It’s been a while since I’ve posted about what’s going on in our lives.  I can’t say that there’s been a lot of major interest, but it sure has been busy!  School has really kept me hopping this year with having one in each school (elementary, middle, and high), but it’s a good thing.  Then we threw AWANA at church on Wednesday nights into the mix.  It sure does keep me busy being secretary of the T&T kids, but I love it!  It’s amazing to watch them memorizing so many verses so willingly!  God is truly working in them. 

Brian and Melia have also been in the middle of our church’s annual drama called Lucifer’s Lies which they do every year in October.  God is truly moving in a great and mighty way through this and many people have come to know Him or have rededicated their lives.  It’s so awesome to see God at work like this. 

At home, well, we’re still in the middle of renovations.  I’m hoping and praying that we can get them done and cleaned up before Thanksgiving, but there are a lot of obstacles that seem to be coming up and delaying everything. I can’t wait to post pics of all that we’ve done.  Expanding the all closet is really going to help with our lack of storage space, AND it’s going to look so nice once it’s done!  After this renovation is done, we’ll probably take a break for a while since the holiday season is upon us.

I’ve already started Christmas shopping and I’ve got a couple of gifts hidden away and waiting.  Since we have Christmas with Brian’s side of the family at Thanksgiving (his sister and her family come in  from Illinois at that time), I really need to finish up those few.  How are your holiday plans coming along?  I’ve got to put the finish touches on our Thanksgiving dinner plans, but other than that, I’m pretty much ahead of the game. 

Our garden didn’t do hardly anything.  But, putting it out late, we didn’t expect too much.  All my chickens had a great time out there, though.  I’m going to try and get all the poles and posts pulled up this week so that we can put the garden to bed for the winter.  I’m praying for a better gardening season for next year. 

Now, our weather, on the other hand, has been crazy!  Warm one day, very cold the next!  It’s just crazy!  Not to mention all the rain.  We’re well over our normal rainfall for the year, but I know we’ve needed it.  It’s been very dry the last couple of years.  The only down fall is that our fall colors have not been near as pretty this year, which is sad because I love to watch the leaves turn and see all the beautiful pictures that God creates each year!  Most of our leaves have just turned brown and fallen off, but my sugar maples are gorgeous! 

One thing I’m going to tackle today is raking up all (well a lot of them anyway, lol) the leaves that have fallen and use them for bedding in my chicken coop!  Free bedding!  I’m all about FREE! 

I’m still trying to keep things frugal.  I love the challenge of seeing how far our much will stretch, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going that far lately with all the renovations.  Sometimes it feels like it’s going out faster than it’s coming in!   Ah, the joys of owning a home!  I wouldn’t trade it for the work.   This is truly our home and we’ll do whatever is needed to keep it up and in working order. 

Well, that’s what’s been going on in our little corner of the world.  Before too long, I’ll be taking out the 6 roosters that I’ve got waiting for my freezer, and we’ll be working on the nice, big woodpiles that we’ve still got waiting for us out back from having the timber cut.   So, a busy winter awaits.  I’ll try to keep you updated a bit better in the future. 

OK, you’ll have to forgive me while I have a proud parent moment.  Melia brought me to tears this morning when she handed me an essay that she had to do for English class.  I was unaware that she had one because they had done it class.  Of course, I looked for the grade first and she got a 96 due to a couple of typos, but what she had to say is worth more than gold to me. 

For many people in places all over the world, there is a hero.  This hero may be different for each person, but everybody looks up to somebody as their hero.  My hero is my mom.  She is my hero because she is loving, kind, and always as an open heart and home to all who stop by. 

To start off with, my mom is loving.  She love my brother, sister, and me all the same as the other. She never favors one over the other.  My mom will sometimes get aggravated with us, but she will never harm us, nor will she let anybody else harm us.

Next, my mom is kind and caring. She is nice to my brother, sister, and me.  We will sometimes get on her nerves, but she always will forgive us.  When she needs time to herself, we give her the space that she needs because she always gives us ours.  She cares for us by giving us what we need and sometimes what we don’t because she loves us. 

Finally, my mom has an open heart and home to all who stop by.  When somebody comes and needs someplace to stay, she will more than likely give them a place.  She always says to me, “Think of others needs before our own.”

In conclusion, my mom is my hero because she is loving, kind, and always has an open heart and home to everybody.  She is my mom and I love her very much. 

By:  Melia Martin

Sweetheart, I love you so much.  I cannot put into words what this means to me.  I’m so proud of the young lady you are becoming.   I’m blessed beyond measure to have been given the privilege to call you my daughter. 

“Her children arise and call her blessed…”

Proverbs 31:38

There are not too many couples nowadays who make it to their 50th wedding anniversary.  But I am happy to say that my in-laws are one the few who did! 

On September 2nd, Dwight & Ruth celebrated their Gold Anniversary!  On September 5th, they had their 50th Anniversary celebration, including a 4-tier anniversary cake which I had the honor and privilege to decorate for them.  

All of their children and their spouses prepared a full buffet which was enjoyed by all.  

We had a great turn out and everyone had a wonderful time!

Here are a few of the pictures that were taken of this very happy occasion:

The Happy Couple:

The whole family:

Front:  Donna, Ruth, Dwight, & Angie; Back: Brian & Roger

They were asked to sing at their parent’s anniversary dinner:

My family, all cleaned up for the special occasion:

A few of the guests:

What a blessing it is to be able to say that you’ve been married to the same person for 50 years and be able to celebrate this very special day.  I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing this day with us.  Our prayer is that they have many more years together.