True Forgiveness

I'm reading The Shack right now and was searching the internet for some other opinions about the book - from a Christian perspective. One of the main themes of the book is forgiveness. I won't tell you about the book, but it's pretty good. You have to keep an open mind, but if you can do that, then you can get a lot out of the book. Anyway, one Chrisitan book reviewer made a comment about forgiveness that I'm not sure I agree with. He says that in order to have true forgiveness the person in the wrong must (1) ask for forgiveness and (2) repent and be sorry for their actions (because that is the way it is modeled in the Bible with sinners repenting & turning from their sin & asking for forgiveness.) I kinda think that my action of forgiving someone doesn't rely on their actions at all. I am responsible for how I react whether or not they react/behave the way that they should. What do you think?

Various Summer Pictures

Here are some summer pictures. Emma's 5-year birthday party at Chucky Cheese's. She had a great time - for the most part. A few tears were shed, but I felt like shedding tears some myself. That place is WILD!


Emma & her Dad at the 2008 Appalachian Fair. She wouldn't ride anything except the Carousel & the huge Ferris Wheel.

Emma's first day of kindergarten!!! She loves it and I am so glad. I was so worried about her entrance into school, but she is having a great time there. It's a pretty big adjustment from Wellmont's CDC. I was so spoiled!

Sandy Shores

We just returned home today from a great week at Fort Walton Beach. I LOVE the beach and so does the rest of my family. We did nothing except play in the sand, eat, and play in the pool. What a great week! Emma & I made snowmen (or sandmen, I guess) and turtles, she jumped waves with her daddy, and was definitely water logged from the hours she spent in the pool. We met lots of great people there.

On the first full day there we had thunderstorms during the afternoon. While Scotty & Emma slept, I sat on the deck and watched the threatening clouds form over the ocean. I'm always in awe of creation when I'm sitting by the beach. How powerful the ocean is! So, as I sat on the balcony all of the black clouds came together right in front of me. It was kinda spooky, but I couldn't take my eyes off of them and how the clouds that were once spread out over the entire sky seemed to roll together into just one huge thundercloud. Just another example of how awesome and powerful God is.

This week we were also reminded of how fragile life is. First, our dog, Sumo, died while we were on the way to the beach. Our poor neighbors had the unfortunate task of notifying us and of burying our little pooch. During the same drive to the beach we were called by Scotty's mom and were told that Austin (our 16-yr old nephew) had to be taken by MedFlight to the hospital. Later during the week he was taken by Medevac to Vanderbilt & his prognosis wasn't too promising. He had encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and was unreponsive. Amazingly, though, he made it back home before we did!!! He & his family were bathed in prayer this week and it's just amazing what God can and will do when we persistently ask. How scary & how eye-opening it is when a otherwise strong and healthy teenager is knocked completely out in just a blink of the eye.

Oh, did I mention that we also have a new family member? Well, we do! Introducing...Sebastian, the hermit crab :)

Curves, tummy-tucks & a tan

Don't you just love how the camera adds an extra 20 pounds to you in pictures!! OK, so maybe the camera didn't do it. I joined Curves today because I feel like I look just awful. And, I promised myself a tummy-tuck if I can lose all of the weight that I would like to. Those post-baby bellies just aren't that grand to look at.

Last night I had my first spray tan. It looks pretty good today! I had a Mystic Tan and it was really neat. You just stand in a big box (looks like a huge industrial shower) and push a green button & get sprayed for a few seconds. It was over so quick- probably no longer than 15 seconds or so! I'm loving it & going back on Wednesday - WOOHOO!

3 more days until we leave for the beach!!!

Frazzled Female Makeovers

Tonight we had Frazzled Female makeovers during our Bible study. We had a couple of devotions - one titled "What Not to Wear" which reminded us to keep several "no-nos" out of our wardrobe (selfishness, pride, etc) The other devotion was from Proverbs 31. We started our night off by pampering our feet and I gave each woman a mini-back massage. We then concluded with facials and makeup. As you can see, everyone looked so gorgeous!

Catching Up

Wow! I can't believe it has almost been a month since I last posted something on here. Time really does fly! We finished up our Frazzled Female Bible study and are in the midst of VBS. Last night I had 27 kids (3rd & 4th graders) in my group. YIKES!!! Next week we are planning to do Frazzled Female makeovers. Come join us!! We will meet at 7:00 on Tuesday night (July 1) and will have a great time of relaxation. The following week (July 8) we are going to have a game night and then a guest speaker on the 15th. We are also excitedly looking forward to starting a new study & are considering "A Beautiful Offering" by Angela Thomas.

On the homefront - I guess you can call me a Biker Chick now. Scotty purchased a Harley! Can you be a biker chick if you don't ride the bike? I used to love to ride motorcycles, but it scares me half to death these days. I guess fear comes with knowledge??? Kristy Bedwell told me at church one morning that she doesn't ride with her husband either. She said that the president & vice-president don't ride together for a reason! Makes complete sense to me. I guess it's a shame to go through life dwelling on what could happen, but how do you move past it? I would hate to leave Emma Kate an orphan! I did buy a helmet though - it's rather cute - black with pink flames :) and I have a doo-rag that I purchased from the Breast Cancer Survivor site - it's black with pink ribbons. So, I'm ready to roll if I can ever get the nerve up. I'll probably just settle for small rides around the neighborhood!

I also have started a new medicine - generic Synthroid - for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I'm waiting for it to make me feel like a thousand bucks, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm still SO tired, but I just know that it will kick in any day now. I did feel pretty good when I was walking this morning at 5:00, but I have been yawning all morning. My girlfriend, Donna, thinks they should have just given me glue instead since I'm falling apart :) (Thanks, girlfriend!! You're older than I.) Keep your fingers crossed that this medicine will work.

Have a great week!

Beach Bum

Ooohhh, I'm so excited & looking forward to vacation in July. We are going to Okaloosa Island which is just off the Florida panhandle. Check out the cute place that we are renting:
http://www.vrbo.com/58359

Emma is so excited as well. I think she is most excited about sleeping in a bunk bed :)

TFF - Week 3 - I Don't Have Enough Time!

This week The Frazzled Female lesson is about having time for all of the right things. Sometimes we get so caught up in keeping the house clean, working, etc that we don't make time for the important things like spending time with God and our families. So yesterday instead of pulling weeds, planting flowers, cleaning the ring around the toilet, doing laundry, etc, I stored up some treasures in Heaven. I spent time at the lake making memories with my family and just enjoying the beautiful scenery that God provides for us every day. We made memories!

Cassie and Emma painted rocks that they found along the lake shore. We then held an art auction for all of their works of art. Emma pocketed over $15!!!

Scotty played fetch with Brooks (our dog) who learned how to swim yesterday!

I documented our day, watched a movie, enjoyed fellowship with Scotty's family, and made some Bible study time!

So, it's ok if the house isn't perfect, the weeds are tall, the flowers are still at Lowe's, and the laundry is heaped in a mountain. Lucky for me, God sees what is in our hearts, not the mud between our toes (or the cobwebs in the corners, or the weeds in the flowerbed, or, or, or)

TFF Week 2, Day 1

Memory Verse: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24, NIV)

Today's Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 "The call of Abram"

I am so excited about this week's lessons on trying to keep a positive attitude. Today's lesson was great for me. As I shared with most of you at the ladies luncheon a few weeks ago I was really mad at God when he asked us to leave Fellowship and move to Woodlawn. I mean, I had great friends at Fellowship and I was learning so much through the wonderful programs that they had. It was really the first time that I can think of when I was truly angry with God. Unlike Abram willingness to go, I went kicking & screaming so to speak. But, I believe God knows best.

More recently God has called me to work on the Women's ministry at Woodlawn. This is WAY out of my comfort zone (the day that I prayed at the Women's lunchen was the first time that I have ever prayed in public!!) and I have ignored God's voice for a long time. Finally, I gave in. I wouldn't call it a bad attitude, but just a hope, maybe, that He would give up. But, He didn't! and here we are on week 2 of our Bible study. I KNOW that God is going to bless this Women's ministry and He already has. We have 23 ladies with The Frazzled Female in their possession. Isn't that wonderful! I can't wait to see all of the positive things that come out of our time together. I think we should claim Jeremiah 29:11 as our theme verse for the church and our group "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

The end of the lessons asks: What is God revealing to you about becoming a more positive person. My answer to that is that when you are positive, people are drawn to you & they want what you have. So, many doors will be opened for you to lead others to Christ--and isn't that what we should always strive for? I took a Bible study at State Street UMC a few years ago. The title of the book that we worked with was "Attitude is Your Paintbrush: It Colors Every Situation" and was written by James W. Moore. I think the title says it all!

Closing prayer from TFF: "Dear Father, I want to be more positive. Please make me aware of those times when I say things and act in ways that are not pleasing to you. Teach me to express myself in ways that truly bring You glory. Cleanse me from negative thinking and infuse me with Your joy. I love you."

TFF - Week1, Day 2

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) "38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

The reading today takes a different look at "sitting at His feet." Often we focus on Mary as she literally sat at Jesus' feet and listened. However, the study points out that another way of "sitting at the feet of Jesus" is to think about God as you go throughout your day. I think this is a great way to live your life, but I wonder if you are able to develop the same relationship with the Father as you would when you daily find a quiet time to be with Him. Thoughts?

TFF Prayer for today: "Dear Father, I yearn for the intimacy You have for me. I realize many of the things that take up my day are good things. I also realize I will never be fulfilled in any of them if I don't choose what's to my advantage, and that's sitting at Your feet! Help me get excited about being in Your presence. Help me long to listen to Your sweet whisperings that can only be heard with I spend time with You. I love You."

Dairy Queen's new Spokes-girl

TFF -Week 1, Day 1

Our Connected by Grace Bible study is beginning the Frazzled Female study and today we are on Week 1, Day 1. Feel free to make comments whether or not you are in the group. Hopefully, there will be one post each day to correspond with the study.

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) "38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I find myself a lot like Martha and would have been equally displeased if I had been doing all of the work while everyone else just sat around. However, as I read this passage and Day 1 of TFF, I am challenged to be still and see what God has to reveal to me. I have never been the best at creating a quiet time daily with the Father, but I think by going through this study I will be "forced" to do it. It's exciting & I can't wait to read, hear, see what God wants to reveal.

It's kind of difficult for me to imagine having an intimate relationship with God. I mean, I can't see Him except through His creation, I can't touch Him except for holding a child, He doesn't talk out loud to me but he sends me emails! I believe, however, that by growing closer to God through a daily study others will be able to see him more clearly through me. 2Corinthians 3:18 says "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." I want to grow in God's likeness and have others see Him through my life.

what about you? Have you truly experienced a deep and intimate relationship with God? Are you excited about trying it? Will you join me and sit at Jesus' feet daily?

Here is our TFF closing prayer for today:
Dear Father, I'm choosing You. I'm accepting the gift of Your intimate relationship. Thank You for pursuing me and longing to fill my life with Your intimacy. I love You."

Modest is Hottest

I have been looking at lots of prom pictures this week and have been shocked at what many of the young girls are choosing to wear---and that their mommy's & daddy's let them wear it! Holy Cow! I have seen lots of cleavage and dresses cut down to the belly button. WOW! I hope that I don't have to break Emma's heart when she approaches prom-age, but "she ain't wearing that stuff" :)

I was looking through my P31 Woman magazine from last month and on the cover Shari Braendel is wearing a shirt that says "Modest is Hottest." Isn't that so true! Shari's article is about dressing your best & spending time on your appearance because you represent the King. I would add that we, as women, should also remember to be modest in our dress in addition to just looking our best. Would you wear that low-cut blouse or too-short skirt if Jesus was standing beside you? Well, He is! Let's help our little girls (and ourselves) be confident in their appearance without showing so much skin.

The Frazzled Female

No, I'm not talking about myself :) even though I could definitely be described as FRAZZLED! Actually, my new women's group, Connected by Grace, is getting ready to kick-off our brand new Bible study next week. We are going to be going through The Frazzled Female study by Cindi Wood. Has anyone been through this study? It looks like it will be a great study & truly relevant to many of us who try to do too much. If you would like to join us, just let me know!

My Frog Princess

Introducing....Emma Kate, the frog! Emma will be in her first ballet performance (Peter Pan) tomorrow & each day this weekend. She is so excited & can't wait for people to come see her perform. Isn't she cute!!!

The Writing on the Wall

My daily devotion came today & as it often is, it came from God directly to me. It's funny, but often I know God speaks to me through emails, devotions, things on the radio, etc. I've even prayed before, "God, just write it on the wall for me." Maybe I'm just not still enough to hear His voice, but I definitely "get it" when He sends me a message in black and white - my computer emails are my "writing on the wall" :)

I was starting to get down about some past events & I just prayed this morning that God would be with me & make me strong enough to resist the depressing thoughts that satan loves to put into my mind.
This is what my message from Proverbs 31 was today:
"I’ve started making the choice to say a simple statement that often diverts a bad attitude. And the statement is this, “If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it’s still a pretty good day.” Boy does this statement put things into perspective. I guess it’s an everyday way to do a little heart check up. The Bible tells us that we should intentionally make our minds think of things that are good, true,excellent, and praiseworthy. The more I think about things like these, the more my perspective seems to stay in check. In Colossians 3:15 we are instructed to, “Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts… and bethankful.” Verse 16 goes on to say that we should also, “Let the word of God dwell in us richly…” Finally, verse 17 says, “And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and letting the word of God dwell in us richly doesn’t just happen naturally. We have to intentionallymake those choices. And we have to challenge ourselves to deal with the bad while focusing on all the good that is there as well."

2008 Annual Hat Parade

Here is a picture of Emma at her last WCDC Hat Parade.

Class of 2021

Yesterday I took Emma for Kindergarten registration. While I am so thankful that I have a growing daughter, it is very sad to know that her baby/toddler years have passed by. She did great on her tests and is quite excited to almost be a school-age kid!

I have one gripe though. The school gave me a packet of information to read over. It tells me & Scotty what Emma needs to know before starting school (most of it she has already mastered). The packet was about 7-8 pages and on every single page I found AT LEAST one misspelled or misused word. What kind of message does that send out about the state of our school system? I was stunned that they would send out material that was so full of errors. Let's hope that they teach better than they write!

Connected by Grace

Dear Lovely Lady
You are cordially invited to join us for a special ladies luncheon
On Sunday, April 6, 2008,
immediately following the morning service

Woodlawn Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall)
1400 Southside Ave, Bristol TN

We are excited to present a great new program designed especially for you
We are Looking Up! Looking In! Looking Around! Looking Out!
And we are: CONNECTED BY GRACE!

Call to reserve a seat for yourself and a female friend
R.S.V.P
post your reply on this BLOG!

Tiny (& wet) Whispers

Emma has new found excitement for whispering in my ear. She doesn't really have anything to say so her normal secret is "I love you & Daddy stinks. Don't tell Daddy, ok?" She pushes all my hair back from my face & then she gets her mouth as close to my ear as she can. When she is done whispering her secret in my ear she just bounces away & leaves me with a wet ear!!! EEWW!

Pierced Ears

A couple of weeks ago Emma spent the night with my mom so I could take an Accounting Exam. Sometime during her overnight stay she asked mom to take her to get her ears pierced. Well, there was no way on earth that mom was going to do it. So, on Saturday afternoon, after enduring some time of pleading, I took Emma (4 years old, btw) to the mall to get her ears pierced. On the way there I kept telling her that it was going to hurt and I kept asking, "are you sure." She assured me that she was ready!

She bravely approached the counter and told the lady at Claire's that she wanted to get her ears pierced. We picked out a pair of really cute earing made with pink crystals in the shape of a daisy. CUTE! She sat bravely in the chair while the lady made purple dots on her ears for proper placement of the earrings. And then, WHACK, the first earring was in. OH MY GOODNESS. She started saying "OW" and then "Ow, that hurt" and finally "WWAAAHHHH." She screamed & screamed. I picked her up and, of course, everyone in the mall was thinking what a horrible mom I was for making her get her ears pierced. I held up my hands & said "for the record, this was not my idea." Everyone just smiled & I'm sure they were thinking, "yeah, sure!" Well, after about 30-45 minutes we paid for the set of earrings & the one piercing. We weren't able to get the other ear done. :)

A couple of days passed, & upon my suggestion, the daycare teachers kept mentioning to Emma how nice it would look if both ears were pierced. On the following Monday night she told her dad & I that she wanted to go get the other one done. We make the trekk to the mall, again, and she sat bravely on her daddy's lap. But, as soon as the lady came near her ear with the alcohol rub, she starting squirming and pushing the lady's hand away. Daddy & I decided that we were going to get the ear pierced regardless. So, as any good parent would do, we held her down while she received the torture of the 2nd ear piercing. Dad held her body and I held her head. It was over quickly, but I'm fairly certain that everyone around Claire's would not vote for us to be the Parents of the Year!!!

For the record, Emma did say the next morning that she was glad that she had both ears pierced and she looks so cute.

Pet Peeves

Do you have any pet peeves? Boy, I sure do. Here are a couple of mine for today.

• people who drive slow in the passing lane (talk about causing road rage!!!)
• people who talk/text on their cell phones while eating in a restaurant with other people
• people who talk/text on their cell phones instead of paying attention while driving

My Testimony

Wednesday, January 16, 1991. It is a day that I would LOVE to forget. It started out as any typical 19 year-old's day. I went to classes and then spent a couple of hours at work. I was dating a guy and had made the decision to "break-up". So, after work, I headed to his house that heshared with his grandmother. I gave him the news & he didn't take it too well. Not well at all! Finally, after a few minutes of whining, he left. I hopped into my car and drove away. Just a bit down the road, Derek was there standing in the middle of the street. I had two choices--run over him or stop. Silly me! I chose to stop. When the car stopped, he threw open my door & jumped in on top of me. He said, "I'm going to kill you" and began choking me. I struggled & he squeezed my neck, struggle, squeeze, struggle, and squeeze. Eventually, I passed out. When I regained consciousness I was in the passenger seat and he was driving. Frightened, I jumped out of the car and began running & screaming, "Help me". Well, it was Wednesday night & so everyone must have been at church :) & no one came to my rescue. Derek caught me by my hair & pulled me down to the ground. He picked me up by my lower jaw and dragged me back to the car. My mind was whirling about 90 mph and I was trying to figure out the next move. I noticed that my fingers and wrist were bleeding so I asked him to take me to the hospital. Instead, he started driving like a Baptist heading to lunch on Sunday and I was terrified. He started heading towards South Holston Lake & I told him that I really needed to check in with Mom. He agreed & pulled up to the payphones at the store on Highway 421. He got out of the car and I locked the passenger door and crawled over into the driver seat, but before I could get the door shut, he jumped back onto my lap.

YIKES! We were struggling against each other--one pushing the gas pedal and one pushing the brake. We managed to get the car back out onto the highway sideways, but guess what--no other car comes along. It's a 4-lane for goodness sake and no one is on it! Regardless, I'm holding the door open with my foot and trying to push him out. I'm close when BAM! the back of his upper arm makes contact with my nose. Blood is everywhere and I quit struggling. I crawled over into the passenger seat & started nagging. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG thing to do! He slammed my head into the window a couple of times & gave me a few backhands across the face. By that time, I was pretty much resigned that he had won. We continued on towards the lake in silence. He finally asked whether I want to die by his hand or by water. So, to make a long story short, I was eventually able to get him to calm down and he drove me to a friend's house. I had to have stitches and then surgery and he went to prison.

So, what does this have to do with my testimony? I'll get to that in a moment. First, fast-forward with me a few months. I met Scotty during the summer of 1991—and I met his MOM! She insisted that everyone in her family and even those remotely associated with her family attend church. I had been to church all of my life—off and on--but she was insistent on at least a weekly trip to First Christian. There, I met Louise Thrasher. She is a wonderful woman, but what a PEST! She wanted to pray for me all of the time. Several years passed by and God began putting more and more people in my life who witnessed to me. In 1996, my Secret Pal was a girl from work who had a very strong testimony. She was the epitome of someone using lifestyle evangelism to show Christ to others and we became close friends. Also, during the same time, I met Shirley Harrison, a home interior consultant and a truly beautiful person who shared her testimony during a Home Interior party, and throughout the whole party, she was talking God this and God that, blah, blah, blah. What does God have to do with hanging pictures, anyway? And, remember Louise?!? She was still there and wanted to pray for me all of the time. I used to try to dodge her as often as I could. You know, she would come in one door & I would head out the other :) But, pray for me she did (and she still does!!) She would always hug me and with tears in her eyes, she would pray for me. Why? I had no clue. Nothing wrong with me! Louise never gave up. Even after Scotty & I changed churches, I'm confident that Louise kept on praying. A few months after attending Fellowship Chapel in Bristol, I really began to feel that tug from God. With all of the people that He had placed into my path that year & with a couple of strong evangelistic messages delivered from the pulpit, it was more like a strong pull than a tug. So early on a Monday morning in May 1997, I called the Thrasher's house. Guess who answered? LOUISE! John wasn't home so Louise was able to walk me through a prayer of salvation and a week or so later, I was baptized at First Christian. After getting to work on the morning I was saved, I was just sitting at my desk thinking about that decision. Why hadn't I done it sooner? And then, my thoughts went back to that horrible night in 1991, and my knees went weak & I was sick at my stomach. I could have been killed that night. If I had met the Lord that night, what would he say? It's pretty clear in His word—Depart from me, I knew you not. That was enough to scare the pants off of me (luckily I was wearing a dress that day!)

It's been said a zillion times, especially when a young life is cut short---"you don't know how much time you have," "life is short", etc. But do you believe it? June 7, 2004, my 42-year old cousin jumped into his rig carrying a load of diesel fuel. He was headed to make a delivery somewhere near Knoxville. He didn't make it. He ended up in an accident and didn't even make it out of Kingsport. Did he think he would be going back home that evening? Sure, he did. I'm sure he had some old car and a wrench waiting for him. It could happen to you, any time, any where. So what I would like to say before I end is, "don't wait". In all reality, my cousin probably waited too long. Don't wait. And, if you are a Christian, but you have friends and loved ones who aren't—get on fire for them. Be a Louise Thrasher! Pray for them, ask them to come to church, talk about your Savior ever chance you get. If you don't get on fire for them and they meet their Maker, they are sure to end up in a fire of a different kind. Don't wait!

Bible Chapter game

Can you find thirty (30) books of the Bible in the paragraph below? Actually there are thirty-one (31) Bible names, one is a variant of an Old Testament prophet's name.


"This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, "The books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight." Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus; there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found. God Bless."

The Hokey Pokey

OK. This blogging thing is really new to me so I'm not sure what to post. Emma & I had a really fun day today. We met up with Heather & Arianna to go swimming. The pool at the Microtel was closed for painting so we ended up at the Frozen Stone instead. YUMMY! I had to do the Hokey Pokey to get 10% off my order. My face was blood red, but I saved $0.50! WOOHOO!