Christmas Dinner with the Hall Family

We had plans for our Christmas Day to fix a big meal for Jeff's mom, Evelyn, neice, Aimee and her family, Josh & Carlie Kay; nephew, Jeremy and their Dad, Gary. However, that didn't work out. Christmas Eve day we found out that Jeff's mom was very sick and we were forecast to get snow that night. So Jeff drove to Pittsburg to spend the night with his Mom; and my Mom & I spent Christmas Eve together here in Galena (we did enjoy a delicious meal at Red Lobster in Joplin in the early evening) and then watched Christmas movies on Hallmark. The snow began falling around 10:30 that night and when we woke Christmas Day - we had 7" of snow! It has been too long for me to remember - when we had a White Christmas, so as you can imagine (if you know me), I was beyond thrilled!!

Judy Hall and Leigh Ryan did not want us to spend Christmas alone, so insisted we join them for Christmas dinner. As always, it was delicious and we had so much fun!

This is Bill & Judy and their family.....all wonderful, godly, loving people!!

They were so kind to even include Jeff, Mom and I in their fun, fun, stocking gift time!

Here is a slideshow of the pictures at the Halls....you can click on it and open up the link in Picasa to see each one individually.



Thank you, thank you, Bill & Judy and family for allowing us to join your family for a wonderful Christmas celebration. You all are such kind and generous people and we are so appreciative of all you do for us!! We love you!

On Monday after Christmas, Jeff had to put his Mom in the hospital where she is still a patient and probably won't get to go home until January 8th or so. She has congestive heart failure and we would appreciate your prayers for her.

Even though our Christmas didn't quite go as planned - it was a wonderful day and I can truly say that this Christmas season has been my most favorite in many, many years.

Christmas Time!!

Wow - one week from tomorrow is Christmas Day.....!! It's been a whirlwind of activity this month, but very enjoyable.

Here are a few pictures of our decor...thanks to Leigh Ryan & Judy Hall for all their help in getting me all "pretty!"

This is a "Gone With The Wind" tree in the middle bedroom - where I have Gone with the Wind decor. The tree belongs to Leigh, who loaned it to me for this season :-)

Rhett & Scarlett......

Scarlett......(these are all the Hallmark collectable oranments). I love them!

The first of the month, I hosted my "first ever" holiday open house. It all went great and we had a wonderful turnout. I so appreciate several of the ladies who helped me decorate for it, provided food, served, and helped clean up! Here are a couple of pictures of the food and beverages. For more pictures, check the posting below this one (two down).

Hot apple/orange cider; water with lemons and limes and a delicious cappuccino punch (coffee, chocolate and vanilla ice cream, cool whip and whole milk - yum!).

We have enjoyed attending each of our adult Sunday School class Christmas parties. I didn't take my camera to any of those, but believe me - there was delicious food and sweet fellowship at each one!

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Red Onion Resturant last week with our staff: Paul & Mary Mooney and Dave and Leigh Ryan (we have a wonderful staff and are so appreciative of them!).

It was also a lot of fun to travel with a group last Saturday from our church to Branson for the musical, "The Miracle of Christmas" at the Sight & Sound Theater. Then we stopped in Springfield on our way home and had a delicious meal at Lamberts.

Some of our folks at Lamberts.....

Our children did a wonderful job last Sunday with their Christmas musical!!

Last night, we went caroling with several of our church folks. That was fun and heartwarming--but also sad to me when I saw the tears in the eyes of several.....I'm sure, in part, remembering past Christmases when their loved ones were still alive and their health was so they could enjoy the time with family and friends more. A vivid reminder to me, to appreciate every day of health and my family!

This week, I spent a couple of days baking pecan pies to give as a little "thank you" to those in leadership at our church. Here is a picture of the first batch......

Tomorrow night, we have the privilege of attending the "Glory in the Highest" Tour with Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and Christy Nockels at The Church at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, along with my sister, Kaye and husband Rob. Then we will spend the night at Kaye & Rob's lakehouse in Bella Vista, returning Saturday morning for another S.S. party that evening.

Sunday, our Adult choir will lead us in a meaningful time of worship and Christmas celebration. We are so appreciative of Troy Wade and Jerry Derfelt, along with the praise band, praise team, and choir members for their willingness to use their gifts and abilities in our church.

Jeff & I are looking forward to getting away for 48 hours next week for our 37th anniversary. We were planning on going to Branson, but after checking and seeing that the shows and Silver Dollar City are closed for the week, we will probably just go to Springfield.

I will be preparing a meal for Jeff's family, Christmas evening with my Mom joining us as well. We will be going to Springdale the next week to spend Christmas with all our kids, followed by time in Bella Vista with my extended family.

I can truly say that I have really enjoyed this Christmas season more than others since I'm presently not working at a job outside my home -- and then shopping for those future grandbabies have definitely added to the enjoyment and pleasure!

I am presently doing Beth Moore's study, "Believing God." As with all her studies, I am convicted and challenged to live each day believing that God is who He says He is; believing that God can do all He says He can do; believing that I am who God says I am; believing that I can do all things thru Christ; and striving to make God's Word alive and active in my life. We serve an awesome God and He is worthy of our praise and a life of service! Thank you Lord - for sending us your only Son as that babe - to live that perfect life - then to die that horrific death - for my salvation! Praise You, Lord!

Merry Christmas to all!

It's a Girl!!

We got the official word today that our baby is going to be a granddaughter.....Laine Virginia Swart! We are so, so excited!!! We got the "announcement" via a pretty pink bouquet, which was so fun! Here are some pictures:


DeDe and Papa.....we are thrilled beyond words!

Can you see those tears?

Now the countdown begins--can't wait to hold precious Laine in my arms!! DeDe already loves you, Baby Doll!

Open House 2009

We had a wonderful turnout for our first Holiday Open House at the Parsonage here in Galena. Thank you, Church Family, for coming!! Here are some pictures (if you want to view them individually, just double click on it and it will open the album in Picasa):

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

As I enjoyed an extended time this morning with the Lord, my heart was reminded over and over how very blessed I am. Among those blessings:

My salvation and my home awaiting me in Heaven. I so look forward to seeing Jesus soon!

My husband of almost 37 years....WOW, God has been so good to us and given me such a wonderful marriage and loving husband.

Our three children and their spouses: Josh and Erika; Andy & Carman and Rachel & Derek. We are so thankful that they all know Jesus as Savior and are actively serving Him!

An extra special blessing this year: Grandbaby Swart is growing healthy and normal in Carman's womb and due to be born in May. We find out next week if it will be a "Lucas" or a "Laine." What joy awaits us! Also we are excited and blessed that Josh & Erika have the burden to adopt. They will finish up their Arkansas adoption training courses in January and hopefully in just a few months will have Gabriel Hunter or Judah Edward (or both) in their home for us to love!

We have been so blessed to become a part of the family at First Baptist Church, Galena, Kansas. The love and acceptance from this wonderful group of folks have been amazing! Thank you, dear Church!

I am also so thankful that I have been able to be a "stay at home wife!" The days have been very busy and are flying by and I wonder how I could ever work! It has allowed me to travel and thoroughly enjoy life! We had a great trip to Texas (Mom, Kaye & I) to see Bev and her family; Jeff & I got to go to Dallas one weekend for a fun time with Kaye, Rob, Keith & Wilda and some great Arkansas football; Jeff & I and Paul & Mary had a wonderful time at the Pastor's Oasis in Branson in October, then with our fun Senior Adults in November, also to Branson for the Senior Adult Conference. Now with the holidays in full force, it has been such a blessing to have time to cook, to decorate, to attend holiday parties, etc. I am loving it ..... and so grateful!

We did have several bountiful Thanksgiving meals: With our church family the Sunday night before Thanksgiving; with the Ryan/Hall families Thanksgiving Day (Andy was with us); with Mom, Kaye, Rob and their families on Friday (Jeff's Mom & Andy & Rachel were there too); and then I had several in our home on Sunday after Thanksgiving. Here are a couple of pictures from Sunday.

Mom, Kaye, Rob, Lincoln and Rob's daughter, Michelle and her teenage children: Megan and Nick. Paul & Mary Mooney also ate with us, but Mary had to leave quickly to take her oldest daughter, Becky to ER, so I didn't get a picture of them in front of the tree.
Here are a part of our family: Andy & Carman, Rachel & Josh. Derek was back in Arkansas deer hunting with his Dad (their family tradition) and Erika was home sick. We did miss both of them.

So now Thanksgiving has passed - but I want to hold on to the gratefulness in my heart for my many, many blessings. Thank you, Lord.....thank you!!

The busy Christmas season is upon us. I have sure enjoyed all that it holds and look forward to the activities with our church family; the time with family and friends; and remembering what this Season is all about....Jesus!!

Merry Christmas to all - may God richly bless you this time of year!

Jeff & Debbie

Fun Family Time in Rogers

My niece from the posting below this one, Shawna and husband Nathan, spent a few days at one of Kaye & Rob's lakehouses in Bella Vista recently. Since Josh, Erika, Andy & Carman as well as Kaye's son, Matt and wife, Kristin live in NWA, they wanted to get together with their cousins while they were here. So they invited us to come down and join them for dinner, which we did at Abuleo's in Rogers (a favorite Mexican restuarant of mine!). Erika's folks, Walt & Paula Sherman were in Springdale visiting Josh & Erika, so it was an extra treat to get to see them too! Here are a couple of table shots:

Walt & Paula Sherman....


After Mexican food - it was a must for Brahms ice cream :-)

Two cute pregnant gals....Shawna, due in March and Carman due in May......

Kristin made a face for this picture - silly girl.........

Evidently Jeff is giving Andy some fatherly advice -- most probaby, Pastor to Pastor advice....

Momma and her boys (Josh & Andy) - love you both!

Family times are always fun times. Thanks for including us, kids, in your evening!

Trip to Conway, AR then to Tyler, TX

Mom and I had a beautiful drive to Conway......the Boston Mountains were "alive" with color. Loved it!

We spent the night in Conway with Kaye, who would then accompany us the next day to Bev's.

Kaye & Rob recently built a very pretty pergola on one of their decks.........

Mom and youngest daughter, Kaye Lynn.....

Kaye & Rob have also spent hours and hours of work on their landscaping. It is beautiful!

This is one of two pretty waterfalls, they have........

That night (which was a Wednesday), Kaye & Rob were hosting their Antioch Home Group. Such a special treat for me to see many old friends and to fellowship and study God's Word together. This is my good friend, Glo Jensen and I....

Another sweet friend, Kerry Stitch.....

Kerry & Rachel in the background....Suzanne Pebbles, Helen Moore and Lisa Martin on the couch....all great friends and so much fun to be around!

Some of the guys....Paul Jensen, David Martin, Rob Harkness and Ricky Gray visiting before we started the Bible study.......

Another pic of some of the girls: Vicki Thomas, Suzanne Pebbles, Helen Moore, Kerry Stitch and Lisa Martin....
Paul is the group's facilatator and did a great job:

So glad Rachel got to join us (it was great to spend time with my girl before and after the study)! We left Conway Thursday morning (after eating a delicious breakfast at Stoby's) and drove to Tyler -- the first half of our trip was in pouring rain! No fun! But thankfully, we arrived safely. Bev had fixed chili and Peggy had fixed Mexican soup and we had a delicious supper and fun evening visiting. In this picture, Shawna and Nathan are showing us how their tutors converse with their sign language. It was funny!

Friday, it was just us girls......it was a really chilly day for East Texas - here are some pictures on Bev's pretty front porch:

That afternoon, we went to Tyler to see a movie. Friday night, we all went to Pasado's in Lindale to eat a delicious Mexican food meal. Then back to the house to play games.

Saturday, Shannan and her kiddo's came: Madyson and Zachary. I hadn't seen the kids for over a year, so they had really grown. So cute!

Both of Bev's girls are expecting babies. Shawna is expecting her first (a baby boy) in March and Shannan is expecting her third in April. They won't know the sex of their baby till around Thanksgiving. Pretty girls and cute little boy!

Great Grandma and Madyson:

Madyson singing for us :-) (She used to be just "Mady" but insists on her full name now - ha!)

Bev's pretty porch and new pot Kaye brought her from Little Rock:

Saturday was a much prettier day and we enjoyed some of it outside.....

Maydson and her Nana singing and doing the actions to a song:

Saturday evening, Bev fixed a delicious meal for us:

Sunday morning, Mom and her girls before we headed to FBC, Hawkins, TX for church where Nathan and Shawna were the guest Missionary speakers.

Shawna signing to "Not Guilty" by Mandisa - it was beautiful! Shawna has a Masters Degree in Sign Language and she and Nathan had an active ministry with the Deaf Community in East Asia. Nathan speaking to the congregation. Please pray for Nathan and Shawna as they discern God's will for their lives. Due to some health issues, they have returned home from East Asia and are now seeking the direction God would have them to go in serving Him!

A picture of the family after services including Don's parents, Peggy & Wesley Ferrell.

Bev & Don -- thank you so much for hosting us, for feeding us and for sharing your children and grandchildren with us. It was a great visit!!