What to cook?

What do you cook for the best cook in the world.  Mother is coming to our home for Christmas.  I love it.  She is 89 years old and this will be her 4th year to spend Christmas with us.  I think one of my younger sisters will be here as well.  Mother says not to make a fuss but, you know me I want it to be just right.  I am just so happy to have another year with her.  She has been the best mother and has taught me alot in my life.  I am a lucky daughter.  I thank God for a wonderful adoped mother.

You know when we are younger we say that I will not do or be like our mothers.  Well I hate is bust your bubble but....you will do it.  I find myself more and more like her everyday.  I will never even begin to be 1/2 the mother to the 4 little girls that she took and raised as her own.  We could not have had a better mother.  I love you with all my heart.  God will bless you for all you have done mother.

My wonderful Mother.

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I feel and look so old.

Todd and I got married 23 years ago on December 18, 1986 and here is a picture that was taken right after we got married.  Man do I feel and look old.  Todd is the kind that never gets older.  I am so luck to have such a wonderful husband.  I thank God for him everyday.

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What a blessing.

The children helped us put up a Nativity scene and could not wait to put up the Baby Jesus.  They are so precious.  Then we dressed up like sheppards and had a great time with that.  I took a baby and wrapped Him in a cloth.  They loved taking turnes holding the Baby Jesus and telling Him that they loved Him.  I just wish that everyone could have been there to see these little 2 year olds hold that baby doll and look in its face and tell Baby Jesus that they love him.  We have been so blessed to have learned so much from this wonderful group of 2 year old. 
I am so thankful that God puts you out of your box sometimes.  When God tells you to do something that you are not sure about...well just do it.  He has a wonderful plan for you.  I remember the first Sunday (I don't know who was whom..Todd would laugh at me and say not that is not her/his name..I was crazy) and how they were in need of structure so much and if you know me you know that I am all about structure.  I am thinking what can I do for 2 year olds.  But God already knew not what I could do for them but, what they could teach me.  I am so blessed every Sunday morning to walk in the room and have them all look at you for God's word.  I love each one of them and am thankful for such wonderful parents that teach them throughout the week about God.  I know one day they will not remember Mr. Todd and Miss. Terri but, that will be ok because we will remember all the wonderful lesions they have taught us.
We have one that already knows the story before I get to tell it.  Oh what God has in store for him.  I can see a little glimps into there future and what kind of Godly adults they will be.  It is funny how even at age 2 you can see God in there little hearts.

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Todd and Callista went to a red carpet father daughter dinner at our church. This is a wonderful picture of them.

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Sometimes God puts you out of your box.

Sometimes God puts you out of your box. Todd and I were sent on a new adventure a few months ago. And as Todd puts it...God puts you out of your box sometimes but, He gives you the tools to handle it. One Sunday morning as we were walking into church we had not gotten in the doors 50 foot when we were asked to help. OK, I am thinking help...help with what. So that is when our adventure started. We were directed to a classroom with small children in it. I think we were both thinking fun for today. We can do this for one Sunday. So we find ourselves in the classroom of 2 year olds. Yes, I said 2 year olds. We are shown what to do and were told that this class has not had a teacher for a few years now. As you know our daughter is 16 and it has been a few years since we had the pleasure of 2 year olds. So we do our best. We change diapers and feed them snacks and oh don't let me forget stop them from biting, hitting and kicking each other. While we are doing all of this we look around and find the Sunday school material that is to be taught to this class and see that no one has even looked at it. So our very very long hour is now over and we are very tired. We go to the worship service and the more I think the more God works on my heart. Todd and I talk about it and pray about it and decide to help out with this class until a teacher can be located. After that first Sunday you would think that teaching 2 year olds would be the last thing on our minds. But, God had plans for us. So I call the church and ask if I can come and get the Sunday school material and maybe plan a lesson or two. So I thought. I will tell you now that God can work through 2 year olds. It takes me about 3 or more hours a week to get the lesson just right but, it is worth every minute I spend. To see them tell mom or dad that they learned about Noah and his big boat or for one of them to look at you and say that they are thankful for you and for one to run into the room and grab Todd by the legs and hug him like she had missed him so much...now that will pull on your heart strings. We are so much in love with 13 little 2 year olds. God has opened a new door for the two of us that we would never have thought we could do. Todd and I are still looking at each other and wondering what are we doing and that we are only here until God sends a teacher. But, until then we are having a grand time with all 13 of them. Yes we have 13 but, most of the time we have around 10 every Sunday. "For I know the plan's I have for you, Declares the Lord..."
I have asked a few of the parents if it would be ok for me to put some of the children's pictures on here and they have said yes. So until I get more oks I will post the ones that have given me permission.

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:16-17

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