Way to go, Dad!

Impressive post, Dad! And so glad you are feeling better! At this moment, Morgan is in the air probably somewhere near the east coast, Kyle just got out of bed, Staci is showered, dressed, and ready to go somewhere, Sawyer is wearing a cowboy hat holding a blinking cup, Knox is making faces at us while eating pickles, Nana is busying herself around the kitchen (suh-prize), Karlyn is trying to breathe through Baby No-Name's wiggling, Ryan is holding the recliner down, Joan is on her way to the house for lunch, not sure what Kaylee, Keith, and Holly are doing, and here I am...just making sure you know what we do while you are taking care of families and dead bodies.

Very thankful for this fantastic family. Love you all!

old dogs new tricks-it just takes longer

Welcome home children and grandchildren. I can hardly wait for all of you to arrive. It seems longer than just a month since Thanksgiving. I do not like this machine but if i am going to communicate with this generation I am going to force myself to learn. This is only one thing among many that I need to learn in 2012. So, I should get a week head start. Bits of knowledge from baby sitting the boys this week. Know takes a three hour nap, wakes up crying but I did not hear him. Sawyer brings him into the living room and i walk over to get him to see if he is hungry. Sawyer, he will not come to you. Who ever gets him out of bed has to hold him. OKAY. Knox, who mess up this floor? Soyer. I was in the back bathroom and Knox comes down the hall hollering, Grandad, where are you? Donna and I had never heard him make a sentence. Hurry home safely! We are going to have to visit hard and long to catch up before Morgan has to leave for Africa, and then Kyle to Argentina. I love all of you!

To the tunes of SILVER BELLS: Stomach Virus, Stomach Virus!

OK I don't know why my body loves to annually get the stomach virus but here we go.  Started last night and now my back is hurting soooo bad!  Pray that Sawyer, Knox, and Ryan don't get this!

I Can See the Light!: Karlyn

Well this 10 day whirl wind is almost over.  Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment and then I'm sending the boys to school Tuesday and I'm staying at home to rest and catch up!  Thanks for everyone who prayed for my sanity:)  Now I can really enjoy the rest of this month and begin getting ready for baby no name.  I hope y'all are enjoying December.  What I've learned so far is I have to enjoy every moment at that moment and not fret or worry over what is coming next.

We are making it!!! SNOW

I can't believe I woke up to snow this morning:)

Joan, thank you- thank you- thank you- for always being there ready when I need help.  I wish I could have found a way to get the boys to you but because y'all have prayed for me- this week has been busy but I haven't felt crazy or out of control!
 
I'm finishing a study on 1John and the main thing I've learned is that I'm great at loving people who are easy to love but really stink at showing God's love to those who annoy me:)  So, what has God done...he keeps putting the annoying ones in my path DAILY!!!  I'm getting lots of opportunities to practice but can't say I'm super succeeding yet:)

Love y'all!

Joan

Mom and Dad,

Sorry to hear about your friend's death; but love hearing about her perspective of looking forward to seeing Jesus.

Praying for you!

Karlyn, sorry I didn't work things out to get the boys. I would really like to keep them a couple of days soon. I'll come pick them up... just let me know when.

Christy...."Just a few more days".... thinking you are chanting the same thing as Kaylee and Keith.

I love y'all!

Nana

Thankful for Marilyn Coleman's sweet spirit. She got her wish this morning. The visitation is Wednesday night and the funeral Thursday, so we are rearranging our week.

Thankful that Karlyn is experiencing some sweet times with the boys and able to continue with her responsibilities.

Thank You: Karlyn

So...somebody must be praying for me because I made it through the weekend without being stressed and even got to enjoy playing with the kids.  So now off to my week and I feel a huge peace.  Just keep praying it continues.  Knox is repeating EVERYTHING these days:) 

Now that I've given my week to God and asked for his help I'm starting to get ANXIOUS that we've done NOTHING to prepare for this baby.  I tried having Knox lay down with Sawyer last night and that lasted all of 5 minutes!  He is so crazy.  So, I'm looking for a twin bed for Sawyer with a trundle.  If you know of one for sale or where we can get a good deal on one let me know!

Our friends Jade and Blake are moving back to Warren after Christmas and I'm very sad!

Ryan and Jonathan finished cutting in Scott Saturday, YAY!!!!!

I'm so thankful it's Christmas and even more thankful for why we celebrate it!
Praying for Albert and family.
Love y'all.

Christmas Time!! Nana

Karlyn, your week is much busier than ours! Thankful that we are able to continue with celebrating Christmas on such a busy note!

In the middle of all of this crazyness, our dear friend Marilyn Coleman is not expected to live many more hours. That funeral will probably be somewhere in the middle of all of this.

Today, Sunday - Carliss Odom at our church--He has really slowed down, but still has a great smile and outlook on life and loves the Lord. Fixed lunch for him and his driver.

Monday - Dad at Caldwell for Brotherhood (don't have to fix dinner this night)

Tuesday - Nothing

Wednesday - We are treating the deacons to dinner at Catfish Island then to our house for dessert.

Thursday - Albert's surgery, please pray, pray, pray

Friday - Wedding Rehearsal in Marvell for Josh Kemmer

Saturday - Wedding

Sunday - Lunch at church

Monday - Christmas Party at Roller West Helena, missing the Vo-Tech party

Tuesday - Nothing

Wednesday - Ladies party in Marvell.

Thursday - David,Connie, and Marjorie Gilmer here.

Friday - Goodie day at Vo-Tech

Hope you are all having good times.

It's Christmastime!

So glad that mom's procedure was good and she's OK!  Thank you God for good health! 

I've got quite a hairy schedule from now till next Sunday and I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed and anxious.  Pray that I can take one day at a time and only do what needs to be done and not get distracted!  It's so easy to get distracted!  Here's what's going on each day so you can pray specifically because I want to enjoy December and not feel crazy!  I know all of you have schedules as busy or busier so I'm praying for y'all too!

Thursday night - spa
Friday and Saturday - prepare for my BC meeting on Sunday and work spas next week
Sunday - church and BC Christmas party
Monday - Christmas dinner for kids teachers at Pattillo
Tuesday - work spa at PCC Helena, work at Pattillo, deacons Christmas party at the Hibbard's
Wednesday -work spa at PCC DeWitt, work at Pattillo, church
Thursday - wrok spa at PCC Stuttgart, work at Pattillo, Jenifer and Dan coming through Saturday
Friday - Saturday - Jen and Dan here
Sunday - hopefully back to normal:)

I need excellent results from my work spas, great sales and future business to start with in January!

Good news!

Very thankful on the last day of November that mom has clear arteries! Praying for clear diagnosis on what is causing the problems, though.

Janet's Thanks

God's love for me in sending Jesus to provide salvation.
My parents - they showed me what unconditional love was all about and loved me when I was unlovable.
Music
My job and my boss
Holly and Kyle for the joy they brought to our lives when they lived here.
Aunt Retha and Uncle Joe for being substitute parents for me when Mom and Daddy were in the hospital.
God's protection throughout my life even when I thought I didn't want or need it
Piano lessons provided by my parents at great sacrifice to them
Social Security that allowed me to get a college education
Joan and her exposing me to the Chronological Bible Study
J.E. just for being my big brother and all the things he does for me.
Donna for being an example of what a Christian woman, wife, mother, and grandmother should be.
J.E. and Donna for allowing us to feel like we are part of your immediate family.
Christy for her smile and enjoyment of life.
Staci, Morgan, and Kaylee for being lots of fun.
Sawyer and Know for being such delightful boys.
Karlyn for being my only "stepdaughter"
All my cousins for being only a phone call away when I need them.
J.E. for wanting us to live in Caldwell and being our next door neighbors.
All of Mama's brothers and sisters for showing us how to really love one another
The ability to work
Doctors and diagnostic tests
A night off to rest

Aunt Gracie's Thanks

Every morning I am thankful for my salvation.
I am thankful for the video Bible J.E. & Donna gave me. I can't read the Bible, but I can hear
it everyday.
I'm thankful for Janet and the life we have together. She is very special to me.
I'm so thankful for J.E. and Donna and that they live next door.
I'm thankful for all my family. I have a special time with nearly all of them.
All of Mae's children, Earline's children, Vivian's children, Ruth's children, Bransfor's children,
Archie's children, Janie's children and most of all Retha's son.
I'm thankful for all my grandchildren and I have many.
I'm thankful for our church.
Thankful for the hearing device the church gives us who are hard of hearing. It is great.
Thankful for friends.
Thankful for the rain.
Thankful for flowers and green grass.
Thankful that I can see to drive and go to the beuaty shop and buy groceries.
Thankful for our home and where we live
Thankful for my pacemaker
Thankful for my health
Thankful for a warm and cool home.
thankful for jobs
Thankful for the sunshine and the beautiful sky
Thankful for money to buy what we need
Thankful for time to relax and worship you.
Thankful for little boys like Sawyer and Knox

Pictures

Hey guys so if you didn't get the facebook message, here's the link to our pictures if you want to see or print them. The password is hughes123.

photobucket.com/hughesthanksgiving

jeh

Thankful thjanksgiving for all1111

Christy

Lots of catching up to do...

So very thankful for a job that gives me 3 days off for Thanksgiving!
Thankful we are almost all here at mom's...hurry Holly!
Thankful that we are all HEALTHY this holiday!...not counting runny noses = )
Very thankful to have Lauren with us!
Very thankful for students that sometimes tell me what I want to hear, even if they aren't being
completely truthful ("I'm thankful for YOU, Ms. Gore!").

Knox

I'm thankful for books and that I can still fit in mom's lap!

Sawyer: 4 year old brains?

rats & mice

i didn't even ask him to explain!

Karlyn: It's almost here!

I can't wait to spend a few days with all of you!  I LOVE THANKSGIVING!!!!

Sawyer

 horses, race cars, cowboys, Knox, new baby, mom, daddy, coffee, hoola hoops, mickey mouse, Nady, Jet.

Joan

Thankful that we get to enjoy being with our family VERY soon.

Thankful for Keith and all the degrees he has worked through to be in a position to provide well for our family.

Thankful that we can worship together as a family.

Thankful for God's mercies being new every morning.

Thankful for the Adams family teamwork getting some of the leaves out of our yard.

Karlyn: Time Off

One week off!  It's a huge gift and I take it for granted.

Sawyer

horses, cowboys, new baby, zoo, dinosaurs, Knox.

Kyle

11/14: Lauren being born today, XBox

11/15: Shipley's Donuts, rain

11/16: Elevation, cooking with my buddies

11/17: hard conversations, Brother jeff

11/18: high school football, Austin bussell

11/19: Lauren Graviet, the Arkansas razorbacks

Lauren

11/14 my mom for bringing me into the world today,  my Mawmaws cooking, and getting to spend time with my cousin Shannon 
11/15 skype and a house that has heating/cooling(very thankful for heat tonight!)
11/16 thankful that my cousin Michael was ok after the tornado in Auburn and cheese fries
11/17 that Kyle loves the Lord and is a leader, and that I didn't feel sick all day!!! 
11/18 the tv show wipeout for making me laugh until I cry and long naps! 
11/19 getting to spend time with my mom and Mawmaw and that the Lord loved me before I knew how to love myself!!! 

Karlyn

Yeah for a Saturday at home and time to play with just me and Knox while Sawyer and Ryan hunt.

Christy

Yesterday I was very grateful to have some uninterrupted time hanging out with Holly! That doesn't happen very often.

Today I got to have at least 4 hours of uninterrupted time with Staci, and that really doesn't happen very often either.

Looking forward to lots of group time with all of you next week!

on a lighter note, I'm very thankful for hair color in a box! (I guess in this particular case, I should say "on a darker note") hee, hee!

Nana Christmas Music

It is great to work around the house listening to Christmas Music. Thankful for "The River" playing Christmas all day long....music about Jesus!

Sawyer: One more

DINOSAURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karlyn: Naps & Safety

I've had a LOOOOONG but good week and I got to take a short nap today and Knox has been asleep or over 2 hours!!!!

Also thankful that Morgan is safe!

Sawyer: Too many smarshmallows!

playing outside with Nady and Jet, snow, skating on the ice, skateboards, going to Jada & Ian's house.

He just ate 6 marshmallows so that may have something to do with the snow comments?

Now we will pretend that it is Wednesday.

I feel like I'm echoing some of Holly's posts tonight, but hey, she came to see me tonight, and I haven't seen her in several days, so yea! Holly mentioned the other day that she is thankful for how we laugh together...could there be a connection between that and our incredibly good health??? Well, I am very grateful for my HAPPY family. You people are fun.

Speaking of HAPPY and LAUGHTER, I'm really thankful for Karlyn's camera that manages to capture these things. In honor of this item of thankfulness, here are some of the shots that always make me laugh:

Is it already Thursday???

We will pretend that it is Tuesday, and I will make up for the last couple of days. It's been very busy, but for that I am thankful because I was able to work at the ballgames and at the store to earn a little extra. In this economy, some people have NO job, and I have at least 3 that I am paid for. God provides!

Yesterday a lady from the American Cancer Society came and spoke to my student council, and I was reminded, as Holly stated the other day, that our family is incredibly healthy. It's really saying something when I fill out medical information for me or the kids, and I can't even remember the name of our doctor! Praise God for healthy bodies!

My Momma

This day is all about Mom! So many things that make me thankful for her. She set the bar so high for how to properly run a household that I will never meet that standard, but you know what? (and this is just for you, Morgan!)...even if I shoot for the moon, at least I'll land among the stars! ha! What I mean is that my A.D.D.-ness really keeps me from ever achieving a household run the way mom did it, but because I have that vision of such a great house, I feel like even if I halfway reach that standard, I must be doing really well...does anyone out there understand what I mean???

When I think back to all the things she did for us growing up, I feel sorry for my own kids (sorry Holly, Kyle, and Staci!).

• Kids came over just to eat her cooking. Game nights were all about her spaghetti. (yeah, there's no line of kids outside my door).
  
• If I had a vision of an outfit I really wanted, mom would let me choose fabric and then she would make it for me! and, may I say, we did NOT look like children of a certain family that might have a tv show on TLC! And I know I didn't exactly choose the easiest patterns, Mom...that doubles my thanks!
  
• And in the days long before computers, oh, the number of papers she typed for me!

Well, this only scratches the surface, but grandkids, you just need to know you have one incredible lady for a grandmother! Love you, Mom!

Thankful that I can celebrate 68 years of life today.

Thankful for my wonderful wonderful husband.

Thankful for each one of you in our family. You mean so much to me.


Posts by Nana

Who wants to go see Happy Feet 2??? NOT ME!

Music.
Music. Music. Music.

Envelope sealer, so I don't have to lick 400 Christmas cards shut.

Text messages.

This blog so we can all keep in touch in one place while we can't be together.

Thankful to FINALLY be feeling like myself again.


NANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Knox

NANA NANA NANA NANA NANA NANA NANA:)

What a GREAT MOM!: Karlyn

I'm sooo thankful for Donna Lee Keeling Hughes.  I'm thankful for the family she came from and for how she was raised.  I'm thankful that God opened her heart to fall deeply in love with dad in spite of all the warnings she was given:)  I'm thankful for her deep relationship with Christ and how she has leaned on that through the years to make her a wonderful friend, wife, Nana, and mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM I LOVE YA!

Sawyer

I'm thankful for digging, Legos, taking a shower in hot water, gymnastics trampoline, playing at Jada and Ian's house, outside, Jet and Nady, daddy, mom, pick flowers, church,  and playing in the rain.

And Happy Birthday NANA!

Kaylee

Baking
Being able to see nana and grandad even if it's just for a little while
Peppermint white mochas
Pinterest
New Music

Joan

Thankful that the bomb threat at Univ of Alabama came to nothing and thankful that Morgan had a paper to write that kept her in the dorm rather than at the cafeteria where a stabbing took place.

Thankful that Kaylee endures being an only child and sometimes pretends to like being around us.

Buddy the elf what's your favorite color....

I am thankful for doctors.
And medicine.

I am thankful for rainy days. Things get to slow down at work.

Computers are one of the handiest things ever. Although Quickbooks and I don't get along all of the time, I am glad that I have it.

Easy Buttons.

Dreams.

Memories. Good and bad.

My Meem. I love her more than she could ever know.

Closure.

Christy

Thankful Staci is still connected to high school sports because of the opportunities it gives me to see old friends.

Thankful that this laptop that I bought at a bargain price the summer of 2008 has held up quite well so that I can stay easily connected to all of you!

Restaurants & Veterans Day redo: Karlyn

11/13  It's really great that for the most part we can go out to eat as a family and I don't have to worry about how Sawyer and Knox will act.  It won't ALWAYS be great I'm sure, but tonight was really fun!  Except for the fact that they ate 2/3 of what was on my plate!  Boys and their appetites:)

11/14
I'm gonna make up for missing Veterans day.  Over the past few weeks veterans and active military has kept coming up in my world.  Not sure what I'm suppose to be doing with that awareness but I will tell you how thankful I am for the US Armed Forces....

Thank you Dad for being willing to serve our country.  You quietly instilled PATRIOTISM in us even though I know it wasn't quietly instilled in you.  We don't know a whole lot about what you did and what you were involved in, but God used your experiences to help you and mom raise us with grand reverence and respect for the country that God so lovingly gave to all of us!  I hope we are able to instill that in our kids too. 

Lauren

11/5 Mr. Charles who got me into the Bama/LSU game for free and sweet friends from Pine Cove
11/6 Taco Casa and long car rides
11/7 a car that works and new friends
11/8 acting silly with my mom and the way my parents raised me
11/9 Subway Veggie Sandwiches(which Kyle hates) and DVR because I never get to watch my favorite tv shows at their regular times!!!
11/10 getting paid to do what i love and grace!!
11/11 my church family and good cheese dip
11/12 getting to spend time with my grandparents and a day off work!!
11/13 much needed rest and time with my best friends!!!

Kyle

11/5- Mr Charles and Pine Cove
11/6-Nana and Grandad and a lifetime of good health
11/7- Matt Honeycutt and Taco Bell
11/8- Skype and eating lunch at CBC everyday with Craig
11/9- Small group and the cold weather
11/10- Buffets and spiritual talks with Dillon at work
11/11- Cancelled classes and a Godly family that I can always lean on
11/12- a chance to get away for a weekend at Pine Cove and second chances
11/13- Dr. Pepper and my friends coming down with me to a Pine Cove Conference

Christy

Sunday naps are as good as ever! Thanks mom for training us well = )

Knox can say "Christy" ...sort of...good enough for me to be very grateful for his sweet little voice (or ferocious growl).

Sawyer

I'm thankful for...CANDY!!!  Pumpkins and candy corn

Karlyn: Free trips!

Yay for family and free Razorback tickets. 

Veterans

I am thankful for the veterans in our family who served in the Armed Forces and that God brought them back to us safely. J.E., Luther Sr., Uncle Eugene, Jerry, Uncle Mike, Uncle Archie, and there may be others, just can't remember right now.

I am thankful for having the day off yesterday (Veterans Day) and being able to clean Grandad's office with his permission.

I am thankful that we were able to visit in the hospital last night with Charles Duffel and Albert Good. Things are very serious for both of them. Please, everyone, pray much for both of them.

Nana

Joan: Memphis

Thankful that it's big enough to have any store I need, but small enough so that I'm no more than 10 minutes from Kaylee's school, Keith's work, my office, and church.

All the ministries and opportunities God has exposed us to here.. Downline, Fellowship Memphis, SOS, Makeover Memphis, Memphis Teacher Residency; and so many more. Thankful that God is doing some amazing things here, and that he let's us be a part of it.

Christy: catching up

so very thankful for my weekend company...all 5 of them = )

thankful for a weekend that I will not work any hours at the store and just enjoy family.

thankful for classic literature that lets me sneak in a Bible lesson at a public school.

thankful that it's Michelle Duggar having her 20th child and not me. More power to ya, girl!

Easier days

Warm cuddly socks
Having days with only one thing for homework

Joan: Kaylee and Morgan

Kaylee: for being such a good driver that we can trust her to be responsible and remember to let us know where she is and who she is with.

Morgan: for working hard on getting her application for "New College" completed and continuing to look for a job.

Kaylee and Morgan: for making good choices (that's for you, Sawyer) and making being a mother of two teenage girls so enjoyable

I'm Brian Fellows.....

This week has been absolutely nuts. I don't think I've gone home from work before 7. I am grateful for these crazily busy weeks though. I have a job that I really enjoy.
I will be taking 18 hours next semester, and still working as much as possible.... I am thankful for the naps that I have now, because I have a feeling that I won't be getting many in the near future.
I am thankful for having such a funny family. Laughter is such good medicine. Even if we are all sitting around crying our eyes out(which seems to happen every holiday), someone will find something funny to throw in there and we all end up laughing through our tears(this also seems to happen every holiday).
I am thankful and excited and ready to see everyone.

Knox: Thick Skulls

Knox is greatful that God was smart enough to make our heads very thick and strong.  Otherwise he would be wearing a helmet 24/7!

Karlyn - Funny Comments and health

I'm soooo thankful for the funny things that kids say that make me stop, laugh, and not take things so seriously!  On Wednesday nights at church I've been teaching music to the Pre-K crazies!  We were doing a bunch of rhythms last night and we stopped and I said "I'm tired" then our pastors son Steven said, "Let's take a quarter rest". 

I'm also thankful for the good health God has given to our WHOLE family through the years.  Growing up I remember so many of our relatives always being sick or in the hospital and that hasn't been the case with all of us.

    

Sawyer

I'm thankful for daddy, Ian, Jada, Eli and the Hibbard's

Christy

Absolutely overflowing with thankfulness every Wednesday night that I get to meet with Staci and her friends for Bible study. Mostly I'm thankful that a 16-year-old is so sweet about letting her momma be a part of this portion of her life.

Thankful for the salvation and baptism of a 24-year-old young man that I taught when he was in the 8th grade. His parents have prayed for him so diligently for so long as he has walked some very dark roads. Great is God's faithfulness!

Joan: Staying at Home and Working

Thankful for memories of God's faithfulness
*How did I Mom and Dad ever afford to for Mom to stay at home with us all those years?
*How did I ever get to stay home with Morgan and Kaylee during the time when we were probably having the smallest income ever in our married life?

Thankful for a job that fits me perfectly...
*The timing was a gift... my hours increased just as Morgan and Kaylee were hitting ages where I felt like I could give more hours to a job and keep my sanity
*The environment is a gift.. God knew I'd never make it behind a desk 8 hours a day. I have the freedom to send emails while I'm doing a load of clothes if I want.
*My supervisor is gift.. The pastor I work with directly is constantly affirming and bringing out the best in people on our team.

Karlyn- laundry and laughs

11-8 I'm thankful for christys burst of energy to put away laundry. Maybe I can find some of that energy!. Seriously... Thankful for the resources Gods given me so that I can help a sweet 7 year old who is struggling with reading and her mom is desperate for help.

11-9 thankful that my Patillo isn't stressful and when I'm so exhausted and don't know if I can make it these sweet kids make me laugh all day long!
Also thankful for Ryan I wouldn't survive without his help.

Sawyer has been singing "oh my darlin oh my darlin oh my darlin ANYTIME!" He can't figure out why I keep saying "no, Clementine"

Christy

Thankful for bursts of energy to put away laundry.

Thankful for Holly's excitement about getting registered for college classes...GO HOLLY!

Thankful for Kyle's excitement about getting registered for spring classes...GO KYLE!

Thankful for Staci's good grades in her first college classes...GO STACI!

Double once again

I'm thankful or the warmer weather we have had the past couple days.
Very thankful for ibuprofen
Being able to run little errands in my own after school
Thankful for ceiling fans!

Joan: Mentors and Role Models

Since God hasn't allowed for us to all live in the same town (I know why... I'd never reach out to anyone else because I would be having so much fun with y'all); he has been gracious enough to put mentors, role models and ladies to disciple us in our path.

Today I'm thankful for people like Lara Vetoyanis, Jessica Lewis, Megan Staggs, Erin Crenshaw, Katie Hobson and Rosanne Elmore who have poured into Kaylee's and Morgan's life. I know the "mom voice" is not the easiest to listen to at times; and I'm so grateful to know that these ladies are speaking into their lives also.

For myself, God has blessed me with a lady named Becky Cunningham here in Memphis. She knows Memphis and is a few years ahead of me on the path. I love gaining insight into how to strengthen my walk with the Lord by watching her life. Soooo thankful!

Karlyn

Greatful I got to make new friends today. 

SO... I jumped out on a limb this year.  I've started being a part of the Jr Women's Club in DeWitt.  After living here for 9 years I still haven't made very many connections with other women around.  With school around the corner for Sawyer and not knowing what to do about school I figured this would be another way to get to know the community.  So, today I helped with a fundraiser lunch and got to know several new girls and some that I have known as acquaintances. 

One girl that I've known in passing for a while took time to ask me about our church.  She and her husband are struggling with where they are and it was so refreshing to be excited about our church and what's happening and inviting them to come and visit.

Crazy Connections

Thankful for God's sovereign plan and the way he orchestrates details in our relationships...

*Shantell Robbins, who is like a little sister to me here in Memphis, recently went on a mission trip to Sierra Leon. When she mentioned the name of the town where she was going, I thought of my third grade teacher, Jan Nickel. I thought the name of the town rang a bell as the same place where she had lived as a missionary (moving there over 30 years ago). Randomly (my perspective, not God's) I looked her up on facebook and messaged her (I've never had any communication with her since elementary) to see if that might be where she still lived. Freeport was the same town! She was leading the same kind of ministry that Shantell was going to lead; and she works for the same ministry that wrote the material Shantell would be teaching. Shantell spent time with her in Freeport and now sees Jan as a hero and mentor.

Friday night we had friends from church over for coffee, John and Jennifer Martinez. John is selling some software that specifically meets some needs in dental practices. He mentioned that he had met a man that week from Forrest City. Come to find out it was Dr. Hunter Harrison. I was amazed to hear John speak of Hunter's faith, the discipleship training he had gone through and the way he was leading in his church. Hunter and his family were next door neighbors to the Hughes clan for years, but I never knew anything about their faith or if they even had one. I love knowing that people God had next door to me growing up in Forrest City are now being used by him in Memphis. I was so unsuspecting that God was at work in Hunter's or his family's life; and it made me convicted that I need to know my neighbors better... maybe they know the Lord and he desires for us to reach our neighborhood together; or maybe they need to know the Lord and are thirsty for the life that I have kept to myself.

Rest

I was very thankful for that extra hour of sleep last night especially since I just decided stay up later than usual for Saturday.
I am also thankful for Starbucks because I was still exhausted even though I was able to have another hour.

Knox

Thankful that daddy comes and gets me while I'm crying in my bed and mom is ignoring me:)

Karlyn - Good Weekends

11/5 - my in laws willing to let me use their home for my BC meeting so that I didn't have to clean my own:)

11/6 - sweet friends letting us be a part of their child's baby dedication.  Thanks Huitt's:)

Sawyer

I'm thankful for daddy, mom, Ian, getting to see Gracia, going hunting, cowboys, God, baby sister, Knox, me Sawyer, computer, church, dr. pepper, Icee, nerds, food, guns.

Sunday Funday

I am thankful that the truth always comes out in the end.

Thankful for Mona & Kevin taking me under their wing like they have.

Thankful for an awesome football game and boss for getting the tickets.

Thankful for days with nothing planned.

Thankful for my Meem, and her willingness to give me the advice that I don't want to hear.

Thankful that I have a blanket, because it's really cold in this room.

Thankful for friends that will come and pick you up off the floor when your broken.

Lauren

10/31 my 3 best friends and the ocean
11/1 the promise of eternal life and laughter
11/2 my 3-4 yr old cheer team and dt mt dew
11/3 My stepdad for loving me like I'm his own  and the trees changing 
11/4 Cooper(the boy with down syndrome I babysit) and kyle coming to visit
11/5 Mr Charles who got me into the bama/Lsu game for free and sweet friends from Pine Cove 
11/6 Taco Casa and long car rides

Christy

Thankful for a church that has had the same pastor for 25 years, and in my opinion, this is not a bad thing! I told Jeana Floyd last week that for all the changes in my life, I'm very thankful that their leadership in my life had never changed. Even when in Osceola, I watched Springdale services online and kept up with the church blog.

Also thankful that under "Pastor's" leadership (that's for you, Keith), our church is passionate about the Great Commission. Looking forward to the opportunity for me and Staci to go on an international mission trip some time next year.

Christy

for that extra hour of sleep once a year! that makes it 10:30 instead of 11:30 right now, right?

also for my Northwest Arkansas family. I love that I have been told I have a standing Saturday night invitation. = )

Double

Forgot to post yesterday so here's four things
FALL!
My wonderful parents letting me have..I mean borrow their car that gets me places even though it makes weird noises.
Being able to eat off the kids menu and getting lunch for $4
Being able to sleep in on Saturdays!

Stress Free Saturdays

*Time to catch up on reading new books, watching SEC football and paying bills.

*Living close enough to our parents to have lunch with them and be back in Memphis for supper.

Moms and Dads

A mom who will hem and mend clothes for kids of their kids; because I was too stubborn and distracted to learn myself.

A dad who will lend a hand and his wealth of experience to paint one more room, hang one more door, do one more remodel to our ever changing house.

Kyle

10/31 donations for Argentina trip and great Godly roommates
11/1 God's redemptive nature and CBC
11/2. A free weekend to see Lauren and chapel at CBC
11/3. A nice hot shower in the morning and a working radio in my car(Jennifer)
11/4. Hillsong and SEC football

Christy: FRIDAYS!

I am soooo thankful for Fridays! They never get old.

I am also thankful that the girl I am professionally mentoring this year at school is such a great novice teacher...God knew I couldn't handle someone that wasn't naturally gifted in the classroom.

Karlyn

Thankful for friends that ask to help.

Knox

I'm thankful my mom isn't mad at me for staying up all night last night!

Sawyer

I'm thankful for TV, me, my house, Knox, daddy, momma, our mouse, mouse trap, God, new baby, UP the movie.

Nana

I am not doing this right yet! Oh well.

Nana

I am thankful that my oldest grandson spent the night with us last night. It is so good to see him even for a few minutes.


I am thankful that tomorrow I will have lunch with my retired friends. It is great to be able to continue our friendships.

Christy

I am certainly thankful for Sawyer...we prayed for God to bring him to us for a long time.

I am also thankful that since I moved 5 minutes closer to Siloam and since the high school moved 8 minutes closer to me, I can now get one more day out of my gas tank each week! Woo hoo!!!

Brrrrrr

I am thankful for coats, jackets, etc... I would freeze to death without them.
I am thankful for an awesome boss that's understanding of my crazy schedule with school coming up.
I am thankful that there is a Dollar General on the way home from work so I don't have to fight the Wal-Mart crowd.
Go Johnson Dollar General!



....and for Chick-fil-a. They provided me with a great lunch today.

Pumpkin Patch trip

Karlyn: Supper at Church

For several months our church has been cooking supper on Wednesday nights.  I'm so greatful for that because I don't have to cook and I've gotten to spend time with people that I normally just get to say HI to in passing b/c we're so busy at church.
And....beans are almost all harvested!!

Knox

Knox is thankful that all of his teeth are almost in and his mom lovingly changes everyone of his nasty teething diapers!

Sawyer

Today Sawyer is thankful for horses, his daddy, the zoo, deer, ducks, our refrigerator, God, and Christy.

Answered Prayers

Prayed for wisdom for volleyball decisions for Kaylee and saw God give clear direction and peace yesterday.

Thankful for God waking me up, even though I didn't respond to my alarm this morning. Had a 5:30 am meeting, alarm went off at 4:30, fell back asleep; jolted awake (by God, I'm sure) at 5:00 and made it to my 5:30 meeting on time.

Great, Christian mentors/families surrounding me.

A roof over my head and a warm place to sleep at night.

Christy: Soup and Hours

Today I'm thankful for the creator of canned soup. It makes Staci feel like she has had a real meal, and it required little or no effort on my part, depending on if Staci opened the can herself.

I am also very thankful for an extremely flexible second job that has provided lots of hours for me to work this holiday season. I can work them if I want, or I can choose not to if I'm too overwhelmed by my primary job. What a blessing!

Old Friends and New Friends

Phone conversations with old friends who know me well and help me regain perspective...

Lunch with a new friend who is crying through the same pain that God has walked me through. Grateful that God is willing to redeem our pain and bring healing in us and others we share our story with.

Being at home- Karlyn

I'm very very very thankful for the days I get to stay at home with Sawyer and Knox and don't have to wake them up to go somewhere and they get to sleep!

The Few Good Things at School

I am thankful for friends that are good at math. I am also thankful for teachers that postpone tests because of Halloween.

I am thankful that the trees finally started turning into their fall colors. I'm also thankful for my brown chair and ottoman.

Nov 1 - Karlyn

I'm very thankful that Knox has Sawyer to play with, otherwise it's very tiring:)  Also thankful for all of you the best family in the world!!

Impossibilities

Nothing is impossible with God!!!

It's the simple things....

Sonic Ice Cream.

Lucy.

Both can turn a day around.

Thankful for New Food

I am thankful for Mark Ottinger's tomatoes. They are awesome. I am also thankful for Joan's chicken pockets. I really like food.

Keith