Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Our new home

We are very blessed to have a home provided for us by the church. Here are a few photos.....I finally got my pictures and decor on the walls and all the boxes unpacked - hooray! We still have the task of buying curtains/drapes for some of the windows. Also for your information, our new address is: 1220 S. Stateline Rd., Galena, KS 66739


The living room........

Curtains that have been put up since original post


My cross wall (in the entry)

My cross table....(yes, I collect crosses - ha)!This is the den/Jeff and I's office.....it's a very large room, so he has his office on one side and mine is on the other. We want to add a couple of nice chairs as well to this room for times when he'll meet with folks in his office and/or times one of us want to watch the television in that room.

This is a picture during the time when I had my Christmas tree up in the Living Room, so moved this love seat into the den for a temporary home.

Our dining room area.....
Another picture of the dining room - as you see it's at the back of the living room and the double doors in this picture go into the den/office area.

The kitchen - I love all the cabinets and the walk-in pantry!Another pic of kitchen -- also love the double oven!

Kitchen.....


Front guest bedroom.....

Middle guest bedroom.....
Guest bathroom....

Master bedroom......

Another pic of Jeff's side of the office....
My side of the office - no pictures yet on the walls.
Thank you, First Baptist, for providing this comfortable home for us to live in!

Pastor and Wives Oasis

Jeff & I, along with Paul & Mary received the gift of attending the Pastor and Wives Oasis in Branson, Mo., last week. Thank you, First Baptist for honoring us with this retreat. What a wonderful time we had!!

We stayed at the Chateau on the Lake, a beautiful hotel........
Our view each morning.......

The first session opened with the New South Quartet singing for us.
Then worship was led by David Attebery and his team from Antioch Baptist Church, Conway.....
John Greene, pastor of Harmony Hill Baptist Church, Lufkin, TX was our speaker for all 3 sessions (and did an excellent job).
Donny Parrish welcomed us from DiscipleGuide (formerly Dept. of Church Ministries). What a blessing this department/ministry is to Pastors, Staff and spouses. This is always a wonderful time of refreshment -- spiritually, emotionally, and physically. THANK YOU, DiscipleGuide!!
Eating at Olive Garden with Justin & Christie Rhodes (former pastor here at FBC, Galena) and Paul & Mary.
Our second session was opened with Avalon. WOW - what voices. Blessed my socks off!! They are singing "In Christ Alone" in this picture - one of my very favorite songs.

Wednesday afternoon we had off to rest, shop, or whatever. We did hit the outlet malls :-). These pictures were taken in front of our hotel when we returned from shopping. Paul & Mary Mooney.....
Jeff & I......
Wednesday evening, we were the guests to a very nice buffet banquet. Paul & Mary again.....
Jeff & I.....
Justin & Christie.....
John & Kathryn Greene.....

Jason & Toya Aultman, Antioch Baptist, Conway, AR
Our entertainers for the night were Selah -- another very talented group of musicians!

The girls......The guys....
Then our last session was Thursday morning. It started off with a great ventriloquest, David Pendleton. He had several puppets and was so funny. But of course, our favorite was when he called Paul up on stage and did a stint with Aunt Tilley! Wish I would have had a video camera. Hilarious!!

A wonderful, wonderful three days. Again, thank you Church for this great gift for Pastor Appreciation!

Picture of Grandbaby Swart

Isn't he or she just precious -- it is amazing to me how you can already see the baby's profile - at only ten weeks! The birthing process of a child is one of God's most awesome miracles.....Psalm 139:13-16: "For you have created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Praise you, Lord!!


Thursday, October 1, 2009

My new Grandbaby

Today was one of those "mark on the calendar" days as Andy & Carman had their first "official" doctor's appointment and got to see pictures of their precious baby. I haven't seen the pictures yet, but from just the excitement in my son's voice, I know it was a very special time for them. I love how Carman and Rachel are posting about the growth of the baby. Please check out their blogs:

http://carmanandandy.blogspot.com/

http://rachelanncox.blogspot.com/

Carman's doctor is also the OBGYN that Michelle Duggar (of TLC 18 Kids and Counting) uses, so we know she is a good doctor! Dr. Sarver said the baby is growing healthy and that Carman is doing great as well. They will be able to find out if this is a baby boy or a baby girl in mid December - so that will be another "mark on the calendar" day :-)!!

Thank you to so many of you who are rejoicing with us on this journey. What fun it is!!

What a Wonderful Welcome Party!

The Women's Ministry of First Baptist Church, Galena, hosted a "Welcome Pastor's Wife" party for me this week. The first such party I've ever had in the 35 years of ministry - so a very surprising but sweet event in my honor. It started off with tons of delicious food!

Then lots and lots of "precious" gifts to open -- I haven't opened that many gifts at one sitting since my bridal shower!
The gracious hostess for the evening: Leigh Ryan:

Three sweethearts: Jenae, Heather & Angela........

A great smelling candle.........

The Boyes' girls......we did lots of laughing during the night!


This is a couple of pictures I took the next day at home as I "really" had the time to look at all the wonderful gifts. Goodness, gracious -- so many, many neat gifts!
These are just a few of the pictures -- to see all of them, please click on this link to the album I have on Facebook:


Thank you, FBC women for such a memorable night -- and for your open arms of love and acceptance! What a joy it is to serve with you in this place!