IT'S BEEN A WHILE

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything, but just have not had the chance – especially since I have been having a lot of problems getting on the Internet lately. But it is time for another report – and for those of you who have written me and did not receive an answer, I apologize.

As to the report itself – went to the Doctor’s yesterday and basically everything is the same. All the vitals and lab work are normal, etc. Still the only symptom is the fluid buildup in my abdomen but I am believing that this next draining will be the last one. Please stand in agreement with me on this.

Did have a couple of other problems, not related, but God is taking care of these, too. PTL!!!

Spent almost three weeks at Barbie and Steve’s and as always had a great time. I will never get tired of the wonderful view from their window. And the trees were changing every day. Also got to meet their new cat, Goldie. She is an outside cat but she is as pretty and gentle as can be. She will look in the window and you can almost hear her saying “come out and play with me”. Ha.

Angela and Zach drove from Knoxville to be with Steve for his birthday, and Ben came up from Murfreesboro for the day. And of course Barbie had made him a cocoanut cake (his favorite).

It was great seeing them all, and for those of you who might not yet know, our dear Angela is going to make Barbie and Steve (and of course Zech’s mom and dad, too) a Grandma and Grandpa. Of course that will make me, and Steve’s parents GREAT- grandparents. Isn’t that exciting? She is due in April and they will be finding out next month whether it is going to be a girl or a boy. Needless to say, the entire family is excited.

Now I am back home and busy filling orders for calendars, spiritual name cards, and other things as well. So although it is challenging, it is still fun and I love to try different things.

Cathie, Tim and I will be joining the family again at Thanksgiving so looking forward to that.

I know so many people are experiencing trials and testings and I pray they are standing on the Word and trusting God as I am – and I hope you are. You know, He did not promise us an easy life, but it certainly is a rewarding life when you live close to Him.

Know everyone is getting ready for Thanksgiving, which is now less than two weeks away, and only four weeks after that we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Since I do not go back to the Doctor until January 7th, and don’t know when I will post another blog, I want to be sure and tell you all that I am so grateful for your love and your prayers, and that I pray for a blessed holiday season for you all. To that end I am adding two poems, one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas. I pray you will be blessed by them – and feel free to share them if you so desire.



KEEP THANKING GOD

Keep thanking God throughout the day
And give to Him your praise
For His eternal presence
And all His loving ways

Remembering the promises
Conveyed throughout His Word
Promises of hope and peace
And that you’ve been secured

Not to deny reality
For challenges there’ll be
But you have His assurance
He’s there to oversee

Yet in the midst of challenges
That come to everyone
You even then should thank Him
For all that He has done

Giving thanks for everything
No matter what takes place
For in every situation
He gives to you His grace

So everyday keep thanking God
That He has chosen you
And that you’ll walk together
Down pathways ever new

Kay Smith Crouch

A PRECIOUS GIFT

God gave to us a precious Gift
Two thousand years ago
When He redeemed us from our sin
And paid our debt in full

He gave to us His only Son
Who came to earth as man
Born of the Virgin Mary
According to God’s plan

Giving up His Deity
And living life man’s way
With trials and temptations
And testings every day

Willing to go through suffering
Through sorrow and through pain
That He would truly comprehend
And counting it all gain

That we might freely come to Him
With confidence and peace
Knowing that He understands
And wisdom He’ll release

Now as you celebrate His birth
Remember all He’s done
And thank our Heavenly Father
For giving us His Son

Kay Smith Crouch