Grandpa is a busy man!

As Seniors pastor at our church, Pop/Dad/Grandpa has to do outreach ministry. Well, he started with a couple of assisted living facilites. He enjoyed it so much he now does 7 different facilities - 3 nursing homes and 4 assisted living. I go with him to 3 of them. The one we do on Sunday nights at a new assisted living facility is really going well. The place is beautiful - looks like a luxury hotel. The first night we were there a man came up to Pop after service with tears in his eyes and said, "I have not been able to go to church in a long time and this means so much to me." Last night I overheard a couple of ladies talking. One said, "I feel like I have been to church." The other responded, "yeah, he's good." I also do a piano concert twice a month at an assisted living facility. So - I guess we are chekcing out the facilities in the area to find our future home some day. (Actually, I guess God will allow us to have good health and stay in our home to the end.)

Guess who is running for Ben L. Smith's 2009 homecoming queen?

Yep your right I am. I am so excited. I went to the mall last night with a couple of friends and we were all trying on dresses. I was having a hard time finding one in Belk but I went to JcPenny's and I found this dress that fit me really well and it is so cute. I want a dress in green because my school colors are green and gold. I need to get on JcPenny's website and see if they have it in green. I get to be in the homecoming parade and I am going to ask the people I babysit for if I can borrow their convetable sports car. The car is fliping amazing. The school has a homecoming court dinner and then I get to walk out on the football field with all eyes on me(and the other girls) but alot on me cause I will probaly be the only white girl running. Sorry I can be a little vain at times. I have to find an escort but I think I know who I am going to ask. I told my friend Hviet that we would have to stand next to each other because she is asain and probaly the only asian running and then we would have more people looking at us. I really hope I win but even if I don't I will still have alot of fun. I am sooooooooooo glad I am a senior because I am tired of high school I wish I could skip to june and graduate. I have alot of homework from my classes but that was not really a suprise because I am in IB. I have IB Math for zero block, IB Spanish Language for first block, Advanced Band for second block, IB English 12 and IB Psychology for third block on a a/b day schedule. Then I have IB Biology for my fourth block. Love you all.

Hi Everyone,

Hello Everyone,
I am beat, Stacie is in the hospital with pneumonia, and is pretty sick....right now I am home, I spent the whole day up there with them...a normal white blood cell count is between 6000-10, 000 Stacies is 23,000, so this infection sure has taken a hold of her little body... keep her in prayer...
I pray that everyone is well and doing better....Dad are you doing your exercises? LOL
I will let you know more when I know it....

Love you all
Maria

Hi Everyone,

THANKS

Pop & Momma,
Thanks for today. Thanks for being there, even if it was over the phone. I needed a laugh and the encouragement that you gave me Pop. And Momma, I needed the understanding, the love, and the acceptance you sent through that phone line.

Even though there are 1000 miles between us, I know you love me and are "here" for me when I need you. Knowing God is with me and that I have two parents who love me no matter what helps a lot!!!!!!!!!!

I love you!

News from Texas

Well we have another school year starting tomorrow here,
Janie is safe and secure in her dorm and I will be forwarding her new address as soon as I receive it...she called yesterday and sounded lonely, she said she was of all things bored, LOL she starts classes tomorrow, keep her in your prayers that God leads her to the right people and keeps her safe....I have prayed it, wow its hard to take a kiddo and leave them, I feel that part of my heart is missing, I keep wanting to talk to her like shes in the next room, and I turn around and think she'll be there, it's weird, but I am glad for her shes starting something good and building her adult life. Wow this parent thing is hard sometimes...Justin will be in the 8th grade this year, he is up to 5 foot 7 now and wears a size 10 1/2 shoe with a 28 waist, and a 36 length, try to find jeans that will fit him both places its fun....Stacie grows by leaps and bounds daily, she says Dada, Poppop, and Nana now but now Mama, she is pulling up, crawling, and just an all around awesome child....I love her soo much,Grandkids are awesome....but here I go again rambling....My Workers Comp case is supposed to close in October, I dont know if I will have more therapy or not they are fighting it right now....I have a 5 and 1/2 inch difference in my thighs (between r and l) I have lost that much muscle mass, but I am still doing my exercises so hopefully I will regain some back.

Well I am headed to bed talk to you all soon

Happy Birthday to POP

Well Dad, Papa, Pop Pop,
Happy birthday, I pray that you had a blessed day, I didnt get to talk to you but you were on my mind and in my prayers....I just wanted you to know that I love you and you are always in my prayers and in my mind...and I just wanted to say Thank You to you and Mom for everything you have done for me and mine....