Texas Bird Hunt Movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjXt6CC4dNc

I've been learning how to use Picasa3 on my home computer, and this is the result of trying to create a movie in Picasa. As you can see, I probably have too much free time! This takes awhile to do, and it's lots of fun! The biggest problem was the music. The original music I had chosen was "Precious Memories" sung by Randy Travis. It was just right for this movie, but in order to share this with everyone on YouTube, I couldn't use that music. It wouldn't allow me to use it, even though we have purchased that CD. This is the part I don't really understand. I thought that if you bought the CD, then you could use the music, but I guess it's a YouTube thing. Probably because it is being shared publicly on the internet. Anyway, YouTube gave me some choices on music that was allowed and that's how I came up with this one.

I have used PhotoStory3 before to create movies and really I think I like it better, but just wanted to try out Picasa. I hope you will watch it and give me feedback. The ending is not what I really wanted, had some trouble with ending exactly with the music. Maybe I didn't complete the download exactly right because I became impatient! It took a very long time and I had to go to bed, and I was keeping Fletcher up too. Let's see if this works on the blog...

.:: OLIVINE ::.
I found this cute shop yesterday in Rice Village.
Love it!! The softest bedding I've ever touched, and
beautiful colors and textures!
Just wanted to share this!

September 2009

September has been a month of waiting.

Waiting for houses to sell. Waiting for the phone to ring. Waiting for big decisions to be made. Waiting for the mail to come. Waiting to see what's going to happen next. Ending our stay here, extending our stay here. Making plans, changing plans, plans are made and broken while we wait...
Meanwhile, life goes on. Amy's doing well in Atlanta, Jennifer is doing well in College Station, and Dan is doing well in Houston. We are so proud of our children and their accomplishments, and we are thankful that they are healthy and happy. Fletcher and I have been sticking to our diet and weight loss plan. We are eating healthier and getting some exercise. Apartment life has its ups and downs, but mostly its been okay. The cars are still running, our pantry and refrigerator are filled with good food, Tommy is still the best dog in the world. So, we can't really complain. God is still sovereign and He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. So we believe He is still with us, and we are continuing to trust in Him for everything we need. He has provided for us financially and spiritually.

Thank you God for the little unexpected things that that happen each day,

Like a dinner invitation from friends, or an unexpected phone call.

And thank you for the things we can count on each day,

like the morning and the evening, the sunshine and the rain.

Help us Lord to find something to celebrate in every moment,

and to find contentment in our lives no matter what the circumstances.

And we know Father that this will only happen when

we are seeking your will for our lives each day with all of our heart.

Amen.

August Birthday Celebrations

Daddy's 79th birthday celebration was also held

at my sister's home in Frisco this year.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Mother's 75th birthday celebration this year

was held at my sister's home

in Frisco, TX.

Happy Birthday Mother!

This year we celebrated Amy's 22nd birthday

when we visited her in Atlanta. We didn't have

much time, so the celebration was short and sweet!

She quickly opened her gifts at her new apartment

after we finished moving everthing in!

Then we went to dinner at On the Border.

Happy Birthday Amy!

Amy in Atlanta!

Memaw and Poppy at breakfast

Memaw and Poppy at our picnic on

the way to Atlanta.

Tommy enjoying his picnic on the way to Atlanta.

Memaw in the Lenox Square Mall poses with the

Juicy Couture girls in Bloomingdales!

Tommy is surprised to see Amy!

Where has she been?

The view from the balcony at Amy's apartment in Atlanta.

Amy

Memaw and Amy

Fletcher (Dad), Amy, Pam (Mom)

These are just a few of the

photos taken on our trip to Atlanta 2009.

We love you and we miss you Amy!

Our Roadtrip to Atlanta! 2009

Our roadtrip to Atlanta began on Thursday, August 13, with an unexpected trip to the auto repair shop in Tomball. First, we rented a U-Haul trailer and loaded it up with the boxes Amy had left here and her mattress and box springs. Once everything was loaded and ready to go, we headed out of Houston on Hwy. 249, with Fletcher driving the '97 Suburban and me driving the Ford Taurus that we were taking to Amy. We didn't get very far when the red "check engine" light came on in the Suburban. That's when Fletcher called his friends at Michel Auto Cares in Tomball. They agreed to take a look at it, so we made a u-turn and headed back to Tomball. About an hour and a half later, and with all new spark plugs and a prayer, we began our journey once again. We were driving to Ruston to spend the night before leaving for Atlanta the next day.

When we arrived in Ruston, Mother had dinner waiting for us. We spent the night, and then we got up early to spend the day traveling to Atlanta, which is about a 10 hour trip from Ruston, LA. Mother and Daddy were going with us, and Tommy (our dog) was also going with us. Now, when you travel in August with a pet, you cannot leave him in the car or else he would die of a heat stroke in about 10 minutes, so we planned to have a picnic on the way for lunch. Our picnic happened at the Alabama state line rest stop as we were entering Alabama. And in keeping with tradition, the picnic included ants. Tommy had a great time on the picnic, which of course was all about him.

The drive to Atlanta was pleasant due to the nice weather. It was a beautiful summer day, the roads weren't too busy, the scenery through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia was peaceful and serene. We arrived in Atlanta around 6:00pm eastern time (crossed into the eastern time zone as we entered Georgia on I-20). We located our hotel in Sandy Springs, which was a Residence Inn (once again we had to find a "dog-friendly" place) unloaded the car, then set out to find a place for dinner. We ended up eating at Ruby Tuesdays which is just across the street from Lenox Square Mall, so after dinner with about an hour left to shop, we headed over to the mall. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Fletcher and I had left our "hanging clothes" in Houston, so we needed a couple of shirts to wear on the trip. At first I was pretty upset about this, but once I realize what a good excuse this would be for shopping, then it kind of worked out in a good way.

The Lenox Square Mall is a wonderful place to shop! It's very nice, more of a "high end" mall with some different stores than we usually go to here, so we made plans to return there tomorrow morning before Amy's plane arrived. After a quick shopping spree, we returned to our hotel which was very nice and spacious for 4 people and one small dog, then we went to bed.

The next day, August 15 was the day for Amy to return from her training in Jersey City, New Jersey to begin her new job in Atlanta, and move in to her new apartment! Fletcher went to pick her up at the airport, while mother and I finished our shopping at the Lenox Square Mall. Daddy stayed at the hotel with Tommy. Once Fletcher had picked up Amy at the airport, they went together to her new apartment where she signed her lease, got the keys, and took a quick look at the apartment before we started unloading the U-Haul. They picked us up at the mall, and then we picked up some lunch on the way back to the hotel. After lunch we all went over to the apartment and helped unload the U-Haul. We set up Amy's bed and helped put sheets and a blanket on it.

Once everything was unloaded we celebrated Amy's birthday together at her apartment. Then we went to Sam's Club where Amy bought her first flat screen TV. We brought it back to her apartment, and then we went out to dinner together at On the Border Mexican Restaurant. By the time we finished eating it was around 8pm, so we all went back over to the hotel visited there for a little while, then Amy went to her apartment to spend her first night in her new home, and we slept at the hotel.

The next morning, Amy came over to have the "American" breakfast with us at the Residence Inn in Sandy Springs and when we finished we packed up, gave Amy hugs and kisses and we headed back to Ruston and Amy went to her apartment. It was hard for us to leave her there, but we know this is what she has been working toward and she was ready to get started with her new life in Atlanta.

We still miss her, but we talk to her every once in a while, and everything seems to be going well for her. Maybe we can make another trip to Atlanta to see her again soon. On that Sunday, August 16, we drove back to Ruston, spent the night, then headed back to Houston the next day, August 17, with our youngest daughter now a grown-up adult living and working in Atlanta, GA.

Sunday Supper in Livingston

This Sunday afternoon Christopher and Laurie Anne called and invited us to their home in Livingston for dinner. Christopher is Fletcher's younger brother, and he owns a State Farm Agency in Livingston. We enjoyed seeing them and their youngest daughter Mary Katherine, and being able to "catch up" on what's going on with their family. Their oldest daughter, Emily, has already graduated from Texas A&M and is beginning her second year of law school at Mississippi College in Jackson, MS. Their second daughter, Melanie, was an honor graduate from Livingston High School this year and is getting ready to start college this fall at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, and the youngest daughter, Mary Katherine, will be in the eighth grade this year in Livingston where she is a talented piano player, head cheerleader, and plays sports. Laurie Anne, is getting ready to start a new school year as a third grade Language Arts teacher in the Livingston ISD, and she is a wonderful cook! We had the most delicious dinner prepared by Laurie Anne! She cooked us a delicious dinner of smothered steak with rice and gravy, squash, purple hull peas, and her special cornbread! It was all good! Then to top it off, Laurie Anne baked the most beautiful apple pie! It smelled so good, and tasted delicious! It was so pretty I had to take a picture of it! Laurie Anne said this menu was chosen because it is one of Christopher's favorite! And it was one of our favorite too!

Today, Aug. 11 is their 25th wedding anniversary! Wow! It's hard to believe that many years have passed since their wedding day! Congratulations Christopher and Laurie Anne on 25 years of marriage! And, thanks for the wonderful time we had on Sunday at your house!

Here is a link to Christopher's Agency: http://christopherscottagency.com/

Amy's Birthday!

Amy turned 22 on her birthday this Monday, Aug. 10!

I don't have a picture because we didn't get to see her on her birthday this year. She is in Jersey City, New Jersey where she has recently started her first job since graduating Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M University with a business degree in Finance. She is working for Barclay's Capital as an Investment Banking Analyst. Her job is actually in Atlanta, GA, but she has been in New Jersey since the end of June for the training phase before she begins working in Atlanta later in August. We missed seeing her on her birthday, but we are so proud of her and her accomplishments, and we know that this is where she is supposed to be right now, so there is comfort and peace knowing that she is fulling God's purpose for her life as she is moving to Atlanta, GA.

We talked to her on the phone. She spent her birthday studying for an important test that she has to take for work on Tuesday, and she had ordered sushi to be delivered to her apartment for dinner.
Sounds like she is all grown up! Here is a link to where she is staying in New Jersey:
http://www.4wallsinnj.com/hudsonco/marbella/marbella.htm

We are looking forward to visiting her in Georgia soon!

A Taste of Texas!

Saturday night we met our friends Jo and Michael Wood to celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary at " A Taste of Texas" Restaurant in Houston. It was divine! I would highly recommend this restaurant. Everything is done to perfection! Maybe we'll go back sometime!

Jo and Michael are special friends of ours because he serves as our "Interim Transitional" Minister of Music at FBC Tomball. We have been blessed to get to know them these past two and a half years. They are very talented people who have dedicated their lives to the ministry of leading praise and worhip in various churches in the Houston area and beyond throughout their marriage of 39 years! Wow! Jo is also a teacher in Katy, TX where she works as a Special Ed. Resource Teacher at Taylor High School.

We love them and appreciate them both for their work at FBC Tomball.

Thanks Michael and Jo!

Dan's Office

On Saturday we got a tour of Dan's office! He works at Ward, Getz, and Associates Civil Engineers Consulting Firm in Houston. He sometimes goes into the office on Saturday to work, so this was a great time for us to visit. We are so proud of him! Thanks for letting us stop by Dan, we love you!

A Wonderful Weekend!

This weekend we got to visit with Jennifer and Jarred

as they came to Tomball to attend the wedding of one of

Jennifer's former classmates and family friend.

On Saturday, Dan also came by to see all of

us, and then we all went to Spring Creek BBQ for lunch.

The wedding was beautiful and the reception was

great with good food and dancing.

What a weekend to remember!

Birthday Dinner

In this picture you can see some of the cards I received for

my birthday, and if you look on the table you can see the

mirror that Fletcher gave me. It is lighted and one side

is regular size and the other side is magnified 8 times!

Wow, you can really see everything!

My face is shiny because it had been a long day.

First we went to the Bush's wedding in Magnolia.

It started at noon. Then we got back to our

apartment at about 3:00 just before Jennifer got here.

Then we were so busy visiting with Jennifer that soon

Dan and Kim arrived and before we knew it we were off

to dinner at The Saltgrass Steakhouse.

Jennifer brought the cake. It was an Angel Food cake

because of my diet. If you're on a diet and you are

going to have cake, this is the best choice.

Fletcher provided the fat free cool whip and

frozen strawberries with Splenda.

It was very good!

The cake came from the HEB store on Louetta Dr.

You can also see that we had a snack of nuts

earlier in the afternoon.

This is Jennifer at The Saltgrass Restaurant.

Dan and his girlfriend Kim.

Me and Fletcher.

I'm sorry it has taken me so long

to put these pictures into my blog.

I have recently been sidetracked

by facebook and twitter.

I believe they are addicting!

I love looking at everyones photos

on facebook and seeing what

old friends from High School are doing.

It's been 30 years since I've seen some of them!

I also have some Tomball friends on facebook

and then also family members to keep up with.

I'm so glad that we are able to reconnect

with old friends after so long,

even if it is just through the computer!

Tommy gets a haircut

Today was Tommy's day to go to the groomer.

Did you know the dog groomers are so busy around here?

You have to make an appointment well in advance.

He looks and feels much better now.

And he smells better too!

He is a precious gift from God and we love him!

Doesn't he look handsome?

Happy Birthday!

Today was my birthday!

No matter how old you get you still want to have one! Well, I've had a great birthday today thanks to my friends and family and their love and kindness. I had a girl's lunch with two sweet friends at Pappasittas Mexican Restaurant. I've received lots of phone calls and cards from my family, and hugs and kisses from Fletcher and Tommy. Even the apartment staff where we live decorated our door with a Happy Birthday banner and gave me a card, balloons and candy. That was a surprise! Fletcher and I went out to dinner tonight to one of our favorite places, Jason's Deli, where we topped off our meal with ice cream. (I know that's not on my diet, but hey, it's my birthday!) Thanks to everyone for making my day so special. I'm looking forward to seeing Dan and Jennifer on Saturday to celebrate again. Thank you God for all of these many blessings!

The Jens

We recently visited with Jennifer in College Station. She is living there this year and works as a Pharmacy Tech. We are glad she is still nearby so we can see her every now and then. In these photos Fletcher just put her new registration sticker on and is pointing out to her to remember to get the car inspected! He is always good at taking care of these kinds of things. We appreciate the way he seems to know when this should be done because we never think about it.

Jennifer and Dan are coming over this Saturday to have a little birthday celebration with me. I can hardly wait to see them both! I cherish the time spent visiting with them and trying to see the world through their young adult eyes. When did they become these people?

Knitting Project Finished!

This is the camouflage neck warmer

that I made for Fletcher!

What do you think?

Amy...Gone with the wind

We said "Goodbye" to Amy today.

She is beginning her journey to live and work in Atlanta, GA.

That's a long way from Houston, and we'll miss having her nearby.

We love you very much, Amy, and we wish you all the best!

Philippians 1:27

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

Family Night

Tonight we got together one last time

as a family before Amy goes away

to begin her new career.

We had a fun time together eating out at

Chuy's Mexican Restaurant,

then we came home and had cake and coffee

while we visited and watched the LSU Tigers

win the College World Series.

Since we are native Louisianians and Texas Aggies

we were all in agreement that the best team won.

Geaux Tigers! (LSU 11, TU 4)

Amy, we go with you in spirit as you begin your journey into the world.

You will never be alone because God has promised

that He will never leave you or forsake you,

and wherever you go you will always take

a part of us along with you.

Remember we are always just a phone call away

if you ever need us for anything.

We love you and we'll miss you, but we also

wish you success as you follow your dreams.

An Irish Blessing
(A Blessing from St. Patrick)

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rains fall soft upon your fields,

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

(Traditional Irish Blessing; origin unknown, although some attribute it to St. Patrick.)

Father's Day

Gullatt Family photo - June 21, 2009

Rhonda, Daddy, Mother, and me.

http://www.babeschicken.com/Babes-Chicken-Dinner-House-Frisco.html

This year we went to my sister's house to celebrate Father's Day. We had a Saturday night dinner at Babe's Chicken House Restaurant in Frisco, TX. The food was great and the atmosphere was fun. We all ordered different things and the food was served "family style." Since I'm on a "diet" I had the smoked chicken. Other choices were fried chicken, fried catfish, pot roast, chicken fried steak, and fried chicken tenders. All of the food was what you would call "home cookin." We were sooooo full, but happy when we left there. Thank you to my brother-in-law for paying for everyone's dinner. And, we took home lots of leftovers. While you are there sometimes the wait staff will stop everything and do the Hokey Pokey! But, we didn't get to see it. We did get to see one of the waitresses sing a solo. She sounded really good too. Very entertaining.

Saturday night we watched the movie Taken. It was pretty scary and a little disturbing. We all enjoyed watching it together.

Tommy (our dog) went with us and we all got to meet my sister's new puppy, Tess. She is sooo cute! She is a little Havapom. That is half Pomeranian and half something else that I can't remember. Tommy was not very friendly to the puppy. He didn't try to hurt her, he just avoided her and ran from her. I guess he is too old to play with a puppy.

On Sunday morning we all attended Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX. The Father's Day Message was from Psalm 23. The pastor used this passage from the Bible to show how our earthly fathers are our shepherds who guide us and protect us as we grow, like our heavenly father. The position of the father in the family is God-given and not to be taken lightly.

**Tonight as I watched the TV show Jon and Kate Plus Eight, It made me think about how the world's view of family and fatherhood compares to what God's view of the family and fatherhood. I wish Jon and Kate would realize that their lives are not just a TV show for our entertainment, but the choices they are making are real and will have eternal consequences. I will pray for them to reconcile and that they will ask God to heal their marriage because I know that He can do it if they will seek Him first and His will and not their own.

We enjoyed spending time with our earthly father this weekend and it all ended too soon.

A Father's Day Tribute to my Daddy

I am thankful for my Daddy and for his guidance in my life.

Daddy loves and cares about other people.One thing that is most unique about my Daddy is that he not only gave fatherly attention and guidance to me and my sister as we were growing up, but he also had a fatherly influence on many other children during his 30 year career as a Teacher, Coach, School Principal, and School Supervisor. He was always showing love and concern for other people in our community.

I had never really thought much about this until later as an adult. At my 10 year high school class reunion, a former classmate told me how much he appreciated the way my Daddy had treated him and what my Daddy had meant to him while he was a Junior High student, and that his life had been positively impacted by the kind words and influence of my Daddy as his Principal.

Daddy honored his parents.

My Daddy is a peron of integrity. I watched as he cared for his aging parents.He always took the time to make sure they had everything they needed. He also cared for his older sister when she got older and was sick and alone.

Daddy was born in 1930 during the Great Depression.

His daddy was a cotton farmer in north Louisiana who lost almost everything during the depression years. There were eight children in Daddy's family plus one grandchild raised by his parents. I guess they were poor, but they didn't know it. All eight children and the grandchild went on to get an education and live successful lives. Daddy respected his parents and made sure that we spent time with them at their house as we were growing up.

My Daddy honors God.

He always made sure that we went to church every Sunday, and we didn't just attend church, we were involved in what was going on at church. Our church family was an extension of our own family. Daddy sang in a men's quartet that went around singing in other churches in the area. I remember as a family going with him to practices or to hear him sing. Daddy even led the music at our church on Sundays even though he has never had a formal music lesson. I remember the Sunday when he and my sister sang a song together in front of the church.

Daddy honors my mother and their marriage.

This June Mother and Daddy celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. The way they chose to celebrate was by spending the day helping their brother-in-law who was going to have surgery the next day, and then they stayed with them for a week to help out. This is the way they show love for one another.

Daddy honors his country.

He served for four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Seargent. One of those years was spent in South Korea. He told me about the little Korean boy who worked in the office there cleaning and sweeping the floors and how he would come every day and ask them questions about God. Daddy and the other men answered his questions and told him about the love of Jesus.

Daddy loves his family.

Daddy's way of teaching us at home was mostly by encouraging us and living as an example.I remember watching him study his Sunday School lesson in the green recliner chair, helping mother with the household chores and with getting dinner ready and helping to clean up the kitchen after the meals. He raised a garden for many years out behind our house in the country, so we got to help with picking the vegetables and we all helped mother with the shelling and freezing and canning each summer.

Our Uncle (Daddy's brother) lived next door. He was a World War II hero, but they never really talked about it too much. The memories were too painful. Daddy always wanted to live near his family so they would see each other often and be there to help each other.

So, I have been blessed by God to have such a wonderful Daddy.

Thank you Daddy for all you do!

I love you and appreciate you!

Knitting Projects

Here's Tommy!

He's guarding the blue slippers.

Just try to take one and you'll see.

He likes to think that he's helping me.

This is my current knitting project.
It's going to be a camouflage neck warmer for Fletcher
to wear when he goes hunting this year.
I know he's looking forward to it!


This is a pair of blue slippers!
This was the second pair of slippers that I made by myself.
(These turned out much better than my first pair.)




This is a pair of tan colored slippers.
This is the third pair of slippers that I have made.
(I was practicing the knit stitch and the purl stitch.)

I
This is a blue and white plaid dishcloth.
On this project I was practicing using two
different colors of yarn and this
one is also made of all cotton yarn.
On this project I had to read and follow the pattern
and I had to learn how to bind off the stitches at the end.


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

When I'm knitting I like to recall this Bible verse:

Psalm 139:13-14
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."


And I know that when I am knitting I will make mistakes,
but God doesn't make any mistakes when He knits!


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

Pastries from Paris!

Amy returned from her trip tonight and brought back these beautiful French Pastries for us!

They are very colorful and delicious. What a treat to eat these beautiful petite pastries!

Thank you Amy for thinking of us while you were in Paris!

Sunday Afternoon and Snickerdoodles

There's nothing better than a Sunday afternoon and Snickerdoodles!

I've got a batch in the oven right now!

*See the recipe at the end of this post.

While waiting for the cookies to bake, I was inspired to share with you what's been happening this week. On Tuesday we went back to our "hometown" where our parents still live. We love going home and have missed living there for the last 17 years. It's hard to believe it has been that long! We enjoyed visiting with our parents and being back at "home" for a few days. Thanks Mom and Dad for the delicious meals and for taking such good care of us. We returned to Houston on Friday afternoon, and our oldest daughter came here to see us! She spent the night with us, and then we all went to our niece's High School Graduation. At the graduation we enjoyed seeing family and friends, and following the graduation we were treated to a real Texas barbeque at the home of the graduate. Last night after we got home, we enjoyed a boiled shrimp dinner which was delicious. Now the oven is beeping and the snickerdoodles are ready!

I wonder what surprises this new week will bring?

Snickerdoodles

From: The Cotton Country Collection (1972)
The Junior Charity League of Monroe, Louisiana
(p. 455)

2 sticks of butter
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ¾ cups flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
2 Tblsp. sugar
2 Tblsp. cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat well.

Sift all dry ingredients except cinnamon and sugar; add to mixture.

Mix thoroughly and put in the refrigerator overnight.

Roll into balls the size of a walnut;

roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Let stand a minute before removing from cookie sheet.

Makes 5 to 6 dozen.

Amy's Graduation Trip

Amy left Sunday afternoon for her trip to Europe! We miss her!

I hope she's having fun.

Giving Thanks

I was recently reminded that I am to give thanks in all circumstances and not necessarily for the circumstances. (1 Thess. 5:16) The Lord speaks to us through his word the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit, and he will use other people in our lives and in our circumstances if we stay close to him through prayer and Bible study and pay attention to what he is doing in our life and in the lives of others around us. So, when it's hard to be thankful for what I consider to be the bad things happening in my life, I can still continue to pray, and be joyful and thankful to God for what he is doing through our circumstances because this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.

Yesterday the message from our new pastor was from Philippians 1:12-18, and to briefly sum it up, he said that God can use even the bad circumstances in my life to advance the gospel just like he did with Paul.
Paul said: Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Now when we look around us we see only the fear and sadness in our difficult circumstances, but God sees opportunities to use our circumstances to encourage others and to advance the gospel of Christ. When circumstances don't seem to be what we planned and hope for, that is the time when we should be thankful for what God is doing in our life and in the lives of others around us, because he is at work and can use us and our circumstances to advance the gospel of Christ.

From now on we will consider it a blessing when we are experiencing difficult circumstances because we can know that God is at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us for his glory!

Philippians 1:4-6
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hangin' Out at Home

I haven't written anything in a few days because there hasn't been anything really happening around here. We are so happy to have Amy living here with us during the interim time between graduation and starting her job in Atlanta at the end of June. We fixed up the spare bedroom just for her with her computer and everything. We hung the picture that she had at her house in College Station over her bed and it really looks cute! So, we've been going to "workout" sometimes in the mornings, and we've been watching movies at night. We've seen some good ones. Last night we watched Mall Cop (at Fletcher's request). It was pretty stupid, but had a happy ending which is important to me. You can probably imagine how much Amy is enjoying living here with us! I'm still knitting slippers. I just finished my third pair today! Now I'm ready to try something new. I think I will need another lesson. On Monday (Memorial Day), we went out to dinner with Christopher and Laurie Anne and Mary Katherine at Outback Steakhouse! On Tuesday we stayed home. On Wednesday Amy and I drove up to College Station. Amy had some errands to run there and I was just basically along for the ride. We had hoped to see Jennifer, but we didn't get to see Jennifer because she was at work while we were there. Jennifer has moved to a new location in College Station. She is living at the same house that Amy just moved out of, but Jennifer is in a different room. I hope she likes it. Did you know the MSC Bookstore is closed and is moving to a new location while they do renovations? We were unable to go into the bookstore to look at the frames, and that is the only place you can purchase them. On Thursday we stayed home, and on Friday we stayed home. Amy is getting ready to go on a trip next week. She is very excited about it! Dan has been away on a fishing vacation with a friend in South Texas, so we haven't heard from him. Well, I guess this is pretty boring, but maybe something interesting will happen around here soon. I'll let you know.

New Beginnings

Well, since graduation, I have to accept the fact that my children are now adults and fully able to make their own decisions and be self-sufficient. It's not easy to let go, but we have to so that they can each reach their full potential in life. It is our prayer as their parents that they will rely on God for direction, and that will continue to be our prayer for each of them. Now, it's just me and Fletcher just like when we started out together, only this time we are on the other side of our hopes and dreams, trying to put the pieces of our lives back together as a couple in a different kind of way with new goals and dreams. I remember when we first got married how we had our whole life ahead of us with the dream of a family and careers, and home. Some of that didn't work out like we expected, but alot of it did. We are so thankful for all of our many blessings. I have been studying on Matthew 5, the Beatitudes, because I was concerned that we weren't blessed. But, guess what I've discovered, we are! God's blessings and dreams for us are not the same as the dreams we have for our own lives. We are blessed in many ways and we are thankful to God for his blessings which he pours out on us. His mercies are new every morning!

So, here we go on a new adventure to see what God has in store for us in this next phase of our life. We are so thankful that our children are out there making a difference in the world in their own individual ways. We look forward to watching their lives unfold as adults too. I'll keep you updated on what's going on with our family as we experience our new beginnings.

Dan's Apartment Visit

On Saturday evening we visited Dan at his apartment in Houston. We enjoyed seeing him at his home. Then we went to eat at Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant! Yummy!