Happy Halloween

Lincoln, Reed and Anna

Well, I'm assuming Reed is a veterinarian with a couple of animals. They are some cute animals - makes me want a pet for the first time.

Have a great week!

Fall leaves are nice!

 The leaves are at their height right now. Some fabulous colors. Pictures don't do them justice.

The worst thing about fall is knowing winter is right around the corner - uggg!

Cindy is enjoying the grandkids - she keeps sending photos - makes me want to be there. Hopefully I'll see them soon.

Freezing this morning

Neidon and Anna

We hit freezing last night - there's a hard frost on the ground - brrr. I'm counting down to Summer.

Cindy is enjoying the kids in Ohio - Reed is bringing Anna up right - I see the Spurs sweatshirt. She may have to play if they can't come to an agreement this year - maybe more fun to watch.

Well, better go - church in a few minutes - love you all.

Baby it's cold outside

Lincoln

Good morning - no snow here, but it sure is cold!

Cindy is up in Ohio spoiling and wearing out babies - appears to be working.

Have a great weekend - stay warm and enjoy your weekend.

Friday Friday Friday

Lincoln

Wow - another week - someone turned 6 months old this past week! Those grandkids are sure growing. Time sure flies.

A overcast rainy day today - maybe the sun will peek through later. I wish you could see how spectacular the leaves are - this appears to be the peak week of the season. If the sun would come out I'd take a picture or two for you.

Office work today - try to catch up to end the week. Have a great weekend - pray for Cindy's travel safety today as she heads up to see the babies for a few days.

Cold front today

Lincoln - the early years

Cold front today - we're at our fall leaf peak - I was in Vonore yesterday and the drive over and back was gorgeous.

Off to Nashville in a few minutes - back in time for a 11 am meeting and then Crossville this afternoon - good things going on!

You all be safe today - enjoy!

Out of town

India

I'm probably already in Vonore, TN by the time you read this. I left Cookeville at 6:30 and will be there by 8 am central time for an all day Switch Grass and Cellulose Convention - woohoo - I know how to have a good time!

Have a great day - I love you all.

Last nice day

Noema

A cold front comes through tomorrow and the rest of the week will be in the 60's at the high point. This little critter will need warmer clothes. She sure is cute - and growing!!

Mowed the lawn last night - for the last time? We'll see. At least got to do it wearing shorts.

Monday ... Monday

Anna ... and Anna

A good morning to you all. A brand new week ahead of us. We worked all weekend, so I'm ready for a day off - ha!

Cindy heads up to Ohio the end of the week to see the grandkids - lucky!! I'm sure she will spoil them too!

Well, better go - have a blessed week.  ... maybe today ...

Church day

Anna and Reed

Good morning - yes, I'm moving a bit slow from yesterday - work days at home can be a bit wearisome. I can feel my age today - all 39 years of it.

Anyway, off to church in a few minutes and a few more things to complete this afternoon. I'm ready for work so I can go back and rest up.

Baby, it's cold outside.

Noema and Rachel

Another cold morning. I'm writing this listening to Bluegrass music and enjoying a cinnamon roll and coffee. And heaven is going to be better - woohoo!

Wish I could see you all - hope you've had a great week and are staying well. Cindy messaged back and forth with Matt (Monroe) almost an hour yesterday - he's my nephew overseas peace-keeping for us - he's coming back soon and ready to get home. Keep him in your prayers. That whole Afghanistan-Iraq area is still volatile.

I got some purty gals!!

Pricelss rugs

Allen and Cindy

Good morning - well, starting off another morning below 40 is not a good sign - that furnace has been running an hour already.

This is one of those priceless rugs you hear about - Cindy said it was jewel encrusted. First time I ever liked the word encrusted. Anyway, pretty valuable. Sort of like my throw rugs.

Hey - it's Friday! Morning paperwork, Crossville this afternoon and then home free. Woohoo.

Freezing - it's only October

Kaireia

Low 30's this morning - a freeze warning is out. Most of the leaves have turned colors, many are fallen, this recent rain really makes it feel like winter more than fall. We have had several weeks with no heating or cooling required - the heat on last night was the first of the season.

Just saw they've killed Qaddafi - looks like their people took him down - I pray they can find peace now. But we know the only true permanent peace comes from Christ.

Have a great day - I'm off to Nashville this morning and back in time for a 5:30 pm meeting with a residential client.

Another rainy fall day

A year ago - they've grown

39 degrees out to start the day - leaves have been falling several weeks now, it looks like a fall day out there. When is the first day of summer?

A couple of new leads this week - following up - but they look pretty good. I could use a few days off with some grandkids - same old song, huh?

They all look great here - this photo is one year ago. The girl you may not know is Jaidyn - Darin's brother's daughter. Gotta watch out for those red-heads. (I'll hear it on that one)

Rain projected

Link and Anna

Good morning - we're supposed to get rain today - sounds great since Cindy and I fertilized on Sunday. We're getting winterized.

A late night with a client north of Nashville last night - call back around 8:30. Another late client tonight but at least in town.

No big news - hope you are all doing great. Cindy will see the kids later this month and maybe we can get some updated grand baby photos (hint, hint ...).

Cold front week

India

Good morning - it appears many of India's buildings are as spectacular as the people are poor. What a change Christ could bring to that country.

A new week - use it well. Today's low is warmer than Thursday's high - brrr. Cold weather, here we go again ...

Church today!

Anna

Good morning. I'm dressed for church and ready to go. I wonder what message God has in store for me today?

We're missing our babies. They need some grandparent spoiling and living! I feel so bad for other folks as their grand-babies aren't as purty as mine. I am truly blessed.

A cold front is projected mid week - lots of rain and then down in the 30's with high's in the 40's. We're not ready for this.

Saturday in Cookeville

Neidon

Good morning - I love Saturdays. Yes, I have mowing and errands, but also time to relax and read. Saturdays are fun.

Herman Cain is in town - we would have had to been downtown at 7:30 to see him, meaning getting up at 6:30 on a Saturday. Sounded fun to go to, but this week was exhausting - I needed more sleep. Plus hopefully it is packed with people - great for Cain, not good to be in.

Well, have a great day - the end of another week.

Count your blessings

Orphans

The India mission has an orphans home and saves children whose parents have either been martyred for Christ, whose parents have sold them into slavery, or they were saved from the India street life which is horrendous. And ultimately they are saved for Christ.

So, this is count your blessings Friday. What do you take for granted? What has God done for you? Take a moment to thank Him.

Elephant rides

 These aren't great quality - but they are of Cindy riding an elephant in India. She's with our family minister. I wonder who is steering?

An overcast, rainy day today - only supposed to get in the 60's today - brrrr. Hopefully the mowing is coming to an end - the main advantage of winter, the other advantages are ... hmmm ...

Sisters, sisters, ...

Kardia and Kaireia

Good morning - got in after 9:30 last night so a bit tired yet. The coffee tastes great this morning!

The pre-zoning meeting went well - we're a step closer to ground breaking!

A paperwork day today - trying to catch up. Hope your day goes well. Hug somebody close.

Overcast Tuesday

Neidon and Cindy

It's starting off a bit dark today - overcast and dreary looking - not sure if it is to clear off or a slight chance of rain. Either is fine.

Missing the grandkids - haven't seen them in awhile. They are growing up without me there to help them - go figure!

Have a great day - I'm off to Murfreesboro this morning, then on to Nashville and I end up with a 7 pm meeting in Madison. Busy is good.

Sunshine to start the week

Kardia

We could use some rain - it looks like Texas got some instead - fantastic! I hope you got enough to last awhile.

No news here - another week of meetings and deadlines. I was just reading that we work on aligning God to our plans, but did we ever ask Him to align us to His plans?

Have a blessed week - love you all.

I hate snakes

India Cobra

It would not have been India without the snake in the basket and here it is. That alone would have made the trip!

Well, we're off - church in a few minutes. Have a blessed day ... maybe today.

Great dresser

India has some great outfits. I wonder if they look at guys like this as normal or like we look at the 'Village People'?

I'm thinking I could get a hat for site inspections and the stripe is a great touch too. My sideburns are already growing. Can't wait to see you!

A great Saturday - a cool morning and the day is laid out before us - let's go!

Visiting the Taj Mahal

Allen and Cindy

Good morning! Cool and clear here - a pretty time of year in middle Tennessee.

Here are Cindy and Allen, our family minister, in front of one of the wonders of the modern world - the Taj Mahal.

It's Friday - I pray you had a great week - I got a lot accomplished this week and am ready for a weekend. God is good.

Shakespeare in the Park

Showtime - Kaireia and Kardia

We have 'Shakespeare in the Park' this weekend - we're looking forward to the show - this picture is of a show that is not quite Shakespeare level, but just as good! It must be the grandkids that make the difference.

She's back!

Anna

Cindy made it home safe and sound. I'm sure she will fill you in on the happenings there, but I'm just glad she's back. We did have to stop for some beef on the way home - not much beef in India - some sort of a sacred cow there.

Anyway, have a great day - hold on, we're off and running!

Cindy get back today

Rachel, Noema and Cindy - many months ago

Good morning - I love looking at photos - recent or old - do you? They bring back memories or capture events where I may not have been. Either way, I love photos.

And I especially love family photos. God has blessed me so much in that way - with my family. Thank you God for my family.

Have a great day and say a prayer of thanks for your family. Hey - part of mine returns today from India - woohoo!

Heading home

Friends and Family,

It was truly a blessing to worship with the churches of Zora and Raipor on Sunday. We had some time in the afternoon to rest and fellowship with some of the local Brothers hosting our team.

This morning we caught an early flight from Raipor to Delhi on the maiden flight of a new Boeing 737. We have been doing some last minute souvenir shopping at local shops and street markets in Delhi. Out team will be flying out to the States later tonight, and we will be arriving at our different destinations on Tuesday. Please pray for our travel plans and that our team will continue to remain healthy. We are looking forward to seeing friends and family. It has been a wonderful and eye opening trip. God is actively building His church in India. We have a lot to share about the faithful Christians here and the ministry of CICM.

Phil Smith

Vonore

Anna

On the road to Vonore this morning - have to be on the road by 7 am to get there in time for my meeting - final punch list meeting - project went well.

Frost this morning - low 30's this morning - brrr.

Have a great day!

A cold Sunday morning

Rachel and Noema

Good morning! 39 degrees out and supposedly we got down a few degrees lower as I see a touch of frost outside, although not necessarily on the pumpkin.

I texted with Cindy for awhile yesterday - sounds like she is 'enjoying' the trip, but is ready to get home again. I'll be hearing great stories for years.

Better go - church in a few minutes. Love you all.

India update

Friends and Family,

We had a wonderful seminar with 60 students of the Bible Academy and 60 local pastors. We were able to hear and see all departments of the ministry. It was very difficult to leave the mission at Damoh and say goodbye.

We travelled by road and then train to the city of Bilaspur to see the Triball Children's Home about 3 hours into the forest. It was a very humbling and simple place that has many needs for the 600 kids. They welcomed us with singing and Scripture memorization. After some rest yesterday, we are traveling today to Raipur to visit a zoo and two churches for worship tomorrow.

Phil Smith

We're ready

Anna

We're ready for Cindy to come home - I'm missing her. Just got her latest news and will post right after this one.

Cold here this morning - around 40 degrees and it is to get in the 30's tonight - a chance of frost. I should probably bring the plants inside.

Have a great day - and enjoy your weekend.