Hope Continually -- Psalm 71:14

Football season.   We see just the games.  Players see all the practices day in and day out that we don't see. Reminds me of the ministry.   There is a lot of work that goes on in the ministry.  Many times for one hour of time...one event.   May I encourage you to become a player on the team instead of the fan?   A fan in the ministry just shows up on game day.  Yes, they may have lots of enthusiasm during that time...but where are they during all the practices?  Where are they when preparations are being made?  Fans aren't there.  They simply show up to the game and "claim" the fame.   Woo hoo!  That's my church!  Yeah!   Players are there long before the game begins.  They are there every time something needs to be done.  They are there involved and committed.   This coming year in 2019, decide to be a player in your church and not just a fan.   ...

The Friday after Thanksgiving was another busy day.  I was up early getting some things done.  The girls and I did a little Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart and then I took Addie to work. When I got home, we went over to Miss Dora's home (from our church).  She made a delicious meal for our family and then we cut down one of her blue spruce trees.  She wanted it removed and asked if we wanted it as a Christmas tree.  We were planning on going to cut one down this year so made this our adventure instead. The weather was quite iffy all weekend - a lot of wind for sure! We came home from Miss Dora's and I got to work cooking and finishing cleaning.  Picked up Addie from work and then we had the Musser family over for dinner.  We are together a lot - but much of it is working at the church or on church events.  So it was fun just to hang out and enjoy a meal together.  My husband cooked steaks and I made cottage mashed ...

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!  Here is a few pictures from ours. I was up early cleaning.  It was raining and dark and what a nice morning!  When I opened the curtains, I noticed I don't hear the rain anymore.  I did catch the little it did snow on Thanksgiving.  This is really the first snow we have had in the valley and as you can see - it was barely the first snow! When the clouds broke for a little bit, we had blue skies and a snow covered mountain! I made two pies that morning.  A pumpkin and an apple pie.  I forgot how long apple pies take to make! I let Summer have the leftover pie crust to make cookies. We decided not to have anyone over this year - just our family.  So instead of a traditional meal, we did a crawfish boil. A crawfish boil consists of crawfish, hot smoked sausage, red potatoes, corn on the cob, mushrooms, heads of garlic, onion, seasonings, and lemons. ...

During the holiday season, I researched and planned some fun family activities to do.  If you remember, we went to the Reno Philharmonic show the week before.  On Saturday, they had a free magic show at our local library.  Nothing super extravagant but he did some good tricks and the girls enjoyed it!  Especially Sierra - she is always trying to learn a trick here and there. There are so many neat things to experience - just do your research and plan out your calendar!  And a lot are free. On Sunday, I filled in to teach the kids for the 9am service.  We had a great time with Addie leading the singing - I taught on the ten lepers and we did this Thanksgiving turkey craft.  So cute and again, didn't cost very much. :) After the morning services, we had our Christmas play practice and then we went up to Lake Tahoe to visit with friends that came to see us.  The Lockhart family - Robert and Amber and their three kids.   ...

Wednesday, while Eric and Addie were at College Days, we had a beautiful sunrise.  Boy was it cold though! I loved seeing Addie on the Sparks Chick-Fil-A Facebook page! Summer got to sleep with me while Dad was away. :) Thursday night, we watched Prancer.  The original.  It was made back in my childhood in the 80's but I love it. :)  Of course, a little eggnog too! Friday was a planned day to do nothing ALL day long.  This happens...never!  Since Eric and Addie were gone, we stayed in our pajamas and watched the entire Anne of Green Gables - all three movies!  Super long but I haven't seen it in years and years and it was so much fun.  Autumn was surprised how much of it I knew. LOL! We had pancakes and sausage for breakfast.  Taco salad for lunch.  And Papa Murphey's pizza for dinner.  Yum! On Saturday, I took Addie to work.  Her Chick-Fil-A was having a toy drive for the kids i...

Wednesday-Friday, my husband and our youth leader, Carlos, took five young people to West Coast Baptist College for their College Days event. West Coast Baptist College is a ministry of Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, CA pastored by Paul Chappell. My husband on the left, Ben-a current student at West Coast from our church, Emily, Reyanna, Addie, Elijah and Jared. For some reason, I can hear my husband saying, "Hey" in a feminine voice right here. LOL! Checking out classes. Such a nice picture!  I'm so happy that Carlos could be a part of this! Church at Lancaster Baptist on Wednesday night.