USAF Heritage of America Band Holiday Concert

The Asbell Gang fills up a sky box!

Our family has been blessed to hear the USAF Heritage of America Band play many times. Last year, we went to every night of their lively holiday performance at the Ferguson Center on campus at Christopher Newport University including Bethany's special night. Clint and I also attended their performance at the Sandler Center. This is a wonderful opportunity for large families to hear a live band and will make an enjoyable evening out for the entire family. They have also played at Yorktown Beach (click here to see our picture of them playing in 2010) and at the Yorktown Library before, so keep an eye on their schedule.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special! I appreciate everything! I am very excited about the new venture/expanded hobby! I am doing things I never thought I'd do. 

I was busy heating the food while Clint entertained yesterday morning. In the evening, he took over the reheating while I spent time entertaining. Today, we are going to spend some time together!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I enjoyed my birthday very much!

Thank you again so very much! I am feeling very blessed!

It's Another Pigtail Kind of Day

If you remember, Hannah had her hair cut off by Emily. So, Hannah is really enjoying her hair growing longer. She sang, "Pigtails, pigtails, pigtails.." after I put them in for her. Clint and I love her sideways smile!

Wait, she found a flowered and ribboned hairband! 
She wanted another picture to send to "Dad."

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. Proverbs 14:11

Forget Me, Notice Him

I turned 45 today. More than ever, I want people to see Christ reflected in me and how I treat others. I want them to see Him in how I live. I don't care if they know my name. If they sense something different about me and look a little deeper to discover Jesus, I have done well. If they get to know Christ better because of me, I have served my purpose. 

If you see any good in me at all, it is because of Christ's work in my life. If you see my many failings, and I am sure you do, it is because of my sinfulness. 

More Like the Master
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel

More like the Master I would ever be, 

More of His meekness, more humility; 

More zeal to labor, more courage to be true, 

More consecration for work He bids me do.

More like the Master is my daily prayer; 

More strength to carry crosses I must bear; 

More earnest effort to bring His kingdom in; 

More of His Spirit, the wanderer to win.

More like the Master I would live and grow; 

More of His love to others I would show; 

More self-denial, like His in Galilee, 

More like the Master I long to ever be.

He must increase, but I must decrease. John the Baptist

It is a sad state indeed when we are more grieved by the afternoon traffic than by our own sin against the God of the universe. Anonymous

Give me the love that leads the way, the faith that nothing can dismay. The hope no disappointments tire, the passion that will burn like fire. Let me not sink to be a clod: make me Thy fuel, Flame of God. Amy Carmichael  

Inner City Ministry Opportunity

These men have me excited for what God is doing in the inner cities!

"We need partners that love Jesus and his kingdom and want to be a part of what God is doing in the city."

The Jubilee Urban Leadership Initiative is an urban leadership development program/internship, which seeks to provide sound theological training, character development and assessment of calling and gifting for urban, multi-ethnic leaders in the context of the local church.

• By the grace of God, our aim is to disciple men in following Christ and to raise up indigenous leaders from the city, particularly minority leaders (Matt. 28:19-20).
• Interns will be personally mentored by the Elders and Director of Jubilee Community Church.
• There will be a high emphasis on Biblical Manhood.
• The Jubilee Urban Leadership Initiative is a 12-24 month internship.

Article: Married men: your porn habit is an adultery habit

I am really starting to like this guy Matt Walsh!

"Listen guys, I know this is an uncomfortable conversation. But it’s time we man up and get real about pornography. First things first: if you’re married and you look at porn, you are cheating. Period. From a Christian perspective, this can’t be debated. Christ laid it out very clearly: if you lust after another woman, you have committed adultery. When we look at porn we are choosing to succumb to that lust; we are indulging it, fertilizing it, giving it respite in our minds. We are diving into it headfirst and soaking in it like a sponge. We are lessening ourselves, betraying our wives and participating in the violent exploitation of women (and girls). Or minds and our bodies belong to the Lord and to our wives; pornography, therefore, intrudes on their domain. If we look at porn, we are adulterers. We are adulterers in all the worst ways. ... How would you feel if you looked through your wife’s phone and found racy, sexually graphic text messages she’d sent to a man at her office? Would you be alright with it as long as she could prove she never had any physical contact with him? Or is that totally different because she knows the guy, whereas porn is anonymous and impersonal? See, we find ourselves constructing many arbitrary lines of distinction when we are determined to rationalize behavior we instinctively know to be immoral and wrong." You can read the rest of the article here.

I have two friends going through divorce right now because of the devastating effects of porn. I highly recommend you do your own research on how porn alters the brain. Self control is such a wonderful godly trait in both men and women. I am thankful I have a man who lives a self controlled life and examples it for our children.

Porn will not make you a better man. It will make you smaller. It will make you a liar. It will kill that instinct inside you that calls you to protect and honor women. It will turn you into something you never wanted to be. It will turn you into a sneaky, shameful pervert. It will turn you into an adulterer. ~Matt Walsh

How Do You Like the Oars on the Back?

I'll be sharing some pictures of our vacation in late Sept/early Oct. We had five wonderful days before Caleb's appendix ruptured. The timing was a huge blessing because everyone was in one place, so we had child care coverage.

The middles wanted to take their little boat, so Clint had to figure out how to get that loaded.

Thank the Lord for tie wraps and the deckbox! Clint even got the crab pot loaded! We had things loaded in the back of the suburban and in both Brandon's and Amanda's cars too.

The bike with the big basket is mine. I always carry water, first aid, and snacks for my active gang. There is a basket up front for Maggie, my 3 lb poodle, and her water, leash, and a snack.

my happy five, but missing two 

(or ten depending on your view of eternity and God's promises!)

Trials Show Love Is Genuine

I shared the bulk of this with a friend who came to me needing prayer and a listening ear. I expanded upon it and shared it here. 

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold; though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.  – 1 Peter 1:7

Trials also show LOVE is genuine: your love for the Lord, love for each spouse, love for your children, and love for others. When you keep going to the Lord even when you are hurt and confused and when you keep pulling together for the good of each other even when things are hard, it shows your love.

That's why we kept praying for healing and trying when there were openings for 20+ years our external family. It's why we still are praying and trying. It's not real love if we give up because the Bible says real love never stops. (I Cor 13)

^^^^^^
Closer

People see the closeness of our immediate family and comment on it frequently. It is the result of God's work in our lives and our efforts to be humble before Him. We don't get it perfect, but our trying to obey Him is what He rewards. In this amazing spiritual journey we are on, Clint and I have been through a lot of trials in many different ways. God has used them to bring us closer to Him which trickled down to us being closer to each other as a couple and as a family. He's also used them to give us a broader ministry. At the same time, He has used them to instruct and refine us individually for His purpose. 

When I was very young, I sincerely cried out to the Lord, "Let me be as close to You as I can be on this earth. Let me know You as much as I can know You. Let me experience all I can experience of You while I am here." I've been told I prayed myself into a life of hardship. I believe I prayed myself to a close relationship with my Father.

^^^^^^^

Humbleness in the Family

We are very honest with our children, "I have failed you in this way. I will probably fail again. I have hurt you. I'm sorry for my actions, words, and attitude. I will try hard not to do it again, but I am human and weak. I am trying to rely on the Lord to help me be better each day." We also tell them: 

"Anytime you think you are better in any way than someone else... 
Anytime you believe you have a right to hold anger in your heart... 
Anytime you feel you are more entitled to something than others... it's pride. Because we aren't to look at other people and the standard they set. We are to look to the Lord and live as He has said. The proud think they are there. The humble are still working towards it." 

^^^^^^^

Real Power

God resists the proud, but favors the humble. There is so much power in admitting our weaknesses and helplessness before the Lord and crying out for His help. "Be weak and My power will help you." It contrary to how we think, but it's God's way. There are so many areas of life to which this applies. 

It is such a simple concept...be weak and rely on the Lord's might. Yet, we strive so hard against it because of our pride...we WANT to be bigger than we really are. Self-righteous pride puffs us up. "No man can put on the robes of Christ’s righteousness till he has taken off his own." Charles Spurgeon

^^^^^^^

Measure

We tell our children, "One of the hardest things to deal with in this life is that
you will be hurt by the people you love, and one of the saddest to accept is that you will hurt the people who love you too. It's a part of being a sinful human being in a sinful world. And we tell them:

How quickly you ask forgiveness,
how quickly you are willing to work things out, and 
how quickly you forgive 
is a measure of the love in your heart." 

^^^^^^^

Rewards or Battle Scars

“God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.” ― Elbert Hubbard*

Medals and degrees puff us up with pride if we think it makes us better or more knowledgeable than others. Scars are what Jesus left this earth with, and it is what we will leave with if we are truly following Him. What God calls us to is nitty gritty work, and we get pretty banged up doing it.

*I do not agree with Elbert's other writings where he compared modern day writers with prophets, but I do believe this statement is accurate.

God Will Rejoice...Over YOU!

Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

What a beautiful verse showing God's love and delight!  The God of the Universe, the One who made everything, the all powerful, always present, all knowing God is going to rejoice and sing over you and me! If that doesn't make you see His love for you and His value of you, I don't know what will. Be encouraged! You are worthy because He finds you worthy. 

Don't Worry About Them; Do Your Part

I originally set this to post last summer after sharing this with a friend who was going through some hard times. Someone just shared how this verse also applies to the battles going on between evil and good in our society today.

Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.  Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. Psalms 37:1-9

I love this verse. 

It basically states: Don't worry about the evil people or be envious of what they have because they won't last. 

Then God gives us a list of what we, His people, should do, and it's enough to keep us so busy we don't have time to worry or be envious!

Trust in the Lord
Do good
Dwell in the land
Feed on his faithfulness
Delight yourself in the Lord
Commit your way to the Lord
and again...Trust also in Him
Rest in the Lord
Wait patiently for Him
and for a 2nd time...Do not fret
Cease from anger
Forsake wrath
and a 3rd time...Do not fret

We need to do what we are suppose to do and trust God to take care of the rest in every situation in our lives.

More Than the Nasty Smell of a Skunk--That's A LOT!

I got a good chuckle out of one of Bethany's writings from early September:

Mom,

I am glad you take care of our home. 
That's why I am writing this poem. 
You love me more than the amount of boats that have sunk. 
You love me more than the nasty smell of a skunk. 
I am glad you're my mom! You're the best! 
I love you more than any old test!

Love, 
Bethany 

It's a Good Ending

End of the story for my truck.

 We donated the truck to the fire department so they could do extraction training exercises in it. A fireman told me he would do that for us to give us a free tow and a tax deduction. We only had liability on the truck, so this kept us from having another expense added.

They cut a huge hole in the side and cut the roof off of it. They put other training cars' doors in the back. We were on vacation when they scheduled the training, so we missed the actual event. I miss my truck, but I am thankful Amanda was kept safe.

They had the truck behind the fire station very visible from the road. The first few times driving by it, I'd cringe at how bad it looked and how quickly Amanda could have been taken from us. After that though, I used the truck as a reminder to praise the Lord. For over a year, I gave thanks and praised the Lord for Amanda's safety every time I went past it.  

You can read the story of Amanda's wreck here and the story of my truck here.

Doctor Pushing You to Have Vaccines You Feel Are Unsafe? Here's a Form For Him to Fill Out

http://www.realfarmacy.com/if-your-doctor-insists-that-vaccines-are-safe/

I had a friend whose doctor was bullying her to vaccinate her children. He'd bring it up every office visit. He called her at home. He even threatened to call CPS. She told him she would happily comply if he would guarantee vaccines were completely safe and no harm would come to her children. He said, "I guarantee nothing will happen to your children if you vaccinate them." She then pulled out a short form that basically said no harm would come to her children from the doctor's recommended use of vaccines, and if harm did come to them, he would pay her family $1 million dollars. He immediately declined without further discussion and never brought the discussion up again. If it is so "safe" he will take a parent to task repeatedly for it questioning the safety after they had already refused and was willing to threaten the family to comply through CPS, then he should have been able to give her the "no risk" guarantee she sought.

My own husband studied vaccinations in great detail when we had our children. As he learned more, he became more concerned. When asked if we would vaccinate our son with a certain vaccine, Clint said no. Then, he explained his concerns with the ingredients. The nurse replied, "I agree, those are dangerous, but those things aren't in vaccines any more." Clint challenged the nurse to produce the vaccine information sheet which he had already read online. Then, he located the ingredient and showed her what was in the vaccines she was injecting into children daily. It was the same ingredients she said weren't in them! If the health professionals are going to help your children stay healthy, shouldn't they know what they are injecting into their bodies? And, shouldn't you, the parent God entrusted those lives to, know too?

Wise Advice for Young Mothers

I have been blessed to have had my life touched by Nancy Campbell's writings for many years now. I am thankful to her gentle contributions to making me the mother I am today. I read this in my Facebook newsfeed* in late October and wanted others to know about her ministry to mothers, so I shared it here:

BEYOND MY IMAGINATIONS

Here's a lovely quote by Marianne Neifert, which an Above Rubies reader sent to me. She read it in the Reader's Digest. I'm sure you will identify with these same feelings...... 

"If I hadn't had children, I probably would have had more money and material things. I probably would have gone more places, gotten more sleep, pampered myself more. My life would have been much more boring and predictable. As a result of being a parent, I have laughed harder, cried more often. I have worried more and hurried more. I've had less sleep, but somehow I've had more fun. I've learned more, grown more. My heart has ached harder, and I've loved to a capacity beyond my imagination. I've given more of myself, but I've derived more meaning from life." 
Isn't it true? We experience the delirious joys of motherhood and also the aches and pains of motherhood, but our lives are richer for them all. Oh how much we would have missed out on, if we hadn't had each child that God has given us.

Dear young mothers, forget sighing and grumbling about all your frustrations. These precious days with your little ones will go too quickly. My oldest son will soon be 50 years, and it still seems like one blink of my eye since the day he was born. As I look back on raising our children, Do I regret that I didn't get involved in more activities outside the home or further my career? Oh no. I regret every moment I didn't spend with them. I never felt I had enough time to pour into them all I wanted to before they were gone and flown the nest.

Treasure every moment with the children God has given you, today.

Love from Nancy Campbell 

Above Rubies

Above Rubies on Facebook




*send me a note telling me who you are if you add me

Another Successful Launch

Not as exciting or bright as the last Wallops launch, but we enjoyed it!

We met a few others watching it on the York River too!

Historic Christ Church

Historic Christ Church welcomes visitors. There is a museum to visit as well.

Someone will walk you around the inside and point out architectural features and tell you the history.
Clint and I love visiting the old churches in our area. The people are so nice, the history interesting, the graveyards full of stories, and the architecture beautiful.

Reforming Society

The Roman Empire was utterly corrupted in government and society, yet Christ never addressed that fact. His only mention of Caesar was in response to the question of paying taxes: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Mat:22:21). Nor did Christ ever address the evil of the local ruler, Herod. He rebuked the religious leaders for corruption and heresies and gave the gospel to sinners, ­but never suggested reforming society. Nor did the apostles lead the early church in social action. They devoted themselves to the gospel. -Dave Hunt

Brandon Found a Car!! Yeah!

God provided once again! Brandon found a nice car and purchased it tonight! He saved half of what he had planned to spend too! No more looking and I have my suburban back during the day!

Links for Making Your Own 18" Doll Clothes

My daughters love the American Girl and Madame Alexander 18" dolls. I put these links together for myself and my daughters to use to sew and make our own clothes for them. I was asked to share the links I was using, so here they are:

http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/2013/03/diy-fixing-your-american-girl-dolls.html doll hair care

http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/2013/03/sew-easy-your-daughter-can-do-it.html dress

http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/2013/01/american-girl-doll-pjs-pattern.html pj pattern

http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/2013/02/american-girl-slippers-for-pjs-or-any.html shoes

http://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/tutorial-make-a-sleeping-bag-and-tent-for-an-american-girl-doll/ tent and sleeping bag

http://www.libertyjanepatterns.com/2011/02/18-21-inch-doll-body-measurements.html doll measurements

http://www.libertyjanepatterns.com/2011/07/free-swimsuit-pattern-for-dolls.html free swimsuit pattern

http://oliverands.com/free-patterns/popover-sundress/ free sundress pattern

http://www.hellokirsti.com/2012/07/american-girl-crinoline-tutorial.html crinoline tutorial

http://www.obseussed.com/2011/05/poodle-skirt-tutorial-for-18-inch-doll.html no sew felt skirt 

?? http://www.realcoake.com/2013/03/free-doll-patterns.html reversible tote bag

http://www.doll-clothing-patterns.com/dollys-pilgrim-apron/ pilgrim apron pattern

http://www.susankramer.com/dolls10j.html sleeveless jumper pattern

http://www.susankramer.com/dolls9a.html summer cap sleeve dress  links to other patterns at bottom

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art40000.asp slip pattern

http://olddaysoldways.blogspot.com/2009/10/dollar-doll-clothes-from-underwear.html underwear and pajama patterns

http://www.naptimecrafters.com/2013/02/dolly-fairy-tale-dress-pattern-with.html fairy tale dress pattern

http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/2013/01/basic-dress-pattern-for-american-girl.html free basic dress pattern

http://leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com/2012/03/buttercup-skirt-tutorial.html buttercup skirt tutorial

http://agdollcrafts.com/15-minute-doll-headband-tutorial/ 15 minute doll headband tutorial

http://www.missbcouture.com/english/american-girl-doll/agd-flower-dress/ flower dress pattern

http://www.findingpinsandneedles.com/2012/01/sleeve-sweater-dress-tutorial-for-your.html sleeve sweater dress pattern

http://sfmclothdollswithattitude.blogspot.ca/search/label/Free%20Patterns biscuit the dog pattern

http://adollforallseasons.blogspot.jp/2011/12/holiday-top.html recycled pants into doll top tutorial

http://teainateacup.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/how-to-make-a-regency-poke-bonnet-in-ten-steps/ regency poke bonnet pattern

http://www.prettyrepin.com/DIYcrochets/2013/1/1/free-crochet-pattern-90/ CROCHET sweater and hat

http://sockpixie.blogspot.com/2007/05/18-doll-summer-fun-ensemble-free.html summer top and pants crochet

http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW2647.pdf knitting sweater

http://www.18inchdollclothesz.com/blog/how-to-make-peplum-skirt-for-american-girl-dolls.html peplum skirt tutorial

Hijack with Grace

Grace is never passive. 

Grace is a hijacker. 


Grace: 

hijacks the impossible, 

the unlikely, 

the angry, 

the cynics, 

the doomed. 


Your calling is be to a grace hijacker: 

hijacking every darkness with grace.

-Amy Voskamp

He Has It Covered

Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

18" Doll Clothes on a Budget

The cheapest 18" doll dresses start at $10 each with the nicest looking being around $25. I have three young daughters interested in the 18" American Girl and Madame Alexander dolls, and they love the clothes. I had to get creative and find a better way to dress their dolls. I am hoping other mothers can get a couple of tips on how to save money and encouragement to try sewing with their daughters.

I made this dress from a $1.98 0-3 mos infant dress found in a resale shop. It has a layer of netting, fabric, and then the ruffled under-layer. I cut the bodice off, cut part of the skirt width off to make a new bodice, and sewed it back together. It took about 20-30 minutes to make.

I made this from a fabric remnant from years ago. Free.
I was going to add a ribbon tie at the waist, but the girls took the dress to play with it! This is one we made together.

I made this dress for 25¢ or less from remnants bought from a resale shop.

This one was free. I had the remnants. The dresses are the same basic, easy to sew pattern. This has been put in the basket for gift giving.

I found these hats in a resale (thrift) shop for 6 for $1.98. Normally, they sell for $1.47 each. I added trim scraps. I bought the pink flowers 8 for 97¢ on sale at Joann. The large purse was made from ribbon scraps and a free zippered bag that came in the mail holding samples.

The remnant cost 50¢ at a resale shop. I made 6 pairs of shoes, covered a couch for the dolls, and have enough leftover to make a few more pairs of shoes. Shoes for the dolls can be $5 and up. It cost me about 25¢ per pair to add the decorative touches. I found those on sale in multipacks.

I made 6 aprons with a pair of potholders and oven mitts each for only $7 in bias tape and $2 in trims (ribbon flower). I had some bias tape left over. The fabric was in a vehicle we purchased years ago.

I made these doll underwear from a free online pattern using material we were given. The bows I made myself with left over ribbon.

 
This is a vintage doll pattern I purchased when the McCall's patterns went on sale for $1. That happens at certain times of the year. Ask the ladies in your fabric store when the best time is to buy them. The fabric was 1/3 of a pack of 6 coordinated fabric quarters I purchased for $6. The ribbon trim was leftover from another project. Bethany picked out the fabrics to replicate as closely as we could the one on the pattern cover. I think she did a good job.

I also save fabric, trims, buttons, and zippers from dresses and clothes my daughters have outgrown. These cut down sewing costs and end up being cute on the dolls. We have the memories of the girls wearing the clothes and the memories of the girls and I sewing the clothes together and putting them on the dolls. We'll save the dolls and the clothes for their daughters.

For the dress closures, I used either pieces of 99¢ sew in Velcro pieces or leftover zippers.

By time this gets posted, I should be well on my way to having birthday and Christmas presents stockpiled.

Dangerous virus killing dogs

As a person who has worked with dogs through rescue groups over the last 25+ years, I find this disturbing. This is why quarantine is so important not only in kennels, but also in homes where you are adding a pet of the same species. Many years ago, I personally adopted a dog from our hometown's shelter that had contracted parvo from another dog there. She died before the vaccine could work. The shelter management was very sorry and told me they changed their handling practices after that incident. 

I have a new turtle in quarantine now. The vet says it's healthy, but the vet can't test for everything. That is why they recommend quarantine. 

http://www.wtvm.com/story/23950879/special-report-deadly-dog-virus

A new virus is hitting dogs throughout the country, and if not treated, it can kill an infected animal in just days. There's no vaccine, it's highly infectious, and scientists still can't say with certainty how it's transmitted.

Read here for more info on this deadly canine virus.

Pretty with Pigtails

Hannah (4): "Mom, I want pigtails so I will be pretty."

Me: "Hannah, if you want to be truly beautiful, you have to cultivate goodness in your heart."

Hannah: "I want to be pretty like that but with pigtails because those are prettier."

So Much Suffering

I have had so many confide in me lately about big issues in their lives. I can't share these things because family and friends who read this blog know these people personally and even a small detail would reveal identity. At the same time, I also know the power of the God who answers prayer, and I don't want to pass an opportunity to elicit prayer for them. So, I am asking you to pray for my friends who are struggling with terminal diseases or their parents/children are struggling with terminal diseases, special needs children with critical health issues, relationship struggles, big financial issues, sexual struggles, infidelity in their marriages, children going astray, etc. I am going to share without any revealing details just a few of them.

One friend is fed up with her husband's porn and gambling additions. She has asked him to remove the computer from the home and has been to counseling with him. She is a very popular and well liked person, but won't tell her church family because she feels like no one will understand. (She said she shared with me because I am open about my hardship and pain. God will use all of your life for His glory if you "don't bury it.") She wants to get her children out from his influence, but also wants to try to save her marriage. Please pray for this entire family.

Especially pray for a dear friend who told me recently their doctor told them they only have a few years to live and that they "will die a slow, painful death." Those are the doctors words, not God's. They have not told their family or friends yet. Please pray God will give them the words to share the news and also to give strength and encouragement to their family. They also need prayer that the gene did not pass on to their descendants who will need to be tested. Please join Clint and I in praying for healing and longevity. We both love this person very much. I am going to fight in prayer for a better outcome than what doctors have predicted. I know what God can do, so I am going to ask for big things. I know He loves them far more than I will ever be capable of, so I am entrusting them to His care. Please join me in fervent prayer for my friend and their family. 

Another friend of mine has a child with a flesh eating type disorder which is secondary to a big health issue the child has. The parents have been so deeply wounded by proclaiming Christians, they are not sharing details with others because they can't take dealing with their child's pain and more verbal accusations. They know there is no known earthly cure for their child's main condition, but they are asking for prayers for comfort and no more pain. Please pray for the young child and the family.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Alzheimer's Article

Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease with Peanut Butter

'The patients were given the chance to smell the peanut butter at decremented distances until they were able to recognize the smell of peanut butter. There were also noticeable differences between the sensitivity between left and right nostrils but one thing that was clearly noticed is that Alzheimer's disease patients had less sensitivity to the smell of peanut butter, most probably due to the damage that these kind of patients suffer in the front part of the temporal lobe, a part of the brain that is used, among others, to form new memories and host the smell system."

A Little Tangier History

If you click on the pictures, you can read the signs easier.

This is where you purchase your tickets for the ferry to Tangier Island.

More Tangier Island History

Increase in Love...As Ours Does for You

purple roses with white calla lilies

I Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Forced to Work

Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know. ~ Charles Kingsley

Peaceful

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.