"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"

Just a few shots from the North Pole.....Oh, sorry I forgot this is SOUTH LOUISIANA and that in just a few short hours this would all be gone. Loved it while it lasted.
I felt like a kid again seeing snow for the first time....what a fun way to start the day!!!!

"Yankee Grandkids"

Christian and Alyssa

Hannah's Little Buddy

Halloween 2008

KIDS FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD

Trying something new....

High Dynamic Range Digital Photography

Taking three shots in quick succession and blending them to capture the nuances of light and color.The luminous color comes from exposure bracketing.... which is done by taking two or more different exposures of the same image and blending them to create one final image with a more dynamic color range (referred to technically as High Dynamic Range - HDR). This is a definition of HDR.

I used Dynamic-Photo HDR Program to work on this shot.
In this program you can use one photo and get a fake HDR or you can do it the I described above but I'm still learning to do that. It's also a free program. There are other programs out there that work better I'm sure but they can be pricey.
I don't know if this is something I would do all the time but it was fun to play around with this program.

Without HDR:





With HDR:

Oh, Happy Day....

I got my microwave back....

Creature Comforts

Okay, the morning of Gustau my microwave stopped heating. I thought at the time, no hurry about getting it to Sears to be worked on I don't use it that much. Well, famous last words.....I use it more than I thought.

~Reheating my coffee forty times a day
~Cooking my breakfast (oatmeal)
~Heating Hannah's lunch
~Boiling water for tea
~Popcorn button (Mike"s favorite)
~Rice button
~Rice button
~DiGiorno Pizza (Christopher's favorite)
~Defrosting meat when you forgot to take it out that morning

Okay, so I think you get the picture! I'll be glad to get my microwave back.

Hannah's New Friend

Last week was one of those bitter /sweet moments for Mike and I. Amanda, Mackenzie's mommy had to be put back in the hospital after only being home for one day. Christopher had to go back offshore wishing he had more days off to be with his girls. Needles to say emotions were very tender.

Mackenzie had her first sleep over at Gram and Pops house. (sweet moments)

Hannah made a new friend and was a big help to me (Ju Ju). She's going to make a great mommy herself one day.



God is good and things seem to be getting back to normal or should I say the new normal. Gram's looking forward to Mackenzie's next sleep over.

Our sixth Grandchild

Mackenzie Rose Snelling

Born September 11, 2008 at 12:50 a.m.

6 lb. 12 oz.

19 3/4 long

Hurricane Clean Up

Mike and I got everything cleaned up after Gustav
and are hoping we don't have to do it all again
with Ike and Josephine closing in on the Gulf.
Praying they just go away!!!

Everyone in our family is safe and no damage
done to their homes. Just fence damage.

Praising God that Gustav wasn't as bad as first
thought it was going to be in Lafayette!!!!

PFC Snelling

On August 15, 2008, my nephew, Devon James Snelling graduated from Marine Corps boot camp to become Private First Class Snelling. To see the young man I've watched grow up stand and pledge his life to serve and protect this country so that we can sleep a little safer at night was humbling to say the least. I could not be prouder of him then if he were my own son.

So many emotions run through you as you watch these young men close this chapter of there lives and move forward with honor, courage and commitment to what lies ahead. They have all truly become brother's through this experience.

As the Marines say Semper Fidelis "Always Faithful", may we to be faithful in lifting the men and women who serve this country in pray to our shield and protector, God in heaven.

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isaiah 59:17

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

2008 Football Season

We are a house divided!!!

This Generation.....

As I was on my way home from service tonight, I remembered this song our son-n-law wrote. Thought the lyrics went well with Kevin's message. Blessed that Matt and Heather are so in love with there Lord and Savior.


Remnant Cry

by Matthew Duhon

Wake up! Arise and shine!
Your light has come
Wake up to find His mercies new with every morning sun
Don't want to say "amen" and fall asleep again
We were saved by grace for more than we've become

Rise up! With calloused knees and broken hearts
Rise up! We are a people called by God and set apart
We are not our own! We live for Christ alone.
Our mission is to be the hands that bear the scars

We are an army rising!
We are a remnant crying!

We are an army rising!
We are a remnant crying!

Come on! No more to hide in silent shame
Come on! Repent!
The kingdom's here is the hope that we proclaim
No time for argument!
No room for counterfeit!
By our love they'll know that Jesus is the way

We are an army rising!
We are a remnant crying!

We are an army rising!
We are a remnant crying!


We are the left out, cast down, laughed at
We are peculiar to say the least
We gotta go back and tell the rest that
Jesus came to set us free
How dare we hide this, keep this secret
When Christ has bled and died to meet the need
When they see us they must see Jesus
For us to be the church - the remedy

This generation will see the glory of our God
This generation will be the turning of the tide

This generation will see the glory of our God
This generation will be the turning of the tide

Sister Love.....

Wish List....

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond300/

New Grandson

Caleb Matthew Duhon

Born: Friday June 13, 2008

Weight: 8lb. 13 oz.

Length: 21 inches

Heather (Mom) and Caleb are doing well!!

Memorial Day

Remembering those who served.

Praying for those who continue to serve.


PSALM 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper,
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wing you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes,
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angles charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
Lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name
He will call upon Me, ans I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him, and honor him.
With a long life I will satisfy him,

And let him behold My salvation."

Our Family is Growing...

And Mike and I are loving it. Matt, Heather, Natalie and Eliana are still living in Dallas. Matt just graduated from Christ for the Nations. Heather is busy with the girls and expecting their first son. Caleb Matthew in due to arrive in late June. Natalie has her first dance recital coming up and Eliana doesn't understand why she can't go to dance with her. Sisters they are and best friends too. Both are looking forward to Caleb arriving. Eliana tells Heather often that she wants Caleb to come "today". I can't believe Natalie's going to be five in September, my how time does fly.

Please keep them in prayer as God shows them what he has in store for them next. They are excited and are trusting in Him. They know that God has carried them through three years of school, in preparation for the next season of there journey with Him. May God's blessing be overflowing for them as a family and in their ministries.

I'm very proud of them and I'm humbled at the faith they both have in our Heavenly Father as a couple and in their personnel walks with Christ.

I remember these drugs........

Different drug problem.........

Editor's note:
The following letter has appeared on the Internet and was viewed by
many readers. Many felt it would be appropriate for the readers of Avoyelles Parish.

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab
had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday mornings. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockle burs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and if my mother had ever know that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

Submitted by concerned citizen

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER By Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin'' I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heart aches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Eliana Joy.....

Natalie Grace.....