This and that

Hello, hello, hello!  Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes.  "I love technology...." sung to that annoying tune from that annoying movie!  It is so much fun to connect with all of you through facebook, texting, email and yes,.....even snail mail!

What a full weekend we had!  I lost my voice Friday (quiet from the peanut gallery stomping and cheering!) but it didn't slow me down a bit.  Just kept me a wee bit quieter! Saturday, we joined the fun Kimbrell family minus Grant, for the Roar of Love in Augusta.  Do you remember going when you were much younger Ryan?  It's a fabulous ballet depicting The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  The dancing was outstanding and the story timeless and beautiful.

Sunday afternoon we went to the Aiken Kidney Benefit at the Newberry Performing Arts Center.  They put on Cinderella and it was very enjoyable.  All right, a few times we were laughing 'at' it but much of the acting and singing was very fresh and funny and good!  The fairy godmother was a stitch in her plus, plus size ball gown and rowdy behavior.

Sunday evening we heard a most fabulous message on Habukkuk by an incredibly gifted anointed teacher. I was so blessed.  You must watch the DVD when it comes to the big screen!

Granny is mending well and I plan on taking her home tomorrow.  She has nestled in nicely and is in no hurry to return to Cumberland.  God has truly blessed our time together.

Crossfit was well attended on Monday with Shaun, Daniel, Courie, Greg, Sarah, Julia, Julia, Cole, Nick, Kayla and Grant.  Daniel and Julia ran the newbies through the obstacle course.  When Daniel was wavering I said I would tell Ryan if he didn't help run them through it!  He laughed hard and said he better get after it!  Ryan, we all miss you and you remain in our daily routines and activities.  Someone's always bringing you into the conversation!

You would have been very proud of the Kimbrell duo.  Kayla and Julia did it together and Kayla said she was loving it and eager to crossfit again.  She's also been faithful with P90X with a friend of hers.

Kayla, Grant and Sarah joined us for dinner after the workout along with Cole and Julia and Granny.  We topped off the evening with a trip to Marble Slab.  Kayla showed more restraint than I.  Nick gladly shared a couple of bites with me but Kayla was there for the company only, not the splurge!   Here are a few pics of some of the work out crew.

We love and miss you Ryan!

1 Peter 5:


² Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
³ nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.



⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
⁷ casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

The Game

The Championship Game was amazing!  You would have loved playing in it Ryan!  Cole was his usual incredible play making self with too many assists to count and his signature 'gnat like' guarding- so quick and tenacious and tight.  Your team pulled out to a very good lead in the first half but the second half was close and tense with several questionable calls.  At the end of the game the score was 59 to 59!

A 3 minute overtime and more questionable calls brought a loss with a final score of 69 to 64....aargh!  So close and your team played so very well!  You keep your cool so well Ryan but the hard part for you would have been the incredibly rough play against Cole.  He handled himself sooooo well and was truly Christ like in actions!

I went with Granny to the doctor yesterday and I had her fill out some of the forms herself where she had to circle yes or no.  On the social/recreational section she had to circle yes/no for smoking, drinking and drugs.  She circled yes for drugs!!!  I laughed so hard.  When I questioned her she said, "Oh, heavens no!  Prescription drugs only...but I sure do a lot of those!"  Too funny.

We may leave Granny alone tonight when we go to Augusta to dance, dance, dance!  That's still up in the air but we are hopeful.  We shall miss your energy and enthusiasm and skill out on the dance floor Ryan!  Who will Julia dance with?  I don't think she'll lack for partners.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! Psalm 139:1

These are for you Ryan...so far away from we who love you so dearly.

Psalm 139: 9-10  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Love you all so very much!

Let the games end!

The season always closes too quickly! These good looking guys WON their game and move on the the Championship Game against Millbrook 1 Thursday night at 9 PM. Coach gave me the directive to let Ryan know that he needs him to work his magic and guard Cameron. Be there at 8:45 PM. I said, "Yes sir; I'd like nothing better!" So....the ball's in your court....hahaha. Did Ryan get the pun disease from me or I from him? Ryan takes it to a much higher level than I can ever hope to achieve!

Verses for today from Julia's and my reading this early, dark but not quiet AM. There was a certain Granny snoring in a nearby room!
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
1 Peter 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

He Is Faithful! Amen!

Life in our household and abroad

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

I saw this verse today and thought, hmmmm, trials such as travel to another planet AND dealing with a back abscess and all its loveliness AND leaving the most fabulous place on earth AND missing friends and "friends" and fam AND other various trials.... ; ) As each of us deals with our own trials let us persevere by His strength!

Ryan moved out and Granny moved in. I won't list her trials for you but let's just say it's a list on steroids! She is in the guest room and is very weak. I am quite hopeful my home cooking and Julia's and my tlc will bring her some comfort and improvement in her health. She perks up nicely when Julia plays the piano. Do you think I can get her to play several hours a day with that one?

Shaun, Courie and Odull came to work out today. They miss Ryan. I miss Ryan. We all miss Ryan.

The first basketball tournament game was great. Cole led his team to a resounding victory with many 3's swished in by the best.... our very own Cole Matthew Nickell! Tonight is the 2nd game. Go team go! Score a goal, unit, basket!

Love, love, love to all my precious people.

Ryan left today....

Friday Ryan received orders to report to Al Udeid Air Force Base in Qatar leaving Sunday at 6 PM from Augusta, GA. (Get out your atlas to find that little hot, dry country in the middle east.) Nice heads up, don't you think?! Who needs more than 2 days to prepare for a 6 month absence? He hurried and scurried and was able to squeeze in a good bit of chillaxin' with the fam amidst all the hubbub. What a guy. He will be so sorely missed which means he's a great deal of fun to have around. We are soooo thankful for technology which will allow us to communicate occasionally via blogs, the book of faces and possibly skype!

Mike Phillips, our pastor, called him up and asked him to tell us what he would be doing...at least as far as he was able to without having to kill us! We then prayed for him and our beautiful body of Christ gave him a wonderful farewell at the service end with lots of hugs, and prayer promises. Don't you all forget about those prayers! Ryan is strengthened with your commitment of "hand to hand combat"!

Safe travels my dear one! We are eager to hear about your adventures because we know that wherever you go you live life to the hilt and always have a good story to tell. May God's blessings be upon you and may He fill you to the brim with His spirit.