More Camp Joy 2008

Hi Ladies, Wasn't Camp Joy fun? I had a good time as did my mother . There was no stopping us, regardless of the weather outside, but then again its always fun when we women come together, I gave another go at ping-pong just for the fun of it and even though I'm not really good at stamping up things I did an okay job, managed to make a few with Gerlinda's help and then others when my creativity finally kicked in. I had a great time fellowshipping with those that were near me. The ladies of Faith Baptist did a great job entertaining us and sharing their stories and as usual you don't know whether to laugh or cry. I always look forward to what might come next ~ a good time always guaranteed . just wanted to thank you all for another great year and many more to come.

Camp Joy

Frames~ and several of them

It's been sitting there~ behind the dresser collecting dust & little scratches nearly 2 yrs. this summer. But it finally made its transition to the wall. I'm talking a big picture frame that holds a variety of sizes 41 in all. It's something I bought several years ago to accommodate pictures of a large family that's still growing. Karen lovingly started it for me the same year I bought it but we never finished it. I had made myself a vow to have a picture of my newest family members up before they arrive for their visit and I've accomplished it. I didn't do it alone though.~ It was God who gave me the time & patience to finalize it and I'm so thankful ....and then there is the scanner~ I used it several times to make copies of the original and then windows to retrieve and fix ones I had installed from the digital and of course I have to mention freebies. I downloaded a free trial version of Pic Prints and there you can customize the sizes you need~ how cool is that? The biggest challenge was measuring the different sizes~ a ruler would have been nice but of course you can't never find one when you need it so I used one of those protector rulers and it wasn't to bad. I did however find out its alot easier to fit them on a flat surface than a mattress~ and then it was smooth sailing from there. I'm so excited that its done. Over the course of the last few years I've gotten lots of neat frames mainly as presents and I've been filling those as well and still have yet more to go . Its' deciding what pictures to use and well I went looking and couldn't find them~ so I'll have to try other places~ I know God will present them when he is ready and I'll be patient and will wait til then. It's getting late and I'm tired so to all of you ~ have a good night.

Just remembering

Though it's been a week already since Pastor taught about "The Message of Hope" it has been has been tucking at my heart as I recall a girlfriend back in elementary school. Then I didn't know about Salvation but I did take her to my safe place~ A non denominational church I attended and the only person I thought understood and that was my Sunday School teacher and also my teacher at Awanas'. I took her maybe a couple times on Wednesday Nights~ She was safe, cared for and had know 3 caring friends if we include our Speech teacher. At that time I didn't know how she managed to get out of her house but now being older I know God had a hand in it. Her father was a very abusive man, he didn't allow her to change clothes daily & seldom allowed her to bathe and out of fear of being beat herself~ her mother never stood up for her~ If I remember she had a brother who was taken care of a tad bit better. We had an awesome speech teacher who helped w/ providing her a place to wash, food to eat and on occasion a change of clothes. The other kids would tease her and me often. They'd tease me for being her friend, I didn't care I was taught acceptance. Her outward appearance didn't matter, she was a human being just as we were and that's what counted. This is where "hope" comes in~ after several months which seemed like eternity ~ She and her sibling were removed and taken to a better place. She would not be allowed to stay in contact, or give her new name for safety sake~ I was sad but happy that she would be safe and that was hope enough for me. The End!!

How to I lost lbs and inches.

Got ya, didn't I. The title isn't about losing body weight, but I do feel lighter. I visited Denise B. today and lets just say I indeed lost inches, not sure how many but there was lots, and lots of hair. I jokily suggested she go into the toupee making business b/c my hair would have easily made one . I don't recall the last time it was this short, if I remember right~ it has been years. You could say it took 2 attempts to get it the way I wanted. The first was good, but I had wings touching my face and it bothered me, so Denise kindly cut them away and it took nearly an hour for the whole process and I'm not joking. Why does it take so long? I tend to make cutting my hair a yearly thing. Thank You Denise for your time & patience!! and so far the children haven't told me I look like a boy and that's a good thing.

The Trip

Well, we were surprised, but it wasn't to unfounded, every visit to West Virginia yields something new, and on this trip it was miniature goats. They were so cute and the standing one was a sly little fella. They were on occasion allowed to leave their yard and roam about the big yard but this particular one would crawl under the fence-needless to say he and his brother got returned to goat jail and I think it was perhaps him again, whom got really loud when Matthew offended them by calling them sheep~ you had to be there~ it was funny. I think I surprised many by going and I'm glad I did. I put in a little more physical activity than normal~ I'm a house person and well the rest of this family is outdoorsy, especially there. Amanda climbed trees, We flew kites and roamed about w/ the cows @ horses. Matthew loved those darn critters and even got us surrounded by them. I picked him up and made a beeline along a path by the fence to a picnic table until Junior came closer to them, yes I was a tad bit alarmed and at that point not exactly thrilled, but as you can see nothing happened, just another notch on the adventure belt. There are plenty more stories to share, but my assistant just arrived ( Matthew age 2) and well he likes to push buttons and I'm not taking a chance on losing this post~ so goodnight.

A refugees story.

Hi, everyone. As you will see below, this was shared w/ me, It really touched my heart and therefore I wanted to share it w/ all of you. Take Care. Love, Kim.

Sis,
I receive many e-mails from our Command Chaplain. I think of you often especially after receiving the emails. The email below is true. He really was a refugee who escaped from a European Country. He has an impressive story. Well, I hope all is well with you. Be good. Bill

I grew up in the 60s with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed plastic bags and reused them. She was the original 'recycle queen', before they had a name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their goal was to raise decent children, - nothing more. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. Most of their relatives have died already either in the war or during the failed revolution. We never ate in a restaurant. We could afford meat once a month, but we thought that was normal. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress , things we keep... It was a way of life, and as I got older, sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating left-overs, hand-down clothes... I wanted -- just once,-- to be wasteful! Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there would always be more. But then a colleague of mine disappeared, and my girlfriend got arrested, beaten, and raped. I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. All the time we have is now; we cannot dwell on the past, and we have no guarantees for the future. So, I left that God-forsaken country to become homeless, stateless, jobless, - a refugee. I lost my family, friends, culture, language, - everything, but I was free! Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... while we have it... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken...... and heal it when it's sick. Live each day as it were the last! This is true, for marriage... and old cars.... and children with bad report cards..... and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.Serving you as I serve Him,Ch. A.P.S.People will forget what you said; they will forget what you did,but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Windows~~ and more Windows

Hi, just wanted to share one of our newer computer toys, not the actual one but similar. It was a gift from a family member and its so cool. At first thought it was a key chain, but its an actual working mouse and we really like using it. As for the computer itself~lets just say PROBLEMS. I can still get to the Internet and the places I want to be~ its the windows itself that's not working. I did some sort of upgrade and didn't register it w/ the 30 days so now I've been informed that version has expired. I accept responsibility but how much money do they think its worth. It came w/ windows vista. I've contacted Microsoft multiply times & have talked to the various departments who then tell me to contact manufacture~ who won't help because the warranty has expired and they are only willing to help for the cost of $60~ all this run around has left one unhappy customer. I'm having my sister in law look at it and from there we will see what to do~ I'd personally prefer to just buy the upgrade through Best Buy if that's what it takes~ but only time will tell~ its not that it matters~we don't use windows often except to download pictures and school reports. It can wait. As we are on the subject of windows~ I have exciting news. Are you ready? I got brand new widows in the front room ~ and get this they can actually be opened & closed~ haven't had that in this room in the 15 years we lived here. Almost unbelievable~ had them opened a couple days ago when it was nice outside. The girls got new windows in their rooms also. It's nice to have ones that are easier to rise and that's a great advantage~ only disadvantage worrying if they are sealed and locked when we leave for long periods of time~ shouldn't be to concerned we live in a pretty safe area but one can't help to be safe~ crimes do happen everywhere. They will take getting used to ~ but when those nice little breezes come floating through during the upcoming days of spring and summer we'll be ready. I've got to be going ~ have a great evening.

Hello!! Blogging buddies. Here to tell ya things are going fair. Last week was our Ladies Conference and I'm so glad I made the decision to go~ I of course proscrinated til the last minute. A little push from my doctor and Karen spending the night~ there would of been no way out. I really liked hearing the ladies give their testimonies~and I'm so proud of Karen~ she accomplished one of her greatest fears or perhaps two~ one being public speaking and to such a large crowd and two being the crowd itself. I was happy & surprised to see the other Kim and Joann. I had the privilege of sharing a table with Kim and getting to know her better and many other ladies as well. But to tell you honestly~ I didn't know if I'd survive the whole day. I had come down w/ the flu the prior Wednesday and was taking meds on a steady schedule b/c I was determined I was going to be there. The only thing I sort of resent~ I didn't really fellowship much as I'd liked~ I had worn Karen's shoes which were a bit tight and had a heal much higher than I'm used too because the new ones I bought were more than a tad bit to big and I didn't feel very comfortable running around in just stocking feet and I was extremely tired~ only slept maybe three hrs~ Matthew ad been up & down with a stomach ache and I was having an anxiety moment~ fearing I wouldn't be up in time to bathe and get ready. You'd think given the fact I knew I needed an outfit - I would of been prepared~ but no not me~ I left that to the very last minute only to discover I'd grown in the midsection and that my nice shirts weren't exactly roomy and flowing as previous years and the only other one that would of perhaps fitted I must of loaned it to my mom b/c its missing in action. Given all these small petty things~ I was was up and ready to go in plenty of time and had a great time. Thank you to all who participated in making it a wonderful day!!