We are in WV this week, visiting Steve's dad and getting stuff out of the basement.
Today, we took a break to visit the Amish country in Ohio.
It is refreshing to be in such a lovely place and see life lived simply. We ate at Der Dutchman, bought a ton of cheese and fudge at Heini's, then got lost in Lehman's. It was a wunderful gut day.
Tomorrow, we will pack, visit an aunt get ready to go visit another aunt on Saturday. We are only 1/2 way through our trip.
I'm typing this on my phone and my hand is starting to get cramped, so I'll quit.

God bless!

the Internet

Internet, how do I love you? Let me count the ways.

Google. (Did you know that a google is a one with one hundred zeros after it? That's like 33 commas at least!) I can find almost everything with Google!

Anywho.com helps me to get folks' phone numbers and addresses...how cool is that?

Mapquest is great for directions (95% of the time).

Email rocks! I love sending and receiving e-mails with friends and family.

Recipezaar...for recipe addicts like me.

Threadbangers & all the craft websites.

People on the web are so awesome, I could not homeschool without all the help online. I have learned so much from craft & homemaking bloggers. Wow! I cannot say enough.

I'm sure there's more but we've been on thr road since 2 a.m. yesterday. We are in Columbia, MO - halfway to our first destination in WV. (Steve planned this trip out on the internet, go figure)

Friendship

"What a Friend we have in Jesus!" as the hymn goes. It is reassurring to know that the Lord knows me so well. That He rejoices with me and hurts with Me. He listens to me - really hears me, although He has interrupted me a few times when I was whining to Him (always for my own good).

I am thankful for the friends I have here on earth.
My parents
Liz from Basic Training (now in CA)
Susan from TX
My sister, Cindy
Cousins & family (MOAJ) all over
Jen, MaryLynn, Cathy, Darcie, Ginny, Sharon, Susan and more here in the valley

Each has blessed me and I am very grateful.

Freedom

I am so thankful for the freedom from the bondage of sin that come from the cross Jesus bore. How wonderful to wake up to new mercies every morning.

I am also thankful that I live in a country where I am free to worship & follow Christ.

Freedom to vote for laws and lawmakers is a blessing.

Another freedom to be thankful for is freedom from the mainstream. I am free to be different, if I want to dress like a Jane Austen character, no one will stop me. If I choose to wear my hair long and always wear denim jumpers, it's okay. I honestly don't care if my outward appearance is not in fashion. I do care that others see me as honest, kind, thoughtful & loving. I will not dress like a nun (I think it would be hot in those habits) but I do want to show my love for Christ in all I do.

Sunday

Well, it is very late, but I didn't want to fall behind on just the second day.

I am thankful for my husband. He is so good to me, I'm sure I don't know why. He takes such good care of his girls, we all adore him. He spoils me and loves my cooking. I even like his very corny jokes!

I love Steve and thank God regularly for bring him into my life, even though he spun me while learning to salsa.

Things for which I am Thankful

OH my... it's been a while. I am thankful for my faithul readers (all 3 of you).

Truly, I will try to post everyday this month about something for which I am thankful.

First, I am thankful for a truly loving and merciful God. He loves me inspite of me. I deserve death for my many sins. I deserve to suffer and struggle through this life alone and broken. But, hellelujah! I am saved! My Lord has healed me, lifted me and forgiven me...I am in awe, truly humbled by this amazing love.

He has blessed me so abundantly! I have FIVE amazingly healthy, beautiful children, an awesome husband, good health, loving parents & sister, and a wonderful church family.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!!