Life, how does it get this way?

Is it the times we live in or is it that I'm just getting old? Here we are packing to take off on an extremely exciting trip in our lives: Barcelona, Salou, Cannes, Florence, Rome, Naples, Sicily, Tunis, Palma De Mallorca ....... we've been planning it for months and both of us working our fingers off to pay for it. Ken and I are very excited: so the laundry is done, the walking shoes are purchased, the suitcases are measured, and weighed and off we go!
But back home, our little Blakely is still not ready to be born and will probably come while we are out to sea. And both of my oldest sister's husbands are not doing well. Sarah and Scott in Ellicott City, Maryland and Paula and Jim in Ontario, Canada. They need so much love and help and day to day support. I talked to my oldest brother, Bill in Greenville, SC today. He just lost his wife last month and now his youngest son, Dan will be having a triple bypass surgery on Tuesday. And I talked with Paula and with Barbie and Buddy last night on the OJO, telling them I'll be praying for them. I am so glad that last fall, Ken and I took a driving trip to visit all of my siblings. Little did we know that it would be the last time we would see some of our family. Our lives are as the grass, it grows for a season and then ........ eeeeeekkkkkk, here comes the lawn mower.
I'm glad we have God's promises:
"You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.
Don't panic, I'm with you.
There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Count on it..................................."

And with that, we are off to places we've read about and never seen. You can be sure it will be a picture taking event. We'll be back with plenty of photographs. And back to the question, is it the times, or are we getting old? I think we're gettins old and our world is changing very quickly.

Trip to Dallas

We made a quick trip to Dallas to see Joel, Jennifer and Sydney. We were hoping we might also be introduced to Blakely but we only met her still growing inside Mommy. It was a great trip and wonderful to see our children as well as visit Covenant Church. Sunday morning we visited the youth group called legendary with our son, Pastor Joel. We loved their praise and worship, the preaching on friendship and how the young people shared that friendship in small groups at the end.
Covenant Church is unique in many ways. It is the most 'International' church I have visited. The choir alone represents 52 different nationalities. I love their music and their teaching. Being a Dallas Church, the adult services are much more sophisticated -- in decor, rituals, dress. It reminds me when I was a child and my mother also insisted that you act your best and dress your best in God's House. Even though I would not want to live in Dallas, it is nice to visit. Of course it is very special since we have children there.
The Blue Bonnets were in full bloom so before we left to come home, we visited a field for some photos.
Oh, I forgot to mention that on Saturday evening, we ate Ethiopian food at the Queen of Sheba .. yummy, spicy.

Resurrection Weekend

The JW were in our neighborhood inviting neighbors to celebrate the death of Jesus with them. We declined in preference of celebrating the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. For the JW there must have been a very big push this year as several others mentioned that they had received the same invitation to celebrate the death of Jesus. I decided that this year we would celebrate in a different fashion. For the first time, we did not do Easter Baskets for the grandkids. I did not dye eggs and offered no Easter Egg hunts.
I decided that was another persons's job. (I've been told by Pops for years that I tend to go overboard.) Well, it does not mean I won't do Eggs or Baskets or family dinners next year or future years, it is just I did not do it this year.
The Tulsa area is rich in Easter celebrations, so Ken and I put our energy into visiting three of those events. It was good for both of us. I've been thinking about the experience all day today and I think I will write a blog just on that experience alone later on. For now, I'll just mention that we went to our COTM service on Good Friday evening. We sat with April and Dave and afterwards, met up with them and Kevin's family at Fuddruckers for dinner together. Ken and I had the Buffalo Burgers. I do believe all of us were very full when we left. Saturday was a beautiful day. I worked up until time to go to our second Resurrection celebration in which we visited a neighborhood church near our home. This morning we went to Ken's happy place .... and I went with him. Today is raining and we are enjoying a quiet afternoon by the fire. There are steaks to grill later on. See what I mean. No traditional ham, no deviled eggs. Just rain outside and warmth inside. It is a good day! We've talked with Joel and Jennifer to learn Joel was preaching twice this morning and Jennifer seems to be having that baby sooner than thought -- within two weeks. And Sommer and Dan were having a quiet day at home this morning. Ava and Carson had opened their Easter Baskets and their day is sunny. Their church was having their Easter service tonight. Praise God that all our children are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord today!

European Cathedral Window

Ken is still playing with his camera.

When we first received our Cathedral Stained Glass, I checked out books from the library to discover the particulars of it. Now, I've forgotten what I learned. I do remember that it is painted glass and is probably European and I'm guessing the time is 1700's or 1800's. At any rate, we have loved it and thrilled that it has an 'S' in the middle of it and it hangs over our front entrance window at the stair landing. I'll add the reason Ken is practicing on his camera is we will be taking photos of real European cathedrals next month.

What a difference a week can make

We got a new roof -- and the guttering is yet to come. The insurance adjuster forgot to measure the sun room so the roofer was back to confirm the need for more tiles. And then Saturday was beautiful. Ken is still playing with the new lens for his Cannon.

Here are those same plants which were frozen last week. Isn't God amazing! A constant reminder of our own human ability to bounce back.

Today we are listening to music by Fernando Ortega. So calming and peaceful today. Fernando was at our church this weekend. Ken bought two Cd's -- that means it is music 'older codgers' enjoy.

Our Miracle EverGreen

We moved into our present home the week of Christmas, 1994. The years before had been extremely tough. In the 80's we had our own business, The Power Company, which failed after a series of TV Evangelists scandals. Our business was tied to helping ministries and after the Swaggart and PTL mockery in the 80's, all ministries suffered. We went down with it, experienced much loss -- home, car, etc, etc. Ken had to work out of town more than seven years while we were recovering. Ten years after bankruptcy, we were able to purchase a home again. So, a few days before Christmas we bought a living tree, put it in a wheelbarrow outside our sliding glass door and opened our gifts, the most important gift was that of a home. Our victory statement was that God would restore to us more than the enemy had taken from us. The little evergreen was a visual aid of our trust in a faithful God.
We planted the tree and watched it grow healthy and strong even as our faith in our loving God had grown stronger. A few years later, the city came in and cut down our greenbelt behind our home to widen the street. Our now large healthy faith tree was left laying on it's side -- too big to move and root structure much larger than any hole we could dig to replant. It lay on it side for several months when the idea of just getting help to stand it up and put soil around the root system was born. Neighbors helped and Ken covered the roots with bags of top soil. Our symbol of life became our miracle tree. It has survived root exposure, ice storms, bag worms, drought, disease, and is now a living symbol of faithfulness and strength. The Scrivner family has experienced the same kind of tough challenges, and yet we too stand tall and victorious.

Oklahoma's Spring

The first day of Spring was nine days ago. We celebrated by spending a couple days in Branson with grandkids. The daffodils and forsythias were out last week and this week brought dogwoods and Japanese Maples. And now they are graced with snow. O' the wonder of living in Oklahoma. O' the beauty of a loving Savior.

"Have you ever traveled to where snow is made,

seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,

The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness

for times of trouble and battle and war? Job 38:22

Our Perfect God Is A Good God

I was feeling a bit 'down' today when I remembered that God never makes a mistake. I don't always like the circumstances around me, but God has always provided strength and ability to persevere and succeed. The past year has been filled with obstacles and plentiful of challenge. And still, I've experienced amazing blessing.
I just watched a video done by Nick Vujicic, founder of LifeWithoutLimbs.org. It's called Verve - energy and enthusiasm in the expression of ideas. What a testimony of faith as Nick learned to overcome being born without arms and legs and to come to the knowledge that God is more interested in changing hearts over changing circumstances. He is a genuine visual aid for the confession that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
"Blessed be God --he heard me praying
He proved he's on my side;
I've thrown my lot in with Him.
Now I'm jumping for joy,
and shouting and singing my thanks to him."
Psm.28

Spring Break in Branson, Missouri

Here we are on our Spring Break/Birthday Celebration. Three families took off for Branson, Missouri and Silver Dollar City for a small Spring Break outing and a giant Birthday Party together. There were a lot of challenges, but we made it and had a great time together.
Thursday evening some of us went to the new Branson Landing and walked the shopping strip, had dinner at Garfield's and rode the trolley. We then saw a water and light show.
Friday was a full day at Silver Dollar City, ending in a birthday party buffet dinner in the Miners Cave Restaurant. While we celebrated for everyone, it was really Kevin's birthday. Saturday we slept a tiny bit later. The girls went to see the Butterfly Exposition while the Boys went to Ripley's Believe it of Not. The plan was a final gathering at Lambert's roll tossing restaurant on the way home. Ken and I arrived early to find an hour and 45 minute wait which turned out to be two hours. The Scharpfs were too tired to wait so there were six of us who possibly sinned on hot flying rolls, fried okra, large skillets full of country comfort foods and more.
Fun memories were made by all during this spring break/birthday celebration weekend planned by Nana and made possible by Papa. Thanks to my family for playing with us ole' fogies.

True Confessions for the Day

Speak the Word of God, believe it, know it, feel the power of it, allow it to change and be what it says; own this for yourself .


As I grow in You, LORD, my love is abounding and extending to its full development!
More and more, I am able to sense what is vital, prize what is excellent, and make right choices.
With a pure and blameless heart, I approach the Day of Your coming!
--From Philippians 1:9-10

"No Meatball????....then No Spaghetti"

I thought of little Carson today while eating the last two bites of Ken's meatball. We've discovered a little place, Oliveta, which has the best tomato bisque soup, the best Greek salad, and the best meatballs. But that is not my story. I was finishing off Ken's meatball today (I had been a good girl and ordered the Greek Salad) when I fondly thought of Carson.

It was September last year. Carson was three. On Sunday, we drove to Greenville to visit Bill and Millie. After church, we went to a family restaurant to have lunch.

Placing our orders, Carson ordered spaghetti with meatballs.

Waitress: We only have spaghetti sauce with meat in it.

Nana: That will be just fine.

Waitress to Ava: What would you like?

Ava: I'll have the grilled cheese sandwich.

Carson: Wait a minute, wait a minute...... NO MEATBALL? no spaghetti! ...then I'll have what Ava has.

Nana: Wait a minute, he will have a grilled cheese sandwich ... No meatball? then no spaghetti!

When did kids get so smart? Forty years ago, my kids did not have much choice ..... but then you know, forty years ago, we hardly ever went to a restaurant!

The Scharpf Sisters

Our Little Rosie Turned Seven Today

There is something about Rosie's birthday everyyear that makes me remember the goodness of God upon our family. It was seven years ago that our family had a number of heart-tearing experiences one right after the other. First Ken suffered a violent attact of a medical resistant staph infection - in his knee. He was weeks and perhaps months recovering from it with several surgeries and much pain. It was at that time when other serious things were happening in our family. And then our little Rosemary was born about 6 weeks early. She was very tiny and in the hospital for a long time. But what a blessing Rosie has been to our family. And we came through all of the other challenges and attacks upon our family. God has been so good to us. Rosemary is one living testimony of God's goodness.

"Reverence for the Lord leads to life; and he who is satisfied with it shall abide; he shall not be visited with evil. Proverbs 19:23

Snow Today in Asheville, NC

The Report is that the Colliers went sledding down their neighborhood hills today. Carson lasted 30 minutes before he was too cold and Ava enjoyed the sledding with Daddy (Dan) for an hour. What great memories for precious children. Man, I miss those little angels. But it is great to know that they are healthy, well and having a great time. Click to enlarge if you really want to see those rosie red cheeks.

The Gift of Life for 71 Years

Seventy-one years of productive life given to Ken from God. Because of faith-believing parents, Ken conquered childhood polio, broken nose, and who knows what else. Married at the age of 19, he has survived soon to be 52 years of marriage, a deadly staph infection and much, much more to enjoy this day. No big party this year. There was lunch at Whataburger hosted by the Scharps, a trip to Barnes & Noble, church, and some big time planning for a trip coming in the Spring. This is one grateful birthday boy -- happy to be alive.

Wise Words From Helen Keller

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. .....Helen Keller

La Cucaracha Dance -- Amazing!

This was my Valentine to Kevin and Bonita.

Hailey Grace Turns Nine Years Old

For Hailey's birthday, she had a girls day out at the Jenks Beauty College. Hailey got a hair trim and all the girls had their nails done. It was a special treat for all of them. They had fun.
Kayla's comment: "this is too girlie for me." But I notice that Kayla is having fun too.
Top corner: Kayla, friend, Hailey, Lily & Rosie.

Pop's Camping Stories

One of the benefits of babysitting the grandkids is those special times together when grandparents relate to the kids. Here, Ken is telling Devin stories of what he did as a kid at camp many years ago.

Another Guessing Game

The last guessing game was sent out to individual emails. And we had a winner... Bonita. So here we go again -- only this time you have to get on the Blog to look and guess.
The question:
Where is Nana ...
What is the Caption here ....
When and what might have happened ... and
Why does Nana look this way?

Carson's Mural is complete!

Busy mommies do get things done -- just give them time and space. And now Carson's room is complete with an original monster mural painted by Sommer. (Now there are rummors that they may be moving to the hills in the summer.)

A Corner of Ava's Room

Sommer painted a flower garden for Ava. This is only one corner of it. Taken last spring, 2008 when Ava was only five years old.

Carson's New Loft Bed

Carson has graduated from the crib to a big boy bed.... there is a mural comming painted by mommie. Carson is three years old in this photo taken in the spring of 2008.

Our Beautiful Tulsa, Oklahoma