Skeet Tournament

I was a little disappointed in the turn out today. However we did raise around $500.00. I can't be too disappointed. Still had a little time to have some fun, along with some of the kids. They had a great time, the weather was great for the skeet shooting.

I did some Christmas shopping today too. Did I mention I did some lastnight too. I love to shop. I don't even have to make purchases. However, I do have to be in the mood. I do love giving. I got my secret sister at church a really pretty Christmas plate. I know she is going to love it... It is high time for me to hit the bed- I want to make it to the 8:30 a.m. worship service and we are starting a new bible study in Sunday School, "Women of the Bible"- I will share these bible-studies with you- Until then.......

Skeet Shoot

Today is the day.. Hoping for a good turnout. We are hosting a skeet shoot to raise money for our youth to be able to attend the National Wesleyan Youth Convention. Our church has a great youth ministry (hats off to James Henderson). God has blessed us with some great kids. Most of the kids that attend our church are from single income families, single parents. How can you tell them "NO" they can't go becasue they don't have $550.00. This convention should possibly be where they meet Jesus Christ. Do we want to take that chance, Well, NO we don't. You might think this is not your typical fund raiser for a "church", listen, I just do what I am told. I was told to arrange the lunch.... So guess what? Soup and Salad are on!!!!

I am hoping this brings us closer to our goal. Which is around $22,000.00. We already have $16000.00 thanks to our wonderful giving church. We are expecting to raise approximately $1000.00 today and we only have 4 weeks to raise the rest. But we are having faith God will provide the rest. He has in the past, and I know he will not let us down.

It's off to the grocery store, so I can start preparing my salads... I hate grocery shopping... uuurrrgh. But someone has to do it.. Wanted to share so photos of some of the greatest kids..

Thanksgiving

This year was a little different. #1 Mama is still in the skilled nursing home for her rehab. By the grace of God she is getting stronger and stronger everyday. We did get to bring her home for the Thanksgiving feast. #2 It was our first holiday without Todd. It was different without him there, and Oh how I miss that kid.....

I told my sister- That I wondered when it would stop hurting and when would I stop missing him. Then I told her in a way I did not want it to stop hurting, because as the pain eases I don't think about him as much. I don't want that to happen. I have erased the bad memories of him and now only think of the sweet precious talks that he and I had. Todd and I had lots of talks, we have shed alot of tears together. He was very tender-hearted and could cry over someone else being hurt. The meth robbed him of life, but he still had a compasionate heart. I would love to have Todd back if he could have been who he used to be.. But the drug had taken over his life. He was miserable. He would cry wanting to be able to get off the drug, but this drug is so powerful. Todd will always have a special place in my heart. No one will ever fill that spot...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving spread!!! We ate very well. Normally we eat and then immediately do the dishes, but not this time. We sat around and visted with mom and with each other. We were laughing and carrying on with each other. We ate dessert later and then we did the dishes, which takes a while to do. Mom was very tired and was ready to go to bed... We took her back to the nursing home.



There was a some sleeping going on with the in-laws. Some were just playing possum to get out of doing the dishes.

It is a tradition for the men folk to sleep while the women folk do the dishes. Something don't seem fair about this picture. But we laughed and we had a great day of fellowship with each other.

I am praying mama will be home for good at Christmas. God has brought her so far. She was so depressed and I feel she didn't want to live. I am so thankful God has delivered her from the depression. She is doing so well with her physical therapy. The fight is back!! I cherish my mom and I hope she is around for a long time. But when God calls her home- I know she will be reunited with My Dad, Brenda, Bestsy and Todd. I know she looks forward to that homecoming

Update on Mom

Mama is finally doing better. The medicine they have her on is helping her. She is getting back to her old self. She makes conversation now, tries to read. She is watching some TV now. Her favorite is Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. The ladies who care for her are so good to her. I see them as God's angels. They have been a huge part of her healing process. We are so use to caring for her that it has been hard to let them do it. I know mama as been a blessing to these nurses as well. She is so kind to them...

God is so good! He has brought us through so much. I know mama is exactly where she needs to be. God knew me and my other siblings that care for mama needed the rest. Not only physically but mentally as well. I simply think of Psalms 23 when I think about what we have been through and how we got through. God will never let us down. He restores our soul, Just as my blog states, I am drinking from my saucer. My cup is surely running over.
Until next time....

Mom's surgery

A big thanks for all the prayers!! Mom's surgery was a success. She did not have to have the TKR. She only had to have the replacement between the joints. She is not doing real well with her physical therapy and we are not real sure if she will ever walk again.

She is so depressed. She does not talk to us anymore, she does not read, and has not interest in eating, watching TV, talking on the phone. She only wants to sleep. Her family Dr has talked her into taking an anti-depressant. It is beyond me how she has been through all she has and not had to take any medication for depression.

It is not like the depression happened after Todd got killed. She was this way about 3 weeks before died. Sometimes I just wonder, if somehow mama knew something was going to happen to her baby. I know God is capable of anything and I often wonder did he speak to her and tell her. Mama had been praying out loud for Todd. I have never heard my mom do that before. My sister heard her several times during the day praying for him. Perhaps she did know... I know it is probably the most difficult thing a parent could go through. I don't know if I could do it.. My mom has buried 3 of her children.... God bless this wonderful women

But keep the prayers coming... Mama needs them.. Pray for God to use her- so she can share her testimony with someone who has lost there hope. Mama knows all about hope and she certainly knows of Gods love and magnificent grace.

My Brother

Only The Best

A heart of gold stopped beating,
two shining eyes at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove,
He only takes the best.
God knows you had to leave us,
but you did not go alone,
for part of us went with you,
the day He took you home.
To some you are forgotten,
to others just part of the past,
but to us who loved and lost you,
the memory will always last.

I love you Todd!!! My life has changed forever. We will be so lost not taking care of you and seeing about you. God knows best and I know he sent the angels to carry you up to heaven. Our mothers heart is broken- I can't help but wonder will she have the will to live without you. You were her best friend and her biggest fan. She will miss those hugs and kisses you were always giving her. Even though you were 36 years old in her eyes you were 12. I will see you again, my brother.

Happy Sweet 16!!! What a fun night with friends. Celebration was at ShoGun. We had a great cook who really did alot of performing. He made a tower out of the rice, put a candle on top of it and sang to Amber. Amber was adopted by a wonderful man whom she calls "papa" Ronnie Campbell is his name and Amber is his heart. He spoils her so much.. He tries to make up for the bad things she has had to deal with. A mom and dad who are drug addicts, she actually saw them do drugs. Her Grandmother adopted her and then her grandmother passed away when she was 11 years old. Her mom and dad have been in and out of prison her entire life.
Amber got saved about a year ago, and she letting God work in her life. Amber has an awesome testimony. God has seen her through a lot of things. She has learned to depend on God. Hats off to Amber for turning her life around. You are a hero in my eyes. You are a beautiful girl, gorgeous smile, bubbly personality. She means alot to me. I will never ever forget her and I was honored to be invited to her 16th birthday.
Keep your head up Amber, God is smiling down on you....