John 21, Part I, His Eyes on Us

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A Miracle of Prayer

On July 17th you all began praying for my friend Judy who is in the end stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her white blood cell count was threateningly low and her doctors were on the verge of putting her on last resort medications that are very harmful to the body.  Many of you began to faithfully lift Judy to the throne of God and I am happy to tell you He has heard and responded to each of your prayers!

Judy's lab result was astounding.  Her white blood cell count was a fabulous 5.4, the highest it's been in nine years!  Clearly God moves in profound ways when His children call upon His holy name. Thank you for praying for Judy and please continue to pray for her and her dear family. After church we took this picture to celebrate the occasion.

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done."

Psalm 105:1

Clownin' Around

Yesterday our church, Abundant Life Baptist,  had its annual complimentary carnival. Everyone from all around is invited to come and all the food, games, and rides are completely free of charge. It's a wonderful outreach program and the turn out yesterday was by far the biggest we've ever had.

Jimmy spent the day photographing the event, so Dani and I mingled about on our own. When we arrived we found Jimmy at a booth taking pictures of kids with the clowns. Dani almost never smiles for a picture, but smiling wasn't a problem when she saw the clowns. Their colorful outfits made her day. (See more pictures at Jimmy's blog.)

Who says Christians don't have fun!

A Day with My Two Guys

Jimmy is on vacation this week and flashing pictures right and left. He came along with me Wednesday to take my dad home from Bible study and run errands. After taking some pictures of dad at church, we went to Wal Mart, ate lunch at Wendy's, and enjoyed a little photo shoot at his home. 

I forgot to ask dad 

if he deliberately wore pants to match the sky.

Grandpa and Dani on the swing.

Dani's left shoe is somewhere in the shadows.

This is my brother's dog Cooper. 

His eyes are locked on his mama who was driving up to the house.

He abandoned the scene seconds after this shot.

For more pictures of our day see Jimmy's Blog     

Where Were You When the Lights Went ON?

Last Christmas we hung white lights on our deck and soon discovered we not only loved the look but the function as well. We were potty training Ecclesiastes at the time and it was a tremendous help to be able to see at 3am. Eventually the lights burned out, the summer gave us more daylight hours, and potty training was complete.

But things have shifted. With fall approaching and the sun going down earlier each evening, Ecclesi was beginning to have trouble maneuvering around. Ducking and dodging at shadows from the porch light, it was clear he needed a little help. So off to the store we went to purchase more lights and...whala...we're ready for winter.

We had a blast decorating the deck at night!

Disappointment

Home Study Notes (Click Here)

A Sad September 11

Jimmy and I had the sad occasion to photograph our friends' infant who died in the womb just weeks before the due date.  We were requested by the family to come and it was our gift to help them remember their precious little girl. It was a heart wrenching experience Jimmy wrote about in his photography blog.  

Please pray for this family.  They know the Lord but are amidst great grief.  The funeral is Monday and Jimmy's work will be on display to honor little Emersyn.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." 

Psalm 23:1-6

R & R Giveaway!

If you are interested in a giveaway, and who isn't, Cheryl at Cheryl's R & R is giving away a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble (yum) and your choice of two devotional books (yummy yum yum.) 

The giveaway lasts until October 1st, so hurry on over and pay her a visit! She's a wonderful Christian writer.  You'll be blessed. (Look for her September 7th post.)

Gathering Daisies

God's gifts abound and He's given us much to enjoy in these golden daisies that grow on the bank of the creek behind our home. Dani had a nice time cutting a few.

Like many Autistics Dani rarely looks (or smiles) directly at the camera,

but she was having a good time.

~~~~~~~

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*If you take advantage of the OLM's weekly devotions, please take a moment to participate in our poll. We are here to serve you and value your opinion.

"Followers" and a Poll

I just noticed on my blog dashboard that I had "4 Followers." This was something I'd never seen before and naturally wondered who they were. I was pleasantly surprised to see they are some of my favorite bloggers, so I added the gadget, widget or whatever you call it to this page and lo and behold their cute little icons appeared above my picture.  Now, how quaint is that?

So, here's an invitation to all my favorite bloggers. If you'd like to join the crowd just click "FOLLOW THIS BLOG" and make my day. These little icons are not only a great advertisement for your blog, since they link directly to your page, but they make it oodles easier for me to make my rounds to your blogs. This is almost as good as sliced bread!

OLM Poll - If you are a follower that watches OLM's weekly video devotions, please take our poll just below the "Followers" list.  We are here to serve you and value your opinion.

Silence is Golden

Home Study Notes (Click Here)

Sad End to Summer

We closed the pool and Ecclesiastes is a little sad.

Another Award

I recieved this award from Dr. Barbara Boucher, a highly gifted OT and PT therapist. Thank you Barbara!

Here are the rules:
1. Mention the blog that gave it to you.
2. Publish these rules.
3. Share six values that are important to you and six things you do not support.
4. Grant the prize to six people.

What I value: 

1. The Triune God
2. The Holy Scripture
3. Family
4. Human Rights
   
5. Others Opinions
6. Chocolate!

What I do not support:

1. Violence
2. Disrespect
3. Oppression
4. Cheating
5. Mockery
6. Laziness

I pass this award on to:

The Olson's

Melanie

Linda

Truth4thejourney

TammyR

Francine

Scary Photo Shoot

When I was a little girl we had a train track behind our home. Our backyard was spacious, quiet and private, except for the occasional freight train that thundered by on route to who knows where. 

I loved having a train in my back yard. We would swing on the swing while trying to count the number of train cars and then walk the tracks to see what we could find along the long desolate path. Mom told us to never walk on the tracks because trains could "sneak up" on us if we weren't paying attention. I thought this was an old wives' tale and did it anyway...until one day it happened. I'll never forget the chill of hearing the engine's horn and turning around to see that huge monster hot on our heels!

Jimmy knows I don't like to piddle around train tracks. We did a photo shoot on the tracks once before, but I was too tense for either of us to enjoy it. During the Labor Day holiday, however, he wanted to try it again.  With two tripods, Dani, and Ecclesiastes in tow, I teetered on the rails and tried to have fun for the camera, while checking each direction every 20 seconds or so. 

Then it happened. Moments after these pictures were taken I did my bi-directional safety check and low behold rounding the bend was a humongous train.  Over its blaring horn I yelled, "There's a train! Get off the traaacks!" Frantically we ripped the tripods, child, and dog off the tracks and huddled together in a ball just 10 feet from the train as the wind current blew us to bits. Ecclesiastes was scared to death, so I covered his ears while Jimmy held him still.  Needless to say we survived, but I will never be talked into piddling on railroad tracks again.

It's good to be alive!

Bloop! Bloop!

Ah..... Autumn

Oh how I love autumn in Kansas City. The sun glistens on the dewy grass in the morning and the air is crisp, cool, and refreshing. It's a wonderful reprieve from the sweltering days of summer.

About this time I get a hankerin' to put out my fall decorations. Pumpkins, scarecrows, and apple scented soap dispensers. It's all so fun. This time of the year lifts my spirit so much I even enjoyed poop scooping this morning!  

Here's a little of what I enjoy. (minus the poo)

Just bought this wagon wheel at Michael's.

I love my apple scented soap dispensers,

 but the soap is scarce as hen's teeth.  

You have to buy new pumpkins to get more soap.  

I figured there's more than one way to skin a cat, 

which I'd never do cause I love cats, 

so I bought Bath and Body's Christmas soap last year 

to put in my pumpkins this year.

Talk about planning ahead.

Here's a kitty/pumpkin night-light made from a gourd.

You can't see it but he has whiskers.

Enjoy the new season ladies.  Refresh your soul with the word of God as you breath in His sweet sweet Spirit. I love you all and pray for you each day. Some of you are going through difficult times, while others are struggling with a change of season. Both instances are difficult I know.  I've lived through many seasons and been stuck in some for a what seemed like a lifetime. Please know that God is at work wherever you are.  He's planting, watering, and cultivating His fruit in you. Enjoy your season and savor the moment for one day this too shall pass.

Also, please allow me to apologize for not being able to visit your blogs each week as I used to.  I am very busy writing, taping, and teaching, but here's the deal. My goal is to visit a few blogs one week and visit others the next, kind of like a rotating schedule type thing.  If by chance, however, you post something that you feel would be of particular interest to me, let me know and I'll visit right away.  I don't want to miss a thing.

Before I forget I have to tell you something that keeps happening to me. Whenever I'm out and about I will often pass a lady that makes me think of one of you. If she looks like the picture on your icon, it's all I can do to keep myself from grabbing her arm and saying "Hi!  I'm Nancy.  Your blog buddy!"  I've never done this. Instead, I smile as I think of you and say a prayer on your behalf.  You truly enrich my life.

Blessings!

The Counselor

Home Study Notes (Click Here)

Birthday Boys

There is 1 in 365 chances of your husband's birthday being the same day as your dog's. Slim odds but that's what happened in our family. Jimmy hit the big 5-0 and Ecclesiastes turned one today! Here's a few pictures of my two peas in a pod.

Ecclesiastes also participated in a new 2008 Summer Olympic event.  

Encouragement

Home Study Notes (Click Here)

Something's New

I got something new.

Can you find it?

Look close...

Hint: It holds hot stuff that wakes me up in the morning.

Yepper!  

There she is...my new mug!

Isn't she a beaut?

Cheers!

(Little things make me happy)