Today was a busy but really great day. We had our 6th Annual Ladies Luncheon at our church. We had about 60 ladies total come and fellowship. This luncheon was designed to minister to the specific needs of women. The goal is of course for all to come to know Jesus Christ and grow in character. Basically, several ladies in our church volunteer to decorate and host a table of 6 ladies. We can base our table design on a scripture, inspirational song, etc. It is a lot of fun and quite a challenge. There are also 3 judges assigned to vote on the tables and appoint a 1st and 2nd place winner. All the ladies that attend vote for the "People's Choice" award. We always give out lots of door prizes, have great food catered and have a special speaker. Our speaker was Reda Cowart from OR. She and her husband do ministry in some of the ranches out west. She is a cowgirl at heart. She has been our speaker since the inception of the luncheon and is a really funny Godly woman. We had a great lesson today on being the woman God created us to be and not trying to be someone we are not called to be. It is really easy as women to look at another mother, wife, etc. and say "boy, I wish I could be as good as her at this or that". Yet God created us each with a unique personality and special gifts. It was a good reminder to relax and focus on what really matters in life: Continue to grow in the Lord through the word and time with him, walk in the gifts he has given me, and serve my family and friends. Here are some pictures of today's lunch. Love you all!
We had a nice Thanksgiving as I hope you had as well. We got together with my side of the family on Thanksgiving day to chow and enjoy each other's company. Mike's mom and sister were in MO for Thanksgiving day with his sisters in-laws so we didn't meet up with them, however, we were able to get together with Pam, his sister in Goshen, on Friday to visit. Holidays are nice reminders of how much we need each other. Love you all! :)
Me with two of my sweet cousins!
Please remember my aunt and the rest of our family in prayer. My aunt, my Dad's 63 year old sister, had breast cancer many, many years ago and had been in remission until maybe 1 1/2-2 years ago when the Dr.'s found a different form of cancer in her esophagus. They removed most of her esophagus and she hasn't been in very good health since as she couldn't hold down much food. But she has been plugging along and doing for others (specifically my grandma) with the strength she has. Last week while doing a colonoscopy the Dr.'s found a bad portion in her bowels (which we found out today was cancerous, the same kind as the breast cancer type). She immediately had a foot of intestines removed. She had been in MICU since her surgery and then her kidneys began shutting down. Yesterday they put in her a regular room and told the family to be preparing themselves. She is only on morphine right now. The hospital is just trying to make her comfortable. Last night we were at the hospital for several hours spending time with her and the rest of our family. She made it through the night but is getting worse the nurse told us this afternoon. They expect she could pass at any time. Please remember her and her children in your prayers. She is a great lady who loves the Lord very much and for that I am thankful. We were able to read some to her from her bible (which was so marked up from her studies - :)) and sing several old hymns. She would open her eyes here and there and give a smile when she liked a certain tune. She seemed to really like "God is so good". She has been a member of her church choir for many years and seemed to enjoy the singing. Today she is mainly sleeping. She isn't married so her children who are in their 30's are by her side. They have a lot on their shoulders and are very tired. Please pray strength and comfort for them. Also, remember my grandma. She is in an assisted living home (due to dementia) and my uncle was going to tell her today of Sue's health. I don't know how much she will understand today (as you never know about her mind, some days it is sharp and others it is cloudy) but I know there will be lucid moments to come when she will think of Sue and miss her coming to share time with her. Sue has been a faithful daughter for so many years.
Today was a big day for the girls, as it is Halloween which means lots of candy and dressing up to our girls. We went to a local town trick or treat, all the businesses gave out candy, then to my mom & dads house and back to our neighborhood to wrap it up. The girls are really into High School Musical so it only made sense that one would be Sharpay and one would be Gabriella. Chloe bought her outfit with her birthday money about a month ago and Lauren had her heart set on being Gabriella after she saw the outfit at Wallyworld. I broke down and bought it for her. They looked really cute and had a fun time. We are all pooped out after all the walking and candy eating so we will be turning in soon. Hope you all had a nice night too! :)
This just cracks us up! Chloe asked my dad to put on her wig and let her take his picture. He was all for it, being a good sport. Little did he know we would post it on our family blog. Ha, ha! He's such a good papa!
What a busy, yet fun day! Chloe had her quarterly awards assembly today. She made the Honor Roll for the first time. At her school, they do not qualify for Honor Roll until 2nd grade. We are proud of her hard work. Mom surprised Chloe and came to the assembly. That was a nice surprise. She has come many times in the past but we weren't expecting her today. She is a sweet Nanny. 
I thought I would share some cute pictures I took today at church. I have been camera happy lately as you can tell. I don't think I have done this many posts in one weekend before. I love keeping track of our memories. I said I wouldn't be one of those kind but I now understand better why my aunts were always snapping shots when we were little - the kids just don't stay young for long. Anyhoo........... This first picture is of my neice and Lauren before we left church. I saw them holding up their Children's Church prize and I thought wow, what simplicity - they are just enjoying the moment with their toy windmills. We love our church family. We have so many great Godly friends and elderly influences. We are blessed to be able to go to church with family too. It is so nice to know people love you, are praying for you in hard times and genuinely want you to do well in life.
