A Tiny 4 Legged Blessing

Anyone who knows my husband Charlie and me, won't be surprised to learn that we spent most of last weekend caring for a fragile stray cat that we found wandering across the street and into our back yard.

As you can see, we already enjoy a wonderful family of sweet 4 legged friends.

We hoped to nurse this tiny stray back to health and find her a loving home. She purred throughout her pampering session of brushing, a bath and blow dry!

Yesterday, we took the cat to the vet and received the bad news about how very sick she was and we had to make a tough decision. Though sad, we are so grateful that God blessed us with the gift of this little sweet cat even if only for four short days.

Summer Fun

Can you tell that we don't take ourselves too seriously? We do however take our study seriously and this month , we have enjoyed Wes Daughenbaugh's Principles of Perseverance.

Back Row L -R Brian, Laurie, Kim, Mystery woman

Front Row L-R Mike, Mindy,Sally,Melinda, Jay

We had to drag Jay away from his game of 'hide & seek' to join us in our photos.


The truths shared in this book are designed to help renew our strength when we feel physically, spiritually, mentally or emotionally exhausted. May we be among the overcomers who always find a way to renew our strength and to complete our assignment from heaven and to never join the crowd that simply calls it quits. Our daily challenge is to always obey!


My husband Charlie and I love opening our home to our Team. While Charlie is not yet a member, he is a fantastic host and a great support and sport!

That's What Friends Are For

The End Result....

Blessed Friends and a Beautiful Yard!!!

A Well Deserved Break....

Serving With A Cheerful Heart

Thank you Kim and Sally for surveying the project and making a list.

Kim did a great job pulling weeds, laying mulch, picking up yard waste...Wow...what a worker bee! I think we should sign her up for VBS...we need workers like her!!!

Mike doing yard work despite bad allergies is always a sign of true friendship and servanthood.

Melinda getting into the swing of sweeping. Hey doesn't Jay need that to get to work in the morning???

Thanks Chip for the mulch...the truck...removing all the yard waste...and working diligently last night.

Make sure you wash those hands Mindy before you bake that "Heaven Cake" ;)

What teamwork...

Jay posing for a picture instead of raking...hey get back to work.

Brian posing for a picture while raking...gotta love multi tasking.

Peter is the "energizer bunny" of yard work.

Sally did a great job mowing the yard. Of course the mulch in the front hides her great work.

And thanks to our other workers who choose to remain in the W.P.P.

Praying for our son - Doug

On May 13th we began our countdown - 7 months till Doug returns from Afghanistan and we look forward to seeing him walk off the plane with his fellow Marines sometime in January 2010. Until then we look forward to hearing stories from Doug of how he has experienced God's protection and encouragement, just as he did in Iraq in 2008. This is a picture of his last Homecoming on September 2, 2008.

Doug began his Iraq deployment meeting up with his best friend from childhood, Mike Shank who is serving in the Army. Mike was determined to find Doug and we know that it was with God's help that he did. Mike and Doug were able to spend some time together before Doug had to leave for a more remote location. Mike Shank is Vi Shank's Grandson.

This is Doug with his Iraqi Police Officer Buddy. God can use anyone, anywhere to show His love. Please pray that Doug will be a true witness to those around him whether foe or friend. We are all God's children!

Many times Doug experienced God's protection and knew it was the prayers of so many people that God had heard and answered. When he did call home he would say "Please tell people to keep praying." On this second deployment we pray that Doug will see God's hand of protection and look to Him for courage, strength and confidence and give God the glory for all He does. Thank you to all who keep Doug and all the Troops in prayer.

Until Doug returns, we will remain In Line With the Word!

Chip and Kim

Mother's Day

Caitlin's Home!!! We are praising God that she had a safe and adventurous semester in Rome. It will take us months to see all her pictures and listen to her stories. We spent the weekend enjoying family time and even went to see a Red Sox game. I loved having time to spend with Brian, Caitlin and Robert. Thank you to everyone for praying for her while she was away. Also, thank you for praying for Robert and supporting him and he heads to the mission field this summer.

Mother's Day service at church was so special! Pastor Dave made sure every mother, grandmother, mother-to-be, and every young woman who desires to be a mother felt honored and esteemed. Kim was asked to speak to the congregation. She did a phenomenal job as she spoke about her own mother, her role as grandmother and mother. THANKS KIM!!! You blessed everyone through your obedience.

Cait and I are away this week enjoying some Mother/Daughter time while Brian and Rob are enjoying time watching the Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox without estrogen-interruptions.

Until I come home...I remain In Line With The Word

Laurie

It's Been a While

Hey there friends!

Do you ever find yourself asking where the time goes? Well, that's how I'm feeling when it comes to April. I guess that it's my excuse for the long time since my last posting. It seemed like I was just anticipating April's arrival and now it's come and gone.

We enjoyed a unseasonably warm day yesterday here in New England, which provided our Home Team with a perfect excuse to celebrate our very own Mike Bragg's 50 Birthday, out on the screen porch! I don't ever remember, in the 30+ years of having the back porch, being able to use it this early in the season.

Last night's session was intriguing and for some , a bit daunting as well! The discussion focused on our gifts and our callings. God will require an accounting when we stand before Him at the Judgment Seat!!! So the question is, "Did I do what He wrote for me to do or did I do my own thing?" Have you ever thought of that ? It's really a very provocative question to consider!

We're counting down the weekly sessions to the end of this series and have decided that our next endeavor will be a bit lighter , though just as thought provoking, I'm sure. We've received approval for and have ordered the book by Wes Daughenbaugh entitled "Principles of Perseverance". The subtitle is 'What To Do Instead of Giving Up! 'The term perseverance should be defined as "love that keeps on obeying." It is one of 7 steps in the cycle of success . The cycle is exciting and includes 1) Depend on God 2) Seek God 3) Hear God 4) Obey God 5) Persist in Obedience 6) Achieve Through God's Power 7) Return to The Glory of God! Over the last few months, each member of our Home Team as endured a period of testing and/or loss and we are excited to enjoy a study designed to renew our strength when the going gets tough.

Until the next time....We are In Line With The Word,
Sally

Heaven

Another tuesday and that means our Home Team's arriving! Some like Chip arrive in real style! Check out those wheels!
Some arrive bringing treats...some might say 'heavenly treats! Peanut butter & chocolate, everyone's favorite!They surely didn't last long! As always, our group shares and enjoys lots of laughs and great fun together before getting into our study!Thanks Mike & Mindy for the penny candy from your latest trip to VT. Oh, the memories!

Have the clues of our 'heavenly' treats helped you figure out this weeks topic? That's it...Heaven! What an exciting and animated discussion about heaven, our new bodies, the Millennial Reign of Christ and the New Jerusalem! ...to be continued!!!!!!

Until we meet again....

We Are In Line With The Word,


Sally