The Snodgrass Family

Just Have to Wait

2012-01-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

(Warning: this post has some deep emotional thoughts about my sweet nephew in Heaven, Reagan David Russell)

I asked for (and received) this CD for Christmas. It is "Beauty Will Rise" by Steven Curtis Chapman. He wrote these songs after his daughter went to heaven, and it is his personal journey through his grief. Our family has been no stranger to grief, and I am always seeking out methods to deal with grief in ways that will bring healing. Personally, I am completely satisfied that God's providence is truly working out as promised in Romans 8:28, but it does pain me when my loved one is struggling. My heart just aches for my brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Debbie, in this awful tragedy of last summer. Debbie's brother David Hecker posted on Facebook today about a family in a car accident and their little boy was taken from them. It just caused me to re-visit the wound. In a text message to Mark, we talked about the heartache never seeming to end. Well, on the CD, there is a song titled "Just Have to Wait." There is a phrase in it that speaks to my heart about my brother, Mark. I just had to post the lyrics to the whole song, but along the last verse, you will see what I mean.

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/steven_curtis_chapman/just_have_to_wait.html ]
Well, I can't wait to SEE your smile again,
The one when your eyes disappear along with all my troubles
And I can't wait to hear you sing a song
Maybe "Jesus Loves Me" or a song you learned up there.

But I, oh I'll just have to wait
'Cause I know that day is coming
So I, oh I'll just have to wait.

I can't wait to hear your mama laugh
The way that only you can make her laugh when you get silly
And I can't wait to SEE you in her arms
I know the wound so deep inside her heart is healed for good.

But I, oh I'll just have to wait
'Cause I know that day is coming
So I, oh I'll just have to wait.

And I can't wait to dance with you again
Knowing that this time we dance, we'll never have to end.

But I, oh I'll just have to wait
'Cause I know that day is coming
So I, oh I'll just have to wait.

And I can't wait to SEE your sisters play
The way they do when all of you are playing all together
I can't wait to watch your brother's face
When he can finally SEE with his own eyes
Everything's okay.
And I just have to wait
'Cause I know that day is coming
And I just have to wait.

So, Mark, it is hard now, but a day is coming--sooner rather than later--when you will finally SEE with your own eyes that everything's okay. Debbie, someday the wound so deep inside your heart will be healed for good. I'm sure of it. I love you all so much!

Cozies and Coasters

2012-01-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

Well, the creative juices continue to flow! And I'm just trying to keep up!

When I got this idea, my first thought was to embroider the names on my machine. Unfortunately my machine is not dependable. (I need to spend some quality time there.) As I was randomly cruising down the clearance aisle in Walmart, I saw this package of fabric sheets that you can use in your ink jet printer!! I was so pleased! Since I am happy to let patience continue to have her perfect work for a little while longer (James 1:4) before I tackle the embroidery machine, I got right to work on these little cozies and coasters.

In the recent past, I have done some sewing for a lady who designs children's clothing. I happened to have some scraps from some of those cute little outfits stashed away in my sewing room, just waiting for a project like this to come along! Nana and Grandma D were absolutely thrilled with their little gifts. Grandpa hasn't received his, yet, but I'm thinking he will be equally as pleased!

I linked up with Chari for Finished Object Friday even though it isn't Friday anymore! :)

Repurposing...

2011-12-17T08:43:00.001-08:00

I've read so many blogs about repurposing stuff, and I want to jump up and down and say, "Me too, me too!!" Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm a hoarder and have all kinds of junk around the house. (!) It's just that sometimes I see the possibilities in some things just before they go in the trash or goodwill bag!

For instance... Maddie was in need of a new jean jumper. She had a few cute jean skirts, but let's face it. She has a pot-belly and an outie. Not a good combination for wearing skirts! I had a few jean skirts cast off from her older sisters, so I tried to make a pillowcase dress out of one of them. It turned out ok, but she looked like she was headed to the home-school convention (if you know what I mean) (I say this lovingly because I am a homeschooler!) :-) So I caved in and got out a pattern. Got a pair of worn out jeans that my husband was 'fixin' to throw away. (I had to sneak them to my sewing stash. He doesn't necessarily agree with the first paragraph of this post.) The pattern fit just nicely along the legs, and I think the jumper turned out pretty cute! I had previously salvaged the appliques from another something in my sewing stash, and voila! Such a darling little jumper for Maddie!

Pretty Cute!

2011-12-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

I have always loved to crochet. My Grandma Russell taught me how, and it is one of the sweet memories of her that I hold dear to my heart. Anyway, while looking at all the nifty gifty things in a truck stop on one of our travels, I saw a cute headband/ear warmer for ten bucks. 'Hmm,' I thought, 'Really, now, why should I pay that much money for something I could probably make in a few hours?!' Well, I found a few free crochet patterns on line, but I couldn't find one that completely struck my fancy, so I used it for inspiration. My daughters had some good advice for the design, and after a little tweeking, I came up with this:

It went from start to finish all in an evening. Maddie has some cute little crocheted flowers for her hair, so after close inspection, I figured out a way to make this:

Here is the finished look.

Don't ask me for the pattern, I'm not patient enough to jot down all the "row 1: 3dc, bpdc *repeat after the *" You know what I mean! While I was putting on the finishing touches, I realized that I would be able to link up to Charity's "Finished Object Friday" for the first time! That makes me pretty happy!

No Manner of Hurt

2011-12-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

The other day, I read in the book of Daniel for my devotions. The passage was in chapter six recounting the story of Daniel in the lions' den. Now, Daniel and his three Hebrew friends do fascinate me. Their boldness and faith certainly leave a tremendous legacy to learn from! So when I got to verse twenty-three in my reading, I was rejoicing in a new way over how God brings deliverance.

I have had many thoughts concerning these two stories of miraculous deliverance in this little book, and a few life applications. There have been times when I have been going through a difficult battle, or I have seen a loved one in the midst of the “fire,” so to speak, and I have compared their struggles with the fiery furnace or the lions' den. It has comforted me to also compare the companions these Biblical heroes had during their severe testing with the companions God sent to me during my struggle. Just knowing that He was close by my side, whether I could sense His presence or not, gave me strength, indeed!

I have also thought about the outcome of the trial, and the faith of those who witnessed it. I know we have others watching our lives. On the onset, they may have no faith at all, such as Nebuchadnezzar; or they may have some faith, but are just stupid, such as King Darius. Nevertheless, they are looking on. God knows all this, and I believe He is anticipating the question, “...is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20) Therefore, we can expect that in a life fully surrendered to Him, the outcome of the trial will bring glory to HIM! Those witnessing the trial will surely be able to say, “The God, whom they have served continually, certainly WAS able to deliver them from the lions!”

Well, those are some of the thoughts that have accumulated over the past few years. Aren't you glad, though, that God continues to speak to us through His Word? I started out this blog post by mentioning that I had read this story the other day, and I had a new cause for rejoicing. Verse twenty-three says, “...So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.” This is what stood out to me ...no manner of hurt was found upon him... That is nothing new! We all knew that! And it was even said of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace as they came out “...upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” (Daniel 3:27) The fire had no power! These are such amazing miracles! Wonderful Sunday School stories! My favorite story from childhood is “Cool in the Furnace!” I still sing songs from that musical to my kids! But my epiphany was in the recollection of my battles and the anticipation of things to come. Have I come through my trials without the “smell of smoke” or the “stench of lions' breath?” Even though the trials we have experienced have been allowed by God, they most likely have been initiated by Satan or one of his minions. The devil's intention is to annihilate our faith in God or maim our spirit in some way. If we could at least have our “hair singed” or have “teeth marks” in the calves of our legs, then he will have triumphed. Yes, we survived, but we are missing something because of it. For instance, maybe I survived cancer, but I retained the “smell of smoke” because I became lost in grief over my baby not bonding to me like other babies bond to their mothers—I was too sick to care for her during her crucial time. Or, I came through a miscarriage, and I still have my health, but a Sunday School girl conceived out of wedlock around the same time and delivered a healthy baby; and if I would have become bitter over the "unfairness" of it all it could have left “teeth marks.” But that is not how God intends to help us through our trials. When we are surrendered to Him, He helps us to come through with no “smoke smell or lions' breath!” No bitterness, no strife, no dissension, no anger! He gives us the grace to overcome valiantly! When we believe in our God, He promises to bring us through. Not by the skin of our teeth, but to a mighty victory! “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7) I am so grateful for life (since so many others receive a death sentence through cancer), and Madelyn and I are working on that bond! I'm sure the older she gets and the more she is able to understand, she will very likely be amazed at the way God spared her life! He has a definite plan for her, and us! As for the Sunday School girl, God helped me to love her and love her baby. It is not up to me to determine who gets life, and who goes to heaven first. I am happy to leave that up to God! My desire is to come through my trials victoriously—with no “smell of smoke” on my spirit or “teeth marks” in my faith!

Critical Care Birthdays

2010-11-02T22:08:00.001-07:00

Tara’s 12th birthday was June 4 (Friday). I had not done any birthday shopping before going into the hospital, but after I knew I was going to be there for a few days (which actually turned into 4 weeks), I knew just what I wanted to give her as a gift. We had been trying to plan a party for months because we knew it would be hard to plan with a new baby. For some reason, I could not wrap my brain around what I could do to make this birthday special. We had several ideas, but none of them would “gel” with me. I am convinced that everything happens for a reason, and if things do not go as planned, there is a reason for that, too. Who would have thought that the birthday party was going to end up just the 4 of us (without Maddie) in CCU? I do not have pictures of this little party. Steve (or my sweet sis-in-law, Mary Beth) was able to locate the gift I wanted to give (a stuffed white horse) in the gift shop of the hospital! We also gave her a cell phone and a few other insignificant items, I think! My nurse for the evening offered to go get us some ice cream from the pantry to add to the festivities. Tara was so sweet and so appreciative in the midst of the total change of expectations.
Before the party, I had started getting more desperate in my breathing. I had gone from the simple nasal cannula tube to an oxygen mask on Thursday night. Friday morning, the IV team came and inserted a PICC line in my arm. Then my care givers decided I needed to be in CCU. After the little party, my breathing continued to get more laborious. It seems they attached a bag to my mask, and I remember sitting up in the bed gasping for breath. I do not remember anything after that. I have no recollection of the next 2 weeks of my life.
Apparently, as the chemo attacked the cancer, and the tumors started the dying process, it greatly increased the distress in my lungs. Friday night, my oncologist (Dr. Ronald Alvarez) had a restless night. He said he couldn’t get me off his mind. He came up to the hospital unusually early Saturday morning, and was coming in just when drastic action needed to be taken. He ordered to have me intubated, and he called a pulmonologist to come on the case. Dr. Roney came quickly. They called code blue on me, and a remarkable medical staff came to my aid. Every vital organ struggled under the strain. They started pushing medications through my PICC line. The doctors told Steve that the PICC line saved my life—providing a means to get the medicine quickly into my system.
The condition of my heart called for medicine that, once it is started, has to be taken for the rest of your life. The internal medicine doctor told Steve that my kidneys looked like they belonged to someone who had run a marathon without a drink of water; and it would take weeks to get them back in shape. I had to receive shots of insulin. It is no surprise that my bone marrow took a drastic hit—that’s par for the course with chemotherapy.
Word spread quickly to my friends and a flood of prayers reached the throne of grace. God allowed me to visit the “brink” for a little while. My dear husband and girls were near despair, but God was holding them close to His great heart as well. The love, words of encouragement, prayers and support were a lifeline, but Steve still says that was probably the lowest point in his life. Katelyn (my 16 year old) was fully aware of my condition, and yet she allowed God to comfort her and speak to her through His Word. She has precious promises from that period of time. Tara did not know for awhile what was happening. When she found out, the 3 of them leaned on each other and God wrapped His loving arms around them.
God saw fit to bring healing to my body. In less than 3 days after starting the heart medicine, the nurse had me weaned completely off! God touched my kidneys within days. When I started to improve, the sugar condition got better as well. The bone marrow took a little longer to recover, and the chemo routine had to be postponed for a few days. Once we were able to get back on track, we stayed on track until the last dose in September. What a mighty God we serve!

The next Saturday, when things had settled down a little bit, my friend Penny and Tara’s aunts Mary Beth and Kimmy put on a great birthday party for her. They got her an absolutely adorable cake, Tara got some birthday money, and she and her friends got to go to the mall and spend it all in one place!!

The Whirlwind

2010-10-04T15:24:00.001-07:00

On May15,our sweet Madelyn was born. Two days prior to that, I noticed it beginning to “rain” in my life. This “rain” was the onset of a “whirlwind” that was soon to make itself very apparent in our lives. This is when I started to feel shortness of breath. I mentioned this to the nurse after Maddie was born. She said, “Hmm, well, you’ve been pregnant, and you’ve just had a baby, that would make anyone short of breath!” Well, this condition never got better. I figured I was tired, anemic, still had too much fluid—anything with a simple explanation. Finally, after 2 ½ weeks, I called the doc and told him I just wasn’t getting any better. He said to come in the office, he would check me into the hospital and we would find the problem.
On June 2, I checked into the hospital and after a few tests, the doctor determined that I had a disease called choriocarcinoma or GTN (gestational trophoblastic neoplasia). That is, multiple cancerous tumors in my lungs and liver. These tumors came from abnormal cells produced by the placenta during pregnancy that travelled to those organs. I was told that the condition was very serious, but the cure rate was very high. My doctor had already selected an oncologist for me. This oncologist is rated the top in the field of gynecologic oncology in the nation, and he agreed to take my case.
This is an aggressive cancer, so they expected it to respond to aggressive treatment. Surgery was not an option, so we started chemotherapy the very next evening. The tumor load in my lungs was very heavy, and my condition began to deteriorate rapidly. A little more than 24 hours after the first treatment, I went into respiratory arrest. I had to be intubated, and I coded 2 times. A pulmonologist was called on my account, and he stood by my bed for nearly 3 hours keeping me alive (with God’s guidance, and your prayers!).

Thus began entrance into the whirlwind. There were many miracles that took place over the next 3 weeks that I will probably muse about in later posts. The hand of God on my life has been an incredible new awareness for our family. One of the most obvious miracles, though, is Madelyn Grace. This disease, though rare, is likely to occur in the onset of a molar pregnancy. If the baby is able to develop, there will probably be many deformities. Madelyn, though, is perfectly developed with no crossover of the disease. I have always marveled at my babies and their beauty—especially after little Robyn was stillborn, but the miracle of Maddie is absolutely amazing!

Textbook Delivery

2010-10-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

No, I’m not talking about getting school books in the mail; I’m talking about labor and delivery, babies being born, Madelyn’s birth experience. This was one right out of the textbooks! The only hitch that I know of was the fact that I had tested positive for strep B and had to take an antibiotic. Ideally, Madelyn needed to wait 4 hours after that medication was administered to be born so she wouldn’t have to undergo a few extra tests. So, that day, I was concerned about a few things, had a few random contractions, took a few laps around the mall, and called the doc to see if I could come in to listen to her heartbeat for awhile. He said, “Sure, come on up!” I went on up, got strapped to the monitors and went into labor, just like that! The nurse felt sure things would continue nicely, and gave her opinion to the doc. He came in and concurred, and the ball started rolling in the right direction just like they teach in the textbooks! The nurse gave me the antibiotic at 6:25 pm and announced that she would like for the baby to be born after 10:25, but before 11. After 10:25 because of the medicine, and before 11 because of the shift change and she wanted to be there for the delivery!

(The birth announcement that never got printed or mailed out!)

And that, folks, is exactly what happened! God blessed us with a very smooth, uneventful labor and delivery of a beautiful baby girl. She was born at 10:32 pm—much to Amanda’s (my nurse) delight. She weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces and had red hair! Her lungs (which were a concern 2 days prior) seemed to be in excellent shape! Our loving heavenly Father knows what lies in store for us. I get teary-eyed when I think of His goodness to me. It seems as though He stepped in and gave absolutely no room for the enemy to do any dirty work right here because He knew what was right around the corner for us. I had a very sweet 2 ½ weeks to get acquainted with my precious bundle. There were some adjustments that are typical to getting acclimated to having a newborn, but my only real concern was my shortness of breath that never would get better. You couldn’t ask for a sweeter baby. We are so proud of Madelyn Grace Snodgrass!

Something to blog about...

2009-11-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

Life --as we know it--couldn't be more exciting at the moment! Everyone in our family has attained a momentous milestone all within the past several weeks.

My milestone ~ After years and years of waiting and hoping, it looks like we are going to add to the family tree! When we started getting good reports from the doctor, we felt safe to share the news that we are going to have a baby! Due date - June 2. When you have experienced pregnancy loss, you kind of approach the whole idea with caution. You want to be hopeful, yet not presumptuous. We are fully aware that good health and good progress are all direct gifts from God's hand.

Steve's milestone ~ First time world traveler! Steve made a trip around the globe to our mission work in India. Wow! What an experience! We were so thankful he was able to make the trip with a veteran traveler - Bro. Steve Robinson. God certainly used them in amazing ways, and they received such amazing blessings from these precious people that we sponsor in Tenali, India. Tara's milestone ~ She shot her first deer! Hurray for Tara! This was her first time to hunt with a rifle! She was so calm and confident, and knocked that deer down!! It wasn't until she was climbing down out of the stand that she started getting "buck fever!" There was no need to track any blood! Her daddy was so proud ~ her cousin DJ was so proud ~ everyone was so proud of her! I know her Grandpa Snodgrass would have been bursting at the seams!

Katie's milestone ~ sweet 16! We had a grand time celebrating! Our friends the Truitts were able to come from Missouri, which made the weekend extra special. Celebrating entailed the Cheesecake Factory on Friday night, shopping all day Saturday, and finally a birthday party after church Sunday evening with around 40 friends and family ~ topped off with an "Oreo" cake from Edgars Bakery. What a sweet celebration for such a sweet girl! Our prayer is that she will grow in grace and the love of our Savior! Love you, Katie!

Happy Birthday, Dad

2009-07-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

Just thinking about Dad today as we make it through all the "firsts" this year. My friend, Sharron, spoke about the misnomer that time heals all wounds, because as time goes on, the wound seems to gape a little more. So thankful for our heavenly Father who continues to wrap His loving arms around this family. God is good -- all the time.

Just what exactly does "CGP" mean??

2009-07-13T09:42:00.001-07:00

In addition to our random week, and after 2 or 3 changes in our plans, the girls and I ended up in Nashville on Thursday, on our way home from Kentucky. You see, my dear Daddy was headed to Nashville that same day (or so we thought). I just couldn't abide the thought of breezing through without stopping to at least hug his neck! The plan evolved into staying the night in Nashville with the thoughts of attending an event with Dad and heading out to have a look at the campground where we will gather in a few weeks for the Pilgrim Nazarene Camp. Well, we ended up staying the night, but Dad's flight didn't arrive until 10:45 the next morning. All was well with that. We went to the campground. It is beautiful. We are so excited about camp!! Then we headed back into Nashville to find out all about CGP's!! You see, the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society was having their annual event, and Dad ranks right up there at the top of avid Chet fans! He showed us around, introduced us to many of our favorite "Certified Guitar Pickers" (get it?) In our world of homeschooling, I don't mind if music is played in the background while the girls study--it just has to be music without words that you can't sing along with; therefore, guitar music (Chet Atkins style) is one of our favorite genres. (And piano, and sax...) We got to meet Bobby Gibson who has this synthesizer that makes his guitar sound like a piano! Seriously! It is so cool!! We got to meet Nokie Edwards who was the lead guitarist of the band "The Ventures." Dad has been able to spend some very special time with him, and he has been able to witness to him about the Lord. Nokie really likes my dad. We got to hear Guy Van Dueser, Frank Vignola, and Tommy Emmanuel! We thought we were going to see Doyle Dykes, so Dad got Steve a ticket to fly in to Nashville that evening (some more random!!), and he got to be there for the evening concert. Sadly, Doyle had hurt his arm and wasn't able to make it, but it was a very enjoyable concert anyway! The next morning, we slipped in and heard took in a little more of the event. We got to hear Julian Smith play with a string quartet backing him up. Wow! What a great weekend! This is something Dad really loves, and I'm so glad my family got to get in and experience a little of it with him. Some great Quality Time!!

And sew on and sew forth....

2009-07-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

The girls and I had a fun week last week. Full of "random" moments! (My girls are all about "random" these days.) We were invited by our friends, Carmelita and Marie Turner to join them in Kentucky. They were on a marathon of sewing bridesmaids' dresses for Marie's wedding. Well, since I love to sew, and I love Carmelita and Marie, and I love Grandma Jolly, (at whose house we were meeting) we headed out. We had a great time cutting, sewing, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Some of the sewing team headed out to go shoe shopping--such an integral part of being a seamstress!! I was happy to provide the entertainment for the week, but since I'm modest and don't like to call attention to myself, I'll let Carmelita or Marie tell you what was so hilariously funny. :) Let's just say that sewing late at night tends to bring out the worst rather than the best in a person!! Thanks, Grandma Jolly for being such a great hostess! BTW, the dress is deep purple (eggplant) and the jacket is silver. Very pretty. (Oh yes, and the shoes are silver satin.)

God's favorite colors

2009-05-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day God has blessed us with today!! I love to stop and think about all of the many ways God has enriched my life until I am just overwhelmed by His goodness!

Our house in Muncie was situated beside a very nice big yard. It was so peaceful to be able to sit on the porch on a clear day and drink your coffee or iced tea--especially with a loved one. My grandmother commented, one day, that God's favorite colors must be green and blue. That day I had to agree with her as I looked out over the vast green yard as it connected with the clear blue sky. I mentioned this to someone, and they so glibly remarked that God loves all the colors just the same. (Just what do you DO with people who have no scope for the imagination?!)

We received some very disturbing news this week from different places about some very difficult things that a few of our dear friends and family are having to face right now. It seems that everywhere you turn, there are hurting people. It is so hard to try to come up with the right words to say--especially when you think that is all you have to offer. Virtual hugs over the phone are nice in their own right, but not near as comforting. It is so easy to be overcome with grief, and grieving is necessary. But I am so glad to report that when you are able to finally pick your head back up from your tears, you can realize that you have not been alone. The Holy Spirit has been right there beside you with His arms wrapped around you, weeping with you. He knows our frame. He knows our suffering, and the answer to ALL of our prayers is His presence. I have found that resting in that fact is like being wrapped up in a soft blanket in the arms of your closest loved one. There is no where else I'd rather be!

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?

Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus.

Are you grieving over joys departed?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

He is a friend that's well known.

You've no other such a friend or brother.

Tell it to Jesus alone!

Now it's time to go out and drink in some of God's favorite colors!! red, brown, yellow, black and white... green and blue, too?

A first time for everything!

2009-05-13T19:26:00.001-07:00

Here is Steve preaching in our Dallas Spanish PNC. This was his first time to preach with an interpreter! God really helped him. Everyone was so gracious! Sis. Anaya fixed us an outstanding meal. What a neat experience!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

Every year, my husband buys me a corsage to wear on Mother's Day. It is always very beautiful and has such a special meaning. The two red roses are for my lovely daughters - Katelyn and Tara, and the white rose buds are for our babies in heaven.

My girls showered me with cards they made and bought - making this a very meaningful day. I am so blessed!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

New wheels!

2009-04-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

Steve has been shopping, shopping, shopping for the right car. Since our car is now our "home away from home," we needed something designed for travel. Our little Malibu is great for gas mileage, but our mechanic thought it was great for a lot of other things, too! So we found this nice 2007 Buick Lucerne, and it is nice!

We bought the car and hit the road the next day--headed for Texas and Oklahoma. Steve preached a revival in Durant, and we so enjoyed getting to know our friends - Mike and Regina Yancey better. Our kids had fun together, too. I tried to act brave when Michael and David gave the girls a ride on their dirt bikes, though! (Sorry I don't have a picture of that.) Joshua and Brooklynn are sure cuties. We had a lot of fun that week.

God helped us in the revival. There is a lot of talent in the church. Everyone took part singing a special, but we only got a picture of the Dunegan's and Sis. Whatley's trio. We were certainly enriched by our time in Durant and also with the Taylors and the Meeks. God has given us such good friends!

Life is never boring!

2009-04-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have posted. My resolve hasn't weakened, but my schedule has gone into overdrive!! God has been good to us, and we have been able to make some very sweet memories.

We have done a lot of travelling, been to lots of revivals, stayed with several of our dear friends, and have just been enjoying the blessings of God. Thank you Katelyn for having your ever present camera ready to shoot. (She really needs to create a blog for showing off her photos--she has incredible imagination!)

Here are two of my sweet nephews, Trent and Jeremy. They are SO much fun! (Trent belongs to my nephew Terry and Rachel in Dallas, and Jeremy belongs to David and Kimmy)Tara and Jillayne (bff daisy) :o) (I'm trying to learn the girly lingo!) got to spend some extra time together. It was so fun to have the Jones family here for a week. The revival was wonderful. We enjoy their friendship so much! Mom Snodgrass and Penny have the same birthday, so of course we had to celebrate in style with a strawberry cake from Edgar's Bakery! Here is Branden and Jake goofing off. It was the day for piggy back rides! Tara and Alissa had to join in the fun...

God has been so good to us! He has blessed us with good health, good friends, wonderful family ties and a loving church family. I don't ever want to take these things for granted! More to come...

Heavy Hearts

2009-03-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

We are just having the hardest time acclimating ourselves to living life without Dad Snodgrass. But then, we didn't expect it would be easy. I always wanted Steve to know that I never wanted to stand in the way of any time he was able to spend with his dad, whether on the phone or in person--knowing that this time was going to come all too soon. As the days go by, we all find so many ways that we miss him--in just ordinary, every-day things. It has been heart-breaking watching my girls grieve for their Grandpa. Steve's grief is quite heavy. He consulted his dad frequently, and his advice was held in high regard. God's grace will see us through. This is just another milestone on our path to heaven. More than ever we are determined to make it there at any cost.

Bus Convention

2009-03-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Steve and I were so privileged to be able to attend Bus Convention this year. It was our first time, and, WOW! We feel so much richer! Steve was able to take in some of the pastoral leadership sessions. He really enjoyed the classes led by Bro. Jack Hooker, and Bro. Darrell Stetler II. I was able to go to a Bus Ministry class led by Bro. Leonard Raub--that guy has boundless energy, it seems. He really inspired me. Then I got to go here my hero, Bro. Barry Mason. He is chuck full of incredible resources!! Children's ministry is dear to my heart. My friends will tell you that if you just mention the topic, it turns on my switch and I could talk about it for the rest of the day!! The rest of the time, I attended the sessions dealing with teens and young people. What a needy world we live in. Our kids are constantly searching for something real, and we have the answer--why do we keep it a secret? God help me!!!

One other highlight I will mention is that I got to meet Sis. Judy Fay. My grandmother says she was inspired to do children's work by this dear lady. Grandma had a very successful children's ministry down through the years, and I have inherited many, many tools and resources from her. It was so gratifying for me to be able to meet Sis. Fay and thank her for the influence she had on Grandma. I have a rich heritage. I am very blessed.

Ha ha ha who said anything about spring???

2009-03-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

My poor little porch robin!! Can you believe this?? I jinxed us all! Here we are in Alabama, the 1st day of March, and it's snowing like crazy! You know how it is down here--there are probably more salt trucks in your county than there are in the entire state! Well, I must say it is better than March 1st 2 years ago--we had tornadoes blowing through here. My girls gathered all their precious belongings and headed for the storm shelter. They hollered out, "Sorry, Mom, there's no room for you in here!" I assured them that I have always loved them and would see them in heaven!!

..I prefer the snow!
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Spring is coming!!

2009-02-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Who all has cabin fever around here? Around here, we know spring is coming because the thunderstorms and tornado threats become more frequent! It is absolutely dreary outside, and Steve said we can expect about 4 inches of rain! We also have an unofficial contest to see who sees the first robin of spring. Tara was so excited as she counted 7 then 14 robins in our yard! Katelyn had to go grab her camera! We have had a special attraction to robins ever since our own special little Robyn went to be with Jesus. Katelyn put one of these pictures on the home screen of my computer. She said, "I'm so glad we named her Robyn,"--she will always be close to our hearts, especially in the spring!

Words for Difficult Times

2009-02-25T13:28:00.001-08:00

This morning, I ran across a little pamphlet Sis. Pettit sent to me a couple of months ago. We had been talking about my miscarriage, and she took the initiative to send me this little booklet that so gently spoke to my loss. I'm so grateful to have friends that care deeply. I want to be that kind of friend. I did a little search on google and found a really nice blog that is designed to give guidance in words of comfort. If you are a pastor's wife, or anyone who needs to show support to a friend in need, I have listed the link on my sidebar. Just click on the smaller version of this picture of Jesus, it should take you directly to that blog. May God bless you richly as you strive to show His love. This picture was sent to me from a dear friend who did not necessarily know just how much it would mean to me. I have 2 little ones in heaven, and this is exactly how I picture them to be right now! I intend to keep my focus on Jesus and someday, soon, we will all be together again!

To Preacher's Meeting and beyond!

2009-02-23T19:51:00.000-08:00

Last week seems like it is such a blur, but in reality, it is a very special memory. We all gathered at the beautiful Shreveport PNC. The Holy Spirit sweetly ministered to us through Bro. Hedstrom. I was so glad Sis. Hedstrom was able to come, too. I love to glean from these ladies' experiences and wisdom. On Thursday, we had a very lovely celebration banquet at Camp Bethany commemorating our 5th anniversary. Several people testified and reminisced about the past 5 years and what God has done for us during that time. We received a lovely picture for our living room, and other gifts. We felt surrounded by a very gracious group of friends who showered their love on our family. Our hearts feel warm and uplifted.

Tampa!

2009-02-16T21:49:00.000-08:00

Isn't it common knowledge that there is an eye in the storm that is peaceful and quiet? Well, saying that our life is a storm wouldn't be quite the right description, maybe a whirlwind. whew! But while we were in Tampa, we were able to take a few moments to stop and catch our breath real quick before we had to turn around and come back home!

The girls had an awesome time in Tampa. They got to fly for the first time, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Once they got away from their nerved out mom, they relaxed and enjoyed the flight! My mom was able to meet them at the gate and escort them to the baggage claim via the shuttle. They got to meet new friends - Autumn and Summer Smalley. Then they got to spend some time at the beach, and Grandpa took off work to take them to the zoo. My mom and dad did a fantastic job just spoiling them rotten!

What are grandparents for, anyway?!

After Steve and I got there, we got to go see Grandma D at her sweet little place in Zephyrhills. Grandma is so precious, and I really wish I could spend more time with her. I think an extended visit to Sylvan Springs is in order!

We were able to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday! It has been a long time since I have been able to be with my dad on his birthday, so we really celebrated in style!

We also went to Hobe Sound for an evening at Sea Breeze Camp. The girls got to dip their feet in the Atlantic ocean for the first time! We saw a few friends, and so enjoyed spending time with Joan and Brent Hoffpauir after church. We enjoyed meeting Brent and renewing our friendship with Joan.

Steve, along with other denominational leaders, met with the Bible College students for the purpose of recruiting them into the various vacant positions that are available for ministry. Then back to Tampa, and back home on Saturday.

It was so good to be with my parents. God has truly worked miracles for them and we are so grateful.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

2009-02-16T06:23:00.000-08:00

It's not every day you get to greet the President, let alone wish him a happy birthday, let alone one who is 200 years old! Imagine our surprise when we walked into a Bob Evans restaurant last Thursday, and lo and behold, there stood Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln! He was so gracious to take time to talk to the girls, but he paid special attention to Tara. He told her that it was a girl about her age that convinced him to grow a beard. The girl's name was Grace Bidell, and she told Mr. Lincoln that he had a plain face. She said that if he would just grow a beard, she may be able to convince her brothers to vote for him. So he did! Another interesting fact is that he only wore his beard during his presidency. Then he invited Tara to join the group at his table while he gave a speech--the "Gettysburg Address." I'm sure Tara will long remember this fun diversion to the day.

Blessings along the way....

2009-02-09T13:12:00.001-08:00

Happiness is also found in enjoying the blessings of friends as we go along the way. Our travels took us through Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas before we pointed Ms. Malibu toward home. Our hearts are full with good memories of time spent with good friends. I had fun getting acquainted with a certain sweet little Brooklyn Yancey, but her brothers might not be too happy that Joshua now knows how to make a rubber band gun around his hand. What can I say- I'm a teacher at heart! We'll be home this evening then off to Tampa tomorrow! The next post will have pictures, you can be sure.
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When the door opens to buy a new outfit, you should step right through.

2009-02-07T16:28:00.000-08:00

I'm on my way to a meeting with my husband, but, oh, the shoes I was wearing were just wrong. (Did I really wear them on purpose?) Steve was so sweet to agree to stop and shop with me to get me lookin' good. Kohl's had nothing to sneeze at (if my nose was running money...), but then I went to Cato's. Don't you love that store? As I passed a mirror, I noticed my skirt didn't look all that great, either. You know how that goes! But, the Lord was shining down on me and would you believe, there was the cutest skirt and shoes to match my jacket! Happy day! The door to a new outfit opened up, and I walked right through!
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I'm NOT ready for an empty nest!

2009-02-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

I just took my girls to the airport this morning, put them on a plane and sent them to my mom in Tampa. This is their first time to fly (Katelyn flew when she was 2--that doesn't count), and so there was quite a mixture of nerves and excitement! I cannot describe the feeling I had as I watched that plane back out, taxi down the runway and take off. I was NOT ok! It was a beautiful day, though, and we were able to watch the plane for a long time. The girls, on the other hand, relaxed, got acclimated to their surroundings and enjoyed their flight. To my great relief, Mom was able to get past security and meet them at the gate. Whew! It sure has been quiet around here. Since we homeschool, and are together 24/7, this abrupt separation has been a little disconcerting!

Our girls add so much life and laughter to our home, but their grandparents don't get to enjoy their vivaciousness near often enough. I try to share their chirpiness, but so much enjoyment comes from the "spur of the moment" humor. Mom and Dad are in for a real treat. They have a lot of fun things to do on the agenda. I think they are going to go hear the Perry's, meet new friends, go to the zoo, go swimming (hopefully!). Then when we finally arrive next Tuesday, we are going to end up at Sea Breeze Camp in Hobe Sound. And to all of this I will add--"the Lord willing!"

I believe when we fully enjoy life and the company of our loved ones, the Lord is pleased. He so graciously smiles upon us, and we know that the pleasantries of life come from His hand. We focus a lot on taking comfort that our trials are monitored by God, but I like to think that when we receive blessings like we have enjoyed lately, they are also a direct result of His watch care over us. We have enjoyed the company of our friends, good health, plenty of food, a warm, dry place to call home with many comforts, a lovely place to worship, a wealth of friends that surround us with their prayers, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. So, even though I am missing my girls, my heart is full because of the many tender mercies of my loving heavenly Father.

Double Date!

2009-02-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

Another fun thing we were able to do this weekend was go on a double date with Troy and Jenn. After we had taken the girls shopping for a couple of days, they so sweetly consented to babysit all the kids so the 4 of us could go out. We went to our new favorite Italian restaurant - Leonardo's. They have a renowned concert pianist perform for the guests every Saturday night, and we enjoyed that so much! Good food, good atmosphere, good fellowship, but most of all, good friends. We have been blessed with many very good friends. The Truitts had to leave this morning, and throughout the day, I reflected on our time together. It's great to have the feeling that when you part company with friends, you come away wanting to be a better person. Troy and Jenn are friends just like that. Because of our time together, I feel refreshed in my spirit. I'm looking forward to being a better pastor's wife, a better parent, and a better Christian. Thanks, Truitts, for staying those few extra days. You were a tremendous blessing to us all!

Our Weekend with the Truitts

2009-02-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

We have had such a wonderful weekend with our great friends, Troy and Jenn Truitt and their awesome family - Lauren, Luke, Tyler, Travis, Andrea and Alex. They got iced out of their house, and we were soo glad they decided to stay with us! They have so graciously entertained us a few times as we have traveled through their fair city over the past several months, so I was thrilled to be able to return the favor. The kids had a lot of fun playing together--in fact, I heard one of the boys say he would just like to stay and live here. We could use a son! The girls really need a brother! Here is Andrea in her "teenager" skirt!" I gathered some of the kids together in the basement of the church for a photo shoot. Back row - Tara, Jake, Tyler, Front row - Travis, Andrea and Reid:)

Katie and Lauren had a lot of fun, of course. We tried to get as much shopping in as possible - and last, but not least, we finally made it to WalMart--Katie's favorite store. We even have a picture of the girls with the greeter to prove it! LOL The Jasper young people came over while the Truitts were here. Elizabeth Shields, Katie and Lauren look a little like a tasty garden salad! =)

Does mobile posting work?

2009-01-26T16:57:00.001-08:00

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!!!

2009-01-26T16:02:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-22T15:04:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-15T21:10:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-15T21:09:00.001-08:00

Tara's ministry of hugs

2009-01-08T17:02:00.001-08:00

(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

2009-01-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-07T10:30:00.001-08:00

Katelyn's Birthday Party (Nov. 08)

2009-01-07T10:23:00.001-08:00

Katelyn

2009-01-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-07T10:06:00.001-08:00

2009-01-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

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.

Moving to Tampa!

2007-11-27T07:52:00.000-08:00

We all gathered in St. Louis for one last hurrah at the old home place. Mom and Dad are moving to Tampa, Florida, and taking Grandma D with them. The cousins had so much fun and kept everything light hearted at this bittersweet time. We're so happy for Mom and Dad and Grandma. The "Sunshine State" should take real good care of them!

Who needs Six Flags??

2007-11-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

Katelyn and Mark 3's boys, Grant and Chip, all had their fun during the down times of moving Grandma and Grandpa Russell. A little imagination, platforms on wheels, and plastic totes can go a long ways!

Welcome to our world, Baby Jeremy!

2007-11-20T09:11:00.001-08:00

We are so happy to announce that Baby Jeremy arrived Friday, November 16th. Mom Kimmy is doing exceptionally well; Dad David and DJ aren't doing too shabby, either! We intend to shower this one with hugs, kisses, and any other way we can spoil him absolutely rotten! Here is a picture of his beautiful self, and one with Cousin Tara and Grandma Snodgrass.

Like Father, Like Daughter

2007-11-20T07:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Katelyn, our freezer will soon be bulging with good, old fashioned, cholesterol free venison! Katelyn, her Dad, and Grandpa Snodgrass took to the woods for opening day and saw so many deer that Grandpa just got tired of keeping count! This 10 point beauty stepped out, buck fever stepped in, but Katelyn soon overcame and the rest is history! Katie sends a big thank you to Uncle Bebo and Uncle David for helping to track this deer and bring it home. We're real proud of you, Katie!

Sea shells, sand castles and rain, rain, rain........

2007-11-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

Another highlight of the year was a trip to the beach. The girls had been begging to be able to see the gulf for a long time, so between Aunt Mary Beth and I, we were able to pull off a short trip to Gulf Shores. The first day we were there, it rained cats and dogs, but Mary Beth wouldn't let us grieve over that for long. There were lots of outlets and fun places to shop, so shop we did until we dropped! We had a fun, girly day shopping, eating out, doing pedicures, you name it! The rain finally stopped the 2nd day, so we were able to enjoy the beach to the fullest. We collected so many sea shells, played in the waves, drew our names in the sand, built sand castles, and more or less "vegged" on beach chairs all day. We had an absolutely wonderful time, and we can't wait to go back! Thanks, Mary Beth, for going with us. You made the trip so worth while!

Nimrod brings home the "bacon" again!

2007-10-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

We are happy to report that there will be meat in the freezer this winter! Steve and his brother David were hunting in the woods close to Montgomery, AL, Tuesday morning when this beautiful opportunity stepped out. Now we will have yet another exciting adventure to share around the dinner table when ya'll come to visit us!

Bruno the great

2007-10-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

One of the most significant happenings recently is an addition to our family. Steve has felt outnumbered for a very long time in a house full of females. We have also been praying that God would bless our home with a son. We should have been more specific. We are the proud owner of an American Bulldog puppy. He is really sweet. We are house-training him, and he is training us--to keep the shoes and schoolwork and anything valuable picked up off the floor! Everyone needs a sweet dog like Bruno!!