What a Friend...

A year ago today, while my mother was preparing dinner in their new house, my father got up off the couch to use the bathroom. Instead of opening the bathroom door, he opened the basement door and went flying down the stairs...

My father lived for three weeks...and my world was forever changed. As children we expect our parents to die...I just didn't know it would hurt this much. Today I'm sharing with you the words to a favorite family hymn, but first I want to give some background as to why I love this song.

My father was raised in Germany and when he and his family came back to the United States after the war they moved to a town in upstate NY where my Uncle Fred became saved and then my grandmother and then my father.

But not my grandfather.

My father was so moved by his own salvation that he decided to go into the ministry and went away to Central Bible College in Springfield, MO to earn his degree in ministry. While my father was home on summer break one year, a small local church was in need of a pastor.

My father became their pastor for the summer.

My grandmother and uncle would often go to this church to hear my father preach. I'm not sure if my grandfather went along with them. BUT...I do know that on my father's last Sunday at this church my grandfather went to hear his son preach.

My father tells the story that his father was in the sanctuary, sitting in the back and while my father gave the invitation for those who desired salvation to come forward no one came. He then asked if they could please sing the hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." As this song was being sung, my grandfather went forward and accepted the Lord as His Saviour.

I guess just hearing the words of how the Lord wants to be not only our Saviour, but also our friend made my grandfather realize that he needed the Lord. I've heard my father tell this story many times from the pulpit and it would move people in the congregation to also give their lives over to Jesus. This song has a special place in my life and has meant the world to me during this past year...

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

thou wilt find a solace there.

Amen!

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone enjoyed a beautiful weekend! It finally warmed up here in PA...only a little too much! It was way too hot yesterday, in the 90's. I was not prepared for that but we should be back down to normal temps by the end of this week.

The Colonel was home and finished the garden, well, almost. We still need to order dirt and put the little walkways in dividing everything up neatly. I worked on transplanting some seeds from little pots to bigger pots.

AND I planted 3 trays of marigold seeds. Don't worry, I covered the seeds!

I hope they start to sprout! This will save me tons of money if they do. I love marigolds and they work perfectly here in this windy section of PA. It's been such a trial and error of what will grow out here and what won't! The wind dries things out so quickly some flowers just never take.

I really should take a picture of my bedroom...BECAUSE that's where everything is growing!

And back by popular demand...the Colonel made homemade pizza Saturday evening. Michael decided to get in on the action!

Rolling out the dough...

Looking good...

Dinner is ready!

The Colonel woke up Sunday morning with an awful cough and fever so he missed church yesterday. He needs to fly out this coming weekend to Texas so he's heading to the doctor once he gets down to Ft. Dix this morning.

I'm off to see what you all have been up to this weekend...my favorite part of the day! Enjoy!

Scripture Saturday...

Psalms 118:24

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

I will rejoice...that our septic is now working.

I will rejoice...that we had the $1,500 saved, for something else...but we had it.

I will rejoice...Michael ate half a cheeseburger last night.

I will rejoice...the Colonel is home.

I will rejoice...God is so good to me!

Enjoy your Saturday!

The Beauty Before The Storm...

...sort of like my life yesterday.

Can you see the rainbow?

This appeared about 5 minutes before the rain came. First the rainbow, then the hail and then the rain. It was a beautiful storm that passed through here Tuesday night. Thankfully, nothing flew off our back porch...this has happened before. You can read about a storm I wrote about last summer. I lovingly called it, "The Power of the Wind." A little joke between the Colonel and me!

How does this apply to life here yesterday at Walking on Sunshine?

Well, Tuesday Michael was feeling better. We went to the dentist for a check up and he said, "Everything looks great." Wonderful.

Michael woke up yesterday morning with a 101 fever and a sore throat.

Not so wonderful.

I couldn't get in to see the doctor till almost 2:00. Michael laid on the couch moaning the whole morning. He was in so much pain.

At the doctor's office, he thought Michael's throat was so swollen it was constricting his airway, "We need to have an xray of this!"

WHAT???

So off to the hospital. The doctor at the hospital says,

"I think I see an abscess in the back of his throat blocking his airway. He needs a CAT scan."

WHAT????

Needless to say, everything worked out fine. Michael does not have any abscesses at the back of his throat. What he does have is a good case of tonsillitis, making his throat very swollen.

Yes, so just in case you're new here...

Michael had 10 baby teeth pulled 10 days ago making it very difficult to eat...

NOW his throat is swollen to the point the doctors thought his airway was constricted...

What do you think this poor kid can eat today???

What's Wrong With This Picture?

If you look closely at the picture above, you will note that all the Marines pictured are bowing their heads. That's because they're praying. This incident took place at a recent ceremony honoring the birthday of the corps, and it has the ACLU up in arms.

"These are federal employees," says Lucius Traveler, a spokesman for the ACLU, "on federal property and on federal time. For them to pray is clearly an establishment of religion and we must nip this in the bud immediately."

When asked about the ACLU's charges, Colonel Jack Fessender, speaking for the Commandant of the Corps, said (cleaned up a bit), "Screw the ACLU."

We need to make people aware of this so they can know how ridiculous the ACLU is for trying to remove GOD from everything and every place in America.

May God Bless America...One Nation Under GOD!

What's wrong with the picture?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING !!

Something Funny...

I saw this on a few blogs last week and thought it was pretty funny. When will America wake up and realize what is happening to our country? At times like this I really wish my father was still alive. He grew up during World War II in Germany, under Hitler. I'm sure he'd have a lot to say regarding the state of our country now.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a great weekend! The weather was beautiful here at Walking on Sunshine...in the 70's...today, we're back in the 40's! I worked on transplanting some of the vegetables that we started by seed while the Colonel continued working on our garden.

He is almost done...pictures to come soon!

Olivia's doctor called on Friday and with the results of her blood work. Good news, no signs of rheumatoid arthritis. However, her Vitamin D level is very low...very low. Normal levels are anywhere from 30 to 100...Olivia's level is 10.

Having a Vitamin D deficiency can lead to muscle pain and achy joints. So for the next three months she will be on a higher than normal Vitamin D supplement. She will have to repeat her blood work each month so the doctor can check the level to see if it's increasing. Her discs are still herniated and we'll discuss what to do with that at our next appointment with the spine doctor.

The Colonel and I went furniture shopping on Saturday...for Olivia's room. Her furniture is originally from a cabin my parents owned YEARS ago. And when they purchased the cabin the furniture was already OLD! But it was very good furniture so the Colonel lovingly refinished it and it has looked beautiful in her room until...now.

The drawers do not close properly anymore. The desk is so small she cannot even fit in the opening where the chair is suppose to be! How sad is this??? So off we went shopping and picked out a beautiful antique white dresser with mirror and a new matching desk and chair....all to be delivered in 6-8 weeks! Pictures will be posted!!!

The Colonel made delicious homemade pizza last night. I had taken some frozen pizza dough out of the freezer before we went to church last night. When we came home, he offered to bake it. He divided the loaf and made us each individual pizzas, very thin and crispy...just like I like it!

Well I'm off to visit with all of my wonderful blogging friends...

can't wait to see what you all have been up to!

Scripture Saturday...

In the King James...

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise:

be thankful unto Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting;

and His truth endureth to all generations.

Beautiful verse for a beautiful day here in PA!! Enjoy the sunshine and the beauty our Lord has created. But most of all, be thankful for all He has given us!!!

What To Talk About Today?

Sometimes I think it is so hard to come up with a new post for this wonderful blog.

I mean I completely understand that you're all waiting with anticipation to find out exactly what's going on in my little corner of the world...okay, back to reality...

Olivia started her first day at McDonald's YESTERDAY!!! They called last week and told us she got the job! She's very excited. Yesterday was her first day but only for orientation. She begins training next week at a different McDonald's than where she will be working. That McD's is still under construction and will open in one month.

Michael is doing better with most of his teeth missing.

He went back to school yesterday only for me to have to go and pick him up around noon. He went to the nurse's office complaining of not feeling good. I'm hoping he makes it through the whole day today.

The Colonel will be home tonight and he's planning on finishing up the extension for the garden he started on Monday. I do have pictures to post, but will do them all at one time.

Last Thursday we went to see Olivia and the rest of our youth participate in the District Level for Fine Arts. Olivia did her short sermon!

She was so good. I was so proud of her!

However, we found out on Wednesday that she's not advancing to Nationals. This was her first year, so there's always next year!

I really didn't want to go to Florida this summer anyway! A few other kids made it and I'm very happy for them.

Here are some pictures of our trip last week. I went with my mom and my good friend Olga; her daughter Sarah was also participating. Enjoy!

My mom, Olivia and I just before Olivia's turn...

Mom and I in front of my car...

My friend Olga's daughter Sarah singing her heart out for the Lord!!!

My Mom and Olga, again in front of the car...

Olivia, Samantha and Sarah...waiting for Olivia's turn...

Rebecca and Olivia. This was earlier in the day while we were waiting for Sarah to sing...

Recipe Exchange Thursday...

I'm joining Just a Gal today and sharing with you my recipe for homemade manicotti. 

This is what we had on Easter Sunday.

Manicotti

Crepes:
4 eggs
1 cup water
1 cup flour

Combine above ingredients in blender and mix. Pour into large mixing bowl.

Pour a small amount, 1/3 cup, into a small frying pan. Spread evenly, cook 1 minute, flip crepe and cook another minute.

Layer crepes on plate with wax paper in between each crepe. You can make the crepes the day before.

Filling:
Ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan...
Mix ricotta and egg together and spread some mixture evenly down the middle of a crepe.
Fold both sides toward the middle.

Place crepe "seam side down" in a baking dish that has some sauce on the bottom.


Cover with sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan (sorry no picture with mozzarella!)

Bake at 350 until bubbly and your kitchen smells like Little Italy! Enjoy!

A Powerful Video...

I saw this video over at my friend, Just a Gal, yesterday. She said it was a repeat for her blog but I have never seen it! It's not very long, but so powerful.

When we're going through a difficult situation, how many of us have asked God,

"Why?"

I know I have!

We need to remember that when we're hurting, God does understand our pain.

After all He gave His Son to die for us.

Isn't it amazing how God can use anyone or any situation to let us know how much He loves us?

But Jesus called the children to him and said,

"Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

God can use anyone!

Happy Tuesday???

I know, my Happy Monday post is Happy Tuesday this week! Life was a bit busy the past few days, as I'm sure for most of you as well! Easter was great here. A lot of work but so nice. Yesterday the Colonel was home and he started working on expanding our vegetable garden. I'll post pictures of that in a week or two. He still has to work on the gate to keep the animals out!

Michael had a dental appointment to have 10 baby teeth removed...yes, TEN! Those last ten baby teeth did not want to come out on their own and he needs to have the braces put on this summer. He looks pretty pathetic right now, but he's liking the new look...only a boy would!!!

Here are pictures of Easter here at Walking on Sunshine...Enjoy!!!

My pretty table! I love those ruby glasses...thanks Mom!

The Colonel, Olivia and Michael...

Olivia and Michael...

Olivia, Michael and Me...
My Family...
The start of the egg hunt...all the kids running up the hill in our backyard...
Olivia emptying her eggs...you're never too old for candy!

Michael...

The Resurrection...

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.The angel said to the women,

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples:

He has risen from the dead...

Matthew 28:1-7

AMEN

Good Friday...

A beautiful video I saw on Debbie's blog the other day that helps us remember why Jesus had to die...

Therefore Jesus said again, I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I am the good shepherd.

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—
and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:7-11

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?

Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. John 20:6-7

The above verses tell us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that his napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the Entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there...

...while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table.

For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

He is Coming Back!!

Enjoy your day!

Good News...

Olivia and I just returned from seeing her specialist, well after a few stops. The news so far is pretty good. The specialist does not think she has lupus. Which was one of the concerns. She has not completely ruled out any form of arthritis until the blood tests come back. That could be another 2 weeks of waiting.

She does feel that she has some form of degenerative disc disease. Olivia is in tremendous pain in her lower back but mostly now in her right leg. Her foot will even go numb at times, which is probably due the discs pressing on nerves.

All of this is very familiar to me, because it's exactly what I have. Only our spine doctor thought there was an underlying cause to why her discs are herniating at such a young age and one reason could be lupus while the other some form of arthritis.

Thank you all so much for your prayers! I'm so grateful that it's not lupus. We will just wait for the blood tests to come back and take it from there!

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that

is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask

or think, according to the power that worketh in us...

AMEN!

Heading Out...

I'm leaving in 5 minutes to take Olivia to her long awaited doctor's appointment. Will update you all later in the day...

Enjoy your day!!!

Happy Monday...

I hope you all had a glorious weekend, especially yesterday for Palm Sunday. As most of you know, the Colonel had to do his reserve training over the weekend, which still didn't make sense to us. BUT at least he was an hour and a half from home and was able to be home Saturday and Sunday evening. Some of the men that he works with had to travel up to Rhode Island to do their training!

Olivia was away Thursday, Friday and Saturday visiting another college up in Massachusetts, so Michael and I just hung out at home on Saturday. How nice that was! When I picked up Olivia on Saturday she told me she didn't want to go to this college either. Her reason? "They're too strict." Why you ask?

Curfew is at 10:30.

Oh my. Good thing we have 2 more years to find a college!

I'm sure this is going to be a busy week for most of us with Easter coming up on Sunday. I'm off today to Walmart to get the oil in my car changed. Olivia has her appointment with the rheumatologist on Tuesday and then the Fine Arts competition is on Thursday. My mom and I are driving out to watch her and the rest of the youth from our church compete. It's a good 2 hour drive west from here.

I want to welcome a new "reader" to my blog. My dear friend Kathy from church told me yesterday that she reads my blog and loves it. She is one of our greeters in church and is always so willing to help me out whenever I need someone to fill in.

Please join me in welcoming Kathy to Walking on Sunshine!

Hope you all enjoy your Monday! I'll be reading your blogs throughout the day. My favorite part of the day is when I get to come to visit with all of you!!!

Scripture Saturday...

It's a long one but so good, especially considering so many people are worried about their jobs, worried about paying the bills, worried, worried, worried. Remember that God will honor your faithfulness to HIM!

Matthew 6:25-33

Do Not Worry

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.

It's Been Awhile...

It's been awhile since I posted a great quote, so here goes...

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work

and give to those who would not."

Thomas Jefferson

Any comments? Please leave them, I'm interested in what you all think of the above quote and the way our government is being run these days.
Enjoy your Wednesday!