Week #2

Another week has passed since the family has left and

I'm doing ok... The key is: To keep busy!

Last Saturday I finished the Clifford quilt and I

was pretty proud of myself. It was so much fun

putting it all together.

Sunday I took Grandma to church, went to lunch

and then I took her home and I went shopping for

 some Elmo material for my next quilt project.

After finding the perfect material I went over to

visit my in-laws and say "Happy Father's Day"

to my second dad. We had desert and played

some games.... Then I came home and worked on

a press kit for the guys. By Monday I had demo CDs

burned and the fliers made and I was able to mail 11

kits out to the Phoenix area... Hopefully I will have

some bookings for the guys for the holidays.

After the grocery shopping was done on Monday, it

was time to start the Elmo quilt. I was so excited

to get started and it was so cute seeing it come together.

But the happy feelings were tested on this project.

Elmo was not being cooperative and I experienced

another lesson in patience. I finally finished it Wednesday

night... It is far from perfect, but I don't think Zoe

will notice. If everyone else just looks from afar,

it'll all be just fine. :o)

So, here it is.....

Thursday was Grandma's yearly check up at

the Alzheimer Research Institute. She has two

more appointments next week.

Every morning Duke and I get up and walk a

mile... It feels good. I have lost 1 lb... Only

29 to go....

The family is having a blast with the Dixon's.

And revivals have begun again for the guys.

They had a wonderful time at Youth Camp

(Their first Youth Camp).

This last week the guys were in Paragould, AR

and there were good reports from that revival.

Since Sara, Megan and Tommy have been in Mountainview

They have been riding horses... Another first for them.

Yesterday, Colin and the boys joined the kids

in Mountainview. They sang, with the Dixons, at

The Independent Care Facility... This is an

amazing sight to me... I love it!

After singing their little hearts out and blessing the

residents there... They had to go feed those hungry

stomachs... Yummy Pizza Hut!

Two weeks have passed and three more to go, before

I get to fly out for convention. I thank the Lord for

His strength and this time of learning from Him.

He has been speaking to my heart and helping me

make some changes in my life and attitude.

God is so good to me... So blessed!

A Week Already?

It has already been a week since the family left for Arkansas.

I think it's going well so far... I feel like I have been

pretty productive. Here's a short recap of my week...

Cleaned and organized the garage, laundry room

and the Arizona room. Cleaned and reorganized

all of the drawers in my room. Took items to Goodwill
and the Recycling place. Packed up and

mailed last year's school supplies back to AZVA.

Packed and mailed things to Colin that he forgot

 to take with him and mailed things that we brought

home from CA that belonged to Zoe and Max.

I went shopping and bought birthday cards,

bought a couple things for myself (rare) and

I couldn't resist... I had to buy a couple outfits for

the grand kids. I also bathed the dog and gave him

a haircut... Isn't he cute? He has been my

faithful companion.... 

I spent a couple of days trying to write a song...

What a disaster... I stink!!!

The most fun I have had is.... I dug out some

quilt blocks I had cut and started to sew together

almost 10 years ago... Loree Brock had come

to Colorado Springs and given the ladies

of the Church a quilt class... I started a quilt, but

never had time to do anything with it. SO, I sewed

the blocks together and here's what I have so far...

I hope to finish the quilt today or Monday and go

buy some more material for another one. I hope to

get a lot of practice, then when the kids get home,

and school starts, the I'll help the girls make their own.

My kids are too old for Clifford the Big Red Dog,

so I guess this first quilt goes to the grand kids.

So, there you have it... One week down and four to

go, before I see them all at convention...

Busy! Busy! Busy!

The family has been gone for two whole days now and I'm doing fine... They had a safe trip to Arkansas and I'm sure the fun began as soon as they stepped into the Barker's house. They are going to have the best summer ever!

I have been keeping very busy... It keeps my mind occupied. I have cleaned/organized the garage, cleaned out and rearranged the drawers in the bedroom, shopped for birthday gifts and groceries, packed up last year's school supplies and put them in the van (to be mailed tomorrow), washed the dog, and a few other things here and there... I have many other projects lined up for myself... Some alone time is not ALL bad... Although there is another person in this house that is not necessarily wanting alone time and she requires some attention once and a while... As long as I don't run out of projects I think I'll make it ok... It's all good!

Happy Birthday Colin

Today was a very sad day... A very strange birthday

for Colin (Happy Birthday Honey)...

All of the kids and Colin loaded up in the

Ole' Mini Van and headed to Arkansas.

This will be the kid's first "Youth" Camp... Also, it will

be their first Church Camp without their mother... Feels kind of

weird. I am so glad they have this opportunity, even

though it pulls at this momma's heart strings. They

are going to have SO much fun!

Colin will be doing some work with Bro. Dewayne Smith

and hanging out at the Barker's until after camp.... Then revivals

begin again. I don't expect them back in AZ until

the holidays... Don't get too worried... The Lord has

already provided a way for me to see them in July,

at the Regional Convention, in Arkansas...

And I'm trusting that he'll provide again, for another visit

some time after that.... The kids will be home by the

end of July...It's all good!

Keep us in your prayers... Thankful to be His servant!

A Much Needed Vacation!

We are so thankful that God provided a way for the whole family to get together and have a little retreat together. With Paul and Grace living way up North and Colin and the guys traveling all over the USA and not seeing each other very often, we were ecstatic to be able to meet in CA for a much needed vacation.

We first met in Apple Valley, CA at the New Wine Studios, where Colin, Jacob and Philip recorded our next CD, which by the way, will be ready for purchase some time this summer :o). After a few days in the studio we went to San Diego, CA for fun in the sun (as if we don't get enough of that in AZ). We spent three days at Sea World, two days at the zoo and three days at the beach. What a great vacation!

Here is the whole Colin Shuler family, grand kids and all!

The men in our family...

from left to right -

Max (AKA Bubba or Bugsy), Jacob, Philip

Tommy, Paul and Colin.

The women in our family...

from left to right -

Gerri, Zoe, Grace, Sara and Megan.

God has blessed us with an amazing family and we are grateful for every moment God allows us to spend together!

God Is So Amazing!

God never ceases to amaze me. Just this morning, during our devotions, I prayed that God would help us to be a blessing to someone today. As I heard these words come out of my mouth, I thought, "Who else would I be a blessing too, other than Grandma... Since that's who we spend most of our time with"... So I hoped to be a blessing to her... But God had something else planned for me today. The Internet guy came by to take care of a cable that had come uncovered in our back yard. As we were talking about the cable, he looked at me and smiled. He said, "You're a Christian, aren't you?" I stopped and stared at him for a second... I had done or said nothing about God... Could he possibly see God on my countenance? I hope so! I smiled back and said, "Yes, I am!" We talked about the Lord for awhile. I gave him a copy of our CD and told him about our ministry. As I started to walk into the house he said, "Thank you Ma'am... I mean, Sister." When I walked into the house I remembered my prayer that I had just prayed a few hours earlier... Now, that may seem like a small thing to some, but I am SO blessed! I love it when God answers a prayer so different from what you were expecting. I just want to be a usable vessel. This is the best Monday ever!

Washington DC - Virginia Trip

I could not even begin to express how blessed and thankful

the kids and I were to be able to take this trip. We boarded

Frontier Airlines on Feb. 14th and flew to Washington DC.

After a long flight, we arrived at Reagan National Airport

at 10:00pm. Sis. Connie Wilson and Sis. Johnna

picked us up and drove us to our motel room. Thank you

Johnna for finding a fantastic room for us. It was so nice

to see these beautiful ladies... Especially since they knew

their way to the motel. The next morning, Colin, Jacob,

Philip, Paul and Cathy Horton and Heather arrived at our

motel. My heart still skips a beat when I see my wonderful

husband. After all of the greetings we jumped into our vans

and headed out for a whirlwind tour of DC. We were limited

on time so the Smithsonian was not on our agenda.

We found some parking places right down town, which

was amazing, especially since we had two vehicles and

they were right close to each other... After parking, we started

walking. The park was FULL of geese. Paul tells Tommy, "I'll

give you five dollars if you can catch one of those geese." Off

he ran!

He didn't catch one, but he had a nice run. On the way
back he said, "It's ok, I have money in my pocket." He's
so funny. So, we keep walking through the park. This is so
amazing! We are in the Nation's Capital... How cool is this?
It is a lot to take in... But no time to proccess.

Here we are, the Shuler family, minus Paul and Grace. :-(
Next time, hopefully we'll all be together...
ALL... Right Lyndi?

Standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

This is SO amazing! If you've ever seen "Night at the Museum"

you feel like Lincoln could wake up at any moment. A must see!

TV or pictures do not even begin to give this sight

justice... So... WOW!

From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, looking

out towards the Washington Monument. There is

a lot of construction going on behind the kids...

I tried to cover it up as best as I could. I'm sure

they are working very hard to get this finished

before the upcoming elections.

My honey and I.

It is hard to see, but the Capital Building

is in the distance... It's hard to take your

eyes off of these goofy kids, I know.

Again, Capital Building in distance.

Sitting in front of the White House.

Oh yeah! What's more American than having

a hotdog, right in front of the White House...

And ordering it from an Asian guy who speaks Spanish(?)

;o)

Some Fine Art...

More Art....

Paul and Cathy, waiting for us...

Onto Arlington National Cemetery...

I don't think I really realized how big this place was...

A solemn reminder of what war does... I am so

very grateful for the men and women who

have given their lives for this amazing country.

We went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

and watched the changing of the guard.

We had a long day... Lots of walking... Lots

of sights... The kids were pooped!

We drove to Lynchburg, VA to stay the night

at the Horton's house. After a good night's rest,

we headed to TN for the Couple's Retreat.

It was a beautiful drive, even if the ground was

brown and the trees were leafless. I kept saying,

"I bet this is gorgeous in the summer".

The Lodge where the Retreat was held

was so nice. We had a nice room with a fireplace.

Of course we had to use it! As always, I was

cold most of the time.

Here is the Master Fire Starter.

We had a great Retreat! The fun, fellowship and

prayer time was just what I needed. The kids

were having a wonderful time in Marion, VA with

the Womack kids. Eric Hogan and Katlin Horton

were there for the Sunday service and they all

said it was fantasic one. It snowed most of the day

on Sunday so after service the kids had to go

and take advantage of the white stuff and built

a snow person and had snow ball fights.

Back at retreat... We were able to be with family....

And friends... And meet new friends...

Tommy enjoying the snow...

Megan and Sarah Womack.

Colin, me, Crystal and Shaun Womack in
front of an old Church near Marion, VA.

This is what it would look like if it were snowing.

The kids were curious to see the inside...

Cemetery beside the old church.

Colin, reading names and dates.

The Womack's sure can show you a good time...

Sight seeing... They take us to the Mental Hospital.

:o) HaHaHaHa!!! I think I'll make my reservations.

It is a cool and creepy looking building.

We then drove up to Hungry Mother Park.

We looked around the little museum they had

in the Ranger Station. In the Gift Shop we

found a Critter Net...

And it worked!

A Marion Snow Family along side of the road.

We had such a great time. We made new friends.

Thank you to the Womack Family for driving us

to your house and giving us a place to sleep.

(Even if Bro. Shaun did drive with one hand on the

wheel and talked on the phone while driving in snow)

Thank you to the Horton's for playing in DC

with us, taking us to Retreat and letting us stay

at their house. Thank you to the Sheets for doing

a great job directing their first Retreat.

It was an all around GREAT time.

It was hard to leave Colin, Jacob and Philip

again... But so thankful for the time we had together.