Out of the box

Our Bible study group is currently doing "Here and Now - Then and There: A Study of Revelation" by Beth Moore. Each day we are to ask God to reveal himself to us, and then we are to briefly journal telling how God has done just that throughout the week.

For quite sometime, God has been revealing bits and pieces of his greatness to me. Last week I had a dream (I will not share the details) but the message he was reinforcing to me was that I am to let him "out of the box". My faith is too structured, too "in the box", too ordinary. He can be anything he needs to be, do anything he needs to do, go anywhere he needs to go in order to reveal himself to us, to reach us, to work miracles on our behalf. We have a tendency to wrap the Almighty in flawed flesh -- just like us. He, however, is far greater than our minds can comprehend. He has been gracious enough to give us small glimpses of his greatness, his power and his brilliance via his creation all around us, under our feet and above our heads.

Chris Tomlin wrote a song a few years ago that addresses God's greatness. Our God IS indescribable! Enjoy.

Love,
Sherry

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

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

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

Need some boredom? Read this.

You are about to embark upon the most boring post out in bloggyland! Ready? Here goes.

Among other happenings this past week, we have been in Vacation Bible School at church. I really have an easy job; I'm the computer operator/projectionist. The theme this year is "Studio Go". It is all centered around a game show. If you go to the link you can hear some of the music. In fact, we just love their music every year!

This afternoon I will be going to Michael's or Hobby Lobby to see if I can find a cake pan that will be the right size for B's baseball glove cake. My DIL bought a baseball cake pan but it 's not big enough to several the number of guests for the party. So, I will be making a baseball glove to sit the ball on. (Ooops, I ended the sentence with a preposition -- sorry.) In proportion, I'm hoping for it to look something like this. (They used a molded pan for this cake, but mine will be larger and there is not a pan that size I will have to cut the cake in the shape of the glove. Wish me luck!)



See, I told you it would be boring but thanks for reading anyway! :) Now you may get back to your exciting life!

Love,

Uncle Phil's Diner Video

Here are some videos from last Friday night's production of "Uncle Phil's Diner". This first one is about two nerds who admire each other from a distance then fall in love. I was sitting too close and was only able to get the both in the frame for part of this, so sorry for the bad photography here. In real life, these two are FAR from being nerds.

This next video is Tammy singing "Tammy's In Love". All evening this character was very melancholy because her "steady" (boyfriend) had stood her up for the Prom, so that's why she is crying at the end of this clip. (She's wearing his class ring around her n

(Lori Randall is playing the part of Tammy.)

I hope you enjoyed these little clips from our fun evening.

Love,

An Evening at Uncle Phil's Diner

Last night was our church's production of Uncle Phil's Diner. This is an interactive dinner theater set in the 1950's. There's never a dull moment. It's an evening of music, dancing, laughter, and fast food.

Here are a few pics of our fun-filled evening!

The "Diner"

The "old" school teacher from "This WAS Your Life" segment.

More characters.

Wally the nerd.

Gertie, Wally's love nerd.

Wally is very skillful with the trays and dishes!

This is Uncle Phil.

Uncle Phil's mother. She was so cute!

Doin' the Hokey Pokey.

The almost birthday party!
Tammy the homecoming queen.
She had been very sad because her date stood her up for the prom.
The gang at the diner crowned her Miss Burger Queen of 1950 in hopes to lift her spirits.


The Cast.
A future Uncle Phil's cast member! :)

There was a bubble gum blowing contest, The Twist, "The Lollipop" song, an "Elvis" rendition of "Love Me Tender" and more. I have some video that I'll post at a late date. The cast and audience had a great time. This is a good, clean and fun way to spend an evening. It is also a good outreach into the community.

Love,

This morning I headed to our local Braum's store.

If you do not have one in your area . . . I am SO SORRY! No one makes a better Cherry Limeade than Braums.

Their headquarters and dairies are in our state so everything is FRESH. Their milk is the best!

Anyway . . . I had to pick up an order for the dessert course for the Uncle Phil's Diner production that takes place tomorrow night. They are SO lucky that I returned home with the order -- because what I picked up was enough supplies for 150 Braums Hot Fudge Sundaes!

Maybe it was just a fluke, but as I drove away from Braums with the hot fudge, ice cream, toasted almonds, whipped cream and cherries in my car, I had a surge of energy. :) For heaven's sake, if just having it in the car did that, can you imagine how pitful I'll be after eating one!

Allison has a few other errands for me today, so I will finish up a couple things in the office and head out to pick up some extra mics, B'day party hats and a little B'day cake.

Have a wonderful day!

Love,

Working on Uncle Phil

I don't really have an Uncle Phil :)

Uncle Phil is a dinner theater production that our church is doing this Friday night. It's set in the 1950's and is so much fun!

Yesterday, I went shopping with Allison, our Music Pastor, for some things that were still needed for Friday's production. The first stop we made was at Lifeway to pick up our summer LPM Siesta Bible Study books. It is "Me, Myself & Lies" by Jennifer Rothchild. Allison is going to be my partner for this study. I had seen this and thought about getting it, so I was excited when I found out this to be our summer study!

We had lunch at Johnny Carino's (I ♥ that place). Italian food is a favorite of mine so I always look forward to going there.After lunch we headed to Sam's Club to buy food for the diner. Hamburgers, French Fries, Coca Cola and Hot Fudge Sundaes will be served. We were supposed to get 4 more round tables but decided we couldn't handle that with all the food, so we made plans to go back.

It rained while we were in and out of stores then when it was time to load up, the sun came out (thankfully it wasn't pouring down rain). It was VERY HOT and so humid. The sun was just beating down on us. I don't mean to sound like a whine-pot -- but it was yuck! I think it seemed worse because of having to load everything into the back of the pickup -- heavy work. We put the frozen food in the back seat in insulated containers, etc. The hamburgers were very heavy! We got so tickled that we almost couldn't get them lifted into the back seat.

We rewarded ourselves by stopping here for an iced cold Mocha Frappuccino.

We stopped at the church and unloaded all the items. We actually had to stuff some of the food in the freezer, but we conquered it!

Today I did not babysit my grandchildren, so this morning Alli and I hopped in the pick-up to go get the tables and some table coverings as well. We had overcast skies which made the temp cooler and the trip much more pleasant. Then a quick stop into Wal-Mart for 30, 2-liter bottles of Coca Cola. Then . . off to the church to UNLOAD again! I think I experienced some productive weight lifting over the last two days.

I've got to head out the door again. Have a nice evening!

Love,

He's Finally Home

James Howard Curtis

1919 - 2009

He was such a sweet and gentle man who always seemed to have a big smile on his face. We will miss that smile and his kind words. He won the hearts of those he met.

When my family and I arrived at the airport in December 1991, he was there to greet us and take us to our hotel. I will never forget him. We love all of our church family, but once in a while there are those who stand out as exceptional -- he was exceptional!

His funeral will be Thursday, May 7, 2:00 p.m. Please remember Hubs, and all of us who will be taking part in the memorial services, in your prayers. Hubs will be bringing the message and they have asked me to sing two songs. I know with God's unfailing strength, we can do it.

His little wife, who now walks with a walker, already feels the loneliness. Her sweetheart was the kind that leaves a BIG hole when gone. Although she may be physically frail, she's a mighty warrior and is strong in the Lord.

At times like this, it makes me want to strive even more to be a woman of substance for my God.

Love

Learning to apply

In our Sunday School class, we have finished "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" and have begun "Fireproof". This is an awesome movie and it demonstrates many of the things that Mark taught in his series.

Satan has been attaching our homes since the time of Adam and Eve. Does that not tell us how powerful and influential a stable home can be? Marriage and home life was designed by our brilliant God, and we should do everything we possibly can to protect this precious gift. No matter what our past looks like, today is a new day. God's mercies are new each morning and He desires to help us along the way.

Our class has learned so much and I pray that each of us will put this knowledge into action when needed.

The next subject for our class will be "Jonah". I have been digging into this little book and plan to spent 4 weeks taking a look at the life of this prophet and looking for things to pull out that can relate to us today. If you have learned or have any insight into the life of Jonah, I would love to hear from you. I do know one thing, I want to learn from the pages of Jonah and not do the field trip! To be honest, I'm not into pruney skin and seaweed hats! Are you?

Learning to apply the knowledge God has given us will spare us unnecessary pain and hardships! I want to do life His way!

Love,

Emmie's Miracle

At church last night we had Super Bowl Sunday. We have a man in our church that really does an awesome job of smoking ribs. So . . we had a rib dinner, pot luck items brought to compliment the ribs and, of course, football!

Since half time can present some"issues" for Christian viewers (ie. Janet. Jackson and her infamous clothing ), we turn off the game and have a devotion. This year Emmie's mom gave the devotion and shared little Emmie's miracle. Emmie had hydrops syndrom. Only 10% of the babies who develop this survive birth. Then, only 50% of that 10% live. Even if a child survives, they are at high great risk for blindness, heart disease, lung problems, liver damage just to mention a few. Emmie has NONE these. The doctors who do not believe in healing from The Healer, could only shake their head.

To me, all babies are a miracle. When I look at the little hands and feet, face, eyes -- everything perfect -- its a miracle! Then there are precious little ones like Emmie who experience great difficulty in sustaining life. "But there is a God in heaven" (Daniel 2) who is sovereign and and hear's his children's cry. Emmie is a living, breathing testimony to God's miraculous healing power. Her parents, family and friends are ever grateful and are careful to give God all the glory for what he has done for them.

Here are a few pics of Emmies first few weeks of life:

In the NICU at mercy hospital.
(Great Nanny, Mommy, Grammy and Emmie)

A rare moment of sleeping in mommy's arms.

Baby Emmie with her big brother, Bryte.

And, Emmie last night, February 1, 2009, 7 months of age
and her grateful mother, Jaclyn.

I couldn't resist having a picture made with her.
Isn't she just precious?!!

We read in Bible of miracles that Jesus performed when he was here on earth. Let this story be a reminder that He still performs miracles today. Jesus came to Emmie and touched her and she has been made WHOLE by His healing power. Our God is no respecter of persons -- He doesn't show favoritism. What He may do for one, He will do for another. We just need to believe and trust Him.

If you need a miracle today, Christ is ready, willing and waiting to touch you and your situation.

Love,

All in a day

Today has been a little different for me. Our granddaughter was sick throughout the night so her little brother came to play with Grammie all by himself. He will be going to church with us tonight then I will take him home after church.

Also, our Music Pastor had all four of her wisdom teeth removed yesterday, so I will be helping with praise and worship by playing piano instead of in the toddler room. Due to others being ill, and unable to find a replacement for myself, we have actually closed the toddler room for tonight.

So, really, this has been a relaxing day -- just hanging out with the little mister! I had forgotten what it was like to only have one little baby to care for. Right now (he's not yet crawling), it's a breeze!

Love,

There is a time for everything . . . .

Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. . . .

Ecclesiastes 3 has had more significant meaning this week.

It has been a time for death and a time to mourn. . .

We went to Branson, MO last Sunday night as planned. Monday afternoon my husband received a telephone call that a 13 year old boy had been shot in the head -- by his 12 year old best friend -- an accident. (Both boys and their families are in our church. ) He was medi-flighted to OKC but lived only a few short hours.

It is such a long and detailed story. . . . so if you don't mind I would just like to ask prayer for these families. The young boy who shot his best friend is struggling. The parents of the 13 year old are doing remarkably well and reaching out to their son's friend and his family. The days and months to come will be difficult, but we know that God desires to be their continued strength and comfort.

The funeral is tomorrow, January 3 at 10:00 a.m. The families, school friends and church friends are all in need of God's ministering touch. And please . . . pray for my husband to have special strength as he gives the message at the funeral. This is so hard for him, especially when it's a child! I have all confidence in God's faithfulness and know that He will extend his grace to him as he fulfills one of the roles of his calling to the ministry.

Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers. "There is a time for everything . . . " but it's so hard to accept that this young boy's time here on earth has come to an end . . all too soon.

Love,