More Halloween Pictures of the Ward Family

Sorry, my computer has been having problems, so it has taken a long time to download these pictures. But here are a few more for your viewing pleasure.

Rats, smoke alarms, and chocolate in carpet

Dear ladies--
Just had an incident this morning and sounds like some of you have had some recent incidents as well....the rats are moving into the homes. If you have seen some signs of rat droppings or heard them scurrying around in the attic then take care of them now. This morning we had a small fire in our attic...I could definately smell smoke and two of our alarms upstairs went off (the other one was out of battery power...I'm ashamed to mention that). There was no explaination for it. The only thing that makes sense is that a rat must have eaten through a wire. We'll investigate to find out for sure tonight, but just be careful. So...watch out for those hungry rats and get them out and away quick!

One more exciting thing I learned this week....I heard you can put salt water on stains in your carpet, let it dry and then vacuum it up. Well, we had a whole glass of hot chocolate spill on our lovely typical white carpet. I was devestated, but chose to put the salt water to the test. I put in 3 teaspoons of salt to 1 cup of water, mixed it up good, then dabbed the spot on the carpet with the wet rag. I even rubbed it in deep and kind of on top. Well, later that day before it dried all the way (I probably should have waited to save our vacuum from now having to give it a thourough cleaning)...I vacuumed it up and voila! The huge chocolate spill was gone! Salt water...who knew!

Neighborhood Garage Sale

come check out our neighborhood garage sale along San Francisco road and the courts along it...I was going to put my address, but felt it better if not....you know where I live ; ) It will be this weekend (November 20-21st) and next weekend (November 27-28). If you have a few things you'd like to drop off and sell as well, please feel free to do so. I hope to see you there. Some of the neighbors have children that would like to sell some of their homemade items...for those of you that know Cheryl Walker, her boy Silas will be selling some homemade fudge the weekend of Nov. 27-28th. It should be fun.

Christmas Cards

If you are still thinking about what to do for Christmas cards check this out!

http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135382

It's a promo code for 50 free photo cards and it has free shipping too! They have pre-made layouts to choose from, or if your feeling inspired you can also create your own layouts. The code is only good through November 30th so make sure you take advantage of this soon!

One more thing I can check off my 'To Do' list!

Merry Christmas

*Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

*December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

*Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !*

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet during the holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Quilt of holes

I got this in an email from my grandma today and thought that I would share it.

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes.

Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been My angel looked upon me,and nodded for me to rise.My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

Ward Family Halloween Party

If you want a copy of one of these pictures, just right click, go to "Save Picture As," and then save it in whichever folder you want. If that doesn't work and you want a copy, e-mail or call Debi, and she will send it to you via e-mail. I have more pictures, I will keep posting them. Check back.

Our Ward Family