THE FABULOUS FIVE PLUS MOM AND DAD

Hello Friends and Family

Well, here we are~ complete for one whole day to get our photo made. Mind you this was one of those, we are all here in the hallway and someone pleaseeeeeeee take our photo. I'm not sure some of the Gallina's know how to smile. They were camera struck!!!

Jed got back to the base in Ft. Benning today. We were just getting up and he was getting on another bus heading toward the base. He was anxious to get back to a routine and PT. He knows he doesn't want to get out of shape. He will be assisting the drill instructors in daily assignments. But this time he won't be at the other end of the daily thrashings to the recruits. He will be reporting to the Airborne school this Thursday. I will have some information about that later.

I could tell Jed was a little sad that he had to leave us. He spent time with all of us before he left. That I am thankful. We all got a little piece of him while he was home. To him it was totally worth coming home for 24 hours. He doesn't mind the bus trip back. It was pretty uneventful! It was worth the gas prices too!

Okay!

I've included some of my favorite pic's that I took on Sunday. A picture is worth a thousand words!

Enjoy!

Liz

It's only 600 miles to Panama, Dad?

Hello Friends and Family.

How many times have I said in 21 1/2 years, I'd be a great parent if it was not for my children!!
The trials of being a good parent. Our 21 year old that is off to Panama, South America put us thru the good parent ringer yesterday.

It started at 9am and ended at 12 midnight with a break...... read on....

My husband drove him to Nashville yesterday to a family that has adopted him when he stays in Nashville. His flight for Panama was leaving from Nashville at 6am Sunday, so it made sense to go up a day early. For us in Memphis, it's a very do-able drive of 3 hours one way. Most people who have business in Nashville do the over night before and come home the day of the event.

Paul got home about 6pm and we were watching a great movie, THE MIRACLE, (the US hockey team who beat the Soviets in the Olympics in the 80's) GREAT MOVIE! Sort of like the movie about football now, FACING THE GIANTS.... GREAT MOVIE TOO. Anyhow.... Paul calls, and says Mom, can you go to my room and look in my printer. I was not prepared for what I was to find. HIS PASSPORT..... I can see now this was going to be a long night. So.. son to dad.... can you bring me my passport, we will meet half way.

So.. at 9pm Paul takes off to meet him halfway. Halfway was about 30 minutes past Jackson, Tn. Thats about 1 1/2 hours from here. They pass, then meet up and deliver the goods.
Both Pauls go back to their corners! I know my son had a very wee early morning hours of sleep. They need to get to the Nashville Airport by 4 am ish... then fly out at 6. I did talk to him when he had landed in Miami and they had a very small layover till touch down in Panama.

I know he has to be tired. I pray he got some sleep on the plane. My husband came home crashed in bed for a short amount of time and got up again for paper throwing. Needless to say, he missed church for being exhausted. He only drove 600 miles in one day??

Ah........... the trials of being a good parent! Patience!

Did you know Panama is on Eastern standard time?

Liz

My Romania Suitcase!

Hello Friends and Family

I'm not sure if I have told my extended family that I am going on a missions trip. Yes, me going over seas.. On a plane..... to Romania..... My son's Romania... The world's Romania...

We will be going to the Children's home that my son has been visiting. Casa Shaloam Children's home. We will be leaving June 28th till July 7th. We will be doing minsitry work with other children of the city and the children of the home. We will be doing a VBS.

That is just up my alley. We will be doing a sports theme. Soccer is huge in Romania. We will do the usual crafts, snacks, bible, and teaching English to the kids.

Part of going is three things..... a passport, money and a suitcase. I'm sure there are other things. You can throw your clothes in a suit case and some food. But you have to have a suitcase to do that.. a rather large one.

I was blessed with a huge blessing the other day. My dear sweet friend, Helen, came by and blessed me with the suit case of my dreams. Large~ I took a picture with Joshua next to it so you can see how big. You can only take 50 pounds and another stow away with you in the belly of a plane. Our second case will be ministry totes that each will take.

I'm so excited to be able to go and get this far with my newly issued passport, much money so far and still more to go and my new suitcase~~~

Please pray for me. You can be a part of this and me standing on Romanian soil.

So far everything is falling into place.

Mama and daughter and son going for missions~!!

Liz

LIZ

Hello Friends and family

Josh took a great picture of me. I don't take great candid pictures. But I liked this one.

I think he has the makings of a great photograher. He goes nuts with a camera.

Enjoy~

Liz

FIRE FIGHTERS

Hello friends and family

For the past two Tuesday's we have had huge storms... this past Tues. was a doozy~!~!

here are some pictures and what we were doing... this storm made national headlines...

liz

Memphis was full of activity on Tues. The weather was BAD.. Hard to say that when you weren't hit with a tornado. Then it was another adjective. Tuesday started out pretty nice. It was 70 ish in temperature. Then around 4 pm the bottom starts dropping out. Our storms here come around Arkansas and come aross the Misssissppi River. Pretty interesting to see on a doplar map. Tues. here was Super Tues. in the voting realm. Paul and I were doing the polls for our Ward, WOO-02. A very slow one. I think a whole 13 people came and voted and four of them were from our family. Our Ward is in a Fire house. The very same one that comes to our rescue when we call. We spent 12 hours watching these guys. I have a new appreciation for what they do. I'm sure they have a pattern of things they do day in and day out. This day they watched a lot of TV and went on a few calls. They are on call 24 hours then out 24 hours. When you need them, they litterally drop what they are doing, eating or sleeping and don their gear and GO to the sight. They anticpate when storms hit they will be busy.



When the alarm went out that Tornado's were sighted everyone goes outside. There is something exciting watching the air for tornados. I took my camera out and stared snapping the clouds and people. It was weird being outside while the sirens are blasting and grown adults are watching the sky. If I was home, I would be in the hallway with my laptop. After the polls closed and the air calmed down we got reports of the devestation. Then it started up again around 9pm. I was laying on the couch about to pass out when the 2nd round of storms came rolling around. I got a little antzy. It was down sized to Strong thunder storms from a tornado watch. I must of been so tired I passed out and woke up to my duaghter on the computor and I sounded pretty disoreinted saying some unintellable things and walking to my bedroom and again passed out on my bed. I'm not a 5:30 am person. 12 hours sitting doesn't generate much acitivty. The sky wathing was way more exciting than the 13 people who came by to vote.



Here are pictures. There is an awesomness of clouds and our atmosphere.

Liz

PRO LIFE RALLY

Hello Friends

I have another friend who I have referred to often, Bensrib... she has an excellent view of the Pro life rally in Washington this past week. She lives over on the east coast and took a trip to march in the rally. You will be surprised at what you might find. We marched in the rally about 17 years ago. The best thing we have done. I want to go back soon....
http://bensrib.blogspot.com/
check it out...

Liz

LIKE MEMPHIS WEATHER??? JUST WAIT?

Friends
I have a friend who is missionary in Moldova, Shauna Caldwell. I have featured her before here on the blog. She did a special thing for me last week braving the snow out side and making that very cute poster. That very day it was 70 degrees here and the sky fell out. We had terrific storms all around. I went out and took some photos of the storm that day. It was hard to see all the winds blowing around. The trees don't do it justice. If you look real close you can see a hool a hoop in our tree right above the time stamp on the picture. One of these days it will come floating down.

Any day I would rather have snow than 70 degree's in the middle of winter. At least with the snow you can go OUT and play. With winter storms you have to stay IN and duck for cover.

So... this is for Shauna.... Memphis, Tn. If you don't like the weather this day just wait for the next day~

Liz

INSANE WALMART~ INSANE WALMART

Friends

Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE going to Walmarts.... NOT just mine but others around the country wherever I might be traveling. We have been known to veer off at the first shriek from me in rain- sheet or snow... I like going at all times of the day and usually around Christmas time my daughter and I will do a midnight shopping trip. Very peaceful and fun to shop when the stores are not crowded. Still people there but not in the masses....

Any how..... TONIGHT was one of those INSANE TRIPS TO WALMART! Did I say INSANE?? It was a Friday night after Christmas. I HAD to go to Walmart.. .no milk, no eggs, no cheese...

Plus I had a little money to burn in my purse~ So off we went......(and all the other thousands of people with money to burn in their wallets)

Got my shopping done and off to the checkouts.... this is where it gets INSANE! Every isle that I could go down had at least 7 people deep. There were only 3-4 of those checkouts. Each just as busy.... So... we had to stand. Another passion my friends know about me is I LOVE to take pictures. So at the opportune times, I can whip out my camera, YES my camera lives in my purse. I got it out tonight and took some pictures. The folks in front of me.... and the folks behind me...... Let me tell you about these three fellows. As I was wheeling my buggy in here comes these fellows with three buggies of coke products. I MEAN the entire cart is full. Each fellow had at least 35 cases in each buggy. Of course that brought a reaction from me. I'm sure they bought out a whole display of coke products that was standing back in the coke area. They were reselling them for their business. They had 143 cases. They were great fun to talk to. I asked them first to take their picture then we shared the photo. Told them they would be on my blog.

These are those times that standing there for the 30 minutes grumbling would do no good. Our pastor always says to bring some sunshine to those around you at Christmas time especially when standing in a long line. So tonight, that's what I did. I took pictures and made new friends. As I left the three men I said, have a great time~they had to load and unload the products..~ He was very nice in his greeting also. See maybe the next time I walk into a gas station it might be their station or where ever I might run across paths.

so.... bring some cheer this season while you are getting your last Boiled Custard, last turkey or ham or goodies for your last party of the year. We are all busy... we had a mission.....

Don't forget to go back and sit on Ronald McDonald's lap too. Like Joshua... he got off and planted a great big juicy kiss on Mr. McDonald's lips --then his check.... that did make me what to run to the nearest baby isle and grab the baby wipes. YUCK~

Liz

LIFE IS MADE OF GOOD FRIENDS

HELLO FRIENDS,

I'd like you to meet my friend Barbara Timbs. (you can double click on the photo to make it bigger)
She is the lady with the red shirt on - on your far right.
She passed on from this life and is now with her Master. We will always treasure this picture with good friends. I've known Barbara when we first married. She graduated with my husband from Frayser High school. She was a dear sweet friend who would never say anything ugly about anyone. She leaves her husband, David and 5 children.

I was coming home yesterday and heard this song I have posted below.
I immediately thought of Barbara.
Hope you can say one day these lyrics are true about you.

Liz
***************************************************************************


Mark Harris - Wish You Were Here
From the album The Line Between The Two

I wanted to tell you how closely I've kept
The memories of you in my heart
And all of the lifetimes that we had to share
Live even though we're apart
But don't cry for me 'Cause I'm finally free

(Chorus)

To run with the angels On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our Maker That's where I'll be
When you finally find me
No don't you be weary cause waiting for you
Are wonders that you've never known
Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for his hands
And one day They'll welcome you home
And that's when you'll be Finally free Finally free

(Chorus)

I wish you were here, I wish you were here
And all of the dreams that you treasure
Will soon come together
And that's when your sorrow will find tomorrow
And you will rise again

(Chorus)

We'll run with the angels on streets made of gold
We'll listen to stories of saints new and old
We'll worship our maker that's where we'll be
When you finally find me I wish you were here

THE FEATS WOMEN DO

Fiends,

I had a thought today. This might be for all my 'girl' friends rather than my 'guy' friends.

Ever had one of those days when you have all of the clothes done. I mean, they are washed, dried and put away. No clothes anywhere near the wash room? those are nice moments, because they only last for a few short hours. It could be raining and the next kid who walks thru the door is dripping wet and there goes a dirty towel.

There is a certain amount of satisfaction knowing for a very short of time when your job of getting clothes thru the cycle of picked up, sorted, thrown in the washer, into the dryer, into baskets, folded and finally put into rooms or shelf's is done. It's a feat we women do several times a week. We step back and say 'FINALLY' it's all done. YES~

Don't even getting me started with grocery shopping. We go off afar to get our food, place it into our baskets, walk around a store, put it up on the checkout, get all the bags just right in our buggies, walk out to the car, load it, drive home, get home and take every sack out of the car, plop it on the floor/ table and then find a place for it~ That's a feat also~~~

Not sure why I'm saying all this... makes me feel better. We women do these chores every day/ weekly or monthly.

WAY TO GO MOMS AND GRANDMAS, SISTERS AND AUNTS

I'm right there with you
Liz

HOW DO YOU WEAR A SWEAT SHIRT?

Hello Friends,

I'm using my blog as my soap box for a minute. So bear with me.

Have you seen the latest trend that teens are doing these days. They take a perfectly good sweat shirt or their jacket of choice and wear the garment up side down with their arms in the sleeves. So the sweater is upside down and worn for several hours like this.
Why? that I'm not sure. They look cold every time I see them. Do they think this is cool?

First I thought it was a trend that the girls at my church were doing... then last night a girl coming out of Walmart was doing the same thing. She must been part of the same 'trend club' as the girls at church or is it universal?

Can you tell I'm not a fan of this 'trend club'? Why not wear it correctly or at least around your waist for a double purpose? What statement are they making?

Now that I have pointed out this 'trend club' you will no doubt start seeing young teen girls doing this. If you get the nerve, walk up to one and ask why this trend? Email me and let me know.

I'm stepping off now!

Liz

FIRE!!!

Just hearing that four letter word sends chills up my spine. We have had our share of fires and when I see it or smell it... I'm searching out the cause of it. Sort of like a dog on the hunt for a rat. Many of you know our shop outside our house had a fire. Pretty bad. No one was hurt but it was torched on the inside... the smoke damage was just as bad.

We've had fires out in the field, a fan catch on fire in the middle of the night... and we have had good fires of burning sticks..... that will have me standing guard over the ashes till I think it' s safe to leave them....... You wouldn't believe the times we've had the fire department come!

Today on the grill... my husband left it on for a purpose I think. All of a sudden, Micah yells, DAD THE GRILLS ON FIRE... of course we go running.... and there are flames shooting EVERYWHERE... fire loves oxygen.... the lid was shut... he was cleaning the grill.... but Micah was ready with the hose to douse it~ only to be told he wasn't needed! bummer!

What gets you running? storms, fire, kids choking, dogs getting run over, car wrecks in front of your house, unexpectant company........

Liz

THE 70'S

Wow

what a groovy chick!!!!! really! I just barely remember the 70's!! Every year I go away with 6 of my girlfriends and we have a really great time! This year we went to Heber Springs and rented a really remarkable house. We decide ahead of time and have a dinner with a theme!

We bring the clothes and have fun! We decided this year it would be the 70's. We each brought a picture of ourselves and dressed the part with a strobe light, dark light, mood light and just had some plain old funny moments! what are girl friends for~ have you tie dyed a shirt before?

It was easy and fun. I could of got more creative, but was rushed on time! What you see is what you get!

The other picture is of the whole group.

Thanks for enjoying!

Liz

WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN THE 70'S??

A LIZAD FUNNY: THINGS KIDS SAY

The Sermon: I think this mom will never forget this particular Sunday
sermon... 'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven
and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust.'
He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who
was listening!) leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill
little girl voice,

'Mom, what is butt dust?
*************************************

Tacklebox Lures

On her 15th birthday, my daughter opened a package from her mom and her sisters. Out came a beauty case containing many
samples of makeup.

"Neat!" I exclaimed. "Your own tackle box!"

My wife calmly explained that it was NOT a tackle box; it was a beauty kit. My daughter proceeded to open it up and
show us all the mascara, eye shadow, rouge, and other cosmetics.

At this point I leaned over to my wife and whispered, "I told you it was a tackle box. Just look at all those lures."

Received from Mark Mail.

THE LION KING: BROADWAY PLAY

Hey Friends,

Do we look happy or what??

My picture could of been better, but my friend Teresa looks great!~! We asked a docent to snap this for us.

Our local support group where Teresa and I lead gave us tickets for a thankyou gift here in Memphis and we went and saw the Lion King at the Orpheum in down town Memphis. I'm not a usual down town person but the place it bustling with people. There are carriage rides, people walking everywhere. The play was absolutely fabulous...

The people became the animals. It's hard to describe just seeing all the colors, the creativity, the dancing, the singing... Did I mention they can dance and sing at the SAME time.?... It's a BROADWAY PLAY! Very good in all they did. Funny too.

I have never seen the animated version of this...but I knew of the story and had to ask a lot of questions.. you can follow along. The crowd went nuts with the opening number. Awesome animals/ actors. The Elephant was four people for each trunk coming up on stage from the main floor. He did have a little spill coming up on stage. But manage to upright the huge animal and finish the act. The Giraffes were the most amazing!~! wow!

Teresa and I so enjoyed our 'little date' with each other! We ran into some old friends outside the Orpheum, Katherine and her son, Nathan and I snapped that picture for you that know them. They said they 'saw' Teresa's hair!!!

If you get a chance to go... do so... they are showing Hairspray in November and have some children's plays also.

Liz

ps. the circle of life!!

100 THINGS ABOUT ME

My friend and blogger, Bensrib, did this one time and thought I would try it!~

1. I’m the middle child
2. I have two other siblings
3. I have a sister 13 months younger
4. I hate cats
5. But hate birds more
6. I have five children
7. I had all five children at home
8. Had several sets of midwifes, husband doesn't count!
9. I have china from my mom, husbands mom and grandmother… all the same pattern
10. I went to the same school system for 13 years
11. Had perfect attendance for 2 years
12. I love all kinds of music
13. I love choir music
14. Can play the trumpet and the baritone
15. I have been coordinating VBS for my church for 12 years
16. Favorite fast food in Millington: El Toros
17. I love to take pictures with my camera
18. I’m just now getting into taking digital pictures
19. I have been scrap booking for 8 years
20. Never been out of the country
21. Going to Romania next summer
22. I use a purse until it falls apart
23. I’ve never been in a wreck while driving
24. Would love to visit Hawaii and California
25. Hate washing dishes.. But it has to be done
26. Only lived in five houses I can remember in my lifetime
27. Have read my bible cover to cover
28. Been to college in MO.
29. Have received my AS, Mrs., and MOM degree
30. Love to read Biographies
31. I have never broke a bone
32. Only been in the hospital three times in my life and only been out of it once~
33. Called 911 more than once
34. Have road in a ambulance for fun and for serious
35. Have picked off mice and rats to many times off a trap
34. I secretly wanted a girl for my first baby
35. Would love to meet the McCaughey septuplets and their parents
36. Would love to make 10,000 in a month’s time
37. Would love to go on an all-you-put-in-a-shopping-cart-sweepstakes-trip to Wal-Mart
38. Been in three Wal-Mart’s in one day~
39. Love winter time
40. Can’t believe I have 60 more things to write about
41. Got married just shy of my 21st birthday
42. Had kids two years after marrying
43. Still have my set of Nancy Drew books that I collected as a kid
44. Still think Libraries are very important.
45. Can drive four hours before having to stop and hobble to the bathroom
45. Never nursed and drove at the same time, but know who has
46. Can remember having a 110 camera
47. I love chocolate and really LOVE it times of a month
48. Have a son who is a wonderful chef
49. Used cloth diapers for several of my kids
50. Even had a special bucket with decals to put them in
51. Remember five and dime stores
52. Orange is my favorite flavor of drink
53. LOVE crushed ice
54. Taught my daughter to be potty trained at 18 months… boys are a different story
55. I have one fallopian tube and still managed to get pregnant… only takes one folks!~
56. Never took piano lessons but wished I did.
57. Begged my parents to get me a piano
58. My best friend taught me the basics
59. I have started riding lawn mowers three different ways
60. I love getting lost in thought on a riding lawn mower
61. I have all my kids’ teeth and a circumcise ring in a jar
62. I am directionally challenged
63. History is my favorite subject
64. Got married in a Nazerene church- rented it~
65. Have never drank coffee and don’t plan to.
66. Still keep in touch with childhood grade school friends
67. Worked at a Mc Donald’s near the six flags- St. Louis and lived within 30 minutes 68. Wish I could say I’ve never been skinny dipping
69. Currently own a car that I LOVE and have no air conditioning
70. Never had a manicure or pedicure
71. Need a new mattress
72. My dream vacation would be going on a west coast drive up and down it.
73. I’m sick of hearing about celebrity adoptions
74. Would love to hear about normal people adopting and their sacrifice to get a child. 75. Will soon have a son in the military
76. Makes it easier living in a military town
77. But will still miss him terribly, especially when it comes to weeding eating
78. One day in my old age, teaching other children will be a pleasure
79. Still have my first love letter from my husband
80. Knew my husband less than two months before saying yes to marriage
81. Favorite Disney movie: beauty and the beast
82. Graduated in 1981 from high school with the red and gray
83. Played basketball on a team for 6 years
84. Matter of fact played basketball to go into labor with my first child
85. Would sit on a porch all day long and swing
86. Don’t care for football very much
87. Killed a mole with a butcher knife in my front yard
88. Can play jacks
89. Have gone snipe hunting
90. Have washed my dog and my brother’s hair at the same time
91. Have lived thru a fire
92. Italian and Mexican food are my favorite dishes
93. Wish there would be no more car wrecks in life
94. Knew of a family who lost six of eight family members in one wreck
95. Still miss them
96. Have stayed up all night scrap booking
97. Secret: would love to have one room in my house that is just mine~
98. Love: sliced tomatoes, scrambled eggs and biscuits
99. Don’t like high heeled shoes and have a fear of turning my ankle in public
100. Loved the exercise of stretching my brain doing this~ DO YOU KNOW ME MORE? OR WISH YOU DIDN’T?

That was harder than I thought it would be. If you get inspired and decide to share 100 things, leave me a note so I can come read about you.

MEET THE WELCH FAMILY

(you can double click any picture and it will be bigger! cool!)

Hello Friends

One of the perks of living in a military town is the folks you encounter over the years. I would like you to meet the Welch Family. Many of you will remember Mercedes from our home school group. They were in transit from being in Hawaii when they came to the only landlocked base in America- Millington. When they left here they did go back to Hawaii. When I first met Mercedes, she called me from Hawaii. You know Hawaii is an American State. With an American zip code and a regular phone code. Have you ever called Hawaii? I have several times now. Her kids are Sarah 14 , Ben 13, Tristan 11, Geoffrey 8. When you haven't seen them in a while, they look so grown up. Can you imagine for the children when they grow up and and someone says where have you lived at? Hawaii mostly~~ The memories they will have living on base on the island.

I did email her and asked her about the situation with the Hurricane that just passed by... here is a few things she said about it.. enjoy... LIZ

*************************************************************************

Hawaii is the most eastern island in the state's chain. We actually live on Oahu, in the middle of the chain and a little farther north. The normal weather pattern for hurricanes out here is that they pass by south of us. We may see some wind and light rain but that's all. We could really use the rain...there is a big brush fire on the other side of Oahu that is threatening homes. I'd probably stay home in case of big emergency. We live high on a hill in a home built in 1940. While there are many tall trees on our street there are also many really neat families with lots of kids and it would be a party, let's make the best of this atmosphere. Oahu doesn't have enough shelter space for everyone and they are all located downhill from our neighborhood. I'd stay home anyway just to be on the Naval Base.We are into week three of our tenth year of homeschooling....YIKES where does the time go? The public schools and majority of the private schools are on an almost year round schedule here so we mirror their schedule to a degree. With 34 kids on our little dead end street it's fun to not be schooling when your friends are playing. When you live in paradise and the weather is always summer (but not like YOUR summer...what's up with 105 degrees anyway?!?!?) there is no incentive to pull out a separate time of year to dig into the books. I've attached a picture taken in April of our family.

Much Aloha,

Mercedes

THE QUEEN OF MOMS DINNER: HISTORY IN THE MAKING

I realize the picture will not be as big as I would really like it... but ...Here we go~~~

I would like you to meet a special lady... Helen Davis. For my home schooling buddies you will recognize the name. Helen started our dinners we have come to know and love as our MOMS DINNERS each month. That was in august of '89. BTW: WE HAVE MET EVERY MONTH SINCE THEN... She was brand new in home schooling and wanted to know more. She invited some ladies over and sat them down and asked questions. They had so much fun... she decided to have it once a month. See her home was not a large house... it was less than I'd guess 800 square feet. We sat on wheat buckets and ate off real china and laughed, prayed and listened to some great wisdom from the ladies. She did this for a few years. Then her mom passed away and expecting a second child: she gave coming to her house every month up to each of us now having a chance to host the dinner.

This picture had some of the 'originals' in it. I'm not an original but more of a relic now. I came into this about 2 years into her hosting at her home. This night at her home for a dinner (July 07) was a surprise for her.(the ones who came from afar) Her dear sweet husband and her father have passed away in the past 6 months and she was ready for a dinner. Indian Curry was on the menu and it was delicious. Once you tried it you always wanted to have it again. More about the recipe later.

You might recognize the folks:
back row: Liz, Andra, Doris Collins, Trina Pearl, Kim Owings, Tammy Madill and Grace Switzer
Front row: Toni Holt, Linda Stablein, Kelly Madill and Barb. Timbs.
VERY FRONT ROW: The mom's dinner queen herself: Helen Davis

We had a sweet reunion.Told some funny stories... Why can't we do more of this more often?? Why wait for funerals and weddings?~~

Thank you ladies for making my life richer!~~ I really really enjoyed the evening~ and have enjoyed the fellowship for the past 17 years. Man I am really getting old~

Liz
THANK YOU JOANNIE FOR GETTING THIS TOGETHER... WE EXPECT YOU AT THE NEXT ONE AT HER HOME IN OCT.... THE 23RD~

SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST

Friends

I pray everyone has experienced CAMP in their lifetime. For some of you it might have been this year or it’s been a few years. My boys go to our annual pow wow for our churches Royal Rangers. This is where all the boys from across the state of Tenn come together to camp, hear a speaker, play games related to the theme, and receive and be recognized for awards and generally have a GREAT time. Royal Rangers is mostly a boy/ dad/ leader organization. We meet at our churches campground in Nashville after all the youth and kid’s camps are over with and they put on a GREAT themed camp. This year’s theme was ‘SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST’. You know where all you wear is camo. What boy wouldn't love this? All I saw all weekend were 500 boys and men in camo outfits. What fun they had taking that out of their drawers and closets. What fun that will be washing all the stink out of those clothes~!! In the midst of the 500 boys/ men… there are a handful of women in the camp. I think we have it made. Sleep in air-condition, work in air-condition and take a few naps. There were twelve of us women. Some are needed to help with the men in the kitchen and some in the concession stand. I opted for the concession stand. I love the business of that place plus the food is there~ What fun you can have with adults in the concession stand.

I stayed in the ‘special dorms’ for staff folks at the camp. There were six of us in one room. I felt like a camper again with sharing of the bathrooms. Each day we got up at 6 am to be ready at 7 am formation. Some where in my funk the first morning, showering, I put on my head hand lotion. No wonder it didn’t lather up!~!! CAMP! MEMORIES!

I have some pictures of the days at camp. We had someone who knew someone who knew the phone number of the clerk, who had our paper work, at the Army National Guard to get the BLACK HAWK to land in the baseball field. WHICH it did. It was totally COOL. I thought the trees were going to break from the wind the helicopter put down. The boys were mesmerized by the power of the machine they have sometimes or maybe never seen that close. The National Guard brought in a Humvee and a rock climbing wall. The oldest of the boys, were in a ‘FORCE RECON’ group. They all looked liked fresh recruits in the Army. Their leader, Sergeant Lewis, is a man who has been in the Army for 28 years and now in the National Guard. He stayed with them day and night, had them doing PT at 5am, drilled thru the camp, yelling out cadences, and had an awesome recon camp. Hopefully that picture will be here. The National Guard brought in their AR 15’s and SKS for that group of boys to shoot. They, the National Guard, were so impressed by the skills, and character of the boys. They have already volunteered to come back next year and to improve their rifle range. You can be a Christian and sometimes your ‘actions’ can speak louder than your words.

Our guest speaker was Pastor Rich Gipson. He was a former SEAL during the Vietnam War time. He went thru HELL week twice. TWICE! Back then your unit was numbered. His was 21; now Seal team 4(for those who really want to know). http://www.specwarnet.net/americas/UDT.htm

His testimony was compelling to the boys. He kept their attention and kept mine. He kept the theme of Soldiers of Christ and all thru the weekend, the boys saw how the life of a soldier in the natural world is for real as a Solider of Christ in the spiritual world. Another ministry that helped out is called Soldiers for Christ. Here is their web site: check it out: http://soldiersforchristministries.org/index.htm

Another group of folks were there selling their unique brand of camies. Called Christian Camo; here is their web site: http://www.christiancamo.com/default.aspx
Very cool stuff.

Many of you know my son wants to join the Army. This weekend probably confirmed that for him. I have NO doubts he can pass the tests, boot camp and really enjoy the life of a soldier. He saw grown godly men in the role of a soldier but also how to live the life of a ‘Soldier for Christ’. What a powerful testimony you can have!!

Hopefully all my pictures have come thru. This was by far an awesome weekend. If your son is a Royal Ranger age and you live in Tennessee. Don’t hesitate to send them back next year. It will be gooder and gooder!~~

Got my pen, compass and first aid kit!
Serving my commander in Chief, The Lord Jesus Christ
I’m a nobody, telling everybody about somebody~

Liz

ONE TIRED LIZARD

friends and family

It is SO good to be back home and seeing my 'possessions' that I own. Namely my bed and bathroom. We had a FANTASTIC time in the Nashville area. Our theme this year was Soldiers for Christ. I'm so glad I'm enlisted in the Army of God. Have you enlisted? or have you been Drafted? We were around 500 boys (and men) from 8 years to 17 in all abilities of talent. I'm impressed with the young men around the state of Tn. Of course I'm proud of my boys. They have made their mark in leadership and character. I have more to share... it only gets GOODER AND GOODER~ Yes, I realize I said that not in correct grammatical terms but it was EXCELLENT! With six hours sleep each night and worked like a dog, I'll say anything. I will have some great pictures on my blog soon. I met my match in photography this weekend. I'm impressed. You know I LOVE to take pictures!~~ stay tuned to my blog... http://www.mylizardtales.blogspot.com/
I'm having a blast writing and posting pictures.


Hope you can join me soon. more later when my brain and tongue can function together!~

one tired Lizard!~