December Highlights!

This has been a busy month with many church activities and services. The church and our house have been decorated and with the holiday music and celebrations remind us of what Christmas is all about, the birth of Jesus, our Savior. We have had several (4) funerals which is hard at this time of year. The fun part of Christmas was getting packages ready for all, baking cookies and candy plus party mix and getting it to their destinations on time. The Holiday Letter is still in process.

Christmas Day all Benjie's family and all Steve's family were here for a delightful day. We enjoyed especially Stephanie and Courtney from Idaho. Missed our Washington and Alaska families but enjoyed phone calls so much. Winter weather is here with cold temperatures and some snow. Benny doesn't like the cold weather so is thinking spring can't come to soon, ha! We still go to our water aerobics daily and try to keep fit! Have met many nice new friends there. The new year is coming, 2011...hardly seems possible. Hope you have a great new year that is healthy and happy.

Blessings...

It's November!

Where has this month gone? We have had good times at the church including a Thanksgiving dinner, calling on homes two by two, and watching a huge clean up of the surrounding area giving the church access to more property. There is a new canopy, hand rails, and baptistery renovation. People seemed enthused.
On the 12th Benny had a delightful massage. While he was enjoying being pampered I thought I'd shop so off to the Family Dollar Store. Leaving the car with great speed, I missed the curb sprawling gingerly with no grace! I hit both knees, elbows, arms, etc. and sent my front teeth through my lips...what a sight I was, blood everywhere, glasses (frames) not broken only damaged and teeth (not broken), thankful for that. I was to pick him up in an hour so got back in the car, and tried to clean up, and get myself under control. A lady observing my plight gave me a cold pack from her car, and shook her head in dismay at what she saw as she drove away. Then I drove over to pick up Benny. His shocked comment was, "What happened to you?" I looked like I'd been in a fight and definitely lost! After a trip to Urgent Care and two hours later I was shook but pleased no bones were broken. Because my skin in so thin they put me back together with strips...(used their year's supply, ha) and home looked heavenly. So much for shopping!
Looking forward now to Thanksgiving. The Springfield families will be here so we'll have fun. We will miss the others...thank goodness for the phone. It is hard to believe next Sunday is Advent I. Hope you have a great week...Weather wise it looks like it will be challenging for everyone...snow, sleet, ice, and tornadoes. Oh well, that makes life interesting. Blessings...

October Already

Hard to believe it is the 15th tomorrow. Wow! where has the month gone? Last weekend was Nixa's Homecoming game and dance. We enjoyed seeing Julie do cheer-leading with her peers but missed seeing Jessie's new outfit for the dance. They lost the game in overtime by one point...good game though. Steve and family stay busy with work and church...eager to see them more. Paul and Dave are swimming and weight lifting. Imagine they have some sore muscles. The little boys love school. Emily is at her sister's wedding in St. Louis. Deb is a busy lady caring for two extra kids and keeping up with the 3 girls' activities. They love their Y and so many other activities their mom finds for them, like horseback riding lessons. Scott takes another tour group to Egypt and Jordan next week.
Benny and I keep busy at the church. Great people, new building projects, and monthly activities keep us busy. Every morning we go to the Y for water aerobics. We've met some neat people there. The yard keeps Benny out of mischief...sure looks nice. The changing colors here in the Ozarks are out of this world. Time to quit the chatter. Have a good week.

September News

We are having very interesting weather from hot humid days to storms with threatening tornadoes. So...we keep alert. Benny always knows where the flashlights are and the weather radio. Today it is glorious and we were made aware of God's beauty as we watched the early morning sunrise out on the driveway. Benny has had some doctor and dentist visits...not fun or inexpensive, ha! No kidney stones but what? that is the question now. A root canal did not help our bank account. Church programming is going well, people are great, and there is always something to do in ministry. Keeping ready for Wednesday night Bible Study in Revelation and Sunday morning adult study keeps me out of mischief and reading much. It is fun to teach and how much I have learned by doing so. September 17 was Benjie and Kathy's 28th Anniversary...how time flies and the 23rd will be Stephanie's golden birthday. Seems like only yesterday that she was born. Scott comes home today from taking a tour group to Russia. Know home will look good to him especially the welcome by the girls. The Alaska bunch keep busy and are enjoying new flooring in the parsonage. Jamie is now in Kindergarten, yes, he is 5! Well, the bulletin for tomorrow is printing and hitting the books is calling so have a happy day and smile much.

August Zooms By

Hard to believe it is almost Labor Day. Missouri has had very hot weather, almost 50 days between 90 and 100 degrees. It is amazing things are still green. Our lawnmower has had a check up and has kept the place looking spiffy with Benny's help. Our daily aerobics have been fun. We have such a great pool in Seymour and have met many new friends. Shannon, Jan and Sharlotte's son, and wife, Rosie, have a new little girl, Gabrielle Dior born Aug. 18. They are all so excited. and we look forward to seeing her in Tulsa. We have been busy with the church and just daily happenings. Haven't ventured out on taking excursions...really it has been too hot. We did see Steve one Saturday. He helped Benny with the small shop, and Benjie's family came for dinner on the first. All kids are back in school. Good news from Stephanie...she'll graduate in May!

P. S. to Vacation

Sunday, July 11, we headed to Bremerton to go to church with Pat and Ted Turner. She was my matron of honor and he sang at our wedding. Church, with them, was great and the afternoon delightful. We had a delicious dinner followed by entertainment from the Isom girls, plus singing with the gang, and even taking a walk reliving funny things that had happened in the past. What a special day and to think I almost forgot to include it in our activities. Thanks Deb for driving us there. It is a great memory.

Busy Summer, 2010!

It has been quite a while since we've chatted. June 15, we left for Alaska to see Paul, Emily, Jamie, Sam and David. That evening we spent the night with the Isoms before our final flight to Anchorage. Steve, Catherine and Stephanie were there on vacation. What a beautiful place and what fun adventures we had with the family. It was great being in church with them and hearing Paul preach, and he and David sing. What a treat! The scenery is gorgeous and wild life amazing. We had many delightful meals and lots of game playing with the boys. They are fun! The 29th we headed for the Isoms and enjoyed their Isom Family Reunion at the Oregon Beach. There were 30 happy people sharing food, stories, and lots of noisy games and beach fun. We returned to Puyallup where a "list" of things to do awaited us. Benny helped the girls each do an oil painting and they are framed...beautiful. We attended the "Y" activities, hiked Mt. Rainier, plus many other fun adventures. Time went so fast and soon we were heading home. Stayed all night with Jan and Sharlotte in Tulsa before returning July 15 to Seymour. Home looked good and had been well taken care of by our friends, Kelly and Gary Owens. It was delightful being back at the church and being welcomed by the congregation.

Weather

Lightning hit our house Wednesday, June 3, and wow what a storm! We lost our water (relay switch in the well had to be replaced) and air-conditioning which is being repaired as we visit. With the weather in the high 80 to low 90 degrees the loss of both items made life a little tense, ha! We, in America, are spoiled, I know.
Enjoyed Memorial Day with the Benjie Bolings here. We had a brunch which is always fun, and yummy. Have been busy with church activities, studying, and making calls. Oh yes, trying to get things done so we can leave on the l5th for our fun time in Seattle/Anchorage. Always good to hear from you...Have a great week. Blessings and love.

Memorial Day Weekend

We have had beautiful 80 degree weather all week. Benny has kept the weed-eater/tractor really busy and the yard looks great. It has been fun beginning each day at the YMCA doing aerobics in the pool. We are looking forward to our Washington-Alaska trip in only two weeks. Can't wait to see the families. It is keeping me busy getting things ready to go, ha! Happy 40th birthday Scott. Enjoy the weekend as we remember loved ones now in heaven and give thanks for those who have protected our freedom. Blessings!

Life in Seymour

It is a beautiful day, sun shining and temperature to be in the 80 degrees. Benny is finishing the lawn mowing enjoying buzzing around on the tractor. Hard to believe May is almost over. Last Saturday we had a 125 year celebration for First Christian. Good BBQ food outside on the parking lot (in spite of some rain) and two music groups inside made the event a fun time for all. Mother's Day weekend we had the Benjie Boling family here plus Kathy's parents from Boise, ID. It was a great day. Saturday, the day before, Steve spent the day here. He is recovering well from his gall bladder surgery. We keep very busy with our daily YMCA Arobics, and chores, ha! Oh yes, studying for Wednesday night (Revelation) and Sunday School Adult Class keep me out of mischief. It is fun!
We are eagerly anticipating our vacation to Puyallup and Anchorage...can't wait to see those families, June 15...wow! Have a great day...Blessings!

May Surprises

Spring days are here! The yard is beautiful, trees in the drive are flowered out and 80 degree weather is here. A mother robin plus 4 eggs is in a bush by the front porch plus two other nests so...the birds have taken over the front of the house. The hummingbirds are at the back so we have lots of ntertainment.
Steve had emergency gall bladder surgery Saturday. He is home and doing well. Scott is leading a tour group in Italy, Emily is in Phoenix at a seminar, Benjie's family is looking forward to the Cobbs' visit and Paul and Dave are having an all men's week. Deb and the girls have many projects lined up...that will teach Scott to leave the country. Have a great week...Happy Mother's Day!

Mid April Already!

Taxes are done...thank goodness, a week of sunshine is here, yahoo!, a huge funeral was completed today. Our church family served a delicious meal to about 75. Bible Study was canceled so that helped me, since we're studying Revelation and guess who is the teacher? So, tonight we have a bit of time to reflect on life. ha! We missed our water exercise class today due to the funeral, the second one missed in 4 weeks. Thank you Isoms for the treat. Paul and Emily celebrated Anniversary #8 yesterday, and we talked about Mom (Ivy) this week as the 12th would have been her 111th birthday. Such good memories we have. Kathy and Shanda both have birthdays...23rd and 24th so there is lots of celebrating. Kathy's parents are coming from ID. Benny is preaching eye witness sermons and people have been very positive. That makes for happy feelings. Have a great week...ours seem to be busy but happy. Blessings...

Easter

Maunday Thursday we attended a service at Marshfield Christian and were blessed both by the service and the congregation. Friday, the Ministers of Seymour were in charge of a Good Friday service held at the high school. It was well attended and the first ecumenical event like this in years. A singing group called "Higher Vision" added to the evening. Sunday, the Easter breakfast at FCC was delicious, (with strata, and all the breakfast goodies) plus a full house. Church went well with a happy spirit. A newly formed men's trio sang "Because He Lives" and Benny sang "The Holy City" at the end of his sermon. A little girl needed extra attention so half way through the service we went walking on the square. She had a wonderful one on one time with me and the wailing ceased immediately. Following church we had a birthday cake for one of the members who celebrated 80 years young. What a busy morning! Then the Benjie and Steve Boling gang came out and we had dinner, Easter Scavenger Basket hunt, and a beautiful afternoon. The sun was out all day so we could be in or outside and the acreage was covered! Ha!! Hope your day was an Easter blessing too.

Spring

The daffodils are blooming, sun shining, and birds singing. What more could we ask for? We have begun our third week at the pool doing water aerobics and are enjoying it. (5 days a week and 9:00 A. M.) Our schedule today means finish the devotional books...a big job when we haven't done one for awhile. Then tonight there is Bible Study...I teach and so that keeps me studying - good discipline, ha! All the gang seem fine, no news is good news they say. Happy Scott is home from Egypt...know his family is too. Have a great week....and enjoy a tremendous Palm Sunday.

Glorious Sun!

Today the sun has been beautiful. After a week of fog and drizzle we are encouraged thinking spring really is coming. However, the news said we are in for snow, Sat. and Sun. We'll wait and see, ha! Our new sport is exercising in the pool at our new Y every morning at 9 A. M. It has been fun, we've met new people, and we think we feel better -- a win win opportunity. Thanks Isom family. There are many other programs we hope to take in and will in time. Last Sunday we went to Springfield to an Open House and then visited both Steve and Benjie's families. Took cookies so they had to let us come in! Hard to believe tomorrow is Friday already..time zooms by. At church Saturday evening we are having Chili and Game night. Should be fun and a way to get new folk to church. We have had 8 new members in the 8 months we've been here and we are grateful. We are still small in number but great in spirit...Praying you are all well, happy, and smiling...Blessings!

Beautiful Day, March 4th!

A busy week. A funeral for Bob Nichols was yesterday. He was a very well known life-long Seymour resident , postmaster for 30 years and active member at FCC. The service and visitation were packed and Benny's service was well done. A delightful meal was served to over 100 at the church...we were full of people and food. This event has altered our week. We'll catch up tomorrow. Last Sunday's birthday party for Steve was fun. We ate, saw Scott's wonderful yearly adventures of the family on DVD, stacked wood from the cut down willow tree, played Liverpool Rummy, some napped, others talked ...what could be more fun? Baked oatmeal-raisin cookies today - gave some away, and made a couple of calls. It is hard to believe it is bed-time, ha! Looking forward to a Gospel Sing Saturday night at the church and then it is Sunday again. Where does the time go? Keeps me busy studying for the two classes I teach. Must be getting old, ha! Have a great week...blessings and love too.

February Highlights

Amazing that this month is almost over! Where has it gone?
For our family it has been great. Benjie received the Sales Associate of the Year Award yesterday for Carol Jones Real Estate Company. Steve has a birthday tomorrow (26th) and the family will gather to help him celebrate here Sunday. Paul and Dave enjoyed a Men's Week with the "little men" while Emily was in Los Angeles at a conference last week. Dave is looking forward to a hospital retreat this weekend with his chaplain colleagues. Debbie and Scott spent a week vacationing in Mexico while the girls enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa Isom.
At the church "Higher Vision," a gospel singing group, gave a concert on Saturday evening. Sunday the Seymour Church family came to our home for a ham pot-luck dinner and great fellowship. We saw a robin, today, so spring is on the horizon. Have a great week. Blessings!

Sun, Snow, And Winter Fun!

It is a glorious day with the sun shining and a beautiful blue
sky. Weather is a warm 22 degrees and... we are "not" complaining because there is no wind. Benny is looking forward
to spring! He shares that excitement often, ha! Talked to all kids yesterday, watched the Olympics, wrote notes to all the visitors from our "Bring a friend Sunday," and finished the bulletin...a good day! Hope you have had a great day too. Blessings to all...

Winter Still In Missouri

February 2. 2010

The snow is trying to melt, the sun is trying to shine, and the groundhog has gone to sleep so spring will be awhile. Have
enjoyed calls from all kids today including Jamie and Sammy...so cute! Benny is running erands. I'm doing church secretary work (unpaid) plus sending cards etc., always fun.
Yesterday, I received news from my friendly dentist that I have to have a crown on a tooth. Benny though, after loosing a lens from his glasses, received good news...use only your contact. So no new glasses for him, yea! We celebrated my birthday with a free hamburger at Red Robin then went to see Kathy, Julie and Mikey at their new house in Nixa. Their new furniture is beautiful. After spending the day in the "big city" we were shocked to get home after dark...The week ahead looks interesting and busy. Hope you have a good one. Blessings!