Rich was making plans to be away on Saturday for a wrestling tournament but a winter snowfall came and it was blessedly cancelled. Sometimes a change of plans is without a doubt a gift from God, a way to slow us down and keep us home, to remember and enjoy each other.
We painted while listening to Christmas songs.
The children gathered their snow clothes and bundled up to go sledding. All around them were trees covered with new snow and fresh cold air. The climbed up the hill, slid down, and did it again and again.
When they came back inside, they threw their snow things on the floor to dry. (But Mama made them hang them from hooks and chairs).
There was a cozy fire to sit next to, hot drinks, and games to play.
We all agreed that The Polar Express was a most wonderful movie.
There were books to pick up and read, and cats to hold on our laps.
Each year the children become more helpful in the kitchen.
We made tray upon tray of Christmas cookies.
It took more work to clean up than it did to do the baking.
And then it was time to listen to Dad read a year after year favorite.
By-ends and his schoolfellows walked on together, laughing and talking. Christian and Hopeful were not very far from them, and presently the four boys ran after them and began to ask them foolish questions. They pretended that they wished to know whether some of the things that they were fond of doing were wrong and likely to displease the King, and they hoped that Christian would not be brave enough to answer them truly, because then they would be able to call him a coward. But although little Christian was a shy and timid child, he was not afraid to speak the truth. He had learned to love the King dearly, and no fear of what these rough boys might do to him would have made him agree with By-ends and his friends. He answered all their questions bravely and truly, and at last they began to feel ashamed of themselves and said no more. Christian was very glad when they left him, and he went on with Hopeful, while By-ends stayed behind with his three idle companions. pg 99
I dragged myself out of my cozy bed this morning to go wake up Seth for school, and wake him up I did, out of a sound sleep. We came upstairs together to find Caleb in the rocking chair, “There is a two hour delay, mom,” he says. Seriously, I could have stayed asleep. Ugh. But once up, I stay up and I made pancakes and bacon and hugged everyone. I heard a report from Caleb and Grace that “Sherlock was meowing all morning and wouldn’t stop. Jacob finally put him outside.” After the children all left for school I found the cat under the porch, in distress. “What is wrong with this cat?” I wondered, and then thought to myself, “He did bite Caleb not long ago, maybe he has rabies.” The more I thought about it the more I was convinced that he had rabies and since he bit Caleb, Caleb naturally had rabies as well. I called the vet and sure enough, his rabies vaccine had needed updating a year ago. I made an appointment to take the cat to the vet and also put in a call to the pediatrician to let them know Caleb was bitten by a cat that didn’t have his shots up to date and probably had rabies but I didn’t know because I was on my way to the vet with the cat. I had to leave a message and left to travel to the vets with my sad cat.
I was crying when I explained to the technician that I feared that my cat had rabies and that he had bitten my son. She quickly left the room to send in the vet, who came in saying, “Sherlock was vaccinated for rabies in the past and there is no way he can get rabies or pass rabies on to your son especially since it has been over two weeks since he bit your child.” She felt Sherlock all over and announced “Oh this is his problem, your cat cannot pass urine, he is blocked.” So I cried some more and tried calling my husband to ask him what to do and if we could spend 800 dollars to get Sherlock on the road to recovery. Rich grew up on a farm and values all living creatures, but only to a certain extent. ha ha. Providentially for the children and I, he did not answer his phone, so I called my son Jacob, who after all is a man now. After talking it through with Jacob we decided to go ahead and get treatment for our cat, as the only other option according to the vet would be to put him to sleep. All of us love Sherlock very much and since he had a sickness which could be treated, we decided that even though it would cost 800 dollars we felt responsible for his care and knew that in this instance it was the right decision to help our dear pet, after all he probably only bit Caleb because he was grumpy about his condition.
I drove home without Sherlock, who was being busily sedated and catheterized by the vet and her assistants to remove his blockage, which, as explained to me, was a multitude of crystals in his urine that had built up over time. In fact, the vet was a dear older lady who became a vet later in life after her own cat had the same condition. She told me that she was so impressed by her cat’s vet that she decided to become one as well. She was very nice, I liked her a lot. I’m wondering if now I will become a vet, too. 😉
I came home and ran 2 miles on the treadmill while texting my brother Dave in order to settle myself down again.
I am now sitting cross legged on my bed attempting to blog about Grace at the Christmas house.
Grace is part of the Madrigals singing group at her school and they dress up in victorian clothing and sing Christmas carols a cappella in exquisite harmony at many different venues. They were scheduled to sing at a lovely decorated museum on Saturday so I went and took Sarah with me. Rich came a little later, as well.
I loved the wall paper.
There were decorations everywhere, and a little gift shop in which Sarah spent a few dollars on matching Menorah necklaces for herself and her sister so that Grace, “would never forget me.” She said this with such sad eyes that Grace quickly told her “I could never forget you, Sarah, you’re my sister.” and then I cried a little. It was one of those moments.
The acoustics in this room were divine.
When they were finished with their performance, I took a few photos of Grace who was dressed so beautifully.
She was the queen.
There was an older gentleman in the room watching us who invited Grace to sit on the couch (museum furniture is not typically to be sat upon) for a photo.
The music director’s daughter MADE this dress for herself when she was the queen in high school.
Grace with her friend, who was coming to get her for a group portrait outside in front of the house. I gave the camera to Rich and asked him to try to get a picture of them for me while I went to go help Sarah with something.
And this is what I recieved:
~Merry Christmas~
look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!
Wow what a nice sunny day it is here in good ol’ *hometown* USA. As soon as I got the kids to school and took my shower I made my way to the grocery store for thanksgiving groceries trip #1. Trip #2 is tomorrow because my husband has the day off and he loves Costco. (We’re getting the turkey at Costco…….)
And lest you think I was going to bring all the groceries inside the house myself:
..and yes, he did get up and do it. 🙂
So, for preparations today, I am slowly getting organized to make sure I have all the things I need for the dishes I will be preparing on Thursday.
~Disposable turkey roaster because who wants to scrub out a turkey roaster?
~Bread for stuffing.
~Poultry seasoning, of which I have plenty because it’s one of those things that I never want to run out of so I end up getting more of it than I need.
~Turkey bags to roast the turkey in.
~wheat pilaf
~punch (sherbet in the freezer)….I will be putting the juice and soda on the porch to cool.
~pickles and olives (tray which used to belong to Rich’s grandmother)
~chips and dip
~I could make deviled eggs but haven’t committed yet.
~Orange jello salad (cool whip in freezer)
~crackers and cheese tray
~miscellaneous– more serving pieces
~corn casserole (sour cream and butter will be added, and eggs)
~more trays, plates, and dishes if needed
this along with the dishes that are in the kitchen (plates, bowls, and mugs)
These are the wonderful people attending our meal on Thursday, Lord willing:
Myself
Rich
Jacob-going to VT today to get Ethan, thank you J!
Ethan
David
Grace
Caleb
Seth
Sarah Joy
Michael
Mom-will be helping me in the kitchen
Dad
Dave
Maria-bringing pies, baklava, and wine
Amanda-bringing sweet potatoes, coleslaw, wine, and homemade cranberry sauce
Jason
Abigail
Naomi
Weston
Nate
Melissa-bringing a vegetable tray and a birthday cake
Makayla-birthday girl!
Gregory
Isaac
Cassandra-bringing salad
a guest invited by my sister
Now that I’m done with the groceries I am going to watch a movie, fold laundry and do some cleaning. Seth and Sarah will be home in an hour.
On Tuesday I had to take Grace to the doctors because she was awake half the night in agony. Turns out she had a full blown ear infection. She stayed home from school for two days in a row because of it and is on antibiotics.
On Wednesday, Rich and I drove to Vermont to watch the very first wrestling event at Ethan’s college. We watched him wrestle in the exhibition matches before the main event. He lost to his opponent and then by the end of the night the varsity team ended up losing by a distant tie breaker. It was such a close competition. The gym was packed and I loved how the refs encouraged all the young kids in the stands to come down and sit right by the mat to watch. So, this was my favorite photo of the whole night, just because of this dear little boy who reminded me so much of Seth:
After the meet Ethan was about to faint from hunger (slight exaggeration) and all he could do was think about food, so we took him to the college cafe and ordered two pizzas. He wolfed down three pieces and then we got him a Ben and Jerry’s frozen yogurt to take back to his dorm room to eat in bed while watching Netflix. Rich and I drove back home and were in bed by 1:15 in the morning.
Moving on…..this post is actually about my son Caleb, who is rarely featured on my blog anymore because he is a little camera shy. My early posts were pretty much all about him because he was my baby at the time. Always a mama’s boy, always with a tender heart toward others. Of course he has his silly side, and has made a name for himself at school and at football as “the boy who can make realistic chicken sounds.” I’ll record it for you one of these days.
Each child was given a fabric bag filled with goodies to take home. Inside, there were two little bags of flour (so cute!) a flexible plastic scraper (I never knew how convenient they were!), yeast, and an instruction booklet written on a level for children to learn and understand (amusing!)
UNFORTUNATELY for Caleb, he was bit on Wednesday night on the hand. By Thursday it had become infected and was pink and somewhat swollen. He told me it was a scratch and as I am a “oh you’ll be fine” sort of mom, we set to work baking the bread together.
After he washed his hands with powerful soap over and over under my watchful eye.
“Mom, the dough is like pancake batter.”
We kept adding the flour.
One cup at a time. No mixer, just a bowl and a spoon.
He learned at school how to use the edge of the scraper to level off the cup.
The bag of flour was too small to fit a measuring cup inside of it so we dumped each bag into a mixing bowl.
“Mom the dough is like cake batter now.”
He was very observant. And you can tell he is experienced in all kinds of batter, too. Comes from years in the kitchen with Mom. 🙂
“Mom you stir it now, my hand hurts.”
Here is the entire free download of recipes if you would like to try Caleb’s bread:
Naturally, because of *infection-hand* I did the kneading as well. (Caleb didn’t touch the dough)
The finished dough ball.
Truth be told, as I spent time with my son, I realized that his hand was worse than my original diagnosis. So, I called the doctors and took him in to get it checked while the dough was rising in the fridge.
I was sort of apologetic at first that I didn’t wait to see if it would clear up on its own but the doctor said, “No. I am so glad you didn’t wait on this. Always trust your gut. I know you and you have a good gut.”
Thanks to the mother’s gut, it was antibiotics and an excuse note to miss Football practice for Mr. C.
For those of you who do not know yet (young moms) if you see a red streak (like what is on Caleb’s wrist) coming from the wound, you should take your child to the doctors sooner rather than later.
It was at the doctors that I learned that his “scratch” was truly a “bite”. He didn’t want to tell me that he was bitten.
Guess who bit him?
Therefore, hours later, after the doctors, after football practice (during which Caleb sat out), we finally baked the bread.
Second rise, right before popping it into the oven (after removing plastic wrap, of course).
Half the dough was used to make a loaf, the other half to make cinnamon rolls.
This loaf was taken to school today to be donated to someone in need.
While the rolls cooled, we naturally watched a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED show full of bready goodness for all ages: Wallis and Gromit’s of A Matter of Loaf and Death. (it’s on amazon prime I believe)
The cinnamon rolls were soooooooooo good! Oh it was a gift, to “snuggie” (that’s what I say, I say, “Seth come snuggie with me.”) on the couch with Caleb and Seth to watch a nice show and then eat cinnamon rolls together right before bed.
tired mama, but happy mama, & precious boy o’mine
By the way, I rubbed pressed garlic on his infection twice last night and by this morning it was looking much better. Of course it could have been from the one dose of antibiotics that he had after his appointment, too. He’ll be on it for 10 days.
Rich’s Aunt Phyllis visited this weekend with her cousin Marie. Rich’s Dad came, too. They wanted to watch Grace in a play at her school. It was such fun to attend together but my favorite part of all was when we were home again and the ladies were snuggling up on the couch reading an old old copy of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. Aunt Phyllis gave the book to Grace and it is special because her mom (Grace’s Great Great Grandma) used to read it to her children at bedtime. And from this very copy Aunt Phyllis and Marie each read a chapter aloud to the girls. On Sarah Joy’s lap is a quilt that was given to her Great Grandma which she kept on her lap during her last years. It was made by another relative. Aren’t relatives the best, the most inspiring of all? I love all the women in my family, both in my own family and the family I married in to. I feel very blessed by all the stories, sewing, quilting, crafting, working, mothering, beauty, books, baking, and so on……that I learned from my sisters, cousins, aunts, Mom, and grandmas. All so uniquely special and dear.
I look into their faces and see my self, and own children, in them.
Rich is hosting an off site meeting today for work and as always, I am making homemade rolls for our sandwiches. (they are rising as I type) I don’t divide my Grandma’s recipe anymore because I can use all the dough I can get! Last night I mixed up the dough and put half in the refrigerator for today’s rolls, and formed the rest into a big pan of cinnamon rolls. After all, it was a holiday, it was Halloween! I baked in the kitchen while Davy made clam chowder and Rich took the three youngest children out trick or treating. We had Harry Potter going on TV and there were a roomful of teen-sized kids in the basement having their own party.
I posted the photo of the completed rolls on FB and Instagram and several of my dear friends requested the recipe.
My Grandma (her name was Mary) used to bake these rolls by the hundreds…she was well known for them in our church and in her home for the holidays. She in turn passed the bread baking art down to her daughters–my mom Cindy makes amazing bread on a weekly basis and I’ve shared several of her recipes here on my blog already. She is a most amazing baker and I’m thankful she is just a phone call or text away to answer my questions and eventually answer questions for my girls, as well. The Mama/Grandma hotline! So blessed.
Isn’t family wonderful? I know yours is, too!
ROLLS
3-4 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 T. salt
1/2 cup butter
3 cups water-divided
2 T yeast or 2 packages
2 eggs
close to 5 lb bag of flour
Mix 1 cup of warm water with the yeast and set aside. Heat milk, sugar, salt, and butter until dissolved–let cool. Add 2 cups cold water to mixture. Add the 2 cold eggs to the milk mixture. Combine the yeast mixture with the milk mixture. Add enough flour till the right consistency. (Approximately 5 lbs).
Knead dough till smooth on a flour surface. Place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise for about 2 hours (until doubled in size). Punch down dough-knead-then shape rolls or roll out for sweet rolls.
Place rolls in a greased pan and cover and let rise till doubled– about half an hour.
Bake at 350 for 24-25 minutes, till golden brown and rolls sound hollow when tapped.
Makes about 3-4 dozen dinner rolls and a 9 by 13 plan of sweet rolls.
(note: children LOVE to watch the process!! Sarah Joy eats a bit of the dough raw–she loves it!)
Roll dough to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Pour on melted butter and spread to edges. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll up and slice about inch thick with a sharp knife. Place in well greased pan or into pan with caramel nut topping mixture spread in the bottom. Let rise for 1/2 to 1 hour and bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes
(note: raw cinnamon roll dough is even better! you can rub it around in the butter left behind on the counter! My dad loves to do this.)
CARAMEL Nut TOPPING 1/2 cup melted butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Thank you to my Aunt Colleen for sharing this recipe and making sure it is in the recipe files of all our families! You are wonderful.
NOTE-I use my kitchen aid mixture to knead the dough and then finish it off on the counter because I do like to get my hands on it during part of the process. It’s so soft and warm….good to work with.
*****
THIS IS MY HUSBAND’S GRANDMOTHER! Her name was Sarah Lillian but everyone called her Lillian. Aunt Phyllis shared this 1980’s newspaper clipping with us. It is from when Grandma was working in a school cafeteria (the very same school Rich and I and all our relatives attended) These were the days when children actually ate some HOMEMADE foods, like these big homemade peanut butter cookies (800 of them baked at once). I love the details in this picture and I know these ladies loved working together. They made biscuits, apple crisp, and so many other delicious foods for the children.
*****
My kitchen, where I think of all the women in my family as I work.
Dedicated to mamas, grandmas, and aunts everywhere.
You make a difference wherever you are, even long after you’re gone.
You are loved.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
“….your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Almost five years ago to the day, one year old baby girl Sarah tripped and fell on her mouth, pushing one of her front teeth back up into her gums. I was going through a time of serious depression, trying so hard to take care of my family while fighting exhaustion and anxiety, both spiritual and mental. I was running on empty and this just added to my sadness and stress.
We immediately called the doctor about her tooth but the doctor said it was the dentist’s job and the dentist didn’t return our call (it happened in the evening after hours). The next morning Sarah was acting like nothing had ever happened and was happy, so, with my eyes puffy with crying, I proceeded with my own doctor’s appointment that had been scheduled for weeks and Rich didn’t want me to miss.
While I was there at the clinic, I had a friendly nurse asking all about the children, so I opened my phone (flip phone!) to show her a photo of my seven young offspring. The first picture to appear was of poor Sarah’s mouth and the injured tooth, so I ended up explaining what had happened to the nurse.
She right away wanted to give me a referral to a wonderful pediatric dentist. She knew of him because he came to the clinic often to do dental services (his office was in another town half an hour away). She walked me out to the desk after my appointment to get me his number and just at that moment, the man himself walked out into the hallway! She stopped him and explained Sarah’s story right then and there, and I showed him the photo. He told me to bring Sarah to his office that afternoon at four!! It blew me away how God worked this out for Sarah. We went to the appointment and the whole experience felt like grace, he was so kind and professional and put our anxieties to rest in regards to Sarah’s little mouth injury. As we already had our own dentist, we thanked him and went on our merry way…….thankful for this unexpected help from a stranger.
Fast forward five years………
Sarah had her six month cleaning last Monday and we found out that the very same front tooth is abscessed. The hygienist guessed right away that it had been injured at some point. The doctor came in and said that as Sarah also needed a frenectomy he could refer us to someone to have the tooth extracted and the frenectomy done at the same time to save Sarah from extra anxiety (after her year of kidney woes she isn’t a big fan of dentists or doctors).
I called the number he gave us as a referral and was told they could do the extraction but not the frenectomy. I called a few more pediatric dentists and was told the same thing. I called back our dentist and explained what was happening and asked the receptionist to figure it out and make the calls for me, as it was more of an urgent case and I didn’t have the clout of being a physician in expediting the appointment or figuring out what to do. She agreed to make the calls and I congratulated myself for letting go of control.
It took a full 24 hours to hear back from anyone. Last night, as I waited in the dark car for Grace to get done with drama rehearsal, my cell phone rang. The lady on the phone explained that she was calling me because she was contacted by my dentist in regards to Sarah , and she began telling me about the office and where they were located. To make a long story short:
IT IS THE VERY SAME DENTIST THAT HELPED US OUT FIVE YEARS AGO WITH THIS TROUBLESOME TOOTH. This guy must be a super hero?
She has a consultation appointment today at 10:50!
***
We got back home a little while ago and the appointment was great. He said that her tooth was wriggly enough that she can get it out herself. He put her on antibiotics. He said that she could wait on the frenectomy for several years and it would be better for her psyche if we waited. Rich and I totally agreed. 🙂 Oh and they remembered her!
Saturday night, Rich and the boys stayed up late watching TV while the rest of us went to bed. The lights were off with only the glow of the television, and the boys were enjoying some time together after their beloved Dad had been away all week for business.
As is frequent at our house, and because their Dad is a runner and often has aching feet, the boys were called upon to give their ol’ Dad a foot massage. Seth, our seven year old, was happy to sit at his Dad’s feet and rub them. Eventually, Rich, who is always exhausted by the end of the day, drifted off to never-never land.
Waking up hours later, he found the living room completely empty and a note on his chest.
I took a little road trip on Friday to get our son Ethan from college. He has this whole week off from school and it’s been such a thrill for the whole family to have him back home again. I texted him when I arrived at the dorm and he had a big smile as he walked out to where I was parked. We both did.
I stopped at the Vermont Country store and it was the best store to browse around in. I bought some cleaning supplies and learned from the lady there that my clothespins are coming apart because I have always just left them pinned on the clothesline after taking down the laundry. She said I have to keep them in a tin or a clothespin bag. I’ve been hanging out the clothes for 20 years and never knew this. I thought they just weren’t making the clothespins like they used to. I am still a bit skeptical but I am certainly going to try it and see if they keep breaking. (I use the ones with the spring in the middle). And would you look at this kitchen goods display and all the King Arthur Flour things? I’m going to have to do my Mom’s Christmas shopping here.
Ethan and I also stopped at a little independent bookshop which was fun, too.
It goes without saying that we will be making this trip several times this year so it will be fun to get to know other towns….Vermont is beautiful! I would be happy to take along any friends who might want to join me in retrieving Ethan throughout the year so we can stop at neat little shops. 🙂
Ethan surprised his girlfriend Tessa that night by showing up at her house for pizza with no warning. They were one happy couple all weekend long. He is leaving in a little while to pick her up from school. (they have been dating for a year now) Sarah adores Tessa (the feeling is mutual). When I saw them hugging I said, “let me take a picture!”
Out and about for football games. Seth and Caleb both won their games this weekend.
Ethan and his best friend Zachary….both with a good month or more of college under their belts. And of course Parker the Dog is happy to see his boys again.
Ethan has a bad cold so I’ve been torturing him with cough syrup.
The two of us went on a walk together this morning and I brought along my camera to photograph some of the beautiful fall colors.
The sun is shining for the first time in days. It brightens everything, including our moods.
(just like Jesus–The Son)
I loved this scareCROW on one of our neighbor’s lawns.
looking up into the trees
We saw a hawk and a crow flying after each other (in an argument over something)
We saw a dead toad, a dead squirrel and a dead goldfinch during various times in our walk. Which was sad and rather odd.
Aren’t you glad I don’t take pictures of EVERYTHING????
looking up again
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
We saw a flock of bluebirds. I wasn’t able to get any good photos because I didn’t have a good zoom lens with me. There were about 10 of them flying about. The farmhouse at the end of our street has bluebird houses which were obviously greatly appreciated this summer.
He walked barefoot because he’s ours country boy. He has a straw in his mouth, too, but you can’t see it.
I rescued this fuzzy caterpillar from the road (lots of things are getting hit lately, as I mentioned earlier)…….
And would you look at this spider? It’s exquisite! I’m so glad we stopped and took a closer look at it.
Just a couple more random photos:
My brother Dave sent me this photo of Dad’s truck full of pumpkins and their puppy! (I like how his white socks are all different sizes)
and……..
Sarah and I finished another book! We read The Adventures of Benjamin Pink and it was delightful.
I read to her whenever we have some free time together and the other children are always welcome to listen with us, too, but she is the only one committed enough to stay snuggled up next to me. The others do their own thing as they listen. We started our third book this morning, it was one that I bought at the bookstore in Vermont with Ethan.
Well, it’s been a busy morning of digging pennies out of the garbage disposal, finding water leaking in the bathroom and calling the plumber, doing laundry and dishes, grocery shopping, taking Grace her purse at the school, cleaning up the house after a busy weekend, texting Jacob after he had a check up (perfect!so thankful), walking 3 miles with Ethan, and getting dinner started in the crock pot. It’s been necessary and nice to sit and blog for a little while here with my friends (and Ethan sound asleep on the other couch). Thank you all for reading along. I pray that each of you who stop by here today has a very blessed and beautiful week. I thank God for my friends and for this outlet where we can share and get to know each other.
Remember….you are loved.
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Good to be Home 