GEMS Christmas Craft & Cookie Exchange+ Family Traditions

Oh what fun! Bless the Lord! Christmas music, cookies, hot coco, crafts, and playful children.
We talked about our families traditions, some interesting things. One family hides baby Jesus and the child who finds Him gets to put Him in the manger Christmas morning.

We do a birthday party on the Eve for the new King with our family & friends. Christmas morning I get the kids up and read Luke's story of the Saviors birth, then open presents. We eat left overs all morning and afternoon, then head to my mom's for dinner. Chinese this year, oh happy days! Who says it has to be turkey or ham?
The important thing is we are together as we bless the Lord.

I pray all who read this will find you Jesus, with comfort and peace. Thank you for coming and saving me.

This is why I pray for My Troops-Freedom isn't really Free

Thomas A. Baker
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 105th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944.

Entered service at: Troy, N.Y. Birth: Troy, N.Y. G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944. When his entire company was held up by fire from automatic weapons and small-arms fire from strongly fortified enemy positions that commanded the view of the company, Sgt. (then Pvt.) Baker voluntarily took a bazooka and dashed alone to within 100 yards of the enemy. Through heavy rifle and machinegun fire that was directed at him by the enemy, he knocked out the strong point, enabling his company to assault the ridge. Some days later while his company advanced across the open field flanked with obstructions and places of concealment for the enemy, Sgt. Baker again voluntarily took up a position in the rear to protect the company against surprise attack and came upon 2 heavily fortified enemy pockets manned by 2 officers and 10 enlisted men which had been bypassed. Without regard for such superior numbers, he unhesitatingly attacked and killed all of them. Five hundred yards farther, he discovered 6 men of the enemy who had concealed themselves behind our lines and destroyed all of them. On 7 July 1944, the perimeter of which Sgt. Baker was a part was attacked from 3 sides by from 3,000 to 5,000 Japanese. During the early stages of this attack, Sgt. Baker was seriously wounded but he insisted on remaining in the line and fired at the enemy at ranges sometimes as close as 5 yards until his ammunition ran out. Without ammunition and with his own weapon battered to uselessness from hand-to-hand combat, he was carried about 50 yards to the rear by a comrade, who was then himself wounded. At this point Sgt. Baker refused to be moved any farther stating that he preferred to be left to die rather than risk the lives of any more of his friends. A short time later, at his request, he was placed in a sitting position against a small tree . Another comrade, withdrawing, offered assistance. Sgt. Baker refused, insisting that he be left alone and be given a soldier's pistol with its remaining 8 rounds of ammunition. When last seen alive, Sgt. Baker was propped against a tree, pistol in hand, calmly facing the foe. Later Sgt. Baker's body was found in the same position, gun empty, with 8 Japanese lying dead before him. His deeds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

Congressional Medal of Honor Citations, U.S. Army Center of Military History

The Tale of Three Trees

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!" The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."

Years passed and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said. The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!" The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river. Instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful," she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.

That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

So the next time you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.

What a beautiful story. There are three passages in the Bible that tell of the three trees. You might like to read them. They are Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 8:23-27 and Matthew 27:32-38.

I read The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt this morning and I was balling my eyes out. I love this story. I hope you are blessed and read it to your children. May all the things we do and say glorify and honor the Lord & King of Kings Jesus!

Final Pt of Wives for Sons ( My humble prayers)

Well after much prayer and reading the word, I have come to this: I will keep praying my sons stays pure,and the wife the Lord has for them stays pure. I will continue to pray our families love each other, and be like minded. Our God is Sovereign and I don't have to worry about such things that are not at hand. I will encourage my son to guard his eyes and heart until the work the Lord has for him is accomplished, first things first. Do all things diligently as unto the Lord.

If you have young sons I would encourage you to include in praying for your sons wives in your daily prayer.

These are good deposits with great returns, because He is faithful!

Wives for Sons Pt 2 Long Chapter but, hey it's God's Word

1 Corinthians 7 (Amplified Bible)


NOW AS to the matters of which you wrote me. It is well [and by that I mean advantageous, expedient, profitable, and wholesome] for a man not to touch a woman [to cohabit with her] but to remain unmarried.

But because of the temptation to impurity and to avoid immorality, let each [man] have his own wife and let each [woman] have her own husband.

The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights (goodwill, kindness, and what is due her as his wife), and likewise the wife to her husband.

For the wife does not have [exclusive] authority and control over her own body, but the husband [has his rights]; likewise also the husband does not have [exclusive] authority and control over his body, but the wife [has her rights].

Do not refuse and deprive and defraud each other [of your due marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves unhindered to prayer. But afterwards resume marital relations, lest Satan tempt you [to sin] through your lack of restraint of sexual desire.

But I am saying this more as a matter of permission and concession, not as a command or regulation.

I wish that all men were like I myself am [in this matter of self-control]. But each has his own special gift from God, one of this kind and one of another.

But to the unmarried people and to the widows, I declare that it is well (good, advantageous, expedient, and wholesome) for them to remain [single] even as I do.

But if they have not self-control (restraint of their passions), they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame [with passion and tortured continually with ungratified desire].

But to the married people I give charge--not I but the Lord--that the wife is not to separate from her husband.

But if she does [separate from and divorce him], let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband. And [I charge] the husband [also] that he should not put away or divorce his wife.

To the rest I declare--I, not the Lord [for Jesus did not discuss this]--that if any brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ] and she consents to live with him, he should not leave or divorce her.

And if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he consents to live with her, she should not leave or divorce him.

For the unbelieving husband is set apart (separated, withdrawn from heathen contamination, and affiliated with the Christian people) by union with his consecrated (set-apart) wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart and separated through union with her consecrated husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean (unblessed heathen, outside the Christian covenant), but as it is they are prepared for God [pure and clean].

But if the unbelieving partner [actually] leaves, let him do so; in such [cases the remaining] brother or sister is not morally bound. But God has called us to peace.

For, wife, how can you be sure of converting and saving your husband? Husband, how can you be sure of converting and saving your wife?

Only, let each one [seek to conduct himself and regulate his affairs so as to] lead the life which the Lord has allotted and imparted to him and to which God has invited and summoned him. This is my order in all the churches.

Was anyone at the time of his summons [from God] already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the evidence of circumcision. Was anyone at the time [God] called him uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.

For circumcision is nothing and counts for nothing, neither does uncircumcision, but [what counts is] keeping the commandments of God.

Everyone should remain after God calls him in the station or condition of life in which the summons found him.

Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that trouble you. But if you are able to gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.

For he who as a slave was summoned in [to union with] the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, just so he who was free when he was called is a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).

You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [but consider yourselves slaves to Christ].

So, brethren, in whatever station or state or condition of life each one was when he was called, there let him continue with and close to God.

Now concerning the virgins (the marriageable maidens) I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion and advice as one who by the Lord's mercy is rendered trustworthy and faithful.

I think then, because of the impending distress [that is even now setting in], it is well (expedient, profitable, and wholesome) for a person to remain as he or she is.

Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

But if you do marry, you do not sin [in doing so], and if a virgin marries, she does not sin [in doing so]. Yet those who marry will have physical and earthly troubles, and I would like to spare you that.

I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding down and it has grown very short. From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none,

And those who weep and mourn as though they were not weeping and mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess anything,

And those who deal with this world [overusing the enjoyments of this life] as though they were not absorbed by it and as if they had no dealings with it. For the outward form of this world (the present world order) is passing away.

My desire is to have you free from all anxiety and distressing care. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord;

But the married man is anxious about worldly matters--how he may please his wife--

And he is drawn in diverging directions [his interests are divided and he is distracted from his devotion to God]. And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord, how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit; but the married woman has her cares [centered] in earthly affairs--how she may please her husband.

Now I say this for your own welfare and profit, not to put [a halter of] restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly and in good order and to secure your undistracted and undivided devotion to the Lord.

But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward and in regard to his virgin [that he is preparing disgrace for her or incurring reproach], in case she is passing the bloom of her youth and if there is need for it, let him do what to him seems right; he does not sin; let them marry.

But whoever is firmly established in his heart [strong in mind and purpose], not being forced by necessity but having control over his own will and desire, and has resolved this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he is doing well.

So also then, he [the father] who gives his virgin (his daughter) in marriage does well, and he [the father] who does not give [her] in marriage does better.

A wife is bound to her husband by law as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she will, only [provided that he too is] in the Lord.

But in my opinion [a widow] is happier (more blessed and to be envied) if she does not remarry. And also I think I have the Spirit of God.

Looking and Praying for the Right Wives for sons...by example Pt 1

Gen 24:7-9 "The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father's household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land'-he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there." So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

Gen 28:1-5 So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him and commanded him: "Do not marry a Canaanite woman. Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May he give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham." Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah,

Gen 29:9-12 While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and Laban's sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle's sheep. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. He had told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father.


Gen 29:14-30 After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, Laban said to him, "Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be."

Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."

Laban said, "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me." So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her."

So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter as her maidservant.

When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?"

Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work."

And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. Laban gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.

Heritage Dinner

11-11-08

"GEMS"

The jewels of our lives, out children.

We had such a nice time in fellowship with old friends and new. The food was amazing. We shared a meal of our heritage or a meal from a place that had visited. In all the places Jesus had His footprint.
Germany, Italy, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Brazil, & the US. Cheryl made the children passports, after dinner they visited each place and wrote a blurb in them. It was so cute. Thanks C for all you do!

Joe doing his MUS

I never thought after watching Mr Demme he would get it, but he did...

Who am I raising?

I was driving to pick up some meds today and I found myself thinking of this wonderful boy the Lord had given me. I was flooded with thoughts. Mainly my purpose for his life.

Joseph is so animated, never quiet, always imaginative, he is even thoughtful and sweet.
My mission, my goal, my conviction has been to raise sons that love the Lord with all their hearts, mind, and strength. Sons that love the wife the Lord gives them, protect the blessed children they receive as gifts. To be men of grit. To work hard or smart whatever the path the Lord leads them on.

I am passionate about this. This is a high calling and no easy job in this world filled with self-centeredness, indulging every passing whim.

Who am I raising? I was thinking about Billy Graham, did his mom know the impact he would make on the world? I know there are many unsung hero's of the faith that have made their mark on the world, I didn't get that deep. I was after all I was listening to Joe in the car tell me about aliens.

I believe my job is very important. I have wanted more children since the day I had my son Sean 18yrs ago, I didn't get Joe until 13 yrs later. I have dealt with my share of the green eyed monster and those having large families, blessed with so many, but, maybe, just maybe God wanted me to raise these boys who will bless his kingdom in ways I cannot yet fathom.

Sean was already instructed by the Lord to be a lawyer. He walks by faith, he is faithful, he trusts God,and is working to pay for his private christian college education. This is not cheap I might add. He could have gone to public college but we both were led to this school. He goes to chapel 3x a week and likes it. I am sure he will be a good husband and a caring father. Now we wait and pray...LSAT, Law school, Area of Law, house, wife...This is who I raised a young man taught by the Lord and great is his peace.

We will have to see how the Lord works in Joseph. I am praying the Lord lead me how I should teach him, in what direction He wants me to take. So far as it was with Sean so shall it be with Joe, God first, bible, scriptures,prayer, love, obediance, kindness, protecting girls and babies. The three R's will come.

I am trying to raise the bar, train up men of God. Responsible human beings.

Who are you raising?

The Declaration ( Always a good read)

The Unanimous Declaration
of the Thirteen United States of America

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:


For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, July 8, 1776

Praying for parents

Well it is that time in my life where parents are getting older, not just for me but all my friends.
Two of my closest friends have already lost their fathers. I know for some they died when they were children or young adults. My husband being 24, lost his mom, my bf lost his dad at 8, and a sister at church lost her husband with 4 in toe from 1-7 yrs.

My girlfriends parents have been very ill for a long time. My Pastor's wife's parents are the oldest still living but stuff is creeping in.

My parents, of course this is what is all about for me. My mom is not doing well. She is in so much pain. Today she is going to the Dr. I hope they will help. It hurts my heart to hear her in so much pain. There is nothing I can do. We live a half hr away.
I know she would rather me take care of her than my brother, but thankfully he is there with my dad to help.

I hate that I am not closer. Thankfully I have a savior that sticks closer than a brother. My only hope, is Jesus. I thank the Holy Spirit He will never leave her of forsake her. I pray in the name of Jesus she is healed and made whole. I thank you Lord you are on the throne and in control. Father send your ministering angels to my mom and comfort her.

Publix Field Trip 11-10-08

It was a fun time for all. The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We saw the inner workings of the grocery store from the meat dept, produce, deli, and bakery. The kids even got to try the register.

Still confused with Blog/ Twitter

Come on now, I am on Twitter, on blogger, I am beyond confused and no one of my peers in my circle is inclined to know. So why am I bothering? I don't want to get old and not use my brain a wee bit. So here I am.

The Eyes of Love... something I will be scrapbooking eventually.

An unexpected surprise

Friday during prayer Eddie stayed while we prayed. This was his first time to come to our Chili cookout prayer. I hope the Holy Spirit ministered to his soul. I think it was a peaceful night of sweet prayer.

A Boy's Duty

We spent time yesterday with out church family that currently has 4 little boys ages 7,5,5,1.
Lessons of hard knocks. Teaching them to be kind to one another to stand together and to protect girls and babies. This is daily in my house. I want my son to put the things that the Lord sees as important first in his life. Okay he's only 5 but this is and will be his duty as he becomes a man. I am not only raising a son, I am raising a boy to be a goldly husband and father who puts God first. This is a hard job for me with Joseph, but I press forward to the high calling... God bless you as you raise your sons with this duty in mind.

Just let em have fun

Oct. 14, 2008

Just let em have fun
This is what I tell myself. He is only 5! He is learning. His way, not mine. I do enjoy watching his amazing imagination. I love looking into his beautiful eyes and wonder what he is thinking about. Today I have on some Christian music on the TV and he is playing so nice. How to create a heart of worship? Put the music on. One of my new friends said that ! Simple wisdom, Thanks Deb. Well my lil guy follows suit, mom worships, he worships. Thank you Lord my children are taught by you and great shall be their peace.

Time with Family and Friends

Last Sunday we went to the beach with Jeff long time family friend. We met really nice people in the next pavillion having a party. Joseph is never shy. He soon had his own invite. The weather was overcast so it wasn't too hot. Later we went to Jenny's then back home. We were in bed at 9PM.

Surprise for me

Eddie surprised me by bringing Sean home Fri. They have been in cahoots together this week it seems. I am so happy right now. We were up till 3AM yapping with Jeff, watching Youtube vids. I have a wonderful son, who I am so grateful to God for. How can I even come close to express to God how much I love Him for giving me these two sons? I am honored that He chose me to be their mother. Thank you Lord.

Visiting Sean

Well we just got home from an all too short visit with Sean. My parents took me and Joe out there to send some time together. We went to Chili's then spent some time in the lounge at campus.

I don't know if anyone else knows how hard this really is for me. This child has been my life. He wasn't one of those kids that hung out. He was/is a home body. Before his leaving for college last year there was no time of adjusting for me.

Now I know what engagements are for, the mother to get used to the idea.
Home schooling children, not having many outside activities does not do a mother well when the time comes. Yes, I know this has to happen and for most it happens when lil Johnny goes to kindergarten, for me it happened when he went to college.

He is amazing to me. God has done good things with that boy. I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth. He is working hard on campus to pay his tuition and takes 16 credit hrs.

Joseph has been missing him lots this go around. He is older and now misses his brother being he had Sean all to himself for the summer. They were both up playing video games together.

I hope we get to go back next month.

911

I want to remember and never forget! I thank God for all the troops out there protecting us. I pray they are protected by the hand of God.
I pray that our country remembers how they felt seven years ago when they all wanted God to Bless America.
We need to get the job done, not slack, get the bad guys who would try to do this again.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Lets be one nation under God who
In God we Trust.

Where to blog?

My son's first election.

This is my question. Here, Myspace, Facebook, Ning, Networks within networks. I am so confused. Who is reading these anyway? I like to see all the stampers here, all the home schooling things on another, local home school on yet another, and of course family and friends on the other two.

Just for the sake of posting

Sean needs money to go back to school! I know the Lord will provide all my needs and his. He loves Sean more than me and I know He will never leave me or forsake me. He knows my heart. He is mindful of my frame.

I could use the prayers of the righteous to uphold me. Thanks.

I am so sick of being sick! It is hard to believe it has been so long. Well I think the worst is over, God willing.
I think it is time to get back on track and start eating better to live well. When I went on the fungus diet I never felt better in my life. Why did I choose to eat crap again?

Something clicked then and I am praying it will now.

New cards today

Easter cards for Mom & Pastors
Card for Alex's BD
A Bible Verse Challenge I made for my friend BB

Today is the Love of my life's birthday

I am so blessed to have a husband like Eddie. I pray ...with long life You satisfy him and show him Your salvation...
Happy Birthday Honey!

BB's Birthday Card

I tried to make a nice card for my sweet sister in the Lord and it came out a little crooked, then I went to write inside and the ink wasn't dry so it got smudged inside. Other than that,...it's okay.

Cards I made in the past month

I got on a roll after a SU demo. The flower & snail was made with Kimberly check her blog spot on the right of my posts.
The others I scrap lifted the general ideas & style and used what I had.

Getting the creative juices flowing

Well tonight I uploaded this to Split Coast Stampers, my first time ever to post something that is mine. Sean will be 18 this month and I hope my lil card is "Spot On".

Spring Break

I am so happy my son will be home for a week for Spring Break! I miss him so much my heart aches. Thank you Lord for this time with him. I charge your angels to go before him and my parents as they drive home, In Jesus name.

Trust

...in the Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Today like so many You watch over me and help me. Thou I can't see you with my eyes, my heart knows you will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you my heavenly father!

God does all things well. Thank you Lord for the good report.

A New Year of Hope

I am hopeful this new year brings new joy, peace, and contentment.
I am hopeful because my hope is in my Lord Jesus.