My New Camera...it's working!

I'm starting to get the feel of my new camera! Thanks mom and dad! This is our stairway taken from the entry......

Familiar Faces at Church!

Christmas Eve at Northview

On Christmas Eve we had six services. It was amazing! The music was wonderful and Pastor Steve had a great message. I'm not sure the exact number, but we had about 5000 in attendance. Pastor Steve gave a clear gospel presentation and there were many that accepted Christ. It was wonderful!

One of my responsibilities was to help with the Christmas Hospitality Suite. We had food set up in our lower level for all of those who were serving. Worship Team, Greeting Team, Usher Team, Parking Team, Children's Ministry, Office Staff, and Pastoral Staff all snack and relax throughout the day. We had services starting at 10:30am till 6 pm.

I did a little decorating in the lower level......

Simple decorations on each table with a heart-felt Thank You! It was such a blessing to see everyone working together to have such a wonderful Christmas Eve service.

Our food was catered! I can't imagine what a blessing it is to have this kind of event catered!

The caterer is a member of our church and a wonderful young lady. She was a joy to work with everyone loved the food.

It was such a blessing to have the opportunity to serve in this way! I am so thankful for my church! It was so neat to have family there, too! Also, Mark served as a greeter in two services!

Homer and Hunter......

My neighbor Alice has these cute kittens. I was kitty sitting tonight and sneaked a picture!

Christmas Highlights!

Mom and Dad..........

A gift that only grandparents give!

Grace is so cute in her new hat!

Happy 89th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dad! Mince pie instead of cake! Deb and Dad are here because they have no electricity at their home in Ft. Wayne! Major ice has caused electric outages throughout the city. Deb, Dad, two dogs, cat, two birds are holding up here til the electricity comes back on! They weren't planning to come until next week!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

OK, I know I shouldn't brag about my Bible Study....but I can't help it!!!! Our Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study is amazing!!! We have the best leaders and teachers! The gal in the brown coat is our Women's Bible Study Leader...Sherry...she's one of the best "preachers"..

I like to call her our own little "Beth Moore". She has a passionate love of the Lord and scripture!

This is our teacher Ann, she is a very devoted follower of Christ. Our class is "Walking in the Spirit" and our text book is the BIBLE. We are exploring the Fear of the Lord. Ann's love of scripture is contagious.

"To fear You, Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding". Job 28:28

"Who are those that fear You? You will instruct them in the way they should choose." Psalm 25:12

"Blessed is everyone who fears You, Lord, And who walks in Your ways. " Psalm 128:1

"You take pleasure in those who fear You, O Lord, Who put their hope in Your unfailing love. "

Psalm 147:11

Crafting Sunday, November 9th

Here's a little project that I worked on......I got the idea from Karen Hermanson at church, she's always coming up with neat ideas.

Here we are down in the basement crafting...left to right.....Aunt P (Paula Hertz, Leesa's husband Dave's sister from Illinois), Grace who's on the floor, you can only see her head, Leesa who's having an especially good hair day, and Grant who's drinking a diet coke and sitting close to the cookies (a boy after my own heart!) We had a great time, even though it was a short time.

Let's Go to the Rock!!!!

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These are the days that we need to go to the ROCK!!

About my job......

High on a hill in Hamilton County, Indiana....Northview Christian Life Church stands...houses all around us! It is a vast mission field! Thank you Lord for our wonderful location!

These photos were taken from beside my car as I left work tonight. The colors are beautiful. This is our new parking lot in what used to be the back of the church. I'll get pictures of the church soon, the front is all torn off for our building project.

This is Kim....She's my good friend. We've been meeting together on Monday's for a while and sharing life and praying together. She works at Capstone our coffee shop. Here she is presenting me with my "refill" cup of coffee!!! It is a fringe benefit to see her almost every day I work. She always has a story of how God is working in her life.

Today Kim's story was this one: She has helped start a Ladies Bible Study on Monday night. One of the ladies is having a birthday and she wanted to make her a prayer basket. (An idea that came from Elizabeth George, the author, I think) It's a basket with things you can use to enhance your quiet time with God. Anyway...she wanted to do it in blue which is the favorite color of the recipient. Kim's husband was late coming home on Sunday, because he had to stop and pick up something that they won at the local CVS. It was a gift basket.....filled with all things blue!!! A blue throw, a blue coffee mug, blue this and blue that...she told me all the stuff and I can't remember. God provided all she needed for the gift. Wow!

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

This is my desk area...notice I have a large window.....I haven't personalized it yet, or moved anything around. The monitor is big, but it is great! I'm going to put up a Pottery Barn crown molding ledge on the wall with frames on it. They were out of stock so I'm waiting on it. It will be fun to make my space my own. There is a nice lateral file behind my chair... it is nice and roomy.

My New Job.....

I have been waiting to start blogging about my NEW JOB!!! It is amazing how God has blessed me with a wonderful new life experience.....

I'm now on staff at my church! Our Pastor of Assimilation, Doug Starkey...(Taylor University Grad.) asked me to consider the position several weeks ago. I wasn't quite ready to blog about it until I talked with Pottery Barn, etc.

I am the Assimilation Administrative Assistant....I can barely spell it! It's a wonderful opportunity. We are the ministry of Greeters, Ushers, Parking Helpers, Hospitality, Volunteer Finders, etc. I don't even know all of the correct lingo yet! (lingo???)

All of those reading this are asked to PRAY !!! I have lots to learn! More to come with pictures soon!

My Birthday Cake

Guess what!!!! Another masterpiece cake by Liz Bellman! The most beautiful, adorable cake that you've ever seen! What will we do now that she's moving to Cincinnati??? It also tasted great a light almond flavoring with chocolate mousse filling! Thanks Liz! You're a dear!

My eyes are almost open...I guess when you get old it's hard to keep them open. Here we are again at the home of the Bellman's for Bible Study Group. Dan made a wonderful mexican casserole for our supper........

Our Work Day

This is how we looked as we embarked on our service project for "Life on Loan". We were sad that Fay and Lee could not join us. Also absent from the picture are Ray and Pat who graciously started a new group for "Life on Loan".

This is our whole work day group at South Roberts Methodist Church where we prepared sack lunches for the homeless of downtown Indy. We prepared 400 bags...ready for sandwiches. Dan from our group spent the time organizing their stock room...I'm sure that was a blessing to them. It was amazing how everyone worked so well together. The kids were a great help too! We couldn't have done it without them! A happy note: Steven Quinn was a part of our group...he is a famous singer to me...he sings at church and at Colts games and at concerts....

he sang a bit for us. Steve and I did a duet of Dottie Rambo's "I go to the rock" It was a moment of greatness for me!!!!!! I couldn't believe he knew that song!!!!

Our New Fence

This is the side by Alice......it hooks into her fence.

This is the Fleetwood Dr. side........

This is the gate on the Fleetwood Drive side...notice I had to decorate the gates post-haste!Charlie likes to go out, but so far he wants someone to go out with him! The fence was built by Amerifence http://www.amerifenceusa.com/. They did a super job and were so nice.

Visitors from Alaska.......

It was great to have Tim and Nancy down from Alaska! They brought Dad Rupp from Fort Wayne with them,too!

Here are the guys after their morning walk with Charlie. Dad and I had a bit of time to discuss Proverbs 8. It's so neat to talk to Dad about the Bible. He confirmed my thoughts about "Wisdom" in this chapter is talking about "Jesus". I just love to hear him talk about the Bible. At 89, he is so sharp on God's word! The men headed off to the Eiteljorg Museum for the day. They had a great time, and also had lunch at the Museum...(It is a museum of the American Indian and the West.) I can just imagine them reading every plaque! I usually just like to get the visual, and not read everything! Nancy and I had our own happy day planned......

Nancy and I went to Quilts Plus, the #1 voted quilt shop in Indy. Then we went to Zionsville for some shopping in cute shops. We ended our time at the Sweet Shop in Carmel having a red velvet cupcake and coffee. (Cupcakes there are baked by Rhianna that works part time at Pottery Barn!) Nancy has taken up quilting...it is great to hear her talk about all her projects. She is donating her latest quilt to a homeless shelter type place in Anchorage. Nancy is very inspiring...she is now the "shopper" for a food pantry in Eagle River. She is involved in ministering to women at her church, too. Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy....reminds me of a Life on Loan!

Lumberjack

Mark cut down a tree today that was near where our new fence is going. Alice wanted it down, she mentioned it to Mark this morning and he went out and cut it down!! He did a great job, it was scary. He put a rope on it and pulled it down after he had cut it almost down. He put it right between trees and the house. It was about 25' high. I was washing windows today...Pottery Barn didn't need me....It was a beautiful day. I got almost all of the outside ones done, I forgot about the high ones in the back...Oh well, the trees cover them! I can't believe how I enjoy clean windows! I used to be too busy to even realize how beautiful they are when they are clean. I also made a coffee cake, and an apple pie. Mom has been tutoring me on pie crust! (no Pillsbury crust this time!) Company coming tomorrow: Tim and Nancy (Mark's brother and sister in law from Alaska, and Dad Rupp....

Mourning into Dancing....

A good song for today.....a bad day for our money....but what a wonderful, faithful God we have!!!!!!

Take time to watch this!!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enccXXNK0Hs

Go Grace Go!

Grace is learning to drive! She is in driver's ed. We practiced driving down at Mom and Dad's. They have a new subdivision behind their house with nice wide roads. The subdivision connects to another subdivision so there's some room to drive a bit. She's coming right along! It was fun to help her in my little car!

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

What a beautiful day it was at Joe Huber's on the weekend. Our traditional fall happy family weekend was wonderful. We went earlier in the season this year and the pumpkins were plentiful! We hopped off the wagon picked up a pumpkin and hopped back on. Mom wondered if we were just getting older and didn't want to walk as much! I'm sure it was because there were so many beautiful pumpkins everywhere!!! Mark is posing with our pumpkin. I wish I had gotten more than one! Mom and Dad always treat us to a big chicken & ham dinner in the dining room. Their food is so good! http://www.joehubers.com/ They have a very nice website.....more pictures later.....

Go Sarah......

We're praying for you...

Thanks Liz!!!

Another beautiful cake by Liz!!! Our life group met at the Bellman's last week and sometimes we get a beautiful cake creation! Liz is the Bellman's daughter. The cake was a moist pumpkin cake. She made the fondant pumpkins, acorns and leaves. We are so blessed by Liz, even if she didn't make such wonderful cakes. She stayed for awhile and talked with us, that meant so much!

Red, white and blue...........

Dad with Grace and Grant helping him put up the flag. This picture was taken at Christmas in 2006. It must have been a very warm and beautiful day! Thankful for great parents, family and our wonderful country!

Isaiah 50:7

Because the sovereign Lord helps me I will not
be afraid. Therefore I have set my face like a
stone determined to do His will and I know that
I will triumph.

I haven't thought about that verse for a
while. It is definitely one of my favorites.
It has been a strange day, I'm not busy....I
can't cope :)

Morning Walk....

"whether I look to the right or to the left I will hear a voice saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'". Isaiah 30:21 (my paraphrase)

Sorry Mr. Snowman....

Sorry Nana, Charlie got too excited with Mr. Snowman tonight! Andy was here for supper and Charlie was acting up! It's so cute to see him with Andy! I'm going to try to put Mr. Snowman back together.....

My basement craft area....

The joys of having an unfinished basement!!! A dream come true. It's not beautiful, but the space it wonderful.....

A Basset is an Asset

Enjoy this .......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2wpALJHCKA......dedicated to Charlie!!!!

Charlie's visitors

Looks like a doggie choir doesn't it! This is Chuck and Pork Chop from next door....they stopped by this morning with their mom.

For LeAnn...my apothecary jar

I think this is the only apothecary jar I have! I work at Pottery Barn and we have lots of neat ones!! (In fact they just called me to come to work!.....must go.......) I enjoyed all of your jars.
Be sure and check out LeAnn's blog, in my favorites, Simply Dandy--it is!!!

Treats for Small Group...

Brown Bag Apple Pie and Triple Layer Peanut Butter Brownies....hope they enjoy!