Thankful for some special time with some of our favorite people!! 

A Sweet Morning

Breakfast with a dear friend! 💕

Weathering Any Storm

This photo is of two of my dearest friends taken down by the lake near their home several years ago. When I was editing this shot, something made me put it in black and white, add some highlights, high definition and an ominous sky. I wondered for a good while why I had felt the need to do that. Then I saw it. These two have weathered through many a storm together, but their strong faith and love of God has brought them through each and every one, safely to the other side. They know that with putting Him first in their lives and marriage, there is NOTHING they can't get through or accomplish together! 💕

 "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken!" 

~Ecclesiastes 4:12~

Love you both to God and back! ❤ 

Thirty Days Of Thankfulness ~ Day 29

I am thankful for friends who can turn a simple message into a drink spitting laugh fest. Ladies, you've made my day! 🤪🤣

A Sweet Morning

Feeling so blessed I got to spend some time with my precious friend, Daisy today. I haven't seen her for quite some time so it was nice to catch up and enjoy a nice quiet lunch together on the porch. She also was able to spend some time sketching, something she loves to do.  She has sketched a covered bridge for me and it was BEAUTIFUL so I asked her if she would sketch our home for me.  Skippy absolutely LOVES it here in the peaceful serenity of the hollar so I thought that would be the perfect gift for his birthday.    Thank you, Father, for such a beautiful morning!  

                                                 I can't wait to see her finished work!

FARMHOUSE BLESSINGS!

A BIG SURPRISE!

A couple of weeks ago, my friend G-girl and had the AWESOME opportunity to surprise our dear friend, L with a long time desire of her heart.  L has been wanting a lap dog for quite some time and has been praying that the Lord would provide one for her.

Now you have to know that G-Girl and I have been looking all over for a pug for L and had not been very successful. We had been in contact with L's husband to make sure that when we did find a dog that it was ok for us to get it for her.   One evening about three weeks ago, G was reading the classifieds looking for a Great Dane for her family and just happened to see a picture of a pug that looked just like our pug, Snickers.  The following day I called about him and he indeed was available, up to date on his shots, and FREE to a loving home.  WOO HOO!  And the countdown to OPERATION SURPRISE began! 

The next morning, we drove to meet the lady from the classifieds.  When we got there she was waiting for us, with the CUTEST pug.  He was so excited to see us and was just jumping up and down. We looked at each other and said, "OMGosh.....L is going to FLIP OUT!"  lol  After taking care of all the details we got "Dodger" and headed straight for Wal-Mart to pick up so goodies for his new home.

When we got to L's house, she thought we had Snickers.  When I told her she couldn't walk Snickers, and that we thought she should walk her own dog, she looked at us, looked at Dodger, SCREAMED, then bent down and picked him up and held on tight with the biggest hug.

I can't tell who is happier in this picture.........L or Dodger? 

GOD IS GOOD!

Please Vote For Our Sweet Friend

Many of you who follow my blog visit and follow the same friends as I do.  How AWESOME that is to me to know that we have so much in common, like a lot of the same things, and are very close in our thoughts, values and beliefs.

Today I wanted to share with you (just in case you didn't already know) that our dear friend Kat, from over at ART'S CHILI PEPPER has been nominated as one of the "Top 25 Large Family Blogs" by Circle of Moms.  How cool is that? 

Kat is a precious woman of God, and a very loving and devoted wife to Alan, and incredible mother and teacher to their 8 absolutely GORGEOUS children.  Her greatest goal is to see each of her children come to know the Lord and be totally sold out for Him.

Kat enjoys quiet moments with her husband, cuddling with her kids, Bible studies, Starbucks, sewing, scrapbooking, reading, cooking, healthy living, ball room dancing, Disney World, playing games, going on vacation, walks on the beach, fishing, and hanging out with her family.

If you have not been over to Kat's yet, please take a moment to stop by and say hello.  I promise  you won't be disappointed. 

If you love what you have read about Kat and her family, PLEASE post about it on your blog.  If your really love it, you can put a button on your side bar to encourage  your readers to take time to vote as well.

Here's the cool part....You can vote once very 24 hours from now until August 1st so don't forget to stop back and every day and place your vote.  If you already know Kat and want to place your vote NOW, you can do so by clicking HERE!

Friendship

People today, have lost sight of what a true friendship is. So, in the sprit of my good friends, real life and on-line, I thought I would try and explain what true friends are.

Friends don't have to be exactly the same. They can have similarities, but they have their differences. We need to accept each other they way they are, faults and all.  Be a WYSIWYG person (what you see is what you get), it's the best kind to be!

Friends should be able to argue!  You can't always agree on everything.  I think if you do, then you really are not being true.  You have to be comfortable together.  You should never feel nervous or uptight, or feel like you are walking on egg shells.  If you do, something isn't quite right. 

Friends love each other UNCONDITIONALLY!  Sure, we have our liitle "tiffs", but when all is said and done, we forgive and forget.  Believe in love at first sight because there IS the equivalent in friendship. You don't have to know someone for a really long time or really well to become good friends.  Nor do you have to have met someone in-real-life.  Many life-time friendships have grown with the only communication coming from chatting on-line or on the telephone.

Friends are FOREVER but only if YOU keep it that way!  . Don't diss your buds, love them instead. And when they drive you crazy, love them that much more for being just a little bit different and maybe just a little bit quirky!

Finally Meeting A Bloggy Friend In Real Life

As I posted last week, I was fortunate to be able to FINALLY meet a bloggy friend of mine I have known for some time. Her and her family are such wonderful people with kind spirits and gentle souls. We had so much fun together.  If you get a chance, please hop on over to Nancy's blog, "Sorrows To Joy".....you won't be disappointed!

Nancy's daughter Kelsy took a picture of us that we just LOVED so I thought I would share it with you!

 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

It's a busy day on the farm this afternoon. My dear friend Nancy, her husband Gerald, and their beautiful daughter Kelsey, are coming to spend the weekend with us from Kentucky. I have known Nancy for quite a few years now from The Homeschool Lounge, Homeschool Blogger, and facebook. But the funny thing is.....we've never met in real life. We weren't sure that it would ever work out, but God had other plans. He has made it possible for them to come and visit us and we are THRILLED!  We have really been looking forward to spending time with Nancy and her family and getting to know them.

Sweet Lord, I pray for traveling mercies for my dear friend and her family.   I pray that our time together will be a blessing to all. In Your precious name I pray.....Amen!

In Good Company

"Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life!" 

Author Unknown

This past weekend we had the pleasure of not only attending a Beth Moore Simulcast at our church, but to also have some WONDERFUL FRIENDS come and visit with us.


I think most of you may recognize the BEAUTIFUL LADY in this picture with me.....this is Andrea from "Arise 2 Write".  She has come down before and attended some of our other Women's Ministry activities with us, but she usually attends them alone, but this time. . . . .






 
she brought her AWESOME husband and he attended the Beth Moore Simulcast right along with us.  


We spent the weekend just relaxing, talking, and of course, eating. LOL! It was truly welcomed ..... a much needed time of fellowship.






 


We were even given a rip-roaring fire by none other than My Skippy Man.  He really knows how to have a beautiful ending to a beautiful day!

What Are Friends For!!!!

This is Renee, If Laura changes this blog again, I will hold it Hostage!  LOL!

****************************************

THANK YOU, my sweet friend, for all your help today in putting my blog back together.  I greatly appreciate the time and effort that you so unselfishly gave.  I know there were many times that you wanted to  and, but you didn't.  Even when I acted like a ranting about that HORRIBLY SCARY RABBIT we found on the internet, and it seemed like I went a little , you still stuck around and pushed me on.  And when I FINALLY would get SOMETHING right, you were right there, as always, with some encouraging .   And even when I messed up the background and wound up having to kill the rooster (inside joke, not a real rooster, 'cause I just couldn't do that, I would and then ) you didn't give me the sign. 

So my friend, I just wanted to let you know how much you are    and give you a great big 'ole !

You are. . . .

  

ONE IN A QUADRUPLEGAZILLION! 

  

Friends

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." 
 Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

The Lost Art Of Letter Writing

When is the last time you wrote someone a letter? Not an e-mail or text message, a real, handwritten with paper and pen, mailed in a stamped envelope letter?

There was a time when writing letters was our only means of communication. Now, technology enables us to pick up our cell phone, send an e-mail or a fax, or send text messages, and be immediately connected with anyone just about anywhere in the world, Don't you just LOVE technology?

Recently, I received a card in the mail from a friend of mine that took me by surprise. WOW, I thought....that was so sweet! It was nice to go to the mailbox and get something other than BILLS! lol

Well, I was thinking.....(I know that's a dangerous thing! lol) wouldn't it be nice to have a Pen-Pal? Maybe there is someone out there who would like to receive letters/cards/notes in the mail too!

So, are there any takers? Would any of you be interested in having a Pen-Pal? If so, please send me an e-mail with your names and address....it's that easy!

I hope to hear from you!

Please Pray With Me

I have heard from so many of my friends this week that they are in need of prayer. Please join me in lifting them up.....God knows their requests!

Dear Heavenly Father.....I lift my sweet friends up to you this afternoon. You know their needs, Lord. You know the who, what, where, when, and hows, Lord, of whatever it is that they are going through. You are there, Father, through every wonderful moment and every sad moment. Through the storms in their lives, but also in the calm of it all as well. Please touch their hearts and be with them in whatever way they need, sweet Father, whether spiritually, physically, emotionally, or financially. We know that you will be there to guide and comfort them, love them and strengthen them. You are the great I Am, and all things are possible through You!

I ask this all in Your precious, Holy name.....AMEN!

Town Folks I Love To Visit

These are NOT ALL of my bloggy friends I love to visit. Some of them don't have buttons so I didn't include them in this post!