Christmastime

Wow, it's Christmas time again!!! It seems like just last week summer was starting.

This has been a full fall. School started into full swing. Volleyball season also took a large amount of time. The kids joined a 4-H group that a friend started. After volleyball season, Ginger attended an American Heritage Girl meeting and decided she wanted to participate. Of course, Chris continues with the scouts and has worked hard this fall earning pins.

In November, my brother in law's brother passed away. I went to Rockfish and took mom to church and the services for Billy. He had a massive heart attack all of a sudden and was gone. He was in his early 70's, but I have learned that no matter the age or expectation you are never prepared for the great amount of loss you feel. I knew Billy, had hunted with him as a teenager and saw him at Dad's funeral. He was a kind and generous man. Always had a smile on his face. For me personally, it has been very difficult to get into any holiday mood. I miss my dad tremendously.

I haven't been attending church much. I did go on Sunday, but honestly, it was all I could do to keep from bawling my eyes out. I guess I am suppressing the emotions. Then, for Ginger's AHG ceremony Sunday afternoon, Diane (my sister) comes in bringing Mom as a surprise. It made me cry.

This will be my first Christmas without him. I know he is in a far better place, but he is gone. Never again will I go home and see his face, hear his voice, or feel his touch. Selfish you say, don't judge until you walk in the shoes. I had no idea until it happened to me.

August Already?

I looked at the previous blog and it was June 23rd. Wow, how long ago was that... A lot has happened over the summer. Here's the run down.

July 4th, we spent the day with Vaughn's Aunt and Uncle and their kids. Kathi and Vaughn are not far apart in age and they grew up together. We had a good time and the kids loved the firework show they put on. Ginger was finally put on antibiotics for her bug and started recuperating while I caught her bug and started antibiotics. Christopher fell off the swing the week we were scheduled to go to Charleston, SC. Needless to say, yes, he did break his wrist. We shortened our trip to just the weekend on the USS Yorktown with the scouts. It was fun but TIRING.

The end of July was reflective, my dad's birthday was July 22nd. It was a hard week. I miss him. We ended July with volleyball team camp and VBS the same week.

VBS was great!!! We had bad weather predicted every night and God split the clouds and the rain bypassed the church. What an awesome God we serve!!! We were able to hold the games outside when we needed to.

The very next week, we celebrated my Mom's 80th birthday, started regular volleyball practice and began our homeschool year. In the midst of all this, my car had problems but my wonderful husband fix it. It would have been mucho money if a shop was involved. Mom's party was a success but getting together was bitter sweet for me. I miss my Dad. Volleyball practice continues and our first game is next week. Can't wait to see how this season turns out.

August is always a busy month for our family. Mom's birthday, Vaughn's birthday, our anniversary and my birthday. Every weekend someone turns a year older. I see it as an opportunity to enjoy each other's company.

This year it is our 16th anniversary. I have learned over the years that it's not all about the feelings because those change or waver. It is about the commitment. That commitment must be first and foremost to glorify God in our relationship with our spouse. Then there is the commitment to put the other one first. Something I have neglected at times with Vaughn. This year I have thought about how things have changed in our family. Next year our kids will be in double digit ages. When we celebrate our 20th, they will be teenagers with the beginnings of their own life. We have spent the last 12 years, wiping noses, faces and other body parts, kissing boo boos, settling arguments and carting kids everywhere. This next year instead of "dragging them to the path" I hope to "point them to it" and pray they follow it. With that in mind, I look forward to our marriage continuing to grow and mature as we embark on a new year of friendship, companionship and child rearing.

Psalm 1:1-3

Psa 1:1-3
(1) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
(2) but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
(3) He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.


When we look at this Psalm, it can be easily read and applied to life. Let’s look at the meat of it.

First the beginning of verse 1:

Blessed--Happy like an interjection showing strong feeling.

Adam Clarke makes the comment regarding this:

"1. God made man for happiness.
2. Every man feels a desire to be happy.
3. All human beings abhor misery.
4. Happiness is the grand object of pursuit among all men.
5. But so perverted is the human heart, that it seeks happiness where it cannot be found; and in things which are naturally and morally unfit to communicate it.
6. The true way of obtaining it is here laid down."

Clark’s last point says here is the way to obtain happiness as pointed out in this Psalm.
There are 3 progressions for the man to be happy by NOT doing. These are

1. Walking in the counsel of the wicked. Does not follow the advice of those who are morally wrong--those who have not found their salvation in Christ and choose to follow their own way.
2. Standing in the way of sinners. The way meaning their course of life and standing to dwell, be employed, abide and sinners those who have missed the mark, person who is not only morally wrong, but chose to act on it.
3. Finally, sitting in the seat of scoffers. The scoffer is one who has scorned religion. Who does everything he can to dissolve any morality in society.

See the progression here, not only in the physical aspect of walking, standing and sitting, but also of the people.
Here is what Adam Clarke states:

"The ungodly man is unconcerned about religion; he is neither zealous for his own salvation, nor for that of others: and he counsels and advises those with whom he converses to adopt his plan, and not trouble themselves about praying, reading, repenting, etc., etc. there is no need for such things; live an honest life, make no fuss about religion, and you will fare well enough at last. Now, “blessed is the man who walks not in this man’s counsel;” who does not come into his measures, nor act according to his plan.
The sinner has his particular way of transgressing; one is a drunkard, another dishonest, another unclean. Few are given to every species of vice. There are many covetous men who abhor drunkenness; many drunkards who abhor covetousness; and so of others. Each has his easily besetting sin; therefore, says the prophet, let the wicked forsake His Way. Now, blessed is he who stands not in such a man’s Way.
The scorner has brought, in reference to himself, all religion and moral feeling to an end. He has sat down - is utterly confirmed in impiety, and makes a mock at sin. His conscience is seared; and he is a believer in all unbelief. Now, blessed is the man who sits not down in his Seat.
See the correspondent relations in this account.
1. He who walks according to the counsel of the ungodly will soon,
2. Stand to look on the way of sinners; and thus, being off his guard, he will soon be a partaker in their evil deeds.
3. He who has abandoned himself to transgression will, in all probability, soon become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin; and sit down with the scorner, and endeavor to turn religion into ridicule."

The neat thing about this Psalm though, it doesn’t leave you there. In verse 2 is says
BUT His delight is in the law of the Lord and on his Law he meditates day and night.
First it tells what not to do, and now what to do to be happy.
Delight here is a desire, a pleasure. He takes great pleasure in the law of the Lord, he desires it. What does he desire? The statutes of God that produce in him a holy life. Not just something he haphazardly seeks after but something he pursues like a job, both day and night. Not only in the daylight, but also in the night. Not just when things are going great, but when the adversity comes. He doesn’t just seek, but also meditates on. Ponders how it applies to his situation, speaks it out loud, thinks about it.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The word becomes a sword in his spirit showing him his own heart, and making it new and giving him direction.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Not only is the tree planted but transplanted. Not just beside a river, but this is reference to an irrigation canal. A place where there is always water to provide proper growth. It is cultivated, pruned, fertilized. When this happens, it yields fruit when the time comes, not if but when it will produce fruit. The leaf itself is important to a tree. It is where photosynthesis takes place when exposed to the sun. That leaf does not wither because of the available water and the tree continues to grow.
In all that he does, he prospers. What is the purpose of what he does? To glorify God and he prospers at it.

So, meditation and delight in the word allows God to transplant us from the wild and place us in His garden to be watered and tended by His loving hand with the end result glorifying Him by our fruit and growth.

God speaks in pictures

Many years ago God showed me a picture in my head. I want to share that with you....

I was hanging out with friends one evening and my roommate had decided on a drastic haircut. I had made some comments that offended her. It was not my intention to offend, but I was a young smart mouth that sometimes did not think before she spoke. We reconciled and prayed together. That is when God gave me a picture in my head: a ripe peach with a hand underneath.

This was very significant for me. As a kid, we had a peach tree growing right at our back door steps. When they were in season, we would pick them and within just a few hours have homemade ice cream. If I wanted a snack, I could just step outside and pick one and eat it right off the tree.

Now, you must note there is a big difference in the peaches that you purchase at the super market and those that ripen on the tree. A peach when fully ripe will fall right into your hand when you touch it. It is soft, sweet and juicy when you bite it. The smell is a sweet and delightful aroma. You can't wait to sink your teeth into it and when you do, the juice runs down your arm. Now some may not grasp the joy of this process, but for me it was the embodiment of summertime joy.

At the time of this picture in my mind, I had no idea what it meant. I prayed for God to give me good fruit in the relationship with this person. I went home though and sought the Lord for what the meaning was of this picture.
So here it is, I am to be so ripe from his presence that at the nudge of his hand I can be the aroma of Christ to those around me.
"2Co 2:15-16
(15) For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
(16) to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?"

My life is to be a living sacrifice, ready to be used by God at his gentle nudge. Ripened in the presence of the son. Grown by the immersion in the word that fertilizes the crop. Are you being a peach? Daily in his word and the presence of Jesus? Prepared to be nudged by His hand? Sometimes I am, sometimes I am not, but I do strive to be more available to Him.

Hanging in there

It has been almost six weeks since I lost my Dad. I have gone through the grief process some, it still hurts. I find myself crying on a moments notice. Mother's Day weekend was harder than I thought. We all planned to surprise Mom with a get together and we were actually able to do it. We ate the leftover food from the funeral that had been frozen. I was a little rough around the edges personally. I had kept a shirt my Dad had worn before he passed and put it in a ziploc bag. It still smelled like him when I put it in there. On Saturday I went to smell it, and the smell was gone.
Vaughn has said it does not get any easier, you just don't think about it as often. I hope not thinking about Dad and remembering who he was are two different things.

Saying Goodbye

It has been a very difficult past couple of weeks. I have experienced something in my life that I cannot describe to you unless you to have experienced it. I have a big hole in my heart because last Monday night April 6th, my Daddy died. It was not unexpected, we had even began making arrangements for him, but there is nothing that can prepare you for that loss.

I have no regrets for the last couple of weeks with him. I had stayed the night the 2nd and 3rd caring for him at night so Mom could sleep. I had rubbed his back, tried to get some nourishment into him and making sure he was comfortable. I think before I left, he knew who I was and I was able to tell him goodbye. I didn't make it back to his bedside before he left this world. God in his infinite wisdom knows why I was hindered. Maybe my children didn't need to be there in their young age.

He left a great legacy of a caring, kind man and some big shoes to follow in for all of us. At the visitation on Wednesday night, it truly amazed me at how many people came. There were distant cousins, and friend from long past. There were also friends and family there for all of us children. The line continued steadily for the whole 2 hours we were there. That speaks volumes of who my Dad was even after being out of the community for 10 years. All that said, the biggest legacy he left was his Christian faith. I know I will see him again and that comforts me not because it's some wishful thinking that I hold onto as I cling to my faith. I don't cling. The belt of truth is fastened securely around my waist.

What about yours?

The days keep rolling by....

I looked at the date of the last post and realized it has been a while. It has been a very busy February. Valentine's day, a good friend surprised Vaughn and me by keeping the kids overnight. We had a nice night by ourselves with a cheap dinner and time spent alone to dream and talk. The next weekend was spent celebrating Granny Riddle's 90th birthday(Vaughn's grandmother). It was a surprise party held for her by her daughter Kathi and others. We had a good time, of course I got several looks of Oh, you're Vaughn's wife. Needless to say my mother in law and I do not get along that great. Everyone there that knows Peggy however, knew better. I am free from guilt and conviction regarding it though and believe me, I have spent many years in prayer about it. Vaughn was able to reconnect with a lot of past friends and kids that Granny had babysat over the years. It even prompted him to get a Facebook page to find some of them. Another great treat for the party was 2 of his cousins from Augusta Ga. came and afterward we all went to Smithfield BBQ. Apparently it was something that happened every time the cousins got together(eating BBQ that is). We also had company on Sunday with an old friend of Vaughn's from childhood. Please pray for him.....he is in the construction business and it isn't looking good so far. He was prepared financially, but you can only prepare for so long. It was so cool to have someone to encourage, discuss, banter, and challenge our thinking. Not that there was disagreement on any point, but is was great to see two grown Christian men discussing the Word, politics, history and culture all at one sitting. I was glad Chris could hear it.

The last Sat of February was spent inside with the outside cold, wet and rainy. We watched movies, played games and then got ready for the evening events. We first went to the Cub Scout blue and gold banquet then Vaughn and Ginger left for the Father Daughter dance. We all had a great time. Sunday Vaughn's nephew came over and stay the afternoon. I love it when he comes over and he helps himself to whatever he can find. Usually in the fridge!!!!! He is still a growing young man. Hard to believe he is already 20.

We also picked up our baby chicks Friday afternoon. They are really fun to have. They came inside on Sat night to prevent having the garage heat running constantly. We put them in the kids bathroom with a space heater and their brooder light. They are so cute and really fun. I am even enjoying them. It's a hoot to watch the cat run around looking for the source of the chirping sounds. I hope to soon start building their coop. Vaughn is busy building the kid's playhouse, so I will do it solo. I'll post pictures when I am done. Well your caught up with our lives over the past several weeks. Busy but fun......

Chapter 4 It's Not about Me

This chapter talks about the holiness of God. What does that mean. The Hebrew word for holy is qadosh. It means to be cut off or separate. It shows the uniqueness of God. In the passage of Isaiah 6 when Isaiah saw the Lord and He was high and lifted up, Isaiah heard the angels singing Holy, Holy, Holy. In Hebrew there is not a word for more. So this attribute stands out in our language. God is not just Holy, or Holy, Holy, but He is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. He is the most Holy. There is not another attribute in the Bible that is described in this way.
What does it mean to be set apart or separate? What is so unique about God? There is nothing we can compare to the Lord. Lucado makes statement. "What you are to a paper airplane, God is to you." Think about that. Can you challenge an airplane to a race, what about spelling match. Now multiply that disparity by infinity. That is the difference between us and God.
In 2 Sam 6, we see David bringing the ark of God into the city. Uzzah reached out to steady the ark when the oxen stumbled and in so doing was struck dead. How unfair you think? That shows the holiness of God. In the cartoons, you see when one of the characters touch an electric wire and their whole body lights up, their skeleton shows and they turn to dust. Well that is what happened to Uzzah. He touched the pure holiness of God. The complete purity and all the sin of man was lit up in him and that could not stand in the presence of the holiness of God. Isaiah saw that holiness and it brought him to his knees. He witnessed the impurity of his own heart.
Here is God's answer for who is His equal.

"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
(Isa 46:8-11)

In Isaiah's encounter with God, the seraphim are flying around God singing Holy, Holy, Holy. They covered their feet and their face with their wings and with the 3rd set they flew around the throne. Lucado points out that the same word for feet is used also for genitalia in Hebrew. So basically the seraphim are impotent before God. Isaiah falls on his face and declares Woe is me, for I am lost. He saw the holiness of God and felt the impotence of himself. And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" (Isa 6:5)

Isaiah got it. He saw it was not about Him, but about God and his glory and he was changed. God's holiness silences human boasting. His mercy makes us holy and redirects our life. Now we are to be holy different. May we all ponder and understand more of the holiness of God.

It’s Not about ME chap 3

What is so important about God’s glory? When we see his glory we ask to see all of God. It is God’s priority. But why?? What is so important about God’s glory especially to us. Lucado states “God’s staff meetings, if he had them, would revolve around one question: How can we reveal my glory today?"

He hardened Pharoah’s heart to gain glory for himself. The heavens exist to declare his glory. Isaiah 43:7 states “everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for my glory” Psa 50:15 “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

Every act of heaven reveals God’s glory, why do we enjoy the sunsets, mountain ranges, snowfalls, thunderstorms. They reveal the glory of the Lord. Even Jesus says for this reason I have come to this hour. Father glorify your name.

Does this seem self-centered? Well, Lucado gives an illustration that will help you understand…here is my twist to it.

…………Imagine yourself on the Titanic. We know what happens from the movie. The ship is sinking, the life rafts are launched and row out from the ship to avoid being pulled under. In the movie, there is a lot of light to see by, but when the ship finally sinks the lights are out, there is not as much light out there as the movie shows. I am sure there were some star light but not much. Now imagine being one of those people stuck in the water neck deep, life vest deflating. It is freezing cold, you’ll be dead in just minutes from the cold. Then you hear the sound of the lifeboat captain. You can’t see him, want do you want him to do? Quietly move about the passengers in the water? No way, you want him to yell scream and call out Here I am, my boat will hold you all, I can save you. ………..

We are in the murky water of life with guilt, anger, and despair. Life is hard, bills to be paid, unending things that require our attention. “But God can rescue us. And only one message matters. His! We need to see God’s glory. He does not reveal his glory for his good. WE need to witness it for ours” pg 31 It’s Not about Me by Max Lucado

Everything exists to reveal his glory. What about you do you reveal his glory?

When the child becomes the parent

Two blogs in one night...I'm on a roll.

This new year has brought about a change in my life. My dad's health has not been great in the last 11 years. In the last year, he has really decrease in quality of life. I went in November to take them to the dr. It was not fun trying to get him into the car, out of the car, into the office, back into the car, back into the house. It was not difficult physically, but emotionally. At Christmas he didn't recognize anyone although he was good at faking it. After Christmas he came down with something and has not bounced back. It is no longer how we can take care of him, but how do we make sure Mom is taken care of. She has been the devoted wife of over 60 years, painsakingly taking care of him day in and day out without complaint in the last 10 years. It has aged her. Years ago, I would have done whatever I needed to do to make sure he didn't have to go into a nursing home. I am not sure how I feel about that now.

I am thankful my children have spent time with him. As restrictive as it has been, they have known who he is, I didn't have that opportunity with either of my grandfathers. Now I have to start navigating the passage of becoming the parent to the parent.

"It's Not about ME part 2"

Chapter 2

Let’s look at the life of Moses. He followed God’s directions, led the people out of Egypt, was used by God to perform miracles and yet when they made it to Sinai, they built the golden calf. So here is Moses pleading with God for mercy on their part. God grants his request, and promises to complete the journey, but Moses doesn’t stop there. He makes one more request. God, show me your Glory. (Ex 33:18) The threshold was crossed, he no longer sought the things of God, or favor from God, but God himself. Moses had been privy to all that God had done, he could have beamed them to the promised land. Do we cross that threshold and seek to be in the presence of God, to witness the glory of who God truly is? How many times do we say God bail me out of this, make my home happy, and provide this or that. Moses saw the glory of God, it change him. Not only did it change him, people noticed, his face still glowed when he came down from the mountain.

Now what exactly is the Glory of God? The Hebrew word for glory is “kowbode” meaning weight, splendor. The glory of God is the full weight of who God is. What is interesting is Moses not only saw the back of God, but what happened in the very next chapter, (Ex 34) God told Moses okay, come back in the morning, be ready to see me.
Exo 34:4-8
(4) So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.
(5) The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
(6) The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
(7) keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."
(8) And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.

Verse 5 shows not only did Moses see God, but he stood in God’s presence and God proclaimed all that He was to Moses. That should be what we desire God himself, the full weight of who God is……Next time I’ll talk about some of those attributes.

It's not about ME!!

One of my most favorite book to read at the beginning of the year is by Max Lucado "It's not about ME". I have read it many times and taught a bible study out of it twice. I hope the next set of blog entries can be dedicated to my thoughts and truths that I have gleaned and continue to glean. It by no means a replacement for my Bible, but it has changed my perspective....

Did you know that Copernicus made an amazing discovery that changed the world? He discovered that the earth is not the center of the universe. God does that for us. He points us to His son Jesus and says Behold my Son.
"that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. " (ESV)(Eph 1:20-23)

If we are the center, then why did I have a cancerous tumor? Why has my Mom had to work so hard to care for Dad? Why was Obama elected? Why do I get depressed sometimes? Why do Vaughn and I occasionally disagree? Why don't I live in a great mansion?

The profound thinking this books reveals is God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of HIM. It's not about you, it's not about me. IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM. We are to be like the moon.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2Co 3:18)
When I was a child the fall full moon would rise at night right outside my bedroom window. I would lay in bed with awe at this huge disk. It was so bright and close, and yet somehow it caused such joy. I didn't want to see it leave. We should be the same way in the lives of those whom we shine on. Only by beholding the Son.........

NO room for error

What a week this has been. Last week school was off to a great start. All the planning I had done had paid off. Then this week hit us. Tuesday morning the stomach flu train stopped at our house and it has yet to leave. Both kids were up at 1 a.m. tossing their cookies. So Mom duty started all night and the morning between the 2 of them wiping brows and faces. Trying to comfort them as much as possible. By the evening they were feeling much better. So Wed we did school. It was a slow start, but we did Tuesday's work and I thought there may be a chance to finish the lessons plans for the week. Usually, when the kids are sick, I painstakingly wash my hands, spray the Lysol any where they touch and try my best to keep the germs at bay. This was one tough bug, by Thursday morning, I was tossing cookies. I certainly don't wish this on anyone, I was really sick.

So here is Friday, library books are overdue, and we have only completed 2 days of school although they did do some workbooks yesterday. I don't want them to dislike learning so I will work to make it fun but the works got to be done.

The New Year

2008 has come and gone. Where did it go? I heard a preacher say it best..... as a child when Christmas comes around, it seems like 10 years between. When you become a young adult it doesn't seem so long but when you have kids, it seems like Christmas was just yesterday." The years continue to fly by. Where does it go?
As I contemplate 2009, I see a lot of planning ahead with hopes and dreams of great family vacations, wonderful learning experiences, and of course projects to finish, volleyball scheduling to do, and plenty of kid activities to attend. Hopefully this time next year, I can look back over the year and know the aging was not done in vain...

Mountain Visit

What a great time we had with family in the mountains. We traveled to Newland, New Year's Day with no problems at all. We checked in, dressed up and headed to Banner Elk to celebrate the union of Joseph and Jamie. It was a beautiful wedding. It brought back memories of my own. The reception was done by the ladies of the church and they truly did an awesome job from sewing the tablecloths, to providing a potluck meal buffet complete with all the holiday fare of ham, blackeyed peas, and collards for New Years. You would have thought someone catered it! We spent most of the evening enjoying the company of family.
Friday, we awoke to snow on the ground. The kids could hardly contain themselves. The grand ideas and plans expressed from the backseat of the car were classic kid talk, but oh so sweet and cute. We checked out of the Inn and headed to Linville Falls to hike a little. The ground was slick on the trail but the hike was exhilarating and quickly warmed us up. We then spent the rest of the afternoon in the company of cousins. What a great time to renew those relationships. Robin and Alex have a wonderful house which makes you feel right at home. It is an old farm home that Alex has completely renovated. They also live in the midst of a Christmas tree farm(which the kids played hide and seek in). Robin has finished her years of homeschooling and she blessed us with a bunch of books for us to use in the future. What a true blessing that was. We headed back down the mountain and arrived home late Friday night. Our weekend was filled with life and preparation for the new week with school and work. 2009, here we come!!!