Potato Salad 101...

Today, in school, the girls were in a spot in their books that we couldn't do much because of it being a Friday so mommy had to get creative. So, I decided to take them upstairs and have a cooking lesson. I had to make potato salad for our church game night so I had the girls do it for class. They peeled and chopped the potatoes, peeled and chopped the eggs, and added all of the ingredients. All of this, of course, with a little assistance from mommy. Here are a few pics of the girls creating their master piece.

Ashley concentrating on peeling the potatoes...

Lauren, don't chop them too small...

Ashley peeling the eggs...

Lauren chopping eggs...

Just a touch of sugar...

Ashley don't add too much pepper...

Just a little mustard, Lauren...

Ashley adding the relish...

Lauren we need lots of mayo...

Our finished product. Doesn't it look yummy?

Happy Birthday Ashley...

Yesterday was Ashley's birthday. I can't believe she is 9 years old. Time just seems to fly. It seems like just yesterday the doctors were telling us we could not have any children. Then a miracle happened. Ashley has brought such joy to our lives ever since. She is a very independent, loving, bright little girl that has great potential for her life. I pray she allows the Lord to lead her in all walks of her life. Here are some pictures of her opening her gifts at home and at my in-laws house. The cake and ice cream comes tonight at church because last night we went to here GBS choir in Easley. I hope to have some more pics of her tonight with her cake. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY WE LOVE YOU!!!

Here she is showing off her cards she got in the mail...

Thanks Aunt Jen and Uncle Tom for the Flip Flops you mailed...

Aren't they just gorgeous?...

They fit Aunt Jen...

Here she is with the gifts from mommy and daddy and mom-mom and pop-pop...

Mom-Mom this shirt is so pretty...

Thanks for the game mom and dad...

Just what I wanted, a watch...

Youth Service...

Paul was talking to one of our young people awhile back and found out that he is wanting to be a preacher. This gave Paul an idea and he asked Dorian if he would be willing to preach. Dorian said he would be glad to, so Paul ran with his idea. Last night his idea came to life. His idea was to have the children of our church run the service and then have Dorian preach. It was a great service. The children did a fantastic job. Some of them were very nervous but that is natural. Paul started the service with a few announcements and then he let them do the rest. I hope my pics came out in order. Ashley led the song service, Jason led in the prayer requests and then called on an adult to pray, Lauren and Kenslie did the offering (Lauren prayed for the offering), Kenslie, along with the help of her older sister sang the special, and then Dorian spoke. He did an incredible job for his first sermon at the age of 12. He spoke about doing what God says. He spoke for about 8 minutes. It was a very short service but, well worth it. It was good exposure for our children. I pray each one of them grows up to be exactly what God would have them to be.

Ashley leading a chorus. She will be 9 on Tuesday...

Jason telling the prayer requests. He is 10 years old...

Lauren and Kenslie taking the offering. Lauren is 7 and Kenslie is 4...

Kenslie singing the special along with her older sister Krisi...

Dorian preaching his first sermon at age 12...

Paul and his up and coming preacher boy...

Chili Dog ?????????...

I have to tell a funny story that happened to us tonight and ask you, the readers of this blog, if you can explain this. I have to start by explaining the situation first. My mother-in-law is laid up with her knee, and is not getting around so well, and I jammed my little toe that I broke in Alabama, so I am not getting around that well either. Needless to say neither of us felt like standing around and making supper tonight. So, we decided that we would call in an order to the local little Mart by their house and get chili dogs. She called in the order for 9 chili dogs and 1 plain hot dog. My father-in-law went to pick them up and came back to the house. Well, we all proceeded to sit down and eat when my mother-in-law, who was the first one to open hers, said "There is no hot dog in this bun." We all thought it was strange, but thought maybe it was just a mistake. Guess what, not a single hot dog in any of the buns, except Lauren's plain one. So, my mother-in-law then went to call the place back. She told them that none of us had hot dogs in our chili dogs. The lady on the phone proceeded to tell her that she had to ask for weenies if she wanted them in our chili dogs. My mother-in-law then told her that she had asked for chili dogs, but the lady kept insisting that you have to ask for weenies specifically. She finally said that we could bring them back and she would add weenies to all of them. By then we were so flabergasted that we said forget it. Now, for you that read this post, can anyone explain this nonsense ??? Below are 2 pictures of our dogless chili dogs, more like chili buns!!!

The Lord Knows What We Need!!!...

For those of you who read my last post, and to those who will read it, I say Hallelujah!!! Thank you for your prayers. They were definetly felt. Yesterday went very well. The funeral (CELEBRATION) was a beautiful service. Paul did an awesome job. He made us laugh and cry all in the same breath as he told stories of "Granny" Rollins and her life. Our church did an awesome job stepping up to the plate and helping with all the food. It was a long day, but a very joyful day as well. Granny Rollins celebrated her first birthday in Heaven. She would have been 97 if she had lived till yesterday. She is no longer suffering, she is enjoying her Jesus!!!

Then today God rewarded us for all of our hard work. We had one of those sweet services where there is no preaching. God came in a glorious way. We had a wonderful service with singing, praising God, and seekers at the altar. Thank You God, For Blessing Us In A Special Way!!! He knows just what we need. He once again ressured me, we are where we belong. Thanks again for all of your prayers.

I Was Wondering...

Are we pastoring a church of 40 or 400? In the past two weeks it has sure felt like 400 instead of 40. Two weeks ago we thought a sweet saintly 96 year old lady was going to pass away. Instead, a 46 year old man who has only been to our church 3 or 4 times, passed away suddenly with a brain hemmorage. It was such a shock to everybody. Who would expect to preach to a young man one Sunday and have him dead and gone the next. He left behind a wife and two kids. The sad thing is that nobody knows if he was really right with the Lord. Paul, had to do the funeral for the man, and it was an extremely stressful time for him. That same week, a lady that goes to our church, had a son that was in a motorcycle accident, without a helmet. He was seriously hurt but is doing much better, Thank the Lord!!!

Then, this past Sunday we had a baby dedication at our church. It was a sweet service. Paul did a great job. By the way, it was his first one he has ever done. The bad thing about the whole thing is that the 20 year old mother of the baby found out this week that if the doctors don't figure out what is going on with her eyes she could go completely blind. If you think of her pray for Brittany. She is a sweet young girl. With a bright future in front of her.

Now this week, the saintly 96 year old I mentioned at the beginning, has passed away. It has not been nearly as stressful as the last funeral. Actually the family is not calling it a funeral, they are calling it a homecoming celebration. She would have had her 97th birthday tomorrow. She missed her birthday by two days. But, really she didn't. She is celebrating her first birthday in Heaven!!! Paul is doing her funeral (celebration) tomorrow. If you think of him say a quick prayer for him.

So, are we pastoring a church of 40 or 400? You tell me what you think. All I know is that I am ready for things to slow down a bit. I will say, God has been sooo... good to us through all of this. I know we are right where we belong.

60 & 40...

Happy Birthday to dad and Paul!!! While we were in N.Y. we had a surprise b-day party for my dad and Paul for their birthdays. Paul turned 40, Jan. 4th, and dad turned 60, Jan. 6th. We wanted to have the party while we were all home so we had it a few days before. Paul knew about it, but dad had no clue. He was completely surprised. It turned out to be a great party. We had 50 people in attendance. Among those in attendance was Bro. and Sis. Paul Pierpoint. They just happened to be in Binghamton for a few weeks. It was so nice to have them. My mom was able to get a pretty cake from "Cakes by Harvey." It was really good along with all the food that was prepared. We also came up with a top 10 list of the things we love about Roger. He really enjoyed that. Thanks to everyone who made the party a success!!!

The Guests of Honor...

The hot food...mac and cheese, chili, meatballs, baked beans, cocktail weiners...

The cold food...chips, relish tray, rye bread w/dip, etc...

Save some for the rest of us...

Mom, Dad, Paul, and Aunt Mary (by the way her B-day is the same as dads)...

This cake was half carrot and half red velvet...

Blowing out the candles...

Opening their cards...

Paul Pierpoint with the birthday boys...


My whole family...