I Know My Redeemer Lives

I am in awe that the Lord who paid the debt of sin is MY Redeemer.  He loves me and He cares about my life and my struggles.  

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning? 
And who told the ocean you can only come this far? 
And who showed the moon where to hide till evening? 
Whose words alone can catch a falling star? 

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know 
My Redeemer

He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives
Forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
And now He's alive and
There's an empty
Grave! 

And I know
My Redeemer lives
He lives
I know
My Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer

Still in Progress...

It's been about seven weeks since I wrote about remodeling our master bedroom.  I promised to keep you updated.  Don't tell me you haven't even had a second thought about it since then; I know you are checking every day to see if I have posted something.  Well, today is your lucky day.

"We have a long way to go" is an understatement.  Until Blair's room is empty we can't move the treadmill or paint or get new floors.  But, that hasn't stopped us from scouting out things for the room.  I thought I would give you a glimpse of those things.

Love the glass door knobs on this shelf from Dust Bowl Debris in Locust Grove:

 The only item in the picture below that we bought is the mantel.  We pick it up tomorrow but I took a picture of it in the store.  We got in at Vintage Treasures in Pryor.

 A fantastic buy from a Facebook-notice the post flood concrete floors:

I don't know what I will do with these hankies but I have several ideas:

Another great find from Dust Bowl Debris:

Pieces to the puzzle....are you getting a picture in your head yet?  If you are, please clue me in!!!  No, I know what I want.  It is just going to be a matter of getting it all together.  I can't wait!

One more time..........

Last Saturday Dennis and I went to Rogers, Arkansas for a mini-date.  We ate at Ghengis Grill (one of our new favorite places), went to Target and topped it off with Starbucks.  Yes, we are quite an adventurous couple!  These little moments are great for giving us a chance to talk to each other without interruptions.

As we sat in GG, I asked Dennis what his thoughts were concerning our gifts to one another this year.  We sometimes have bought no gifts,other times we buy a gift that is more of a family gift and  there are the years we buy gifts for one another.  I don't need or want anything.  I have enough and more than enough; in fact, so much "enough" that we need a storage building!  (I know, First World Problem)  My suggestion was, at first, no gifts.  But, the more we talked the more we realized that there was something that we both wanted:  to restore our master bedroom ONE MORE TIME!

If you have known us for any length of time you know that our house has flooded completely two times and there have been other minor water episodes that affected the master bedroom.  We have lived in our home for twelve years and we have replaced the flooring in the MB three times.  Currently we have cement floors in our room.  The last flood-ette was this past spring.  We haven't done anything about putting in carpet because of those ever present fears of it happening again.  (And, seriously, it's not like our fears aren't warranted).

Sitting there Saturday discussing Christmas we decided to tackle it one more time.  I had already started a board on Pinterest with ideas for an eventual remodel.  I told Den about my ideas and he was on board.  We have such similar tastes and likes in so many areas.  It has always been uncanny how often we have been thinking of the same thing.   I envision a restful, calm haven for our master bedroom.  My board has lots of different ideas and I know that we won't use all of them.  Sometimes the things I pin only have one tiny element that I like but I don't want to forget it.  (I have a tendency to do that-forget).

I am excited about picking out paint colors and carpet and different elements to achieve the picture in my head.  I have some fun things in mind that I can't wait to show you.  So, watch this space for updates.  Who knows?  You might even be asked to help decide some decorating questions!

Date Day....Too few and far between

Today Dennis and I had an impromptu Date Day.  This is something we have never been good at scheduling for ourselves.  I always say that if we could start over we would date more!  Now obviously, since we have been married more than 38 years, not dating hasn't really hindered our relationship.  But, having a day like today makes me realize how fun it is to date.

We were watching the news this morning and they did a piece on things to do this weekend in the Tulsa area.  One of those things was Vintage Market Days in Bixby.  We talked about it and decided to go.  What a great place!  It had so many things that we loved...antiques, old furniture just waiting to be repurposed, crafts, music, food and so much more.

If the wind hadn't been blowing 40 mph I could have spent hours there.  Dennis joked that someone should have bought a bunch of goggles and sold them at the entrance!  The dirt was blowing like crazy.  I saw one lady walking around with a mask over her face...smart cookie, that one.

We bought something fun for the front yard and some beautiful metal scripture sculptures for the wall. (Say scripture sculptures three times really fast; do it!)  I can't for the life of me get the pictures of those to load on here.  Grrr.

After we left the market we went to Genghis Grill for lunch.  Our first impression was tending towards not so great due to the lack of attention we received from the wait staff.  Finally, a great waitress took pity on us and took care of us even though we weren't part of her area.  Verdict:  amazing food!  We loved it.  We will definitely be going back there and soon. 

Next...a stop at Target.  What I would give to live near a Target.  It is my favorite store.  And, it has Starbucks right in it!  Does it get any better than that?  I ordered my usual-Salted Caramel Mocha latte.  As soon as the young man finished making it and was adding the salt it dawned on me!  I could have had an Eggnog latte!  Next time, my friend, next time!

We came home and agreed that it was a wonderful day.  And, that we need to do this more often.  We are fortunate to have similar interests so we enjoy so many of the same things.  I am already looking at the calendar and making plans.  Yes, I think a second date is in the cards for us!

Office...HELP!!!!

My friend Whitney started a week-long series of embarrassing moments today.  She suggested we link ours to hers.  So.....

When I was a senior in high school I got a class credit for helping in the office of the assistant principal.  One day he and I were working on a large chart displaying the brackets for an upcoming swim meet at the school.    We were working across from each other at a large work table.  I was wearing a cool dress that my sister Rhonda had made for me.  It was adorable!  It was denim and sported little round red buttons all the way down, from neck to hem.  I was drawing lines on the chart with a large t-square.  As I picked up the t-square to move it to another spot it caught on my dress.  I didn't realize that and continued to move it across to the other side of the chart.  In doing so....my dress came completely unbuttoned, neck to hem.  And, there I stood, in my open dress with my bra and panties showing.  Not to mention I was standing right across the table from the assistant principal!  He and I looked at each other, I grabbed my dress and he turned and went into his office and I didn't see him again for a week!!  We never spoke of this again.

Through the Years...38 to be exact!

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the years, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years

Our wedding day, May 16, 1974 was the day this journey started.  We didn't have a map for the journey.  We didn't even have jobs!  The biggest surprise of all.........we didn't have a care in the world!  Wow.............when did that change and we become such worriers?


We were just kids:  you were 18 and I was 17.  Grown-ups?  Not even close.  I can remember us talking about how strange it was that no one could "boss us around" anymore.  We couldn't get over the fact that we could stay out late, go anywhere anytime we wanted, even jump in the car at 2 AM for a trip to Hof's Hut, our favorite restaurant!  


I love that we were friends first. You used to write me the sweetest letters.  Be honest, though....you kind of had a crush on my sister Rhonda.  Hey, you even went on her honeymoon with her and Bob!  


We have created a lot of memories over the past 38 years.  With my memory, it would be tricky to try to write them down!  I know that some of my favorite times are just you and me sitting and talking, not always agreeing, but "usually" listening to the other's viewpoint.  I can still remember what quality attracted me the most when I started realizing that I liked you......your kindness and gentleness.  You have always treated me with care, protecting our relationship, never disrespecting me....I have always known I was safe with you.


My shining knight:

Happy Anniversary..........I hope we have 38 more.  

Growing up...........

Katie went to her 8th grade prom last Saturday.  Indulge me.