Count Your Blessings

Thanksgiving 2009 at the Stokes' home. Sharing the day with family and friends. Thanking our dear Lord Jesus for our salvation, grace, mercy, reconciliation, freedom, love, protection, provision, health and all the many blessings He has richly bestowed upon us, because He cares for us. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18 Count your blessings, name them one by one.

This buffet belonged to my Dad's mother, Annie. I can remember Thanksgiving at her house (in the 60's) as a little girl and it would be laden with delicious desserts. Here it is in 2009, laden once again with delicious goodies.

Sweet potato pie and Cool Whip:) A few of my favorite things:)

We were blessed to have Mom and her dear childhood friend, Louise Dunn spend the day with us. Little redheads that grew up together and have remained friends for eighty years.

Kati, Kelli and Jordan, my precious children.

Gracey and me, enjoying some coffee and the fire.

Sisters 3

Louise and Franklin Dunn joined us for our Thanksgiving feast.

Grace, Cat, Kati, Sarah, Hannah, Jan and Em.

Jordan and Kati with her Pumpkin Cake.

Kate, Kel, Mom and Jord.

Four generations, Grace, Frank, Hannah, Sid and Logan.

Me and my little precious Mama.

The twins and the twins. Sarah holding Sidney and Sam holding Logan. Actually, it's Uncle Sam and Aunt Sarah.

The Doolin Gang: Frank, Jan, Grace, Hannah, Michael, Emily, Sarah, Sam and Josh.. We are missing Julia this year as she is away at Bible College.

Mama Cloud and her girls.

Me, Mom, Jordan and Louise .

The girls posing.

The guys posing.

The whole gang.

Happy Thanksgiving Yall!! Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with Psalms. Psalms 95:2. Thank you Lord for your MANY blessings.

God Bless our Men & Women that Served!!!

A special day to remember our Veterans and all the men and women that have bravely defended our country. We appreciate you!!!

Tribute to Baby Andrew October 1, 2009- October 30, 2009

Andrew was born Thursday, Oct. 1,2009. He weighed 9lbs 4 oz with a head full of dark hair. A gorgeous, healthy baby on the outside, but on the inside, he was very sick. He was diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. This is a condition where the diaphragm does not fully form, thus allowing organs to enter the chest cavity, preventing vital lung development. His stomach and intestines were up in his little chest. He had to undergo surgery and fought like a brave little soldier for a month. I Timothy 4:7 " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" Then, on Oct. 30, 2009, he went home to be with the Lord. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Precious baby Andrew is now safe in his Father's arms. May the dear Lord Jesus bring the Hobbs & McEwen families peace and comfort as He walks beside them during this difficult, sad, time. We love yall and will continue to pray for you.

For the complete journey: http://babyandrewhobbs.blogspot.com/

The Orphanage

Cassie is telling us about the orphanage. She worked here and wanted to share it with us. Their goal is to be self sustaining. Notice the beautiful gardens. They raise pigs, these will be very profitable. They are teaching the children responsibility, they have chores and their curriculum is Bible based. It was a joy visiting with the children and staff. Kell and Jord at the top. The view was breathtaking. Solar panels help make the orphanage energy efficient.

Buzz loving that little niece, baby Esther.

Kell and Abigail with the gorgeous roses. They must have used miracle

grow!

This little piggy is goin to the market.I snuck a peek at the children doing school. We didn't want to disturb

them. They are adorable. They have a great home here.

Cousins.

Me and two of my precious children.

Jyoti, Sundesh, Kell and Julia. I love the wheatfields.

Jules, Aunt Cathy and sweet Abigail.

We found a Julia in the middle of the wheat. Looking for a Boaz? ha ha

The wheat was amazing. We had never seen a field like this with the

workers harvesting.

Jord

and Sundesh admiring the wheat.

A lady carrying her load of wheat. She will put it on the road and let the cars

do the threshing.

Jord and Kell, they never dreamed they would be in Nepal together.

Kell, Lydia, Esther and Abigail.

Me and Kell.

Cassie was took us on the tour of the orphanage and did a wonderful job

answering all our questions. Thanks, Cassie. (She had to go to India the

next day, so we didn't get to see her again.

Tina would love these java wafers. Yum!!

Enjoying our picnic overlooking the mountains.

Shopping in Thamel

Aw, a great way to end an evening. Spending time with loved ones.

Which way do we go? Totally lost in Nepal.

.

Leeches, get your leeches!! One for you?

Jules and Kel in one of our fav. stores

Suzi helping Kell choose a hat. Suzi is a precious friend from the country

of Georgia. We just loved sweet Suzi.

Friendly shopkeeper,"you like theeese one?"

Julia, carefully choosing her shawls.

Buzz and Jord, satisfied customers.

Jord and Kel trading in their money. Kel loves those rupees!!

This guy wanted to glue Kelli's shoe. He told her something in Nepali,

and she said yes. Later, Linda told her that he had asked her to marry

him:)

What are they laughing at?

Me and Kel ready for our ric shaw ride.

Kelli and Mom lovin the shopping. Stretching those rupees.

Kel, Jord and Buzz going shopping.

Jyoti, Prashunsa and Aunt Cathy restin our weary selves.

Cathy, Jyoti and silly Prashunsa.

Kel, Buzz, Jord, Jyoti, is that silly Prashunsa? Jules, and me, enjoying

some of that American, Nepali pizza. It really is good.

Kell, Suzi, Julia and me at the Fire and Ice restaurant. They serve a good

pizza. Notice the guard with the gun. Pretty tight security!

Sorta lost, trying to speak Nepali? The taxi driver could not speak English.

This kind girl is translating for us.

Our favorite town was Thamel, very touristy but we loved it. It was like an open market place, bustling with activity, everybody wanting to sell you their wares. (pictures are from a couple different trips) Kelli really got the hang of getting the best deals for her rupees. We took a wild taxi ride, had lunch and shopped till Julia really did almost drop. The worst part is that when the taxi dropped us off, we had never walked to the main road before, sooo we didn't know how to get home and ended up lost. Every thing looks the same in Kathmandu. We hailed another taxi and Julia and Kelli knew the way from the bridge. So, we got off there and walked and walked. Needless to say we were tired when we arrived back at David and Linda's, but a wonderful Americanized Nepali supper (complete with leeches and watermelon!) was waiting for us. We finished the evening with a round of Phase 10 and retired early (Early as in for us) How thankful we were

for the great hospitality.