PRAYERS FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA

It was about this time a week ago tonight when we learned that Barack Obama had indeed been elected to serve as the 44th president of the United States. What a shock and disappointment the night was. The next day, I was sick at heart but then God began to deal with me about that and to remind me to keep my eyes on HIM and not on any man or political office.

For the past few days, I have been burdened for President-Elect Obama and have been praying for him. Richard and I have been praying for him and Amy brought it up at dinner tonight and said they are praying for him. What are we praying about? I am burdened for his heart. If he isn't truly saved, I pray that God will grab his heart, convict him of his sin, and that Obama will bow his heart and his knee and receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. If Obama truly is born again as he claims (see #9 below), then I would pray he will govern with the heart of a believer.

Just now, I received this email from a friend which lists ten ways that we can pray for President-Elect Obama and for his family. Here are the 10 ways as set forth in the email:

10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama

By J. Lee Grady

Whether you are happy about this week's election results or not, all Christians must unite in prayer for our new president. Please don't forsake this responsibility.

It's over. We've reached the end of the longest, angriest and most nerve-wracking presidential campaign in American history. Finally the "I approved this message" ads have ceased. The endless robot phone calls have stopped ringing. The debates, and the annoying post-debate comments from "experts," are history-until the next election cycle.

More than half the nation is celebrating today while others are mourning. We are a divided nation, split into unhappy fragments by abortion, gay marriage, global warming, a failed economy and an unpopular war. Those who voted for Barack Obama have claimed a historic victory; some on McCain's side are already looking for scapegoats. Politics is politics.

But when I got up this morning, I turned all my attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is still on the throne. His government is what is most important. Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the Bible says "the nations are like a drop from a bucket" to God (Is. 40:15, NASB). That includes the United States. We may boast about being "the greatest nation on earth," but He who sits in heaven has a different perspective. Let's take a big sigh of relief now and remember that God is sovereign.

I'll admit this election did not turn out as I had hoped. I supported McCain primarily because I am pro-life and I prefer his small-government mindset. But now that the election is over, I'm not going to harbor bitterness toward Obama supporters or go into attack mode. Obama has been elected president of this country, and that means I have a biblical responsibility to support him in prayer-even if I challenge his policies.

Whether you voted for Obama or not, you need to pray for him. Here are 10 ways I plan to intercede for him regularly:

1. Pray for Obama's protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let's pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let's cancel every assassin's bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama's wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God's wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon's tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool.. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama's door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture-from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia-would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God's peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority "so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God's will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God's mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world's poor and share Christ's love at home and abroad.

My Great-Great Grandfather

My sister, Nonie, is the renown genealogist in our family. She has gathered information on our family since she was just a young teenager. Truly, Karen and I benefit from Nonie's labor of love as we sit back and read all of the information she collects and enjoy photographs of kinfolk whom we never knew.

Her recent addition is this wonderful newspaper article on the Hon. John Frazee who is my grandmother Effie Tolle Meyer's grandfather, my dad Byron Meyer's great grandfather, my Great-Great grandfather, Amy's and Chip's Great-Great-Great Grandfather, and who is the Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather of my grandchildren: Jarrett, Isabella, Josh and Jaden.

I publish this with heart-felt gratitude for my ancestors and so many more who endured so much to make our Great Country what it is today, with thanks to Nonie for sharing it with me, and in gratitude to my Heavenly Father for His wonderful gift of life. And now, the article.....

New Hampton Tribune
New Hampton, Iowa

17 Jan 1917

INTERESTING FACTS OF EARLY LIFE IN THIS COUNTY STAN IN STRONG CONTRAST TO LIFE OF PRESENT DAY

The Tribune numbers among its list of subscribers quite a number of the first and earliest settlers of Chickasaw county, and the following brief, but general history of one of these pioneers will be interesting reading to all of our readers, not only the older ones but those of the second and third generations, and we doubt not but there are quite a few of the fourth generation, since Chickasaw county was first settled, who will read the history of one of our citizens with much interest.

The information here contained has been secured in talks with the subject of this sketch. His life history impressed us as being of such intense interest that we are glad to publish it for the benefit of New Hampton Tribune readers.

The subject of this sketch is the Hon. John Frazee, known practically to every resident of the county.

John Frazee was born in Owen township, Clinton county, Indiana, near the little city of Frankfort, the fifth day of February, 1841. His father, James L. Frazee, was born in Pennsylvania and was a descendant of a long line of French Huguenots, who came to America in a very early day. His mother, Susanah Harris-Frazee, was a native of Maryland and a descendant of sturdy German stock.

John Frazee was the youngest of a family of four children. Benjamin, the oldest, died February 8th, 1914, at the age of 85 years. Nancy J. Frazee-Campbell, the elder of the two sisters, lives near Fairfield, Nebraska. Elizabeth Frazee-Jarrad, the younger, lives at Independence, Missouri. John, the subject of this sketch, makes his home with his children, who live near Bassett.

In the autumn of 1851, his parents moved to Clinton, Iowa, where they resided until the fall of 1852, at which time they moved farther west, arriving in Chickasaw county the 17th day of October. On this trip the family traveled north from Clinton county to Dubuque and thence west through Elkader to the little town of Auburn, located on the Turkey river, but now known as Douglas. From there they journeyed on west to a place called the Brink House, which was located some little distance east from the present town of New Hampton. This was practically the end of travel west so far as roads were concerned at that time in this part of the state and from there the family were compelled to make their own track across the prairies, through the forests and across the streams. They finally located on what is now section 5. township 95, range 14, arriving there the 17th day of October. Immediate preparations had to be made for winter. Trees were felled, logs hewn and in a short time a log cabin was erected, but not before the first wintry blasts had swept down from the north.

Mr. Frazee states that the winters of 1852-1853 were the earliest he ever experienced. Snow began falling the night of the 9th of November, covering the ground to a depth of six inches, increasing constantly all through the winter until well into March. That first winter was one of indescribable hardship. There were no neighbors for several miles and the family was poorly provided to withstand the rigors of the severe winter.

The log home was not completely finished when winter overtook them. All members of the family took the part of master architects in this erection of their first home in Chickasaw county. They succeeded in getting the roof on and the logs plastered with mud up to the windows before the snow came. The remainder had to be plastered with mud on the inside, getting the material and making the mud under the floor.

Like the first winter was made doubly hard from the fact that all grain and provisions had to be hauled from Elkader and during the winter Mr. Frazee's father was compelled to make a trip to the Mississippi river at Lyons, where the family had left some household goods and clothing they needed badly, including several head of hogs, intended for the winter's meat supply. At the time this trip was made the weather was very cold and stormy and on this account it took fourteen days for him to make the trip. All this time the sturdy wife and children were alone, many miles from other neighbors and with hardly the bare necessities of life, and anxiously awaiting the husband and father's return. On this trip his feet were badly frozen but otherwise he got through with the goods and live stock safe and sound.

The following spring and summer the family were enabled to prepare for the winter. Some crops were harvested and the home put in better condition. During the summers of 1854 and 1855, quite a number of settlers came in, so that by fall of 1854 there were several near-by neighbors. All these pioneers were imbued with a progressive spirit, characteristic of those who blazed the way for others to follow.

The trip of the Frazee family and the subsequent trip of Mr. Frazee to the Mississippi river was quite different then to what the same trip is now. Instead of the trip consuming fourteen days, it can now be made there and back in a few hours by train or auto.

It was not long before the one thing needed was a school house, but how to get it was the query. However a meeting was held, at which time the settlers decided that each one would haul a certain ____________all turn in and raise the building which they did without any hitch. The lumber for the floor was hauled from Bradford. The roof was made of clapboards and "shakes". (We will guarantee there are but a few of our younger readers who will know what "shakes" are.) That old log school house was only a few rods east of where the Bassett school house now stands. The only compensation any of the builders ever thought or expected to receive, was that it might be instrumental in every possible way to advance the interests and better the condition of their children. There are no reliable statistics at hand but it is generally conceded that this log school louse was among the very first rural one erected within the county.

It was here in this school house, with its slab benches, that John Frazee attended school in Chickasaw county, at the age of sixteen years, and it was one of the first in after years he taught. To a man who has reached the ripe old age of nearly four score years, it must surely be a pleasure for the mind to revert back to these days so full of hardships, yet not without a large degree of joyful pleasure, and especially is this true when there are still a number of people residing in and near New Hampton, who were friends, neighbors, school mates and pupils of the pioneer teacher.

After having taught one term of school, Mr. Frazee entered the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, which he attended summers and falls for three years, teaching school during the winter season of each year.

Mr. Frazee has been more of a public man than private citizen and has served in various capacities as a public official, including school treasurer and secretary of the district township for ten years. He was township assessor two terms, a member of the board of supervisors three years and was twice elected to the legislature of the state as a member of the 25th and 26th general assembly. While a member of this honorable body he served on the committees on claims, animal industries, fish and game, public lands and buildings, mines and mining, medicine and surgery, appropriations, agriculture and insurance.

In 1865 he was married to Miss Cyrena Beckwith, a native of the state of New York, and who died November 9, 1909. To this union was born six children. J.A. died in infancy, Jas. J. at the age of twelve years, Susana L. at the age of ten years, Glencora E. Frazee-Tolle, Lenora J. Frazee-Waidelich and John D. Frazee, still survive and live near the old homestead and with whom Mr. Frazee has lived since his wife's death.

The life's story of this honorable gentleman, while not romantic or filled with tragic deeds, has been one fraught with all the hardships, the joys and successes of pioneer life. He has been enabled to witness the transition of this county from a savage wilderness to one of great progress, prosperity and intellectual advancement, and now as he spends his declining years among peace and plenty, it must be a source of great pleasure for memory to look back to the time when Chickasaw county was in its primitive state and note the difference of then and now.

Dear Pastor............

1Peter 3:1 ¶ Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Richard and I attended a wonderful "Couple's Retreat" on Friday night through noon today. It was 2 hours out of town in a beautiful location. I could tell all about it right here but think I'll just post the email I just shot off to our pastor as it explains some of what we experienced and the blessings we enjoyed.....

Pastor,

You asked us to let you know what we thought about the couples' retreat, how we were blessed, etc.... so here is my entry our behalf...

We loved it!!!!!!!!! It's so easy to grow stale and to take your spouse for granted. We were so very Biblically and poignantly reminded to love and cherish each other, to meet those God-given needs in each other's lives, and to be a testimony for Jesus Christ with a Godly marriage in today's tragically misinformed and marriage-maligned world.

We enjoyed the sessions so much. The singing was a blessing, the games were a hoot, the prizes were fun, and the messages were touching and challenging. Thank you, thank you, thank you to you and Tracy for putting the entire retreat together and making it worthwhile not only for the most newlywed couple there but for us "old-timers" as well.

We want to let you know this special blessing, too! You had asked just 2 days ago that we try to make a contact with (new church members). We had last seen them at the 4th of July thing at the college. When we walked into the Hotel on Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., they were right there in the lobby!!! We greeted each other, shared hugs, and then went out to dinner together. This morning, we had breakfast together. It was not planned but God orchestrated it!! It was during our breakfast conversation that we invited them to our couples Christmas party on the 9th and that they invited us to come over to their condo in Panama City to watch the Alabama/LSU game with them there. Because of obligations here, we weren't able to take them up on that very gracious offer, but a precious friendship was forged at the Retreat. We thought it was just so neat that you had just asked us to get up with them. God is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that's our report and our hearts are still rejoicing tonight. It was a very special 20 hours at the retreat!!!

Blessings,

Richard and Susan

HE MADE IT ~~ AND WE NEED TO SUIT UP!

Obama was elected the 44th President of these United States yesterday. I held out hope with prayer until it was apparent that he had won and then gave it to the Lord. It bothers me that Americans are so blind to Obama's ways and what he truly is. Do they not know WHAT they have put into this most important office in the entire world?

The thought that immediately came to me as I was watching the returns was that we as Christians are going to have to "kick it up a notch." We have had it far too easy for far too long and we are, for the most part, a bunch of lazy and complacent believers. It's time to regroup (individually with the Lord and then corporately as Christians~~ in His church.)

We have NOT been flying below Obama's radar screen. Instead, we are dead center in his sights. Our rights and freedoms of worship are going to be challenged. We had best be putting on our ARMOR and getting ready for the days/weeks/years that lie ahead. Our key? God's Word~~ His love letter to us; His book of instruction for us; His road map for our journey. Here is God's instruction to us for putting on our armor. It's not a one-time-and-it's-forever-done thing. We must put it on daily:

Eph 6:10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

A friend sent an email to me this morning which addresses one piece of the spiritual armor that is available to us and I share it here:

Armed with the Truth

Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.

— Ephesians 6:14

In his description of the armor of God in Ephesians 6, Paul doesn't start with the high-profile objects like the sword or the shield. Instead, he begins his list by telling us to put on "the sturdy belt of truth."

What was Paul speaking of? We need to think "Roman soldier" here for a moment.

The Romans didn't wear pants like we do today. They wore robes or togas—generally short togas on the battlefield. So to move quickly on the battlefield, the Roman soldier would need to pull the toga up above his knees.

Having the belt tightened simply meant that he would pull up his toga and tighten his belt a couple of notches, which gave him the freedom of movement he needed.

Now the belt is not a dramatic piece of armor, but it was essential to everything else. The breastplate was attached to the belt, as well as the sheath for the sword. If your belt fell off, your breastplate would fall off, and your robe would come loose. You may have the sharpest sword on the block, but you're destined to trip over your own toga and look quite foolish in the process.

So, the belt was important. That is why Paul put it at the top of the list.

To have your belt tightened means you are ready for battle and ready to move. We need to be on duty at all times. We cannot afford to take a couple of days off spiritually. We must keep our armor on at all times, because the moment we take it off is the moment the devil will be there to hit us with full force.

Do you need to suit up for today's battles? We never know what awaits us, but may we be faithful to "suit up" and be spiritually prepared for any eventuality!!

ELECTION DAY 2008

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

2Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.


On this the morning of Election Day 2008, my heart is in my throat. My stomach is in knots. My palms are sweating. My emotion is fearful. My thoughts are swirling with all of the "What if's..."

Susan....... get a hold of yourself, Girl. Yes, it is election day. Yes, we have two candidates vying for the Presidency of our United States. Yes, one of them is the one I voted for last Thursday. Yes, the other one seems to be so diabolically wrong for our Nation... our CHRISTIAN nation. Our democratic nation.

To calm my nerves and still my heart, I have to remember: God always knows the outcome of this election. It won't be a surprise to Him. Does that mean that I cannot continue to pray throughout this election day as I have prayed fervently for weeks now.... that "my man" will win??? No, I can pray. That is very Biblical. I can pray and then I can leave the results in God's very capable hands. I can trust Him in this matter. Even if it turns out that Obama is elected our new president, GOD WILL STILL BE ON HIS THRONE. We should not follow man anyway... but keep our eyes always fixed upon our Lord Jesus.

I pray that no matter who wins this election that we as Christians will "raise our bar" and live out our righteousness in an ungodly land. America has been growing more ungodly by the decade and we Christians have basically sat back and let her go on this downhill slide. No matter who is elected as president, I pray that all of God's born-again children on this earth will "stay by the stuff" and be true salt and light in this putrifying world in which we live.

What am I doing today? I am going to a ladies brunch where we will offer up our prayers for the election. I am going to the store to do some shopping. I am coming home to prepare for an election night get-together. I hope I can get a nap in this afternoon as I feel it will be a long night. On top of it all, I'm still praying for a MIRACLE that McCain/Palin will be declared the winners at the end this long saga. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!!!

USHERING IN THE MONTH OF THANKSGIVING

Amy's December 1 birthday has always ushered in the Christmas season for me. When she was a child, I always waited until the day after her birthday to start decorating for Christmas. Chip's January 5 birthday was the always grand finale to all of the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Years. What wonderful memories I have of my kids' birthdays when they were children.

And now we have GRANDchildren! November 2 was our youngest grandson's 4th birthday. Brian and Amy had a nice party for him on Saturday and then on Sunday, we all ate out together at Olive Garden to celebrate Jaden's life. Now, I can get on with the plans for Thanksgiving!!

Here are a few good pics from the birthday lunch on Sunday:

PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE PENDER FAMILY~~ ANDREA IS SAFELY ARRIVED IN HEAVEN

Updates for Andrea Pender Family & Home Today, November 2, 2008 our precious daughter Andrea Lillian Pender went to be with Jesus. She just stopped breathing between 3:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. She had a peaceful look on her face and it does not appear as though she struggled. Funeral arrangements will be finalized tomorrow morning but our thoughts are to have the viewing from5-7 Wednesday evening at Flint Hill Baptist Church,Bessemer, AL. The funeral will begin at 7pm. The burial will be a private family event on Thursday morningat the Patterson - Forest Grove Cemetery in Pleasant Grove, AL. Thank each of you for your prayers and words of encouragement.We are doing pretty good with the ordeal. God has finally allowed some closure.

Grandkids ~~ Spotlight on Two of Them Today!

RUNNER'S WORLD....
We had a fun morning going to Isabella's Cross-Country Meet this morning. She bested her personal record with a 24:30 on her 5K run!!!! She pushed herself and made it happen!! She will be in the Regionals this next week. We are so very proud of our granddaughter!!! In the first picture, she is third from the left and has the white ribbon around her ponytail. (Remember, you can double-click on each pic to enlarge it for a better view!)




After the Race:


Videos of the Race: The Beginning and then the End:





BIRTHDAY BASH..........
At noon, Brian and Amy hosted a real cute "Candyland" 4th birthday party for Jaden. It was attended by both sets of grandparents, his Uncle Matt, Aunt Mary, and Cousin Morgan, and with the following friends: Kristen with her kids Jacob, Lauren, and Leslee, and Alisha with her daughter Hannah. It was a lot of fun, and Jaden was one excited little boy! I can't wait to see him tomorrow on his actual birthday.

We Are Stepping Out Tonight.....

Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

I guess tonight is a "coming out" party of sorts. Richard and I are FINALLY taking the plunge and are going to our church's "senior saints" meeting tonight. Our group is called "The Triple L" which, I think, stands for "Live Longer and Like It." That sounds like a great motto for us as we have entered into our retirement years. The age minimum for the group is 55. I am 57 but for some reason still don't FEEL old enough to be attending the senior citizens meeting. Many of these folks are precious friends of ours, and I have looked UP to them. It's hard to believe I am now going to identify as one of them. I remember my mother telling me years ago, "Susan, it's best to be one of the younger ones in the group." But you know, Biblically that may not be entirely correct. The Bible says for the older women of the church to teach the younger women. If I am now to be considered one of the older ladies of the church, I had best be about my Heavenly Father's business.

The Sweet New Family of Three

Below this article, I posted a "Smilebox" photo album of our former campus daughter with her husband and their brand new daughter, but I have to post a BIG picture here and write a little bit.

Becky came to us as a campus daughter the 2nd semester of her freshman year. She was a good friend of Sarah P, a campus daughter, and when Sarah learned that Becky didn't have campus parents, she asked if we would consider adopting Becky into our campus family. We did and enjoyed Becky as a daughter for 3-1/2 years of her college life.

Becky was our first campus daughter to marry which meant we now had a campus son-in-law. And now two years later, they are parents to their brand new baby daughter, that means we now have a campus grandbaby!!!

We waited until all of the REAL grandparents (from GA and from SC) had come and gone before we went over to Becky's and Paul's to take supper last evening and to meet precious little Aleana. She was born nearly 4 weeks premature and had to stay in ICU for her first week of life relating to her immature lungs and then had a big bout of jaundice which landed her back in the hospital to get that treated,but she is now home and thriving. She was enjoyed her "dinner" when we arrived and was so sweet to hold and cuddle after she had eaten.

We shall pray for Paul and Becky as they raise their beautiful baby daughter in the Lord and shall enjoy watching Eleana grow up. God is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!