Christmas Brunch slide show

Dad's in Florida!

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/6-zCRlKqAVBlSYxgIVE4CT You can see where he is on the map here. He is one hour south of Ocala where Ruthie lives and one hour west of Orlando. According to City Data, there were 911 people living in Webster in 2008...must have all been at the campground! Webster was named for Daniel Webster. He wrote the dictionary. Dad should be a lot smarter when he comes back!

Beautiful Photography

My new on-line friend, Juanita, has a gorgeous website with her photography. You should check it out at: Juanita Ruffner

Our Next Journal Question

Here's a fun question....what's your favorite dessert? I love chocolate! But I also love strawberries. So anything with chocolate and/or strawberries would be my favorite. Mom didn't write an answer for this but I know she loved cream puffs. What do you think Mom would have written and what is your favorite?

Here's the link to the above website picture just in case you are trying to think of a gift for me! http://www.bakingshop.com/gourmet/berries.htm

Another thought for today

Start painting pictures in your mind of coming victories.

Revival Glory Note

Mom had all Ruth Ward Hefflin's Revival Books and let me read them; now I own them. My notes on Pg. 152-182...Sometimes we need to stop every other activity and listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying. He's never moved a person to a lesser glory than they've already experienced. The cloud never goes backward. When God lifts us into a new realm of glory, He has shown us that it is important never to go back to the former realm.

Stop struggling with your ministry schedule and let God make it for you. He wills excellence for your life, not only spiritual but also in the natural. You can excel in the day-to-day operation of your business in the glory. God wants you to do well with the activities of your life. In fact, He wants you to excel to the honor of the Lord.

I Can't Help It!

I really can't...he's just sooo cute and lovable and adorable and we are so blessed to have Jake.

Snow!

I've been a little slow at blogging lately...probably because a lot is happening, including SNOW! I love to see the snow on the ground. It is so pretty and clean and fresh. And I can stay inside where it is warm and cozy and enjoy looking at it!

Before the snow started falling, I went on a "field trip" with some friends to a knitting shop where we purchased some fun yarn to make a scarf. I started mine and have three rows done! Um that was about a month ago. Oh well, at least I started. I'm sure my friend has hers done by now! We also stopped at a Christmas gift barn on the way home. Literally, a barn, it was renovated into a huge Christmas store in the middle of nowhere. With Christmas music playing, it was a delightful experience.

On the way out I saw this cute snowman lantern. On our drive to some Amish shops we saw this scene that was just too funny to pass up.

Yes, I know the Amish don't like their picture taken; however, you can't see who it is. The horse was getting "gassed" is what it looked like. Yes, I know the Amish use gas for their generators. It was funny! Guess you had to be there.

One of the same friends who went on the trip also went with me to the Chautauqua Quilt Show which is a huge event at Chautauqua Institution. We had fun shopping and seeing all the beautiful quilt displays (which I don't think I could take pictures of or I would have). This is one of the new homes on the grounds that I thought was very pretty.

I've been busy doing my lampshade business (I'll blog about that on http://shadesetc.blogspot.com) and piano teaching (I've blogged on http://cindyspianostudio.com about that). So now you are caught up on what's new in the Robison world, at least with me. Keith is a different story.

Happy Birthday, David

Happy 2nd Birthday, Zack

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday, Sue

Sue is celebrating her birthday today with family even though yesterday was the happy day.

What Is Your Favorite Bible Verse?

Our next journal question is What Is Your Favorite Bible Verse? If you are like me you have several, but if you could only list one, what would it be? Mom's was Psalm 23.

Mine is Psalm 37:23 (Amplified Bible) The steps of a good man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way and He busies Himself with his every step. I like the thought that God is watching over every detail of my life. He is busy watching me to make sure I succeed.

Southwest Believer's Convention with Dad! 2009

Dad and I had a wonderfully, awesome week together in Fort Worth, TX. We met at the hotel on Saturday and did a little shopping and went to Uno's to eat supper before settling in.

Sunday we attended Eagle Mountain International Church. It was a Spirit-filled service with healing laughter during the best communion we've ever taken. Pastor George spoke on prosperity and to expect our daily load of benefits according to Ps. 103.

Did you know Dad was a social butterfly? He talked to everyone! Had THE smile and the joy of the Lord just pouring out of him. We had terribly hard seats for the first five days and then finally found these cushy blue ones and could see everything. The worship during the week took us to a new level of corporate worship rarely experienced in church. The Word was revealed in a beautiful way and a lot of times it was humorous. God is such a joyfilled Father and loves to laugh. In fact, on Sunday He said He was laughing at His enemies. Glad I'm not one of them!

We had very little time for recreation but we did get to the Water Gardens, which were just across the street from the hotel and to see KCM's property. We also went to the Stockyards for dinner a couple nights. The Stockyards had rodeos and cowboy type things and buildings.

By the end of the week we were very tired but refreshed. Our spirits were full of the Word and worship. Our other ends were numb from all the sitting. Our flesh was fighting but we won! And we are both so glad we went. Next year we hope that more of the family will attend with us.

Sue

Did you hear that Sue has moved to Louisiana? Yup, Joe got a better job with a bigger company. They have moved into their new apartment which is close to an Assembly of God church. Deridder is close to Houston so she has got to be hot!

I miss you already Sue.

What's Your Favorite Book?

Our next journal question is: What's Your Favorite Book? You know what Mom's was. Of course, the Bible.

That would be mine too. I have read so many fiction books, mystery books, Christian fiction, romance books that picking one would be too hard. So the next question is: Who's your favorite author? Mom's was God.

I think mine would be the one I'm currently reading....whoever that is at the moment. I have read some that I don't like and give those books away. The rest I keep like Frank Peretti, Byran Davis, Lori Wick. Who's yours?

Happy Birthday, Chris

Something's fishy here! Hope you had a fabulous day!

What's Your Favorite Hymn or Song?

The next question in our series for your journals is:

What's Your Favorite Hymn or Song? My favorite hymn is Great Is Thy Faithfulness. It comes from Lamentations 3:22, 23 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. He has been so faithful, during this year, in new ways. With Mom moving to heaven, I've learned how to handle grief and sadness. My businesses are prospering in a recession! I've had more lampshade orders this year than before and I've had my first sales on the two websites. Only God could do that during this time. I've seen His faithfulness in helping me sing my first solo at church in about 40 years! Also gave my testimony on "Why did my Mom die sick and in pain" without shaking or crying...that would never have happened before. He's proven He is right here with me always.

Mom's favorite hymn was In the Garden.

What's yours?

These Hands

I just typed up this poem by Mom from 1992.

These Hands

Lord, You have made me as I am
Fashioned according to Your special plan.
My life You have foreknown
To be lived for You alone.
As my days unfold and I live
I have so much I want to give.
At times it overwhelms my heart
To share, to give, to impart.
The Talents You have given are many
These hands are hands of plenty.
My heart is full, a desire to press on
These hands I must use or lose.
What they were meant to be doing
Lord, don’t let me miss out.
One day saddened by what I should have done
but may I hear “well done” spoken by Jesus God’s dear Son.

Dad's House

Dad has listed his home for sale.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/29-Cold-Springs-Road_Wells_VT_05774_1110738568

Let's pray that the people who are supposed to buy it find it today.

Chris also has her home for sale at:

http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/7A2B6

New Style for the 50s?

I got a new hair style and color for turning 50. What do you think?

Zack is at it again. Watch here.

What Is Your Favorite Color?

This is the next question in our series for the journals. My favorite is the same as Mom's, blue. I love the color because it is cool and soothing. It is so prevalent in nature too. I love the blue reflection of the sky in lakes. And blue flowers! Love love love blue flowers.

Blue is also the color of the priest's robes in the old testament. Did you know that Mom saw Jesus in a blue robe with His arm outstretched to her? It happened about a month before she left. I did some research and found that He was bringing thoughts of heaven to her. She didn't feel at that time that God was calling her home, but He was. She started have visions of heaven (thoughts).

You don't have to write a lot, but let me know what your favorite color is here in the comments.

Happy Birthday, Mike

It's Mike's day to celebrate. Don't get too close though. He seems to be blowing bubbles! Don't understand? Watch the picture for a second.

What's Your Favorite Perfume?

This week's question is a little more difficult for me as I don't wear perfume except when I know there will be no bugs around! Which means winter only. My favorite perfume is Pablo Picaso. A co-worker at Owens Corning wore it to a party that Keith attended with me and he loved it. He asked me to get the name of it and then bought me enough for life!

Mom's favorite was raspberry. Not sure I've ever smelled that on her. I didn't see any at home either. Funny how I never knew that.

So what's your favorite?

Happy Birthday, Steve

Keith was resting on the couch in April when Jake came to his usual place beside him. Not to be left out, Zack decided his spot would be on top of Keith.

Zack has been a lot of fun lately. He is listening when we call to him to come. We've allowed him to be off lease a few times in the yard and he has been very good. He loves to run in the backyard. We need to get him in agility classes but there aren't any around here. I'd like to make a course in our backyard but it's too muddy. And we can't have muddy dogs in the house now can we?

What Is Your Favorite Flower?

Here's our first question for the family journals.

What is your favorite flower? Mine is Lily of the Valley. I love the fragrance and the delicate look. The bell shaped flowers remind me of music bells, upside down ones. They are so dainty and feminine and yet they bounce back every year and grow and spread their fragrance. It only takes one plant and then in a few years you have an abundance of fragrant flowers.

I love what 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 says, "But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ unto God,...it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. If we all have a different smell to God, I hope mine is Lily of the Valley.

Then of course, Jesus is called the Lily of the Valley in a hymn.

In Song of Solomon 2:1 "SHE SAID I am only a little rose or autumn crocus of the plain of Sharon, or a humble lily of the valleys that grows in deep and difficult places." How true. The lilies in my yard are going in the shade in clay soil that is dry in one section and in the back yard woods, it is soggy. Yet, every year these lilies come up and multiply and smell delicious. I'd like to be like the lily in that way. To come back from every situation smelling like Jesus.

Wow! This turned out to be a longer post than I anticipated. I was just going to tell you my favorite flower but then I got to thinking and typing and here I am four paragraphs later! LOL. Your answers can be just one word if you desire.

I was posting on the gardening blog last night http://360.yahoo.com/shadescrafts and realized this morning that I had not posted a picture of this tree.

I have three special friends that purchased this Chinese Dogwood in remembrance of Mom. It is in the back left corner of the yard where I can see it from any room in the back of the house and it is visible from the road.

It is supposed to grow 20 feet tall.

Thank you, Christi, Joyce, and Sue!

Winnie Bears

Here they are! All the "Winnie" bear family together before saying "goodbye". Aunt Sharon did an awesome job of making each one individual and to fit the personality of the individual. She spent many hours crafting these bears with love and prayers and I'm sure some tears. She said that she would pray over them at night and the next morning would know just how to dress each bear. Everyone has a clown on the bottom of the foot, except David's. His fabric clashed with the clown so his is on the vest. Each bear has a heart that says "sing, Silas, sing". That was one of the last things Mom told the family. In each bear's pocket is a "Holy Bible" with scriptures for each of us to look up. Dad's Winnie bear is soft and hugable, just like him.

Cindy's "Winnie" bear is all dress up with no place to go.

So she is sitting on the couch watching TV and making sure Keith is behaving.

You can also find her sitting in the family room above Cindy's head, watching over her as she goes about her day.

Did I say she had no place to go? She's already been for a few rides to see Cindy's friends. Aunt Sharon's bears are becoming famous. Chris' bear has the cutest hat and is most adorable.

David's bear has a vest on and seems to have his personality as well.

Sue's bear is sweet, just like her.

Jim's bear is so colorful and playful, just like him. Right Katie? Mike's is dressed in blues. It seems the perfect color for him. Steve's bear in red seems to fit his joyful personality.So send me a comment, family, and tell me where your bear sits. Better yet, send me a picture.

Thank you, Aunt Sharon! We love our bears.

Your Thoughts and Attitudes Affect Others

You are wherever your thoughts are. Make sure your thoughts are where you want to be. (LM 1:21)

How true. Sometimes when I'm thinking about what I need to be doing, I forget to keep my thoughts on what I'm currently doing so I can do it with excellence not just to get it done. Yeah, there are times when things are mundane and our thoughts run away to other places. I'm not talking about those times. It's the driving time when I'm going some place and end up in a different place because of my thoughts. Come on now! You know you've almost done the same!

This goes right along with your attitude affects the atmosphere. How many times have you walked in a room an run into someones anger. It causes you to react in a way that wasn't where your thoughts were until you walked into that person's presence. We need to be more aware of how we are affecting others by our thoughts.

It's Glenn's Day to be a Star

We hope it's a happy one.