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February 8th, 2010
03:02 pm - Those Days
Do you ever have one of those days where...
You put your pants on backwards and wonder why they don't fit?
You can't make your bed because the cat is sleeping on it?
You realize you're putting the sugar away in the fridge instead of the pantry?
You start to brush your hair and then realize you're using the wrong end?
...
Or is it just me?
...
No wonder I'm amazed when the banana bread comes out of the oven looking like a loaf of bread.
...
My life is is full of those days. And I love 'em.
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February 6th, 2010
11:36 pm - Mother/Daughter Weekend
Here are just a few pictures from the Mother/ Daughter Winter Encouragement. Photo credits go to Mrs. Soto (thanks so much for blessing us in that way!!).  About 100 ladies attended. It was so good to fellowship with them, make new friends, officially meet ones you knew (small world!), and grow closer to the ones you were already blessed to know.  What a treat to have Mrs. McDonald and Tiffany come down for the weekend!!  A little loopy?? Too much caffeine?? Not enough sleep?? Having a good time?? Maybe it was a combination...  Of course, this is what we're normally like... *cough, cough*  Chef Gregory and his team did an awesome job the whole weekend!  Mom did a great job of making sure things ran smoothly.  The guys were so helpful the whole weekend and we are so grateful to them for giving up their time to make sure our weekend was a great one.  Here's a sweet little girl making a journal during craft time.  Making trivets out of tile was another craft.  Mrs. McKibbin did a fantastic job leading the singing. We couldn't have done it without her help! Here she gets a kiss from her lovely daughter.  Saturday was our friend, Hayley's, birthday. We were so delighted to be able to spend it with her!  We were using this room as the craft room, but on Saturday afternoon it underwent a major makeover and became the tea room - "Winter Wonderland".  I can't even begin to describe the desserts we had for tea. It was all so amazing.  Kristi Pass was wonderful to come and play for our tea. Delightful!! It was an encouraging weekend for us and we are so blessed. "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1
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February 5th, 2010
10:30 pm - My Little Sister
Sometimes I wish I was just like my little sister.
I know, I know...your birthday isn't for another 2 months (less than actually!), but I just felt like telling everyone how awesome you are. :o)
Thanks, sis, for listening to my rambling that usually lasts until the early morning, for putting up with my annoying habits, and for loving me when I'm just downright crazy. Words can't tell you how much I love you, but... I love you.
In case you haven't heard, she now has a blog. You can check it out here. She also started taking violin lessons today. I'm looking forward to hearing her first song! Way to go, sis. :o)
(Especially 'cause you will know what I mean when I say that you spell waaaay better than Photobucket. LOL)
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January 27th, 2010
01:00 pm - I've Been Thinking
Sincere thanks to those of you who sent my brain back my way...it's a little exhausted from its travels, but at least it's home. ;o) For a little while anyway...
I know, I know - tomorrow we're decorating the church in the morning and picking up the speakers from the airport in the afternoon (not to mention that we need to be printing off nametags, schedules, and handouts and making sure all the loose ends are tied together) - so what in the world am I doing posting now???
Well, lately I've been thinking a lot about the storms of life and stress and broken dreams and jumbled plans. And I am learning to embrace that only one thing matters amid all that chaos - walking in God's will. Dreaming His dreams and being drawn closer to Him.
Today I've been thinking about the life of Jesus. My devotions in Experiencing God Day-By-Day yesterday were about praying the way Jesus prayed. Are we willing to throw our whole self (to the point of groanings and tears and crying out) into prayer and still say at the end "Thy will be done"?
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." -Matthew 26:39
Also, I've come to realize that Jesus wasn't trying to avoid death. He knew He would just rise again in three days. Death wasn't ominous to Him; it was being separated from God. God is a holy God. He cannot have anything to do with sin. Sin cannot come before Him. Jesus was about to take on the sin of the world and, therefore, be separated from God. According to God's amazing and loving plan, Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice who took on our sin and, with that sin, was crucified. Our sin was crucified along with our Lord. By God's gracious plan, Jesus rose from the dead three days later and therefore conquered death (sin). In a way, our sin had died with Him and He had risen perfect, defeating our sin. Jesus knew that this was going to happen. He knew that sin would be conquered and a right relationship with God restored. And yet He wept and plead because the most important thing to Him was being one with God.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
-Psalm 84:10
There was a huge lesson in this for me! Jesus did not cry out because what was coming would ruin His dreams and plans, but because He would be separated from God. Doesn't it seem to you that we so often do just the opposite? Often we do not cry out because we are not walking closely with our God, but because our dreams and plans are being squished. Yet, as the Bible says and as Jesus modeled, the most important thing ever is our relationship and walk with God.
"My goal is God Himself...at any cost, dear Lord, by any road."
I can say that I believe that statement. But do I really embrace it? Am I living it? Or am I living this statement more:
"My goal is mostly God Himself...at any cost, except the cost of my will, plans, and dreams, dear Lord, by any road, except the road I don't want to go on."
Am I willing to be clay in the Potter's hands?
Of course, this doesn't mean that God doesn't care about our desires. But we must leave that up to Him. It's our job to be open in prayer before God and then trust Him for the answer. One way God has recently answered my prayer has been a wonderful reminder of this fact.
We had about 96 people registered for the Mother/Daughter Winter Encouragement this weekend and we had already paid the caterer accordingly. Well, earlier in the week we had people cancel and so our number dropped to under what we had payed the caterer for. Since then my goal had been getting enough people to register so we could bring the count back up to 96. I told Mom I felt like Abraham when I imploringly asked God, "Just 5 people, Lord?" As I've posted before, never underestimate the power of God. Yesterday was the very last day to register for this weekend. Yesterday morning we were still 5 people short. By yesterday evening, however, our final count was 99 (3 more than we had asked God to send). A very powerful reminder to never doubt God. He can and will do above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Speaking of the Mother/Daughter and this weekend...I need to get back to work. Thank you all so much for your prayers for us this week - they are making the difference.
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January 20th, 2010
12:39 pm - Peace, Be Still
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. It did snow the day I last posted. It had sort of snowed (more like slush/thick rain) while we were out running errands that evening and then it had stopped, so we thought that was all that was going to happen. We came home and had a family movie night and afterwards I sort of just casually looked out the window and saw that it had snowed while we were watching the movie and that there was a white dusting (key word) on the ground. It didn't stick around for long, but the roads were icy for a while and the city had to spread sand out to help. Now the ice is all gone and average temperatures (for this time of year) have pretty much returned. The first day of sunshine after that super cold spell was like a breath of fresh air. Even though it's really only 45*F-60*F here, J has been running around in shorts and t-shirts every day. He must've retained his northern blood. ;o) But I think everyone is so happy to have the sunshine back.
I am going to post pictures of the snowfall... The pictures are still on the camera and from there they have to be uploaded to the old computer and then put onto a memory-stick-something-or-other and then transferred to the new computer and then loaded to a website and then posted to here... And since I haven't the slightest idea how to do any of that (except the last two steps...hehe), I can't post the pictures right now. But as soon as I can get someone to help me, I'll try my best to get it done.
Lately I've been really busy working on registrations and getting ready for Southeastern Christian Home Discipleship Families' Mother/Daughter Winter Encouragement. The speakers fly in in 8 days and right now we are working on tying all the loose ends together. Registration has slowed down this week and I feel like it is just the lull before the storm. Next week is going to be crazy.
So if you don't hear from me, it isn't because I've gone missing...though I might lose my mind early on, so if you find this little silly looking thing running around, it might just be my brain...so please point it in the right direction and tell it somebody's missing it and that they'd be most obliged if it came home asap.
Joking aside, I do believe this coming week will be an extremely busy one. But my faith teaches me not to worry in the storm - God's grace, strength, and peace will carry me through. And, God will it, I'll come through walking closer with my Savior and with my crazy little brain intact.
Specifics to pray for in these coming weeks:- The people and workers in Haiti - they are going through a much bigger storm than most of us could imagine.
- Focus on the Family - they are putting out an anti-abortion commercial for the Super Bowl and need God's strength and protection for this battle.
- Southeastern Christian Home Discipleship Families' Mother/Daughter Winter Encouragement and for all to go smoothly and bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father and also for the moms and daughters attending to be encouraged and blessed.
Philippians 4:6-7, 13
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January 7th, 2010
09:58 am - Will It Snow?
We have stored up the goodies and necessities and staples for homemade hot chocolate. We have brought home a stack of movies from the library. We have several new games (including CLUE Spies - nothing like the original). We have pulled out the heavy blankets. Mom has built a fire in the fireplace. And we are prepared. So bring on the winter precipitation. In other words, let it snow, 'cause, baby, it's cold outside.
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January 4th, 2010
03:03 pm - 51-24
Congrats, Gators. J
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December 28th, 2009
02:27 pm - Thinking
I'm sitting here at the computer drinking a cup of tea and enjoying the fire in the fireplace. S is upstairs humming Christmas songs and every time I look out the window I'm greeted by a neighbor's Tennesse Volunteers' flag. At least it's not an Alabama or Cincinnati flag. Maybe I'll go close the blinds anyway. hehe Dad said that we might've gone to the Chick-fil-A bowl this year (I forget who's playing even though I've asked a gazillion times it feels like...okay nevermind- just looked it up online...TN v VAtech...guess that would explain the flag outside) and I laughed and told him I wouldn't have anything to wear to it - I only own Gators' shirts. While I really enjoy any football game (it's Dad's "fault" - he's taken me to football games since I was a wee thing ;o), I am rather particular when it comes to college teams; I'll always be a Gator fan. I've never been to an NFL game, but I'm not too particular when it comes to liking NFL teams. I guess I like Chicago because that's where I'm from, Atlanta because that's where I live now, and Jacksonville because I've always loved FL and I like Jacksonville/northern FL better than Miami or the Buccanneers (although Tampa/Sarasota is awesome ;o).
Okay, so enough of rambling about football. Hope you all survived that and aren't bored to death yet. *hopeful chuckle* ;o) Really, though, I have been thinking about other things than football today. Like, when it was lunchtime, I started thinking I was hungry. okay, okay... Really...
My first and foremost thought right now is: wow. I can't believe that Christmas is already over and that it's almost 2010. Someone tell me, is it just me or does anyone else think it went by crazy fast, too? Anyway, it is possible to enjoy things at a breakneck speed; our Christmas weekend was really wonderful.
The other thing I'm thinking about is the book I read yesterday. (Yes, I read a whole book yesterday. I have a bad habit of doing that.) Anyone else ever read To Kill A Mockingbird? Well, having come upon a relatively long chapter in War and Peace I decided to take a break from it and read something else just for fun. Seems that I need to brush up on my book-choosing skills, To Kill A Mockingbird is not a "just for fun" book, it's actually very thought-provoking and sobering. Read it in one day and your brain cells are certain to get a workout. There were parts of To Kill A Mockingbird that I didn't like; for one thing, the carefree use of words I wouldn't be caught dead saying was rather *uhum*, secondly, the dad was really a lousy dad to his kids, and thirdly, the 1st grade teacher told the little girl that her daddy had no place teaching her how to read...(ever gotten frustrated at a book??)... Despite all that I thought it was well written and conveyed its message very well. While it was certainly directed towards a certain group, I think it's still a message people need to hear today: make sure you are loving the people around you no matter who they are (even, and perhaps especially, the ones you don't like).
Other than that, I guess I'm not thinking of much else. The blinds are still open and my tea is gone. The fire has died down and S is reading instead of humming now. I'm only going to work one day this week (tomorrow) and am enjoying the break. But especially, right now, enjoying my Monday. Happy Monday, everyone.
Oh, yeah, and Go Gators. ;o)
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December 22nd, 2009
05:40 pm - Christmastime
Wow; can you believe it's winter already? At least it's only 60something here today (as opposed to 20something...brrr)...made it a little more bearable. ;o)
Last night was my flute students' Christmas recital. Other than the fact that I had a completely crazy day and forgot to print up programs for it, I think it went pretty well. Mostly because of my flute students; they had worked hard on their songs and it showed. I'm so blessed that my two students really enjoy playing the flute; it makes my job so much easier and enjoyable. Anyway, a friend from church told me this super easy recipe for peanut butter cookies. Even though I had very little time yesterday afternoon, I was able to whip up more than 3 dozen of the cookies and I think they turned out great. Here's the recipe (it's such a great recipe to have that I thought I'd share it with y'all. :o):
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
Hershey kisses, optional
Combine egg, peanut butter, and sugar in a bowl. Roll dough into balls and then roll in sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet and press down *very lightly* with a fork. Bake at 325* for 12 minutes. When the cookies come out of the oven you can (I did) place a Hershey's kiss on each one; if you do, press them down really lightly or the cookies will break. This recipe is also super easy and great for doubling.
See? Super easy! :o) I was even able to do it while I made homemade alfredo for dinner (that recipe's a little harder, but not much actually).
Well, we've been listening to Christmas music pretty much all day every day and it's really wonderful. I'd be playing it, too, but we took my flute in to the store today to have it cleaned. I'm just hoping it will come back before band starts up again. 'Cause, see, we have a concert at Christian City (nursing home/orphanage close to here) for Valentine's Day that I'm really looking forward to. We were going to do a Christmas concert for them, but it ended up not working out and being cancelled, so we're going to play for them for Valentine's Day (supposedly they do this ball that's a pretty big deal around that time, so I think that we'll be up there doing something for that).
Oh, and we've been going around looking at Christmas lights a lot lately. It's always sorta been a family tradition for us and now that we have a golf cart it's a lot of fun to go out and drive around that way. We've really been enjoying it.
So, other than the fact that I feel like I'm really rambling...nothing too exciting's happened. I'm enjoying being home this week and...I think I'll go put some more Christmas music on. :o)
I love you all and hope you have a very blessed Christmastime.
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December 9th, 2009
01:50 pm - Well...
I'll just say one thing...I'm looking forward to the Sugar Bowl. Go Gators! :o)
Saturday's concert was...cold. But we survived and played "Sleigh Ride" exceptionally well (or so we were told ;o). The hot cocoa kept us warm and it was fun after all.
Today's a bit warmer than it has been lately and it's a nice break. I'm hoping it lasts a little while. White Christmases are kinda cool, but freezing ones are a different story. ;o)
Other than that I'm planning a Christmas-themed flute recital for my two students.
Hopefully I'll have pictures and more updates in a couple of weeks. Right now I'm off to soak up the warm weather while it's here...maybe a golf cart ride would be nice. :o)
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December 3rd, 2009
02:55 pm - Rambling...
Sorry I haven't posted lately. Things have gotten kinda busy around here. I'm working three days a week now and still teaching flute twice. I've been enjoying the concerts that the community band I'm in has been doing. We have two more this year (that I'll be participating in); one is on Saturday at the amphitheater here in town and the other one is at Christian City.
Thanksgiving was great; Poppy, Nanny, and Granny came down and spent Wed-Sat with us. We had a good time and even got in some great deals in the wee hours of Friday morning. ;o)
By the way, sorry that there won't be any pictures on here for a little while. We got a new computer and all of the pictures are on the old one (it's now up in the library). Much as I so very much like putting pictures in posts, I'm going to have to figure out how to get them from the old computer to the new one (those of you who know how computer-challenged I am probably just gave up on pictures ever upon hearing that).
Other than that, I can't think of much else. I've heard reports that it's either supposed to snow or rain ice on Saturday. Of course, I'm seriously hoping it doesn't. I can't imagine it being any fun to play flute outside in the snow for a few hours...
Last thing before I go then...
GO GATORS!!! :o) (Saturday is the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. The Gators will be playing Alabama.)
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November 18th, 2009
04:36 pm - The Mysterious Islands
You are Invited To a Premiere Showing of Vision Forum’s The Mysterious Islands at 7 PM on Monday, November 23, 2009 at Grace Community Fellowship 75 Roscoe Road, Newnan, GA 30263. This showing is FREE, so bring your family and friends.
Space is limited, so please RSVP your name and number of people attending to themysteriousislandsnewnan@numail.org
or 678-378-3577
To watch a trailer of The Mysterious Islands, go to: www.themysteriousislands.com
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November 10th, 2009
04:55 pm - Good To Be Home
We're back from KY and our visit to see Granny. We had a good time with her and it was good to see her and Uncle H and Aunt M and just be able to relax. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures of our visit...if we could ever find those camera batteries...
Remember that quote from Gods and Generals? "I done more walking this week than in my life and my daddy's life put together." Well, our version is "I done more travelling this year than in my life and my daddy's life put together."...not really, but sometimes it sure feels like it. Vacation and travelling have been great, but now that we're home for a while now...it's good to be home. :o)
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November 4th, 2009
12:28 pm - Fourth Feature Film Forthcoming
Go here to learn more and remember to pray for God's blessing on this new project (and all those involved) and also that this new film will have a huge impact for the Kingdom of God.
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November 3rd, 2009
10:54 am - Mother/Daughter Winter Event
You are cordially invited to the Mother-Daughter Winter Encouragement “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1 Hosted by the Southeastern Christian Home Discipleship Families January 29-30, 2010 At Grace Community Fellowship Church of Newnan, Georgia With special sessions led by author Stacy McDonald (Raising Maidens of Virtue, Passionate Housewives Desperate for God) and her daughter, Tiffany McDonald Cost: $50/mother $25/first daughter $15/second daughter $10/each additional daughter Price includes dinner on Friday evening, and lunch plus a formal tea party on Saturday. For more information please call 770-487-3635 or check www.sechristianhomediscipleshipfamilies.blogspot.com Friday Schedule Noon-2 pm Arrival and Sign-in 2 pm-2:30 pm Opening 2:30 pm-3:30 pm Session 1 3:30 pm-4:30 pm Craft Time 4:30 pm-5:30 pm Session 2 5:30 pm-6:30 pm Dinner and Closing Accommodations are available (two queens and one double hide-a-bed in each room) for $89/Friday night at the Springhill Suites in Newnan, Georgia. Room sharing is encouraged to help with cost. Breakfast is included in the price. Please call 770-254-8900 to make your reservations and mention Southeastern Christian Home Discipleship Families to receive the discounted rate. This discounted rate will only be available until December 29, 2009. Saturday Schedule 8:30 am-9:30 am Arrival and Sign-in 9:30 am-10 am Opening 10 am-11 am Session 3 11 am-Noon Craft Time Noon-1 pm Lunch 1 pm-2 pm Session 4 2 pm-2:30 pm Question and Answer Session 2:30 pm-3 pm Dressing for Tea Party 3 pm-4:30 pm Tea Party and Closing Attendees are asked to dress nicely and bring their favorite tea cups for the Tea Party. Please print and return the following registration form to secure your place at the Mother-Daughter Winter Renewal Name of mother: ______________________________________ $50 First Last Name of daughter: _____________________________________ $25 First Last Name of daughter: _____________________________________ $15 First Last Name of daughter: _____________________________________ $10 First Last Name of daughter: _____________________________________ $10 First Last Total: _____ Please make checks payable to Brian Toussaint Address: _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________ Email: _____________________________________ ___We will be attending Friday only ___We will be attending Saturday only
___We will be attending both days (The cost is the same for each of the above options; the information is requested to help us plan our meals.) Send completed forms to: Southeastern Christian Home Discipleship Families ℅ Toussaint family 122 Clarin Way, Peachtree City, GA 30269 or mother_daughter@bellsouth.net Please pass this invitation along to those you think might be interested.
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October 30th, 2009
02:43 pm - Another Prayer Update
Eva came out of surgery on Wednesday just fine and gets to go home today. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers - especially for their family this weekend as they host 100's of fathers and sons for a campout.
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October 27th, 2009
12:08 pm - Pictures from the Ocean
Well, we're back from South Carolina. Vacation was absolutely wonderful!! The ocean is absolutely awesome and it was a relaxing weekend. We took like 350ish pictures over the weekend, so I'm just going to post a few. It's so hard to narrow them down, though! And the pictures really can't do any of it justice...it was great weekend. But here are a *few*...ahem...some... ;o)
We left PTC after Dad got home from work on Thursday. We arrived on Folly Beach around 11:30pm. We were pretty exhausted, but we all really wanted to get out to the ocean, so we took our bags to our hotel room and then ran down to the beach (the hotel we stayed at was right on the ocean). The first thing we (actually, Mom) discovered were crabs. We saw a lot of them over the weekend.
Since it was so late (and obviously so dark) we didn't really get to see the ocean. But the sound of the waves...it's incredibly amazing. After a while on the beach we headed to bed. Friday morning we got up to watch the sunrise. Indescribable. This picture is of the pier that was right next to the hotel. We walked out on it once. It was amazing, because out on the pier the ocean sounded so still and calm, whereas when you were standing on the beach you could hear all the waves come crashing in.
We found a lot of things out on the beach on Friday morning. One thing was a sand dollar. It's now sitting up in my room. :o)
We also found a starfish in the tide pool. It was alive, so we threw it back into the ocean.
We also saw dolphins, but we didn't get any pictures of them. We didn't see any sharks, but we were told that people fishing off the pier catch the little ones all the time.
This is the hotel we stayed at. It looked really cool at night when it was all lit up and the lights in the lobby changed colors.
Under the pier by the hotel:
Friday afternoon we went to the USS Yorktown. Other than the ocean (of course), this was probably my favorite part of the trip.
After that we took a ferry out to Fort Sumter.
We also went on a submarine, but we didn't get any pictures of that for some reason.
Saturday we once again got up for the sunrise (both Friday and Saturday we ate breakfast on the beach). Afterwards we went and took pictures of the lighthouse.
Saturday afternoon we went to downtown Charleston. We walked around and also rode the trolley around.
I think Mom really enjoyed the pier in downtown Charleston; there were swings on it. :o) I forget the name of it, though.
Later (back on Folly Beach) S, Dad, and I got out into the ocean a little bit.
Saturday night we played a game in the hotel lobby and then (after more walking along the ocean) headed to bed. Sunday morning we didn't get up for the sunrise, but got to sleep in a little and then ate at a bagel place and headed home. God was good and we were blessed to be able to go on and enjoy such a great family vacation.
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October 22nd, 2009
10:03 am - In General
Eva
Eva's home from the hospital right now, but she will be back up there again later this week and then again for another surgery next Tuesday. Please continue to keep her and her family in your prayers. Thank you so much for your perserverance and concern. The power of prayer is so amazing to me - we serve such an awesome God. I'm brought to tears of joy and gratefulness whenever I think of all the Christians who are so willing, at a moment's notice, to pray for a brother and/or sister in Christ whom they have never met. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13); how powerful is the family of God.
**UPDATE: Eva is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow (Wednesday), not today (Tuesday).**
Balloon People
S was really bored one day, so she disappeared into her room and came out a couple hours later with these...
She made two other "people" and a cat/dog (S says it's a dog, J and I say it looks like a cat, so the balloon family gets both).
On the Road Again
Yep, only this time we're headed east, not north. South Carolina, to be exact. We're staying right on the ocean. I'll be sure to post pictures when we return.
Until then, have a great weekend, stay warm, and here's a *HUG* from me. :o)
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October 21st, 2009
09:51 am - Prayer Update 2
Another update on little Eva:
The surgery happened earlier than expected yesterday (the doctors wanted to do it asap). Last I knew (yesterday afternoon), she was still in recovery. Not sure how her eye is doing at this point.
If I'm understanding right, there will be more tests today and the doctors are wanting to do another surgery next week. Whatever happens, please continue to lift up Eva and her family before the Throne of God. Also, this family is hosting a huge father/son camp the last weekend of October, so please pray that God would strengthen them to be able to handle everything.
Thank you so much for your prayers on behalf of Eva and her family!
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October 20th, 2009
10:27 am - Prayer Update
Little Eva is scheduled for surgery at 2:30 CT this afternoon. Please, please, please keep her and her family in your prayers.
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2saints's journal
