Thinking about Easter...

Resurrection Power 🗲

I love Easter. I love the joy of it, the significance of it. I love reading about Jesus and the empty tomb. Strapping on the sandals of Mary or Peter and trying to imagine how they must have felt. He is risen, He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! He did it! 

We hear the story of the resurrection and the name of Jesus echoed all around this time of year, even from secular sources. The message of the resurrection is surely one of love conquers hate and good triumphs over evil. Our hearts respond and we identify with these valiant themes. But as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus let's not forget it is for OUR sins he died. Yes, He conquered death and the grave. Yes, He wants us to live peaceably with one another and show love by reaching out to those who are in need. These are noble and important aspirations, and as Christians many of us stand convicted. But we cannot conquer hate and violence in the world without first coming to peace with God in our own hearts through repentance. Only then can we have a relationship with God.  All God has ever wanted is a relationship with you. The fruit of that relationship will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Christ did not die for social injustices alone or to provide an example of how love can conquer evil. It was my sin and yours that nailed him to the cross. He willingly gave his life because of His great love for us.  Coming to Jesus in repentance and faith is the only way I can share in His victory over sin and death. Through faith I have been set free from the power of sin and death, and I have peace with God. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! This is the power of the resurrection.  And this is the truth that will set us free!

"If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the  truth, and the truth will set you free."                                                                                                 --Jesus (John 8:31)

Michael shoots me.AVI

More Christmas fun...

Where Is Everybody.AVI

Who's the biggest kid on Christmas morning?

New Year's Day 2010

She loves a party!

It was such a blessing to get together with family at Laura and Michael's home in Maplecrest at the dawn of a new year.

Christmas Morning

The chain-saw incident...

Ellie's First Christmas -- The Present!

Be Thankful for What?

Taken from Ann Landers' 11/22/01 column. Used with permission.

www.ReviveOurHearts.com

Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

Things To Be Thankful For

Dear Ann Landers:

I hope you will print something a friend in Australia sent me.

I think it's perfect to run on Thanksgiving. -- Bee in Fairfax, Va.

Dear Bee:

Please send my best wishes and warm thanks to your friend in

Australia. Here's the thoughtful piece she sent:

Things to Be Thankful For

•

Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have

enough to eat.

•

Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have

been surrounded by friends.

•

Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you're employed.

•

Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because

it means you have a home.

•

Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.

•

Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.

•

Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it

means you can walk.

•

Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it

means you can hear.

•

Be thankful when people complain about the government, because it means we

have freedom of speech.

•

Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it

means you're alive.

New Year's Visit 2009

They span the generations - Kristina is the youngest of Mom's grandchildren and Anna is the first great Grandchild.

My brother Ed and Debbie and their family made their traditional holiday trek to the mountains to visit us -- this year on New Year's Day. The children, whose ages span from 3 to 15 have a great time together and we adults get along fine, too!

Christmas Caroling

Start:	Dec 13, '08 1:00p
End:	Dec 13, '08 3:00p
Location:	Lighthouse Bible Church, Main St, Hunter, NY(across from the Hunter Post Office)

Join us in Hunter on Saturday for Christmas Caroling, hot chocolate and cookies. Dress warmly, and bring a smile and some cookies to share.

Catskill MountainThanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving snow on the pumpkin -- just a dusting. So pretty :)

We enjoyed a cozy family Thanksgiving in spite of the chilly weather outside. We have so much to thank God for!

Nates Thing.MOV

As the 4th of July parade wound its way through Windham, several folks passed out fliers alongside the Mitchell Hollow Mission Church VBS float (the VBS theme is Western -- it's called Cactus Canyon -- hence the cowboy garb you will see on the video). Nate took on the personality and spirit of a very enthusiastic cowboy - inviting all to come to VBS and "check it out". You'll hear the Cactus Canyon theme song in the background too. They attracted quite alot of attention (and nobody threw apples, tomoatoes or anything else except candy). Also notice the handsome guy in the background with the red bandana.

Fourth of July Parade

This was my view of the parade from the covered wagon -- but I enjoyed watching the faces of the people, some of whom, when they saw Samuel and me sitting in the wagon, actually jumped into the street to take our picture. It was just like the potpourratzi (I have no idea how to spell that).

Just a few photos that was able to take from my vantage point - sitting with Samuel in a covered wagon, facing backwards toward the rest of the parade. The white truck that you see in the pictures was pulling the Mitchell Hollow VBS float which, unfortunately, I did NOT get a shot of. On that float were most of the children and parents, including Laura and Anna. Michael was riding in uniform on the VFW float. Dan was helping to hand out VBS fliers to parade watchers.....we had alot of fun. And the fireworks were fantastic this year!

Don't Forget to Celebrate I Forgot Day!

Did I forget something?

Today is a very important but little-celebrated holiday....

I Forgot Day

Well we’re 1/2 way through the year and today’s the perfect time to catch up on all those sundry things that have slipped our minds over the last 6 months or so. What were those New Year's Resolutions anyway? Did I remember to send a card to Aunt Tillie in Feb? How many heart worm preventative doses has Fido missed? Is it too late to get a flu shot (YES!) What about an oil change? Yikes - are those snow tires that I see on my car in July?? Are there any fast food plants I can put in my vegetable garden now that will have a chance to actually grow before frost? (like insta-onion or speedy asparagas? Do you want fries with that?  Maybe I'd better stick with winter squash.)

Whatever we've missed in 2008 we have time to make up for at least some of it today -- National I Forgot Day. Actually, I have made a personal decision to extend the celebration for a whole week....hope that's enough time.   I'd better get going before I start screwing up again. 2009 isn’t that far away!

It's Summertime!

Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...

WELCOME!!

Actually, I am still hoping for some laziness and maybe even some craziness, but the fact that the calendar says it's summer gives me some hope that long days of summer haziness can't be far behind! Remember how endlesss the summer days of childhood seemed? ("What do you want to do? I don't know, what do YOU want to do?") Those kinds of conversations took up quite alot of our time in those days.....Now the question more likely is, "What do I do first?"

Well, whatever the next couple of months holds in store, let's not forget to push the pause button from time to time (yes, I got that from The Upside Down Show) take a deep breath and ENJOY some summer sunshine. And a lazy day or two.  And maybe even chew on a piece of hay sometime between now and Labor Day.

What do YOU want to do?

Summer arrives today at 7:59PM EDT.
(And its the first day of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere!)

 

Happy Father's Day!

2007 Father's Day Presidential Proclamation

Father's Day, 2007

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

On Father's Day, we reflect on the many ways that fathers contribute to the lives of their children with spoken words and unspoken kindness.

Fathers are one of the most important influences in the lives of children, and their unconditional love is an indispensable anchor of certainty and strength. By placing their family's well-being above their own, fathers provide children with an example of what it means to be a responsible person. Through unwavering devotion and daily sacrifice, fathers work to create an environment where children are protected and encouraged. Fathers instill in their children an understanding of right and wrong and help them to grow in confidence and character. These dedicated men strive to give their sons and daughters the necessary foundation to make good choices and lead lives of purpose.

On Father's Day and throughout the year, we honor the men who have taken on the great joy and responsibility of fatherhood, and we celebrate their extraordinary impact and influence. All Americans are especially grateful to the many fathers who are serving their country as members of the Armed Forces, and we lift them and their loved ones up in prayer.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 17, 2007, as Father's Day. I encourage all Americans to express admiration and appreciation to fathers for their many contributions to our Nation's children. I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on this day. I also call upon State and local governments and citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Celebrate Respect for Chickens Day!

I don't know how I missed it, but May 4th was an important day to honor one of God's creatures that has played an important role in all our lives...the chicken. Who else gives and gives and keeps on giving? Barbequed, stewed, casseroled, hot 'n spicy, or cool and salad-y we love 'em. Then, there are the omelets, egg salads, and Easter eggs! Seriously, though, I do have alot of respect for the chickens I have known and even loved. Remember, kids, the two chickens we hatched in school, took home and cared for? ....(ummmm, what were their names again??...)  Until that sly fox or wicked weasel showed up one night! I still feel sad and a little guilty about that.

Well, in honor of our feathered friends, let us breathe deeply (but not if you happen to be in the chicken coop) and.......all together now---

Cockadoodle doo!!

International Respect for Chickens Day
Show that world that chickens do matter on this international day to promote the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl.

--from blog.holidays.net -- photo via flickr

April Fool's Day

Found this video on the origens of this strange and funny day -- all the things you never wanted to know...! But is it true?

<embed src="http://www.veoh.com/videodetails2.swf?player=videodetailsembedded&type=v&permalinkId=v6553424shqDRADx&id=10591386" allowFullScreen="true" width="540" height="438" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br/><a href="http://www.veoh.com/">Online Videos by Veoh.com</a>

Celebrating "Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day"

taken from Holidays on the Net...

Today, March 27, we celebrate....

Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day
Now who can forget those great country music ditties like

“Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart” by Johnny Cash?

Or “Everytime I Itch I Wind Up Scratching You”

by the one and only Glen Campbell?

Is there a spring in your step when you hear

“Did I Shave My Legs For This?” from Deana Carter

or Cledus T Judd’s “Did I Shave My Back For This!”

And of course my personal favorite

“Too Much Month (At The End of The Money)” from Marty Stuart.

Ahh the memories! 

-From Holidays on the Net-

http://blog.holidays.net

Druids, Shamrocks and the Gospel

 Did you know that Saint Patrick was a Scottish missionary? I didn't! -- Found this on a site called St Patrick's Day on the Net. Interesting bit of history -- Read on...

Who Was Saint Patrick?

March 17th marks the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, a traditional feast holiday of praise and thanksgiving for missionaries in Ireland. And a perfect excuse for a ruckus party everywhere else in the world. The holiday and its worldwide festivities have become a celebration of everything Irish.

But beyond the green beer, shamrocks and parades is an historic figure - a saint whose life inspired this two thousand year holiday of national pride and revelry. Who was Saint Patrick? And why was he such an inspiration to the Irish?

Saint Patrick, nee Maewyn, was born to Scottish parents in Roman Britain in approximately 385 CE. As a teenager, he was captured by Druid raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland - then a pagan land ruled by the Druids. Legend tells that after six years of captivity, Patrick had a dream in which God told him to flee by the water. He followed the prophecy and was returned to his parents by Roman sailors.

Soon after, Patrick had another dream, in which the Irish people called to him, begging him to return. Patrick began studying for the priesthood, all the while planning to fulfill his second prophecy. In 433, Patrick is said to have returned to Ireland, this time sent by Pope Celestine, to teach gospel to the Irish people.

Saint Patrick's return to Ireland commenced an incredible forty-year, one-man mission across the Irish island, ordaining priests, baptizing former pagans and converting entire kingdoms to Christianity with the power of his rhetoric. Legend tells that Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, with each leaf representing one of the triad. To this day, the shamrock is an image associated with Saint Patrick and has become the unofficial symbol of St. Patty's Day.

Patrick died on March 17th, the anniversary of which has been marked for nearly 2000 years as the holiday of St. Patrick's Day.

Celebrate National Workplace Napping Day

I just love a  holiday -- and this sounds like a good idea to me! Today, March 10, we celebrate..... National Workplace Napping Day While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

Diendusa

Yeah. Its probably the bossman slapping you upside the head!

Actually today’s the day to “lie down and be counted” in support of workplace napping.

(disclaimer - not responsible for boss' responses)