The Cross in Christmas

This is from The Holy Experience blog by Ann Voskamp and has been in my
collection of devotions and it spoke exactly what God has been speaking to me
so thought I would share it here....please click on the link following
 the devotional for an awesome video of The Cross in Christmas...
Be blessed...

The Night When Love Was Born

Christ the babe comes in Christmas as Christ the Savior comes on the cross - seeking only our embrace.
The mystery so large becomes the babe so small and infinite God becomes infant.

And if there is no cross in my Christmas, then my Christmas has lost the Christ - What is the manger if not for the Messiah, the One who saves us with the scars?

Christmas isn't a product to wrap, but a person to unwrap.
Christmas cannot be bought.
Christmas cannot be created.
Christmas cannot be made by hand.
Christmas can only be found in the creche, in the cradling trough, in the mire and the stench and the unexpected and unlikely and only only in the person of Christ.

- Devotional Christmas words by Ann Voskamp

The Cross in Christmas

 

 

Throwback to Fall 2010

I have been looking through lots of fall photographs and came across another Smilebox that I loved so thought I would post it here...just a few photos down memory lane.. Hope you enjoy...
I think I am trying to make the fall season last as long as I can!! 

I am so looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving family get together at my daughter and son in laws house...(Pam and Dan) and then I will be ready to start getting ready for Christmas!!

Well the chili is ready and hubby just came in from the garage and hinted he was ready to eat...he smiled and said "sure smells good in here"!!  So will close this down for now!!  Be blessed!!

Good evening from a chilly (cold) Michigan!  It has been too long (again) since I have been here.  I did post on my Sweet Fall Memories page but have neglected getting here.  I should take the time to catch up on what's been happening in our church family and I will try not to make it too long and detailed.

Last Sunday afternoon we got a prayer request on our email prayer chain for the 10 year old daughter (Eliana) of the assistant pastor at our South campus church.  She had been ill with a high temperature and had been at the ER Saturday evening and was told it was probably the flu...and was sent home.  Well Sunday afternoon when they got her to the hospital she was in cardiac arrest and not responsive.  Many of the pastors and others were at the hospital praying for her and for the doctors but a bit later in the afternoon we got the news that she had gone home to be with Jesus.  Wow....what a devastating thing to happen to anyone to lose a young child and so quickly. They have since found out that she died from Group A Beta Strep with streptococcal sepsis, a blood infection. Thankfully it was not contagious and her 3 siblings were not in danger and are ok.  

So I share this to let you know whoever reads this to please pray for Pastor Kutz and his family during this time..the visitation was today and there was an unbelievable turn out...tomorrow morning is the funeral/memorial service and I know that Jesus will be praised during this service as Eliana would want it that way.  She LOVED her Jesus with all of her heart!  She praised Him in dance, song and telling others about Him. 

Some may wonder why I am posting this in such length but I just had to share my heart here about this wonderful young girl who is now rejoicing with her Jesus...

Here is a link to the obituary and story about Eliana if any would like to read it...

Eliana Ruth Kutz

Of course all of our two church families have been affected by this and so many words of comfort have been given but I'd like to close this post by quoting the scripture that Eliana's mom posted the very next day on facebook..

Lamentations 3:20-24

20 I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
21 Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”


If you are still here and have read this long post...thanks...and keep us in your prayers!!

It's been a long time since I have posted but wanted to stop in and try to catch up on what's been going on.  I have really good intentions of blogging more.  But I have tried before and failed...but going to give it a try.
Have some pictures to share...(proud Grandma here!)
Two of our grandsons...
This is Nick..he's in the 10th grade...plays bass drum in the marching band,
but plays Cello in the orchestra also.

 

This is Jake..he's a senior this year...he plays cymbals in the marching
band and plays violin in the orchestra also.

Very proud of both of them....
 Their younger sister...Morgan is in the 7th grade this year and plays saxophone...hope to have a photo of her soon.

There has been lots going on in our family...new great grandsons...one of our granddaughters Kelly (and Josh) getting engaged...looks like the wedding is being planned for next June!!  Hubby and I both have had birthdays this summer....arrrghhh won't go there!!  We just celebrated our 56th wedding anniversary on the 7th of September.  We spent a nice day together at the lake having a picnic, reading and just enjoying being together.  Then today we extended our celebrating one more day and went to the movies...seen The Ultimate Life...good movie!!  Then went out for a delicious supper at Longhorn Steakhouse.  So now I think we are done celebrating for a while!! Here's a silly picture of us when we were up at the lake...hard taking your own pictures!!

On Labor day we didn't have any big get together..lots of the kids had plans of their own..but we did go to Pam and Dan's for a cookout.  Our grandson Derek and his wife and kiddos were there...here is a picture of their youngest member...Matthew...he is 4 months old tomorrow...He is really a good baby and of course adorable!!

Well I think this is long enough for tonight..I plan on being back here soon...

May God richly bless you!! Remember to pray for our country...

August 27th...already...where did the summer go??

It is hard to believe that in 4 days in will be September 1st!! As much as I love fall and the beautiful colors I really hate to see summer come to an end.  As anyone that follows my blog knows, I LOVE SUMMER!  Even when it's hot and humid I prefer it over all the other seasons.

I haven't been here in several weeks and lots has happened since the last time I posted.  Things have happened this summer I never expected..Started back in June when I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  My doctor had been suspicious of this and after several tests it was confirmed.  I am at the beginning of it so that is good, I immediately listened to her (doctor) and changed our eating habits.  I have eliminated almost all snack foods..desserts...starchy vegetables...white bread...and one of my favorite snacks...potato chips.  I can tell you since June 20th I have not had "one" potato chip!! Now that is definitely a record for me!! I know that a lot of people tell me that I can have them just not too many, but I am one that can't eat just a few without wanting more...so it's been better for hubby and I to not have them in the house.  We have been eating lots of fruit, vegetables, eggs, sugar free jello (for desserts) chicken, lean beef..etc. Found some tasty bread in the health food section at the store..called Ezekiel 4:9 bread..."Delicious"!!
 I have to admit I have been doing a 'lot more' cooking in these two months but haven't minded as it seems harder to eat out when we are watching the carbs.  We have found out that Cracker Barrel is one of the best places as you can get quite a variety of veggies etc.  So all that to let you know about my newest challenge..and one more thing I am so thankful for is that I am not on insulin..I am just on one pill of Metformin ER a day. 

Okay...now on to the next event this summer!! This one is a really 'great' one!! Our 9th great grandchild was born on August 18th!!  Elijah Edward was born to our grandson Josh and his wife Kari.  Weighed 7lb. 2oz. 22 inches long and of course is absolutely gorgeous!!

 

Taken on August 19, 2013

Well like I said...he is gorgeous!!  I could keep adding more but think that is enough for today!! Along with our 18 grandchildren..... We now have 5 great granddaughters and 4 great grandsons!! We are so blessed!!  

Well I am going to close for today.  I am really trying to get back to blogging.  I am hoping for at least once a week.  I also may use this blog to help me by posting about my diet plan/health plan that my hubby and I are on.

Day after the big 4th!!

Happy day after the big 4th of July!  I have had a nice day..helped my daughter at her garage sale for a couple hours today..did laundry...and then this evening we went to Cracker Barrel for supper...after we came home my hubby put the new planter out in the yard.  He made me this neat swing/planter and just finished it today...I planted the flowers in it yesterday so it was ready to go!!  Here's a couple pictures of it...

My daughter-in-law had seen a planter similar to this and sent a photo of it...Fred printed it off and used it as a "pattern" for this one.  It looks really sharp under our red maple tree.

Outside of that not a lot happening around here...oh I do have a couple new pictures of our great grandkids..

Here is one of Matthew Daniel taken on July 4th..

 

Our grandson and his family that live in Florida.

The boys in this picture are going to be coming to Michigan for a 10 day visit this month and we are all looking forward to that!! 

Well will close for now and hope to be back soon! God Bless!

Happy 4th of July!!

Well I know it's been quite a while since I have checked in but decided today was a good time to reconnect!!  It's been a great 4th of July here in Michigan!  The weather was warm but not hot...very humid...and lots of sunshine until around 6 this evening and then we had a little shower...since then just a bit cloudy and still humid.
Spent some time over at my daughter's house helping a bit with her garage sale..did some flower planting after coming home this afternoon..then later hubby and I both went back over for a cook out...so all in all a really nice day...always good to be with family!!
I just seen the following post on Facebook with a really nice you tube video and thought I'd share it here with all of you..
Here's a slideshow of one of my favorite American patriotic songs. Hope you enjoy!
Next time you see a serviceman or servicewoman, take a minute to thank them for what they've done for our country.

God Bless the USA!!

Hope all of you are enjoying your holiday!! God Bless!!