Home Again, Home Again...

We are very thankful that our "ladies" (Sis Barbara and Arlene) returned safely home to us! I for one am thankful they are back for several reasons...LOL The first being, of course, that we missed them in our services and all their funny antics :0)...second, thougth is that we missed them GREATLY on the piano and organ!! Now that they are back things will go more smoothly in the song service I'm sure. LOL On a more serious note, however, we are thankful that they made the trip home safely... that is a LONG trip!

In other news, we had another visit last night from our deer "family"! All five of them were back in the yard and didn't seem as spooked this time when we went out to take more pictures. I didn't post those because I forgot to download them to my USB...maybe tomorrow...

Pictures!

We got a visit from some more deer last night in the neighbors yard... there were 5 altogether!

This one was sort of the ring leader and when she left the rest went with her...

We took these just for fun...

A Visit From the Copes

I mentioned in my last post that Bro and Sis Cope would be at our church on Sunday night. Well, now I can give you an update on how it all went. First of all, Sunday morning was quite an "exciting" time...our kids were more hyper than usual, however, we were glad to see an increase in number. We also had a girl come that hasn't been here in almost a year! Thank the Lord!

Sunday evening the Copes arrived at our house around 4:30 PM and we got to visit a little bit before the service. Bro Ron picked up the "girls" for us so we didn't have to leave our company. (Thank you again Bro Ron!) Bro Cope preached a wonderful message and the Lord really helped in the service! Sister Cope was also a wonderful blessing and played the piano for us! They spent the night with us and left monday morning after breakfast. We had a really good visit with them and they were a blessing to the church people as well. They have alot of responsibility on their shoulders, so lets remember to keep them in our prayers! Anyone with a position like that, no matter the denomination, needs our prayer support. It is easy to just let them carry the load alone, but we need to do our part to support them in prayer.

Weekend Buzz

Well, I admit, the last couple of days have been a little busy around our house! This weekend is going to just get busier though... not that I'm complaining -but just stating the facts. The last few days I've been cleaning the guest room in preparation for Rev. and Mrs. Cope's visit on Sunday night. Also, yesterday Bro Bobby came over and fixed my stove for me because I was down to one working burner! LOL So far so good! :0) Today we called on our kids; and are going to make a few other calls before grocery shopping for the last minute details that I'll need for Sunday. Bro Cope will be speaking in the evening service on Sunday and they will be spending the night with us. I'll let you all know how it all went on monday!

Visit from Home!

Me, Luke, mom and dad

Me and mom

My cute lil' mom and dad :0)

My parents finished a revival in Indiana and decided to spend a few days with us before heading home. We were thrilled because we hadn't seen them since Christmas! They left Indiana Sunday night and travelled all night long (10 1/2 hours) to get here by monday morning. They knew if they waited til monday to travel they would only get one day with us so they opted to travel through the night! I couldn't have done that I don't think but they did; and to beat it all they only slept for 2 hours before going on with the day! They're so funny! We had a really nice visit though despite the weather...it was rainy and chilly most of their visit. However, we still took them to Short Pump area and the mall there to show them around. We spent our evenings hanging around the house and playing games. They left this morning and that always is hard... I hate saying goodbyes!!! It helps I suppose that we'll be seeing them again in a few weeks though...

More Food, Fun and Fellowship!

Last night we had Ron, Kate and Victoria Garis over for pizza and games. Yes, for those of you who read my last post we did have pizza 2 nights in a row...I CAN explain... LOL Because of work schedules and so on, we weren't sure exactly what time they would be able to come over so I planned something that would be easy to warm up if necessary...so, that's why we ended up having pizza two nights in a row...anyhow, we had a lot of fun and enjoyed the fellowship! We ended up playing "Would You Rather?" with them as well since they had never played it before. My hubby ended up the winner this time so he was pretty happy about that! LOL It is always a blessing to get to fellowship with our Church people...

Food, Fun, and Fellowship

Last night we had James and Rachel and little Hannah over to our house for pizza. We had a nice visit with them and even attempted to play a game! LOL Hannah didn't enjoy the game too much, however, so I'm not sure if her mommy did either (even though she won! ) :0). We played the "Would You Rather?" game with them. For those of you who have no idea what that is... it is a game that Glenn Beck advertised before Christmas and so I bought it for my hubby. Really hard to explain but it is fun once you get started. I didn't take any pictures, thus I have none to post, because I didn't want to bother the already disgruntled hannah! :0) I think she thinks I'm the papparazzi! LOL So I thought I'd give her a little break this time around...So, sorry to those who would like to see more pics! Maybe next time! :0)

Taking Baby Steps and Giant Leaps!

Yesterday was a busy day for us as usual...But it was extra busy for me (at least more than usual) because I had to play the piano since the ladies are gone up North...As you all know, me and the piano don't get along too well...However, I am trying to fill in where I'm needed. So, that landed me on the piano bench yesterday. The Lord is helping though; and I want to give him all the praise for the progress that he has helped me to make... I still have a LONG way to go but I feel it is important to thank Him for every "baby step" He has helped me to make.
It looks like I will be doing our VBS this year...which is sort of an overwhelming thought (the giant leap I made reference to in the title...)! However, Sister Crystal gave me a program yesterday (that she had received in the mail) to look over, and I think I will end up using that for this year. It will be based around the theme of the Good Shepherd. So, if you have any song ideas or ANY ideas that you would be willing to share with me, please do! :0) This will be my first time for doing a VBS so I am a little apprehensive about the whole thing... This year has been one "first" after another though, so I am learning to take things in stride! LOL
I also have a special unspoken request that I would appreciate you all praying about...I can't give any details, but the Lord knows all about it and He is able to take care of the need.

A Few More Snow Pictures

Someone's goose that was out enjoying the snow in our yard! LOL

Front yard

The Back yard

Our Shed

Snow Pictures!

Ok I promised pictures of our beautiful snow...so here they are! We should've gotten out and built a snowman but we didn't... I did call and ask Sis Barbara and Sis Arlene if they wanted to get out and have a snowball fight and build a snowman with us but they declined this time... :0) They are so cute! :0)

Snow at last!!

On top of our already exciting weekend, we had added excitement when we got a "big" snowstorm! I put big in parentheses because its actually a average size snow storm if you live up north; but for Virginia its BIG! :0) I took lots of pictures of it--it was absolutely gorgeous; but of course I forgot to transfer them to my USB so I could bring them to the library to post them...so, I'll try to get that done for tomorrow.

Continued...

Bro. Steve sliding across our kitchen floor. LOL

Sis Arlene, Bro Ron and Sis Kate

Sis Barbara and Sis Arlene with their "dates" :0) They are so adorable! :0)

Sis Sutley

Little Hannah

Here are more pictures from the Church party...

Church Get -Together

Bro. Bobby, Bro. Steve and Sis. Jane ann

Our Full Kitchen! :0)

Sis Barbara, Sis Kate and Nathan

Sis Arlene and Hannah (our newest parishoner :0) )

This was what the table looked like before it was covered with food! :0)

Wow! What a busy weekend! But it was a good time of fellowship with our church people. Saturday night we had the whole church over for a belated "valentine party". We wanted to do this around Christmas time, however, everyone had a busy schedule around that time so we opted for this. I made sloppy joes, a cake, punch and tea and provided chips and dip; and everyone else brought a myriad of WONDERFUL tasting treats and snacks! It was a really fun time for all of us, and it was nice to get to fellowship with our people.