Then there was the Bible Conference....

Conference 2009



The preachers that attended the conference



Pastor Ed Pierce and the "man clan"

Three days to rejoice in the wonders of our Saviour... Reflecting on the enigma He was and still is to many....thankful for the revelation of His provision of salvation to oh, so many! The pleasure of fellowship with loved ones was wonderful and one of our annual highlights!

For those able to attend, thank you for coming and giving us the opportunity for service. Over the years we have grown to love and cherish the many friendships kindled here.

The conference's closing hymn is "God Be with You Till We Meet Again". Certainly our prayer for all.


One's mind cannot help but think of the many who have already gone to be with our dear, Saviour and our next meeting will be in heaven. They are too many to count, but our most recent losses would be Mrs. Gay Sollosi and Mr. Grady Croft. So many years they too had shared sweet fellowship here

Making Cakes.....

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake for the team



Tractor Cake for MLC's b-day party



Congratulatory Moon Pie Cake

Busy days....we are still alive!

Since my last posting we have said good bye to teachers and friends for the summer. Both boys finished the year on the honor roll and were awarded with the school's Barnabas award. We are thankful for their hard work and their desire serve others.





Great job, guys! A big thank you to our teachers.

MLC 3rd of 3....Happy Birthday to you!!!

Happy Birthday my little one!





He wanted to sing to himself....it disappointed him that we joined in on the song.





Rather yummy. He is still waiting for the "tractor cake"!
He will get it at the tractor party.



Happy little man! So hard to believe that sweet little baby of mine is three!

Delayed Gratification

Three years ago we decided to enjoy our hometown Day Lily festival garden tour. At the beginning of the tour, the "man clan" seemed to exude an attitude of "we will endure this as our duty to mom...."


The last garden of of the day I encountered some charming older ladies. We talked for a long time. While I was gleaning Day Lily wisdom, the "man clan" settled into the garden. EJC found a veranda and settled in a swing with our 1 month old MLC. Both boys decided to start reading the names of the various Day Lilies. They became intrigued. EDC found one named "Spiderman". A beautiful choice, I might add!


JOC found one that caught his attention...it's name was "World Class Oddity". It was not in bloom, he chose it only for the name. EJC and I were rather humored by the latter selection. Those that know JOC would understand. Not to say that he is an odd fellow, but he has alway had such a unique way about him...an independance and free spirit unlike any one else in the house. The Day Lily fit him. That day we were able to buy Spiderman, but the World Class Oddity would not be for sale until the following year. We were not able to talk him into making another selection for that day...he would wait.

Every time we passed that Day Lily garden for the next 12 months I got an eager reminder regarding that "World Class Oddity". Last year the Day Lily Festival was during our church's annual Bible Conference, so we were not able to leisurely stroll through the gardens as we had the previous year, however, we did go get that "World Class Oddity". He had finally gotten his own Day Lily. He has checked on it rather frequently for the past year. After it was first planted in our garden, he was rather concerned because it looked rather pitiful. I explained to him that the plant's energy was establishing the root system so that it would be strong for the coming year.

Well, yesterday all the waiting and watering paid off in a spectacular way!

From the lips of babes...2nd installment

For many weeks now, my EJC, has been preaching through the book of Daniel. The book has so much to glean. Daniel as a character study alone could consume several weeks. What a man of God! Steadfast and faithful are just a few words that come to mind to describe him. There is also the prophetic side of the book of Daniel. One Sunday morning my MLC, 3rd of 3...he is also almost 3...looked up at me during the sermon and most randomly said, "I love jelly beans!" I was puzzled at his untimely declaration of such love. Then I heard my preacher husband again make reference to the "angelic beings". It all made sense!

Oh, it has taken some real consistency to get that little man to be so good in church. Now I know he is even listening! Now, onto what is he hearing?!?!

Proof....

Ok, for all of you moms of girls....here is proof that this man clan is being trained for manhood.....


a great, helpful husband in the making!

He also loves to fish!



We are still working on spelling! This one is a keeper!

Little Boys and Lillies....

As I was enjoying my morning stroll through the garden, when I saw this lily I thought of my boys. Yep, the "man clan". This lily and my man clan share a few things in common.


They were formed and shaped by the amazing hands of an Almighty Creator. (Psalm 134:14)

That Creator knows and supplies their every need. (Luke 12:27-28)

That Creator gave all of them Freckles!




9 years of freckles.....


7 years of freckles.....


newly emerging freckles....

Spring Recital 2nd year!

Yesterday was the marking of yet another parenthood milestone...year 2 of violin! Yes, yesterday was once again recital day! I am amazed that I still relive the recital "butterflies" of so many years ago! The story of my one and only recital I shared this time last year. The boys have worked very hard this year. Many hours of practice have yielded results that this momma and their daddy is rather proud to share. Both video clips start a few measures into their piece of music. I suppose I was waiting to receive the nod before they started...I did not get it...therefore the recordings I got are as good as it gets... Maybe someday my artistry in filming may just come close to their artistry of the violin! Boys, we are so proud of your hard work! Many thanks to their instructor, Mrs. Stark, their Philharmonic conductor, Alex Zacharias, their great uncle their inspiration and encourager to pursue violin, and last but not least the true musician in the house..their Daddy that has spent countless practice sessions counting out their pieces of music beat by beat over and over again. And thank you to both of you boys...for all the hours of practice that has been far better than any "Baby Einstein" video for your brother, MLC 3rd of 3, who goes throughout the day humming classical numbers he has heard you practicing!


Great job, guys!

Almost too late!

My JOC 2of3 lost his two front teeth in the same day...I think it was Easter weekend. I did not get a good close up pic until today...time marches on and the days are oh, so, busy....

This morning as I was lovin' on my most affectionate JOC...I saw that his permanent teeth are making their way in! I had him run get the camera. Why do they have to grow up so very quickly?

My EDC 1of3 lost his front teeth after his permenent teeth had already come in behind them.. He had real orthodontic issues....thank God for Orthodontists! I do not recall the cute toothless grin on him that I am loving in JOC! I want that to last just a little longer... My goal is to make him smile and laugh more in the coming days so I can enjoy that toothless grin as much as possible!

Wishing I had had my camera when I saw this!

Living on Main Street has a variety of perks, but this perk today was a one of a kind. Perhaps you can think what else would also claim Main Street as its address. In this little town, there are several private residences, 2 daycare facilities, a grocery store, a beauty parlor, 2 banks, the gas company, a gas station, a florist, and well, yes the mortuary/funeral home.

Sharing Main Street with the mortuary gives me pause every time I see a funeral processional pass. I wonder about the deceased and the family, do they have hope of seeing one another again,, or are they are sorrowing as those who have no hope...I typically say a prayer for the family. The processional that passed today was no ordinary funeral processional...in fact it interrupted my typical musings. All I can say is, "I sure would love to know whose funeral processional passed my home today!" I hope that does not sound nosy or odd. Let me explain.

This afternoon I was just doing the normal "domestic pick up after the Sunday morning getting ready for church whirlwind" when the loud rumble of Harley's, oh, about 20 of them, stole my attention from my domestic progress. That alone was not blog worthy, however; what I saw next made me wish for the first time (in 13 years) since living here on Main Street that I had my camera ready to get a picture of a funeral processional! I fought the urge to do so...it would not be proper to go running out on Main to snap blog pictures of a grieving funeral processional...right? There is some level of decorum to be followed, right!

The coffin was in the back of an old pick up truck. No doubt, the wishes of the deceased. The pallbearers were also riding in the back of the pickup in the rain. What was so photo worthy was their attire...denim overalls and white T-shirts--very classic in a down south kind of way!

What immediately came to my mind was, "If someone could be that creative for their final wishes...can you imagine what it must have been like to know them for a lifetime!" Who of my guy friends would be willing to do that?!?!?! He must have had some very loving, loyal, and fun-loving friends.

Blog I found tonight!

We are looking into making some changes here on Main Street. Time to do some maintenance and sprucing.

While looking into color scheme options I came across this blog. She is a designer and offers advice on some of those decisions that are hard for some of us to visualize! It is also an option to post a link for pictures and she will take a look prior to giving a response.

If you also have a brick house and are looking for some ideas and answers to some decorating dilemmas. check out this link on her blog specific to brick homes.

Boys will be boys!

From the lips of babes...

This week on more than one occasion, the timing and situation of things said by my MLC truly took me by surprise. The first occasion occurred at my aunt's kitchen table as I was tearfully sharing a concern, he looked up and began to sing the Steve Green's scripture song..."when I am afraid I will trust in Thee...." Then this morning while I was dressing him for church he made up a tune that included the words "honor your mother, it will keep you from trouble." He is learning that for which I am very grateful, as he truly has been acting like a rather normal 3 year old lately. Also, this morning he greeted folks after church telling them that "his birthday is gonna start!" (It's in May...the end of May.) I suppose he is hoping for a month long celebration!

Made some Spray Starch...been making the laundry deterg

I must admit, I have been rather skeptical regarding the making of homemade laundry detergents and things such as spray starch. My aunt has been making laundry soap for quite a while and I got the recipe from her. The components sounded good....borax, oxyclean, washing soda, and grated laundry bar soap.

For some reason, due to my former skepticism, I have been a little embarrassed of the fact that I now make make and use homemade laundry detergent. Well, I have been using the homemade stuff for many months with good results. Keep in mind that I have 3 boys and a lot of stains come along with a man clan like mine.

Along these lines, a dear friend told me that she has been making spray starch. There, I supposed I would draw the line. Nothing quite like the lavender scented Niagra...it's Niagra...right? Well, you know, the aerosol cans of starch...heavy starch. I love the crispness of a starched white dress shirt. This evening as I began to process the ironing I realized that I had no spray starch in the house. The voice came to me..."use what you have. Make some". So thanks to google....I got the recipe. The shirts hang in the closet. The starch worked! Now for some lavendar essential oil to add to this recipe!!! Here's the link if you are interested! See the recipe below.

This is a great money saver and it does an excellent job.

Dissolve 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon cornstarch (depending on amount of stiffness you want) in a few tablespoons of cold water in a heat proof 2-cup measuring container. Add boiling water to make one cup, stirring constantly. Then add cold water to the 2 cup line. Let cool and use in a spray bottle.
Shake it every time you spray.
You may have to dilute it a little if it is too thick or builds up white flakes.

Discared after a week or so and make a new batch. (as found on the taste of home forum)