I'mmmmmmmmmmmmm Baaaaaaaaaaaccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it has been a long time since I had some time to post.
It has been busy around here. Here's what is going on!!

1. With Grace home from school, we try to spend a little extra time together. We aren't clothes shopping this year, yet. I have promised my wallet not to spend any more money on clothes until I lose 20#s. Well still haven't reached that. I lose 1.5 and gain 1 back.. THIS IS FRUSTRATING!! But I will not fail. I have God on my side. I keep praying and trying.

2. I started school on 6/27/07. Public Speaking. I had my first speech on 7/9/07. It was scary. Most of the people in my class are younger than Grace!!!
I got up there, started my speech, stammered and stuttered through it. The professor (he's got a doctorate in mass communications!) gave me the symbol to hurry up. I put on the brakes and ended right there. I was soooo scared. But he was generous and gave me a 75. That is a C and even though I am not happy with it. I will take it for right now. The grade is within company guide lines and I can still get the course paid for. I can only improve from there!. It was 10% of my grade and now that I have the initial shock of getting up and speaking in front of everyone, i know I can do better. Besides, this is the first grade I have gotten in almost 9 years when I went to work with Aetna and had training class.


3.I have been having a pretty consistant Jr. Church. Bethany, Kodi, Matthew, Jr., Micayla, Madison, Seth, Matthew, Isaac and Autumn all live in the same house now. So i usually have Bethany, Kodi, Micayla, Madison and Seth in Jr. Church. We just got through with a contest of learning the 10 commandments. Bethany got to go to Cici's Pizza with me on Sunday. The other children were upset but we will continue to work on them and when everyone learns them and can cite them in church, then we will go again.
In fact, they were so upset that David and Vera took them to Cici's for lunch too. Vera explained to them that they were going because they were hungry not because Miss Missy took Bethany. Bethany and I were eating at the table behind them and she said.
" I am truly blessed, I am having lunch with my family and someone from my church."

I had gotten a little upset too because I felt really bad for Micayla she tried so hard but couldn't say them in order and word perfect.

If you are going to teach the word of God, you have an obligation to teach it right!

'nuff said!

But when Bethany said that. I just had to say thank you God for getting me back on track!

Grace is still teaching Sunday School and she has a visual that she is teaching them too, which will help them remember the 10 commandments.
We are also learning about the 10 plagues. They have learned 3 of them and will start on #4 on Sunday.
Sunday is a special day. Mrs. Dolores Harris, age 94 (I think) passed away and her family is having a memorial service. The church is taking donations for new hymnals in her honor and the family will be donating too. We are having dinner on the grounds. Baptists and FOOD--- now, that is fellowship. I am making cottage pie (basically shepherd's pie with turkey), chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate icing, and pink lemonade pie. No peanut butter pie this time as I want to do something different. Besides, the men'a advance is on the 27th and 28th and Steve Smith is preaching and I know he will need peanut butter pie. I will make an extra one for him and his family to enjoy.


Grace went up to the Pastor the other week and advised him "I ain't singing until you sing with me." Forgive her English, she will only be a Junior in college next year. Well, I went home thinking, now where can I go to church because I know for sure that the Pastor is going to ask me to leave because my daughter decided to tell the Preacher what to do. And when I went to another church, well my reputation will be there before me. Well, he called her bluff and they sang 7/3, just over in the glory land and then did a repeat performance on Sunday 7/8/07. In fact, Brother Gay and Kevin Hand thought that Pastor was going to hold the book for Grace and when he started singing, I heard they were shocked!
... and yes, I think the Pastor is going to let us stay at Smyrna.
What a blessing Grace has been this year to our Pastor. She made him an acapella CD of her (singing) for his birthday, got him to sing with her. What memories! I told her that everyone will have those memories forever.

This has been a jam packed week. Monday and Wednesday my schedule is:
4 am-10 am work
11:15 am-2:20 pm class
2:30 pm -4:30 pm work

this is give or take a few minutes if I don't get to work early enough.

Monday night: went to Hope Children's home for Back to school revival heard Tommy Odom, Seagate Baptist church. I had the honor of taking my Pastor and his wife with me. They called me their chaffuer, cause I drove.
Tuesday night: went to Hope Children's home for Back to school revival heard Tommy Odom, Seagate Baptist church. I had the honor of taking my Pastor and his wife with me. They called me their chaffuer, cause I drove.
Wednesday night: went to my own church
Thursday night: went to West Gate Baptist Church- Grace wanted to see Brother Shaw and his wife. We heard Dr. Woodbury ( I think that was his last name, I know it is Wood something). He was very good. He preached on the 7 reasons for local church membership. It was a long sermon, but he was fascinating and really kept your interest. Very smart man.
Also, got to see the Vernoys minus the McCobbs. It was great to see their smiling faces. Jayde walked up to me and asked do you remember me. I at first said no but then said of course. Jewel looks more like Jackie than I thought. Jayde sat with Grace and me in church. I also got to see Brenda- I haven't seen her since the Mother Daughter tea on May 19th. She looks good too.
Friday night: I might just have to stay home and practice my speech for class on Monday while I wash clothes. Or I might need to catch up on my sleep.
Saturday morning: door to door visitation, cook for Sunday

Now, Rita, you are caught up. It was great seeing you last night!!