Saturday, December 27, 2008

Want to win a prize

Do you like to winning a prizes? Do you have a DS? If so, amyclary.blogspot.com is giving away 2 games from The Game Factory called Zensus. "Thoughts from the Mrs." is a really neat blog. So what do you say, why not check it out and enter?

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Silent Night????

They said it was a silent night....it might have been in the beginning.....but think about it.....There were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."


Suddenly....a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying.
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on
whom his favor rests"
How could they not be somewhat terrified? It was something they had never seen nor heard.....and yet, the Bible goes on to say:
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off.....



and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who had heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Have you found the Savior that the angels declared? If so, have you returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that you have seen and heard which were just as you have been told? Are you sharing this precious gift with others?
I truly believe that this is not the time to be silent.....but to declare the Glory of God....
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord







Monday, December 22, 2008

The hug I was waiting for




A picture speaks a thousand words. The hug I was waiting for finally came on Sunday December 21. It wasn't hard to find the redhead in the group. I had my eyes fixed on him and the minute they were dismissed, I made a beeline for him. I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I threw my arms around the neck of my 6ft 2in son a cried. I hugged him real tight ....didn't want to let him go, but there were others there who wanted to do the same.
Thank you to all who sent cards, letters and care packages! Thank you for all your prayers.
Please continue to pray for all who are still serving, especially during this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas to all

Monday, December 15, 2008

It finallly came!


The one thing I've been waiting for finally came today @9:08 pm.

It didn't come as"Unavaliable". It didn't come as"Restricted". It came "Eric's Cell". That could only mean one thing....he was finally stateside. The count down has almost reached it's end. There is light at the end of the tunnel! In a few days, I will throw my arms around the neck of my 6ft son and probably cry.

Up until this time, I have not thought of where Eric was or what he was doing. I would not allow my mind to wander. You see, when we got the call that Eric would be going to Iraq, I wrapped my arms around his neck and we just held each other. I prayed and at that moment, I placed him in God's hands. From that moment, I've been at peace. There has never been room for "What if". It strange though, since I knew they were getting ready to come home, the reality of it has been just a little overwhelming.

So, to all of you who prayed for him, Thank You! For all who wrote, or sent a package or took a phone call at odd hours, Thank You! Let us remember, that there are many more mothers and wives, for that matter, who are waiting for the call that lets them know their loved one is stateside. Let us continue to pray for them.


13 Hours on Saturday






So, how do you spend 13 hours on Saturday? First of all you have to have a plan. One that has been scheduled, so you can build the excitement by the anticipation. Then it's just a matter on carrying out the plan. In years past, the plan centered around Great Lakes Crossing. This year, however, the location was changed to Frankenmuth. After all, the Birthday Girl gets to choose how she wants to spend the day.
For the past several years, my daughter Amy & I have celebrated her Birthday by spend a day together. This year was no exception.
#1 I picked Amy up around 8 am with an Egg Nog Latte in hand.
#2 We drove to Birch Run to have breakfast at Tony's. Now, if you've every been to Tony's, you know that a side order of bacon is actually 1 lb. of bacon. Needless to say, Amy & I choose to split a Cheese Omelet. The plan was to eat at Tony's and walk it off in Frankenmuth.
#3 Drive to Bronner's. This place can be overwhelming. There are many displays to see....none so strange then the snowman holding the light up Santa face. (Maybe Amy will share the photo on her blog). When the Birthday Girl says she's had enough of Bronners, you move on.
#4 River Place was the next stop on our tour. We searched out the shops...had a few laughs..even came up with 2 cabin themes for next years CFL camp.
#5 At about 1:30 we decided to stop for lunch and headed to The Bavarian Inn. It was a 30 minute wait for a table, but worth it. We choose a Frankenmuth combo plate so we could have both chicken & sample some German food. Remember, if you eat, you must talk it off.
#6 We strolled through Frankenmuth and stopped in a few shops and made a few purchases.
It started to snow little ice pellets and the wind blew the snow off the roofs which just added to the pelting.
#7 After we picked up some flavored ground coffee at Zenders, we got in the car and headed to Birch Run to finish off the plan. We went to Phaltzgraff's to find they were having a closing sale. Yippy!!! We got some great buys. Next, we looked for our favorite store that combined The Gap, Banana Republic & Old Navy clearance, only to find it was closed. Bummer!!! Amy searched for boots, but the ones she really liked had a price that was more then she wanted to spend (Haven't we all been there?) We Checked out Pottery Barn, American Eagle & Areopostale. My mom phoned me to find out how we enjoyed our day only to find that we were still at Birch Run! Yes, at around 7:30 pm we finally headed home. The roads weren't too bad...well that is until we got on 53 near Almont. (I decided to take 75 to 69 to 53 instead of 75 to 59) 53 south was a sloooooow go Can you say 30 in a 55. The road wasn't to bad, but the lead car was an overly cautious driver. So...
#8 I dropped Amy off around 9:30 pm ( what usually take 1:30 to 1:45, took 2 hrs)and headed home.
It was a long day, but the conversation, the laughing, the food and fellowship was worth every minute of the 13 hours. I wonder what we'll do next year.




Sunday, December 14, 2008

What Inspires me?

What inspires me? This was a question from Matt Bunk's Blog post.
Well, many things inspires me. Take for instance my son Eric. He inspires me to have his favorite food on hand and the house ready for his Home Coming.
Winter inspires me to knit.
My granddaughter Sarah inspires me to sew doll clothes and dress ups.
My daughter Amy inspires me to shop.
My mom, to just take time and enjoy our Mondays together.
Pastor Bob inspires me to seek God's face.
Alieen inspires me to want an intimate relationship with God.
A good book inspires me to read more.
Sundays, after church, inspire me to rest.
Color inspires me to be creative.
Music inspire me to sing, or dance or worship.
A moment, a person or an incident can inspire me to write a scene in a play or a monologue.
A tee shirt with a slogan on it can inspire a cabin theme for next years CFL Camp.
An a reality TV show can inspire me to develope another theme for another cabin.

So Matt, I guess there is alot that inspires me. The question remains Will I act upon the inspirations?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

5 Minutes for Giveaways


Who doesn't like a giveaway? Well,
5 Minute for Moms have introduced a new site called 5 Minutes for Giveaways
So far, they have 3 giveaways listed:
#1 Kodak Digital Frame
#2 Everflo Symphony all in one Car Seat
#3 3 Disc Collection Edition of The Chronicles of
Narnia Prince Caspin.
Check it out and while your there, enter. Also check out their other site shown on the sidebar.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

New Layout