Funny....but also a good lesson!

Today our golden retriever Zoey put her head in a garbage can......and when she pulled it out..the lid stuck around her neck! Now because I couldn't pull it off very well...she had to leave it there until Ken came home for lunch. All in all it remained there for almost three hours.

During those three hours I watched her try to maneuver from here and there occasionally bumping into things, she wasn't very happy either....kind of a sad look in her eyes and she laid at my feet. I sat there thinking of this contraption around her neck and the burden it brought her....but there was nothing she could do about it....until her Master came home:)

It reminded me of the burden of sin that hangs around our necks like a big contraption. Not only our necks....but our whole being!!! I thought of things like alcohol, drugs, lying, stealing, cheating, violence, and the list goes on. All of these things remind me of garbage...and we stick our noses(lives) into the can....sometimes it gets hooked around our necks....and we can't flee it until the Master frees us.

Jesus is the one who paid the price for our sins....who by his death and resurrection gave us a way to become free from the burdens that weigh us down!! When we ask.....He will remove the garbage cans....and lids.....from our lives and forgive us from our sins. In obedience and out of love for our Savior......and our Father God....we must learn to keep our heads (and lives) out of the garbage cans of life!!

I Love Surprises!!

I was able to pull off a birthday surprise on Ken today!!! Thanks to his boss David, and our sons and daughter-in-laws!! The plan was for everyone to arrive around 1:00....and to figure out a way to keep Ken home after lunch:) Thanks David for helping me out with that!!!

Everything went smoothly...and Ken was very surprised when the caravan pulled in!!! I even kept the info from Joel....in fear that he couldn't keep a secret!! He was as shocked as Ken.

The guys enjoyed target shooting out back with their hand guns...and us girls visited inside while the kids did an arts and crafts project. Heidi and Emily helped me with the extras like snacks and dessert, and we ordered pizza! I just loved watching the day unfold the way it did:)

Celebrating my Husband....the Love of my Life!

On January 22 Ken turns 53 years old-

I don't know quite where to begin....but let me share this...Ken to me is the most caring, loving, kind, generous, handsomest man in the world!!!

We have shared thirty one years of marriage together, raised three amazing sons, and experienced life with joy as a family. I don't know what I would have done without Ken's love, encouragement, and faithfulness during the difficult days after my diagnosis.

He has taken me to the doctors, helped me with everything, stood by me through ALL of my fears, and prayed for me with his whole heart. Ken makes me laugh, keeps me going, drys my tears, and builds me up in character EVERY day! I wouldn't be me without him~~~~we are a team~~~servants together~~~~happy to share our days, months, and years side by side.

I praise God for the blessing of a godly husband......a man of integrity......the leader of our home...a wonderful example of a father.

I love watching Ken interact with our grandchildren!!! Especially the little girls since we didn't raise daughters:) I am excited to witness these relationships with the kids as they grow up...waiting to see the special times unfold.....enjoying God's plan for our lives until He comes or calls us home.

Updates From Baptist Haiti Mission

For those of you who would like to read updates regarding the recent devastation in Haiti....here is link for the Baptist Haiti Mission who is posting up to date news and prayer needs: http://www.bhm.org/bhm/lang-en/haiti-earthquake-news-and-updates.html

Happy Fifth Birthday Andrew Nichols!!!

Happy Birthday to our grandson Andrew!!

What a precious little boy you are and we can't believe you are "five" years old already!

Andrew is very active:) He goes to preschool three times a week, he is a Cubbie in the AWANA club, and is very helpful with his brother Jonathan and twin sisters Kirsten and Rachelle!!!

In his five years he has lived in Wyoming, Michigan, and will soon be moving to Wisconsin.

We treasure the times we can spend with him...and look forward to watching him grow up and to see what special plans the Lord has for him!!

Happy 85th Birthday To Mom

Today we went to Onekama and celebrated Mom's 85th birthday!

It was a quiet day in the house....but she received many beautiful cards and got phone calls from family and friends. Given her current health status....not having too many people around at one time is probably better. Next weekend Linda and Don will visit. We are trying our best to have one of us there every weekend. Their friends from the Church of the Brethren have been WONDERFUL!!! We are so thankful for everything they are doing for Mom and Dad.

I thought I would share a picture of the many cards she received...and the beautiful cake that our daughter-in-law Emily made. It was made from scratch....as was the frosting:) I wish could share a piece with you through this computer....but oh well!! LOL Trust me.....it was yummy!

Hand Therapy......No pain No gain

Once again I am back in hand therapy for my contracted hands and am excited to report that I am showing "slight" improvement! Now by "slight" I just mean baby steps.....but I'll take it!!!



My therapy is being done at Mercy Rehab Services....next to Mercy Hospital and my primary therapist is Ilia.


The therapy itself involves pulling, stretching, pulling, pushing, more stretching.....and at times when certain nerves are involved it can REALLY hurt! But like my title of the blog says....."No pain...No gain". I am learning to endure it....keep my mind off from it when it's being done....and just stay focused on tolerating the manipulation so that I can improve!


It actually is quite alot like parenting:) When your kids are growing up there is alot of pulling, pushing, (shoving), stretching....and occasional manipulation....but always staying focused on God's direction for our lives and seeking to improve ourselves for His glory!


My scleroderma is stable and it does not appear to be worsening! I continue to do what my body tolerates....and get lots of rest. In February I will be featured on the cover of the "Scerloderma Voice" magazine. Woo Hoo.....I would have never believed I could be a "Cover Girl"!! LOL....not your typical one that's for sure! In addition there will be an article about my journey with scleroderma and my personal story on how I am managing this life change. I was very excited about this opportunity....and look forward to sharing the issue with you:)

A Wonderful Start to 2010

On New Year's Day we had the joy of getting together at our home with ALL of Ken's brothers and sisters. We see each other quite often during the course of the year.....but normally we are missing one or two.

Pat and Dave "Winter" in Florida...but we were so excited they could be here this new year! Tom and Deb live in Kalamazoo, Dick and Carol, Les and Jeanne are all close to Mesick...and you know where Ken and I live!!!.

Pictured to the left are all of us "Sister-in-laws".

We feel so blessed to not only be related....but to share a deep friendship...and the privilege of being "sister's in Christ". We all get along so well...and count it a joy to be able to call on each other with any prayer needs we may have.

This is the "whole" crew!!

The last time we were all together was for our niece Elizabeth's wedding in June 2009.

During our visit on January 1st, we watched some old movies of the family from the 1960's! It was fun reminiscing and especially seeing Keith and Wanda.

The "original" 25 cents.

Five Nichols.....get it???

We were joined during the day be Tom and Deb's daughter Emily and her two daughters, our son Joel, and our son Jason(Emily) and their four children.

As always, we had lots to eat, and treasured every moment we could spend together!

I praise God for the blessing of family!
I thank Him for the love and friendship our
extended family enjoys......and look forward to many more special times here on Earth.

Last time I counted, if we were ever all to be together with our kids and their families...there would be "54" of us!! But I am hopeful we can do that sometime in 2010!!