Chocolate and a lot of laughs

It's always a privilege to get together with Christian lady's who share the same values and concerns as you do. Last night was our first Women of Worth meeting of the season. The theme was "Friends and Chocolate." We had a great turnout and the best little chocolate desserts. Here's a highlight of the evening.

1. We had a silent Auction. I took some little pictures for the bathroom with teddy bears and they sold. I bid on several items but I only won one of them - a puzzle for Tricia.

2. We did our annual Secret Pal sign up. This is the first time I have been involved with SP here. I had done it several times at other Church's and I'm really looking forward to it with this church.

3. We also had the opportunity to sign up for a ministry. There were several listed and I signed up for three -Secret Pal, Sunshine Baskets and Dorm Refreshments. I'm going to be busy...lol.

4. We were also asked to pick a time for a 15min prayer time for our Nation and the upcoming elections. I chose a time to pray but I may have to do it on the run chasing Katie...lol. It's the effort that counts, right???

5. Mrs. Mary Duren had a wonderful devotion about how our lives should be a sweet savor to God. Her devotional was so encouraging.

6. And last but definitely not least, we had the CHOCOLATES!! I love chocolate!! I have some pictures so you can see how delicious they looked and I can tell you they were scrumptious.

The fellowship was so encouraging. Tom and I have been here for going on five years and we are just now feeling like we actually belong. Sometimes in a church this size it's hard to get to know everyone. We are slowly getting to know more people. That is a blessing.

There were several ladies who sat at our table. Here are some pictures.

Brenda Robinson, Sue Pittman,Cindy Cox and Cheryl LeBeu

Tammy Joslin, Eileen Gerard and Tiffany Peters

Gale Wheatcraft, Brenda Robinson and Sue Pittman. Sisters enjoying chocolate.

Some of the decorations.

Now for the chocolates...

Peanut Butter Reese Cups

Chocolate Cupcakes with a strawberry on top drizzled with chocolate sauce

These were cupcakes and I don't remember what kind. They were delicious.

These were brownies with a raspberry sauce drizzled on them.

The decorations were done by Bev Waits. She always does a wonderful job. Talitha Bolsum made all of the chocolate treats. Very talented.

We had a wonderful time and nobody counted calories. Isn't that fantastic?? We just enjoyed the fellowship with our friends and ate lots of chocolate!!

Admiring God's handiwork

I was up at the crack of dawn (not literally) getting Tricia ready for school and I glanced out the kitchen window to see this....

I ran to the bedroom for my housecoat and camera so I could capture this scene. This is the sunrise coming up over the ocean. How can anyone claim that there is no God. Only an Omnipotent power could create something so breathtaking.

Those special moments

I'm always amazed when I see a small child experience the joy of a "first." It doesn't matter if it's something simple like the smell of a flower of something really big like Niagara Falls. The reaction is still the same - wonder, amazement, excitement. Such was the case with Katie.

My friend Tiffany had stopped in to use my computer and she had her MP3 with her. We don't have an MP3 player and don't have a need for those tiny little earphones that come with it. Katie had played with my headset that I use with the computer but they are big and she had never had them on with a sound coming from them. She started playing with Tiff's earphones and so Tiffany turned on her music and put the earphone in Katie's ear. Her brown eyes got as big as a silver dollar. She was so amazed that she was hearing music from those tiny little ear phones. I had to capture the moment to show to all of you. Tiffany had some children's songs downloaded on it for her little girl and Katie had a blast listening to them sing. I thought it was so cute and wanted to share with you. What do you think??

New post to Yahoo 360

Posted a new blog at my Yahoo 360 with new pictures. Stop by and see.


http://360.yahoo.com/profile-pzxTZvsibqhhdP4gfQYurV_6ER0aOA--?cq=1

The Virtuous Woman

This past Sunday morning we studied about a Virtuous Woman during Sunday School. I have been reading the passages suggested to go along with this theme and last nights was so good. It was about Esther. WOW!! What a lady!! I am always impressed when I read about her. Some of the points that I got from the passage I read last night are really good. I thought maybe I would share some of them with you.

1. Esther was just a simple yet beautiful girl who had lost both father and mother. She was being raised by her Uncle Mordecai. They were Jews who loved the God of Israel more than themselves. APPLICATION: May I always love the Lord more than anything. May I always put Him first in my heart and life as Esther did.

2. Esther was kindhearted and loved above all of the maidens. She also found favour in the site of the King. APPLICATION: May I always find favour in the site of my Savior. May I always hear Him say "Well done" to me. May my attitude and actions show kindness and love to all I come in contact with.

3. Just because Esther became Queen she did not turn her back on her people or the God she loved and served. APPLICATION: Help me Lord to remember that no matter how important I may become in the worlds eyes, to never lose sight of my heavenly goal or the heritage that I am so blessed with. To always remain true to YOU!!

4. Esther stood for what she believed in and did now cower down when she was needed the most. APPLICATION: Lord help me to stand strong for what I believe in and to not cower before Satan. Help me to not be afraid to be the witness I should be and to stand up for what I know is right even if it's a risk to me.

5. Esther came into the presence of the King not really sure if she would be accepted. She came because she knew that her people were counting on her to make a difference. APPLICATION: Help me to come into the presence of Jesus unafraid with an open heart ready to be accepted. Ready to go out and make a difference in the world around me. To bring others to YOU in prayer. UNAFRAID!! READY TO RECEIVE!!

I don't know about you ladies, but I believe that Esther was a Virtuous Woman whose heart belonged to God. Above all of the riches that she was now a part of, she did not leave God behind but kept her heart in tune with HIM!!

God help me to be this kind of woman!!

God still answers prayer!!

Saturday was a day for running. I hate to shop, but we had to go and get some shopping done despite my feelings of dread and doom. We were going to find Tricia a new pair of church shoes and hopefully a pair of sandals that would fit Katie's fat foot...lol. When we left the house that morning, it was just me and Katie. Tricia had ridden in the truck with daddy and they were to meet us for breakfast. As most of you Moms know, sometimes it is hard to pray on a Saturday morning. Every one's home and like them you want to sleep in a little yourself. So I hadn't had time for prayer before leaving so I prayed while driving down the street. I told the Lord that my girls both needed some shoes and could He help us to find a bargain today. We had an unexpected dentist bill this payday and things were a little tight. I knew that to purchase an expensive pair of shoes was out of the question. We headed for Rack Room Shoes and found nothing. We decided to try Payless Shoes and we were able to find a pair of sandals for Katie. They were only $7.00 regularly $14.99. We found the same pair in a size 13 for Tricia but she just didn't have any growing room. So we weren't able to get her a pair of shoes. That store did not have a big selection either.

Later that evening after being disappointed about Tricia's shoes, I received a phone call from a friend who happened to clean out her daughters shoes. She had two pair of shoes that she wanted to give me. I was so excited because she mentioned that they were almost brand new and Tricia could wear them to church. I never dreamed they would be this nice.

These are Tricia's old shoes. She loved these so much because they "click-clacked" when she walked. She wore them almost every church day. We told her she would have to stop wearing them because her feet were almost out on the ground. Not to mention we couldn't find another pair like them. She was really disappointed.

These are the shoes that our friend gave us. Look at the heels. They are "click-clack" heels...lol. Tricia wore them around the house dancing and clicking through the living room. She likes them a lot.

These are the sandals we found for Katie at Payless Shoes. They fit really well and what a bargain.

So, I'm here to tell you that God still answers our prayers. And sometimes our wants. We really found a "bargain" thanks to Jesus.

Grandparents Chapel and lunch

On September 12th my mom was privileged to attend the annual Grandparents Day Chapel and to eat lunch with Tricia. Tricia was in 9th heaven...heeheehee. She had a blast. My mom said that she had a wonderful time also. The lunch was good and I took Tricia's favorite to her from McD's. I did get a couple of pictures to show you. We only wish that Grandma and Grandpa Wheatcraft could have been here for this special day. We miss you and love you Grandma and Grandpa Wheatcraft. I get my turn on the 25th to enjoy lunch with Tricia. I'm looking forward to it.




Getting Tricia to smile and look at the camera is almost impossible. Her big smile says it all.
Grandma was looking very nice as usual. They had chicken sandwiches with fruit, salad and cookies. She is a diabetic and didn't need the cookies but she had her treat anyways.

They sure had a lot of fun. I am so glad that Tricia had one of her Grandma's with her.

I was never privileged to have a grandparent with me for special occasions. My grandma on Mom's side passed away when I was a young girl and we hardly saw my step-dad's mom. So I am really thankful that Tricia has one of her Grandparents living this close. Grandparents hold such a special place in our hearts.

Thanks Grandma for going to Chapel and lunch with Tricia. We love you!!!