DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Have you heard of this movie?  Well today our little Jaimee was sort of like that.  She had on a frilly little dress with a little white cardigan, white tights, patent 'leather' shoes, cute hair ... and was ready to tear people's faces off if they looked at her.  Oh my!  After potluck I came home first and we went right up to the bedroom where I put her jammies back on her and she snuggled right down in bed and we haven't heard a peep from her since. 

Some of you may know - others maybe not - but dad took a spill a couple weeks ago and broke (not cracked ... BROKE through ... four ribs).  Mom has been faithfully ministering to his needs since.   I know he is thankful for her love and devotion right now.  On a brighter note - the sore on his foot which was so near being amputated a few months ago is now about the diameter of a straw as opposed to the quarter sized / 1/4" deep wound they had been dealing with.  Praise God!

Green beans!  Aunt Jo and Uncle Paul were dropping by some fresh green beans to mom last week and I was fortunate enough to be there!  They sent me home with enough for a big pot of them.  We cooked them up last night and everyone was gobbling them down so fast because they were GOOD!  Yummy!!!

We've been having a series of meetings - just on Friday night, Saturday 11 o'clock service, Saturday evening and Sunday evening - for four weekends.  Our attendance has been good and the messages have been timely.  I've been praying the Holy Spirit work with all of us.  I am not so concerned that anyone join OUR church - but that they know the truth as the Bible states it, not as man interprets it.  Satan does a fantastic job of delivering truth with a smidge of lie -- which makes it all a lie, even though it mostly looks right. 

Anyway I've been the registration person for the series which has been fun.  I've enjoyed meeting and greeting people and making sure they have their materials and handouts.  Randy has been video taping the meetings - and will be recording a number of sets of them so people can buy them if they want them after the meetings.  It keeps him busy - as it is a fairly time consuming thing. 

Rhiannon and Wynter have been holding the kid's portion of the meetings.  I think they make a really great team - and I've been proud of them for taking it on and seeing it through.  Now that Rhiannon and Ryan are in the Chicago area - she has continued to come home for the weekend to do the program.  Of course we're happy for any excuse that brings them back here!!!

We had a sad event in our family history.  The oldest of all of the Goddard cousins died this week from complications of his diabetes (hateful disease).  Even though we don't see each other often - in some cases for decades I'm guessing - there is a certain part of me (and probably other cousins as well) that feels this hole in the fabric of our family.  My love and sympathy goes out to each member of Rich's family.  I know he was loved.  There were three young men standing side by side at the casket - all were looking at him and one was thumbing through Rich's small worn Bible.  It was a poignant.

And like all of "those" occassions - the bad part is partially offset by the enjoyment of seeing and reconnecting with family you have neglected to keep in touch with.  I loved seeing Aunt Elda Mae, Kevin and Kerry and Joan and Valerie and Jean and Mike (even though you DO look so young ... I thought he was one of the cousin's kids) and Duke and Lisa and I'm not sure if I saw Vickie or not ... I think so.  And then Tammy and Bill, LuAnn and Murray and Aunt Rhea and Paul ... and meeting (or re-meeting) spouses and ... well, truly it was super to see you all.

I think one of the things I like most about MY life is that I am from a big family!  One of 50 cousins and probably countless 2nd cousins, etc. (or whatever they are called -- to me it's just "family"!)
I know I've just let you all down so badly (I'm KIDDING!) by not posting pictures lately - so here is a mini-slide show.  The captions will kind of tell the story!

With that I'll say ... toodles!  Love to all!
V

You'll have to 'click' the little X on the super poke pets thing ... sorry.