Prayers needed Please

Last Monday night an ice storm came through KY and left thousands of families without power. As all of my family and many friends live in the area that was hardest hit I thought I would share a little information. I found this photo from the Owensboro Messenger Inquirer.

I have talked with my Dad and Sister and they both have shared with me how serious the situation is. Please keep them in their prayers. They live in a small rural community and the entire area is without power. They are having to drive 40 or more miles to get gas. They do have a generator, but it requires 5 gallons of gas to run for 9 hours. I know a generator was flown in from Atlanta, there is now a shelter set up at the Methodist church using that generator.
My dad has a neighbor, 102 years old, she lives independently across the road. Her nephew came and picked her up on Friday and she did not want to go. She did go but is now in the hospital with pneumonia. There are so many elderly people in remote areas, my dad is working with the emergency crews checking on them. There are fields with power lines broken, which will require special equipment in order to even get to them. Due to the warm weather today, they are now in a flash flood situation. A cold front is suppose to come through tomorrow.

Please say a prayer for the situation. Pray for the electrical crews that are working in impossible situations. Pray for them to have strength, energy, wisdom and safety. Pray for the national guard that has been deployed to help. Pray for them as they are in an area with few if any hotels or accommodations. Pray they will have the correct equipment to help restore the community. Pray for the residents, wisdom and safety as they try to warm their homes, pray for courage and strength.

On a completely different note, please keep my in-laws in your prayers.
Dad B. is back in the hospital. Pray for the nursing staff, doctors and Mom B. as they care for him.
My heart is heavy tonight and I appreciate your reading this note and saying a prayer.
XOXO
Theresa

Ready to go back!

Do you remember the ice? Well, that ice, then snow, then more cold temperatures, kept me home from school for 6 days, add in MLK day and I haven't had a full day of school since, Tuesday almost 2 weeks ago. I am ready to go back! :)

What did I do with all my "spring break" you ask? I decluttered bathroom drawers, cooked and then played with photos on my computer.

I had a wonderful subject!

This one is my favorite!

If you want to have fun with your photos I recommend, picnik.com.

Have a great week!

XOXO

Theresa

CELEBRATE! :)

We are pleased to announce the engagement of our son and this beautiful young lady!

No details other than he asked and she said "yes"!

Welcome to our family.

May God Bless You both on this new journey.

We love you!

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

I Corinthian 13: 4-7 The Message

XOXO

Theresa

Happy Birthday Dad Burton!

Happy Birthday!

77 Years young

We are CELEBRATING!

Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man.

The heart of this man reflects a follower of Christ, God-fearing, faithful to the ages, in love with his wife, an example of patience and wonder to all those around him.

We love you!

XOXO

Theresa

7:00 A.M. and Ice

Ice update. 8:00 p.m.

Today has been a beautiful day to stay in by the fire and eat "comfort" food. I found this recipe and decided to give it a try. Poppy Seed Chicken I can say, it received thumb's up from all my troops. If you want an easy, tasty chicken recipe give it a try.

Don't look at the tablescape, just notice how pretty the food is.

It was yummy!

This is what "some" find to do on an icy day.A couple of weeks ago, Dad Burton's youngest brother and his wife drove down from Kentucky for a visit. We had the best time.

Stay warm:)

You know the news can't be good, when the phone rings at 5:45 a.m.

One of the dear men from our church family called because of his concern with the ice that has transformed Kingsport overnight. Consequently, DH is up trying to discern the best course of action for church services. This is always a difficult call to make. I attempted to go back to sleep, but...

Stay tuned, if the weather forecast is correct, I may have plenty of blogging time on my hands. LOL

On a different note, notice the addition on the sidebar.

I found this gal's blogspot several months ago and was impressed with her faith, creativity, and blog. If you have a moment, go read her story. Becoming a first time parent is stressful enough, but add in complications and the stress meter goes off the charts. Again, her faith is a witness to all.

Hoping to go back to sleep.

XOXO

Theresa

Baby, it's Collllllllllllllddddddd outside!

What do you do when the weather is cold outside?

Make a skillet full of cornbread and a crock pot full of soup. Stay in the house by the fire and be happy you have 13 built in snow days and you still have 7 left!

We missed Wednesday, 2 hours on Thursday, and today. I spent Wed. with DD, she moved back into the dorm on Wed. night. I miss her and am ready for her to come home. Middle son doesn't leave until Sun. night for the dorm. It will be so quiet around our house next week.

I didn't even stick my nose outside today!

It was veryyyyyyy cold and I took that opportunity to declutter and organize the bathroom cabinet. I am always amazed how quickly things can pile up. I wish I had counted the tubes of toothpaste that I threw away due to expiration dates. There are 4 large tubes in the bathroom, the dates are good, we should have the freshest teeth in town.

I took a break from decluttering to go downstairs and make a skillet of cornbread. My new/old favorite kitchen tool is this old iron skillet. I've had it so long, I can't remember, but I haven't truly appreciated it's usefulness until recently. Dad Burton loves cornbread and buttermilk. I try to make him at least one skillet of cornbread a week. There is something about hot cornbread with butter, it is wonderful! :) If you haven't tried it lately let me encourage you to do so. If you don't have an iron skillet you really should get one. They are wonderful for cornbread and frying chicken. It's been awhile since I've fried chicken, but when I did, the iron skillet was the tool!

I pray you are staying warm on this cold January night. God bless!

XOXO

Theresa

30 YEARS!

January 1, 1979 at 3:00 p.m. my DH and I stood in a small country church and pledged to love each other through good times and bad.

What a journey it has been!

How quickly the years have flown by. We were young, in college, poor as church mice and so in love.

We celebrated by taking a short trip to Abingdon, Va., a quaint town full of history and beautiful architecture. While there we had lunch at the Martha Washington Inn Restaurant. It was delicious. The MWI building was built in 1832 and was the home of a family. It later became a college for young women, a hospital during the Civil War and now is a beautiful hotel and spa. The detail in the building is stunning. Original working fireplaces, hardwood floors, crown molding, and appropriate furnishings are seen throughout.

Standing on the front porch to welcome.

This is the courtyard out from the "Garden" wing.

The snow was an added bonus.

Winter Tablescape.

So the house doesn't feel so "lost" when the Christmas decorations came down, I decided to leave a few "snow" things out.

DH's Uncle and Aunt from KY are coming to church and then over for chili tomorrow.

I had fun setting the table and then taking pictures.

It is well past my bedtime. I pray 2009 will bring you blessings and peace.

XOXO

Theresa

P.S. The good times have out numbered the bad, the bad times helped to make the good times even better. I am so blessed. I love my husband dearly and am proud of the family we have. Thank you God!

Great Attitudes!

We have had a wonderful time! Church this morning, we filled two pews! It was a blessing for us to all be together and worship.

Attitudes were great and a few photos were taken.

I have more to share, but this is enough for tonight.

Enjoying time with family,

XOXO

Theresa

Bragging!

Bare with me please!

I am a PROUD, Great-Aunt!

Isn't he adorable?

He was the life of the party. Sociable, adorable, intelligent and absolutely handsome. He takes after me. :0)

We have had so much fun!

The weather is VERY warm! Almost too warm. Warm enough to allow a few games of corn toss, a new Christmas gift for my dad.

FUN!

I have taken the opportunity to use my "new" Christmas toy.

A farm is a wonderful place to practice photography.
I'm hoping tomorrow's weather will cooperate and I will be able to hone my skills.

Everyone left tonight with the agreement that we would take family photos tomorrow after church. No bad attitudes allowed!

I love taking photographs, especially when you have agreeable models.

He loves books!

I told you he takes after me. :0)

May God Bless you!

From the Bluegrass State.

XOXO

Theresa

Off We Go!

We are headed to Kentucky!  

I can't believe it has been a year!  I didn't intend for it to be this long, somehow the days, weeks and months flew by and a year has left me.  

Before we leave I thought I would share with  you a few pictures of our 

blessed Christmas Day!

I have to tell you the story behind this photo. 

 DD was talking with her grandpa one morning this week and reminded him of when she was a little girl and would go for a visit.  He would get up in the morning and make her fried potatoes and onions.  She loved it!  

The next thing I know, she grabs her brother and heads to the grocery to buy a bag of potatoes.  The next morning she and Grandpa made fried potatoes and onions for breakfast.  

Yum! Yum!

Sweet memories!

XOXO

Theresa

Merry Christmas

This and That

One day to go!  Are you ready? 

 I think I am. 

 Had you asked me this morning, I would have had to say....."may.....be".  

Ashley and I created the ornaments below for my student aids at school.  Our school colors are maroon and white.  I think they turned out beautifully!  

A few days ago, we had a visitor from California.  Southern California.

She was a little shell shocked from the rain and cold weather when she arrived.  Dad B. has a sister that flew in to visit for a few days.  We all had a wonderful time.

I wish I could take credit for this cake.  We were suppose to have a dessert party at our house last weekend.  It was canceled due to a death in our church family.  I had ordered this red velvet cake from a retired school teacher turned baker.  Honestly, this picture does not do this cake justice.  It was absolutely beautiful!  and tasty!  I can't remember if it had 5 or 6 layers.  We only were able to eat small pieces and I wisely froze the rest.  I plan on getting it out of the freezer tomorrow and having it with our Christmas Eve dinner.

What are your plans for Christmas Eve?  

We will be having a beautiful communion service at church and then returning home for dinner and the kids will open gifts to each other.

We will read the first Christmas Story and reflect on the Reason for the Season.

I am so blessed to live in a house of faith.  I pray you are enjoying a beautiful, faith filled Holy Day.

XOXO

Theresa