New pics on Lindsay's blog

Go to stowersfamilyblog.blogspot.com to see some Christmas pics of Colton. They will get you in the Christmas spirit for sure!

NOW FOR SOME SERIOUSNESS

It's funny, (not really, just a part of God's hand in my life and definitely NOTby accident) but I've been re-reading some novels by Francine Rivers, the Mark of the Lion series beginning with A Voice in the Wind. They chronicle the fictitious life of the daughter of Jairus' son, the boy Jesus raised from the dead. This girl, Hadassah, was the only one of her family to survive the Roman invasion of Jerusalem and was sold into slavery in Rome. She served her owners with love and dignity. She was continually thankful for her life and where God had put her to serve despite her very difficult circumstances and hardships and persecution. I know it's fiction, but it reminds me of how I need to look past myself and see the greater purposes God has for me and my life. I highly recommend this series of 3 novels. It helps me to put my circumstances in perspective. Surely there were those like this fictional girl who were bold enough to share their faith, love their captors, and give themselves to the truth of the gospel no matter the cost. Something to ponder. and I have a lot of time for pondering these days. (copied from a letter I wrote to a friend.....So, Friend, if you are reading this, I wrote it to YOU first! Thanks Sweet Friend!) Go to the library or bookstore and CHECK IT OUT!

THE CUTEST ELF EVER!

A couple of holiday pictures for your enjoyment!

gigiandgrandyinkaty

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

I know I've been slacking in my blogging duties, but life has been busy with Thanksgiving and all.

We've had visitors from the East! Mike and Francine Creecy, some of our best friends dating back to our days in Russellville, KY, were here for Thanksgiving. Their oldest daughter, Rebecca, and her hubby, Brad, live here in Houston, so we spent Thanksgiving together. The Creecy's younger daughter, Sarah, was with us, as was Grace and we had a great time eating, watching football (GO TITANS!) putting together a puzzle, playing Wii and finally singing karioke! Yes, even Mark participated! So fun. It was a different Thanksgiving from any we've ever had, but it was great fun. We missed our families so much, but having the Creecy clan here was certainly a sweet gift. To add to that, Sarah will be moving here in January, so there will be more reasons for Mike and Francine to visit!

I picked up Grace from the airport on Wednesday and we made a beeline for the Galleria, a huge 3 story mall in Houston. We had fun looking at all the stores we couldn't afford to even go in and shopping the sales at Neiman Marcus. Grace found a purse she loved on SALE for $1400.00 and I looked at bargain shoes for my niece, Lucy. I saw lots she would have loved on sale from $900 or so to the $600 range. What a great buy:) If you believe we purchased anything, you don't really know me! It was fun to shop, but really crazy to think people really spend that much on purses and shoes! I feel extravagant to spend $50 on a knockoff purse! Give me Target anyday!

Grace and I hit the sales at Kohls and Target on Friday. We did really find some great things. Ho, Ho, Ho! Then we adjourned home where Grace spent the rest of the entire day on a project for school. She spent most of Saturday on it, too. It paid off, though, as she earned a 169 out of a possible 170 on this huge project. Yea for Grace! It was wonderful just having her in the house.

We took Bear and Dixie to the very large and nice "Millie Bush Bark Park" in the George Bush (the first one) park near our house. It has two very large cement ponds for the dogs to swim and both had a great time. They were worn out by the time we got home and Dixie needed aspirin the next day for her aching muscles!

We put up the Christmas tree on Saturday and I must admit there were a few tears. It was a new tree (we bought it on sale last year), in a new house, in a new city. Sometimes homesickness creeps in which is only natural I suppose. Rest assured, though, God is here and comforts me all the time! I'm reminded of those who went to far places all throughout history and God was with them as He is by my side constantly. We are a continuing line of people following where God would have us be. And if He is with us, it doesn't matter where we are. I am complete with Him. My Jesus Calling for today tells me that "those who have drawn near Him trustingly uttering His Name will be filled with inexpressble and glorious joy. (I Peter 1:8-9). " (By the way, if you need a great devotional book, try Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It's wonderful!)

I'm continuing to practice on my quilting machine. The mechanics of it are improving, but I have a way to go before I put my needle in anyone else's work!

There is a new update about Colton from Lindsay on her blog. There are cute pictures of him as well. He is so long! Totally off the charts. www.stowersfamilyblog.blogspot.com

I've made a new friend at church. Her name is Joy and we went to lunch and on a tour of Sugarland, TX, yesterday. She has been an answer to prayer for a sweet friendship. We share a love of being creative. She makes beautiful jewelry, paper art with handmade cards and things and is also an accomplished potter. I'm sure she will appear in pictures soon. We were invited to dinner with their small group (called Life Groups here) before an event at church next Sunday evening. It's called Christmas Cafe and a couple from the church makes all these great desserts and there is a coffeehouse type show of Christmas music performed. We are really looking forward to that!

By the way, we have a new email provider, thus a new address. I wasn't able to save my address book, so email me with your address! My new address is stowerscr@sbcglobal.net. I look forward to hearing from you!

Well, I'll stop for now. The trouble with waiting to post is that the post becomes soo long!

Up and Going!

Whacha looking at?

Life in Texas is becoming a little more normal. It is still so different as most days I stay at home and act like a new bride, tinkering with the set up of different rooms, actually cooking dinner for my hubby, ready when he walks in the door, and kind of feeling like I'm playing house. But now I will begin to have a little life outside of this nice house. Tomorrow I start at the quilt shop, The Feathered Star. I will be working one or two days a week there and beginning in January will be teaching there a lot. I'm looking forward to some more interaction with actual people, not just the personalities of my dogs!

We continue to search for the church home God has for us. We've visited three so far. Two are keepers. One of those is a great church (PCA), but is 25 miles from here. While I wouldn't mind the commute on Sundays, driving in to the community activities during the week (VERY important to me) might be too hard. This past week we went to a Fellowship church here in Katy. (No relationship to Fellowship Bible in Nashville.) It was great. The pastor was so real and the message challenged us both. (It dealt with listening to the true Spirit and finding the Truth, I John 4) We were warmly welcomed and invited to join Bible studies, etc. Here is my sin. I think either I'm too cynical or non-trusting or wounded by past experiences to go to a church with no governing body except that which is in itself. I guess you could call it denominationalism. We have belonged to 3 denominations which have a system of checks and balances in them to keep the pastors, the leaders of the flocks, accountable as to what they are teaching and preaching. Some of you with experience here help me. We are continuing to pray and I'm doing my best to keep my mouth shut and let Mark lead us. (Really pray about that!) We will be visiting 2nd Baptist, Ed Young pastor, soon. It has over 45,000 members and 5 campuses across Houston. The Katy church has over 12,000 members. I went to a Christmas Village type thing there this past week and was amazed at all the work done in the name of outreach. I'll keep you posted. Please pray for us as this is our most important decision since moving to Katy.

One of the most fun things of the past week is that my quilting machine is up and running. And even better, I'm becoming more comfortable with using it. Just the size and set up of the thing can be a bit intimidating. I've set my mind with a schedule for work, training myself with the help of videos and other longarmers (Pam and Carol, thank you!) So far I've completed 3 Christmas panels. Today my goal is to do 3 more panels. I've been asked by some of my quilting friends for pictures, but I'm not educated enough to post those yet so they will be coming later.

By the way, did you know I'm a proud grandmother? The most precious baby in the whole world is living in Orlando with his sweet mama and daddy. I'll include a picture in his trick or treat outfit. I'm sure he won the prize for the cutest pumpkin. and contrary to popular opinion, HE WAS NOT SCARY. HE WAS CUTE! We don't do scary costumes at Halloween! (By the way, he is off the charts on height while in the 75th percentile everywhere else! Look out! Who would have ever thought a Stowers would be sooooo tall?)

Colton is cooing and smiling. Grace got to go visit this past weekend and says she knows just what to do to make him smile. She got to spend lots of quality time with him but at a price. Lindsay had another migraine and was in bed for a couple of days. Grace was available to help out her brother and love on Colton a lot. While it might not have been planned that way, it was still good she was there to lend a hand and bond.
Just look at that sweet face! I see both Lindsay and Ross in that precious countenance. I love you so much, Colton!

Never Fear! Texas has not killed us!

Well, it feels great to be connected to the world again. We just got our internet service late yesterday! Ike has taken a toll on the area's ability to provide service quickly. We will get satellite tv service Monday! Yea! I'll get football again!

There is a lot to catch up on! Our move went extremely well. Our mover, Ward DeWitt (Charles' brother) was the best. We only had one small accident and it occurred to my new (new to me) quilt machine table. It fell from its place in the truck and has a small crack in the table part. It does not impede me from proper use and may be replaced, but we will see. (Here is where the Farm Bureau insurance gets tested Roy!) Everything else arrived safely.....at least what arrived. Ward underestimated the mass quantities of our stuff and will have to bring some attic contents at a later time. Oh well, for those of you who know, most of our junk has been in storage for approximately 2 years so I'm used to not having it. Only parts of it are valuable to us anyway. Mark's yard tools, etc. They will get here eventually then I will have to find a place for it!

Speaking of finding places. It is amazing how my furniture that was stuffed into a 1500 sf house fits nicely into a 2800 sf home. I love having the space to move and store stuff. Our master closet is amazing and holds all our clothes without them being in various parts of the house or stored in tubs for out of season, etc.

I will say the amount of sewing/fabric/kits/creative stuff is beyond ridiculous. I really don't need to purchase another thing for as long as I live and will have stuff left over. Get ready. I will be sharing with those of you so inclined. I will add to that the original plan to move to Kingston Springs would have included a party to share the excess with my beloved Hope House Quilters after settling. Now I will bring home an extra suitcase filled with goodies each time we venture to Nashville.

Speaking of venturing to Nashville, Mark has business with Star Physical Therapy in November, so we will be there Nov 16-21! I will get to go to Christmas Village! Yea! Call me and we will connect while we're there!

Be sure to check stowersfamilyblog to see the latest developments with our darling Colton! They post pics and stories regularly for us long distance grandparents/aunts/uncles.

This has rambled on too long and boxes of creative stuff are calling to be unpacked/discovered.