Thanksgiving Day '08

There are a lot of GREAT people in this world, and today we spent time with some of them. It was our year for the kids to be gone to the "other side of the family", so we were by ourselves. Don't feel sorry for us. We were fine. We had been invited to Gene and Karla's, and Brenda invited us to go to her sister's house in Mississippi, but we decided to stay home. I've been sick, and Wendell started "coming down" with it yesterday, so we thought it best to stay close by. We are also preparing for some classes we are teaching, and they are coming up rather quickly. AND we've been on the road a lot since we've been living in Lufkin. It really felt good spending some time here today.

We had decided to find some place to eat, then received an invitation to join the Smith's in their home. I'm sure glad we accepted the invitation! I laughed earlier in the day at the fact that we have moved to LUFKIN, we're living in a MOTOR HOME, Wendell's Texas District SECRETARY, and we were having Thanksgiving Meal with the SMITH'S! Who would have thought this would all happen? LOL!.

When we got to the Smith's house we were greeted warmly by the family and was made to feel "right at home". We have been acquainted with them through the years, but we are now getting to know them as "friends" and it's nice. The meal was delicious and there was so much food! Just like I'm use to on Thanksgiving Day. :) I'm not going to try and say who cooked what, so on and so forth, because I know I would mix them all up. All I know is that it was DELICIOUS! Kent, Traci, and their "kids" were there. It was good getting to visit with them. Trent and his lovely bride....Redonia with her brother, Trent... Myron and his family also came. I got home and noticed I didn't get a picture of his wife and precious baby boy! What a doll he is, and I didn't get one picture of him and his Mommy! That's terrible! Please forgive me! And...Dedie and her children helped us crash the Smith's Family Thanksgiving! Her husband was gone hunting. It's always fun seeing Dedie! By the way, Dedie, your children were angels! I was impressed with them. Bro. and Sis. Smith and Family, THANK YOU for your hospitality today. We enjoyed being with you. Ya'll are WONDERFUL!

Here's one last picture....Meet "The Bishop" ! He belongs to Kent and Tracie. He's SO CUTE! I had the privilege of holding him today and fell in love with him, just like I thought I would! Maybe I will get another dog.......someday.

McLeod Weekend, Monday, and Tuesday With Friends

I have lived in TEXAS for a LONG TIME and never knew this is how you spelled the name of this town.  I always thought it was spelled "McCloud", because this is the way "McLeod" sounds.  So, for those who have been "in the dark" as I was, you have learned "something new" today.  The english language never ceases to amaze me!  :) 

We were in this beautiful area of TEXAS this past weekend, and enjoyed every second of our time spent there.  I did not know what to expect, except I had heard the church was in the country.  After driving down through the "woods" we came upon the church.  We were so impressed with how beautiful the church was, and the grounds were so very beautifully cared for.  We were met with smiles, and hand shakes, and "glad you are here" from wonderful people of God.  When we entered the sanctuary the presence of God met us and we once again felt "right at home"!  Pastor and Sis. Jeff Story have pastored in this field for quite some time, and have done a wonderful job in shepherding the flock in McLeod.Saturday evening the Story's took us to Pier 27 restaurant where we were served delicious catfish and hushpuppies!I found out while we were there that Nathan and Ronda LOVED eating there when they lived in Texarkana, so I picked up my phone and gave her a "sweet little call"!  It felt so good to be able to tell her where I was!  LOL!  Ronda is always calling me and telling me she is on her way to some place beautiful, like....Monterey, Carmel, or San Francisco, or just riding around in her convertible with the top down "enjoying the California coastal weather"!  I know I wasn't in THAT beautiful of a place, but I was in a place she LOVED eating at.  LOL!  It really was good and we left there very full and satisfied.  

After arriving home Monday, we were at the office for a little while.  Just as we were leaving, Mark and Diane Green drove up.  We told them we were on our way to eat, so we invited them to go.  We had a wonderful time sitting and talking, eating, and sitting and talking, for over 2 hours.  It's great having friends!Tuesday was a very busy day.  I had an appointment to go to, and some things to take care of, and Wendell had a funeral he needed to attend.  When we finally saw each other later in the day he said, "We have a dinner appointment".  I was surprised, yet happy.  I'd had a stressful day (for whatever reason) so, I was ready to do something fun!  

Bro. and Sis. Ron Smith had invited us over for a "home cooked meal"!We really looked forward to getting to visit with them, and getting to enjoy the "food".  :) When we got there we learned that some more very dear, precious friends would be there.  Bro. and Sis. Neeley knocked on the door a few minutes later and we were so happy they were joining us.After eating a scumptious meal of pork loin and rice, corn, lima beans, salad, cantaloupe, hot rolls, and peanut butter pie, we were as full as we could be!  It was all so delicious!!!! We had a lot of fun listening to Bro. Smith's "dog stories", too.  :)

Special Note:  Kent and Traci...I wish ya'll could have been with us last night!  I thought about you often.  My camera batteries were dead, so I took some "blurry photos" with my iPhone, just for you!