.

The weather while in Florida had been warm and sunny on the first day, but was cool, and overcast on the other 2 days.  This was a disappointment to us as the guys wanted to see David surf and they also wanted to go to the Putting range more....but this time was all about family and it did not disappoint in the least.

December 27th - Due to the delay and road construction near Memphis Marc routed us on a different more Southern route for our return trip.  We took 3 days returning, instead of the 2 days coming, so it would be a little easier travel time. Started out at 7.10 a.m. and headed out toward Tampa and the Gulf area.  By 7:17 we were in heavy rain again!!  It was an uneventful day of heavy highway driving starting on the Florida Turnpike and then Interstate 75 and Interstate 10 until we reached Crestview, FL about 500 miles.  We arrived at our Hampton Inn about 3 o'clock and just relaxed, watched TV and went out for dinner. 

Marc looked up restaurants on his smart phone as we wanted to have a nice leisurely dinner at a nice place.     

Johnny O' Quigley's, 

An Irish Pub fit the bill - especially with a waiter named Doyle.

Sorry for the dark pictures but this place was jam packed with really neat deco and antiques and interesting things hanging and displayed every where.

Marc & Aric waiting for our meal to be served

Back to the motel, watched TV, relaxed and were asleep by 10 p.m. 

December 28th - We once again rose early.  Had a nice breakfast at the motel and hit the road at 7:17 a.m.  We entered Alabama at 9:05 a.m. and once again found ourselves in POURING rain.  By 10:20 when we got into Mississippi it was still pouring.  After leaving Vicksburg and crossing the Mississippi River we entered Louisiana at 2:25 p.m. and it was finally dry!!!!

The drive through Louisiana was scenic, as we worked our way Northward, and enjoyable as we went through a quaint little town called Mer Rouge, then Bastroup. At 4:08 p.m. we crossed into Arkansas.  When Marc called for reservations at The Hampton Inn they were booked up so our reservation in Pinebluff was at the Holiday Inn Express.  After another long day and ride we were all tired, and had snacked along the way at gas fill-ups, so we opted to stay in our room and not go out for dinner. 

December 29th - Since we only had 325 miles until home we slept in late and took our time getting downstairs for breakfast.  We were Oklahoma bound by 9:35 a.m.   Mickey & I were home by 2:30.  Marc & Aric had to stop by Jacque's and pick up Sasha, their dog, and deliver Christmas gifts so they did not arrive home until about 3:45.

It was a hard 2 days going, a wonderful 4 days in Florida and celebrating a special family Christmas, and 3 days returning.
It's always fun to go, but there's NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

A great family Christmas to be remembered!