HILTON HEAD BEACH

THE BEACH AT HILTON HEAD

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

HILTON HEAD

HILTON HEAD

CHRISTMAS CACTUS IN BLOOM

Christmas Cactus

I took pictures of my Christmas Cactus when she started showing her “buds” on October 27th – you won’t believe it, that’s my birthday! Right away, I pointed that out to Dan and we were excited as we discovered uncountable buds coming out from the stems. If I tell you the story where we got this beautiful plant and how bad her condition was when the first time we saw her (I call “her” Chriska… as it’s meaning for Christmas), you won’t believe me.

This is the story: One day (summer 2007) Dan and I drove around a new neighborhood called “Mexican War District” in Pittsburgh, http://www.mexicanwarstreets.org/history.html -- just trying to familiarize ourselves to the Pittsburgh areas. When we saw a “MOVING SALE” sign on one of those historic homes we were drawn to it like a strong magnet (smile). Chriska didn’t look very good as she was very sick and almost died at the time we saw her. Anyway, to make it short, we paid $10 for Chriska, as I thought if we couldn’t save her, the pot itself it’s worth it (the previous owner thought the same thing too). If we couldn’t save her, I had a plan in my mind to ask my wonderful husband to do the dirty work to repot the plants we have!!!

Anyway, after telling Chriska that everything would be okay and that we loved her and gave her the water and food she needed,within two weeks she started showing her gratefulness of our caring and love for her. Within four months later, she is as beautiful as she can be and now smiling at all of us. Isn’t she beautiful?

If this little Chriska can show her joy of being loved by her caretakers, we all, as God’s children, who are loved by our Heavenly Father and created with His own image can do more than Chriska. Let His Holy Spirit control our hearts so we can please Him every day and every moment of our life. The God we know in our Lord Jesus is real. He gave me His peace and joy (John 14:27) even though I didn’t feel His presence when I was sick. He said “Rita, my child, you don’t need to feel My presence, because you know, I AM with you, and I love you”.

When we face trials and tribulations in our lives, His words will come alive to give us joy, comfort, and peace. This is the Spirit of God, our Comforter who is in our hearts as we have the privilege to be called God’s children. HE will remind us what we have learned, heard and known about Him, and HE will give us joy. Just listen carefully as He speaks very softly and sometimes He whispers!!!

To my family in Indonesia, kami berdua Dan mencintai kalian semua, dan semoga kasih Tuhan kita Yesus Kristus menyertai kalian semua seperti Dia juga menyertai kami disini. Kalau Tuhan menghendaki, pada satu saat kita akan bertemu kembali, kalau tidak di dunia ini, kita akan bertemu di rumah Allah Bapa kita di sorga.

For Better Viewing Click on the Pictures Below to Enlarge

Bedford Pennsylvania Trip Fall 2007

Rita and I took a weekend off a few weeks ago and traveled to the Laurel Mountains, south and east of Pittsburgh. We went about two hours to Bedford, Pennsylvania. This is a beautiful mountain valley town with much history from the Civil War and the Revolutionary period. The city is lined with Bed and Breakfast lodging, neat shops and restaurants and the historic village titled "Old Bedford Village". Bedford Village is a Colonial period where old buildings exist with villagers working as they did during the Colonial period. It was closed until Christmas when we were there but we spent most of our time visiting the restored Bedford Springs Hotel. This was a resort built during the 1800's for rest and relaxation, health spa etc. It was used by presidents and the wealthy from all over the world. The hotel fell in to disrepair during the late 70's and closed in the 80's. A group of developers from the Texas area put together an investment project to restore the hotel and restore it they did. The hotel opened this year and what a beautiful place it is. You can look it up on the Internet so I won't bore you with all the information about the project. We found the best of the Fall colors there during our trip and below are the pictures of the Hotel and Fall in the Laurel Mountains. I also enclosed a lot of pictures of my sweetheart....

Restored Bedford Springs Hotel,Bedford,Pennsylvania

Bedford Springs

Bedford Springs Hotel (Continued)

November Fall in Bedford,Pennsylvania

More Fall Color In Western Pennsylvania

Rita's Favorite Inspirational Song

Rita wanted to share her favorite praise song by Lynda Randle. Lynda sings this song most often traveling with the Bill Gaither Homecoming. We all have our favorite songs and hymns that inspire us and Rita loved this song from the beginning and plays and sings it often througout our home. It provided great support and hope during her recovery. We had the joy in attending two of Bill Gaither's Homecomings. One in Sacramento and here most recently this year in Pittsburgh. Hope you are inspired by the words. GOD BLESS


God On The Mountain

Life is easy when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.
But then things change and you're down in the valley.
Don't lose faith for you're never alone.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make them right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.
Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.
But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation
That's when faith is really put to the test.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make them right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make them right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

Song by Lynda Randle

Words and Music by Tracy G. Dartt