Does mobile posting work?

This is a test to see if I can blog from my phone...
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Get out the marinade, fire up the grill!!!

Katie had a fun invite from Bro. Larry Carver to go hunting all day! She hit the ground running at 3am (well, she hit the ground at that time, anyway) and when she got to the woods, she was ready, brotha! The morning hunt was very successful with a buck and a doe down! Wow, Katie! She says, "Yay! I'm loving life right now!" Well, she is now 1 up on her dad with only a week left of season.... Isn't that sad--I mean with a season that starts the middle of October and goes until the end of January, why does the last week have to get here so soon? Well, my hubby so sweetly invited me to go along with him for this morning's hunt at one of his favorite stands. There is nothing quite like being present while the forest comes to life. It was a beautiful morning with a tolerable level of chilliness. I tried to sit very still, be very quiet, look for deer and read my book. We did see 4 deer, but, sadly, he could not get a shot on any of them. Katie won the day!

The Travellin' Man

Wednesday evening was a happy time in our house! Just about 45 minutes before church was to start, Steve made it home from his journeys! He started out Friday morning on what we thought would be a 4 day trip, but ended up travelling an extra 1,500 miles or so and an extra 2 days. We are very thankful for travelling mercies. Steve felt the hand of God with him as he travelled, and that makes these things so much more meaningful. Thank you to those of you who pray for him (and us) as we endeavor to fulfill God's calling on our lives at this time. Any measure of success comes only through His grace.

Piano Lessons

Yesterday we went to Jasper for the first day of piano lessons for Katelyn and Tara. We are so thankful that Linda Shields has consented to teach the girls. She will be an awesome mentor as well. The rest of the evening we spent with Lorna Harbison and Tim, Trent and Kristen. We had an absolutely wonderful time. Lorna and I had a great time reminiscing for our kids, only I think they only found it mildly amusing. =) If I would only live my life with my blog in mind, I would remember my camera and I would also remember to take pictures! We are so thankful for our good friends!

Salisbury Steak night

Tara loves to help in the kitchen, so together we made salisbury steaks. You know, you can only mix so well with a wooden spoon, so when I told her it was time to roll up your sleeves and dig in, she was pretty happy about that! She doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. :) Katelyn reported that was the best meat she had ever had! Thanks, Tara! You're gonna make a good cook one of these days!

Tara's ministry of hugs

(This is going to post out of order, but I'm still trying to get the knack of blogging!)
While Katelyn and I were at the Freeman's, Tara was with her grandparents - Morris and Nadine Snodgrass. They were going to the funeral of their neighbor, Mrs. Mavinee Brake. Tara asked to be able to go along so she could give Mr. Brake a hug of comfort when she saw him. I am so thankful for my girls and the tender heart God has placed within them. Sorry I don't have a picture of Tara, so we'll let imagination take care of the image this time. :)

Serving, loving and being a blessing

Every couple of weeks, Katelyn and I go to visit Sis. Freeman. We help around the house or whatever she needs us to do. This time with her is special, and we are glad for this opportunity.

Today, Sis. Freeman was recovering from a cold, and while I was cleaning carpets, Katelyn put together a nice "hot dish" for the Freeman's to enjoy after we left. Thank you, Katie, I know you will receive a blessing for this!

Family Night

Monday evening, the night before we started back into the school schedule full force, we had a fun, relaxing family night. Steve treated us to latte and cafe mocha made on the new cappuccino maker! mmm! Just think, Starbucks--right in the comfort of your own home!
Tara has this love for horses, and having horses in a pasture within walking distance from the house, only feeds that appetite! She got a new game for Christmas that we didn't get a chance to play during Christmas break, so we got it out and set it up and played our hearts out!

The evening was a lot of fun. The girls entertained us royally! We played the short version of the game, and even though Dad talked Tara into trading with him so he could have a monopoly, and put hay bales on his property, and charged $60 rent and all, Katelyn still won with a $400 margin! I don't know how she does it! Maybe it's because one of the cards she picked gave her a choice to give her best trot around the room or pay $50. Choices like that could help to protect the pocket book...

Tara and Friends

Katelyn's Birthday Party (Nov. 08)

Katelyn

We have a beautiful 15 year old daughter, Katelyn Beth. She is full of personality and original humor. Katelyn has such a compassionate heart and is so willing to be a part of our ministry--especially when it involves children and Sunday School! We are blessed beyond words to have her belong to us!

Minnesota Christmas

The new year started off with a beautiful day. Almost everyone I have talked to are happy to say good bye to 2008. Well, regardless of all that, God has already gone before us, He already knows all about 2009, and between you and me, I am happy to place my trust in Him!

We had a wonderful Christmas! It was quite an adventure. Thanks to our good friends who loaned us their 4-wheel drive vehicle, and my wonderful husband, we travelled over 3,000 miles through wind, rain, snow, sleet and ice. We stopped in Rock Island, IL to be with Robert and Penny Jones and their family. We enjoyed our time there worshipping at the Davenport PNC and fellowshipping with everyone there. The Christmas program was so sweet.Robert and Penny

Tara and Jillayne Jones

Alissa and Brandon Jones

Davenport PNC Christmas program

We had a great time with my brother's family on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Mom and Dad and Grandma D were with us there, too. Wow! Those visits are just too short and too long in between. My brother has a super great family, and we had a fantastic time being there.

We came home through Missouri left Katelyn and Tara behind at the Truitts. Thank you, Jenn, for letting them stay! They are home now and we have wrapped up Christmas break.

God has been so good to us. We want to be careful to always show Him how grateful we are for His blessings--but most of all for His presence. We stand in awe at the ways He shows us His watch-care over us. He protected us on our travels, He showed us His love once again through our very meaningful family time together. He showed His watch-care over our souls by allowing us to experience things that drew us closer to Him. My soul has been very enriched over this Holiday season.