My Christmas Elves

Lori and her girls came to wrap my gifts for me.  They brought me baked goodies and little Rachel gave me a dollar.  She, as are the others, is such a giver.  They all are such a blessing to me.  God is too good to me.  This church family holds a special place in my heart.  Lori and Wade are doing an amazing job raising these sweet girls to love God and experience Him in their lives.  We had a blast today!

Life Points Christmas Party

Friday night was the connection group party.  We had a lot of good food and fun games.   As you can see by the photo, it got messy.  It was great to spend some time laughing and having a great time with our church family. 

Monday, December third I was rear-ended on my way to the dentist.  Mom came up to keep ice packs on my head and neck all night long. Thanks Mom! I'm glad to report that as of the tenth, Dr. Whitelaw says the brain stem/joint swelling is better.  The kicker of the story is that the girl who hit me was uninsured, no tags, and driving on a suspended drivers license.  That was thrown in just to make it interesting, I guess.  ha ha  But, I'm thankful I'm doing well and it wasn't worse than it was.  

Autumn hay ride

We had a hay ride a couple of weeks ago and the kids loved it! We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows- drank hot chocolate and hot cider.  We've had several people ask us to do it again next year.  We hope we can.  Thanks to all those who helped make this night happen. 

Thought of the day

A friend sent me the "thought of the day" from her desk today and it is worthy of being posted:

"You've lived a life in a house of imperfect love. You think God is
going to cut you just as the coach did, or abandon you as your father
did, or judge you as religion did, or curse you as your friend did. He
won't, but it takes time to be convinced. For that reason, abide in
Him."

Autumn at the lake

A week ago, we made sandwiches and went on the boat after church to look at the changing leaves. While we were boating, we also saw a family of beavers and a bald eagle. Sorry, no pictures though. The camera's batteries died. This weekend, we worked out in the yard and enjoyed the beautiful weather! I took Alex on the walking trail. The trees were gorgeous! I simply love autumn in the ozarks.

Vacation

Sorry I didn't post much in October. It was a busy month for us. Among it all, Steven had a birthday and we spent a week in Destin Florida. It has really grown there. It was much more crowded than ever before. We heard it is nice and less crowded a bit further east in Rosemary, Dune Allen, Blue Mountain beaches, so we visited their beaches and loved them!! We enjoyed being near the ocean again. It's vastness, sounds, tide, sand...everything refreshes us. We LOVE it. It rained the last part of the week though- I mean, RAINED. They got a year's worth in two days. But, we're thankful for the blessing of being able to go see the ocean and the safety we had on the trip.

World's Greatest Dog

Alexander Imhotep Hattabaugh

Believing God

Do you feel forgiven? Do you trust God? Either we believe God is Who He says He is or not. Either He is able or not. When you sat down to check your email, did you first pause and question if the chair would hold you before you sat down? Probably not. You just plopped down "in faith" that it has the power to hold you. In that same way, we must have faith that God is what His Word says. Throughout scripture we read if we believe or have faith in God it will be done. Many people were healed, "by their faith". In James, God teaches us to ask for things from God in faith without doubting. To be forgiven of ALL our sins, we simply must confess we have sinned and BELIEVE that Jesus paid that price for us on the cross. That is what God wants from us-- belief. Here's a great lesson from Abraham in Romans chapter 4: "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." That is great news! We don't have to be perfect to receive forgiveness. We don't have to feel guilty over all our mistakes. He has removed our transgressions "as far as the east is from the west" (Ps 103). He is faithful to do what He promises too... so don't listen to the enemy when he tries to make you "feel" unforgiven. Don't live by your feelings-live by what we know (God's Truth). Believe God. Read His promises and believe them!

September 18

This Sunday is the first day of Autumn! I'm so excited! I got injections yesterday so I'm hoping I'll feel good for our vacation coming up in October. We're going to the ocean! Oh, I can't wait! Praying for our trip and my friend, Becky, who is having a baby boy tomorrow!!!!

Two crazy boys

Steven and Dan playing in Dan's new toy

dinner time!

Me and my friend Karen going to dinner

last trip on the lake

September 1, 2007
We went on the lake and it was beautiful! Here's a picture of halton bluff. Nature is gorgeous!