RALLY AROUND COURTNEY

Job 23:10-14
"But he KNOWETH the way that I take: when he hath TRIED me, I shall come forth as GOLD. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is APPOINTED for me: and many such things are with him."

Our beloved Courtney is going through a battle right now, "a battle not against flesh and blood but against the principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age..." Ephesians 6:12ff. Courtney is seeking after the Lord and His Word with all her heart, and the devil indeed hates it. He in turn is seeking to rob her of her joy. As you know, our COCO is currently in Wisconsin at Maranatha Baptist Bible College. It is -9 degrees today for her and bitterly cold. She has 16 hours of piano practice every week that she is required to do for her studies...not to mention taking 18 credit hours, orchestra, choir, freshman student council, and much more. She will be playing the offertory at her church, Brookside, this Sunday night for the start of their revival services with Will Galkin. She is very excited, but heavy at heart. There are those around her that would seek to pull her down with their words.

Please encourage her today by posting a Bible Verse or word of love to her on the comment board. We need our friends to show that we are "RALLYING AROUND" our precious sister in Christ.

WE LOVE YOU, COURTNEY. STAND FAST FOR JESUS.
HE WILL LIFT YOU UP!!!

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words: HURRAY! IT'S SNOWING!

Job 37:5-7 "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the SNOW, 'Fall on the earth';
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. He seals the hand of every man,
That ALL men may KNOW His Work."

The FIRST SNOW OF 2008: JANUARY 16-17
And Mercy's First SNOW

Frosty The Snowman Stops in for A Visit
in the Backyard of the Shumakers












Frosty Getting
His Picture Taken
at Papa's Office

It began to snow while we were at Wednesday Night Church, Tiny Trackers. We were teaching our K-5 class when I turned to see the snow falling outside the window. The boys and girls were currently coloring, but not for long! What precious squeals of delight came from their mouths as they pressed their hands and faces up at the windows to see the white snow fall. After Church, we went to Arby's for supper. The snow started really coming down. Emmy, Natty, and Marie could not wait to get outside in it....oh, and don't forget Andrew! What a special time of fun and laughter we had running around the parking lot and throwing snow balls at each other.

Snow Invasion at Arby's

Today we found the ground covered with a blanket of white...a very light blanket, but still a blanket....some rain too, but it stopped after awhile. It was enough snow to allow the girls have a Snow Day! We went to Papa's Office this morning not for the snow though. Mercy had stayed up the whole night previous crying inconsolably. We discovered today that she had a double ear infection...NOT FUN!!! Papa fixed her up though and she is doing much better. We shall see how tonight goes. She really was in awe over all the SNOW! By the way, this snow is nothing in comparison to our COCO's SNOW in Wisconsin. Saturday's forecast for her predicts a -9 degree low. BBBBRRRRRR!!! And for COCO...that is COLD!!! She can barely make it if it is 50 degrees. She is dressed like an ESKIMO...a very fashionable ESKIMO, of course! So to encourage our beloved Courtney, we made this little video clip for you! LOVE YOU LOTS and as Natty says, "MISS YOU!"

A SNOW VIEW FROM THE CAR:
THE FOUNTAIN INN POST OFFICE


DRIVING TO PAPA'S OFFICE IN THE FIRST SNOW of 2008





PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GIFT OF SNOW...IT IS A REMINDER TO US THAT THE LORD CLEANSES OUR SINS
AND THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW!
ISAIAH 1:18

Dancing and Eating Markers...All in A Good Day's Work

2Corinthians 9:6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

Our little Mercy Rose has less than a week to go and she will be 8 months old. How this precious time flies with God's humble little treasures. Natty, Marie, and Mercy are indeed a great work of the Lord. Last week, at my morning lady's Bible Study, I learned that I have been given one of the Greatest Assignments a woman can have...I have been entrusted with 3 little souls to raise up to love our Saving and Wonderful Jesus.

Everyday that has been given to me with them is a Gift. I am truly baffled by other mothers who are so wrapped up in their careers that they can leave their little ones behind to be raised by someone else while they go to work. I may not be driving the fancy car, having the big salary, or buying all the great looking shoes and outfits I want; instead I have something even more great. I have the opportunity to invest in a SOUL which means so much more for eternity than all the stacks of paperwork on an office desk that will one day burn up. Don't get me wrong. Some mothers have to go to work. They do not have a choice especially if their spouse dies. In that, the Lord will take care of your little ones and He will take care of you too. Yet, if your husband works, believe me when I say, that the Lord will take care of the extra finances. YOU invest in your little ones. They are only young once. You will not have them forever, and you want to be the one that guides and directs them into the man or woman they are to become.

On that note, I should probably tell you the reason for my writing this title. Natty, Marie, and Mercy were playing today in their room. Natty and Marie had out their Dora Doll House...of which we have two...one we found on the side of the road thrown out and the other at a yard sale for $5.00 (with accessories). Courtney and Emmy had a hand in the side of the road one. It was right after Christmas. "You've never seen any two girls jump out of the car faster to grab up a doll house," states my Mama. By the way, it was pouring down rain too! That of course did NOT deter their mission.

Anyway, there are several buttons that make noise on the doll house when you push it. There is the radio button which says, "Vamos A Bailar." That means, "Let's Dance" in espanol. Well, Marie pushed that button and Mercy's ears perked up. She started bouncing, so I lifted her up on her feet...she holds herself up pretty well now with help...and off she went. The little video clip below shows her "Dancing Debut." I had to put the camera up on a shelf to hold her up and tape it at the same time, so it's a little off centered, but you get the idea.


As for the markers, they were on the floor in the girls' room, and Mercy found them. I turned my back for a second to find her sucking on one. I thought, "That's ok, the cap is on." I had to LOOK and THINK AGAIN! She had got the cap off all by herself. As I pulled the marker out of her mouth, I found a completely green tongue with green lips. She had colored on her arms and bib as well. How did my child get to be so smart?




I cleaned her up and let her enjoy playing with them a few minutes more under close supervision and of course with the caps on! It's All in a Good Day's Work...for a Baby anyway.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work"
2 Corinthians 9:8

Christmas Memories

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do thy light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven" Matthew 5:14-16.

Here are three precious pictures taken from our Christmas Season this year. The first is of Santa Claus
better known as Mr. Johnson who lives in Fountain Inn.

He is a very kind man who absolutely adored our 3 little blessings from Jesus. He even had Natty confused when he told her that his beard was real. He reenacted the Miracle on 34th street number by having her pull his beard
and saying, "Ow!"
The delight on her face was a sight to see.

The second is our attempt at a Christmas Picture to try and send out. The third is the actual picture. It was quite an ordeal getting these three rascals dressed...not to mention trying to all make them smile at the same time. Oh, and by the way, I was alone for this due to Andrew being at work. The final Christmas picture was not my original intention. I had hoped to have their picture taken on the beautiful couch of our State Senator's home as shown in a previous post. He and his wife live just down the road from our house and they go to our church. After the 15 minute photo session, this was the best I was able to get...you can see for yourself...the girls had quite enough of the picture taking!

Of course, I was not satisfied with this "enchanting picture," so we tried again at the airport in Greenville/Spartanburg. We had to pick up Courtney from her flight in from Wisconsin and the girls were still dressed...so here you have it, the photo is taken in front of the Poinsettia Tree at our wonderful airport...truly these are the memories worth remembering!

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

A Joyous Christmas

LUKE 2:10-11
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people,
For unto you is BORN this day in the city of David,
A SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord.'"

Happy Birthday to our Precious Jesus!
What a privilege it is for us as believers in Him
to celebrate His birthday.

Our Christmas this year was indeed a FULL one! There were many blessings and adventures along the way, but in the end, we remember the real and true reason for celebrating. On Christmas Day, we began our morning at home. Andrew was up at the crack of dawn very anxious to wake everyone up so we could open presents. He uses the excuse that he wanted to see his girls' excitement, but we KNOW the real reason. You just have to love that precious Andrew of mine! I calmed him down enough to start with opening stockings. Our little 7 month old, Mercy, was wide eyed, being that this was her first Christmas and was not quite sure how to take it all in. She handled herself pretty well though.

While the girls were content with their stocking stuffers, I made a big breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage links, sliced oranges, cinnamon rolls, egg nog, and apple juice. We then opened the greatest present under the tree which was wrapped in a brown paper bag. Inside Marie found a small figure of Baby Jesus in a manger. We explained to the girls how Jesus did not come wrapped in fancy paper, clothes, etc. He humbled himself, became a man, and was born in a barn...not a hospital or the like. He had no beautiful crib to sleep in only straw from the cow's trough. The Christmas story was then unfolded at the breakfast table as the girls listened intently and Marie held the little Baby Jesus. We thanked our loving Savior for giving His life for us so that we could have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It was then on to the opening of the presents and the getting ready to go over to Papa and Mama's House for our evening Christmas Dinner...and more opening of presents. What a blessing from the Lord to get to open the presents when it is HIS birthday! For those of you who would like to know, the girls received TOYS...and More TOYS!! Andrew got a new pair of shoes...pretty spiffy you ask me...clothes, books, and other little goodies of course. My big present from Andrew was more of a JOINT Family gift. It was most needed and it was a good excuse to purchase it. Our CD/stereo player had practically DIED so he purchased me a new one. This one is really neat because it has a record player as well and looks like an old timey radio set. I just love records and seeing that my Beloved sister, Courtney, has "BORROWED" my record player for about 3 years now, it was time to get another one.


The one special thing I should add about our present giving was that this year we took the girls to the Dollar Tree. They both were given the opportunity to shop without the influence of Mommy and Daddy to pick out things for each other and of course Mommy and Daddy. Andrew and I had to take two separate trips with them in order to do it. Natty picked out a lighter for Andrew because she said that Daddy likes to light the candles at our table...which is very true. She picked out a coffee mug that said, "It's A Girl," on it for myself. She told me that is was supposed to be Mercy in the front in a baby stroller. She also picked out some pink nail polish for me. Marie, on the other hand, is still learning as she goes along. She picked out a teddy bear key chain and a Disney Princess Sticker for me and a toy soccer ball for Andrew. What gifts of love our girls are learning to give. We definitely have to add this to our annual Christmas to do list. It's a KEEPER!

At Papa and Mama's House, Mama prepared a wonderful Christmas meal completely different from what we usually have on Christmas. We found a recipe for Cranberry Glazed Chicken on the internet that is baked and marinated in cloves and spices...mmmmm. It was quite good in fact. She also made Corn Pudding, Broccoli Salad with mandarin oranges, rolls, a beautiful fruit bowl, sumptuous mashed potatoes, and several desserts. Let's just say we were completely stuffed and worn out after it was all said and done.

Yet, in the end, it was a wonderful time of being together and rejoicing in Christ's Birth and Salvation.

Here are a few video clips of our fun times. These are more for Dad, Mom, and Uncle Jesse in Illinois because they were unable to be with us this Christmas. Yet, I'm sure everyone will enjoy Papa's Gift Opening Clip. It brought a smile to my face.

THE RETURN OF COURTNEY

"A joyful heart is good medicine, But a
broken spirit dries up the bones"
Proverbs 17:22

Our dearest Courtney has returned home from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin. It is now Christmas Break, and all the more reason to BREAK from the hardships of life. Sometimes all that is required is a GOOD LAUGH, and we definitely got a GOOD LAUGH this evening. Our GOOD Friends who are now probably our WORST enemies had IT coming.

Awhile back, our somewhat "estranged" friend, Paul Valentine, and his lovely wife, Cheryll, placed a toilet commode in the front yard of my parents' home. They had placed duct tape around the commode with a name written on it and a plant on the inside. It was especially placed there with loving care for my sister, Courtney. Well, Courtney, never lets anything just slide by...and we as her family have to stick together.

It really all started with an EGG, but I will have to save that story for another time. As for tonight, it was a COLD and RAINY night, and Paul was at our Sunday School Class Christmas Party...where we were supposed to be, but this was a VERY GOOD REASON for missing out on such a Joyous occasion! Cheryll was out of town for the time being. We had set up people on watch to let us know when Paul had arrived at the party and so forth. There were actually several people who were in on this, and amazingly enough...NO ONE came to their rescue...HEE HEE! I believe this is the second time. The first time was a toilet papered camp site. If you haven't guessed it by now, this LAUGHING bit has been going on for quite some time. This time it was our turn as we drove up to Paul's thankfully lighted house. We were praying he would leave his porch light on, but he did even better...he left some of his inside lights on...probably to fool people into thinking he was home! We then tied a rope from one pillar on his covered porch to another pillar. After that, underwear...extremely large underwear...were clothes pinned on the rope. Courtney graciously wrote a message on the underwear and large tank undershirts that were purchased at discount price from WAL-MART. Paul's BEST picture was printed out and glued on cardboard to the underwear. Courtney left her award winning photo on the Christmas wreath that hung on the door...it was raining so it smeared some of the picture...but that only made it more artistic! Paul and Cheryll did NOT have any Christmas lights on the outside of their home, so we kindly put some up for them. It worked out so well because there were several people in the neighborhood driving around that night looking at lights...how convenient. Anyway, we thought EVERYONE would enjoy a little piece of the action.

By the way...Paul did call after it was all said and done, and he stated, "Yah, that was pretty good..." We thought so too! Thanks Paul and Cheryll for being such GOOD SPORTS and GREAT COMIC RELIEF!

DECK THE PORCH WITH PICTURES OF PAUL



FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA

Tis The Season To Say COURTNEY

FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA

DON WE NOW OUR GAY APPAREL
FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA

I'm Sure This House Will Make a SCARE-O
Fa LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA

LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS...OH MY!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND FELIZ NAVIDAD
FROM OUR HOUSE TO PAUL and CHERYLL'S!

THE REPLY OF CHERYLL

THE REPLY OF PAUL

The Laughter of God's Children

Psalm 100:1-3
"Make a JOYFUL SHOUT to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."

What a Gracious and Loving God we serve! I am reminded every day of His everlasting Goodness. Today it was through the laughter of our little Mercy Rose. How the Lord must smile when He hears the joyous shouts of His little children.

Mercy truly has quite the laugh. I remember when she was born looking forward to the day she would double over with glee. Now that day is finally here, and I cannot get enough of her precious little laugh. What a Gift from Our Almighty Creator!

Mercy is 6 months old and growing bigger everyday. We thought you would enjoy a little tidbit of what Mercy's laugh is like. Forgive the darkness of the camera again. One of these days I will figure out how to get the light working in the background when I am video taping indoors. For now though, all you need is your listening ears.