News from around the world!

Well, maybe not around the world, but from different parts of the world. :)

Paul and Autumn are still in "waiting." Paul had another surgery on his arm so it is yet to be determined whether or not progress was made. Hopefully, he will be well mended and ready when the baby comes. Autumn did say he got the nursery painted and decorated so they are very excited about that.

Heather, Ben, and the boys posted some updated pictures on their blog of Easter and a trip to a seaside aquarium. All looked like great fun!

Alice's work is making some progress. They have logged some sales and have decided to go forward with a new building and the other project they have been looking at for a while. Brock, her boss, just returned from a national conference where he learned of some new plans and some opportunities that may boost sales both in Tega Cay and their Mountain Island project. So that is good news.

I have a few articles out on "query" to see if I can get them published. So we will see how that goes. The writing course is progressing nicely although I find it difficult to keep on pace at times. I suppose it is because the particular assignment that week may not push by button.

Eli is enjoying spring and the warmer weather. He LOVES being outside. Of course, so do we and Eli and I take a walk almost every day. Sometimes when Alice comes home she takes him out again which I must say just tuckers the poor guy out!

Still praying and hoping for a buyer on our Lubbock house. We keep seeking creative ways to market the house and now it is time to spruce up the outside consequently we are trying to deal with lawn and landscape people long distance. I must say our Realtor is a great help in this regard. We could not ask for anyone better than Deborah and her faithful sidekick Whitney.

Looks like we are planning a PA trip this weekend. That should be a nice break for Alice and we are hoping for good weather on the drive. Of course, nice weather there would be a bonus, but not mandatory!

Hope all is well with those who meander by this site.

Beautiful Nieces

Here's some recent pictures of newly added nieces.

The first is Mallory with Grandma Osterwise.

The second is Keira Oliver and the third is the two cuties together. How fun is that!!!!

The Latest

Well, it's been almost a week so I am sure there are things everyone is wanting to know.

It has been gorgeous here the past few days...(I'm trying to type this with Eli in my lap and laying his head on my right hand.) Note that that is an excuse for poor typing but it will due for now.

Eli and I have been trying to walk every day and teach him new social skills. We have also been working on his excessive barking. I think one is going better than the other. Bark Bark!!!!

I have two articles ready to submit for publication. One I think I have a "home" for, the other I am not sure yet.

Alice has been very busy at work and they have made a step forward on their new project, so that is GREAT news!

We keep talking with our Realtor in Lubbock to find new ways to market the house. We have had a great deal of activity, but of course, no buyers yet. Perhaps tomorrow!

According to Paul, Autumn has started dilating and may deliver early. That's exciting and we are praying that all goes well, especially in these last days.

See, not a lot new going on. But we keep plugging away with God's grace and in the warmth of His love.

Birthday Surprise!

My...this is unusual for NC. Cold, windy and a chance of snow. Did I mention WINDY!!! Good day to hunker down with a book and some college hoops.

Yesterday was my birthday and I was wonderfully surprised to receive a great many birthday wishes. Several were on Facebook from family and that was cool. Of course I received calls from my Mom and my mom, which is always special.

Alice made the day special with some cute notes around the house and a special birthday dinner of homemade pizza! It was great.

The Blackwell "Clan" sent a nice present of this Clan MacDonald towel. They picked it up on one of their trips to Scotland. It was a wonderful gift. I still have not figured out why the towel is blue and white, I suppose it is for functional purposes, however the clan colors are green, dark blue, and red. Probably not good colors for a towel. Anyway, I am going to frame it and hang it in my study.


The towel lists the "Motto": By Land and by Sea. It also says that Clan MacDonald was "the most renowned clan of the Western Isles." Was there any doubt!! :)

Anyway it was a wonderful gift.

Well...reckon I better get after that book reading.

THANK YOU EVERYONE for the wonderful birthday celebration.

Eli and More

It is hard for the groomers to understand that our little buddy is a fun-lovin' outside dog. He spends about 75% of his day outdoors and just loves it. Of course, that presents certain problems for a Miniature Schnauzer. Not the least of which is tangles, "garbage" in his face, legs and "skirt". So when we took him in for a grooming a few weeks ago, they did an okay job, but still left everything too long. This past weekend when it was so nice, we were working in the yard and I do mean "we" and Eli had mulch, dirt and other sundry sticks all over. Consequently, I took him back the other day and said, "You know what, he is an outside dog. Let's cut things shorter." Well, THEY DID!!! The haircut does not diminish his cute-ability, but it sure does make his legs look funny!

Here's the more...

I received an email the other day from Mustard Seed Ministries. They chose one of my devotionals for the weekly posting on their website. The editor said they are considering others, but they wanted to let me know about that one specifically. It's nice to see stuff in print along with the other items published in the anthology. I have a couple other articles that my mentor is encouraging me to seek publication for, I just have not found the right place to send them yet.

Well, their ya have it. At least the latest. Oh yes, I don't know if I posted this, but we had a great time with Paul Nurmi the other day in Raleigh. He was in the area on a speaking engagement so we decided to hook up and have lunch. Alice and I drove up and met him outside Raleigh near the airport. Went to lunch, then drove over to the Holiday Inn and sat in their lobby talking for an hour or so. It is wonderful to see him again. He and Virginia are some of our closest friends and have been for almost 24 years.
If you do not recall, Paul is a Director for Youth For Christ International. He helps other set up mission trips, mentors new YFC leaders and does a whole host of other things. If you ever have a question about where to use your money for the cause of Christ over and above the support of your local church, he would be the guy! Besides his YFC work, he and his wife spent over a year in New Orleans helping rebuild some of those areas and ministering to the people. A year!!!! Can you imagine? They are some kind of special people and sacrifice a great deal to further the gospel.

Here's my friend... not the greatest picture, but for a camera phone - on the sly, not too bad.