Homeless among us

I never thought that I would be related to a homeless person. This person struggles with drug addiction. He'll be doing good for a while, will have a job, place to live, a vehicle and then he gets his check and sees that 1/2 of it is going to back child support. So he gets depressed after awhile, and slips back into old habits. It's so sad, he has back problems, liver problems, and who knows what else. As a family, we have helped him get on his feet over and over and over again. But how can you help someone who won't help themselves? Currently, he's living on the streets close by where I work. I'll be taking him left over thanksgiving food today. He's homeless, no place to sleep, no real meals, no clean clothes. Sad just sad. I think about Thursday, it's going to get below freezing. What will he do? Where will he go? Is this where his life is destined to be? That's the million dollar question.

Living out of a suitcase

Well we've got a contract on our house... I know what you're thinking. Yes we did take it off the market, but a real estate investor wants to buy it. We should close on it this Wednesday or the following Monday. Then we have 2 weeks to get out. Our new house that we had started builing back in September will be done and ready to move in by Jan 3rd, if not sooner. So to say that the next month is going to be hectic is an under statement. We will be living with my mom in her 2 bedroom apt. Pray for her sanity, because she is not used to having 4 extra people in her apt, much less when 2 of them are fighting or crying.

Anyways, let me leave you with this:

Me: Isabel, how many friends do you have.
Isabel: too..... too many

Let's Say Thanks to our Soldiers

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to ask you to join in "Let's Say
Thanks" that is being sponsored by Xerox.
It's free, important and only takes a moment. When you have a moment, please
go to this website:

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home.html

SELECT a thank-you card, ADD a greeting (select one of theirs or write your
own), Xerox will PRINT and MAIL the card to a U.S. Soldier, Marine, Sailor
or Airman serving overseas. It couldn't be simpler for us to do --
especially compared to what they do for us.

This is the real deal...I checked it out on snopes.com
Thanks.

The Miracles of Today

I got a phone call last night from my pastor of when I used to live in another city. He wanted to share with me the great things God was doing in the church and in other peoples lives.
A brief history about my pastor, he was a drug addict for 40 years before he gave his life over to Christ. About 3 months ago he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He got it from the needles he used. Well, people layed hands on him and prayed for him. He went back to the doctor and the Hepatitis C is completely gone.
He was telling his story to a couple and they wanted him to pray for their son (30 years old), who had a brain tumor. He went and prayed for the son. The son went to have another MRI done. The doctor asked why, he told the doctor and the he believed that God was going to heal him. So another MRI was done and the tumor was still there. The went ahead and started the 4 hour surgery. One hour into it, the doctor came out and told them that they had their miracle. The tumor was not there.

Isn't God awesome?

Total Rip-off

I was going to order a Cinderalla backpack for Isabel for Christmas it was on sale for $9.99. When I went to checkout the shipping came out to be $8.50. Can you believe that? I'm not paying $8.50 in shipping. I'll just have to go and see if I can find one in a store somewhere.

Little Miss Helper

I'm teaching Isabel to operate the microwave. She can open it, put the cups of milk in, close it, put 30 seconds, and start. The other day, Emma and I were in the kitchen, I was going to heat up their milk. I called for Isabel to help, but she was busy. I proceeded to put the milk in. Then a little voice from below said
"How bout me?" Ahhhh, Emma wanted to help. So I let her press the start button. I sometimes forget that she's 2 and growing up and won't be my little baby forever.

Great Christmas Gift

Art By Tonya

M.A.D.D

Just two days ago a girl named Justine was killled in a car accident. I remember when she was born 14 years ago on Halloween. Her mom's boyfriend was driving the car and was also killed. I found out that the person who hit them was drunk, and he came out fine. When are people going to learn. Please remeber if you are going to drink, please have a designated driver. Also always make sure that your kids are in proper restraints. It amazes me how many people don't have there kids in car seats.

During 2004, 7,810 passenger vehicle occupants under 15 years old were involved in fatal crashes. For those children, where restraint use was known, 29 percent were unrestrained; among those who were fatally injured, 50 percent were unrestrained. (NHTSA, 2005)

It is estimated that 451 children under age 5 were saved as a result of child restraint use in 2004; if all children under 5 had used child safety seats an estimated 566 lives (that is, an additional 114) could have been saved. An estimated 7,472 lives were saved by child restraints from 1975-2004. (NHTSA, 2005)

In 2003, 21 percent of the children under 15 years old who were killed in motor vehicle crashes were killed in alcohol-related crashes. (NHTSA, 2004)
Of the children 0-14 years old who were killed in alcohol-related crashes during 2003, 47 percent (209) were passengers in vehicles with drivers who had been drinking. (NHTSA, 2004)

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children from two to 14 years of age.

A New Frontier - Digital Scrapbooking

Well I've been thinking about switching to digital scrapbooking for many reasons.
1. It's cheaper
2. I don't have to be confined to my scrapbooking room.
3. Everything can be done on my laptop.
4. Did I mention that it's cheaper.

Well I tried it out and this is my first page. I don't know. I may create one 8x8 album as a "let's try it out and see if I like it".
I'll let you know.

Staying in Touch

On Friday I was going through my contacts and came across the number of a old college buddy. I decided to give her a call, and I'm so glad I did. I found out that she lives in Houston now, and has a daughter. It was so good talking to her.
Please keep her daughter Taylor Blankenship in prayer. Next summer, after she turns 1, she will have to undergo open heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart.
Kristi, if you are reading this, you and your family are in my prayers. I'll talk to ya soon.

"Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 6:40

Your voice counts

Don't forget to vote if you haven't already done so. General election is on Tuesday, Nov 7th. If you are not sure if you are registered or not you can find out.

ie. I googled Dallas County Voter Registration. I found the site where I can just type in my name and it told me where I was to go and vote and other information. If you don't have your voter registration card, don't worry all you need is your driver's license.

Back atcha John Kerry

If you haven't seen this, it's quite funny.

Halloween is Finally Over

It's been an exhausting week and 1/2. Out of the 3 nights that we had the haunted house at our church, 31 people became new believers. Thank you Felicia for watching the girls on those 3 nights. Sorry girls that you didn't get to go trick or treating, it was too cold outside, too dark, and you have enough candy from your carival and school parties. Actually, you may never go trick or treating, because as soon as your old enough to care about going, you'll be old enough to participate in the hauted house. Don't worry, you'll still get plenty of candy.
Well I'm glad it's over, now gotta prepare for Thanksgiving. Hmmmm just thinking about turkey, ham, dressing, greenbean casserole, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberries, tamales, pozole, asado.... oh my gosh, I'm getting hungry....
I can't wait only 3 weeks away.