Keeping in Touch

Over the 4th of July weekend we met up with two of our Marine Corps friends and their families in Gaitlinburg, Tn. We rented a great big cabin that was perfect for the entire crew - all 16 of us. We played cards, games, miniature golf ate, ate and the ate again. We also did a little bit of shopping and of course some sleeping. It was a fun time.

Vegetables from the Garden

We've been working on a garden for three years now and this year has been the best producing so far. We planted yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, cucumbers, swiss chard, spinach and cantaloupe as well as a great herb spot.

We had so much produce that I decided to purchase one of the Food Savers. The vacuum pack deals. You can blanche the veggies and the freeze them for a year. So it's been fun. We've also given away a good many veggies.

We had so many tomatoes that we made tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce and salsa. The pictures are from our tomato fixins day.

Slow but still blogging.....

This blogging thing is a great way to keep in touch with folks on a regular basis but it takes time. Time is something I do not have alot of extra hanging aroung. I spend almost 9 - 10 hours a day on the computer at work and when I get home I really stay away from the computer. Then when I'd like to get on and look at something or do something - Dad is on reading the news or looking at beaches in Austrailia. He's obsessed with Austrailian beaches. Someday we'll get back to Austrailia. Anyway, I degress....

I've been studying James 5:19:

Confess your sins to each other and pray for eache other so taht you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Also, 1Thess 5:16-18:
Be joyful always; pray continually (without ceasing); Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I have found that sometimes it is hard to give thanks for all things. It has been very hard to give thanks for the cancer that Rita is suffering thru. This past week she has declined again. She cannot move from the chest down now. It is very hard to see her in this shape and she is having a hard time aligning the cancer and God's word. We have prayed that her body will be healed and strenghthed, that the cancer cells would be replaced wiht healthy cells and that she would rise up and walk again. As a group we have confessed our sins to one another as there have been some small issues that are causing us to be short with one another. We pray that God will be glorified thru all of this. Still we hold the faith - one way or the other Rita will be healed and rise to walk again. Praise God!

Dad has a book that he has actually read thru 2 times now and I do mean read all the way through! It's called "90 Minutes in Heaven." I haven't read the whole book yet just parts that he has wanted me to read but one of the basic points the author makes is that the time he spent is heaven was so undescribable and full of joy that he does not remember any thoughts of missing his earthly life and wanting to go back.

Well, time to get ready for worship. Press On toward the prize!

Ms Rock Hill Pagent

Well, Maddie came in as the first runner up in the Sophmore class for Ms Rock Hill High! There were only two candidates for the 10th grade. She and some of her friends decided they would all compete next year and it would be lots of fun then - until of course only one of them won....

How to post photos????

Okay, you're gonna have to tell me how to add pictures in the Post itself, because I can't figure it out and I really gotta go finish my homework! Ummmm...duh, I just saw the "picture button". I'll post more photos later. I think I like this....... that is Maddie with her friend Kate. Kate is the flyer - the one they throw up in the air and Maddie has to catch her!

Rita...

Just so you know, my good friend Rita has been battling breast cancer for the past year. She was in remission then it resurfaced in April. She has been through a painful struggle but has been an inspiration to all of us supporting her. She is totally relying on the Lord - her faith is such an encouragement. She has seen a remarkable improvment the last 6 weeks. She can get herself up and out of bed now. She's eating regularly - real food. Still does her "green" drink for nutrition. She is still using a wheel chair because one spot on her left leg still hurts. The best part is she has really been participating in our small group Bible Study lately. She was not able to participate for a while and the last study she was talking up a storm and sharing all kinds of insight! Praise the Lord. Please continue to pray for her healing and to overcome fear when satan attacks.

The Lord is my light and Salvation whom shall I fear? Psalm 27

Is it really November?

This year has passed so quickly! It's the Marine Corps Birthay! 232 years old! Just in case you want to read the Birthday message:

http://www.usmc.mil/comrel/120day.nsf/lejeunemessage

Here's the 2007 Birthday message from the Commandant:

http://marines.feedroom.com/?fr_story=41572ffae83e4e6c74f36168e7f9a6416818792e&rf=sitemap

I have done so much this year my head is spinning sometimes. The Lord has been whispering to me this week "Be still and know I am God". Time to listen.....

I'm worn out after this year Jan -> new semester at college - Computer Forensics & Ethical Hacking - Feb - bridal shower- & more college -> Mar - wedding of the year! If I do say so myself! -> Study for CISSP test for three months just to make sure I know what I've been doing for the past 10 years. This test was mainly a mental challenge! I took the test in June. Found out I passed 1 July! yeah.... -> July - Joe&Jess east coast wedding reception, we had a hot air balloon, wedding video, friends & family from everywhere and Fireworks! -> Aug - family vacation to Hickory Knob state park during the hottest week of the year, no kidding it was 112, 114 & 115 degrees. Even on the lake it was too hot sometimes. -> Sept - three college classes in the fall and a new job! Oh and a daughter that is a cheerleader who doesn't drive to practice and all those games yet. But she does have her permit now.

Time to slow down.....

Gotta go take one more test, do a practical, take Maddie to get her nails done for the Ms Rock Hill post - that's another story, eat breakfast, finish the laundry, get dressed, ... I know I'm forgetting something. Oh, and I've been up since 5:00 answering email and studying because I've not had time to check email since I started this new job... gotta love life.

:-}