Catching up....

Boy do I have some to do! It may take me several post to get everything in I want to tell!


First let me update on the Johnson Family http://www3.caringbridge.org/nc/levijohnson/. Their son Caleb, who I wrote about previously, passed away last Wednesday around 7:00pm. We were actually praying for him at Bible Study around that same time. This is one incredible family and if you have the time, read a little about them on their website, and then be sure to say a prayer for them as they continue this journey with their other son Levi.


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Now, as far as our vacation. We had a very enjoyable time. We saw more dolphins than I had ever seen before. They are so neat to watch--so playful! Frank was jet skiing in the ocean one of the days and they were right beside him! I got some pictures, but my "big" lens wasn't cooperating with me, so they didn't come out well. Anyway, I will share some of our family pics and such with you. Hope you enjoy!

I will try to add a few more later...

Happy Father's Day!

Sleeping and snoring in his favorite chair....that is what my hubby is doing on his special day! And I am sure that is exactly how he wants it!

We went to church this morning. James taught on the Lord's Supper and then we took communion in a little bit different way than we ever had. We set tables up for families to sit at and had all the elements at each table. It was a very intimate setting and everyone really enjoyed it I think. Mari Cate was thrilled because this was the first time she got to participate in the Lord's Supper.

Afterward we went to a Chinese Buffet for lunch with my parents. It was nice for them to come to church with us and to get to spend part of Father's Day with them too.

To all the Father's out there....I hope you have a wonderful relaxing day with your family!

A Heavy Heart

Our vacation was very nice and I will tell all later, but right now I have a very heavy heart for some friends from church. They have too boys who have a disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy (a disease that affects the muscles of your body among other things). One of the boys is about 13 and the other is about 3. The youngest son has had a stem cell transplant and bone marrow transplant is doing a little better at this time but in the hospital at Duke University. The mom lives in Duke at a hospital apartment with other family "filling in" to help her. The dad and the other son live here in Cleveland, with visits back and forth, which must be terribly exhausting on everyone. It has been this way since November 2006 (I think--maybe before).

Anyway, the oldest son Caleb, was flown by helicopter last week to our local children's hospital because he stopped breathing. They released him, but he had to be flown back last night because he again stopped breathing. At this time, he is on a ventilator and with fever. They believed he has had some seizures also. A local business man made arrangments to have the uncle flown to Duke to stay with Levi and bring the mom back to be with Caleb.

Please pray for this family. They have stood on God's word and His promises throughout these two boys lifetime. Only God knows what His will is for Caleb and Levi, but I pray that no matter what He will hold the family close to Him for strength, wisdom in decisions, grace, and mercy.

Here is there website if you would like to check out more information.
http://www.caringbridge.org/nc/levijohnson/

I am running out of time!

We leave for vacation in 4 days and I have not even begun to think about what I am taking! I always prepare for vacation like 2-3 weeks ahead of time! At least by making lists of what we need!

So today, the kids and I are going to start getting some things together...can't wait to share pictures of the vacation!

Rain, Rain, Rain...

We need some! I think it has been at least a month and a half since it has rained...seriously! Today we got just a sprinkling...enough to make it steamy feeling outside. We so desperately need the rain though. Our grass is already turning brown--this doesn't normally happen until August! Please pray for rain for our area and the Georgia area which is also experiencing severe drought conditions.

I like the juicy part Mom

Mari Cate is a tomato lover!! Especially little grape tomatoes! She can eat the whole little basket in one setting--if we will let her!!

Strawberry Jam

Today I attempted Homemade Strawberry Jam. I made 6 small jars of it and it looks wonderful (see pics) so tomorrow I will see how it tastes! My son was laughing at me today making all these new goodies and said I was becoming Amish (this is still fresh in his mind from our visit to the Amish Community last weekend). I take that as a very high compliment. I would love to be able to be content in a simpler life such as the Amish. Although personally, it looks like they work much harder than I will ever or have ever worked in my life. That is the contentment that I strive towards....