Update

Hello all my dear friends! I know I have kept you hanging for quite awhile, longer than I had expected to. So now here is my story. The night we had such terrible storms (more about that later, hopefully) I got very sick and had to go to the E.R., where they admitted me. It was another case of diverticulitis, and it has been a long road to recovery, with lots of medicines and being sick from them also. I have several colon problems and they have scheduled biopsies on the 22nd. The doctor has warned me that it could be caner, or anything. It could be multiple things or only one. Only a biopsy will tell. I am still not up to commenting or reading blogs, but hope to be soon! I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, cards, and e-mails. You make me feel so cared for and loved, and I miss each one of you and wonder what is going on in your lives. Please feel free to e-mail me at any time. Hoping to be back blogging soon!!!!

“So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.”

2 Corinthians 4.

Back From The Hospital

Hello to all my dear blogging friends, have you missed me? I have missed you, I feel like I know each of you personally. We have been going through some trials. We were one of the places in Virginia hit by the bad storms, and it affected us, though our home is safe. When the big storm started, I got very ill, and we had to go to the E.R., where they admitted me to the hospital. I got home last night, but am very weak and taking a lot of strong drugs which are making me ill. So I will have to take a blogging break, I am not well enough to be on the computer for very long. I do not know if the break will be a few days or almost two weeks, when my medicine is done. I will miss each one of you, and I promise when I return I will tell you about everything that has happened, including pictures. Until then, stay safe, my dear friends. And to my very special friend, here are some glittering decorative grasses I have snapped over the years, I know they are a favorite of yours. I will leave you with this quote that had great meaning to me this week.

“The Lord is Good” - period. Everything about God is good,

including everything that is related to me-- His thoughts about me,

His plans for me, His actions toward me, His guidance in me, His

blessings to me, His protection of me, His purposes fulfilled

through me and His ordained circumstances that surround me at

this very moment in my life. They may not look good, seem good,

sound good or feel good--but because they are ordained of God,

they ARE good. Colossians 3:3 says that “your life is hid with

Christ in God.” Every detail of your life is contained in Him,

including your present circumstances, trials, and needs.

--Shad

Williams

The Wings Of a Dove

I wonder how many of you know what this beautiful and unusual wildflower is? It is the Columbine! This plant is toxic, and can be fatal. It used to be a symbol of foolishness, because of it's resemblance to a jester's cap and bells. See those little spurs on the back side of the flowers?  The scientific name for this plant is derived from the Latin word for eagle, because they look like the outstretched talons of an eagle or hawk. They are also said to look like tiny doves, so the plant also stands for the Holy Spirit.

“The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."

Matthew 3

Girls Who Wear Glasses

Ever since the girls were babies, they have had a fascination with wearing people's glasses, which usually means Phil's reading glasses. Whether they are on upside down, or just drawn on with marker, they love glasses. Which brings me to yesterday and my appointment with the eye doctor. I have worn glasses since I was nine, and I always joke that I am blind as a bat. But the truth is worse than that. Not only am I not 20/20, I was informed that my vision is 20/400. That makes me legally blind. Not to worry, they tell me, it is only a problem without my glasses. I keep two pairs, one as an emergency pair. How are YOUR eyes?? See you on Friday!

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”

1 Corinthians 13

An Ugly Love Story

Meet the Uglydoll, which is supposed to balance both cuteness and ugliness. In 2006 it was awarded "Toy Of The Year" by the toy industry. Sasha Obama carried one to school on her first day. Half of the buyers are adults who keep them for themselves. How did they get started? David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim were in love and sent love letters to each other. At the bottom of his letters, David drew these little characters, each one different. One Christmas, Kim surprised David by giving him one of his characters that she had made come to life by sewing and stuffing it. He loved it, so she would make more whenever she got a new letter from David. They caught on really big, and Sun-Min ended up sewing at least 1,500 herself till demand was too great. Now there are Uglydoll blankets, clothes, books, you name it. All in the name of love.

“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.”

Proverbs 31

The Aliens Have Landed

What do you think this building looks like? Many think it looks like a giant spaceship. Welcome to The Markel building, located in Richmond, Virginia. It was voted the 7th ugliest building in the whole world! The architect got his inspiration from a baked potato wrapped in foil that he was eating one evening. Each floor consists of a single piece of aluminum used as siding. The crinkles were sledge hammered, and the building was finished in 1965. It now houses various office buildings. Phil said the best thing about this building is that you can throw rocks at it and not get in trouble! Boys will always be boys, I guess. We really enjoyed driving through and hope you did, too. Tomorrow I will show you something else so ugly it is cute, famous, and much beloved.

“Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

Philippians 4

Side Of The Road Sunday

Come along with me and let's see what the neighbors have put out on the street this week. The big thing seems to be chairs. This is good, I think we all need a rest after that Body Dome exercise contraption. We will sit with Jesus and talk awhile, because you know Jesus is sitting, too. A person sits when he is done, and the work of Jesus is completely done. He was the final and perfect sacrifice for all our sins. So that WE can rest, as well. So please have a seat.

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.”

Mark 16

I will be taking off the computer Monday and Thursday this week, see you the other days!!