Jailed poodle, hospitalized van, grounded owner!

Well, for excitement this trip to Illinois, Opie, the poodle was in jail. That is what he thinks of boarding at the vet in Rockford. He is definitely not a happy camper! But, I paid the fine and he is out.

Then, my van had problems and got taken to the dealership "hospital" for major repairs which will cost $1350. Now that is MAJOR! And, to top it off, the parts have to travel all the way from Lithuania and are delaying our return to Texas. Now that is not good either! We are hoping the parts will arrive and the van will be fixed on Wednesday (July 8th). More than that, we are PRAYING those parts get here.

So, now I am grounded with no vehicle for getting around and we will not even think about the finances for the van repair!

I am trying to be positive and realize that I am safe here, not stranded on an interstate somewhere, can still enjoy being with my family, and everything will be ready to go before long. It just kind of put a dent in some of my plans...make that a very big dent.

So this trip will be remembered for the jailed poodle, the hospitalized van and me, being grounded as well as a lot of positive, fun things.

The Roen Family Reunion

Saturday, June 27th, 2009 was the big day we had waited for....our Roen family reunion. Dad's two sisters were able to attend and there were lots of cousins there. Since many of us don´t get together hardly at all, it was great to see so many from far and near. My Dad reminisced a bit with us all....and we had a lot of time to visit with each other. My cousin Mark MCd the giving away of door prizes and that was fun. It was just a great time.

Family seems to get more and more important with each passing year. This time, we had several family members who had passed away in the last few weeks. While we rejoice in our memories of their Christ-like lives, we just plain miss their presence with us. It is so exciting to see the children growing and the young adults becoming mature adults.

Yes, God created families and He is in our midst as we celebrate together our family heritage and our current news. I felt His Presence and I am sure others of our family did as well. I am so thankful for my family....my aunts and uncles, my cousins, and all the little ones joining our family....and of course, I'm thankful for my Dad and Mother, David, Jon & Gwen, their children, Allen & Anne and Allison, and Rick & Jan and their children, Ben, Eric, and Melissa. Thank God, too, for families!

So Proud!

I´m so proud of the men in my church! Really! We had a terrific service today! And, it was FUN! Three of them shared the sermon time....with short messages. They did such a good job. We were all blessed and there was meat in the messages, especially for the fathers. I am so excited when I see leaders emerging from the congregation. I know that if we have several strong leaders in the church, the future of the church is secure. We laughed a lot too and we need to do that in the church family just as we need to cry together. We had two first time visitors, two visitors returning for the second time and one man who used to come regularly but hasn't been in church now for years. I am thankful for every visitor we have....and super excited as they start coming back! Thank God for meeting with us one more time in a unique and blessed way!

...pretty stressed.......

Well, I am less than one week from leaving on a trip to Illinois/Wisconsin....and there is so much to do!! We are having a church fundraiser....gift baskets for Fathers´ Day. I am making chocolate peanut clusters today and we put the baskets together on Friday morning. We are planning a special Fathers' Day service including a dinner--I am baking cakes for that. And, of course, I have to plan for the service. Then, I still have a scrapbook to finish up for a door prize for our Roen family reunion...and the new address books to finish printing and stapling. I have to get all the food, etc ready for the cats and dogs, show the girls who are cat-sitting what they need to do, and get Chiquita to the kennel. Of course, I have to pack....and I always take lots and lots of stuff with me--don't know why. LOL! And, I have to work in the yard some more, clean the back porch, and clean the house. I have 5 1/2 days to get all that done. Yes, I am feeling pretty stressed right now! The one good thing is that I will get it done.....I always do!

A Great Sunday Service

This morning, we had a great service at Nueva Vida. Why? Well, first of all, the Presence of God was there to meet with us! Then, a family who had been missing services for a few Sundays walked in--all 6 of them. One of the little girls who came to Sunday School years back, came for a visit. A family who has been coming less than two months entered into our praise and worship with all their hearts. A darling visitor brought a plastic grocery bag with coins to add to our missions offering. ( We collect all our pocket change each Sunday and then use it for missions projects. No, we don't believe that missions are ONLY worth our pocket change!) Her generosity will not go unnoticed by God. A preK...now going to be a K student...whose family is so faithful, such good leaders, a blessing to the church.....brought her own offering envelope and wanted to be sure that she could place it in the offering plate herself. The brother who opened the service with scripture chose just the right verse--just one verse, but powerful! The praise and worship team were awesome, choosing just the right songs for today! They are always awesome...so can I say that they were awesome-r than usual? I guess more awesome is the correct way to say it! It was so easy to preach the sermon I had prepared to hearts that were hungry and receptive. And, last of all and most important of all, the Presence of God was there with us. Thank you, Jesus, for a great Sunday service!!!!

Good Quote

Be patient with yourself and others. There are no shortcuts to spirituality. Growing fruit takes time. --author unknown

Happy Birthday, Opie Morales!

Opie is celebrating his fourth birthday today! We had baked chicken breast and mashed potates with ice cream for dessert for a special meal. He was so willing to pose for pictures on the sofa.....in fact, he didn't want to stop posing!!!! We will be going to Reynosa next week so he can see his Dad, Carolino and his sister, Carola, our friends, Lupita, Mariela, Melissa and their lab, Galileo, and of course Opie's favorite vet!!!

Opie is such a joy to have around as company. He is so faithful and often very comical. He entertains me a lot! He has never chewed on shoes or been destructive in the house. ....well, he did get into toilet paper, tore it in little bits, rolled in it and looked like a backwards Dalmation....little with white spots on a black coat! And between Opie and his Mom Maxie (who we still miss a lot), they chewed up several quilts and pillows. Oh, yes, and once, after I had given him a bath, he got into the dirt around the rosebushes. I had just watered them. He came out of that experience with spiked hair! I was really disgusted with him....or it would have been hilarious.

So, happy birthday, Opie!!!!! I want to have you with me for a long, long time!!!!