Our New Sanctuary is in Use

How exciting it was to come back to our church yesterday and find the new sanctuary ready for our service. Of course, we have only plywood floors which are noisy and there is no interior decorating finished yet. We need to add the drums to the platform also....and then the platform will be full!!! The church family worked so hard to make everything look just great and to get the work done while I was gone. This time, it was not such a big surprise as I knew we had someone working on changing the doors, putting up the sheetrock and painting. I didn't know that the ceiling fans/lights and the chandelier would be up and the pews already moved. I thought we would wait to use the building for the first time on Dec. 20th for our Christmas program and dinner....but since everything was ready, no one could wait. Now it will be ready for our Ladies Christmas Fellowship too. It seems like a dream that we could actually do all of this with very little to pay off! God has been really good to us and we are most thankful!!!!

October and November in Illinois

What a trip I had to Illinois this time! It would take so long to write all the things that happened so I am just going to make a list!

Van trouble in Little Rock, Arkansas

A ride in an Arkansas State Trooper's vehicle, lights flashing

A ride in a three steps up cab of a tow truck

A long stay in a motel in Little Rock

Sunday dinner at Stockholm Inn, a family favorite Swedish restaurant

Shopping and Chinese and girl talk with my sister Jan

Shopping and walking at Sinnissippi Park and eating out at Taco Bell and Beef-A-Roo with my brother David

Sunday dinner at my sister's....really good food and fellowship

A trip to Batavia to see my Aunt Shirley (and the cast on her foot!)

Trips to the Apple Orchard with David

Ice Cream at Culvers with John and Shirley Davis

Bible study and goodies at Al and Gladys Damrose's

A weekend trip to Iowa to visit my brother Jon, his wife Gwen, Allen & Anne and Allison. Lots of good visiting and good food. Trips around town. Attending their church on Sunday. Oh, yes, Oscar the cat and Lucy the granddog were there too.

Opie had to go to jail for four nights (the kennel) but was greatly spoiled the rest of the time!!

A visit with Gaylord and Peggy (my cousin and family)!

Baking and cooking at Mom's! I love doing it!!

Long talks around the kitchen table!!!

It was a great time........and now we are looking forward to next year!!!!

A Special Answer to Prayer

Nicole's Mom shared with us a very special answer to prayer. Nicole is coming home and will NOT be going to Iraq. This is so good because it is just not what we felt was best for her and for her son.....however, I really do respect and honor her for being willing to defend her country. We are all so thankful to God!

Travel Time

Well, this is the stressful time. I have just today left to get everything ready for my trip to Illinois! I hope to leave in the morning around 6 a.m. and drive as far as Hope, Arkansas. Then on Wed., I will still have 810 miles to go in order to arrive in Rockford at my parents' home that night. Opie is definitely wired as we try to pack the van, finish up laundry and get the cats' ready to stay here. They will be cared for by the girls who live next door. Please pray for me as I travel and then enjoy fun days with my family in Illinois and Iowa!

Pastor Appreciation

Today I am feeling so special and so appreciated!! This morning in our service, my church family celebrated Pastor Appreciation Month by giving me a lovely card and gift of money. The comments on the card are so special and I will cherish them forever! And, the money comes at a great time, giving me a little extra spending money as I travel north to visit my family. I love and appreciate my church family so very much and thank them for this recognition of Pastor Appreciation Month as well as all the other ways that they show their love for me!

Thinking about pumpkins......

This is what is on my mind as I am preparing for my trip to Illinois....it is a 2008 scene. Before long, I should be able to post a 2009 scene.

Lasara Ladies' Fall Fellowship

Even though a norther blow in with wet and windy weather, we had a great ladies´ fall fellowship. I counted about 30 women from four small churches. I was so pleased that three ladies from my church came to a women's fellowship for the first time and two of our ladies brought visitors. We had good praise singing and testimonies plus the message. We also prayed for several women....sometimes easier to do when husbands and kids are not around. And, then the food and fellowship was superb. The Nueva Vida ladies always outdo themselves with delicious food and lots of it. I was so happy .... I couldn't even get to sleep when I got home!!!!!! (The next one will be on Dec. 11th--the Ladies' Christmas Fellowship!)