Day 11....... I Am Thankful For My Sweet Husband.

My sweet Handsome Husband

Are there words to even say how blessed I am. I don't think there are. This wonderful loving man chose me. He wanted me to be his wife, his best friend, his companion. I must admit there were days that I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. But I wasn't and now I wake everyday beside him. Spend hours holding his hand. Laughing with him, sharing dreams and hopes with him. Praying with him. Everyday I love him more. It is so amazing to have someone that is kind and loving.  Someone with only eyes for you. Only wants you. What joy and happiness this brings my heart. 

My Lover

Sometimes no words are necessary just a touch and look is enough to pour out the hearts love. I love this picture. I think it says it all. 

My Crazy Man

Its good to be playful and crazy and fun. It is what keeps the marriage fun and alive and happy. There is no shortness of goofiness between us. I love you Joey thank you for all your never dull moments. We have made some wonderful memories!!

Rain showers,  gardens, swimming, sunsets, just to name a few. 

My Kind Loving and Thoughtful Man

We sure have made the memories with these two little babies. Long walks, working in the garden watching them play and chase bugs, spoiling them with treats, trips to the vet. Camp Au Sable, and the list goes on for sure. I love how Koko sang happy birthday to you with me today. It was to cute.

My Lover My Man

We have shared many happy sweet moments and I thank you for each and everyone. Thank you for loving me so. I promise to always love and cherish you. To be the best wife that I can be. I pray that Jesus fills me with every aspect of love and joy and strength, to be there in what ever way you need me as we walk down lifes journey together. Hand in Hand for all eternity. 

Hand in Hand in prayer, For our salvation. For the salvation of our children, our brother and sisters. For our parents, our nieces and nephews. Our friends. There is joy being in study and prayer with you. It makes our marriage strong and beautiful. Building walls the enemy can not break. Thank you for all the times we have shared, being with Jesus. I loving hearing you share your faith. I love hearing you preach. You have an amazing gift and a calling. I see how God can work through you my sweet love.

So everyday, through every journey lets go hand in hand. There is strength and comfort when my hand is in yours. I feel the roughness of your work, The strength and protection, The love in the squeeze and the way you run your thumb on my fingers. Joe being your wife, being your best friend is the way God answered my prayer and my promise claiming of Isaiah 54.

your sweet wife loving wife

Day 7...... I am thankful for the promise of The New Jerusalem!!

     ^{I love thinking about the second coming and what it will be like as we travel through space to our Heavenly home. I can not wait till we can see that glorious city and the homes that God has gone to prepare for us. But most of all I can only imagine what it will be like as we pass between those beautiful wall past that gate of one solid pearl into that city. But there stands Jesus and He places on each one of our heads a crown. Not just a crown but the crown of life.} 

^{I hope that you enjoy the beautiful photos I added as you read through this chapter from Revelation describing our beautiful new home.} 

^{Revelation 21}

¹ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

I can not wait for this day. I know that is just one of the blessed promises that I love so much. No more tears, no more goodbyes. Together forever. 

⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

⁹ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

¹² And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

¹⁸ And the building of the wall of it was of jasper:

 and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. 

The first foundation was jasper;

the second, sapphire; 

the third, a chalcedony; 

the fourth, an emerald;

²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; 

the sixth, sardius; 

the seventh, chrysolite; 

the eighth, beryl; 

the ninth, a topaz; 

the tenth, a chrysoprasus; 

the eleventh, a jacinth; 

the twelfth, an amethyst.

²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: 

and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

²² And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

²⁷ And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Day 6........ I Am Thankful For My Grandma

      This tiny blue eyed little girl LOVED her grandma. Growing up next door was a wonderful privilege and honor. Who could ask for anything any better then too be partially raised by their favorite grandparents. I love spending time in the garden with grandma digging weeds and finding earth worms. Grandma always had her chickens out digging and scratching about the place. I remember one day in all seriousness telling grandma that her chickens stuttered.

    Grandpa had been sick with cancer and had lost a lot of weight and I told granny that Grandpas face had wilted. Another was the kettle had boiled over on the stove and I told her that her kettle was drooling. Kids lingo's are so funny. Granny enjoyed telling me these little stories through the years.
    I think though that some of my favorite memories is grandma tying one of those big white dish towels around my waist and letting me stand on a kitchen chair and help to stir the bread. When ready to make into loaves she would give me a little bit to kneed and make my own little loaves. Fun memories for sure.
    Sitting in that big big rocker while she would read to me stories like Paddle Tail the Beaver, Light Foot The Deer, Mr Blue Birds and His Neighbors and Willy the chipmunk. The chair had the best squeak ever. I am sure we had many naps in that chair together.  Other times she would put on some fun band music and we would march and dance around the house. What laughter and fun that was. Sometimes we would listen to the San Francisco Giants on the radio and yell and root and cheer them on. Grandma loved hoot and holler when it came to ball games.
     Often times I would ride my little horse up to see grandma. She would give me a cookie or an apple to take with me while I would ride all over the hill. Many adventures.

    We sang at the piano for hours too. I loved to hear her play for hours.  Every Friday night at worship she would sing Safely Through another week. I loved hearing her pray. She always ended a prayer with scripture and we would all say it with her. It was incredible being in prayer with her. I have many fond memories of her on her knees before her Heavenly Father.
     I remember another time when a teenager I was down in California spending part of the summer and we were in a little card store over in Ferndale and were asked to leave because we were laugh so hard at all the funny cards. Another time as kids when we lived on the Marble Mountain Farm. Grandpa and Kenny were in the truck and grandma and I were in the little Opal. We chased each other around and tried to hide from them all over all the little logging roads on the property. It was so fun.
    How can I forget the Christmas's with the homemade doughnuts. I make them now every year to keep up the tradition. Oh yes and speaking of Christmas. Mama had gotten me a new Christmas dress from the Dorcas. We didn't have a lot of money. So grandma transformed by sewing silver tinsel garland around the hem, collar and sleeves. I felt so fancy and pretty. Grandma's are just the best.
     I have only shared a small fragment of my memories of the most special grandma that any little girl could ever ask for. She still prays with me often and I call her often too. If you are a grandma I challenge you to make special memories and bond with those grand-babies and have lots of fun. Teach them many things and most of al teach them of the of Jesus.
   I hope someday when I am a grandma I remember all these special little things and make these same memories with my little babies. Today I want to say thank you to my sweet Grandma Verna Carter. I love you with all my heart.

   

Day 5.......I am Thankful For A Patient Loving Savior

 Have you ever had days where you just realize that everything that you say or think has been totally self centered? A total pity party? I was having one of those yesterday. But yet patiently while I was throwing my little fits I could hear the voice of Jesus calling me. Reminding me that He is there to carry us through. Why should we think that life should be simple and easy? When you feel that things are so dark and you are going to snap because you can't carry one more thing in life. REMEMBER Jesus is there. 

Come unto me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you , and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

Matthew 11:28-30

Dawn is almost there the early morning is about to burst into golden light as the Son of God rises up to fill your heart and soul with His love, His glory and His righteousness. 

 It's ok if you fall. Jesus is there to pick you back up. Be willing to get up and let Him lead.  We must die to self daily to live, to let the Son of God into your heart. Our bodies are His temple. If we are allowing selfishness and pride to fill us, or any other characteristic that is not like Christ,  be in our hearts, then we are not a fit place for the King of the universe to dwell.  

For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again. 

Proverbs 24:16

 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 

Galatians 2:20

When truly we are dead to the world and we have found that saving, loving relationship with Jesus; our hearts and the ora that we have around us, is one of warmth and love. There is a simple beauty that is attractive. Not attractive as in self, but as into pointing to Jesus. 

It is my prayer that all of the selfishness in me will be gone. That anything dark in my life will be banished with the love of Jesus.  Just like this photo below, I want His glory to push past the dark, and send beautiful rays of His love into the my heart. That I would let go and let Him Shine.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5: 14-16

We have a challenge ahead of us. We are not our own. We are bought at a price and it is our duty to shine for Jesus. We need to be over comers of sin. Have you ever read all the verses in Revelation about the rewards for those who are over comers of sin? I will share them in closing. Remember Jesus is patient. He is not willing that any should perish. Not one. He loves you so very much. He loves me in all my humanness He loves me still. 

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28

But the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness: but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

2 Peter 3:9

To him and to her that over comes sin.

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:7

To Him that overcometh will not be hurt by the second death. 

Revelation 2:11

To Him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receives it. 

Revelation 2:17

^{He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but confess his name name before my Father and before His angels.} 

^{Revelation 3:5}

^{Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.}

^{Revelation 2:10}

So today I am praising Jesus that He is patient and loving with me His daughter. That He lifts me up when I am weak, that He doesn't just turn His back and think that I am hopeless. We serve and amazing loving Savior. I am Thankful so thankful for His sweet love and forgiveness.

Day 4......... I Am Thankful For My Brother Kenny

My big brother. The one I looked up too and the one I love so much. I always wanted to be with him. Maybe this is why. Looking up into his face as just a tiny baby while he fed me a bottle. Maybe because we were comrades in play as little children growing up. He made the best forts for us. We had so much fun. That is until he learned to read. ( lol ) We had forts under the Indian Soap Brush, down in the woods where an old cabin was. Up in the trees behind the trailer. We had the hogan under an old stump. That one was really cool. We lined it with bracken ferns and pretended we were indians. 

Then when we were older he built an actual little cabin for us. We even had a real wood stove in it and had a Thanksgiving meal in it like we were pilgrims. 

We also like to play cars and trucks together. We had a bank that we had a whole town carved into it. By taking our fingers and rubbing the dirt firmly, it made the little roads carved, turn hard and shiny like pavement. We played here by the hours. 

One year we got new moccasins and we were so excited. We left for school early so we could see if we  could walk silently like the indians did. Mama came along and picked us up soon. 

As you can see here this is dad reading Kenny his lesson. Mama read it to us usually though.  These are some of the memories that we have, worship time together. I think though I might have been to little to young to remember this one. But as we got older we played dress up a lot, after the Bible stories. We liked to act out the stories we learned together. I think our favorite one was queen Esther. There is something to be said about making sure you bring your children up to love the Lord and know the stories from the Bible. Thank you mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, and aunts and uncles for teaching us these stories. 

Sabbath walks. Nature walks. We learned so much. I remember one in particular. We lived up in the Mountains of Northern Cali and mama took us hiking through the woods. We found so many different colored toadstools. We collected them all and laid them out and mama took a picture of our collection. I was pretty young but I think we looked up the different ones in the encyclopedia. But Kenny you would have to set me straight on that one. 

We loved spending time at our grandparents too. I remember one visit in particular, when we were told  not  to play house in the woodshed. We loved playing in there. And eventually we found our way into the woodshed, and had set up house keeping. It sure didn't take us long to figure out why were not allowed to play in the there. YELLOW JACKETS!!!!! I think we learned our lesson. 

I do not know how I could put in here a life time of memories I have shared with my sweet brother. But I do know this, he has a very tender and loving heart. I am so thankful that I got him for my big brother. I am so very blessed. 

This was taken during the summer following my freshman year in Academy. We came out for church dressed nearly alike and so mama took our picture. I sure loved my big brother. This has always been one of my favorite pictures. This summer I went down to Cali. I had not seen my brother in awhile and I had lost a bunch of weight and grown up a bit. My brother was like wow that is my little sister and took me around and showed me off to his friends. Was a lot of fun. 

My brother and his sweet wife Amy. Thank you for giving me a wonderful sister in law. I love you Amy.

One of my favorite photos of my brother and my nephew Jackson. I sure hate being so far away. I love you all so much. 

Ken and my beautiful niece Jazzmyn. Growing up way to fast. 

Ken and my oldest beautiful niece Jade. 

Ken I am so proud of you. The way you have turned your life around. Nineteen years clean and sober. Helping others and putting their needs before your own. Being an awesome husband and father. And the best big brother that any sister could ever wish for. My only regret is not living closer so that our children could have grown up with the same sense of family that we had the privilege of knowing when we were young and growing up. 

My all time favorite song to sing with you is Nearer Still Nearer. The harmony that we share in that song blends so beautiful. It is the prayer of my heart that each of us, Kenny, everyday is drawn nearer still nearer to our wonderful Heavenly Father. That we surrender ourselves and die daily to self. I want us both to be ready when Jesus comes in those clouds of glory. That together hand in hand we can meet mama. Thanking her for loving us no matter what we did. For teaching us the best she knew how to love Jesus. What a day that will be. Kenny you are always and forever in my heart and in my prayers. I hope that this birthday is filled with joy and love. 

I miss you. 

I love you.

Your baby sister

Shellie

Day 3 ....... I Am Thankful For The Blessed Hope In Jesus

That blessed hope in Jesus is what carries us through the rough times. I am sure that each one of you could make a list of lots of things in your life that have been dark, sad and lonely. Things that no one should have to go through. Things that happen because of sin. 

How do you get through those times? Do you get angry and curse at God and others and try to put the blame on someone else. While resentment and bitterness eat you up? Or maybe if you had just done one thing different, things wouldn't have turned out the way they did? So you carry guilt and un-forgiveness? If you had been a better mother, a better father, a better sister, a better brother, a better friend, a better daughter, a better son. This list could go on. 

Oh but Jesus died that we might live. He says that He has gone to prepare a place and if He has gone to prepare a place then He will come again to receive you unto Himself. 

 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

John 14:1-3

Do You want to be ready when Jesus comes? I want to be. I want to know that when He comes in those clouds of glory that I hear Him say. " well done thou good and faithful servant well done. 

So today I am thankful for that blessed hope in Jesus. That he will come again. Will fly away with Him into the glorious Heavens above for all eternity.

Day 2...... I Am Thankful For My Son Kohn

    The date was March 27, 1995. The time was the wee hours of the morning, when I woke having cramp like pains. Slowly getting out of bed I waddled to the bathroom and took a shower. By the time I was done with that shower I knew that I was in labor. Waking the kids dad, we prepared to head to the hospital for the birth of our son.  I remember when they placed that tiny little bundle on my tummy I was so happy.  Once he was cleaned up and cradled in my arms I looked him all over and the love for that tiny little man just filled my soul.  

     Within the first few hours of life, we nearly lost our little baby. He was found blue and not breathing in his tiny bed. His lungs were full of fluid. He was also born crippled. His little legs were all bent up. But God had plans for this little guy. He knew that his heart was tender and thoughtful. That as he grew he would be selfless and giving and thoughtful of others in so many ways. 

    The devil works so hard on our children to pull them down and for some reason he was over busy with this tiny baby.  When he was 3 months old I contracted a severe case of E Coli. Being a nursing mom, I passed it on to him. But no one figured it out till after he was over a year and a half old. He struggled with his little messed up system and would cry from the pain. He didn't eat much. In fact he barely grew. At three months he weighed a little over twelve pounds. And by the time he was one years old he was barely sixteen pounds. He was wearing only size six months. He could hardly sleep. He would sleep no longer then a 15 minute stretch day and night. Poor baby would wake crying. We spent lots of time at the Doctors, but he just said that our tiny baby had colic. When we moved to Wenatchee, they figured it out. Once his new Doctor got him taken care of and better he begin to grow by leaps and bounds. But then shortly after that he started getting really sick. He would barely be breathing. We had many trips to the ER. The last time they discovered that one lung was not operating and the other only at ten percent. Rushing him to ICU and into oxygen tent, they worked with him. Lots of prayers again were ascending to our Heavenly Father.  He was diagnosed with double pneumonia and with severe asthma. Then begin the long road of breathing treatments and medicine. 

    When my babies were less then a week old I started taking them to Sabbath School and church. I know that at first they slept through it a lot. But I can tell you that by the time Kohn could crawl, he knew just what to do with his felts. He would crawl right to the front to put it on the board at six months of age. I studied their little Sabbath School lessons  and sang with him. Teaching him about Jesus and His love for little children from birth up.  

    He was so tender that even when his big sissy was in trouble and punished he would cry. When he was big enough and people would give him a sucker or some other treat that kids would like, he would rather go without unless he could have two. One for his sister and one for him.  When he was just about 3 maybe not quite there yet. He would sing all the time. Jesus Loves Me, Power In The Blood, and so many more. I remember on several occasions while shopping for groceries I would be in the store and from the children's seat in the cart he would be singing. Then to complete strangers he would flash the biggest smile and say "Jesus Loves you!!"

     Another time I remember when we ran out of gas and were walking with the gas can into Carson City to fill the can, a stranger picked us up. The man didn't have the best of language and I do not think that he even realized he was cursing. About every other word out of his mouth was a curse. But my sweet 4 year old looked at him and told him that when he used words like that it made Jesus sad. The man left us in Carson City. We then were facing the walk back, 3 miles with a full can of gas in the rain. We had not been walking long when he was back. He gave us a ride in silence but just before we got out, he turned and said. "Thank you young man. I know better and don't grow up to use curse words or make Jesus sad with the choices you make in life. "

     My 4 year old son, early in the morning, seeing daddy on the couch reading his Bible. Daddy had his shirt off, leg crossed with the Bible open on his lap. When I looked out from the kitchen, there was father and son. Kohn Jr had taken his pajama top off climbed on the couch with his tiny Bible, leg crossed Bible open, looking from dad to the Bible to make sure he was being just like daddy. We never know the impact we have on others.  Do we look to Jesus with such love, such longing to be just like Him? In deed, in word, in action?? 

    My 5 year old son, I was packing in the basement, He was playing on the floor with his cars and trucks. I was watching a sermon by Kenneth Cox about the Cross. My dad had just sent it to me. Suddenly my little boy said, " Mama, Does that mean that when I am selfish and I don't share me cars with sissy that I am putting Jesus on the cross and He dies again?? "

The gospel is so simple. Yes when we do anything that is selfish or wrong it is sin and we crucify our Savior again. Oh that we all would remember this. 

    My 8 year old son. Camp meeting in the Primary Division. All the children were rushing to be the first in line. Another little boy that he didn't even know was pushed to the ground in the crowd and skinned his hands and face. All the others just kept rushing past. But Kohn stopped and helped him up and to a teacher waiting with him to be cleaned up and then sat with him. Not caring whether he was first anymore. It was nearly a year later that a lady at camp Au Sable approached me and asked "is that your son?" pointing at Kohn.  I said that yes it was. Her little boy was there and had told his mom all about his kindness at camp meeting the year before. And he told his mama, that boy was his best friend. because he had been so kind when no one else had cared. 

    My son through the years struggled fitting in. Partially brought on through trying to hard to fit in socially and partially from his hyperactivity and partially from the bullies in the class. It is hard to fit in and per-pressure is a tough thing for our young people no matter what. There were things that he had been through that had impacted him, and I will not write about them. He was a damaged young man.  The devil was and is working so hard to bring our young people down. He hates to see little children being like Jesus in anyway. 

     My son has a gift of music. He did well with Euphonium that he learned to play.  I loved going to his concerts that he was a part of. Or the recitals that he played in. Or special music at church. Special memories for sure. 

    When my son was in the 7th grade we nearly lost him. I got the call from the school that he wasn't breathing and that they had called 911. I had no clue how serious it was until I ran into that room where he was. His body was laying there on the floor. Every time he tried to gasp for air it was only a motion. No air passed into his lungs. Those attempts were less and less. He was already cold to the touch. His skin was gray and his nails were blue. He had already had a seizure due the lack of oxygen to the brain. There for a tiny bit of blood on his face from a bitten lip. The EMT's now came rushing in. I remember them yelling " hurry we are losing him. Get that tube in. We are losing him, we are losing him. The ride behind the ambulance was long. I didn't know if he was going to be dead or alive when we got there. So many thoughts racing in my mind. So many prayers to God. Save my son Lord, please save my baby. By the time they let me in the back and I was rushing to the trauma room, I could her a faint "mama, mama" There is no sweeter sound then that of your child. No sweeter sound. 

    You know it matters so little the mistakes our children make. The love of a mothers heart never changes. They are your babies. I can still see that little boy in his bed, sleeping so soundly every morning that I would go to wake him for school. Kneeling by his bed I would lift him up to the Father. The one who loves with such tender love. The lover of children.  

    Son, I love you with all my heart. I still pray everyday for you. Not a day goes by when I do not claim the promises in the Bible. 

But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

 Isaiah 49:25

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

Proverbs 22:6

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children.  

Isaiah 54:13

  

    These are just a few of the verses that I claim for you. Just remember there is nothing that can separate you from Jesus. He is always right there and waiting for you.  I am so proud to call you my son. So thankful that God entrusted you to me to bring up and nurture through life's struggles. I know that there were times I made mistakes, lots of them in fact. I am human and many times I messed up. But I know that God isn't done with me yet either. Lets together draw closer to Him each day. Heaven is soon. What promises and joy soon to be fulfilled. My sweet son, Kohn Arik Sutton. For you I am thankful.

DAY 1.......I Am Thankful For My Jesus Who Is A Friend Of Little Children

       A tiny blond, blue eyed girl lay on a blanket beneath the bright blue summer sky, The tall grasses of the meadow waved softly in the light breeze. I listened to the sound of the leaves as they wind rippled through them and the cicadas as they sang their summer songs. The blue jays scolding through the woods along the side of the meadow and the robins gave their happy songs to the creator as they went about their hoping along and flying from tree to tree. The chickadees flitted about the tiny branches of the brush singing chickadee dee dee. The wild yellow iris were growing every where and some were in my sweaty little hand along with wild daisies and bracken ferns.  The mountain air was pungent with the deep pine smell. I picked up little sticks to create some Bible seen from the story mama read the night before at family worship. 

     Jesus, He loves little children, He always does. Those pictures in the Bible story books of the little children sitting with Jesus. I wanted to be the little girl sitting in His lap feeling the scares in His hands. I wanted everything I did to please Jesus. I wanted to sing and share His love with people. I could’t understand why people would want to do bad things to hurt other people. Say mean things, raise their voices, do bad things. I had already been hurt so badly. But let me share with you how I learned how much Jesus cared for children. 

      

     I had an amazing family, my great grandparents. Howard and Fern Williams. I do believe they instilled the most amazing values in many of our family members. I know they instilled them in my mother and they instilled them in me. They have left very big shoes to fill. 

       I can remember going to their house as a tiny girl. Listening for the whistling that would let me know where I could find that wonderful Godly man my great grandpa. He would give me a big hug with his strong wiry arms and set me back on the ground and hold his hand out. Slipping my tiny hand in his big strong work worn hand, we would go around behind the woodshed where the garden was. On the side of the woodshed and wood shop there was a sink for washing vegetables and your hands when dirty from working outside. There was a drinking fountain there too. Grandpa would pick me up and hold me while he turned the faucet. Icy cold mountain spring water came spilling out and I drank my fill. Wiping the water from my face with my tiny hand I reached for his. I knew what was coming next. One of my favorite things about going to their house. The Cellar!!!!  oh the smell was so wonderful with pungent apples and the cool earth. Pulling the string to turn on the light I could choose one of the kinds of apples I liked best. What a juicy, sweet and crisp treat that was. 

     Sabbaths...from the day we were born my brother and I were in Sabbath school and church. I remember getting up on Sabbath morning. On Friday my pretty pink gingham dress would be pressed and laid out. My tiny little black patent leather shoes were polished and ready. Mama would comb all the snarls out and smooth it with the spray bottle and a brush. All the while going over our memory verses and singing songs. Kenny too would have his clothes pressed and laid out and his shoes polished. Mama had his hair slicked down with Dipity Doo. Then we would be off for church the 7 mile trip down the mountain. There was the narrow dirt road that wound down until it met the paved. I was always looking for the tiny Spring Beauties if it were spring and the Indian Paint Brushes if it were summer. Or maybe the California Poppies waving their happy faces to their Heavenly Father. None the less there were so many things to turn your mind to Jesus. 

After church we would meet with family and have a good meal. Then we would be taken on nature walks and were told stories. They came alive as the lessons were pointed out in the creation around us. Singing, guitars and pianos. That was Sabbath. Reading our Bible lessons from the Little Friend or the Primary Treasure. There were fun stories there too. 

Through my loving family I learned that there is a God and He knows every pain that little children go through. I learned that He wanted to talk to me. How did the little song go?" Whisper a prayer in the morning, whisper a prayer at noon, whisper a prayer in the evening to keep your heart in tune. God answers prayer in the morning, God answers prayer at noon, God answers prayer in the evening so keep your heart in tune." 

I also loved the one that Aunt Margie taught us but I can't remember all of the words. It went something like this. "In a meadow by a stream He's there, on a mountain by a tree He is there. God answers prayer. " I know that I have the words all messed up. But these taught me that Jesus cared. He loves children. 

So there you have it. Through the horrible pain I had been through I knew that Jesus would listen to me. He was holding this little girl close in His loving arms, when I was alone. This picture above was the absolute truth. Jesus was holding me tight. So my first thing this month that I am thankful for is my Jesus a friend of little children. 

Precious Gifts

Born October 31st 2008

The day I lost my sweet Nina. 

But God had a precious gift in mind. 

He brought these two tiny creatures into this world.

Here they are our two little girls, just tiny babies at only 7 weeks old. This was the last time they saw each other for about a year. Then when they were 3 they were reunited to be together. Now Stella she was the spoiled rotten sister who from the time she was brought home was put inside her new mommies vest and that is where she nestled and slept. She was so very tiny and stole everyones hearts. All of the residents at Crystal Haven thought she was adorable. The stories I could tell..... Mr. G said when she was running across the floor and tumbled "oooooh a mosquito hit her." And Grandpa S would try to hide her from us. He thought she was his. I found her once in his sock drawer napping and another time snuggled with him on his bed sleeping. Just some of the stories I could tell. She grew up a bit snooty though. she was little miss queen bee and spoiled rotten. From jackets to dresses to wear and going everywhere in the car. My darling Stella. 

Then there was Koko, She was taken and went to live with a sweet little lady. There were two dogs and they lived in the laundry room and later the garage. They played together and were fed well. Sometimes they would escape and was soooo hard to catch them. They finally had freedom.  Well sad to say this little lady had to go to a nursing home and they needed a place  for her to go. My sweet Joey, (who then I called my brother :) ) was the first person who came to my mind as he had lost his sweet little baby Angie in a tragic car accident. I called and asked him if he would like to have this little baby. She was way over chubby and had lost most of her fur. He said he would take her. So I went and got our precious little Koko. She knew me because I had gone to visit her often when she was a puppy. She was always happy to see me because I would snuggle her and love on her every time I was there. Needless to say that Joey was so happy to have a little baby. It took her a little time but soon she felt loved and spoiled. Joey was in Heaven and Koko became a precious little baby too. Forever loved. 

 Then one day Joey and I started talking everyday and through the months of talking we knew that we didn't want to call each other brother and sister anymore and we decided to start dating. We had fallen in love. Both of us had been down some tough roads and learned so many things.  So the long story short is Joey got on his knee's and asked me to marry him.  So a few months later the girls were reunited together. At first Stella was not sure. She had not ever been around other dogs. But they grew and are doing much better now.

 My sweet Joey built them steps and carpeted them so that they could get on and off our bed when ever they wanted. Spoiled you say??? Maybe just a wee bit.

 Early mornings or anytime I would get a chance to sit down a spell the babies would come and snuggle with their mommy. Precious times and moments. My quiet times with my Jesus and these two little girls. God created the animals during creation week for us to enjoy. They give such love and adoration to those who care for them. They need you and they love you no matter what you do or say.

 Sabbath naps. We only got naps on Sabbath. The rest of the week we were busy with the residents.  Our worker stayed longer on Sabbath so that we could go to potluck after church and then we could come home and sleep a couple hours.  Babies loved it. So did we.

 Resting in the sunshine and these two thought that was just the place to sit.  Our two little cuties.

 Look at the love and adoration.  They feel so safe and loved.  I think this is the way we should feel when we place our lives in the arms of Jesus. Warm safe and protected. He promises that when we feel alone we are not. We are held close under his wings.  Look to Jesus with love and adoration in your eyes.  He feeds you, He clothes you, He provides everything for you.  Give Him your heart today.

 Yes held close in the loving arms of your Savior. Daddy loves his girls. I think this is one of my favorite photos of my Joey.  He loves these babies so much. I believe that Jesus looks at us with such love and compassion.  Can you imagine??

 Two of my loves sleeping. I know though that God neither sleeps nor slumbers. He is always watching over us. Joey is always waking though when our  two girls or I stir. 

 The day is done and the time is quiet and we find ourselves studying our lessons and learning more about God and these two little peanuts are quite happy that we are all together. What better way to end the day??

 Koko out on one of our nature walks. This just happens to be a huge puff ball. She loves going on walks. But we have to keep her on a leash. She runs full steam ahead and hits the end of her leash. Smelling all the smells along the way. They sure love the walks we take.

 Hmmmm I wonder what animal was here last?? Perhaps it was Festis the skunk who passed by.  God created all creatures all nature for our enjoyment. Do you take time to smell the roses along the way take in all the sights and sounds.

Our family 

Well those still left living at home.