Riverbend Ramblings

It's been a busy week here at our house, so I'm just now getting the photos up from Anniversary Sunday. Each year we celebrate my father-in-law's anniversary of coming to pastor our church and have a homecoming-type service like you would have at a smaller country church. This year marks his 38th year as our pastor. We had a record attendance of 4,142 in Sunday school with over 1,300 riding the buses, more than double our regular attendance. 173 people trusted Christ as their Saviour around the property in services being held for children, teens, and adults. We have since heard reports of more people getting saved later in the day as workers had a chance to talk more in-depth with them. I spent the Sunday school hour under a big tent with all of the teens. We had so many that we had to open up the back of the tent to accommodate everyone. You would think that there would be chaos with close to 500 teens, but they were very well behaved. :) After Sunday school I headed over to the main auditorium and listened to my husband preach a great salvation message. It was so exciting to see people walk the aisle during the invitation. Several folks were also baptized. You could really feel the Holy Spirit working! After the preaching service there was a big party on the football field that included rides, games, and free food. The kids had a blast! I mostly supervised 'Lil Nut and Curly Girl; Bookworm and Mickey were able to fend for themselves. :) Here come the buses! The calm before the storm. We had Teen Church under the big tent. Fun at the bus party. The teens played a game to see who could eat the most Star Crunches. Some of our volunteers in the food tent. Lil' Nut playing a game. Curly Girl was so excited to have her teacher paint her face. She was a tiger. Grrrr. Curly Girl and Grandpa Daddy with two of his favorite girls. If I could sum up the day in one word, it would be FAITHFULNESS. We have been blessed with a faithful pastor who has preached the word of God without compromise for so many years. His ministry reaches around the world, yet he is a very humble man. We also have so many faithful church members who worked hard to get folks to church, participated in a 72-hour prayer chain, and volunteered in so many ways to help out. Most of all, we serve a God who is faithful, and all the glory goes to Him.

Labels: Church Family, Special Days

FOR TODAY~ January 26, 2009... Outside my window...the sun is shining brightly and the birds are flitting around the yard. I am thinking...about my plans for the day. I am thankful for...the 4,142 in attendance and the 173 souls who trusted Christ as their Saviour yesterday at our church's Anniversary Sunday. I'm working on another post to share pictures and more details of our special day. From the kitchen...banana muffins and fresh-squeezed orange juice. I am wearing...denim skirt, pink and brown shirt, pink denim jacket, and brown sandals. I am creating...a list of birthday cards and presents needed for the month of February. I am reading...in my Bible: Exodus; just for fun: Where the Heart Leads by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of her books that I have read. She even uses the King James for her scripture references. :) I am hoping...that I get all of our tax paperwork gathered up this week. I am hearing...the hum of the computer and the snoring of my favorite Shih-tzu. Around the house...vacuuming, dusting, and displaying Valentine's Day decorations. One of my favorite things...living in a place where I can wear sandals in January. Don't hate me. ;) A few plans for the rest of the week...a trip to the fruit stand and grocery store; piano lessons; fellowshipping with out-of-town friends. Here is picture thought I am sharing...~~~oOo~~~ Thank you for reading my Daybook! You can read more entries at The Simple Woman.

Labels: Daybook

We Floridians are getting a small taste of what you folks farther north have to deal with all the time. Last night on the way home from church I passed quite a few trucks out in the groves keeping an eye on the citrus trees and awaiting the impending freeze. When I took the garbage out this morning the temperature was 27 degrees. No snow, of course, but quite a bit of frost everywhere. This poor plant looks so sad! I had a few errands to run, but I put them off in favor of staying indoors where it's warm. It's the perfect kind of day to enjoy a cozy fire (and wear myself out trying to keep it going)... Peruse the latest catalog to arrive in the mail...And play with play-dough. :)It's supposed to be 70 degrees tomorrow, which is a good thing since we're just about out of firewood. :) How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

Labels: Daily Life

I've had several recipe requests for the soup and rolls on last week's menu, and since I aim to please, here they are! :) Slow Cooker Potato Soup 32 oz. chicken broth 3 lbs. potatoes, diced (I use red potatoes.) 1 lb. smoked sausage, cut in bite-sized pieces 1 medium onion, quartered 1 tsp. dill weed salt and pepper to taste 8 oz. half & half Combine all ingredients except half & half in your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours (high, 3-4 hours). Just before serving, add the half & half. This is the perfect soup for a cold day or night. Yeast Rolls:) I get these rolls at S*am's Cl*ub in the frozen section. Talk about melt-in-your-mouth delicious! They are pre-baked, so all you have to do is heat them in the oven for 8 minutes. Did I mention that they are delicious?

Labels: Recipes

FOR TODAY~ January 19, 2009... Outside my window...the sun is just peeking up over the trees. Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day! I am thinking...how much I enjoyed the weekend. Mickey had several friends over to celebrate his birthday on Saturday, and Sunday's church services left me with a smile on my face and encouragement to face the week ahead. I am thankful for...President and Mrs. George W. Bush. I appreciate the unfathomable sacrifices they have made over the last 8 years, and I am going to miss them. From the kitchen...English breakfast tea, corn flakes, and grapefruit. I am wearing...my favorite blue p.j.'s and a pair of leopard print slippers. I am creating...a shopping list. I am reading...in my Bible: Exodus; just for fun: The Longing by Beverly Lewis. I didn't have much reading time last week, so hopefully I'll get this one finished in the next day or two. I am hoping...that my husband has a happy day. ;) I am hearing...an old gospel song by the Blackwood Brothers. Around the house...dusting downstairs and tidying the laundry room. One of my favorite things...a crackling fire on a cold night. A few plans for the rest of the week...a trip to the health food store and the library; piano lessons; a parent-teacher meeting at school; a mailout for a big day at our church. Here is picture thought I am sharing...Finally using our fireplace. :) ~~~oOo~~~ Thank you for reading my Daybook! You can read more entries at The Simple Woman.

Labels: Daybook

There is an unwritten rule that says a mom will always be needed if she is on the phone, in the bathroom, or cooking supper. Don't ask me why, that's just the way it is. Last night while I was getting ready to put our meal on the table someone started pounding on the window. Usually it would be child doing the pounding, but this time it wasn't. It was my husband yelling, "Quick! Get the camera!" Immediately the wheels start turning and panic sets in. This could be a good thing or, most likely, a bad thing. I quickly grabbed the camera and handed it to him, and he took off running. Was there a snake in the pool or a gator in the yard? Or could a child possibly be dangling precariously from a tree branch? Bingo! The good thing (or maybe not-so-good-thing) is that it wasn't my kid up at the top. It was our 9-year-old neighbor from across the street. I wonder if our homeowner's insurance policy covers something like this?His twin sister was climbing up not too far behind him. Mickey was keeping pace with her. No way was my son going to be outdone by a girl!They all three decided at the same time to climb down. At that point I turned around and headed back in the house-- too many screams and swaying branches for me! I could hear my husband calling out to them something about broken bones costing a lot of money. Thankfully they all made it safely down. The next time Mickey asks me if he can go to his friend's house to play and I say no, he should know better that to ask me why. If he'll attempt to break his neck right in front me, imagine what he might do somewhere else! His friend's mom might agree with him and think that climbing really high trees in your school clothes is a good idea. Or maybe she realizes that kids will be kids even if they know that they are causing their mothers to age prematurely.

Labels: The Kiddos

This week is flying by! Last night we finished up our Bible conference at church. If I'm counting right, I think we heard 17 messages over the last four days from Bro. Larry Brown, Bro. Dennis Corle, Bro. Jeff Fugate, Bro. Sam Gipp, Bro. Lonnie Mattingly, Bro. Brian McBride, Bro. Bryan Sharp, and Bro. Rick Sowell. I am thankful that my schedule allowed me to attend the daytime services. If I were working outside the home, I would have missed out on some blessings! The Lord laid some things on my heart that I plan to continue to ponder and study over. Since I've spent so much time away from home the last few days, today there is quite a bit of catching up to do. I've kept up with the daily essentials, but several projects that I had started earlier this week never got finished. I'm hoping that everything will be caught up by tomorrow afternoon. If not, that's okay. Having a housekeeping routine allows time for regrouping. There are no deadlines to meet. Slow and steady applies to our housework, too. After all my bragging last week about our warm January weather, this morning I woke up to a very cold house. After turning on the heat and slipping on some cozy socks I headed downstairs to prepare breakfast. I selected the biggest grapefruit in the fruit basket and thoroughly enjoyed it.For those of you who buy grapefruit at the grocery store, here's a little comparison for you. I purchased a five pound bag of grapefruit the other day for $1.50, which is about as cheap as you'll find it. While driving home from the store I stopped by a roadside produce stand and spotted the biggest grapefruit I've ever seen. At 3/$1, I couldn't resist picking up a few. They are delicious, and just look at the difference in size! Sometimes it's worth it to pay a little bit more money for really fresh produce. Lesson learned. After breakfast it was time to tackle a few loads of laundry. My wonderful husband bought me a brand new washer and dryer set a few months back. They are front-loaders, and I love them! The clothes come out cleaner and dry so much faster.After finishing up the last load of towels, Lil' Nut and I enjoyed a perfect cold weather lunch: leftover Lazy Potato Soup and fresh-from-the-oven yeast rolls. Tomorrow is supposed to be another chilly day, perfect for staying indoors and tackling little projects around the house. Enjoy the rest of your day! :)

Labels: Daily Life, In the Kitchen, Keeping the Home

And lovin' every minute of it! Happy Birthday, Case! :)

Labels: Special Days

FOR TODAY~ January 12, 2009... Outside my window...the sky is overcast and the birds are fluttering around the yard. I am thinking...how blessed I am to have a Bible-believing church to be a part of. I am thankful for...family celebrations. My mom and son both had a birthday yesterday. We were able to enjoy lunch together and watch them open their gifts. From the kitchen...a cinnamon and raisin English muffin with a hot cup of blackberry tea. I am wearing...a denim skirt, white blouse, and brown jacket. I am creating...a shopping list. I am reading...in my Bible: Genesis; just for fun: The Longing by Beverly Lewis. I am hoping...that I get the house tidied quickly this morning. I am hearing...Lil' Nut playing her version of "Jesus Loves Me" on the piano. Around the house...vacuuming downstairs; tidy the kitchen; laundry. One of my favorite things...good preaching! Yesterday we started a Bible Conference at our church. Bro. Brian McBride, Bro. Rick Sowell, and Bro. Bryan Sharp all shared tremendous messages from God's Word. We have many more preachers arriving today. I'm looking forward to the next three days of the special services. A few plans for the rest of the week...I'll try to fit in a run to the grocery store today. We have services at church the next three nights as well as morning services Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be a busy week, but a very profitable one. Here is picture thought I am sharing...Toby and Buddy are becoming very good friends. They love chasing each other around the yard.~~~oOo~~~ Thank you for reading my Daybook! You can read more entries at The Simple Woman.

Labels: Daybook

We have had the most wonderful weather lately! Lil' Nut and I spent a good part of this morning outdoors enjoying the beauty around us. While most of the country is enduring snow and ice, it feels almost spring-like here in Central Florida. I thought I would share a few January pictures from our yard to warm you chilled folks up a bit. :)When we moved into our house last summer, I didn't realize that there were poinsettias in the planters out by the pool. At the time I thought they were just some dead sticks. They surprised us by blooming right before Christmas. These hibiscus keep popping up every day in a rainbow of colors. The water level in our backyard pond is way down right now. We really need some rain! A couple of days ago we spotted this otter swimming up a storm. I couldn't get close enough to get a very clear picture because he was so fast. He probably came from the big lake nearby and seems to be enjoying feasting here. Otter babies would be so cute, but this one appears to be single at the moment. This is only the second otter I've seen in the wild--pretty neat! Now, don't you feel warmer already?? :) ~~~~~oOo~~~~~ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. ~Revelation 4:11 KJV

Labels: Outdoor Life

FOR TODAY~ January 5, 2009... Outside my window...it's foggy right now, but it should turn out to be a lovely Florida day with mostly clear skies and an expected high of 82 degrees. I am thinking...how wonderful it feels to wake up to a clean kitchen. I am thankful for...Christian friends. From the kitchen...I got away from a regular menu plan during the holidays, so it's back to the drawing board this week. Most of the meals will include regular favorites. I am wearing...a kakhi and blue striped skirt, navy blue shirt, and denim jacket. I am creating...a plan for organizing the girls' bedroom. I am reading...in my Bible: Genesis; just for fun: When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall. I am hoping...that my husband has a good day at the office. I am hearing...a CD of lovely piano hymns. Around the house...the Christmas decorations have already been put away (Praise the Lord!). Today there will be a quick tidy of the downstairs rooms, and a couple of loads of laundry need to be done. One of my favorite things...watching the sun rise while I'm out walking the dog. A few plans for the rest of the week...stock up at the grocery store; visit the library; go through a few containers of outgrown children's clothing; deep clean the girls' bedroom; plan for two birthdays coming up in a few days; write several thank-you notes. Here is picture thought I am sharing...Curly Girl made a new "friend" at my sister's horse farm. They had a very interesting conversation. :)~~~oOo~~~ Thank you for reading my Daybook! You can read more entries at The Simple Woman.

Labels: Daybook

Dear Master, for this coming year Just one request I bring: I do not pray for happiness, Or any earthly thing- I do not ask to understand The way Thou leadest me, But this I ask: Teach me to do The thing that pleaseth Thee. I want to know Thy guiding voice, To wak with Thee each day. Dear Master, make me swift to hear And ready to obey. And thus the year I now begin A happy year will be- If I am seeking just to do The thing that pleaseth Thee. ~~~oOo~~~ This poem was posted on the back of our church bulletin this past Sunday, and I thought it was just perfect for today. A new year is a time for new beginnings, for making decisions and setting goals. Throughout the Bible there are examples of changes made on the first day of the first month of the year, so I don't think there is anything wrong with making some resolutions as long as they are made as a result of prayer and according to God's will. Above all else in 2009, it is my desire to draw closer to the Lord and to please Him. I believe that there will be many positive changes in my life in the coming year as a result of this desire. image credit

Labels: My Thoughts, Poems, Special Days