Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all my family and friends! What a glorious day to celebrate the love of Jesus....the sacrifice He made for us all!

We went to the sunrise service. Now it is noon and Easter dinner is cooking. Everyone but Thomas and I are napping. I am going to finish up on here then head into the kitchen to make deviled eggs. Then rubberstamp a little so Ic an get swaps done. This afternoon may be my nap time! :) Maybe!

Have a beautiful day and remember why we are celebrating on this day!

Vacation in New York

I spent a week in NY visiting my parents. I left my husband and child at home so it was a nice reelaxing time. I relaxed, stamped with my mom and enjoyed time with friends from high school who I haven't seen in a while.

I was there for my birthday. Pictured above is a book my mom made for me. It is really pretty and pictures do not do it justice. Each page ahd an envelope on it and there was money in them for an activity we/I would be doing while there. I really enjoyed looking at each apge.

A wonderful stamping store in Corning did a private class for us. We made a friendship book using envelopes. I really enjoyed the class and bought a few things there. It was a nice store and will definitely visit there again.

I do plan to try to go back up there before the year is out. I will go for another week again. Maybe in September so I can go to the stamp show with my mom in Rhinebeck and see my cousins, aunt and uncle at the same time.

I also hosted 3 flat dolls in NY and took as many pictures as I could to send back to the owners. Hopefully they came out. Will find out this week when I pick up my pictures.

I also visited some cross-stitch stores as I am getting back into doing that. If I didn't spend so much time on the computer, I could stitch and stamp more....LOL!!

Book #6

I finished Book #6 yesterday. It was a book by Francine Rivers about Bathsheba. It is called "Unspoken". It was a very good book and gave em a lot of history on Bathsheba, David, and the times they were living in. The battles going on both within David's life and around his kingdom. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

She wrote 4 other books about other women in the Bible. I am hoping the library has them. I would love to read more books by her.

In 2 weeks, I leave for vacation in NY visiting my parents. I will be there for 1 week. I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends. And, maybe getting some reading done too.

Book 4 and 5

Boy, I am late in posting. I finished 2 books. They are both by the same author. One is called Sadie in Waiting and the other one is Mom in Miami. It is a series book. They were quite enjoyable.

Tomorrow we are celebrating our anniversary. Our anniversary is Feb. 29. Yes, you read right? Leap Year day. We are running some errands and going to lunch...probably at Olive Garden. Then who knows what else. Tuesday, I go back to work after a looooong vacation.

I was off Thursday and Friday per doctor's orders with severe pink eye in both eyes. What a pain! They burned, itched, hurt and were swollen and blurry. James had a fever for a couple days so we were both at the doctor's on Thursday. We asked if we could get a "group rate". They just laughed.....they want their co-pays.

Booked my trip for NY and leave on March 26 for one week.....about a month from now. I hope there is no snow by then.

In Honor of April Fisher Barber-April 3, 1978-Feb. 19, 2011

This post is to honor a wonderful friend who is now in Heaven dancing with Jesus after her almost 3 year battle with cancer. First, you will read a snippet from her obituary from the paper then a letter about a vision that a prayer warrior had seen about 3 minutes after April passed on. I will close it with my own thoughts.

APRIL JOY FISHER BARRBER:
Mrs. Barber was born April 3, 1978 in Texas. She passed away Feb. 15, 2011 at EAMC. April was a member of New Covenant Fellowship. She was an award winning salesperson, having worked at Verizon Wireless for 13 years. She exuded the love and joy of Christ to everyone and was an inspiration to all who knew her.

As you read the following VISION, remember that April passed on at 3:15pm and it was written by a lady in Texas who did not know the family but was a prayer partner of someone who did.

VISION

"At around 3:18pm on Feb. 15th, 2011, I was driving and praying for April and I had the following vision in the spirit realm. I saw a long road/path and on both sides, all along the road, were high, tall, powerful, mighty angels standing shoulder to shoulder to shoulder. The road was clear and smooth, nothing to stumble over. The angels were all very happy and excited as if their was a Great Celebration. Their happiness, anticipation and excitement reminded me of the huge ticker tape parade and celebration in Times Square at the Victory won in the World War II European Campaign. The angels were looking down the road toward the earth. Then I saw Jesus Christ of Nazareth walking/carrying April Home. She was smiling so wide and deep that pure happiness and joy were flowing abundantly from her spirit. She won her race not missing a step and was greeted with a hero's welcome as she journeyed Home with the Lord. Then I heard a voice say:"She is a Heroine of Faith." I felt deeply and profoundly as if the angels, being shoulder to shoulder, were providing a high, thick wall of protection as April and the Lord ascended the pathway to the 3rd Heaven. Then I saw April dancing before the Lord and singing His praises. I, in the natural, felt happy, peaceful, exhilarated, thankful and privileged to have witnessed such a glorious Homecoming. I know April is now looking down urging and encouraging us to carry on and run our races as we fulfill our destinies."
Peggy Gough

Wow...what a vision! This was read at a memorial service Wed. at her church and at the funeral on Sat. I love it!

Now my thoughts from my heart right now: we lost a wonderful, God fearing woman who was an inspiration to everyone including me. She always had a smile on her face that radiated her love for God and others. I work at Dandyland and when McKayla was almost 2 years old, she started there and was in my classroom. That was when I first met April and saw that she was always smiling, and a great mother. Shortly after that, we were asked to attend church which happened to be Community Fellowship Church. When we walked in, the first people I saw was April, Jason and McKayla. We ended up continuing to go there and became friends with her whole family. As we all went our separate ways years later, we still remained friends. April was always encouraging me and no matter what I was going through, she always had an encouraging word or smile for me. I remember that one of the last times I chatted with her was on Facebook right after her bone cancer diagnoses, she said to me "I am at peace with whatever God has planned." Wow! Could I say that?

Her going HOME has caused me to examine my life. What am I doing to show God's love to others? What will my legacy be when I go? What do I need to do to begin this new journey in my life? Questions that I will be working through.

Please pray for this family. April left behind a loving husband, and 2 young children(10 and 4). Also pray for her parents, Dave and Gail and her sibling, Joanna, Jamin, Josh and Mindy. Plus all the friends and family she was an inspiration to. And, pray for those now battling cancer in any form...they have a long, hard battle in front of them.

Fireproof your marriage

James and I started a Couple's Bible Study based on the movie Fireproof and the Love Dare book. It is a very enlightening Bible Study and I think it would help any marriage. In August, there will be a marriage conference here in Opelika with Kirk Cameron and Warren Banfield. We are also going to that, too. It will be a great conference and really exciting time.

Tomorrow, Missy is going to the vets to see why she is feeling so bad. I think it has to do with her ear problems. We will see what the vet says and what our next move will be.

I am heading to NY march 26-April 3 to visit my parents and friends. It will be a fun time.

"Choosing to See"

I just finished my 3rd book for 2011. "Choosing to See" is written by MaryBeth Chapman, wife to singer Steven Curtis Chapman. She writes about their life....the good times and the really ahrd times. In 2008, they had a tragic accident happen in their family. She is open and honest about her struggles and what is happening through the grieving process for all of them. It is a great book....very inspirational and real. It is a real person wrestling with what God is doing and seeing the blessings through it all....though sometimes it is hard to see them. A wonderful book to read.

I also started my Women's Bible Study tonight. The study is:"Lord Change my Attitude". Boy, this may hit home for me. Tonight was an introductory. I will keep notes in here along with the books I read.

Fuzzy Cupcakes

These were the "cupcakes" we made in a club Saturday. They are so cute! And, a great idea for gifts and to think about selling at a craft fair. They were fairly easy too.

2nd book of the year

Just finished a 2nd book for 2011....The Christmas Secrret which is Book 4 in the Christmas Shoes series. I went today to get book 5 and it was not back yet. I did get 3 other books. Hopefully next time I go back, the book is there.

On another note, I just found out last week that the Stamping Studio is closing down. What does that mean for me? First, and foremost, no more stamping retreat in September. And secondly, some wonderful people were met at the last one and I won't get to see them this year. Plus enjoying Melissa and her wonderful stamps and creativity.

Tomorrow, I head to La Grange with a friend from work for a stamp club. It is by a friend who sells Close to my Heart. It is a 3 month commitment and you have to spend $25 in those 3 months.....total not each month. It meets the 3rd Saturday of the month and we learn a new project.

Bible Study starts Tuesday. Looking forward to that as I missed the fall study because I was taking a class at Southern Union. No class this semester but maybe this summer I will.

James and I are taking a couples study that starts next Sunday. It is based on the Love Dare and Fireproof book/movie. In August, there will be a conference with Kirk Cameron and Warren Banfield right here in Opelika! Already on my calendar.

After I get back tomorrow, plan to work on the other half of the craft corner. And a scrapbook page for the swaps I am in.

Everyone have a good weekend!

Read first book for 2011

Just finished Book 1 for 2011. It is book 3 in a 5 part series by Donna Van Liere. The first book is The Christmas Shoes based on the song. I love the movie so thought I would read the books. I really liked Book 3 but I think that is because it has not been made into a movie so I had no pre-conceived ideas of what was happening. Looking forward to reading the last 2. Oh, the 3rd one is called Christmas Hope. You do have to read them in order because a couple main characters from Christmas Shoes are in the others. You really need the background. I am headed to the library to see if the last 2 have been checked in yet. If not, I am not sure what I will read. I gave my husband the book Fireproof for Christmas....I may just have to read that.

Have a wonderful day, folks!

New Year's Resolutions

2010 is coming to an end and causing me to reflect on the year and look forward to 2011. In the past, my resolution was not to make any. Last year I ahd 1....52 books in 2010. I wrote down my list but then found I wanted to read other books I saw, which I did. I made it through about 27 books. Some of my books were over 400 pages so that is why. Am I disappointed that I didn't make it? No because I read some great books. Will I do it again? Yes but with changes. This time, no list. As I read a book, I will write it down. Only difference, is I can not buy any books.....have to read what I have or from the library.



I have decided to add some more resolutions this coming year. I do not think of them as "resolutions" but guidelines for 2011.



1. 52 books in 2011

2. To eat healthier- eat more fresh veggies and fruit and less red meat(beef). Replace the beef with chicken and seafood.

3. To lose weight

4. To pray more

5. To attend church regulaarly

6. Spend more time in God's word

7. We plan to not eat out except for birthdays and anniversaries....special occassions

8. To write more in a journal



So, what are your resolutions or guidelines for 2011?

Year 2010 Christmas Letter

December 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

I can’t believe 2010 is almost over. Where did it go? As I get older, time seems to fly by. For the Ma Gill family, the year has been busy and full of surprises.

At the beginning of 2010, Lynn decided a good resolution would be 52 books in the Year 2010. She created a booklist and posted it on Facebook. How did she do? She read about 27 of them. Not too bad. This year, she will do it again….52 books in 2011. The difference this time around is she will not make a list ahead of time. As a book is read, it will be listed. One difference is no book can be bought….all read will be from own collection or library.

In May, the family took a trip to Panama City for Thomas’s 16th birthday. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Resort geared for children. We were on the beach. The hotel had a swimming pool, hot tubs and a splash pool area for kids. It was a nice, relaxing time away, and all had a wonderful time.

This summer, James began working on his own business. He does security consulting, pi work and a process server for several lawyers. He is enjoying working for himself. He is still very involved with the Lee County Republican Committee. He is on the Executive Board. He has helped several local candidates in their elections. All of this, for the most part, has kept him busy.

A highlight of our year was that at the beginning of the summer, James had quite a surprise. Through Facebook, he found his oldest son he hasn’t seen in 15 years. Phillip is 20 years old….he will be 21 in January. He and Thomas look so much alike. Much to our surprise, he has been living about 30 miles away. We have been spending the last few months working on this new relationship. We hope to make a family trip to NY as Phillip would like to see that area.

We wish all a wonderful holiday season.
James, Lynn, Phillip, Thomas, Spikee, Harold and Missy

Stamping Studio Stamp Retreat

These are 2 pictures from the retreat. There is one with Norma and I. We rode up together. The other one is all the wonderful ladies I met there. So looking forward to going back next year.

More pictures

We had an underswap Saturday night. What is that you ask? Basically, to participate you have to bring something you made that is under $10 and under 2 hours to make. Wrap the gift up. Then you get a number and when it is your turn, you either take another person's gift or open one of the wrapped gifts. I had the last number which was good. The above gift I took from someone else. It will either be a journal/scrapbook of family or one about me or I could even use it to keep track of stamping things.

Some pictures from Stamp Retreat

WOW!

Another entry today......what a surprise for me! Not much new here. Went to work today after having a fantastic 4 day weekend, only to be sent home at 9am!! 2 hours of work!!! What is that!!! I had no kids and the baby side had one so they didn't need 3 teachers....and they said it was my turn to go home. Oh well!

I hope to have pictures soon of some things from stamp camp...haven't loaded them to my computer yet.

Think I will go work on organizing craft shelves today.

As for the reading thing, I have been reading but have not updated my list on here. I am going to do this again but a different way. Instead of pre-choosing my 52 books, I will leave the page blank and write them down as I go along. Only stipulation is I cannot buy any books....I have to read what I have ehre and what I get from the library. I want to broaden my horizons. I do plan to read more Jodi Picoult and try Francine Rivers. I did read 1 or 2 books not on my list this time around, too.

Well, toodaloo people. See you next time I get on here.

Stamping Retreat

Hello everyone! I got the question "When are you going to update your blog? So, here goes....thanks,N, for asking me.

This weekend I headed to Lincolnton, GA to the The Stamping Studio(www.thestampingstudio.com) for a wonderful retreat. I met some new stamping friends, learned alot and just had a nice, relaxing time. There were about 6 round robin projects that we did plus I took the 5 classes. I made alot of cool things...unfortunately, I have no pictures to share. I had my camera but forgot to take pictures. I learned to make an easy slider card which I will use more often. One class was on card skethches. She gave us about 3 pages of all these different sketches and then we made 4 cards using some of the sketches. That class was one of my favorites. I also enjoyed the calendar class....we made 2 different ones then took the stuff home to make a 3rd one. I see Christmas presents!

Also, because her studio is also her store, we could shop, shop, shop! LOL. I didn't do too bad but I got some neat stamps and embellishment. Want to get more done on the room today so I can start stamping to my heart's content and play with my new stuff!

The food was great. Melissa's husband cooked for us and everything was soooo good. We had fajitas on Saturday night that were so good. I hope we have them again next year.

I met some wonderful new friends and many are on facebook so hopefully we can all keep in touch. It is so nice to go somewhere and have fun, learn alot and make some new friends.

Maybe once Melissa posts pictures, I can put some here.

On another note, Friday I am having surgery on my left hand. I will be out 4 weeks and maybe can blog more often.

Behind in......

updating my booklist. Will get to that this weekend, I hope.

Trip to Panama City, Florida

We just got back from a trip to Panama City. We went for Thomas's birthday. We found a nice hotel....Holiday Inn Resort. It had everything....a pool, splash park for kids, a hot tub and every room overlooked the beach. We had a small patio we could sit on to enjoy the view. They were geared toward kids and had movies for them and activities. We had so much fun. Unfortunately, Thomas did not enjoy going in the water but we plan to go back and keep trying.

Besides thr water stuff, we went to the outlets in Destin and to Pier Park to look in the shops. We ate at Pineapple Willy's and they brought a free cake for Thomas's birthday.

Holiday Inn Resort was a very nice hotel and we will continue to use them. We joined their priority club which was free. We gain points everytime we stay at a Holiday Inn or fly airlines. We also get to have late check-outs....2pm instead of 11am....NICE!!!

We are thinking of going back to PC in either Sept. or Oct.

wow...finished another book

I finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and it was a great book. A long one though...500 pages....but well worth the read. Today I watched the movie and was highly disappointed. The movie was not really close to the book especially the ending. I like the book much better.....if you haven't read it yet but saw the movie, be ready for a surprise and a shock! That is all I will say so I don't ruin either for anyone.

Last Saturday, I went to Atlanta for the Heirloom rubberstamp show with my friend, Norma. I had fun and enjoyed the make and takes and made some real cute things. Most of them were free....a couple were a $1 that went to a charity. I bought a feww things and saw some things I may purchase next year...lol....unless I do online before then. I also became an enabler for my friend. I told her to go check out a demonstration at one booth and she was hooked....sorry Norma! LOL. It was a fun day and encouraged me to get my room done so I can organize my craft area in there.

Friday, we had snow! 3-4 inches. I know, those of you from the north are saying "is that all?". But don't forget, I live in the south...this much snow shuts us down....it might as well have been 3-4 feet!!! LOL. They are saying more is coming on Monday. Hope not because this other melted already.

I am off Monday and I am bound and determined to have the couch in the bedroom cleaned off so it can be moved out of there next week. Then more space for me to organize the craft things.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Heading to church and sunday school then out to lunch with my valentine. We are going to Panera Bread because we have a gift card to use. I did not want to go out to dinner because I figured it would be crowded and too expensive. We have an anniversary coming in 2 weeks so we are probably going out then.

Well, good night all and Happy Valentine's Day!