Suspended License

Back in December I drove to Tucson (the 9th to be exact) and all the Po-Po's like to stop the black Mustangs and sports cars. I was on the I-10 and the speed limit changed from 75 to 65 my mistake...I was pretty intent on my mapquest directions. And then I saw my speed after passing the cop - 89! So he reduced my ticket (my first ticket by the way) from 20 over to 10mph. Now I misplaced my ticket info, missed my court date and now have a suspended license. No driving allowed. :-(
Lesson learned
1. don't speed period (but especially out of town)
2. don't misplace your ticket
3. don't buy sports cars
(I will soon be able to pay for my ticket and probably go to traffic school.)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Christmas 2008 was spent with John Pope's family: Brent, Tressa, their two cats and three dogs, Granny, and Mom in LA California. (and it rained!) Our meal was excellent!
John and I went with Brent and Tressa to purchase their Christmas tree, and then the girls decorated it together with ornaments and bows. We looked at Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane, sang karaoke, watched some movies, played card games, and volunteered at their church with meal making and gift giving for the homeless, went to a Pigeon John concert, visited Heather and Nathan's house. (We Ate Out a Lot!) Then we drove to Tucson's Amtrek for Granny & mom for their return home. Got home to Safford/Thatcher and it was snowing! Then at my house mom made us an excellent dinner the next day. (John loves pinnacle now...) The Lord blessed me with safe travels, and has allowed me to get to know John's family more. Now I pray He will help me in my new career field as a nurse.

Mary's Song

"And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is might has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud
in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from
their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

(Luke 1:46-55 ESV)

Graduate Photos!

Taken by Karen Gatwood

S-u-n-d-a-y-s

The best day to reflect on what the Lord has done for you this past week,
The best day for a midday nap,
The best day to finish the procrastinated homework you didn't finish,
The best day to show your family members how important they are to you,
The best day for each of us to worship the Lord, and pray for yourself or others,
Sunday is the best day to start focusing on your next week's walk of life and draw closer to Him.

the beautiful season of Fall

Fall is HERE! The time to get out my sweaters and enjoy the colder aspects of Arizona weather. John was here for a week long visit during his fall break from school. I will be able to make a trip out to North Carolina in November. I'm currently interested again in reading on the side of my nursing textbooks my mom and I have started meeting once a week to discuss a book together. Wow this is precious there's no time like mother-daughter-time is there? I've found we call each other best friends to this day. (My new found friend is several thousand miles away! However, we find time to use our cell phone minutes quite often.) Here's one of John's favorite quotes...

Love is not making
much of someone.
Love is laboring
and suffering,
if necessary to
enthrall someone
with what will
make them
infinitely
happy,
namely Christ.
(John Piper)