okay … let’s try this again … i finally got back into my account!
i was only able to see sites and comment, but i couldn’t add a post,
so therefore; i missed the Christmas deadline …

no bother, i will still share my Christmas ‘card’ with you all anyway …
come to think of it, i’ve received a few since the 25th myself.

i would ask, that if all those who do see this
would just leave a quick note in the comment section saying that you can still read my posts,
i would be forever grateful!

it will also let me know how many of my
followers are still following me here on Xanga 2.0.

i do hope everyone had a most blessed Christmas with family and friends this past week!
we spent Christmas Eve with my brother and his family, then on Christmas Day we were with
my sister and her family.

for the most part, it was a quiet Christmas for us this year,
and a bit sad as circumstances in our family are changing.
also have to say that things just aren’t the same since we lost Mom Betty and O.P back in 2010.
doesn’t seem that long ago …
during this time of year, especially, we pull out the photos of them …
and still with tears, we remember.

normally we spend Christmas Day with my hubby’s sister’s family, but not so this year.
her husband is dealing with some pretty serious health issues that changed the traditional family plans.
we are hoping to all get together soon, but in the meantime, we continue to pray for him.

*as for our family update:
my sweet husband has had an issue with his heart
that some of you may be aware of through Facebook.
it was a bit scary there, as we found out through the tests
that he had what is known as a ‘silent’ heart attack …
we were totally unaware of it when it happened!
since then we’ve changed his diet, and exercise,
and thankfully, with much prayer,
it seems to be making a difference!
we’re taking one day at a time,
trusting, and believing for his complete healing!

as for our son, who i had shared about in the post below on September 18th …
i want to thank those who stopped in and prayed for them both …
it was so very appreciated,
but, sadly, they are getting a divorce.
it’s what she has chosen …
and she continues to be in our prayers.
our son is growing closer to the Lord through it all …
but still, it is never easy.
he, too, is taking one day at a time,
and trusting that God will have His perfect will in his life!

and now, a belated Christmas card. with much love, to you all …

… our son used his iPhone and took this picture of us on Christmas Day.
i’m thinkin’ hubby may just give Santa some competition come next year,
wouldn’t you say!

we both pray you have a joyous, blessed, and a very ~

love & hugs,
- deborah <><

it’s been awhile since i’ve been here again, hasn’t it!
well, i haven’t forgotten about my little corner of the web and my friends here …
just hasn’t been much to blog about these days, but i will share a quick update …

have to say, and i’m not complaining mind you, but winter has about worn out it’s welcome around here … still, i love the cold weather! how’s the weather where you are? 
if any of you had a lot of that snow i would have loved to have joined you.
seems we haven’t had that much snow here. we did get a dusting,
along with the ice storm that worked it’s way across the country night before last, and it’s still pretty chilly …

but, today, the sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and the icicles are melting …
now that’s a good sign that maybe, just maybe, spring is comin’ to call!

hasn’t been much going on around here since we stopped selling soap and coins.
normally we would be so busy this time of year and i do miss those days!
for now, we’re enjoying taking one day at a time,
seeking His face daily for the strength that never fails when those struggles cross our path …
we’re working at growing closer to the One Who is forever able!

We’re finding that His love never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on us!
honestly, i just don’t know how anyone could live without Him with so much going on in this world today … but, we know He reigns and is in total control of it all! there’s no place i’d rather be than in the center of His will right now! we don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we can be sure of Who holds that future!

things with our son and his wife seem to be getting better … still they struggle.
she is working at a local clothing store on the weekends and going to beauty school
during the weekdays learning about hair, nails, and make-up.
she’s really doing well, passing her tests, and enjoying it a lot!
ian works with his dad in the flooring business, but his heart is with his new video business.
he’s hard at work, growing it every chance he gets, and working on his own projects.
he’s anxious to be out of the flooring business and onto what he truly loves to do.
hubby and me … well, they know we’re here for them, prayers and all!

looks like i need to seriously be thinking about some ‘seasonal’ changes around here,
with spring on the way, and all. i’ll reach back into my folders and see what theme i can come up with,
so i’ll be around doing that, and i want to do some overdue visiting, as well!
some of you may have forgotten all about me … i sure hope not, but i hope to find some of you still here!

now, here’s a little bit of ‘spring’ that i hope brightens your day,
and i hope y’all have a very blessed Sunday!

now back to a nice cup of cocoa … and the ironing!

 Hugs,
             Deborah <><

yep, just gotta have a little …

that spring is on the way!

 

Wow!!
Two posts in less then a week … it seems I’m on a roll!! Lol!!

We celebrated a couple of special events in our lives this past week …

First, my dear husband’s birthday …
He is six months younger than I am, and every year on the 25th of October, he finally catches up!! Lol!
We celebrated by going out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse with our son and his wife.
He said his steak was perfect … that made me happy!

*Second, I have to share what happened to my dear husband two weeks ago …
it was a moment in my life I’d sure like to forget!
We had gone to the chiropractor, and as I was getting my adjustment,
I heard him say he wasn’t feeling very well.
He went to the restroom, and came back completely pale, in a cold sweat,
saying he had a terrible pain on his right side beneath his rib cage.
Needless to say, he was in no shape to have his adjustment,
and we were told to go to one of the other rooms so he could lay down.

We were in there for close to an hour …
I have never witnessed my husband in such pain!
I was praying like I’d never prayed before! 
He said the pain would get a little better,
only to have it get real intense again every few minutes.
He finally said that maybe we should call an ambulance …
I said we weren’t far from the hospital and could most likely
get him there before the ambulance would even get there.
He was in no shape to argue, so we quickly left,
got to the ER, signed him in, then all the tests began.

He had an ultra-sound, and blood was taken … still the pain persisted.
I began calling friends, and family to pray, as the doctor wasn’t sure as to what exactly was causing this!
Our son Ian, and wife Nicole, were there in no time at all, and to see Ian walk through the door,
look at his daddy with tears in his eyes just broke my heart!!

He was very concerned for him, and the first thing he did was go to his side and pray for him!!
They finally brought an IV and that helped to relax him.
After about a 4 hour period, with lots of prayer, the pain subsided!
He could not see it on the ultra-sound, but the doctor told us by the tests, etc.,
that he was confident it was a kidney stone.

Oh my, what fun!! 

Well, at least they now knew how to treat him!
They gave him a couple of prescriptions,
told us to follow up with the urologist once he passes the stone,
and sent us on our way.
We were all relieved that it wasn’t something more serious!!
He still has not passed it yet …
he’s had a couple of times where it got a little painful, but it didn’t last long.
We’re doing some natural things that I’m praying is helping …
seems like it is, and for that we are quite thankful!!

I have to say that God took me to a deeper level of trust in Him through all of this!
I do believe that His purpose for every trial in our lives is to do just that!

P.S. I really love this man!!
I could never imagine a day without him!!

Moving on to another very special event in our lives …
we celebrated 30 wonderful years together this past Monday!

I’m so blessed to have this man in my life …
I couldn’t ask for a more loving, giving, and caring husband!!
God knew just what I needed when He brought Lewis into my life!

I remember when I had posted here that we had hit our 25th wedding anniversary …
well, now it’s five years later and I’m even more in love and blessed than ever before!

Yes, we have learned, and are still learning that …….

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things … endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is not as simple as candlelight and roses …
no, love is day-to-day living, talking time,
making time to be there for one another with open arms and a giving heart,
no matter the circumstance …
it’s dying to ‘self’ and putting the other one before you,
even when it hurts!

Today, love is the special, sweet,
and yes, oh so blessed life we have now shared for 30 years,
and we thank the Lord for each and every one!! ♥

Just a few photos of us through the years …
my, my, how we do change!!

I do hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!
We don’t celebrate Halloween, instead,
we usually go to an annual ‘Hallelujah Party’ at a friend’s house.
Every year, a few couples get together for fellowship …
we have a pitch-in meal, a movie, and of course, dessert!

This year I was asked to bring something sweet,
and I’ve chosen the ‘Pumpkin Dump Cake’.
Found the recipe a few years back, and it’s always a hit anywhere we’ve taken it!
If anyone is interested in the recipe, I’ll share it below.
It’s perfect for this time of year!

Looking forward to visiting more of you, soon …
and, it’s really good to be back ‘home’, again!!

(((Hugs)))
~ Deborah <><

Pumpkin Dump Cake

1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 to 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (depending on your taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 yellow or spice cake mix
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I use about a cup)
1 cup butter or margarine, melted (usually butter for me)

Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream,
and a hot cup of coffee!

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, blend together pumpkin,
evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt
{it will look much like what you end up with when making a pumpkin pie.}

Pour into a greased 9×13 baking pan.
Sprinkle evenly with dry cake mix.
Sprinkle evenly over that with the chopped pecans.

Drizzle melted butter evenly over dry cake mix and pecans.
Bake at *350 for about one hour.
Serve with whipped topping,
or vanilla ice cream.

Let me know how you like it!!
Enjoy!!

Oh my … it’s time for not only an update, but to also make some major changes over here in Xangatown/ville/land – whichever you prefer!  I do think it’s time for this ‘tea’ theme to be shelved for awhile!  I’ll see what I can come up with … I’ve missed working with the themes over here, and I have to laugh at the calender that is still on here … December of 2010! They quit making those calendars, closed down their site, so I’m going to have to find another source!   Boy, do I ever need to change things … I just hope there are still some of my friends here left to see them! 

I know it’s been so long since I’ve been anywhere close to being consistent around here!  So much has happened since my son, Ian, came home – married!  New adjustments aren’t always easy, but God knows everything that is going on, and He offers peace in the midst.  I do hope you’re all doing well … I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I’ve missed it over here … and most of all, missed staying up to date with my ‘old blog’ friends!  It’s been almost five years (come September) since I joined Xanga.  I met so many sweet friends, and if at all possible, I hope I can keep them!   I’ve seen so many come and go now … it’s sad to think about, isn’t it.  I often wonder how they are, and how God is working in their lives.  I’m going to go through my sub list, and see who is still here, and if any of you see this, please drop by and let me know!  I’d love to hear how you’re doing!

We are all growing here … ever since we lost O.P. and Mom Betty, things have been different with the family.  Seems everyone is busy living life and we don’t get together as often as we did back then.  I miss that!  I started a family Facebook page, and still there aren’t many who show up there, either.  Well, I’m so blessed to say, that I do finally have my son home again, and now with his wife, we are working at building our own little corner of the ‘family’.  There have been those adjustments for us all since they came home in February, also getting to know one another, but we have a deep love in our hearts for our new ‘daughter’, and even with the struggles and things she is needing to overcome, we know she is where God wants her … we know they are both where He wants them to be!  Yes, Praise the Lord, they are finally home!

In my last post, I mentioned that they needed a car … I want to thank you for your prayers!  After many weeks of us driving them where they needed to go, God did finally provide, and it was indeed a miracle!  A friend sold Ian a small car, good on gas mileage, for only $1.00!  He said someone had done that for them when they first got that car, and he wanted to “pay it forward” and bless someone else!  I’m so thankful that it was Ian and Nicole!  It needs a little bit of work, but they couldn’t be happier to be ‘free’ to go when they want to, or need to go!  Unfortunately, right now though, they are fixing a flat tire and my sweet hubby is there helping them.  Along with the other small repairs, they’ll need a spare tire now, but we know that God will provide … He has done so many wonderful things for them since they’ve been home, but now, things are getting more difficult for them. Circumstances are changing for them here so fast!  My heart breaks for them both to see them struggling …… 

I had mentioned also in my last post about Ian having an editing job with a local Christian production company.  He was just getting ready to edit the movie they are filming over the next couple of months, but now they are unable to pay him because the funds just aren’t there, and Ian was told that his boss is going to be doing the editing … that leaves Ian without a job, but he was working for almost nothing over the past few months there, anyway.  He did a lot of good for their company, and there is still a possibility that he’ll work there again, that is if the sponsored funding comes in, or a different position comes available with less pay.  He has been depressed about it all, but at least he’s not completely jobless.  He’s working with his dad and uncle, putting in hardwood flooring, which he is very thankful for, even though he’d rather be editing.  It’s something he loves, and I have to say, very good at it, too!  And, not only that … the house they are renting from a friend, just went up for sale, and they weren’t even told that this was going to happen!  They have a year’s lease, but if the house sells, our friend told them it would be up to the new owners as to whether or not they would honor the lease agreement, so please be in prayer that God will provide another home for them!  This house was another miracle that God blessed them with when they first moved home … a friend from church told them they could rent his house that he and his wife were going to live in, but she passed away about 2 weeks before Ian and Nicole came home.  He wanted to help them get on their feet here, and the rent would only be $142.00 per month for the first 6 months, then it would go up to $600 per month, which is still very reasonable for what they have, but now, everything has changed for them!  We’re not sure what happened with our friend … he has disappeared from church, and we have heard that he is getting married and moving out of state soon, and apparently wanted to get this house sold quick.  It would have been better if he had told them about this though, or even talked to us, but what can we say?  We just pray for him now, and hoping he will have a change of heart … otherwise, we’re praying the house doesn’t sell too fast … Ian needs to get some money saved before they can even think of moving now … please say a prayer for this need as well. 

I know I’m sharing a lot here … I guess I needed to let go, and get it off my shoulders … as a mother we an carry all their burdens … you want to give your children the world, and make theirs all right, but we can’t do that, can we?!  We can pray, and that’s the best thing we can do!  We know God is working in their lives right now, and all these things are happening to them for a reason … if we jump in and help with every little thing, how can that give God room to work?!  I must say we’re learning the meaning of ‘hands off’!  I read a devotional yesterday that really spoke about this very thing and it said ………

Living a life of faith often requires us to leave things alone.  If we have completely entrusted something to God, we must keep our hands off it.  He can guard it better than we can, and He does not need our help.

“Things in our lives may seem to be going all wrong, but God knows our circumstances better than we do. And He will work at the perfect moment, if we will completely trust Him to work in His own way and in His own time.  Often there is nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will.”  – A.B. Simpson

In times like these, it truly is a comfort to drop the entanglements and perplexities of life into God’s hands and leave them there, isn’t it!! He faithfully gives us that peace that we so long for during the storms of life!

Thank you for taking the time to come by and read all of this, and again, I do appreciate those prayers for Ian and Nicole!  I hope more of you will drop in to say hi!  Let me know you’re still out there!  I’ve missed you all!  And please, excuse the mess around here … it’s high time that I change some of the old pictures and things I’ve had on since Ian left!  Well, he’s home now – and our family just got a little bigger … we have a daughter!  Yes, it’s a new season here in our lives, and I hope to be sharing more, along with photos and staying up to date with you all as each day rolls on!  I pray you all have a truly blessed weekend!  It’s good to be back home here, too!

Love & Hugs,
~ Deborah <><

P.S. Thought I would share a picture of our family … my dear husband, Lewis, me, our sweet Nicole, and our precious son, Ian.  This was taken on February 15th at the airport … the day Ian flew home with our ‘daughter’!  You can tell that my hubby is very emotional … he cries so easily, but I love that about him … I have to say, it certainly was an emotional day, and the tears did flow!

 

I do believe that spring has sprung … well, maybe!!  Hope you’re all doing well … I know it’s been far too long since I’ve posted here, and I’d sure love to hear from any who may be left, and still following my blog!  I will be coming around and seeing how many of you are still here … I hope to find a few.  I’ve missed it here, that is for sure!  Lots of changes since fall of this past year.  I want to share with those of you who remember my son, Ian, who went to California back in 2007 with his best friend to work at a church, that he is now back home, and is happily married!!  They were married in California on February 11th, and moved back here, to Indiana on the 15th!  We couldn’t be happier!  He is working with his dad in the family business for now.  He will be the main video editor to a local production studio here very soon, and that makes him extremely happy!  When they moved back home, they basically had only the clothes on their back, and God has miraculously provided a home for them.  They did get to borrow a vehicle from a friend for about 6 weeks, but now, are in need of a car as the vehicle had to go back to the owner … please pray that they are able to save the money, and find something ‘cheap’!  Work with his dad is slow, which makes it more difficult, but we know, with prayers and faith, that God will provide … again!  He is ever so faithful! 

I’d sure love to hear from some of you here on Xanga, again … so, if you see this, please do, leave me a comment, and I’ll be right over to check in with you, as well!  For now, I hope you’re all enjoying a nice spring.  I know there have been so many storms across the country, and here we’ve had some warm days, and now it’s cooler again.  Spring will get here eventually, but in the meantime, here are a couple of photos I took that will bring hope to your heart for those warmer days!  Have a blessed week!

Hugs,
~ Deborah <><