Boy or Girl?

So we found out today that this new year will hold the birth of a new grandchild!  Hmmm...now the guessing begins.  Will it be a boy or girl?  We thank the Lord for the conception of this new life!

A Very Merry Christmas

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas yesterday.  It was so wonderful to be together again as a family!

Hannah is one of my "snuggle bugs". 

Rachael received a box of gloves from Ben and Laura to assist in changing the diapers of the little ones.  Quite appropriate for the nurse in the family.  Katie thought it was funny, too. :)

I think it would be safe to say that the gifts "outgrew" the tree. :)

Little Katie reminds us all of a baby doll - except that she's alive!

The first gift that Samuel opened that day was all he really needed.  The animal crackers had to eventually be removed from the room so that there would be some left for later.

Essie is smiling in this picture because the package of socks she is holding doesn't contain a single match, something which only Aunt Rachael would think to give! :)

After opening gifts, we ate dinner and spent the remainder of the evening playing games, doing puzzles, reading stories, and talking and laughing together.   What a fun day with special memories.  So grateful for another wonderful Christmas!

Seven Years Ago...

Today marks the seven year anniversary of that memorable winter morning when Dad was violently assaulted in a parking garage in downtown Indy and his car and personal belongings stolen. Thus began a journey of several hospital visits, surgery to repair the damage to his face, discussions with the police department and detectives assigned to the case, and finally (after a year) standing in a courtroom before a judge looking the two criminals in the face and declaring the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to them before they were put in prison. It's all something one would never dream of experiencing in their lifetime. And it's something we will never forget.

But beyond all the drama and trauma associated with such circumstances, there is something priceless our family will always cherish as the years go by, and that is how God used this horrific situation to teach us more about Himself. We were witnesses of his power and recipients of his grace in ways we had never experienced before. We saw anew his love for us and his faithfulness to us. Yes, it was a time of great heartache and trial, but God demonstrated to us that he indeed does do all things well.

So today I tell myself, "Don't forget what God has done for you." We praise him for his faithfulness and grace!

Wisdom's Words

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and 

his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6 -

Together Again

It's so very wonderful!!!

Statehouse Prayer Service

Changing Seasons

Wisdom's Words

It's Christmastime

It is that time of year when you want to be with family and close friends and do those extra-special, out-of-the-ordinary things that only happen in December.  Peppermint hot chocolate, homemade treats, festive decorations - it all means it's Christmastime.

I came home from work one Friday night a week ago wanting to do something to enjoy the holiday spirit and proposed the idea that me, Dad, and Rachael go downtown to see the Circle of Lights.  It turned out to be a really fun evening together, other than the fact that it was very cold, windy, and rainy.  But the elements didn't keep us from getting a few pictures!

Several weeks ago, Mom and Rachael were in Walmart and spotted a small, potted live Christmas tree.  We haven't pulled out our Christmas decorations in years due to lack of time and space, but this small Christmas tree ended up in their shopping cart and through our front door, finding its final resting place on our hearth.  We bought a few lights and some bows and ornaments and had the kids help us decorate it.  They had so much fun, and it turned out so pretty!

We also just recently celebrated Dad's birthday.  The kids were very pleased to give him homemade gingerbread cookies, which represented the Turner clan with Grandpa and Grandma.

Only a week left and Kathy arrives home!  Maybe there will be fresh snow on the ground to greet her.  We look forward to being together again!

Wisdom's Words

God's redeeming acts towards his chosen are forever the favorite themes of their praise.

-Charles Spurgeon-

Counting down the days...

...until we're together again!  December 19th is just around the corner.

Statehouse Prayer Service - Save the Date!

November Birthdays

It's fun to have four Turner birthdays all in one month.  This past weekend, we celebrated three of them all together:  Hannah's (Nov 15), Sarah's (Nov 20), and Samuel's (Nov 24).  

Hannah told me several weeks ago that she wanted "pink cake" for the party.  Since Sarah was also in agreement, and I knew that Samuel wouldn't really care what he had since he was only turning two, I fulfilled the request.   Here's the what the pink (strawberry) cake turned out to be: butterfly cupcakes!!

The chocolate covered pretzels made a perfect party favor.

Some little girls (or, should I say big girls since they are now five and seven?) were very excited when it came time to blow out the candles!

Big sister Essie helped Samuel with his....

Samuel is such a handsome little man.  He literally posed for this picture for me before diving into his dessert.  

Present time was a little wild with three children opening their gifts all at the same time! 

Here were Samuel's gifts...

...and Sarah's gifts...

...and Hannah's gifts.

There were plenty of smiles and squeals!

It's hard to believe that we are now on to the holidays!  Perhaps the moment we are all eagerly awaiting the most is Kathy's arrival home on December 19.  It will be a joyous reunion.  Stay tuned for more pictures!

Wisdom's Words

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, my soul says.

Therefore, I will hope in him.

- Lamentations 3: 22-24 - 

Wisdom's Words

The one who is born of God will have family resemblance to His God.

- Dr. Michael McKelvey -  

Visit to Jackson

This past week, Dad and I had the opportunity to spend several days in Jackson, Mississippi visiting Kathy at RTS.  It was SO wonderful to see her again!  We shared some good discussion over meals and during evening walks together.

The weather in the deep south was like stepping back several months.  I had to pull out my summer wardrobe when packing, and it felt a little weird to be wearing sandals the first of November!  The temperature was in the mid-eighties with no humidity, and whenever I commented on how beautiful it was, Kathy always said, "Remember, it's November."  Sure, I know they endured a brutal summer with record heat, but when one comes for a visit during the months of April and November, I say they get the better end of the deal!

We enjoyed attending her classes and meeting all her professors and new friends.  This is a picture from her Psalms to Chronicles class on Wednesday morning.  (If you look closely, you can find Kathy near the front in the far right corner.)

On Thursday afternoon following her morning classes, Kathy and I went out to lunch together for some sister time and then headed back to her apartment to work on some cleaning projects.  We cleaned the bathroom, washed four loads of clothes, dusted and vacuumed her room, reorganized and de-cluttered several areas, cleaned out the refrigerator, made a grocery list, and went shopping.  It's fun to work hard!  Here are some before and after pictures:

On our way home yesterday, the interstate was shut down for a brief time in northern Mississippi due to an accident.  The standstill afforded the opportunity to snap a shot of typical Mississippi landscape. Beautiful in it's own way but not necessarily anything to envy (at least in my opinion)...   

I'm so grateful that both me and Dad could take time away and see Kathy in her environment.  God has surrounded her with some wonderful people and godly professors, and though we greatly miss her, we know she is where God wants her to be.  Only about 5 more weeks and she'll be home for Christmas!  

Wisdom's Words

Faith is simply receiving a gift.  Faith consists not in doing something but in receiving something.

To say you are saved by faith is to mean you are saved by Christ.

-Dr. Dennis Prutow-