Healing A Paralytic

Last week during church there were some strange noises coming from outside. They were muffled at first, but then, right during communion, loud banging and sawing noises came from the roof. It seemed like men were digging a hole in the roof to let down their paralytic friend. Actually, it was the roofers coming to fix the roof from Irene's damage back in August!
It made me wonder what that scene was like for Jesus, though. Was it loud and disruptive? Did anyone go outside to see what was going on? Did it all happen in the middle of a sober moment of prayer?
So often the Bible is read without thought or feeling. But those stories all happened, and they happened to people like me and you. Ordinary people experienced the extraordinary and rushed to be near it. The dead were raised, lame healed, sight restored, and hearing renewed. Crowds gathered to witness something they didn't understand but knew they wanted to be a part of. Some came hoping to get a free meal or a fresh start on life. Others came to jeer at a nutcase. Still others came to plot and kill and destroy.
But why did those men on the roof come? They came because they wanted something better for their friend, and they knew where to get it. They didn't come to make their own lives easier. They didn't come for a handout or a headstart. They came for the sake of a friend.
Do you have a friend who needs to be taken to Jesus? Don't wait for him to crawl there himself. Strap him to a mat and carry him up on the roof yourself. Give him the help he needs, so that Jesus can give him the healing that he needs. Then you too can be part of an extraordinary experience.

Fifteen

This is my son driving the Driver's Ed car. That was in October; he was 14. Today he turns 15. Now he will be allowed to drive my car. I don't have a brake on the passenger side of the van. If he insists on being 15, then I must insist that I have a brake installed on the passenger side. End of conversation.

Yes, he goes today to take the test. Yes, I am nervous about letting him drive. I have had nightmares about it for weeks now. "Being a parent only gets harder" makes more and more sense the longer I am one.

Another Birthday

We just seem to have a lot of birthdays and celebrations around here, don't we? Well, when you get married around Christmas and then have babies around Christmas, that's how it goes. #2 turned 13 at the end of December. Yes, this 42 year old, healthy mother has two teenagers. I know, I can't believe it either.

He was very excited to get a bunch of knives and other survival gear for his birthday. He thought that was going to be it because he told me he didn't want to do anything special. "16 is special, not 13." Huh!

So his dad and brother took him out to a movie, and I got everything ready. We had a surprise party with 12 of his friends, and boy was he surprised! Everyone hid in the livingroom, and when they jumped out at him he was so scared I thought he was going to cry. But he recovered nicely, and they had a great time.

They played group games inside and Capture the Flag outside. Whenever they were cold they came in for snacks and hot chocolate. It was a great party.

Here is my baby teenager. Sigh.

Family Christmas, Part 3

With all of us in the house, sleeping arrangements are a little shifty. It used to be that all the kids would gather in one room and sleep together, but now with older kids and more of them, that doesn't work. So #1 was to sleep downstairs in the main room. That meant he was there when Santa made the final touches on the night's escapade and didn't get to sleep until late, late, late. So here he was the next morning hoping to be ignored.

Santa left a huge light saber for this guy. See his mom's hand showing him where he needed to go with his weapon? So glad to be out of that Star Wars stage!

After church we headed to my family's house. We were joined by my cousin's kids; all very sweet and obedient of course! Just look at them downing that wonderful Christmas dinner.....presents come afterward! Not only are they good eaters, but they sing too. After the presents were opened we all sang together- it's what we do, don't ask- and they helped lead the singing. They are quite talented even if I wasn't related to them. They called me last week for my birthday too. What a treat!

I guess #1 isn't ready to be a daddy and stay up with Santa. He had to take a long nap that afternoon.

This cutie climbed in the bag too.

We got my dad a walking stick. He enjoyed poking everyone with it all evening. I hope he enjoys lots of long walks. In fact, he and Hubby and I went for a long walk the next day to see where a coal mine is being installed. More on that later.

And here is my mother with her boys. As you can tell, by the time we got to our presents it was late. It was a long holiday full of love and family. Just right.

Family Christmas, Part 2

This is the MoTown group. My brother-in-law and his family go early to the in-laws to let the grandparents babysit while the parents shop. So we usually go a few days before Christmas and get in a visit as well. There are several days of eating, visiting, and present opening, and by the end we are ready to rest. But of course, there is still more to do because by then it is only Christmas Eve!

These two are three and five, and they were a hoot. The nephew would gasp when he opened a present and then scream, even when he did not know what it was that he had opened. They were very excited about Christmas this year!

One of the visits includes cousins, and now the cousins are having babies! This sweetheart, also three just really tall, was so polite. He would ask to play with the other kids' toys, and then thank them when they said yes. He once said, "What a great idea! You're a genius!" to my little nephew. Definitely precious.

Crazy family moment

#2 wanted a purple body pillow. He sleeps with it constantly.

#1 got a video recorder. He wants to be a filmmaker and actor.

Christmas in NC

 We always have a small family celebration before we head to WV for the big Christmas Palooza. We really go pretty small, but it is nice to have a little time to sit down together and enjoy each other's company.

 Even Kelly gets in on the action.

 I had asked for a bucket for chicken feed and a new hairbrush from my boys. #1 got both of them for me, so #2 got me several nice smelling candles. I have appreciated all of them very much.

 Hubby got HoHos, his favorite. They were hidden away for future sneaky snacks. I guess he better save some in case Hostess stops making them now that they are bankrupt.

 Usually there is a gift to share for the boys. This year it was a bucket for movie popcorn and some gift certificates to the movies. I have seen several movies over the last month or so, and several more are coming out soon that I would like to see. The bucket is a wonderful buy, and on Tuesdays drinks are a dollar. Guess what I'll be doing Tuesday!

#2 got this hat. He seems to like it; it is constantly on him. It has been a mild winter here, but he is still wearing his hat.

Colorful Christmas Miracles

Back in November, you may recall, my dad and I butchered a bunch of roosters. We also tried to butcher a chicken, but she eluded us. I wanted to butcher her because she hadn't laid eggs in about a year. A few days before we left for our Christmas holiday, I found three of her eggs! I know they are hers because she lays the greenish-blue ones. I guess she got concerned for her safety and decided to give us a little Christmas Miracle.

This is a colorful recipe I tried before Christmas and then gave as presents to my parents and in-laws. It is a Reuben Casserole, and it is delish! It is layered in the pan and very easy to make. I got the recipe from a church friend, but I also saw it later in Taste of Home, so I bet you could find it on the web.

 And this is my last colorful exhibit. I was out walking a while back and came across this feather. One side was very, very yellow and the other black. It must have been a small songbird blown off course for the winter. I hope it made it to warmth before the cold front blew in.

It's My Birthday

Today is #42 for real! Hubby has made pretzel salad--- pretzels, strawberries, and dream whip--- for my cake and I plan to eat it all day. I started suffering with a cold yesterday, and you are supposed to feed a cold, so here I go! Thank you to all of the people who sent me cards and well wishes on FB.
Hope everyone has as wonderful day as I!

December 16

So based on my blog's address I guess you know 12-16 is important to me. It is the day my Hubby and I tied the knot. Over the Christmas break my aunt asked if we went out for our anniversary. It took me quite a while to recall- December and January are very busy months around here- but then I said, "Oh yeah!! We took a lovely walk."

 She thought that was funny, but really we did enjoy ourselves. Now we also went to lunch and a movie, but honestly the walk was the best part of the day. Hubby and I hadn't been on the new greenway the city put in and thought we would try it out. The greenway is a paved path through scenic parts of town. We walked the river section and really enjoyed it.

 There are benches and lots of people out and about. There are also signs showing you which way to go and how far you have gone. We enjoyed the balmy weather and peaceful atmosphere.

It was a walk worthy of 22 years. May the next 22 be as wonderful.

A Day Off

Way back in December, I think the 14th or 15th, the boys and I needed a day off. The three of us headed to the beach for the day, and what a lovely day it was. We had been at each other's thoats, and it was just what we needed to get the love back.

 My camera batteries died, so these were the only two pictures I was able to snap, but they were good. I told the boys we had to walk a half hour one way and then walk back in order to count it for the PE activity they needed. They took turns walking with me, being alone, exploring, and both joining me again.

The weather was about 70 degrees and very calm and sunny. Perfection is the only way to describe it. We stopped for a lunch pizza on the way down, and after our PE walk, we read books, looked for shells, and walked some more. Then we headed back and stopped at a bookstore. After searching there a bit, we went to WalMart to do the boys' Christmas shopping for the family.
By then it was getting to be time for dinner, so we stopped in a little town I love between here and the beach. We ate dinner at a Mennonite restaurant and then walked around town looking in shops. There was a Community Christmas Caroling going on, and we stopped to sing with everyone. An older woman commented to #1 that he is a great singer and she hoped he was singing in the choir at school. It was just the boost his self-esteem needed!
By the time we got home both boys were saying what a fabulous day it was and how glad they were I made them go. I quite agreed.
--Of course it has been a month now, and we need another day like that already! It may be a long semester....

Healthy and 42

Healthy and 42, can those two words truly go together? It seems the answer is, "YES!" I went to the doctor Wednesday for a check up. His first question to me was why was I there. Most people would have a complaint- my ears hurt or my pinkie is changing colors- but my response... "My insurance said I have to come or they will drop me." No need to beat around the bush. I know I am not a good patient.
But you see I AM a good patient. I take care of myself. I eat right, most of the time, and I exercise. So when he started asking me all of the "doctor questions" I was able to say, "Nope. No. Un-uh." In the words of my f-i-l, "I don't drink, smoke, or chew, or go with guys who do." It makes doctors happy and me healthy.
So I spent the rest of the day telling everyone how healthy I am. "The doctor didn't even want my blood. He told me not to come back. He said I was the best 42 year old patient he ever saw!" So I started to exaggerate a little, go ahead and shoot me; I can outrun you!! I'm healthy!!!