Have a Happy New Year

To continue with my Christmas post, the Christmas was full of sorrow and joy. Let me explain!

 Sarah and Lida at Umi's

We celebrated with our daughter Sarah while she was here by going out to a Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar for lunch and then back to our children's home in Starkville for play time, dessert and  to open gifts.

Time to take a spin

Our happy baby boy.

No, this was not her Christmas

Our photo shoot

We took our daughter Sarah to Jx for a wedding and to catch her flight for home. After she went to board her plane we left for Greenwood to prepare to return to Starkville for Christmas day.

Early Monday morning we recieved a text that our babies were sick and the kids said that they would understand if we didn't want to come to their house for Christmas. After talking the situation over Honey and I decided that we would go ahead with our plans and maybe we could help with the sick babies, at the time we didn't know it but this was a God thing. We had a fun Monday night filled with rocking sick babies and lots of cooking. We were up most of the time Monday night with the baby because of his not being able to breath and also teething.

Monday morning bright and early my Dad knocked on the door he was here for the day. We were excited that he decided to come although the babies were sick.

I played Santa Claus during the night and we were exicted to see Austin's reaction when she saw what was under the tree.

She seemed stunned when she saw the doll she had asked for, she didn't try to touch it she just stared.

Talking about the gifts while Daddy looks on.

A bag for Gammy's house

Benny Boop and his MSU football and got a cowbell too. 

He's all boy loves wheels, balls and making noise! 

Click on the photo at the bottom of the page to see lots more photos of our Christmas.

We lost two precious souls during the holiday, our lost is heavens gain!

Uncle Bob was a retired Baptist preacher who never really retired although he tried too many times. I cherish the way he led his family by example and his love for us all! He is in a better place now and he will be greatly missed!

Before lunch Christmas day our son received a phone call that he was needed in another town. His best friend had died unexpectedly, what a blow to us all. He and Ash hurried off to be with the family and I took care of dinner and the sick kids. Thank the Lord my Dad and Honey were there to help!

Chris Rushing was a special person! I can't began to list the wonderful things he has done for our family! He will always be remembered for his loving, sweet, gentle spirit and the love he has shown! I'm disappointed though that I didn't get to help set him up with the woman of his dreams, I tried a few times. Now he is in a MUCH better place with others that loved him as we did and one day we'll all be reunited once more.

Thank the Lord that we know where both of these precious souls are, it helps us to endure the sorrow we feel!!

Have a Happy New Year friends, we never know when it may be our last.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon!
 

Home From Guatemala

I just returned from a ten day trip to Guatemala. I once lived and worked here and have always loved this country, it will forever be in my heart! I was apprehensive about how I would be able to communicate with them after so many years but God was gracious and I did just fine.

I traveled with a youth group from the church where I had grown up. I didn't really know one of these kids but I grew up with their leader and many of their parents. I truly felt that this was God's will for me to return for the first time after eleven years. I knew that it would be awesome but emotional for me and it was both.

When I entered the country it was like I was going home, although this is not home anymore I can't describe the feeling I felt.

I had no longer been at the house where we were to stay when a friend from the past came for a visit and brought me two dozen roses. They were beautiful and everyone was able to enjoy them.

The next day we left for the mountains of Quiche where we visited and worked in three feeding centers, attended two church services, celebrated the fourth of July with our Guatemalan friends, participated in an obstacle course on the side of a mountain and painted the outside of one of the feeding centers. The days began early and ended late but it was a great feeling at the end of each day.

On Friday I was able to visit in the home of one of the children that I sponsor through this program. The was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

Me with Nicholas Fernando as his siblings look on

After lunch on Friday we headed back to Antigua where we would be the rest of our time here.

On Saturday we visited Hermano Pedro Hospital a hospital for the severely handicapped.  Here we were able to push some of the children around the grounds in their wheelchairs. It is really a sad place but what a joy to see those children smile. I touched the leg of one little boy while praying for him and he grabbed my hand and place it on the back of his chair. I took it that he wanted me to push so push I did. Yes, we all shed many a tear but what a blessing it was. No pictures were allowed here.

Sunday morning we had devotions and then walked to the foot of the cross where we prayed over the city of Antigua. WOW

Sunday night we attended a youth group service in one of the local church. I was so excited when I hear this because a child I sponsored for 13-years was in this group. She was there and what a great reunion we had. Such a blessing to be able to invest in the life of a child who is now on the worship and evangelism team of her church.

Sonia and my daughter when we began to sponsor her.

Me with Sonia now.

On Monday I was able to visit in the home of another child I sponsor. Also another blessing was the guy who took us to the house was a great friend and brother of mine Coca. We enjoyed the walk over and just talking about old times.

Me with Belsy and her family she is the little girl standing in front of me.

The rest of our time was spent sharing and shopping before we left to return to the states on Tuesday.

God took care of me on this trip, as always, I had no problems at all with allergies, headaches, sneezing etc. I had taken a carry-on with some gluten free good and my medicines in it. I had to supplement a few meals but all in all there was plenty I could eat. Once the cooks who where friends of mine from the past found out about my diet they accompanied me as well as they could. When they had fried foods I ate fresh salad which was great and fruit. The fruit and vegetables in Guatemala can not be beat they are just not as good here in the states.

If you would like to see other photos from my trip which are MANY you can do so here.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon!

What all have I missed out on?

A while back a lady from our church called and asked me if I would like to volunteer at our local museum in Greenwood. Since I work from home, can make my own hours and love meeting new people I decided to go for it. I have worked at the museum twice now and I am really enjoying it. I love talking to the people who stop by and asking, "so how did you hear about Cottonlandia" or "what brings you to Greenwood".

I have made new friends by attending our monthly friends of Cottonlandia meetings. I have to admit the first time I went to a meeting I felt like, other than the directors, I was a baby at a retirement village but y'all these are some of the sweetest people I have met in Greenwood. They are always lifting me up and making me feel better about myself when I talk to them.

Today we had brunch and one lady asked why I was only eating fruit. I had the chance to share with a table full of people the reason I couldn't eat at public events. I didn't do it to make them feel sorry for me because I have embraced living gluten free and it's no longer a big deal for me it is my new norm. But when the brunch was over she kissed me on the cheek and told me that she would be praying for me. It was sooo sweet.

Now as I think back I think about the many times I have not participated because of the age difference and all that I have missed out on. I am soooo looking forward to my new adventure with these other 60+ volunteers and the fun we will have in the future. If you are ever in the Mississippi Delta and get the opportunity to stop in come see us at Cottonalandia soon to be The Museum of the Mississippi Delta after all it's much more than a museum about cotton. And I promise we have the best volunteers in the state you are guaranteed to leave feeling better than when you arrived.



Read all about us HERE!

Last Saturday Honey and I went and spent the day with Punkin I had not seen her in a while so I was so excited. She is so much fun and into everything she keeps us hopping. She didn't take a long nap and so in the afternoon she was a little grouchy but I wouldn't have traded the time for anything. One of the memories we made was since Punkin was grouchy Honey took her for a walk so I could finish my supper when I paid our bill and went out looking for them I found them in a near by Subway eating cookies. She had crumbs all over her with a big smile on her face. Another highlight was putting her to bed, I read a bible story and prayed and when I said Amen, she said Amen reached up to kiss me and said night night. It was so cute. Just another sign she growing up.

Snack time, if I'd known about the cookies later we would not have eaten so many at home.

Looking for her 25th movie to watch and I'm not kidding either, I finally had to put my foot down.

That's all for now next time I'll be sharing some of my favorite blogs, recipes etc.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon.