Thursday, December 31, 2009

Scripture Memory Challenge

The following is the final verse of 2009 in the LPM Scripture Memory
Challenge. We were to memorize it between December 15 - 31. I've had a busy Christmas season but didn't want to let this completely slip by without making my postings of the scriptures 100%. Here is my final verse for this year.

"Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead
me along the path of everlasting life."
Psalm 139:24 (NLT)

This verse should be the sentiment of all our hearts. I do not want anything in my life that offends my Lord and Savior.

Blessings,
Sherry

Saturday, December 26, 2009

....and after the presents have been opened.....

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We were extremely blessed this Christmas, but our blessings go far beyond the holiday.

After all the presents have been opened and the mess has been cleaned, we are left with the most precious gift; family, friends and our precious Savior. Things are nice but when it is all said and done, the love we share is what will last.

Here are pics of two of my precious jewels:




She's so interested in words and trying to read.
If you look carefully out the patio door in the upper right of the pic
you can see the white of a blizzard blowing snow.
It was reported that we received 14" of snow.

The wind was so bad that I had to put an old bedspread at the door to prevent
snow from coming in -- yeah right! I was shocked a short while after when Iopened the front door to see so much snow INSIDE the foyer!


Yummy suckers from their stockings.

And here is our sucker-eating-expert. I took this pic with my phone and he was hopping around so it's a little blurry, but notice the chunk of candy on his nose and on the front on his sweater. How he managed the candy on the nose, I'll never know! He's a never ending source of entertainment and sweeter than the sucker he was eating!


I am so thankful for the love that God gave us through the gift of his Son. Because Him, I have life -- abundantly!

Blessings to you,
Sherry

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Circle of Friends Award



Cathy passed this award to her readers. What a blessing! I hope each of you will check out her blog.

I am suppose to tell 5 things I love to do:

1) Spend time with my family and friends.
2) Read a good book.
3) Scrapbook.
4) Traveling -- worldwide.
5) Spend quality time in God's Word.

I am passing this award to each of you, because indeed you have become a Great Circle Of Friends!

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17

Blessed to be a friend,

Sherry

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Sarah Palin Book Signing

Last Thursday night the temperature in central Oklahoma was below freezing. But . . despite the frigid weather, I and our youth pastor's wife, Sasha, headed to Norman for Sarah Palin's book signing. The event was held at the Hastings store. In order to obtain a signature, the books had to be purchased from Hastings. Also, they gave out wristbands to guarantee you a signature. By 7:00 a.m. all the wristbands (500) were given out. However, they did allow others to line up behind the fortunate 500. We had purchased our books two days before so, without wristbands, we began what turned out to be real adventure.

Sasha wasn't able to leave work early so we didn't arrive in Norman until around 6:15 p.m. We found a parking place very quickly across the street from the event. We crossed the 4 lanes of traffic and the first thing we saw was a few protesters with their signs and posters. The crowd was large. Due to many spectators, it was not apparent just where the line began so I asked a security guard for assistance. We got to the back of the l-o-n-g l-i-n-e and patiently waited. We were standing in the parking lot and it was s-o-o-o cold (in the mid to lower 20's).

After a few short minutes, Palin's beautiful bus arrived. Because there were so many people, we were unable to see her, Trigg and her parents exit the bus. It had been reported that she would be giving a short speech outside the store, but just before she arrived they removed the platform.

We continued to wait . . . . and wait. . . and watched the first lucky 500 march in to have their books signed. The comments of those leaving with signed books in hand was very interesting. One guy (mid 20's) commented how beautiful she was and also said "I'll never wash my eyes again" :)

Finally, our line began to move, but in spite of the movement, the hope for a signature was growing dim, however, we continued to wait . . . and wait. . . all the while our toes were growing numb, and our legs, fingers (even with gloves) were steadily growing colder.

After standing in line for almost 2 hours, beginning to feel pain in our feet from the numbing cold, we decided to leave and go to Olive Garden for dinner . . . and warm up. We decided to be grateful to have been able to see the bus and experience the excitement of the crowd, and we still had a book to enjoy reading. Also, it gave us an opportunity to spend some time together, which is very rare because of busy schedules and she's the mother of three darling little girls, ages 4, 3 & 1.

We had a nice dinner and talked. Around 9:30 we decided that we have better head home. I suggested that we not go back via I-35 because of the construction, but instead go another route. Also, this route would take us back by the Hastings store and we could check and see if the signing was over . . . or not. We felt pretty sure Sarah would be gone. But . . . to our surprise, the protesters were still there and there was a short line just outside the store. We whipped into the parking lot and were able to park very near the store. Just as we got to the second entrance where they were filing in, the guards said they were having to lock up. I told Sasha, "Come, on. Let's go in the other door." She followed me and the automatic doors swung open wide and we walked in.

Now we are in! We stood around for a short moment assessing the situation. I saw the end of the line and quickly joined the ranks of those who were still seeking a signature. An official looking gentleman asked us if we had just purchased our books. Sasha told him that we had purchased them a few days ago and that she had the receipt in her book. He looked at us for a brief moment, then said "You two will be the last."

! ! ! ! ! ! ! We made it ! ! ! ! ! About that time a lady walked up to me a put a wristband on my arm and told me that it was good for a signature in two books. One of the employees asked her where she got the wristband and she replied that she had just found it and there was only one!
So now, we are in THE line inside where it was warm. They had Sarah positioned in the back of the store. Before we were allowed to approach her table, we had to take off our coats, check in our purses, relinquish our ! ! cameras! ! ! open our books to a certain page and then . . . wait. . . again.

The line continued to slowly move then . . . finally, there she was - - dressed in black with her hair down and styled straight. She IS beautiful -- flawless skin. She must have been exhausted from signing, smiling, greeting and shaking hands for 3 hours. Her lipstick had worn away but she was still stunning. She is much smaller than I expected -- very petite. She has a small bone structure that I especially noticed when she shook my hand. As far as her height, I would say that she is about 5'6".

After the signing, greeting and receiving my book, I walked a few steps away to wait for Sasha. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, there was an elderly gentleman smiling at me who said "You can't greet Sarah without meeting her father, too." It was Mr. Heath, Sarah's Dad. He was greeting everyone as they left. We shook hands and I told him how nice it was to meet him. He thanked us for supporting Sarah.

We stopped in the in-store coffee shop to see if the Palin group would exit the building through the coffee shop. (While we were waiting, we noticed Mrs. Heath getting a baby bottle warmed. ) Instead of through the front, Sarah, her family and assistants were ushered out the back to the bus. Sarah was taken to the airport to fly to Dallas and the bus caught up with her the next day.

We were so amazed and yet felt kind of bad for all the others who had to continue to stand in the cold for a signature. And us . . we waited in a warm Olive Garden restaurant, eating and chatting and enjoying ourselves. To be perfectly honest, we both feel that we had been shown favor from our God. After all, he knows the desires of our hearts, -- carnal and spiritual. I was excited to get a signature, but this adventure was really for Sasha to get a signature and I was there to be a companion.

Here are a few pics.



This is my book.

The coveted wristband.


and . . the long awaited signature.

Due to schedule conflicts (keeping little people over the weekend) I was unable to go to "Deeper Still" in OKC. Several of my friends are at DS as I type this so I will get try to experience it through them -- not the same, I know. However, the book signing did fit into my schedule and made my week special!

Thanks for reading my babblings of this unlikely adventure. :)

Love,
Sherry

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Christmas Tea


On December 1, we had our Annual Ladies Christmas Tea at church. This is my "baby" so I am the responsible for getting it together. It's my gift to the ladies of our church. We had 57 reservations and 53 were actually there.

I invited three guests; Cinda from Wichita, KS and my sweet blogging friend, Valerie, and her mother, Lenore, from Shaweee, OK. We had a Christmas piano concert this year. Since I was extremely busy that night, I took very few pictures. If you would like to see more, check out Valeries blog. She did an excellent job of recapping the evening.

Love,
Sherry

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Scripture Memory Challenge

Wow! This is the next to the last verse of our year-long, 24-verse scripture memorization for 2009! I have really enjoyed doing this. The summer was the hardest time to stay on track, but with God's help, I managed to succeed. I finished memorizing all the verses a month ago and have been working on "polishing" them.

Here is verse 23:

"Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts."
Psalms 139:23

In January I will be off to Houston to say the verses I have learned this year. I added one extra so that brings my total to 25 this year. I do plan on doing this again in 2010! How about you? Are you willing to put God's Word to memory in the coming New Year?

Love,
Sherry
Psst . . . today is my birthday :)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Getting ready for the holidays

I just love Christmas! I wish that the decorations could stay up as long as autumn does. I try to decorate as early as I dare so I can enjoy them as long as possible.

I have two tree themes (I only put up one tree -- I rotate from year to year). The themes are "Toys" and "Victorian" -- one for children and the other more for grown-ups. However, I haven't used the Victorian theme since my granddaughter's first Christmas. Children love the "Toy" tree because of all the toy ornaments. Also, I have some old fashioned toys under the tree and kids ARE allowed to play with them. The airplanes, a set of red bicycles, a red wagon, a train, nutcrackers and a train are among our granddaughter's favorite. My grandchildren will have fond memories of Christmas at Grammie and Pa Pa's house.

Last Wednesday, B stayed overnight at our house. Earlier that day I had cleaned the patio (which is made like a walled courtyard) and decorated it for Christmas. That evening she and her Pa Pa snuggled on the loveseat in front of the fireplace, drinking hot chocolate and watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" while the Christmas lights sparkled in the darkness. And me? I was in the kitchen preparing our Thanksgiving desserts -- and serving hot chocolate. Next time I want to snuggle with her on the love seat -- and be served hot chocolate! ;)

I have almost finished my Christmas decorating. I only lack the tree and dining room table. The front door (inside and out), piano, mirror, coffee table and end tables, grandfather clock, pation and kitchen are finished. I may decide to sit out a few things in the bedrooms and bathrooms. As I said, I love Christmas!

Simple things can make the best memories. We are blessed with some wonderful memories. Some that have been captured on film, but many more that live only in the realms of our minds.


Love,
Sherry

Saturday, November 21, 2009

A time of thanksgiving

Yesterday at our granddaughter's elementary school, parents and grandparents were invited to eat a Thanksgiving lunch with the students. Our son and daughter-in-law were not able to attend so we were asked if we would like to be B's guests. OF COURSE we accepted!

We arrived a little early to check in and receive our name tags. We made our way to the cafeteria and popped in to see the head cook who is part of our church family. We had a short visit with her. Then before too long, our sweet girl came in with her class. It's hard to believe that she is growing up so fast. She is almost half way through Kindergarten!

Here are a few pictures from our time with her.

The 1st Kindergarten class coming in for lunch.

B and her classmates.


Lunching with PaPa . . . .

. . . and with Grammie
Her teacher took this one of the three of us.

After lunch we were invited to walk with her to the library so we could see her picture on the library doors. To encourage reading, the students to read during each month. The goal is 80 books. Since she is learning to read, she is allowed to have books read to her. Only one student per class can be the winner and they get their picture up on the library doors, their name anounced over the intercom system and and be a part of an ice cream party. She was the only one in Kindergarten that made it to 80 books. (Last year she won in Pre-K too.)
Here a not-so-good picture of the library display.

Her picture is in the "October" window top row, just left of the camera flash.


Close up of her picture.

I am one blessed chick that thanks God every day for His grace, love, blessings, and unmerited favor! Are you counting your blessings? What has God done for you?

Love,
Sherry

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Getting into the spirit . . .

Last week we took off a couple days and headed to Branson, MO. We wanted to see the Christmas decorations and shows because after Thanksgiving we will barely have time to come up for air -- the calendar is full.

We had such a great time. We spent one day at Silver Dollar City. One of the shows wet saw was Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", a live production that was amazing! It far exceeded our expectations. They did a phenomenal job. For example, when Mr. Scrooge went to his front door the night of his visits from the spirits of Christmas, the carving on the door spoke to him and "stretched" outward toward him. Also, the Spirit of the Present flew out over the audience and there were many more surprises. At the end, the actors were singing and the snow was falling. All of a sudden, it began snowing over the entire audience! And, in case you've never been to Silver Dollar City, the shows are all included in the price of admission to the park.

Since we were going to be there while it was all decorated for Christmas, we decided to come prepared to have some pictures taken that could be used for our Christmas card. We had a few taken professionally that will used for the card, but here is one that a stranger took of us -- and we returned the favor.




You might think that I'm rushing it a little since Thanksgiving is still a week away, but let me say that I am thankful for our country and all of God's blessings -- I thank Him everyday. However, I am even more thankful for the birth of His Son and what that represents -- the plan of salvation! So, I'm ready to begin the Christmas season now.

Love, Sherry

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

First Haircut !@#

Sunday night my 5-year-old granddaughter proudly announced that she had just given her little brother a haircut! Her shocked parents asked her "WHY!" She told them that everyone had been saying he needed a haircut, but no one had taken him to the beauty shop so she thought she would help out and do it herself. (Her stunned father instructed her that boys go to a barber shop :) She was very proud of herself for being so helpful. She said that he sat . . .v -e- r- y still during his "makeover".

She had cut the front - bangs. Fortunately, she used her little scissors and not some dangerous pointy ones that could have poked his eye out. Her mom told her that he had only needed the back cut because his hair was starting to curl. No matter, the job was done!
They have since laughed about it saying that she gave him a cut like Jim Carrey's character in the movie "Dumb and Dumber". See for yourself, whatcha think?

This first view is not too bad.




This one shows where she cut -- pretty much straight across.

It could be MUCH worse, but Grammie thinks he's still so cute. Big sister just may have cosmetology in her future :) I love those little munchkins!

Love,
Sherry

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Header picture

I just love the picture in the header of this blog. I took this picture in Reykyavik, Iceland. The rolling hills, majestic mountains and -- oh my word -- the cloud formations are just beautiful! There were little churches like this one dotted all throughout the countryside.

I wonder if the house on the right could be the parsonage? If so, I wonder how the life in that parsonage compares to the life in the one where I live. Hummm.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Love,
Sherry

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Scripture Memory Challenge

"Yes I hate them with a total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies."
Psalm 139:22 (NLT)

This is my scripture for the next two weeks -- not exactly one I would necessarily hang out there all by itself, but it's part of the chapter I'm memorizing. I'm so happy to say that I've already memorized this verse. In fact, as I stated in a previous post, I have completed memorizing the entire chapter - PTL!

I have begun searching for what I will be memorizing next year. There's nothing quite like the peace and satisfaction that come from hiding God's Word in our hearts. I love the Word!


Love,
Sherry

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Get in the Game

During the month of October we recognized all the volunteers and volunteer teams in our church. Each Sunday spotlighted a different group. The entire 4 weeks of appreciation was paralleled to a football team. The last Sunday everyone was asked to wear their favorite team colors whether it be professional, college, high school.

We live almost equal distance between two rival state colleges; Oklahoma University and Oklahoma State University. It was surprising that there were much more OU fans than OSU. Some were teachers and wore the local school colors. (I called them the peacemakers :)

Here's a few pics from the day.

Me in my Southwestern Oklahoma State University sweatshirt - my alma mater.
Isn't that a tiny little emblem?
Tennis shoes are so much more comfortable to teach Sunday School in than dress shoes.
I was so thankful that the weather turned very cool or I would have been one hot mama!



My granddaughter and her best friend sport'n their Kindergarten and Pre-K tee shirts.
I swear, these two are joined at the hip. They are such close friends.
They say that they will marry some day.
Too young! Too young!


Not only the young, but the older ones participated, too!
Isn't she darling?


This couple is wearing the church basketball league jerseys.


Some serious OU fans.

"Train up a child. . . .and when he is old he will not depart . . ."
Starting early here. This is my son and grandson.


A few of the "peacemakers". She's a coach at our local school.
Here we have Meeker jerseys and church league jerseys.

Our inspiration for the whole thing. I couldn't get my camera out fast enough to get a picture of her wearing her helmet . The OU song was played as she came through the doors and ran down the isle and encouraged everyone to "Get In The Game" and volunteer to help in some area.
Pamphlets and volunteer cards were given to each person as they entered the sanctuary.

It was a fun day. I really enjoyed wearing extra comfortable clothes -- I think I could get used to that ;)

Love,
Sherry

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I'm Finished!!

I am so excited! I have been doing the scripture memorization with the Living Proof Siestas. We have been memorizing two verses per month for an annual total of 24 verses. I chose to memorize the 139th Psalm with has exactly 24 verses. Well . . . . . I have completely memorized it -- ahead of schedule!!!!!

Putting this chapter to memory has been an awesome journey. I am one of many who has been doing this all year long.

Actually, I have memorized 25 verses. I included my "motto" verse into mix. Now I am "polishing" and working to make my recitation smooth and expressive.

I am fortunate to be able to go to Houston in January to say my verses! What a reward for the work over the passed 10 1/2 months.

I encourage you to do this next year. Hiding God's Word in our hearts is a wise thing.

Love,
Sherry

Monday, November 9, 2009

Feeding the "flock"

I have an awesome Sunday School class. Every week we have a treat of some sort and coffee. This week I made them an apple tart. They really liked it -- in fact, it's all gone! I took a picture of it to share with you.



This one is apple pecan but my favorite is strawberry/cherry. The class likes that one, too. That group of awesome people are so worth any effort I put forth to feed them -- spiritually or physically! I am truely blessed to share in their lives.

Love,
Sherry

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Skywatch

I'm not a member of Skywatch, but I love looking at the sky and cloud formations. Cathy is a member of skywatch and post pictures of the sky almost every week. While I was on vacation I saw some beautiful cloud formations, the moon, sunsets, sunrises (there were few of these - 'cause I was on vacation).


Here are two pictures that I took while on vacation.

This was taken in Cherbourg, France.


This was taken while driving out in the countryside near Reykjavik, Iceland.


No matter where we are in this world, we have an enormous God who is always present.


"I can never escape from your Spirit!

I can never get away from you Presense!

If I go up to heaven you are there.

If I go down to the grave you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning;

If I dwell by the farthest oceans,

Even there your hand will guide me

and your strength will support me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me

and the light around me to become night --

but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.

To you, the night shines and bright as the day.

Darkness and light are the same to you."


Psalm 139:7-12


Isn't He just marvelous?

Love,
Sherry

Monday, November 2, 2009

Scripture Memorization Challenge

We are already memorizing verse 21 out of 24 in the LPM Scripture Memorization Challenge! It's hard to believe that this year is passing so quickly! This is my verse as I continue memorizing Psalm 139:

"O Lord, shouldn't I hate those who hate you? Shouldn't I despise those who oppose you?

Psalm 139:21

I just love this chapter. It keeps reminding me how personable our Shepherd is. I am teaching on Psalm 23 in Sunday School and yesterday I went through Psalm 139 to emphasis this fact. If you have not taken the time to read this chapter in a while, I highly recommend that you do. You will feel loved and very special!
Love,
Sherry

Thursday, October 22, 2009

It's so fun . . .

. . . . being a grandparent!

Last week we took our granddaughter to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. She loves rides and trips with Grammie and PaPa. Here are a few pictures of our trip. She rode many more rides than I have shown below. She's such a good little girl which makes it a pleasure to take her places.

She's had the flu this week but is much better and getting back to normal.

The autumn decorations and fall colors were so pretty while we were there. It was cool but still very pleasant.


Our little "snow bunny" and scarecrows.

On the swing ride. She said that this was her favorite ride.


The elephant ride.



Taking a lunch break.

A huge cornucopia and our little doll.

Look at the smile on her face!
If it's fast and slings her around, she loves it.

A happy girl!

Playing her piano horn -- one of her souvenirs .


And a Happy Boo to you, little sweetheart!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and loving family. To me, this is the true wealth in life! I hope that you, too, are blessed with this treaure called a loving family!

Love,
Sherry