Wow... almost 5 years!!

Wow, I completely forgot I had this blog!  Been almost 5 years since I posted anything on it.  I'm a lot more active on Facebook!  You're welcome to add me if you're still reading this!  SOOOO much has happened since I last posted!  I'm sure I won't remember it all but here goes... Mom had a stroke in 2011, Oct. 23rd to be exact.  Scariest time of my life!  The thought of losing my mom! She was then admitted to the hospital Nov. 11th of that year for severe bleeding.  Thankfully we pulled thru all of that and though she's not well, I still have her.  She had another stroke Jan. 29, 2013 that took her eyesight :'(  She now due to pressure wounds has been confined to the bed full time and her legs and arms have contracted up so she can't do anything for herself.  She cries a lot.  Sometimes due to pain and other times just because of depression or whatever.  She requires full time care which at times can be super draining on me!  I have had a lot of my own health issues.  I had a stroke April 1, 2014.  Nobody would believe that I was in the hospital for a stroke cause it was April Fool's Day so I had to take a picture to prove it!  Then had a possible TIA in July 2014.

Let's see... the people in my life have changed a good bit... Have added some amazing people and have once again lost some that I loved so dearly.
Have changed churches and have a whole new load of friends from there :)

Well, not sure what else to write since probably nobody is reading this anymore :-\

It's ok.  I don't read blogs much anymore either...

Think I will start using this blog again for memories :)

Until then....

Christmas 2009

OK, so again it's been forever since I posted! I decided that I would post what I've gotten for Christmas and hopefully be able to post pictures soon.

• Learn to crochet kit :)
• 2 knitting dishcloth pattern books
• Build a bear kit
• fleece shirts
• bubble coat
• "Grumpy" hoodie
• fuzzy socks that say "Jesus loves me" and "I love Jesus"
• Mater bag
• tote bag with my name on it
• 2 giant candy bars
• LAPTOP!!!!!!!!
  
• laptop cases
• fuzzy pj pants
• 2 sets of winter pjs

& I'm sure there is more that I have forgotten! The most exciting thing for sure is my laptop!!! I love it! Thanks so much, Mommy!

Our trip to KY

On our way there I had this idea that I would keep track of the happenings and then blog about them when I got home. Well, I started to do that but I guess I really had nothing to say and then after some things that happened I felt like maybe there was no reason for me to do this but here it goes anyhow. I will probably add pictures later once I get my camera hooked up & download the pictures.

Our journey began around 8 AM on Wed., July 29th. The weather was pretty dreary and it seemed the farther we went the heavier the rain started falling. It was like someone had opened a window to our hearts and we were watching our own tears stream down. This trip would be like no other for us. Any other time we had gone down there, Aunt Frances's smiling face was there to greet us. This time, it would not be :(. We missed our turn and ended up just over the line in West Virginia which kinda made my day (first time I had been to WV since I was a baby and we passed through on our way to FL).

We were able to get on the right road and got to Kentucky about 3:30 PM. We went and found a motel and got changed for the viewing. We got a big surprise when we went to the viewing. Mom's now only living aunt had flown up from FL with her two daughters that we had not seen in years. The funny part about that was that just a few days before we found out Aunt Frances had died, Aunt Lula Belle told Mom on the phone that she couldn't ever come back up north again because they wouldn't let wheel chairs on airplanes--guess they proved her wrong huh? It was really great to see everybody again even if it was under bad circumstances.

We saw all but 1 of my first cousins on my mom's side which we hadn't seen any of them in almost 10 years! We also got to see all of Mom's siblings! So, even though we went for a sorrowful time... the funeral made us realize that we were crying for nothing. She is in a better place and much happier! She is pain-free for the first time in a very long time! She is with her husband once again! We had a tough time leaving but we did anyhow. We left there about 3 PM and got home at 9:30. Hopefully we can go back and visit the remaining family and it NOT be under death circumstances. The last 5 times we have gone south have been weddings and funerals. The first of those 5 was May 2001 when we went to my cousin Missy's wedding. We went back twice in Sept. 2001 for 2 funerals...Mom's aunt and her son died within 2 weeks of each other. We didn't get to go back until March 2008 when we went to Uncle Floyd's funeral and now in July 2009 we went to Aunt Frances's funeral.

Our hearts may be broken and hurting right now but it's like the pastor said yesterday... if we keep our hearts right and walk close to God as she did...we can go to Heaven to meet her again!

Hmm...

Well looks like it's been a VERY long time since I blogged huh? I've had a lot to blog about but just have never taken the time. So much has happened that I will just leave most of it out I'm sure.

We just had a WONDERFUL camp! The last night was way beyond anything I had really even seen before. TOTALLY amazing! We saw a LOT of victories won that night. The service that started at 7:30 lasted until around midnight!!!! There h

ad been talk before camp about whether God really wanted us to continue and this year just totally showed us all that it is His will! Every year our little church has had to support several thousand dollars of the camp expenses and praise the Lord, this year they have to support very little to NONE!! We raised over $10,100!! We also had quite a few new people and our nightly stay average was around 50 (AWESOME for us)! One night Gram Hastings and I were like if anyone else comes, we aren't sure where we can put them because the "inn was full up!" Thank God for His amazing help!

I think this is going to be the end of my post for this time but I wanted to leave you with a prayer request.

Isaac Copeland is in need of a lot of prayer right now. His parents are missionaries to Mexico. Isaac was recently bitten by something poisonous. He is in a hospital in Texas and they have had to do several surgeries. Please just remember him and the whole family in prayer! Here is a picture of Isaac that was taken last year when they were home for camp.

Happy Birthday!!

Happy 45th (or as Gary would say 25th anniversary of your 20th) Birthday to my very dear friend Barb!!

What a day she has had for a birthday (she would understand this if she saw!)

Love you bunches! Praying everything works out!

Song of the Day

In You Alone by Steve Green

When I am weak, You carry every burden
When I'm alone, You're just a breath away
When I am restless, You're the one who stills me
And where I fail, You always stay the same

In You alone, I'm lifted up to heaven
In You alone, I soar on borrowed wings
When I reach the end, You are just beginning
In You alone, I find all that I need

When I am lost, You rescue me from danger
And when I fall, You pick me up again
When I resist, You love past my defenses
And though I stray, You're patient to the end

In You alone, I'm lifted up to heaven
In You alone, I soar on borrowed wings
When I reach the end, You are just beginning
In You alone, I find all that I need

In You alone, I soar on borrowed wings
When I reach the end, You are just beginning
In You alone, In You alone

In Loving Memory of...

Wow... sometimes I can't believe it's been a year and other times it feels way longer! No matter what, we still miss you!

I still remember that day...going to church and you not being there! Going to Uncle Harry's for lunch just to get the call that you had left us! Then the next days with the viewing and funeral...wow!

We miss you and you will always be in our hearts!

~*Edward "Eddie" Eugene Haney*~
Oct. 15, 1995 - Jan. 13, 2008

Wow it's been a while...

Well, I will probably post about the holidays later but right now I've found a song that really encourages me so I'm going to post it!!!

Nail it to the Cross

Is there something in your heart - between you and the Lord
Are you drifting apart - not as close anymore
There's nothing you can do - that He will not forgive
Bring it to the cross - let it die so you can live

Nail it to the cross - get it under the blood
Drown your pain and every stain in the mercy flood
Nail it to the cross - find hope and forgiveness
Kneel at the tree and walk away free - Nail it to the cross

Is there a burden you bear that's got you battered and bound
Struggling for strength, do you long to lay it down?
Don't take another step, just kneel where you stand
Lay it at the cross and take the hammer in your hand

Nail it to the cross - get it under the blood
Drown your pain and every stain in the mercy flood
Nail it to the cross - find hope and forgiveness
Kneel at the tree and walk away free - Nail it to the cross

Nail it to the cross - get it under the blood
Drown your pain and every stain in the mercy flood
Nail it to the cross - find hope and forgiveness
Kneel at the tree and walk away free - Nail it to the cross

Nail it to the cross - find hope and forgiveness
Kneel at the tree and walk away free - Nail it to the cross
Nail it to the Cross!!

Video of the munchkins

Here they are practicing "Joy to the World"! Sorry the quality isn't so great but my camera batteries were dying!

Just for you, Miss!

Missy always says "hey, I checked out your blog!" & I always say "sorry my life isn't interesting enough to keep it updated" & she always asks me to post pics of our kids so here are a few. We are doing hand bells with the kids for their program this year. A boy from our Sunday school passed away in a house fire in January & the bells were purchased with money from his memorials. His whole family has been invited to come to the program to see the kids perform :-).

The first week we did the bells with the kids his mom came down stairs to listen & some of us had tearfilled eyes. It was soo precious!

Morning after Election

This was just shared with a group of ladies I am friends with... soo true!! --the rest is quoted from there!

The Morning After Election

It's the morning after elections

And I'm thoroughly disappointed

To observe the American people

And the president appointed

In fact, I'm shocked that in this nation

There are many who don't care

That we kill the unborn babies

And the wealth we want to share

While our value system suffers

And our morals are so bad

God is seldom ever honored

Oh, it makes me feel so sad

We don't know what we are facing

As this new year rolls around

It looks scary in the human

But let me tell you what I've found

God has never failed His people

Every promise He will keep

No matter what the circumstance

He will protect His "sheep"

For God has not lost His power

And He still sits on the throne

One day soon He'll be returning

To take His children home

There we'll have no more Obamas

No more taxes, no more fears

All the babies will be cherished

God will wipe away all tears

So, cheer up, my fellow Christian

Lift your head, keep up the fight

Your redemption is soon coming

When we take our final "flight"

DSM--November 5, 2008

(Let me clarify one statement in this poem. I am not saying that there will be NO people in Heaven with the last name of Obama. However, in the light of what has happened in recent days, I am using that term to indicate those who don't value our Christian beliefs and who don't uphold God's moral law.)

We NEED GOD in America Again

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, First Chief Justice John Jay. Names synonymous with the spirit of our country, founding fathers of the U.S.A. Over 200 years ago they shook off the chains of tyranny from Great Britain, by divine call. Citing 27 biblical violations, they wrote the Declaration of Independence, with liberty, and justice, for all. But something happened since Jefferson called the Bible the cornerstone for American liberty, then put it in our schools as a light. Or since 'Give me liberty or give me death!' Patrick Henry said, our country was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We eliminated God from the equation of American life, thus eliminating the reason this Nation first began. From beyond the grave I hear the voices of our founding fathers plead, you need God in America, again. Of the 55 men who formed the Constitution, 52 were active members of their church. Founding fathers like Noah Webster, who wrote the first dictionary, could literally quote the Bible, chapter and verse. James Madison said, 'We've staked our future on our ability to follow the 10 Commandments, with all our heart.' These men believed you couldn't even call yourself an American, if you subvert the Word of God. In his farewell address, Washington said, 'You can't have national morality apart from Religious principal,' and it's true. Cause right now we have nearly a hundred and fifty thousand kids carrying guns to these war zones we call public schools. In the 40s and 50s student problems were chewing gum and talking, in the 90s, rape and murder are the trend. The only way this nation can even hope to last this decade, is put God in America, again!

The only hope, for America, is Jesus.
The only hope, for our country, is Him.
If we repent, of our ways, stand firm and say, 'We need God in America, again.'

Abe Lincoln said, 'The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation, will be the philosophy of government in the next.' So when you eliminate the Word of God from the classroom and politics, you eliminate the nation that Word protects. America is now number one in teen pregnancy and violent crime, number one in illiteracy, drug use, and divorce. Everyday a new holocaust of 5,000 unborn die, while pornography floods our streets like open sewers. America's dead and dying hand is on the threshold of the Church, while the spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah vex us all. When it gets to the point when people would rather come out of the closet than clean it, it's the sign the Judgment of God is gonna fall. If there's ever been a time to rise up Church it's now, and as the blood-bought saints of the living God proclaim. That it's time to sound the alarm from the Church House, to the White House and say, 'We want God, in America, again!' (We need God in America, God in America again). I believe it's time America to stand up and proclaim, that 'One Nation Under God' is our demand! And send this evil lifestyle back to Satan where it came from, and let the Word of God revive our dying land! For Jesus Christ is coming back again in all His glory, and every eye shall see Him on that day. That's why a new anointing of God's power's coming on us, to boldly tell the World 'You must be saved!' Because astrology won't save you, your horoscope won't save you, the Bible says these things are all a farce. If you're born again you don't need to look to the stars for your answers, cause you can look to the very One who made those stars. History tells us time and time again, to live like there's no God makes you a fool. If you wanna see kids live right, stop handing out condoms, and start handing out the Word of God in schools!

We need God, in America
(We need) God in America
We need God, in America again
America again

In GOD we STILL trust!!

Even though the election turned out in a way that most of us didn't want... I can still say--

IN GOD WE STILL TRUST!!

You place your hand on His Bible, when you swear to tell the Truth
His name is on our greatest Monuments, and all our money too,
And when we Pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand,
There is no separation, we're one Nation under Him.

In God We Still Trust
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust

Now there are those among us, who want to push Him out,
And erase His name from everything, this country's all about,
From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're Silencing His Word,
Now it's time for all Believers, to make our Voices heard.

In God We Still Trust,
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust

Here in America
Here in America
Here in America,

In God We Still Trust
Here in America,

In God We Still Trust
Here in America

~*performed by Diamond Rio*~

Ok, Rach, this is for you!!

Well, let's see where to begin. Every few days, I say to myself... Oh, that was worth blogging about but I never seem to get it done.

In September (at some point lol)--our Fashion Bug is going out of business & we had gone to check out some stuff. They are selling some Lane Bryant stuff there & Barb had seen some skirts so we decided we needed to look. Well, they were priced at $7.50 if you bought 4 or more. I didn't buy any right then but I went home & talked to Mom about it. We made the decision just a day or so later that we would take $30 and go buy her 2 and me 2. We got the money & off to Fashion Bug we went. God must have really been watching out for us because the skirts were $2!!! if you bought 4 or more so of course we dug right in. We had $30 to spend so we bought us each 6 skirts instead of the 2 planned originally. Our receipt said you have saved...& it was like $276 dollars! We spent $24 on 12 skirts & one skirt originally was $24.99! We walked out of there going who else do we know that could use these!! Well, we thought of Sonja (our pastor & Barb's sister) & we ended up going back to get her 4 :-).

We attended Pioneer Convention where I got to see my dear "adopted" parents even if it was just for a minute!

Then later on in the month we had revival (Sept. 23rd through 28th)! It was such an awesome revival & quite a few victories won. The evangelists' were just so special & so willing to work with what they had lol. We had had them a few years ago for camp meeting & I had become very close to them then but with the years in between we had pretty much lost contact but it's definitely back!!

When they were here before... my little Chels was just 1 1/2 & she just loved them! So, it was really neat to see her with them again now @ almost 5 (on Thurs!!!)

June 2005Sept. 2008

Yeah, we had a baptismal service while they were here also... but that's a WHOLE post in itself so I'll just leave this sit for a month or 3 before I post that one lol.

Funny things kids say

We have started having junior church instead of Sunday school with our kids. Basically we just do one big Sunday school class & throw in a few little extras. Anyways, when it comes craft time we break into our old groups & the old Sunday school teachers help their children at that point. Yesterday one of my little girls (physically 6 but has some mental problems) said, "Teacher, I has a boyfriend! His name is Patrick & he is SOOO BEAUTIFUL!" I said, "Oh, wow." Then she proceeded to tell me... "He's a star! A real star! He's pink! He is SOO cute! I love my boyfriend Patrick!" By this time I was trying to not bust a gut but it was so funny... you'd just have had to have heard her! So I called for a couple of the other teachers to come listen to her about this. Our SS Super walks in & she grabs his face & said "hey Patrick & me are getting married!" He laughed so hard!

PS. In case you haven't gotten the gist of it... This is Patrick... he is off of SPONGEBOB!!!

A Picture Post at Last!!

Ok I think you'll be sick of pictures by the time I'm done. I know most of these aren't important to you but this is my life at camp!!

Sis. Price & I Me & the Prices

Papa Blackwelder, my niece Sierra, & Gram

Sis. Price with my girls (Sierra & baby Marissa)

Sierra & Sis. Price

Me & Sis. Cope

Aunt Brenda & me

Me & my friend Bonnie

Mom & Dad Marshall

Dad & Mom Marshall & me

The Prices

Hope this didn't bore you too bad. I love all these people bunches & bunches. I miss them all so bad!

Home again... Home again...

Wow... what a wk (or two). Stoneboro camp was super busy as always. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say if you attend all the prayer meetings & services offered you would attend 10 services a day! Most of the time, I attended 4 of the services a day. Stoneboro camp was awesome as usual. God met in extreme ways just about every service. I think this is the first year that I remember that there WAS preaching in every service. Usually one or two services as missed due to altar services. The service highlight that stands out in my mind (humorously) would be--the last Thursday (yesterday)... when after the conference had made a rule of no cell phone usage in the tabernacles (this includes texting) & Bro. Thacker (youth evangelist) saying how much he disliked cell phones in church even before the rule was made...... he gets up to start preaching & a cell phone starts ringing!! Ok, yeah, not a good thing but hey sometimes people forget to shut their phone off or else they weren't there to hear the rule. Well, you'd think if your phone went off you'd just mute the thing & wait til after service and call the person back... NOPE!! The man ANSWERED the phone and proceeded to talk VERY LOUDLY!! The whole congregation about died laughing. Bro. Thacker then says "everybody with me?" and of course went on with his message!

Well... on a more serious note... Stoneboro meant a lot to me this year. Bro. Thacker at first preached practical messages on the issues of youth & towards the end he did a series on "The Death Route Explained" VERY VERY GOOD!! Bro. Cope & Bro. Parker dealt with the carnality issue a lot of the time also. The last service I was in (yesterday afternoon) Bro. Cope preached on the Witness of the Spirit. Very good message there also. I came away from camp this year more determined than ever to walk in all the light God gives me and to make Heaven my home some day. From the sounds of things, it's not going to be too long until there are no more goodbyes to be said. We will be in Heaven together always rejoicing around God's throne.

Anyone who really knows me... knows that I have a very hard time saying goodbye to those that I love (even if it is just for a few wks or months!) This time was no exception. My youngest niece was able to come to stay with us for the weekend (actually a little longer) and I had a hard time letting her come back home to wait for us. On Monday, my grandparents (I hate calling them adopted because in my heart they are my blood) left to go back home and I had a pretty rough time with that. I was able to get a picture of my niece with them but none of me with them (boo hoo!!) Then we left yesterday I had to say goodbye to my parents (again adopted but in my heart my blood!!) VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY HARD & a few of my very close friends. I DID get pictures with most of them though. I will try to get them posted up here some day soon. They aren't even on my computer yet.

Well, I guess that's the end of my blog post for the day... hope it doesn't bore anyone to death. Just trying to think of things to write & of course things I want to remember!!

Been a long time...

As you can see, it's been another very long time since I posted. Yes, I know I should probably just quit saying that every time. Well... let's see what happened?

In June was Stoneboro conference & Sis. Rosengreen (our former pastor's wife whose husband passed away earlier in the year) was there & I got to see her. Also in June, was our camp! After spending a lot of time getting ready for it, I thought we just might be able to sit back and enjoy it. Didn't happen!! On Wed. of our camp, a good friend of ours that attended our church (Tom Nale) was killed in a serious accident and that just completely changed the course of our camp. Camp ran from June 13-22. After camp, I've spent a lot of time making the CDs (I did the recording again this year). I will soon be finished up with around 300 that were ordered. On June 30, a girl who attends the other church my pastor pastors graduated from home high school. The graduation was held at our church and I played. I had never seen the music to "Pomp & Circumstance" until just the night before. I was very nervous so I went out before the graduation and recorded it to our electric piano and then just sat there while it played!!

Now, on to July...
July brought Independence Day & we watched a lot of fire works during the 2 days of that and then also it brought 2 camps for us (Stoneboro Youth Camp & Pine Ridge Pilgrim Holiness). Stoneboro Youth camp was a real blessing to me because... my adopted Dad (Rev. Mike Marshall) was one of the evangelists!

We just finished up Pine Ridge last night. I got to see a lot of people that I hadn't talked to in a while there (a lot of Allegheny folk!) I also got to meet the Tim Zimmerman family (well, everyone but Tim!) It was kind of strange because I know the rest of the Zimmermans & then Sarah (the wife) is also good friends with my best friend Crystal!

OK, well I think that brings me to today and so far nothing exciting has happened *crossing fingers* so I think that about ends my post for today. If you read my blog, please leave me a little comment note. If you don't want me to post it to the blog then just say so in your comment (since I moderate them anyhow). I would love to hear from you!!

Hold me while I cry...

It's been one of those days. If anything could go wrong, it went wrong.
I know I'm feeling sorry for me. There's a lot of self pity going on.
Tomorrow, I will be ok. The dawn will bring a brand new day.
I'm sure, by then, I'll be fine. Lord, today I really need a friend.
I know that You understand. Would you hold me while I cry?

I take a lot of Your time when I should be strong.
I should be standing by now, but it's You I'm leaning on.
You've always kept me safe from harm; like a child in Your arms,
You've cradled me through hardships faced in life.
Lord, it's just one of those days. I've been fought in every way.
Would you hold me while I cry?

I try to be strong, but if anyone can fall apart - I fall apart.
I run back to You again, and You heal my broken heart.
You have truly been a friend, reaching out to lend a hand,
Lord, when You could have passed me by.
I'm asking for Your strength today. Lift my spirit, Lord, I pray.
Will you just hold me while I cry?

I take a lot of Your time when I should be strong.
I should be standing by now, but it's You I'm leaning on.
You've always kept me safe from harm; like a child in Your arms,
You've cradled me through hardships faced in life.
Lord, it's just one of those days. I've been fought in every way.
Would you hold me while I cry?

You've always kept me safe from harm; like a child in Your arms,
You've cradled me through hardships faced in life.
Lord, it's just one of those days. I've been fought in every way.
Would you hold me while I cry?

~*sung by Karen Peck & New River*~

SWS Graduation

I figured while I was updating my blog I should probably include this. We attended the class of 2008 graduation tonight at SWS. Hard to believe that 4 years ago I graduated from the very same place. This should have been my brother's class but he's behind a little. I wish my brother would have gone to the graduation because the rest of the kids that started with them were all there and it would have been nice to get a picture.

Enjoy these pics!Tim started with them but he's attending another school now. It was nice that he could come back and play the piano for them though!
The 4 guys singing "You Raise Me Up" acapella... they did an AWESOME job!!

Mr. Ewing has taught at SWS for 29 years and has decided that now that his youngest has graduated that he is going to pursue other options. They asked anyone who had sat in Mr. Ewing's class at any time in those 29 years to stand and quite a few had to stand. He was my 12th grade teacher. :-(