Happy 79th B-day to Grandpa Sneed

Maybe I can share more at a later time. But we enjoyed a wonderful weekend in southern Indiana with my family. We had a party for Grandpa Sneed's 79th b-day. I believe there were almost 40 of us at the party. I have several photos, so maybe I can upload more later.

Routine

It's great to be in the routine of daily life after the Christmas and New Year hoopla. I love the holidays, but I tend to be a methodical kind of gal. We are moving right along with homeschooling this year. Dan helps with this, which is quite nice! I work 3-4 afternoons each week. I started cleaning houses about the middle of last year. I have really been blessed with some wonderful clients! One family has three children; I am there about 10 1/2 hrs. each week. They have really provided a great opportunity for me. This is the only place where I do laundry. Laundry is one job I really enjoy, so this works out just fine with me. The other house which I clean each week is very large, including 7 bathrooms. Fortunately, I only clean one level each week. The couple is absolutely awesome! She started really spoiling me by having on her modern-day player piano around the holidays. It's quite amazing! She likes some of the classical music that I enjoy, so it makes the work pleasurable. The other two cleanings are bi-weekly.

We have had our share of snow and cold weather. I believe we have had snow since Nov., with about 14" being the most accumulation. I love it!

This past Sunday we had our annual Sanctity of Human Life service at church. It's always good to be reminded of the value God has placed upon life. With tender compassion I would love to one day know that I have in some way been a persuasive voice for the aborted child or the euthanized elder person of our nation.

Quote for the Week:
"If we teach a young mother it is okay to take the life of her own child in the womb, we inevitably pull the thread that permeates the entire garment of the sanctity of life — forever."– Martin Palmer, pro-life advocate

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Easter!!!!!

I guess if I don't update my blog I might be wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July before I know it.

A whole lot of living has gone on around here since my last post... some great and wonderful days with family and friends, some sick days of being cooped up inside, some frustrating days with no electricity due to a wind storm.... But, alas, this is the "stuff" life's made of I suppose.

We did enjoy spending Christmas in Indiana, but we all came down with the flu while there. So I didn't really get many pics.

When we returned home late Monday evening, still not feeling very well, our electricity was out due to a wind storm. We decided to light some candles and a small propane heater and brave the cold temps. Clayton was so excited. He kept saying, "I like living off the land." However, when we woke the next morning and could see our breath in the air, he kind of had different feelings about "living off the land". Ha! So, the next night we made other arrangements, and a couple of days later, we were ever so thankful to have electricity!

I have a new position to fill this coming year at our local church. It seems kind of huge to me, but I'm excited about the prospects. Our very faithful missionary president of many years moved away to St. Louis, MO. recently. We miss the Black family very much. Anyways, I was asked to fill the vacant position. I'm looking for all the resources I can get my hands on for ways to promote the missions program in our church. We will major on some home mission (local church) projects here at the outset. I think I will use the theme "The Worth of a Soul" for our next Missions service.

In family news, my Grandpa Sneed broke a bone in his hip a couple of weeks or so before Christmas. So it seemed very different not to have my grandparents with us when we gathered for exchanging gifts, etc. With the condition of his mind, it has been a difficult time. From what the social worker said, he seems to be in the moderate stage of alzheimers. About 10 years ago when we first moved here to Rochester, Grandpa came to preach for us. He just didn't seem to be himself. Dan told a few of us when we returned to the house that he thought Grandpa had alzheimers. A short time later they moved back to southern Indiana from Illinois. He was traveling by himself at night with the moving caravan to their new home when he ended up almost at a former parishioner's house. Since then, different things have continued to happen which have made our fears a reality. One of the most sad things is that Grandpa has known at times that something is wrong. Such signs as putting on two shirts or leaving the car door open everytime he would get out of the car are just a few of the mild occurances that have taken place. It's hard to see someone you love go through this. I know of no one who has been so faithful to love and care for their spouse than Grandma. She spent every night with him in the hospital. She said he would have times of dramatically praising the Lord. Anyways, to wrap this up, Grandpa had to be placed in a nursing home this past Monday. The facility is a new one in Jasper, IN. The family reports that it is very nice, smells clean, etc. He seems to have adapted fairly well so far. Friends have been so wonderful to visit and send words of cheer. My thoughts and prayers are with them. They invested so much in my life when I was younger... I do wish that I lived closer to them at this time.

Here are a few totally random pics from the holidays.

1. Clayton with a fleece blanket I made for him.
2. Amber and Clayton waiting to eat one of Mamaw's delicious breakfasts.
3. Dad giving Grandma one of her gifts. (She had the flu, so was in her robe and hair net :-)
4. Grandpa with a gift.
5. Mom enjoying Bensen.
6. 2 sisters with cheesy smiles and electric skillets (which I'm enjoying and using a lot!)
7. Dan with his gift certificate to White Steamer... Ugh! But so glad he enjoyed it.
8. My nephew Carson (Boy did we have a time with him! He's so much fun!)

Cookie Recipe

Never Fail Sugar Cookies

2/3 c. shortening
3 T. milk
2 eggs (well beaten)
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 c. sugar 1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Mix dry ingredients as for pie crust. Mix in shortening. Add remaining ingredients and roll out at least 1/2 inch thick. Cut and place sugar cookies on cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for 7-10 min. until lightly golden.


Buttery Decorator Icing
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. salt
4 c. powdered sugar
2 to 4 tbls. milk

1. In large bowl, combine butter and shortening; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt; mix well.

2. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in
enough milk at high speed until light and fluffy and of desired speading consistency.

Icing can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and stored in tightly covered container in refrigerator. Bring to room temp. and rewhip before using.

This Week--- Recitals

Monday evening, Amber held her first piano recital for her students. She had worked really hard to make it an enjoyable time for those who attended and it paid off. There were between 45-50 there. The kids did such a great job! The cutest little guy, Zachary, won the trophy for most memorized pieces. A little Chinese girl, who was absolutely adorable, played "The Snowman". (If you upsize the group pic, you can see her in the blue checked jumper/pink blouse.) I doubt she could even reach the pedals, but she did such a fine job on her piece. Clayton has been taking lessons and is really enjoying it. He's a bit different than Amber; in that, she would become so nervous before recitals she would end up sick to her stomach. Clayton actually enjoyed it and said he wished he could have a recital every week.

Amber had made around 100 cookies in the shape of music notes to pass out. She placed two in each Christmas treat bag. The picture below was taken well after the fact, so the sugar is starting to melt, etc. Let me tell ya.... These cookies were SOOOOO good!!!! We have a friend who works at Cookies-by-Design and she would bring us cookies sometimes. I love their cookies, but I think these were very comparable to theirs. Amber made them thick, which I think really helped. She had several compliments the next day when she had lessons, so I know people enjoyed them too. She used the Buttery Decorator Icing from the Pillsbury book and it's very delicious!

Last night, we went to Cinci-OH area to attend the senior recital of David Harkopf Jr. He did an absolutely phenomenal job!! His accompanist was awesome too. It seems pretty amazing that when we moved here about 10 years ago, David was around 15. This year he is graduating with his masters from Miami University in Oxford, OH. We're thrilled at how God is using David's talents in some pretty big ways. It was also great to see fellow-blogger and friend, Melanie Kuhn Clemens! I kind of had to re-introduce her to my husband. Ha! Little girls have a way of growing up!!

A Happy Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving Day with Dan's family. Here are a few pictures from the event.

1. Dan's Dad cutting the turkey.
2. Dan's parent's pomeranian
3. Dan's parents
4. Dan's brother, Don, and his two daughters
5. Dan's sister, Cheryl, and her son, Ryan
6. Dan's sister, Kathie, and her 4 kids
7. Our family
8. The grandkids

"Such a Time as This"

I have noticed that many blogging friends have been weighing in with post election topics. I've also noticed that nearly everyone has, in some way or another, turned back to the foundational truths of our faith... our hope is in God alone, our future is bright in Him and we will trust Him come what may. I've found comfort here!
I've been having such wonderful conversations with a Catholic lady for whom I work. (We were equally disappointed that proposal two was not defeated here in MI. It was a proposition for embryonic stem cells to be used for research in a number of ways.) As I understand it, she has only recently been permitted by the Catholic priests to read the Scriptures. So many things are coming to light for her. It's just wonderful! She says she wants to surround herself with all that is holy. Yesterday, we talked about these historic times and what it means to us as Americans. No one seems to deny the extraordinary events taking place today!
I'll admit to being a bit anxious as to what the future might hold; however, I was encouraged this morning when I read a devotional so pertinent for today. I was reminded that I was placed here "for such a time as this!!" I love the story of Queen Esther! I'm sure she had some misgivings about her tremendous tasks and unrevealed future, but she didn't cower to Satan and his tactics. She faced it with God on her side and she was an over comer!!

I'll leave you with an excerpt from the last paragraph of the devotional by Carol Hobbs:

"My life is not a fairy tale, but my story begins with "once upon a time" and ends with "they lived happily ever after." Between the "once upon a time," and the "happily ever after," there is a life to live and you and I are here "for such a time as this!"
The Christian's life on earth is "once upon a time" and heaven will be our "happily ever after."

Now--- The Waiting

Well, we've just settled in for the night and are waiting for results from the election. As I mentioned in my last post, I have been a Challenger today at precinct #10 in Rochester Hills. It was a great experience and for the most part everything went by in a smooth manner. I arrived around 1:00 and the line was long with probably a half hour waiting time for voters. It was very lengthy until 3:00 and then there was a much slower influx of people coming through. It remained slow until 5:00. There were 1, 375 registered voters in this precinct- 324 had already voted by absentee ballots. As of around 5:00 p.m. 741 voters had voted today. So we were having heavy turnout.

Here are some of the interesting happenings of the day:

There were a few who came and were at the wrong place. One couple had already been to one precinct and had been directed to ours.... Ours wasn't the correct one either, so our Lead Poll Worker sent them on to another.... That would be frustrating!

One elderly lady came through the line and was going to vote, and when they looked her up they found that she had already voted absentee. She had someone with her who was wanting to help her with her ballot (had she received one). Fortunately, they had the record of her absentee... She just didn't remember voting.... That was interesting!

A man came in to vote with two large books for something to do while waiting in line. He came prepared, thinking there would be long lines.... When he came in, there was no one in line.... Kind of funny!

One man came in and there was a "red flag" with his name. He was transferred to the Lead Poll Worker and she found that he originally had not filled out the first question of his voter registration form. That question asked if he was a US citizen. He had to fill out another form, and then was able to vote, but he was not happy. I think he even told her that he was going to report her. She didn't care, because she knew she was doing the right thing.

Well, it's going to be a looooooooong night. We don't know the future, but I'm glad I know Who is in control of it all!

Worthwhile reading!

My cousin is a writer who can express her thoughts so very well through printed text. She just blogged concerning the election, and I only wish I would have thought of these things first!! Ha!! No, really, they were great! The Emporer's New Clothes analogy just put my thoughts and feelings into the perfect word picture! I'm linking to it here.

I'll be brutally honest, I e-mailed McCain's campaign way back before the primaries ever took off. I let him know that I would not be voting for him due to some issues that I won't delve into here. I have come around quite a bit since that time. Someone expressed to me their amusement about that... maybe they really knew it would happen all along, I don't know. It's a wonderful thing that we have the option of changing our minds. However, even if I hadn't "come around", after knowing all the issues at stake, there is no way I could have sat at home on election day. I will go to the polls to cast my ballot for McCain. A vote for Obama is a vote for so many things that we just can't allow to happen in our country. Hopefully, you have all taken the time to know about these issues. Click here for a website with a voter's guide.

I'm a volunteer with the Republican party, and received a call to be a challenger at the polls this year. I'm not sure what all will be involved with that. I have been a runner before, but never a challenger. From what I'm hearing, there's quite a bit more involved. So, it should be an interesting day tomorrow.

A Happy Pirate

Dave and Pattie Hartkopf had us over for pizza Halloween night, and Clayton dressed up like a pirate. He went trick or treating in their neighborhood. I knew that I didn't want to put much money into a costume. Pattie had suggested that he be a pirate. I went to the Dollar Store and found a kit that had the eye patch, ear ring, and a hook for him to hold in his hand. Then I bought the bandana and Amber figured out how to tie it to fit the occasion. He wore the white shirt and black pants, with a sword on his side. So all in all I only paid $2.00. Not bad! People seemed to like his costume. Some of the men would answer the door and say, "Aaargh!" He also received comments like, "Ahoy, Matey!", and "Here's a happy pirate." It was a fun night!

How Many Presidents Has Your Life Spanned?

This is for my Dad. We were leaving a restaurant last evening, and Dan was specifically naming the US Presidents in office since he was born in 1967. He counted 8. That's when Clayton spoke up, "Wow, Pap must have lived through 100 then!"

Love ya, Dad!

Happy Belated B-day!

October Already?

Isn't it hard to believe? I just decorated today for Fall. Wasn't really sure if I was ready for that, but now that it's done I'm glad I did. Now, I'm anxious to go to our local Cider Mill. We have already purchased some of the honeycrisp apples. I'm not sure that these are available in other states, but they are the best!! We have been keeping very busy with school/work routine. Amber is in 11th grade this year and has 15 students in her piano teaching, so that keeps her very busy. Clayton is in 4th grade.

We are to have our Missionary Representatives, the Asburys, with us for a special service tomorrow. It's always great to have them here! I'm planning a traditional ham dinner. Bro. Asbury is gluten intolerant so I have fixed a black cherry jello salad and peanut butter cookies especially for him. I also usually have ice cream, because I know that's a dessert he can eat.

We have received news this past week that some dear friends, Harold & Chris Black, from our church will be moving away to St. Louis, MO. due to a job transfer. We will greatly miss them!

Next week is our area IHC Convention with Jim Plank and Don Bates Jr. We look forward to that.

That's all for now. Who knows? Next time I update, it may be Christmas! Hopefully, though, there will be time between now and then.









Amber just returned from spending a week in IN. She was a nanny to my sister's boys while she and her husband were away in California. She learned what it was like to be in charge of a household, which involved getting up to take my nephew to school each day, etc. It worked out really well. They were able to celebrate my Dad's b-day while she was there, which was a really fun time.











Here's a new interest Clayton has... card stacking. I thought it was pretty cool!

Are you Conservative or Liberal?

Conservative or Liberal? Workspace Reveals All
Interesting article...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080925/sc_livescience/conservativeorliberalworkspacerevealsall

Revival with the Millers

It was such a delight to have Rev. & Mrs. Henry & Jan Miller with us last week in Revival at our church. Their sweet spirit in ministry was an awesome welcome to our church congregation. On Friday night, Bro. Miller told his life story of his amish background and how God led his parents into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. On Sunday morning he preached a "Masterpiece " of a sermon from the title, "We have an altar". They sing so beautifully and with such ease. Some may not know of Jan's musical background. She is so talented, with an ear for music, as well as an education from Cincinnati Conservatory.

September 11-------- May We Never Forget!!!!!

Our Vacation

We left on Labor Day for Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area for vacation. My sister's family and my parents joined us there. We had booked a cabin last December and had waited a long time for this day to arrive. There were three full days for us to be there, so each family planned and prepared the meals for one day. Actually, it seemed my mom ended up being involved in every meal in one way or another. I tried to tell her to go relax, but she has such a servant's heart, so I guess it just comes natural.

We had a wonderful time staying up in the mountains. The cabin where we stayed was very nice and had an air hockey table, arcade games, and a tree house. The kids certainly had plenty to do. We took Pit, Dutch Blitz, and Mad Gab. Those were a lot of fun!

One of the highlights for us was going to Tony Gore's BBQ Restaurant. We missed seeing Kirk Talley. He had worked the day before. Tony Gore was there though. We had such a sweet older lady as our waitress. She was a lot of fun to get to know. The signed photos of southern gospel artists on the wall were really neat. The southern gospel music playing throughout the restaurant was refreshing! The food was very tasty! I had bbq ribs, baked beans, and cole slaw. The caramel, chocolate cheesecake was very scrumptious! I told Tony, "there's a knack for making that kind of food". He said that they work very hard at it. I would definitely go back if I was in the area again.

We took the kids to ride go-carts. We also played Lazertag for the first time ever. Talk about feeling young again! I was running through those mazes as though the devil was on my trail.

I really want to go back down there when we have more time. I know we missed a lot of the attractions I would have liked to have seen. Time just flew by, and we wanted to enjoy the cabin and being together. We basically just went out once a day and did something we wanted to do, and then spent the rest of the time at the cabin.

Below are just random pics. I don't really have time to put them in order or make comments on them. We're in Revival this week at our church, so I will try to post more later.