It Puzzles Me...

Bill Giovannetti, the pastor of Redding Neighborhood Church, has been preaching a series on "Can You Feel It -- God's Wisdom on Human Emotion". Pastor Bill doesn't know a thing about my life and what I am experiencing. In fact, he has never even met me. So, how is it that every Sunday he preaches a sermon just for me, covering topics of things I am going through right at that moment? It puzzles me...

Happy Birthday, Judy!!

Judy Richardson -- the sister I received the day I married Glenn Robert Jones. And 25 years later, one of my dearest friends!!

I love Wes very much and enjoyed having a big brother when I was growing up, but I must admit that sometimes I wished I had a sister too. Well, the day I married Bob, I was blessed with the best sister ever. My "sister" is loving, caring, sensitive to me and my needs, helpful, always there for me with a listening ear, fun, complimentary, encouraging, believes in me, solid in her faith, a great example of a wife and mother...You get the picture -- She's AWESOME!!

Happy, Happy Birthday to my dear sister and friend! I love you, Judy! Oh how I wished we lived closer!! If we did, I would bring you these flowers:

Then we would go out for some coffee:

Next would be some fun shopping:

Followed by a great lunch at a Chinese Restaurant (or wherever you picked):


P.S. Along with that sister, I should mention that I got a really great brother-in-law who means the world to me. Love you, too, George!

P.S.S. Look at that picture -- don't they make a cute couple!!!

Prayer Request

If you happen to be reading my blog today, could you please take a moment to say a prayer for my friend, Greg. He is having some very, very serious heart surgery today in San Francisco. Greg has no family living, so we have "adopted" him as part of our family, and we love him very much. Pray that all will go well with the surgery today and there will be no complications. Thank you sooooooo much!!!

For A Monday Morning...

Received this in an e-mail the other day and wanted to share it with you:

You say: "It's impossible."
God says: "All things are possible." Luke 18:27

You say: "I'm too tired."
God says: I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28-30

You say: "Nobody really loves me."
God says: "I love you." John 3:1-6 and John 3:34

You say: "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." II Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15

You say: "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps. Proverbs 3:5-6

You say: "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things." Phillipians 4:13

You say: I'm not able."
God says: I am able." II Corinthians 9:8

You say: "It's not worth it."
God says: "It will be worth it." Romans 8:28

You say: "I can't forgive myself."
God says: "I forgive you." I John 1:9 and Romans 8:1

You say: "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." Philippians 4:19

You say: "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." II Timothy 1:7

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated."
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME." I Peter 5:7

You say: "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I'll give you wisdom." I Corinthians 1:30

You say: "I feel all alone."
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Thank you, Lord, for your promises to us!!!

Congratulations, Hilary!!

Last night we attended the Shasta College 2009 Induction Service for Phi Theta Kappa. Here's a re-cap of the night, told through pictures. For those of you who missed my blog on Hilary's acceptance, I will, once again, quote from a letter Hilary received: "Congratulations on your academic achievement! As a result of your dedication to scholarly success, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter on this campus extends to you membership in the International Honor Society of two-year colleges. Membership eligibility is based on the number of hours you have completed and your outstanding GPA; therefore, membership is a special honor afford to a small group of outstanding students..."

Inductees filing in:

Hilary waiting to have her name and major announced (She is now officially majoring in Physics):

After signing the register, each inductee receives a white carnation which symbolizes purity:

Shaking hands with the Dean of Students, Academic Advisor, and Phi Theta Kappa officers:

Filing out:

After the ceremony:

Hilary showing off her pin and certificate:

Please bear with me, I'm one proud Mama!!! Hilary has to work really hard for her grades, and she has done such an excellent job!!! Congratulations, Hilary!! I love you!

Pictures of the Week #4

I couldn't help it! There were too many great pictures on this roll to just pick one. Hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

The first three pictures were taken at a Vision Valley Reunion (I'll have to find out what year this was). Vision Valley was our church's camp, and I went to summer camp there for many years. Oh what wonderful memories I have of those days.

This is Anne Kinnier and my two children, Hilary and Lyle, playing in the creek. Anne has remained a dear friend of Hilary and Lyle over the years. We sure do love her! She is just about the sweetest girl in the whole world!

This second picture is me with Bob and Sue Ramsey. Pastor Ramsey was my junior high and high school youth pastor. They are both the kindest, sweetest people you would ever want to know. They played a huge role in my life and encouraged me sooo much in my Christian walk.

This picture is priceless -- Hilary and Lyle with Pastor Royal Blue. Pastor Blue was the pastor of the church I started attending in 1968.

This last picture is just toooo funny!! We had a cat named Fluffy, and I sometimes gave him a little bowl of milk as a special treat. My kids were wondering what it would be like to be a cat and lap milk with your tongue, so I grabbed two bowls and poured them some milk. Meet my two "cats" :)

Quote for the Day

We spend too much time living in the ‘what if’ and need to learn to live in the ‘what is.’

Rev. Leroy Allison


WOW!! Love this quote!