Golfing in the rain

After one day of hitting balls in the pine trees, we decided that I was ready for the real thing. We went to a state park that had a golf course. When we got there, we found a note on the door that indicated that the course and range was closed because of weather. The young man said that he was leaving, but he did not care what we did. This was my chance to play on a real golf course. We took a wedge, a wood and a putter and played golf, walking. We got soaked and had to run for cover a few times. I actually got to the green twice in two or three strokes. We had a great time and I felt like a real golfer. Mark is a good teacher and very patient with me. I would love to play again, but I don't really play well enough to justify the fee.

Camp ground church

After supper I felt like walking to the lake, Mark was tired so, I walked by myself and prayed. I heard children laughing and headed toward them and saw people in a sheltered picnic area and felt drawn. I walked up and heard a lady giving a testimony in sing heard bible and turning to Hebrews. I glanzed around and saw people with tears in thier eyes. Next to me was a small trailer with FBC on the back and new that I walked up on a Baptist reteat of some type. After staying for prayer I walked away quietly and ran into to children and and grandmom coming back from the restroom.. I spoke to the little ones and asked her about the retreat. She said they did this twice a year and that the testamony that I had missed was about , a preacher and his wife in Alabama that hid in the church with a few more people right before the Tornado hit and that the staircase was the only left. I heard on the radio on the way here that 61 tornados hit yesterday and today. We need to pray for all the ones who suffered lost.

Easter lunch that lasted all week

Easter Sunday we had all the kids home except Drew. We now have three that are not eating meat. So, for lunch we grilled boneless skinless chicken for the meat eaters. We also cooked fried sweet potatoes, sweet potato souffle, elite peas, squash and onions, asparagus soup, collard greens, cabbage, sliced tomatoes, tomato gravy, broccoli and cheese corn bread. rolls, rice, potato au gratin, and deviled eggs made out of easter eggs. If any one left home hungry, it was their own fault. It was a great family day. When they left, we were left with a lot of veggie left overs. So, we used them all week to make different meals out of the same veggies. With the left over sweet potatoes, I made sweet potato bread and sweet potato oat meal for breakfast and sweet potato cookies. We took all of the veggies and added them to the asparagus soup to make veggie soup. The next day we took all of the veggies out of the broth and mixed it with cornmeal and flour and egg and made veggie croquettes. The next day we put the squash and potato au gratin together and made a good tasting casserole. Later, we took the left over chicken and rice and made fried rice for supper with soy sauce.I think that we finally finished using the veggies Thursday and we did not waste any food. We are a cheap date

Yikes, hitting golf balls

Mark added golf to our routine today. We must have hit 100 balls into the pine trees. I hit some decent shots, some bad shots, some even worse shots. I even hit a few good shots. I need to find golf gloves because I seem to be trying to get blisters on both hands.

new routine

We have started Mark's second year of retirement. So, we have started a new routine at home. Up early, bible study and Joyce Meyers, and breakfast. Then we go for a hike in the pecan orchard, woods and/or cabbage patch. When we get back home we do whatever work that needs to be done for the house or the business, followed by a light lunch and nap for Mark and reading for me. Mark has started drinking coffee in the after noon. Then we go play tennis and then ride our bikes. After showers, we relax outside around the pit and talk , then come in to fix supper. I don't know how long this will last, but we are enjoying it for now. Of course, all this goes out the window when the babies come, but it is worth it to get baby hugs.

after school at grand parents

Becca and Riley got to the house after school. Mark and Riley went fishing, while Becca and I made oatmeal cookies. Then we made a camp fire in the "new' fire pit that Mark made in our sitting area to keep mosquitoes away. Becca and Riley used fire sticks to draw on wood. Then we went inside and made individual home made pizzas. Becca took a 30 minutes bath in the Jacuzzi tub while Riley watched swamp people with Granddaddy. Then a bed time snack and in bed by 9:20. Blue berry pancakes and ham for breakfast and on to school for CRCT test.

Jesus loves me

Joyce Meyers did a whole sermon today to basically say one thing that we all need to hear and believe. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so."

Life Spring youth program

We really enjoyed the youth program at life spring tonight. Clint and Anna put a lot of work into it. The greatest story ever told was portrayed beautifully by the music, video, the reading of scripture and of course the wonderful youth. Thank you for reminding us what this season is all about. We are very proud of the work you two do and the lives that you effect with your ministry.

m.o.s.t.

We have a wonderful organization here in Moultrie. The name says it all, Moultrie oncology support team, M.O.S.T. I do not know any one who has not been effected by cancer. My brother Hugh died,three years ago May 4th. My other brother Glenn and I have both dealt with Melanoma. We lost my Mother-in-law, my aunt a cousin and friends to this terrible disease. M.O.S.T. is a group that supports those who have cancer and their families in Colquitt county. We have come up with a fun way to help this worthy cause. A Spring cleaning yard sale to be held on May 7th at Jimmy Allen's Antique and storage at Spence field. Come join us to buy or sale. Ten dollars will get you a space to set up and sale. A percentage of the sales from the storage unit will go to M.O.S.T. Come find your treasures.

trail blazers

When you are hiking in a state park, one of the things that make it nice and safe is trail blazers. Some one has come before you and marked the trees with different colors to match the map that you receive when you check in to the park. When you are hiking, it is nice to remember that some one is coming behind. Make sure that you take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but tracks. Another way that you can help those who may come later is to clean off trail as you hike. Especially after a storm. We usually have walking sticks with us and it is easy to toss small branches to the side with your stick. Mark moves the big obstacles out of the way and I move the small ones. Reminds me of raising our kids. I took care of daily little problems that popped up but, when there was a big obstacle that the kids faced,they knew that Daddy could handle it. They still know that Dad is there for them . While I was walking I thought of the trail blazers in my life. The ones who came before me. My Mom taught me through her actions how to take care of others. Lewis Demott taught me about loving Jesus. He was my spirit mentor. Mrs Robbie Greene taught me the importance of teaching the Bible to children. My mother-in-law taught me how to live and die with grace and dignity. She was a hard working lady. My Daddy taught me how to live life to the fullest and how to be spontaneous. I learned so much from Sunday school teachers, preachers, school teachers, my family and friends about life. We all have some one that came before us blazing trails and some one that is coming behind us. Try daily to be a good trail blazers.

We are tree huggers

Sara, your parents are finally tree huggers. We went hiking in a State park and saw pines trees so large that we tried to see if we could put our arms around it. We stood on either side of the tree and reached around and could barely touch each others fingers. That is a big old pine tree. Mark likes to say just imagine , this tree was standing when the Indians lived here. That is not to hard to imagine when you are hiking Kolomoki Indian mound state park.

a good way to start you day

Ham and cheese omelets, toast and coffee on a picnic table while watching the fog rise over the lake and the birds singing . Thank you Lord for another day. That is what I hear Mark say ever day since retirement.

killed at Kolomoki

Climbing Kolomoki mound just about killed me. I have climbed temples in Tikka, 300 steps to the Redeemer in Rio and many castles in Europe. But, climbing to the top just about killed me. We made the climb just after we had rode our bike up and down hills, mostly up hill. Why can't I find a place where I can just ride down hill. The we decided to take a nice hike to rest from the hard bike ride. Well, it was a very beautiful hiking trail, mostly up hill on slippery leaves. Then we got back on the bikes to head back to camp. That is when Mark decided that it was a good time to ride to the mound and climb up to the top. I know this is his birthday week but I think that I am getting older and his is getting younger.

lost in the woods.....less than 2 miles from home

Over the years Mark and I have been lost in many places. We have had some of our best time times wandering around lost in paradise, When you haver a full tank of gas and plenty of food and water and plenty of day light, being lost is an adventure. However when it is hot and you are tired and running out of daylight and you know the mosquitoes are coming out, it not so much fun. Tuesday was Marks bithday so, we went to Tifton and bought new walking shoes with Mom's birthday money. When we got home Mark said he wanted to take a long walk after his nap and to wear long pants. Mark wore his new walking shoes and they got very dirty. We started our walk through the pecan orchard as usual, but them we struck out into the woods. Mark had his GPS with him . We walked through briers and thick woods with branches grabbing my clothes and knocking off my hat. We walked past ponds and a cabbage patch and over one creek bed with a small waterfall. When we turned around to return home, the sun was directly behind us. When we got to a certain point Mark asked me if I knew the way home and I pointed in to correct direction, but wondered out loud where this other path went. Big mistake, for the rest of the hike, we were trying to get back across the creek that looked more like a river at every turn. We would put down logs and walk across, just to find another branch that we had to cross. We saw parts of the area that we had never seen before The brush was much thicker and it was getting late and the mosquitoes were coming out. When we finally made it home, Mark look at the GPS and said that we were never more than 1.8 miles from home. We were so close and yet so far from home and safety. It reminded me of what the preacher said Sunday about the two thieves on the cross, One one them made it home to safety that very day. The other was so close to the one that could give him every thing that he needed and yet was so far. Mr. Lewis Demott use to say th the distance from salvation and being lost was 12 inches. That is difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge and asking Jesus to come into the your heart. Head knowledge is not enough . How about you?

festival in Homerville

After camping for two days, we headed to Homerville for a festival. When we got there, the ladies were very helpful and told us that we could camp next to our booth. That made it it nice , so that we could go a head and set up Friday night. We set up our booth with Becca's help while Riley met all the kids running around. We finished our booth and walked around to meet the other venders. Riley talked the bounce slide people into letting him try out their bounce slide and bounce house.When every one left, we fed the fish in the pond, road bikes all around the empty parking lot and the track around the football field. Riley even convinced his granddaddy to use the tire cover to have one more camp fire. We had a picnic right there at our booth. Just before bed we took one more bike ride around the lake by moon light. Next morning, we ate ham and cheese omelets and hot chocolate. Becca sold jewelry and sold more than we did. Riley decided that he wanted to do the Homerville idol singing competition. So, he came and got me to give permission and the ladies were very sweet to him. He sang his song and played borrowed drums. He had everyone clapping and cheering. He got a tee shirt for third place. Festivals are very interesting, some better than others. A lot of work are put into them. I think the kids enjoy going with us. I feel bad that I let Becca get burnt and that Riley had to protect granddaddy 's bike. We got home and ordered pizza, because we were tired. Thanks Becca and Riley for a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Mark

Mark is not big on birthdays, so, I am calling this the first anniversary of his retirement. We have had a great year. We have traveled around buying ans selling stuff. We have met a lot of interesting people and seen a lot of beautiful places. God has blessed us with many mini blessings.

taking kids camping

Picked kids up and headed to mom's house for a visit and lunch. I told her not to go to a lot of trouble for lunch. So of course we ate meatballs, okra, cream corn, peas, sweet potatoes, sweet tea, cornbread, rice, and freshly made pound cake. The big table was full of food and family to eat together and visit. Becca and Riley ate and ran out to the fort to play with the cousins. Mid afternoon we headed to Swanee River State Park. We set up camp. Then we took a long walk, while the kids road their bikes on the trail. We had to stop every few minutes to climb trees, look at the river and stand around while they road up and down sink holes. We had camp food, camp fires, roasted marsh mellows, played cards, rode bikes, read, took naps, ate snacks, and explored historical places. We met other campers and went with them to the river to play on rafts and swim in the river near the boat ramp. We saw all kind of trees, including one that was cut down by beavers. We had time to talk to the kids and listen to these incredible young people in our lives. They are growing up so fast. I hope that they do not out grow to soon.

legacy on a grave head stone

We were in a family cemetary in a state park reading head stones. This one read 1847. She died at 23 leaving a seven month old baby. Four hours before she died, she told her family and friends that she was happy and would see them in heaven. Then the head stone read, " a glorious death." Precious in the sight of God is the death of one of his saints. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. Over hundred and fifty years after her death, her life is a testimony to all who read about her. I read another head stone in the same family cemetery that said: Our Mother's virtues which are many are written on the hearts of her children who placed this simple marker here. What about us, what do we want written on our head stone.

Hotel clerks

She is young and beautiful with long brown hair. She is behind the counter as we come in to check in to the Holiday Inn Express. We tell her what we do and that we will be bring boxes in to the room. She gladly gives us a down stairs room and a buggy to help bring in bags and boxes. She says that our retirement sounds awesome. Mark shows her a few things on the computer, He over hears her tell someone that her husband is in Afganistan. We tell her that we are going to an auction and she says she wishes that she could go with us. On the way to the auction we looked for somewhere to eat and finally found a BBQ place next to the Auction. The food was great, the place was family owned and charming. A man was playing a keyboard the whole time, beautiful songs one after the other... Gospel, Soulful, Dixie and Classical music.When we left for the auction we forgot our to-go box. The owner came to the auction and brought it to us with a surprise inside, home made cookies. The auction was good and we bought a lot of things for the Spring festivals. When we get back to the hotel, we gave our clerk a little bunny that we bought, and ask her what her about her husband. His name is Jack and he has been gone since September and will be back sometime in April or May. I promise to pray for him. She gave me milk to go with my cookies from the BBQ place. I may never see her again, but she touched our life. The last Motel that we stayed in was just inside South Carolina and we had picked up a hotel coupon book at the welcome station to present for a saving. Mark walked in and asked for a down stairs nonsmoking room with two Queen size beds. The clerk said that they did not have a down stairs room like that. Mark walked out and back in just in time to hear the clerk talking about him, saying can you believe what he asked for using a coupon. Well, we kind of thought that Hotels want you to use the coupons that they leave at welcome stations. We would have left, if we were so tired and pushed for time The man realized that Mark heard him and tried to make excuses. What a contrast between Hotel experiences. Businesses need to pay attention to who they put in front of the public to represent their companies.

Carolina auctions

After the wedding we headed north to find auctions. Day one we found three auctions in South Carolina. The first called Big daddy auction, the next was held in an old mill. We drove 30 more miles and found the third auction We stayed until bed time and bought stuff... I mean treasures. Day two, we found three auctions in North Carolina. We went to our first whole sale auction for dealers at noon, with boxes coming in on a conveyor belt. Slow start, so we left and found another whole sale auction that started at 3:00. We stayed for a little while and bought a few items. We headed to the last auction for the day and stayed until almost 11;00 and bought some more stuff... I mean treasures. Day three, we find a flea market and antique store and bought so more stuff...I mean treasures. We had the best hamburger with pimento cheese in it and on it from a local diner with a very busy waitress. We checked in to a hotel and went to check out auction. We were disappointed to find out that we were on the wrong night. the new stuff night and not the antique night. So, we leave and go back and price and repack all our stuff... I means treasures. We realized that we were in Tim Tuckers area. So we went by for a visit. We need to go see our old Farm Bureau buddies every chance we get while we travel. We leave his office in a very cold rain and head to our next auction that starts at 11:00 and lasted until 3:00. It was very fast paced and loud with no time to eat, talk or even go to the bathroom. Mark bid while I wrapped and took notes. We bought a lot of stuff.. I mean treasures. The van is getting full but or stomaches were very empty, so, we head to a Tokyo express and eat at 4:00. Checked into a hotel and head to another auction. This one is so different, it is set up with tables and chairs, very social, very friendly with home made cake and nachos and cheese. We bought some stuff and I mean cheap junk and new stuff. We almost gave up and left when they brought up 4 good pieces and we bought all of them. The next morning , we got up and priced our stuff... I mean treasure,s and headed to another auction. Too many left bids and furniture, so leave and find another good antique store and buy more stuff.. treasures. The van is really full, may be time to head home. Instead, we spent the day buying stuff, I mean treasures at antique stores to over-stuff our already stuffed van. Then we go to one more auction. The next morning we head to a flea market to sell our lower end stuff to make more room. We stay 2 hours and sell the rest of the table to a dealer to sell and we head to Mark's sister for a relaxing night, good food and a good visit.

A kingdom moment

Started my day by reading in my EKG bible study book. "We are all God's precious movable possession for his purpose where ever He places us far beyond what we expect". Look for Kingdom moments in every day activities.
We are parked. We hear a train and see the bar coming down. A man, on the phone, smoking a cigar
is racing toward the track. Suddenly, he hits reverse, getting off the track as the bar comes down and the train speeds by. A matter of seconds. I don't have all the answers. I just know that God is in control. My bible chapter for the day is Psalms 91, We live within the shadow of the almighty, sheltered by God...He is our refuge, shield, protector. He orders His Angels to protect.... Then we come to Cowpen S.C. and went into a mission thrift store. There was a young black man in there smiling and laughing and speaking to every one and handing out candy. When we were leaving, he said, "have a blessed day". Mark answered that we already have. I told him that if he wanted to be blessed to read Psalms 91 and the man loudly started quoting Psalms 91 from the KJV. Every one in that store was blessed. I smiled at him and told him that I was impressed. God is good.