Thanks to Aunt Dortha for sending this to me today..................................

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver"

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the firewhere the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Jed was passed around most of the time at Reagon's party. He was so worn out after it was over, he took a 3 hour nap! I love the picture of Reagon and Megan, they couldn't decide who was going to hold him in the picture so they shared him!

Josh bought Kendall a registered boer billy to show in the Pike Country fair with her 4-H group. Last week I came home from work to find Lightning in the hall. Kendall was trying to sneak him into her room. I told her to "get that goat out of this house" and she just threw her leg up over his back and rode him out the front door! Poor goat!! LOL Her other goat, Mater, is way too smart for this. She stays several feet away from Kendall at all times!! LOL

While Uncle Kevin helped Josh work on the new room addition, the girls had a blast playing with Landon, Kamry and Taylor Ann. The living room looked like a Toys-r-Us store but they had so much fun. After Alissa picked up Taylor, the kids decided to have a makeup party. I love the little makeup dots on Kamry's face in the bottom picture. I'm already missing them again! I can't wait until the weather warms up and they can come down and play outside on the farm.

This is one of the best sights! A chicken house full of chickens!!!!!

We want to thank everyone (and I know there were many) who prayed for our family during this trial. We believe that God was with us every step of the way and walked us through the fire and we are now stronger because of it.

Josh and I truly believe that God has called us to work for Him. We feel like our situation made our spirit and our mind and our attitude stronger. As we become stronger, we are better able to serve God.

"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

We are in the process of turning our side porch into an office area. This will allow me to work at home and give Josh an office area for his band/preaching/youth group papers. Josh has been working hard to finish the office and it should be completed in a couple of weeks. The outside is finished (except for ordering a matching shutter) and the sheetrock will be finished today. I plan on painting this weekend and then putting the floor down early next week so we can begin the HUGE task of moving my office from Glenwood to Newhope. I'm really looking forward to working from home. Not only will it save me time and gas money, I will be able to spend so much more time with Jed and be home when the girls get off the bus each day and home with them during the summer months. The Lord has really blessed me with this opportunity and I thank Him daily for it. Please pray for me, that I will be able to take on this huge responsibility of managing this office from home. I know with the Lord's help I can make it work. Will post some updated pictures as soon as I can. The room is really looking good.

Well, once again our family is hooked on this season of American Idol. We dvr every episode and all pick our favorites and make our "booted off" list.

Here is the way things are shaping up from my point of view.....

My pick to take home the winning title this year is Lakisha Jones. This girl has an unbelievable voice with a Jennifer Hudson look. I really like her and hope she wins it all.

My 3 picks for runner-ups:

Blake Lewis..the beat boxer. I'm not a fan of beat boxing but this guy has a talent and is very entertaining. I hope he stays around for a while.

Melinda Doolittle...awesome singer! She brought the house down when she belted out "my funny valentine" last week. If Lakisha Jones doesn't take home the crown, I hope it goes to Melinda.

Chris Sligh--I really like this guy and his curly fro. He is funny (love the comment he made about wanting to make David Hasselhoff cry) and has a great voice. I also like him because he is the worship leader at his local church. His parents are missionaries and he said in an interview that he has traveled all over the world with them since he was 7 years old. I think he will be the last guy standing.

Now, for my "booted list"

I can't wait to see Sanjaya leave. It's like watching a cross between the young Michael Jackson and Mogley from the Jungle book sing.

Jared Cotter, Antonella and Leslie Hunt should be leaving the show soon. They are no where near the talent of the other contestants.

I like Brandon Rogers ok...he's a great mix of Lionel Richie and Lenny Kravitz but I don't think he has what it takes to make it very far.

I think Stephanie Edwards will do ok but she is not one of my favorites.

I would like to root for Sundance Head but he just can't keep it together. I liked his auditions but think he is worse now since they made it to Hollywood. What a cool name, though.

Josh thinks Phil Stacey is the best singer of the group but I can't stand to look at his bald head. Some men look good without hair but he isn't one of them. I'm not sure if he sings well or not, I can't get past the hair thing.

Well, that 's my predictions for this season........coming from someone who can't carry a tune in a bucket!!! LOL