2008 In Review

2008 has been a good year. We've had some sickness, but everyone seems to be doing very good right now. So, without further ado, here is the Boyne Family 2008 Review:

January - Rick is interviewed by his college newspaper on "coin collecting".

February - Rick observes the 20 year anniversary of going to China for the first time.

March - We invite Missy into our lives.

Audrey travels (ALONE! ) to Washington, DC, to be a part of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference

April - Audrey celebrates her 12th birthday.

Rick's Grandmother, Audrey, needs and receives a pace-maker.

May - Audrey and Emily both receive multiple academic awards at school.

The Boyne family travels to Oklahoma City to see the new dome on the State Capitol Building, visit, OBU, OU, see friends.

June - The Boyne family attends the IMB Appointment Service in Oklahoma City.

Audrey surrenders to missions.

July - Sally goes to work for the Muskogee Board of Education.

August - Rick celebrates his first year as pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church

Audrey and Emily change schools. They now attend Benjamin Franklin Science Academy.

September - Emily celebrates her 9th birthday.

Rick's Dad has prostate surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Gives all glory to God for the healing.

October - Audrey and Rick spend the night at the Tulsa Zoo.

The Boyne family takes a short vacation in Branson.

November - Rick preaches the annual missions sermon at the Muskogee Association Annual Meeting.

December - Sally and Rick celebrate 16 years of marriage!

As I look back over this list and as I have perused my blog to remind me of what happened when, I am struck by two things: 1) how much we have been able to do with our families this year, and 2) how many friends we have had come visit us.

So, for 2008, I thank God for family and friends! May God truly bless us all in 2009!

The Seventh Day of Christmas

Seven Swans A-Swimming

This brings to mind the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. (Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12:8-11)

The Sixth Day of Christmas

Six Geese A-Laying

The six geese represent the six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1)

Create a Caption

Here's mine: "Johnson & Johnson unveil their new ' wonder mop'."

The Fifth Day of Christmas

Five Golden Rings

The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah (or Pentateuch) : Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy. These books give the history of humanity's sinful and rebellious failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.

Guinea Update

I wrote an email to someone who lives in Guinea about the coup last week. Here is their response:

Yes, we had a coup d'etat here this past week, but it was peaceful. The military took over and a new president has been declared. He's a ... Guerze [certain tribe] from the forest region and said to be a Christian!! Can you believe it?? And, on top of that, everyone is in favor of him! So, for now, things are going well. Pray that things will continue to be peaceful and the country can begin to come out of its despair and oppression.

What an incredible work of God if it turns out that this man is a Christian! This country is 98% Muslim!

Let us pray that God would use this man to lead this lost nation to Himself!

Pray for the Fulbe

Today, I was glancing at my blog when I saw the "Unreached People of the Day" banner was the people group that we worked with when we were in West Africa! They call themselves Fulbe, but they are members of the largest people group in West Africa, the Fulani.

Missionaries have been among them since the 1920's, but, when we were there, there was only an estimated 250 believers and only half of them had been baptized.

Pray that the Fulbe's hearts would be opened to the Gospel. Pray that the spiritual strong-holds would be broken and that Satan's grip on them would be restrained.

Last week, the dictator of the country died. Immediately, there was a military coup. The new dictator is promising elections in two years. Pray that God would use this event in the lives of Guineans to bring the whole country to himself!

Pray for our missionaries who continue to serve in difficult situations in Guinea. Pray for their health, safety, boldness to witness, spiritual discernment, endurance and faithfulness.

The Fourth Day of Christmas

Four Calling Birds

This reminds us of the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself through Jesus Christ.

The Third Day of Christmas

Three French Hens

This brings to mind the three divine virtues: Faith, Love, & Hope (I Corinthians 13:13)

The Second Day of Christmas

Two Turtle Doves

The two turtle doves refers to the Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.

The First Day of Christmas

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The Partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so..." (Luke 13:34)

Merry Christmas!

Just in case you were wondering, the true meaning of Christmas cannot be found in Christmas Trees, Christmas Lights, or even Christmas Presents. We don't buy it at Wal-Mart or Macy's.

The true meaning of Christmas is this: God became flesh and dwelt among us. Immanuel. (John 1:14)

The full story can be found here: Luke 2:1-20

But why? What was the purpose of Jesus? John 3:16 says "God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die." (CEV)

You see, there was a problem. God loves us, but He HATES sin. There was only one solution: "He made Him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (I Corinthians 5:21) God punished Jesus for OUR SIN! All of God's wrath was poured out on Jesus on the cross.

When He came back to life, He provided the way for us to have eternal life, if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead, we can be saved from our sins. (Romans 10:9-10)

As we put our presents UNDER the Christmas Tree, God hung His gift to us ON the tree, that is the cross. If we accept that gift, then the punishment for our sin is fulfilled in Jesus. If, however, you do not accept that gift, you will face the full brunt of God's wrath when you die. That is the "Good News" or the Gospel. That Jesus died in your place so that you don't have to!

This Christmas, won't you open your gift from God? The Bible says that "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved!" (Romans 10:13)

May God bless you and your family for a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Lights

I took this picture last Friday night when we went looking at Christmas lights in Muskogee. I thought it was just beautiful!

Create a Caption

Baghdad Christmas

How great is this?!?

CNN is reporting that Baghdad is celebrating it's first-ever public Christmas hosted by the Iraqi Interior Ministry! While it appears that it has many trappings of a "Western Christmas", we can pray that the true meaning of Christmas will go out to the people.

If anyone can read Arabic, would you comment and tell me what this poster says? (Serious replies only, please)

May God bless the people of Iraq to know the Risen Savior!

C O L D ! ! !

Winter reared its cold ugly head in Oklahoma!

Yesterday the high was 27 degrees. It got down to the single digits last night. It was so cold, in fact, that this morning, when I walked over to the office, my hair froze. It was still wet from my morning shower and by the time I got to the door of the church, it had a hard glaze on it, reminiscent of Jimmy Swaggert or Oral Roberts. Yuck!

School Christmas Assembly

Emily has been singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for the past several weeks, saying that her music teacher has required them all to learn it well to be able to perform.

We hadn't really heard WHEN she was going to perform it, but Sally got wind of a Christmas assembly at school today at 1:45 pm.

She emailed me this morning to tell me about it and to be sure to come.

No problem.

I even left early and drove all the way to Muskogee so that I could have lunch with Sally at our favorite hamburger joint. We get to school in plenty of time for the assembly. The two music guys are already in the auditorium playing some pretty snazzy jazz with trumpet and keyboard. We were actually enjoying it. Kids and parents were filing in and the place was getting filled up. A teacher came by and presented us with a couple of programs. I'm thinking, "Wow! This is gonna be good!"

However, as I leafed through the program, I became alarmed. No where was my children or my children's classes mentioned. In fact, the only ones mentioned were first, second and third grades. Notes of thanks were on the back of the programs to the third grade teachers. The program kept talking about the third grade choir.

Hmmm. Maybe I'm not "getting it".

Well, I didn't get it all right. It was a THIRD GRADE CHRISTMAS ASSEMBLY. What's the big deal? My kids are in the fourth and seventh grades!

We had to sit through an entire Christmas assembly of which my kids were not a part!

Reminds me of the "Missy" story!

A Quote for my Daughters

"A girl should get so lost in God, that a guy has to seek God to find her!" ~ Dannah Gresh, author.

[HT: John Piper]

Get ready to laugh!

I have a blogger friend, (WHOM I'VE ACTUALLY MET!!!) who wrote the following post on her blog. Honest to goodness, I laughed so hard I snorted! I hope you enjoy it as much:

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Funny Story

I thought I'd share a really funny story....

I came home from work early today because of a virus. Ick. Mark was incredibly sweet; tucked me in and let me sleep for a few hours. I got up later in the afternoon and curled up on the couch, ready to watch an episode of the "John Adams" miniseries. (Which is excellent, btw.) Mark joined me on the couch and ate some crackers as we hung out.

A while later, he leaned towards me and said, "Ginny, I love you more than Jesus." To be honest, I was horrified. In no way do I want my wonderful husband loving me more than our Savior! I think I had a horrified look on my face as several thoughts raced through my head. I said in a hushed tone, "You should never say that, Mark. Never."

Mark got a really confused look on his face and said, "Ginny, what are we talking about?" I replied, "You should never say that you love me more than you love Jesus." He started laughing, and said....

"Ginny, I said I love you more than Cheez-its. CHEEZ-ITS."

(For all my international friends, Cheez-its are crackers.)

We had a good laugh. :)

Thanks, Ginny. I needed that!

Create a Caption

Upside Down Christmas Video

Upside Down from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

PLEASE watch this video, but don't only watch a little bit. Watch it ALL THE WAY THROUGH!

[HT: Art Rogers]

Gas Prices Going UP?

So, I took a quick trip to Muskogee to take some stuff back to the Associational Office, so I decided to pick up Emily from school. (Audrey is going on a hay-ride field trip; way too cold for me) Anyway, as I'm leaving Wagoner, I notice that Wal-Mart has gone up TEN CENTS on their gasoline! Their price is now $1.55 per gallon.

Uh, guys! That's the WRONG way! It is supposed to hit .99¢ and stay there a year or two, isn't it?

Something to make you think

A little something to make you think.

By the way....

By the way, where was the Secret Service when the SECOND shoe was thrown?

I've got some questions for the press

Does the American press hate President G.W. Bush so much that they look upon the incident in Iraq with amusement? Do they not realize that the Office of President is still sacred to the American people? Do they simply laugh along with the antics of a disrespectful journalist?

As Muntadar al-Zeiti threw both his shoes at the American President, he shouted in Arabic, "This is a farewell kiss, you dog, this is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

I understand emotionalism. I can't pretend to understand where this reporter is coming from. I know he is hurting. I know he hates America. I hate the fact that so many innocent people have died. Did this reporter not realize that because Saddam is dead that he can even do something like this and live?

But, when I watched reports of this on TV last night and this morning, I did not see any kind of criticism for this action from American broadcasters. There were people explaining about the significance of this action in Arabic culture. In the words of Jay Leno, "Well, duh! It's an insult in America, too, when someone hurls a shoe at your head"

I realize that the President has a very low approval rating. You can dislike the president, but still respect the Office. And quite frankly, I have seen very little respect for the Office.

I want to see something like my own feelings on the matter:

• WHAT AN OUTRAGE!
• How dare they disrespect our President!
• Ban that journalist from any future American press conference!
• It follows that Arabic TV are excited about this and hailing al-Zeiti as a hero, when they danced in the streets when the towers fell!

Two "Record Setting" Days in a Row!

Sunday, we broke our record high temperature with a high of 75 degrees. As you can read below, the Arctic cold front came in and temps dropped 60 degrees. (that was the 2nd greatest 24 hr temp drop since records have been kept) Yesterday, we set a new record. Not one that you really want to set. It was the record for the lowest high temperature on that date. We made it all the way up to a balmy 19.

Last night, we didn't drop so we get to start our day at 19. As of 8:53 am, we were already up to 27! We'll have to break out the short sleeved shirts if it gets any warmer than this!

Mid-day weather report

It's still cold.

As I was walking back over to the church just now, the mailman was doing a U-turn (as normal) in front of our house. Today was a little different. I'd call it "Half-a-donut", as he spun his little Mail Truck around!

The ice on the streets looks exactly like it did this morning. It has been spitting snow/sleet occasionally, but the main problem is the wind. It is "UP" to 21 degrees, but the wind is blowing 10-15 mph, which gives it a 7-10 degree wind chill.

Brrrr.

Be happy for this guy!

I certainly don't have this kind of good luck! (I guess if you don't believe in luck, you can't have any!)

Jihad in Tulsa?

OK, what's up with this story? Why didn't it make the news? Why was it only in the local paper? Does this bother anyone else?

In a Tulsa World story, it was reported that Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer, Sheldon Robinson, foiled a possible mass shooting by a man who was "praying to Allah to help carry out his mission".


Patrolman Sheldon Robinson

While off duty, Patrolman Robinson dropped his wife and two children off at a Tulsa Burger King and was taking his truck across the street to get the oil changed while they had lunch. Robinson received a cell phone call from his wife saying that there was a man dressed in black with a gun saying he was going to "kill everybody".

Robinson raced back in his truck to the Burger King where people were scrambling out. His wife and kids found refuge in a sanitation bin shelter.

As Robinson made his way into the BK, he was able to come in behind the man and wrestled the gun out of his hands. By the time local police arrived, he had already handcuffed the man, identified as Jerome Norvell Denson, 24.

Denson had a .40 caliber Glock handgun and a box of ammo on a table next to him.

"It was one of those deals of being in the right place at the right time," Robinson said. "I believe he would have loaded up that gun and gone to town because he was praying for Allah to help him carry out his mission."

So, is this connected? Is this an isolated incident? Why hasn't the media jumped on this? Is it now taboo to talk about people praying to Allah before slaughtering crowds of people, EVEN IF IT IS IN AMERICA'S HEARTLAND?

What do you think?

Not snow, but sleet

Nope, this isn't snow. It's sleet.


Sally had to drive to work in Muskogee this morning. She said the roads were a mix of clear and treacherous. Her normally 20 minute commute took about an hour.



Although, as these pictures were uploading, I happened to look out my office window and see that it is NOW snowing!

60 degree temperature change in 10 hours

Yesterday, (Sunday) we set a new record high temperature in NE OK. It was 75 degrees. Quite frankly, it was really nice, except for the 30 mph gusts. An Arctic cold front blasted it's way across the Central Plains states yesterday afternoon and sometime between 4 and 4:30 pm, it hit the Wagoner area.

By church time, it was already snowing in Osage country (75 miles NW of Wagoner) and by about 10:45 pm, we were in a heavy sleet storm.

The ground surface temperatures were about 45 degrees, so the sleet quickly melted. However, since the temperature was about 23 or so, it quickly refroze, forming a dangerous layer of ice.

Today, there isn't a school within 60 miles of Wagoner that is in session today. Fortunately, there are no power outages, as they are experiencing in the Northeastern states. From Kansas City to Lubbock, it is flat cold out there! (at least my friends in KC and Lubbock have indicated that!)

Temperature Dropping!

At 4:00 pm today, the temperature was 73 degrees here in Wagoner. At 4:37, the temperature was 56. I had to call the local time and temp to get the accurate temperature, because the internet temperature was still indicating 71 degrees!

I couldn't believe it just now when I stepped outside the church to get something! It was COLD!

Changes in Store for Wagoner/NE OK

Yahoo Forecast

Take a look at the hi's and lo's for today, (Sunday). High of 71. Low of 24. That's quite a difference! The weathermen are calling for ice storms, snow, sleet and freezing rain for Monday through Thursday.

Yikes!

Sam Bradford Wins Heisman!

Sam Bradford

In an award ceremony live from New York City, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, Sam Bradford, was honored as being the 74th recipient of the most respected award in all of college football; the Heisman Trophy.

This will pit two current Heisman Trophy recipients head to head in the game for the national title on January 8, 2009, in Miami, FL.

Bradford is the fifth Oklahoma player to be awarded this prestigious honor.

Boomer Sooner!

Pakistani Militant Arrested

Cleric Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the founder of an Islamic militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India says planned and carried out attacks in Mumbai last month. Pakistan has placed him under house arrest.

That'll take care of the problem. House arrest. Sure. Why not?

Good job, Pakistan!

A little 3rd Grade Christmas Humor

Q: How do you celebrate Christmas on the internet?

A: You simply "e-joice"! [groan]

What if the church were run like an airline?

From Todd Rhoades Blog, Monday Morning Insight:

I travel quite a bit, and have been watching all the up-charges that the airlines have been passing on to customers. From paying for the first checked bag, to fuel surcharges, to purchasing soft drinks, they have really socked it to the consumer with all the new charges. I was thinking... particularly during this economic trying time for many churches, maybe we should take some advice from the airlines. Here are some things that I think we could take from the airline world and apply to our churches that might help get us through these trying times:

--First donut free; each additional donut is 75 cents.

--All aisle seats are now $10/week. Back row premium seating available for $20 per week.

--First ear plug is free. Additional earplugs just $5 each.

--iPod rental with a Perry Noble sermon - $20 upcharge

Oh... there's more...

--Valet parking: $20 plus tip

--No Bible charge: $10

--Cell phone ringing during service: $50 one time charge

--Late to service fee: $10/pp

--"Sing that chorus one less time” request: $20

--Nursery diaper change fee: $5/lb.

--KJV upgrade to NIV: $15

--U-PIC the sermon topic: $250

--Hit job on the organist (rates vary per city/church)

--Online tithing discount rate: 8%

--Music Volume Up fee: $20

--Music Volume Down fee: $20

What would you add?

(Thanks, Todd. This is great!)

Christmas Music on the Web

For a great selection of ALL KINDS of Christmas music, go to AccuHolidays.

BTW

It will be Christmas two weeks from today!!!!!!!

Rare December Tornado Strikes Tulsa Area

Tornado Damage in Wagoner County

A rare December tornado struck in Broken Arrow, a suburb of Tulsa, late Monday night. There was no tornado warning, but no one was injured. About 1000 people were without electricity Tuesday, including an elementary school. Damage was limited, but moderate in the affected area. More than two dozen homes received damage.

Representatives from the National Weather Service did not determine that there was actually a tornado until sometime on Tuesday. They rated it as an EF-1 with wind speeds at 110 mph.

The tornado touched down approximately 25 miles WNW of Wagoner but actually occurred in Wagoner County. This was the first tornado in December for the Tulsa area since 1982.

(Tuesday night, we had a winter weather advisory with icy roads and bridges)

From the "Uhhhh" Category...

PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE S.U.V.’s sat on the altar of Greater Grace Temple, a Pentecostal church in Detroit, as congregants prayed to save the auto industry.

Detroit Churches Pray for "God's Bailout": Read the NY Times story here.

OK, let me be the first to say that we need to take everything to God in prayer. But...

I know that if the car makers close, it will mean economic devastation to Detroit, but the car makers and unions have been so greedy for so long that maybe, just maybe, they need some big time reorganization, instead of divine intervention.

Perhaps I'm being too hard nosed about this, but Chrysler has already had one bailout; why should we do it again? GM is way too diversified and Ford is top-heavy. I hate to see Ford go out of business; we are Ford people from way back.

But, do you think we need to bring SUV's on stage in a church to pray for them? I don't.

[HT: Sally B.]

It's the "Little Things"

It's no secret that I am easily amused, entertained, and satisfied. Quite honestly, I think that is a secret of a good life; being satisfied with the simple things.

One of the simple things that makes me happy happens from about the first of November until about mid-March or the first part of April; at least in Oklahoma.

I'm talking about cold tap water!

I love being able to go to the sink and getting a nice cold glass of water without having to go to the freezer to get ice. I love brushing my teeth with cold water. I like taking a Tylenol with cold water. Granted, it isn't great for face or hand washing, but that's what the "HOT" tap is for, right?

When we lived in the tropics, there was NEVER cold tap water. Sometimes is got "cool"; but never cold.

This morning, when I was brushing my teeth, I enjoyed an extra Dixie cup full of cold water, just for the sheer enjoyment! Have a cup of cold water on me!

A Man's Christmas Tree

Click for larger image

Now, here's a real man's Christmas tree. Now bows. No ribbons. Just fishing bobbers, lures, and a stringer! And all right here in my office!

Plus, it even goes along with our church's Christmas float!

He He He

When I walked over to the church this morning at 7:45, it was 46 degrees.

Well, it is now 33 degrees and we do indeed have VERY LIGHT snow. But it is snow!

Senate Seat For Sale

Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested today on corruption charges with allegations that he placed President-Elect Obama's recently vacated Senate seat up for sale to the highest bidder, with the governor reaping the benefit!

Court authorized wire taps caught the governor making deals ranging from selling the Senate seat to withholding state assistance in the purchase of Wrigley Field in order for a Tribune executive, who was critical of the governor, to be fired. Read about it here.

I hate politics. I hate corruption. I really hate corrupt politicians!

Maranatha!

Son of Promise; Child of Hope

Nope. Evidently this isn't about Jesus Christ. It isn't about the fulfillment of God's promise through Immanuel. It isn't about the hope that we have in Christ.

It is about Obama.

Obama?

Is it that Obama has a Messiah complex or is it that his "followers" think he is the Messiah?

Here is a quote from the Amazon.com Editorial Review: "Barack Obama has motivated Americans to believe with him, to believe that every one of us has the power to change ourselves and change our world."

I don't know about you, but I think this is very, very scary.

May God have mercy on us all.

[HT: Matt Harmless]

Changing Weather

Well, it was 65 degrees today, but there is a big cold front moving through tonight and it is supposed to snow tomorrow!

Like Will Rogers once said, "If you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait 5 minutes; it'll change!"

Oklahoma Number One

Oklahoma was rated number one in the BCS poll of December 7, 2008, and will play Florida for the National Title in Miami, FL, on January 8, 2009.

This should be SOME game!

Boomer Sooner, Baby!

Christmas Parade

What do you do when, at the last minute, your church decides to put a float in the Christmas parade?

Well, the best you can, of course!

The theme of the Christmas parade was "The Greatest Show on Earth: The Birth of Jesus Christ". Well, we didn't have enough time or manpower to play to the theme, so we thought of the next best thing: use a boat as the actual float!

We put lights around everywhere, made some signs, and voila! instant float!

We had a LOT of positive comments from the redneck contingent!

When my family simply watched the parade last year, we noticed that it was pretty well a quiet parade except for the bands. This year, everyone on the boat-float shouted out "Merry Christmas!" The response was overwhelming! People waved and shouted back, "Merry Christmas to you, too!" It was really fun!

Next year, we'll get an earlier start and about 25 more pounds of candy to throw. By the way, we noticed that the kids were not picking up the Tootsie Rolls! What's up with that?

Stoops creating a legend

With the 5 60 pointers in a row, Bob Stoops is creating a legend for himself and the 2008 Sooners that will be hard to surpass. He and the Sooners have been unappreciated by the media almost from the beginning.

However, I was impressed with Brent Mussburger last night on ABC. For the first time in my memory, he actually bragged on the Sooners. He has been a Sooner Hater ever since I attended there back in the early 80's. I think, perhaps, the Switzer Scandals bad taste has finally been removed and/or replaced. It gets really depressing week after week to hear him dis the Sooners, even though we score 50 and 60 points per game.

The Sooners do have a rich football heritage and last night showed that it is still a work in process!

Boomer Sooner!

Interesting Turn of Events

With Alabama's loss to Florida yesterday, it appears that Oklahoma will now play Florida instead of Alabama for the National Championship. Who'd a thought it?

Of course, with the nonsense that is the BCS, will this actually happen? We'll have to wait until this afternoon to find out....

5 in a Row!

This deserves its own post, so here it is:

Oklahoma Sooners do what has never been done before in the history of football! The Oklahoma Sooners scored 5 games in a row with more than 60 points per game! Not even in the Bud Wilkinson or Barry Switzer days was this accomplished. However, the 2008 Sooners got the job done.

At one point in the game, the commentators said that in the last 284 minutes the Sooners had scored 291 points (or something very close to this). That is more than a point a minute of play! Not a bad record.

I think this, plus the Big 12 Championship, pretty well proves that we deserve to compete for the national title.

BTW, what happened to Alabama???

Boomer Sooner!

Oklahoma 62 - Missouri 21

Wow! What a game. A little slow in the 3rd quarter, but I'll take it anyway.

This ought to prove that we deserve to be where we are.

Oklahoma Sooners - 2008 Big 12 Champions!

Boomer Sooner!

16 years and counting

16 years ago this afternoon, the life I had lived ceased to exist and I was united with the love of my life and our "two" became "one". Even when we are separated for a short time, I find that I am incomplete. I cannot imagine my life without you.

Happy Anniversary, Sally! I love you!

Office of the President Elect?

Gimme a break! What an ego! What utter nonsense!

Obama, or his lackeys, MADE UP this office! No previous president elect has ever dared present himself in such a self-serving manner. Why does Obama seemingly NEED to have such an office? All other presidents elect have simply made do. Why the need to plagiarize the Great Seal?

In fact, according to the Constitution, he is not "officially" the President Elect until the Electoral College casts their votes on December 15.

The first time I saw this new "office", it struck me as odd. The more I think about it, the more bizarre it gets.

Thoughts?

Did you know?

After watching this, I am overwhelmed with information. What does it mean?






[HT: Matt Harmless]

Small Earthquake Felt in OKC

A very small earthquake was felt by many people in the Oklahoma City area late Monday night. The Oklahoma Geological Survey Observatory reported the shaker to be 2.7 on the Richter Scale, hardly anything to get excited about.

Why then, am I posting this to my blog? Because it was OKLAHOMA in which the earthquake was felt. Not exactly a hotbed of seismic activity.

Earthquakes are unnerving. My friends in Taiwan reported feeling the 6.0 that hit this week. Now THAT'S an earthquake!

It is a very strange sensation. I've been in earthquake simulators before, but they just don't feel like anything I have ever experienced. I was in several when I lived in Los Angeles back in the 80's, and we felt a few when we lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Emily even felt the December 26th quake that created the Asian Tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands. That one even made ponds in Oklahoma move back and forth!

Personally, I've never felt an earthquake in Oklahoma; and that is JUST FINE WITH ME!

Red Paint

So, I be-bop down to Wal-Mart to get a quart of red paint to paint the sign for our church's Christmas parade float.

Would you believe Wal-Mart doesn't sell red paint!?!

You can get varying shades of red, specifically pink, but you can't get "barn red". You can't even have it mixed! Only shades of red were available, but nothing that anybody would call "red".

Oh, you can get red spray paint and if you go to the craft aisle you can get a little bitty teeny tiny bottle of red paint, but it would take three dozen (at $2.99/bottle) to get it done.

What's the world coming to?

Ace Hardware, here I come!

What Happened to "Free Air"?

Remember when you could get air for free? No, not the breathing kind, but the fill your tires kind.

Before we went overseas, almost everyone who sold gas had free air. Now, you have to pay .75¢ just for the privilege of topping off your tire pressure.

Gone are full-service stations. The last one in Wagoner closed last Christmas. Gone is service of any kind. People don't care anymore; except for making a buck.

There is still a place in Vinita, OK, that has free air. God Bless Shout-N-Sack!

Give a break! Give free air again!

#12 on Google

I did a search for "Lottie Moon" on Google and my church website was #12 in the search results! How about that!?!

Wintry Weather

We awoke to a taste of wintry weather this morning, as a very light blanket of snow fell early this morning. By the time I took this, it had already begun to melt.

Sooners to play Missouri!

The Sooners are now scheduled to play the Missouri Tigers December 6 at 7 pm in KC, MO, for the Big 12 Championship!

Way to go, Sooners!

Sooners = BCS #2

According to the Week 14 BCS poll, Oklahoma is now rated number two. That would be just behind Alabama and just ahead of Texas.

I haven't seen the announcement, but it would appear we are going to be playing Missouri next week for the Big 12 Championship.

For some reason, Oklahoma dropped to number 4 behind AL, FL, & TX in the AP Top 25. What's up with that?

Boomer Sooner!

SNOW!

That's right! This morning, it was spitting snow. Albeit, very few flakes, but IT WAS DEFINITELY snow!

Oklahoma 61 - Oklahoma State 41

Does anyone know who the OU Special Teams coach is? They sure need some work!

Did our defense even bother to show up?

Brent Mussberger did better last night, but he stilled showed a bias against the Sooners. Why can't ABC hire a non-partisan commentator? I blame the Democrats.

Now, we wait to see if we get to play in the conference championship. Now THERE'S a strange way of determination!

Boomer Sooner, Baby!

More family

The group in the living room.

Emily and her cousin, Kaylee in the game room.

Audrey and her cousins, Nick, James, and one of the twins. (I can't tell from this picture which one.)

Brent needed a little nap with Barney. Awwww.

Good Food and Good Fun!

A "creative" picture with half of the table in the picture, the other half in the mirror!


My nephew, Brent, enjoying.


My sister, Pam, showing off her pies.

Dad carving the smoked ham.

Saturday Thanksgiving

Mom and Dad.


Me and my Meme.


Aunt Patsy, Sally, Mom & Meme

Christmas Decorating Time

Emily and Audrey removing the cultural trinkets and replacing them with a Nativity collection and a Christmas village.

We bought a new tree last year in an after Christmas sale. We didn't realize HOW BIG this tree was going to be!


The house all decked out in lights.