Chritopher's birthday party

CHRISTOPHER"S BIRTHDAY PARTY
Brittany was able to pull of a huge surprise birthday party for Christopher last night.  He was surprised.  The theme was Star Wars.  Bob and I know nothing of Star Wars but enjoyed the party.  Amy Moller,  Lonnie, Stephanie K. and their three children John, Katie, and Gracie were there, Dawn , Wally Sjogren and Rod Persson, Julie and Robert Van Zandt. and the children..  Also got to hold Brittany's youngest Josiah till he fell asleep. 

Things I have been doing and places I've been

Hi,
WOW I have not written for a while. I went to visit Violet (in New London) again for about 12 days. She is assistant manager of a Coffee House in the neighboring town (Spicer). The manager went on vacation while I was there. Violet was in full charge and put in twelve hour days. She allowed me to help some. It was fun and I enjoyed the other ladies who work there on a regular schedule. While I was there they had a fire at their home. That was quite the experience. They will have to be out of their house for at least two months. Two rooms will need to be gutted and restored, water, & smoke damage throughout the house. Praise The Lord NO one or animals were hurt or died in the fire.
Then yesterday after the Tuesday A. M. Bible study I attend locally five of us ladies went on a shopping trip. We picked up some sandwiches at a Hardees somewhere between here and Sioux Falls, S.D. and ate those in the car. Now you already know that four older ladies and one younger lady together in a car spells FUN,LAUGHTER,& CONVERSATION. We went to allot of places our small towns around here don't have. Then we went to a Texas Roadhouse restaurant for supper. We got back home about 9:45. I had awoke at 4:15 so I was really tired, but had a GREAT time!
I also am continuing to knit prayer shawls. I purchased yarn yesterday to knit a baby blanket and cap for a young couple in our church expecting their first child.

Friends

Isn't it great to have friends. I want to tell you about one of my friends, (Nila). Wednesday afternoon Nila called and asked if she could come over for tea. I said yes, then she said, but I'm not done so I said yes. She asked if she could bring Lue, and Linnea with. I said of course and then she said I just took two pans of cinnamon buns out of the oven and I'll bring one pan with. They all came and we had such a wonderful time of fellowship. I love all these ladies. They are a part of a Bible study group I attend on Tuesday mornings here in town. I'm glad my friend felt comfortable enough with our friendship that she could do that.

HI & HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I'm only 14 days late. I do hope this year will bring peace to this world.
A couple days ago my hubby and I watched a Daniel O'Donnell DVD I purchased at one of his concerts. I love his singing. He has a couple songs which have become favorites with me. The first one "My Forever Friend" speaks of my friend, Jesus.
He is an ever lasting friend. He will never leave me. I wish I could share all the words to this song, but it is copyrighted so don't think I can. Also he sings
"Footsteps" This song is about Jesus footsteps walking with me. I can't always see them, but He is always there with me. He doesn't change like weather. Google or use swag bucks search type in: you tube Daniel O'Donnell and the name of both these songs and you can hear and see the lyrics. I'm so glad I know this friend and He walks with me everyday and He is here whether it is a good day or a bad day. He is an AWESOME God!!!

Vacation

We recently came back from a vacation with our son and his family. We also visited some friends in Tennessee while on our way to Georgia. Had some car problems. We saw some very beautiful country. Was sad because our daughter was not able to join us. We are glad that she has recently started a full time job after being off work for well over a year because of health problems.

Friends, Windmills & Hog barns

This story actually starts about two years ago. We moved to this area and there is a large number of wind mills that generate electricity. Now my hubby and I expressed a interest to know more about them. A gentlemen that attends the church that we were attending invited us to join him at a banquet which was given for all the land owners who have these windmills on their property. There was a speaker and we became more interested. At that meeting we toured one site of a finished windmill. Very interesting. Now they have started building another area of wind mills. I believe there are to be 67 in this group. I think it is 97 in the first group. Last Wednesday, July 21st Keith and Linda (the gentlemen & his wife) I before mentioned invited us to go for ice cream with them. We have become good friends with them. Anyway Keith took us to six different sites where windmills are at various stages of being build. When we went for ice cream I expressed I wished I had pictures to show our kids, who we will visit soon. Keith said buy a throw away camera and he would take us back to get pictures before we went to the kids. Well today Keith called and said he could do that this evening. It is so interesting and educational to see this on the site rather than in a video. Keith and his two sons have seven windmills on their join properties. They are to have two more build on their properties soon.
The lady that does my hair is married to one of Keith & Linda's son. The son's have the hog barns. They have 3,000 hogs. Anyway the night we went for ice cream I was asking Keith about the hog operation. Tonight he took us to two of the barns. One of them is empty right now because they sold the thousand pigs that were housed in it. It was totally fascinating to learn of the operation and everything involved. We talked about hog production, hog farm practices, of hog farming, heating, waste management, standard of keeping yourself sterile while working with the hogs, cooling, cleaning etc. Each of their barns have a shower which is required before entering the area with the hogs. Also they have a washer and dryer and when you finish chores you wash the clothes and they must take another shower before leaving the barn. You never go from one barn to the next without showering. We were very impressed. My hubby and I grew up on farms and are really enjoying being in a small town surrounded by beautiful farms.

Holiday, Friends

We celebrated the 4 Th today. Our neighbor and we grilled out. Try this recipe sometime.
Two pounds ground round
One package Lipton onion soup
One cup grated cheddar cheese
One/Fourth cup barbecue sauce
Mixed very well and grill
ENJOY
We will attend our worship service tomorrow morning. So thankful for that freedom.
We won't be seeing any live fire works tomorrow evening. We will watch a couple programs of them tomorrow evening.
I'm baking six dozen cookies to take to church for Bible school this up coming week.
We hope you have a safe & fun July 4 Th. Don't forget to worship.

Grilling out

I purchased a large package of pork chops on special . Tonight our neighbor lady (Patty) grilled them on her grill and we had a huge feast. We borrowed a lawn table from another neighbor (Tom & Maureen) and sat out and enjoyed the beautiful weather and lovely meal. Sharing food is so much fun. We sat out long and listened to the birds and watched fire flies. Oh the joys of summer. Each season has its own beauty.

Gospel Concert

Tonight we attended sundaes in the park. We didn't purchase a sundae, but we really enjoyed the free concert. Jon Schafer a local singer sang. We have his CD. He is really good. He also gave the testimony of how he came to the Lord and how anyone can receive the Lord. What a blessing.
After the concert we went for a walk with our neighbor lady and her dog Gracie.

Things I'm Doing

Garden
This morning I made a trip to the greenhouse to get new tomato plants and pepper plants. Our other plants froze so replanted. We do have apples on both of our trees. Tonight hubby will spray the trees then will have to do it every couple weeks. We are working on a project will tell you more about it when we finish. It involves more work than we thought it would, however we like what we are seeing. Will be nice when finished. Our neighbor's Tom & Maureen gave us a small bird bath so our feather friends are happy with that. We hope you all have a safe special holiday.

Christian Fellowship, Cleaning, Friends

This week has been a fun week so far. I invited a friend to go for coffee yesterday (Wednesday) morning. We had such sweet fellowship around our Lord. Then she invited me to go to a neighboring town. We got a lot done that we each needed to do. We laughed a lot. Aren't friends wonderful. Tuesday I attended a Bible study with other ladies and my husband attended a Men's Fellowship. This morning our YAH group (Young AT Heart) meets. We roll bandages for missionaries. How blessed I am to have friends and Christian Fellowship. I praise God for both. Now when this afternoon arrives I need to get down to some cleaning. I got my ironing and laundry all caught up, but in this past week I have found three dust bunnies. (That's bad news) Yesterday a neighbor helped my husband lift two window air conditioners into place.

Arranging A Urn

This afternoon I went to a town near us and at Wal-Mart I choice flowers to arrange in a urn I purchased last fall for my brothers grave near here. When I got home I thought I would ask Maureen, a friend and neighbor if she could help me. She was excited to help and her husband helped with his special saw to cut the styrofoam to put the flowers in. He also helped with putting white rocks in the urn then Maureen with only a small amount of help by myself arranged the flowers. I wasn't sure how many flowers to purchase so Maureen added some baby breath and red roses to fill in. Then we put Spanish moss on top of the rocks. It is beautiful.

Curio Cabinet

Last Saturday our friends, Tom & Maureen gave me a beautiful lighted curio cabinet. I now have placed my clown collection in it. I like to step in that room turn its light on and remember where each of the clowns came from. Wonderful memories of days we travelled to different areas. Also memories of old friends who gave me several of the clowns and our new friends that gave me the curio cabinet.

Friends
Make new friends,
but keep the old.
Some are silver,
the others are gold.
New made friendship,
is like new wine.
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendship that have stood the test
time and change are surely best.

Christmas Cards & Christmas Letters

I love this time of year we set a side to celebrate Jesus birth. People seem to have a quieter, happier, peaceful spirit. Perfect strangers greet each other with Merry Christmas. We live in a small town. (love it) If someone brushes against you in a store they smile and say excuse me. (Why can't it be like that all year) Also we love hearing from all our family, & friends. We have lived in six different states in our married life. We keep in touch with many people from the different areas. How absolutely wonderful it is to open the cards and letters and share a little visit via a letter and pictures. I like Christmas letters. I know some that don't. Let me take this time to wish you each a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Birthdays

Last Sunday, November 29 was our daughter's 39th birthday. Today, Dec. 6 is our son's 35th birthday. Oh my how quickly the years fly by. Birthdays are so much fun to celebrate. We really miss our kids so much on days like this.
Last night we had Tom, Maureen, Patty, & Helen over for supper. Maureen's birthday will be on the 9th. They are all our neighbors. Good to get together.
This month we celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Happy Birthday dear Jesus and Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you Heavenly Father for sharing your son with us. Thank you blessed Holy Spirit for your presence in our life's to guide us each day.

Pleasant Surprise

Pleasant Surprises

Isn't it nice to be surprised. Well maybe not always. It totally depends on the natural of the surprise. I just had a lovely surprise when reading my e mail. Our daughter has sent me a free 1 year subscription to "Better Homes & Garden's"

Friends

I have been thinking about friends a lot the last few days. Friends are such a precious gift. They enrich are lives. We miss those who live a distance from us. Many of my friends have already left this world. I look forward to being reunited with them again. We just enjoyed setting out in the yard with a neighbor, friend and enjoying conversation and a yummy dessert. You know there is a wonderful person who wants to be your friend also. His name is Jesus. I am so glad He sought me before I even knew Him. Here is a song that speaks of Him.

JESUS AND ME

I travled alone, upon this lonesome way,

My burdens were heavy and dark was my day.

I looked for a friend, not knowing that He

had all of the time been looking for me.

Chorus:

Now it is Jesus and me for each tomorrow,

For every heartache and every sorrow.

I know that I can depend

Upon my new found Friend,

And so, to the end, it's Jesus and me.

The road may be long to heaven's pearly

gate,

I know that it's narrow, I know that it's

straight.

But Jesus is there, through eternity;

We'll travel along, just Jesus and me.