Jan 1, 2011

Where did 2010 go? I am just getting use to writing 2010 and it is already 2011.
Times flies when your having fun, so the saying goes.
Wishing my blogging friends a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
We don't know what the future holds but we do know who hold the future. Blessings all....................

A Poem to Ponder

We attended a Christmas program at our daughter's church and this poem was on the back of the program. I want to share it with you my blogging friends.

Lord, this is my prayer not only on Christmas Day

But until I see You face to face may I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus I ever hope to be,

Resting in Your loving arms trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child in wisdom daily learning,

May I ever seek to know You with my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful let me follow in Your light,

Meek and bold, humble and strong not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer and stand for truth alone,

Knowing that Your kindgom awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice though great may be the cost,

Mindful how You rescued me from broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior the babe, the child, the Son,

May my life forever speak of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices and celebrates Your birth,

I treasure You, the greatest gift unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words that welcomed home Your Son,

"Come, good and faithful servant", Your Master says, "Well done".

And may heaven welcome others who will join with me in praise

Because I lived for Jesus Christ not only Christmas Day.

Mary Fairchild

Christmas is almost here!

Take time to laugh!!

My favorite Christmas song

I love all the Christmas songs but I think my favorite is "Joy to the World". What is your favorite?

Joy to the world! the Lord is come:

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing.

And heaven and nature sing.

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns:

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy.

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of His love. And wonders of His love.

And wonders, wonders of His love.

I especially like the last verse. So many people think they rule the world but, in fact, the world is ruled by God. Pray that our people in Congress will be aware of that in the coming year.

What is your favorite? It won't be long and be won't hear these songs again for another year.

Trouble on Thursday

I did not have internet for 2 days. I called my internet guy and while I was telling him what was going on my internet explorer kicked in. He said he had about 10-15 calls in the last few days. Why it clear up just then I don't know. ( It reminded of when I have a toothache, by the time I get to the dentist it is gone.) It is working fine now. I really missed my blogs and facebook. I didn't realize how much I counted on my internet.

Wordless Wednesday

Proud Grandma

This is a proud Grandma coming to you with info about one of my grandsons. Jim is a senior this year and his school had their Pop Concert last night. I knew Jim played the drums and the bongos, but I had no idea he could sing like he did. He sang "Believe" and it was very good. He was right on key and sang with a lot of feeling. He really did very well. The other Grandpa and Grandma were in attendance too. They were very proud as well. Of course I left my camera at home.

Christmas is Coming............

Christmas is not just a day of the year,

It is also - and more importantly - a condition of the heart.

Peanut Clusters

Made for special people at Christmas
1 box Bakers German Chocolate (green box)
48 oz. almond bark (dark)
1 bag chocolate chips
16 oz. dry roasted peanuts - unsalted
16 oz. dry roasted peanuts - lightly salted
Put in crock pot on low for 3 hours. Mix and drop on waxed paper.
Note: Put plain paper down first, then put waxed paper on top of that, otherwise you will have wax on your counter top.
Makes 85-100 pieces.

Thoughts for Christmas

Christmas should be a time to celebrate, a time to contemplate,

and a time to share feelings of warmth and appreciation with those whom we love.

This holiday season, like every other,

presents a wonderful opportunity to make ourselves willing servants

of the One whose birth we celebrate.

Wordless Wednesday

A Thought for Tuesday - looking forward to Christmas

The old message "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord" is still the heart of Christmas.

Peter Marshall

100th Anniversary Completed

After two years of planning our church 100th Anniversary Celebration is finished. Yesterday, December 5 we had two of our former pastors preach for us; one in the morning and one in the evening. In all, we had four pastors who preached, and two that were in attendance at our Community night and a letter from one and letters from the widows of two others.

Our potluck and talent night were memorable. Our coffee/fellowship times were well attended.

Our ministry in music did very well. Our Anniversary booklet went over very well also.

I believe I can truthfully say everyone enjoyed themselves and it was so good to see everyone again. Many of our former members came back to celebrate with us.

Our theme was "Great is Thy faithfulness" and that was and is certainly true.

Now we are ready to get on with the next 100 years knowing that God has been faithful in the past and will be faithful in the future. Our challenge is Will we be faithful?

Soup for a Cold Thursday

Cheesy Potato Soup

3 cups chopped potatoes

1 cup water

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup carrrots, chopped

1/4 cup onion, chopped

1 t. parsley

1 chicken bouillon cube

1/2 t. salt

Dash of pepper

1 1/2 cup milk

2 T. flour

1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed

In a large kettle, combine potatoes, water, celery, carrots, onion, parsley, bouillon cube and seasonings. Mix well. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Grandually add milk to flour; mix well. Add milk mixture to the vegetables.

Cook until thckened. Add cheese and stir until melted. ENJOY!!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas is Coming!!

Thought for Tuesday

Learn from the turtle -

it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

Enjoy your day!!

100th anniversary

We are in full swing with our North Blendon CRC 100th anniversary. We had a potluck/talent program this past Saturday night with 180 people attending. We had two of our former pastors and their wives who were able to join us. What delicious food we had.
Our Talent Program went very well with the young to the old participating. What a good time everyone had!
Yesterday (sunday) we had two of our former pastors preach with coffee/fellowship following the worship service. Many former members were in attendance. It was so good to see everyone again.
This Tuesday we have Community Night with a lot planned. (cake/ice cream afterwards.)

It is a busy time but so much fun!

A Thankful Heart

Each morning as a new day breaks

I say a little prayer

And thank the Lord with grateful heart

for blessings --everywhere.

For sunlit days and starry nights

and roses in the Spring

that captivate the senses

and cause my heart to sing........

For countless joys of Summer

and evening's summer breeze,

Sweet moments to remember

among treasured memories....

For Autumn's blaze of color

in shades of flame and gold,

For reverence at Thanksgiving,

uniting young and old....

For family ties at Christmas

where love is intertwined

with heightened hope and gladness

and prayers for all mankind.

Vi B. Chevalier

May all of you have a BLESSED THANKSGIVING.

Wordless Wednesday

Thanksgiving 2009

Thought for Tuesday

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.

Your character is what you really are while your reputation is

merely what others think you are.

Oh, my aching back!!

I bent to brush my teeth last Friday morning and I couldn't stand up straight when I was finished. I came very close to fainting I had so much pain. I hung on to the counter and then the walls and finally made it to a chair so I could sit down. Fortunately my husband was home. I could not move without terrible pain in my lower back. I put ice packs on my back the rest of the day. I have a perscription for vicadin for the pain. I could sit and I could lay without much pain.
By Sunday morning I was doing some better. I have a few busy weeks ahead of me with the churches 100th anniversary celebration coming up. Hopefully this pain will be cleared up by then.
How quickly your busy life can be put on hold. My husband is taking good care of everything around here. I'm not used to having people wait on me so please pray for patience for me as well as complete healing. Thank you in advance. God is good.

Just for Laughs

How to Clean the House:
1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it "Housework"
3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN.
4. Empty your RECYCLE BIN.
5. Your PC will ask you "are you sure you want to delete Housework permanently?
6. Calmly answer "yes" and press mouse button firmly...
7. Feel better? Works for me!!

Wordless Wednesday

Thought for Tuesday

A smile is the light in your window that tells others

there is a caring, sharing person inside.

Is the shade up so your smile shows?

Have a good day!

Lessons learned..........

Today our pastor spoke about the Inter-generational Church - Families Stick Together.

He made some very good and important observations.

Differences between older and younger will divide a church unless each learns to appreciate what the other has to offer.

Young and old must come to an understanding or we will tragically have to g our separate ways.

One of the most frequent New Testament messages is GET ALONG.

You can find this in almost every New Testament book.

Evidently, church is a "big deal" to God.

The church is a body in that we have one head (Christ).

The church is a family in that we belong to one Father (God).

If the church is God's family - then ACT LIKE IT.

Bear with each others weakness.

In all church functions, always be thinking what would be best for others.

It is not a sin to have a preference or opinion but it is sin to demand my way.

Unity in the church is essential if God is going to be glorified.

God looks bad when people can't stick together.

Everyone must make personal sacrifices together.

Too often we make worship services about our own preferences or beliefs.

Worship singing and liturgy is God glorifying with one mouth.

God put different people in His church on purpose so that we would learn His acceptance of us.

As God's church, let's stick together to glorify him with one mouth and one heart.

He gave us a lot to think about this week. I thank God for the unity we have in our church family.

Veterans Day 2010

Take time to thank our veterans today!!

Where would we be without them?

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughts for Tuesday

A warm smile or a kind, thoughtful deed

or a hand outstretched in an hour of need

can change our outlook and make the world bright

where a minute before just nothing seemed right.

Today bring a brilliance to the world around you with a smile and

an act of kindness.

Keep laughing!!

Heres a good one --------
I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape so I got my doctors permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour, but, by the time I got my leotards on the class was over.

Alway remember this -

You don't stop laughing because you grow old

you grow old because you stop laughing.

Enjoy your day!!

Info on the quilt

Yesterday I put a picture of the 100th anniversary quilt on my blog. I would like to tell you a little bit about this quilt.

Each family was given a plain square of material so they could make a square for the quilt. Some did embroidery, some brought it to a shop who did it for them, some painted their square, some made a regular quilt square etc. so we had a wide variety of different squares to work with.

A group of ladies got together to sew the squares together. We have a few experienced quilters in our church so that helped a lot. After we had the quilt finished we took it to a lady for the quilting. She quilted each square and did a great job. She would not take any money for doing it but requested we make diapers for a mission she helps support. So we bought lots of flannel and we are busy making diapers.

Something that I noticed while making the quilt was how many different squares there were and yet how well they all went together and how they complimented each other. It reminded me how we, as the body of Christ, are different from one another yet we are one in Christ. We all have different gifts which we bring to a church and we all compliment each other in the process.

anniversary quilt

The 100th anniversary quilt of the North Blendon Christian Reformed Church
made by the ladies of the church

Thought for Tuesday

Whatever we ask for

falls short of God's giving,

for His greatness exceeds

every facet of living.

Today be liberal in your gratitude to God. The degree of His generousity is beyond compart and the scope of His giving is unfathomable.

REMEMBER TO VOTE!!

A truth to remember..........

There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

After the storm

The wind is still blowing............ but the skies look so much calmer now. Yesterday around 2 p.m. a part of a tree came down on our electric wires and we were without electricity. I called in to Consumer Energy to let them know.
About an hour later a man came to look things over. He left again. Later (after dark) a truck with 2 men came to fix the problem. They found out they did not have the wire they needed. So they left again and came back an hour later with the right equipment to fix the problem. So at 9:30 we had electric again. (I had to smile - wouldn't you think they would bring wire with them? That was the problem.) Oh well, what do I know!
We went out for dinner; then came home and lite the candles and kerosene lamp and played "little house on the prairie" until we had lights again. I had a good mystery book to read so it didn't bother me we had no TV or radio to listen too. However, I would not want to live without electricity for very long.

Wordless Wednesday

My fall decoration

A Turth to Remember.........

Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

The Master's Touch

Who is the artist that walks the land

With a palette and paintbrush in His hand?

Softly He came one starry night,

Tireless working till morning light.

Woodlands and fields, the meadows green,

Transformed by His hand to an Autumn scene.

He highlights His work with the sun's mellow rays,

Gently dissolving the early morning haze.

Above it He stretches an endless blue sky,

Capturing migrating birds flying by.

A perfect picture of peace o'er the land

Created with love by His Master's hand.

Regina Wiencek

Time spent with family

I haven't been here in awhile. I've been very busy lately and honestly I haven't anything to write about. My life is sorta ho hum lately.

I did have a luncheon with my brothers and their wives and my sister and her husband today. We ate at Mama's Place which is located just a few blocks west of Zeeland on old M-21. The food is very good and the service is excellent.

It was fun to spend time with family. We had so much to talk about and share with eachother. We are all getting older . We are a family of 8 and along with the in-laws 7 of them are 80 and older. We know our time with eachother is limited so we make the most of it when we can.

Good News from Chile

Isn't it wonderful how the miners are coming out of the mine? We watched the first man come up and greet his son and wife. I can only imagine what they are feeling. Hopefully they will all get out and get the kind of help that will be needed after such a tramatic situation. 69 days is a long time for the men to be traped in a small area like that. How thankful they must be.

Quote for Thuesday

Life without God is like an

unsharpened pencil - it has no point!

Billy Graham

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Frost Warnings

Thought I would share one more time my germanium's in our window box.
With the colder weather coming they will not bloom for much longer.
We have already taken in our large pots of germaniums; put them in the basement,
hoping to bring them out again next Spring. Aren't the fall colors beautiful? Enjoy.

Can you say NO?

I have trouble saying NO! When I retired from my church secretary job in 2009 I was afraid I would run out of things to do. SO........whenever anyone asked me to do something or to take on a resposible I would say YES. But now I feel overwhelmed much of the time because all the yes's are turning into being a lot of work.

I am on the 100th anniversary committee for our church. I am responsible, along with one other person, for putting the booklet together. This means doing research into the history of our church, finding old pictures, interviewing our elderly members for information, taking recent pictures, along with correspondence with our ministers. It is alot of work! Interesting, enjoyable but a lot of work! It is nearing the end and I will very glad when it is at the printers.

I am also responsible for our Ladies Bible study. Getting study material and getting it started on the right track. Our first meeting is next Tuesday.

I am also on the committee for Small Groups at our church. Getting material for study and planning when to meet and who will lead each group.

Oh yes, I am one of a committee for our Cousin Reunion tool.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy all of it but I do have to learn to say NO when the next job comes up.

Does anyone else have this problem? I'm sure some of you do.

Vacation pictures

What a Week!

We are back from Pentwater. We had a memorable week! One night we didn't have a fire because it was to warm. The next night we couldn't have a fire because it was too cold and windy. The next night we had a fire but didn't stay long because of the cold and blowing sand. The last night we had a beautiful fire and the weather was just right. So goes it in Michigan.

The craft show on Saturday was challenging to say the least. Very cold and windy and rainy.

I felt sorry for the crafters who were hanging on to their items so they wouldn't blow away. So some the tents traveled around quite a bite. Sunday was a better day - no rain but still very cold and windy.

On Vacation........

Vacationing in Pentwater.

Craft Show on Saturday.

Be back next Tuesday.

Enjoy your week!!

FALL IS HERE!

Today value the beauty of the changing season.

No matter the time of year there is evidence that God is near.

Thought for Thursday

To love what you do,

to do what you love.....

these are among

God's greatest blessings.

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

I Corinthians 10:31

Wordless Wednesday

17 YEARS AGO

When remembering 17 years ago today (September 2) my mind goes back to a very tragic day . Our son-in-law, Chip, was caught in a gas explosion and had 85 per cent of his body burned. 65 per cent of this was 3rd degree burns. The doctors told us that someone burned that badly would not live. Chip did live. However he was on the critical list for weeks. Shortly after his accident they began surgeries - about one or two a week. They harvested his skin and grew new skin for skin grafting. He had 53 surgeries in all. Both of his ears were burned beyond repair. He was fit with artificial ears which look very real. He has no hair. (He is right in style!) He was in the hospital for ten and half months. He has no sweat glands so the hot weather is troubling for him. In all that time I never heard him complain even though he was miserable a lot of time. He kept his sense of humor. Our daughter stayed close as well as his family and friends. The doctor said the support and love he got from his wife and family helped a great deal in his recovery. They had a year and a half old son who would spend time with him too.

You might ask what did we learn through this experience? There was a verse from the Bible that would come to my mind "Be still and know that He is God." When we see our loved ones going through trials like this there just is no where else to go but to our God. It humbles you so - you just have no control over what is happening. You just have to trust God that no matter how it turns out - God is good and God is in control.

We are so thankful for a healthy son-in-law even though somethings will never be as they were. Our pastor, at the time, told Patty that someday they would have "a new normal" and he was right. God is good!!

Thought for Thursday

An interesting fact about August 2010

This August 2010 has 5 Sundays,

5 Mondays,

5 Tuesdays, all in one month.

It happens once in 823 years. I wanted to let you know now because I'll

probably miss it next time.

Wordless Wednesday

Tomatos and more tomatos

We have a small garden of tomatos plants - Big boy and cherry tomatos - they must like this hot weather because they sure are bearing well this year.
We are eating Taco Salad, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, toss salad with tomatos. My husband likes a sandwich with peanut butter and tomato.
I'm making chili and goulash. Anything to use up the large abundance of tomatos. I've been sharing them with my family and friends. Good thing we both like tomatos!

Outdoor Worship Service

The local Reformed Church and Christian Reformed Church, which were built right next door to each other, had a combined Outdoor Worship Service Sunday evening. We all took lawn chairs and sat in the shade at the Reformed Church. It was very hot out but their was a slight breeze. We did a lot of group singing and the Reformed Church pastor had a interesting message taken from Psalm 139. One of the prayer requests for the evening was to thank God for the freedom we have to worship out in the open without disturbance or fear. We should be most grateful.

Friday's Blessing

Prayer pushes light and hope into the dark corners of your life.

Belore they call, I will answer;

And while they are still speaking,

I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24

Weeds in my flower garden

We were away for two weeks and I can't believe how the weeds took over in my flower garden. The flowers are beautiful but, oh my, how the weeds grow. I cannot weed for very long right now because of the pain in my leg/hip. I think the weeds know that and are making hay while the sun shines. Have a great Wednesday - It's a cool day in Michigan.

Wordless Wednesday

Thought for Tuesday

This is my Father's world,

O let me ne'er forget

that though the wrong

seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Home Again!!

We've been camping and had a wonderful time. BUT it is so good be home again. (I've been told I'm a home-body).
Of course, when one gets home from vacation there is a lot of laundry and ironing to be done. So I've been busy with all of that.
I am also on the committee for putting together the 100th Anniversary Celebration for our church which is to be celebrated in November of this year. This is taking up alot of my time although I'm enjoying the work. We are in the midst of putting the booklet together - gathering information about the former pastors etc. Interesting reading......

It will be busy fall. We have two more time we will be camping and then with the celebration and all the other meetings beginning in the fall....... But it is good to be busy, right?

It's a beautiful day - ENJOY!!

Vacation's a comin!

Saturday we will be away for a couple weeks of vacation. It is suppose to warm up and get humid again next week but I guess we will take whatever weather is giving to us. I'll be away from my computer for this time but will be back before you miss me. Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Thought for Tuesday

What does one do when one doesn't know what to post?

She shares a quote -

You're only here for a short visit.

Don't hurry, don't worry, and

stop to smell the flowers along the way.

Walter Hagen

A relaxed attitude lengthens a man's life..........

Proverbs 14:30

Thoughts for Thursday

Beauty tips from Audrey Hepburn

For lovely eyes - seek out the good in people

For a slim figure - share your food with the hungry

For beautiful hair, let a chld run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise - go with the knowledge you are never alone.

People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed, never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and one for helping others.

Wordless Wednesday