Happy Thanksgiving!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! And a special Thank You to those who are serving others, whether in the Armed Services, in hospitals, firefighters, law enforcement and those giving up time with family to help in our communities... serving the homeless and needy. May you be blessed for your sacrifice 💕

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!  May you spend it with those you love.  Praying for those not able to be home 💕 pic.twitter.com/yQr1s7yW36
— theoldecountryshoppe (@oldecountryshop) November 27, 2014

Captured this yesterday as i was out and about...  That awful day will forever be etched in our memories just because of a hateful and cowardly act against America.  Praying for the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives 13 years ago.  #neverforgotten #911 #spreadLOVEnothate

Personal Blog Post

I have tried to write this so it won’t go on and on forever but there is so much I want to share so I apologize for the lengthiness of it in advance.  I have a prayer request first of all for our son, Michael who has been on an 11 month mission trip since last September 2013.  We have spoken with him and he has to have a couple of procedures done later on in the week to fix a couple problems with his teeth that he’s been dealing with for a few months.  He finally went to a dentist because of a tooth he broke, it's really been bothering him lately.  What he didn’t know is that he also needs to have a root canal.  This dentist doesn't perform them so he referred him to someone that will.  Pray with us that everything goes smoothly and he'll have a quick recovery so he can finish the remainder of this trip strong.  If he would wait to come home to have these done, it would cost much more and he would not have medical coverage when he arrives back to the states because of all the changes with the new health reform.  With the root canal and extraction of the broken tooth, it is going to run close to $500. 

I have gone back and forth on whether to share a few things regarding Michael and his financial needs for a while.  While he has been fully funded for the entire 11 month mission trip for a while now, there have been several unexpected and some necessary expenses that are not covered as part of their funding.  The funding basically covers all of his traveling expenses to each ministry location as well as a food allowance of usually $3-5/day to eat.   It also covered a medical health insurance policy while traveling but just like any other insurance policy there are deductibles and items that the insurance will not cover.  It has been reassuring to know that they had coverage in case of illness or accident but when he was sick it would not always cover such things like when he needed penicillin shots, antibiotics or pain medication.  These were extra expenses that he hadn’t planned for.   They live a life of simplicity… most often sleeping floors, tents or hammocks.  Sometimes little to no plumbing, often using the "Bucket shower" system.  There’s been many times they could go into the nearest large city and purchase wifi to have communication back home with us and every now and then they would be able to access it for free.   On their days off they would try to do something fun like sight see or go to a museum and on occasion they would want to do something fun like rent scooters, bikes, go to the beach or when possible splurge for some “American cuisine”   These little extras add up and while they have been loving working and serving in the communities they have had the privilege of being in, they do not get paid so he has not had any income coming in since leaving his job a year ago to follow this path.   His cell phone he left with quit working quite awhile ago but thanks to the generosity of others, Kevin was able to take him a working smart phone (when he went to work side by side with him for a week in ministry in May) so that he could communicate with us when wifi is available.  I’m not sure but this phone may not be working (or at least not to it full potential) anymore since he has relied on a couple generous teammates to let him use their phone to skype call us a couple times this past month.  He has important deadlines and information that has to be relayed for when he gets back to the States at the end of this month.  Unfortunately his laptop is no longer working either (I am thinking this is probably why he hasn’t posted a blog in quite a while) 

While honestly I feel a little weird sharing all of this with you, I feel like I am supposed to for some reason.   Maybe God wants to work through this situation.  Maybe He wants me to lay aside my human pride of not asking others for help.  Or maybe He wants to use someone or their resources to bless Michael.  When I think of it like that, it is easy to share.  It’s not about me…. Rather it is about His son, Michael…  I  know that God has been and is still using Michael in so many ways these past several months and He has been growing his faith all throughout this amazing journey.   We are so proud of the work Michael and his team has done all over the world and have had nothing but joy helping him in any way God has allowed us to.  As I’ve been reading in my devotions, it seems they keep emphasizing how He often uses people and things that we would never imagine to help His children.  Maybe He wants to use someone through this situation to strengthen their faith, to show them that they can make a difference in His Kingdom. I am trying to just be obedient to let ya’ll know of this need.  If you would pray with us for him it would be greatly appreciated and if you would like to help Michael in some way… However small or big contact me and I'll let you know more.   I pray you will be blessed for it.  Please feel free to call or email me or send a personal message via fb or comment here and I can give you my phone # to reach.    We truly appreciate all the prayers and support that many of you have already shown to our son.  This has been an incredible year of growth in his faith (as well as ours) and we are looking forward to seeing what God has for him next.  
God Bless!
~Kathy~

Isn't Maggie adorable!  She needs a good place to call home....

Who doesn't like a good ole Patriotic snack this time of year....  :)

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO STORE YOUR FAVORITE JEWELRY... GREAT TO DISPLAY YOUR LOTTI DOTTIES & EARRINGS.   WILL ADD A VINTAGE FLARE TO YOUR ROOM.  **PERFECT GIFT IDEA FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS ALOT OF JEWELRY**

Visit my website for more unique items to check out

Buh bye March!!! See ya later.... catch ya on the flip... Au revoir... Sayonara.... Adios.... Adieu.... Arrivederci.... Aloha... Hasta la Vista Baby!! Hope you take your winter weather with you!
Here's to a Beautiful April filled with Spring flowers popping up, birds singing and sun shiny days with mild temps to fill our nights.
 #ohiowx ##ohiogram #smokymtnchristian #theoldecountryshoppe  ‪#‎readyforspringweather‬ ‪#‎springtimeishere

Now offering this popular jewelry line

You're cordially invited to our 9th Annual
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
FRIDAY, November 8th
11:00 ~ 5:00
SATURDAY, November 9th
10:30 ~ 3:30
Prize Drawings ~ Refreshments ~ Specials

This is a video that one of our parents created from photos of our squad/team Ahava took through their first month of the #WR #11n11
I love this!!! They were in South Africa in September and are now finishing up their month in Swaziland, Africa at an orphanage on top of a beautiful mountain.

Thank you to those of you who are coming along side our kids in prayer and financial support..... your commitment means more than you could know :) God Bless!!!

COME JOIN THIS Ladies Night Event!
I'll be there with lots of goodies to start the Autumn season off right :)

REDUCED FOR YOU!!

Be sure to check out the great discounts on all retired STEPHANIE DAWN patterns/styles.... unlike Vera Bradley, they are MADE IN THE U.S.A.
(right here in Ohio)

Love & The Outcome - "He Is With Us" (Official Audio)

Why I Don’t Drink

Wow!  What a great response.... This captured many of the feelings I personally have about this.  Thanks to a friend for sharing on her facebook page.  We have seen the devastating effects that alcohol has on people's lives.   And honestly if the world thinks something is so acceptable, that is reason enough for any Christian to take pause and pray about.   


Why I Don’t Drink

This is a short 3 minute video from a recent world racer to highlight some of the things our son will be experiencing on his 11 month mission trip coming up in September. If you feel led to support him so that he can meet his financial deadline by AUGUST 18th. He must raise $6500 in order to leave with his team. Any amount of contribution is appreciated. Thank you in advance for praying with and for him and his squad.

our son.... is going to be a World Racer...

A WR (WORLD RACER) you may wonder.... what is that? A Race, a game.... NO, it's someone who wants to let God show them outside their home boundaries what He has for them.... how He can use them.... How they can help change the world around us. They are sent out to different countries in our world to help those who are less fortunate... showing God's love to orphans, the homeless and helping to build relationships that will impact the areas they are sent into. I am so excited for Michael! And so proud too! from someone who has never flown on a plane (and quite honestly really would be perfectly content if I never ever have to) I am so excited to see what God has in store for him and his team.... I know God has and is orchestrating this whole experience and can't wait to see how He's going to move in his life through this mission trip. If you believe in prayer, please pray with us that Michael will be able to raise the funds that he still needs to secure his spot in leaving in September. He needs to raise $6500 by August to still be able to go when the team leaves, he has already raised $3800.00 so we know he can make this deadline.... We're trusting that God will place it on the right hearts that will be lead to support his trip. Below is a little video of what they should expect this week as they gather in Georgia to train for the upcoming trip. This is Michael's first mission trip that he'll have gone on... he is hoping that God will reveal to him what direction he wants him to go when he returns.

World Race Training Camp from Adventures In Missions on Vimeo.

Happy Independence Day!

It's only fitting on a day where we celebrate our Nation's Independence to express our gratitude to all the men and women , past and present who have and are serving in the U.S. Military. We appreciate the sacrifices you and your families have made in defense of freedom... May God bless you and God Bless America ☆