Good Gifts

Settling In & Making New Friends!

2009-04-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

Can't believe it but we have our very own house with our very own stuff...sort of! We are renting (the Lord gave us a perfect house) and we are slowly working on the "my stuff" part. Kenneth has been sweet about buying the things we need AND the things we don't need. We still need a washer and dryer and a coffee table and there's tons of little things I would like to have but it will come in time. I pray the Lord will let it be complete or nearly by the time the baby comes.

Maranatha is a great church! Everyone has been so sweet and giving. You can tell they really care about each other and US, too. We can't wait to get into the full swing of things in May. We have to be gone this weekend preaching our finally meeting but this will be the LAST time! Pray for us!

2009-04-09T18:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! A lot has happened over two weeks. If you haven't heard the news, you will shortly. In the mean time....

Here it is! I think its the perfect "first house!" Thru the front door is a short hallway with doors to the other two bedrooms, hall closet, bath, laundry & garage. Then you come to the kitchen. Its on the right of the hallway in a 'u' shape. All the appliances are there and a window, a pantry and plenty of cabinet space. On one side of the kitchen there's a bar/counter (without cabinets over it). On the other side of this is the dinning room/living room. There is a light fixture over the table spot and a window by that. In the living room there is a double window, door leading to the back yard and the door to the master bed room. The back yard is small but there is a side yard and they just put down sod. The master room is a nice size with two windows, a walk in closet and bath. The house has a one car garage and security system. There is a washer and dryer hook up too.

We've found our furniture, too. A large, full size couch and a "cuddlier," a recliner that is double the size of a regular one, Kenneth and I can both fit into it. It can't be delivered till next week because of Good Friday. Kenneth also got me bedroom set. It has a bed, tall chest of drawers, mirror and drawers, and a night stand. It is light wood with vine decoration. He'll pick it up tomorrow afternoon (with Bro. Brown's truck hopefully). Its not a life-time, buy-once-have-forever kind of bed room set but it will be ours. Anyway, the Lord has certainly prepared the way for us today. Hanna travelled well and everyone we met was nice and helpful.

We are tired tonight. Tomorrow morning is easy though. Kenneth has to meet the landlord with Bro. Brown right after lunch to sign papers and get the key and then hopefully they will go get the bedroom furniture. They have to move some tables in the church for breakfast Sunday morning some time tomorrow and we've been invited to the Stokes's tomorrow evening for fresh mullet. So Kenneth has some stuff to do but Hanna and I plan to take it easy, especially in the morning. I would like to go back to the house sometime tomorrow after we get the keys. If not then, definitely Saturday. We need to unload the stuff in the truck. We also plan to work on Kenneth's office sometime this weekend. Its a lot but I've taken time out today to rock Hanna and sing with her. Its important.

Tell me what you think of the house. I know its hard to tell size and stuff without the furniture but maybe you can get a feel for it.

Baby Bella!

2009-03-19T19:22:00.001-07:00

No doubt about it....its a GIRL!!! Her name is Bella Grace and she looks healthy and normal. Christy, the nurse who did our ultrasound gave us a FREE 4-D peek and some great pictures. I hope you can see her clearly. We are so excited!

2009-03-16T18:37:00.001-07:00

Kenneth came home today! Hey!!! Lord willing he wont be going on any more trips without me any time soon.

Did you know that Patrick of Ireland didn't really drive out all the snakes but he WAS a great missionary for the Lord? Recently I read a very interesting article about him in Baptist Vision. According to history, during his ministry, thousands came to know the Lord and Ireland (and the world) continues to remember him today. The Catholic church has claimed him, of course, but truthfully he was a really missionary hero!

Snapped this picture recently in the yard. Hanna & I (at least Hanna's toes) say, "Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Hanna's Bedroom Pictures!

2009-03-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday! Hanna's Birthday (and Kenneth's) is next week. She'll be 2 years old. For an early birthday present her grandparents bought her this toddler bed and her Da Da bought the decorations. I thought I would share it with you. It's so cute!!

Shower Photos!

2009-03-07T17:56:00.000-08:00

Here's what we've been doing all day...showering! Just kidding. Lori, my cousin, is getting married next month and today was her shower in FL. The ceremony is going to be at a church on Pensacola Beach so the theme of the shower was, of course, the beach. We'll be in South Carolina at that time so we wont be able to attend. I was glad we could be there today though. Its been a good day but tiring...not a good way to go into a Sunday, especially the weekend of time change!

Another Recipe & A Devotion Thought!

2009-03-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay, after two attempts at the cake recipe, its not as good as I hoped it would be. Half of my family loved it and half didn't care for it. But here's a tried and true one that's sure to please. Only cut it into teeny-tiny pieces cause it is some-kinda rich! Its called chocolate & peanut butter fudge...

Ingredients & directions: mix the following together and spread into a greased dish (9 by 13) 1 cup butter, 2 cups confectionery sugar, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 & 3/4 graham cracker crumbs. Then melt 1/2 cup more peanut butter and 1 cup of chocolate chips in a pan on the stove. Pore this over the crumb mixture. Lastly, sprinkle a little more graham cracker crumbs over the top and then place in the fridge to harden (it doesn't take long). Then...enjoy!

In my devotions yesterday in the book of Mark, I read about two ladies...the widow who gave all she had and Mary who anointed Jesus. The Lord showed me the widow gave all, small as it was, because she wanted to. The scripture says "of her want." Why did she want to? Because she LOVED him! And Mary..the scripture said of her... that she did all she could do. Again, why? Because she LOVED him! Question: Do I love him enough to give my all? Have I done all I could for him today? If I constantly remember all he's done for me in the past, all he is doing for me in my life now, and all he's promised to do in the future....these two things would come naturally for me. Just a thought...

Great Day!

2009-02-28T17:44:00.000-08:00

WOW, even though Kenneth is gone till Monday, we've had a great day...one of those days where I've got everything done. Now, I'm sitting with Hanna as she goes to sleep.

I just checked my e-mail and my wonderful mother-in-law sent me this recipe. I'm going to pass it along because it looks soooo delicious. As soon as Hanna goes to sleep I'm going to try it, no kidding. So keep in mind if it doesn't turn out or if it taste terrible, I haven't tried it yet! But its got chocolate in it so it has to be good. Right?!!!

THE MOST DANGEROUS CAKE RECIPE (A RECIPE EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW)

The most dangerous cake recipe.....The 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE!!!

Ingredients: 4 tablespoons flour> 4 tablespoons sugar> 2 tablespoons cocoa> 1 egg> 3 tablespoons milk> 3 tablespoons oil> 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)> a small splash of vanilla extract> 1 large coffee mug> >

Directions: Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.> Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using)> and vanilla extract, and mix again.> > Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).> The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!> > Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).> > And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

I promise to let you know how it turns out! Hope every one's weekend and church services are marvellous!

Blessings!

2009-02-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Ever felt like the Lord blessed you yesterday but you didn't find out about it till today? That's how I feel right now. I've spent most of the day on the phone talking to hospitals in our area trying to compare prices on the going rate to deliver a baby. We are trying to pick the cheapest one without sacrificing too much quality. After all, Kenneth doesn't particularly want me to have the baby in the elevator and I don't want to be forced to wait two hours for my epidural when the time comes. Can you blame us? Anyway, one hospital I called quoted me a steep price immediately but then told me for non-insured patients (that's us) the price would be cut in half! That's 50%. Well, of course that was the most reasonable fee we could find and it was from a good hospital too...the same one that took such good care of mama when she had her hernia surgery awhile back.

In my heart I really thought the hospital for the baby would be $7000, $8000, I don't know, a lot. Then the Lord showed us a much cheaper place and has already worked out a payment plan. I know He didn't cause them to set this rate especially for "the Ralph's" but he knew even before we became pregnant how it would work out. I'm glad I service a God who loves me and wants to help me and has the resources to do it! Amen? Amen.

Baby name meanings:

Bella-beautiful
(Or in Hebrew its "devoted to God") Reuben-behold, a son
Grace-God's favor K.C.-observant, alert
Bella Grace-beautiful favor of God Reuben K.C.-an observant or alert son

So, Lord willing, we'll either have a "beautiful favor of God" or an "observant or alert son." Either one is alright with us as long as the baby is healthy. And right now he/she is doing good cause I feel him/her kicking up a storm even as I type this. Take care everyone!

Spring Cleaning & Weddings!

2009-02-23T18:19:00.000-08:00

Wow, its been a week since I've written...a busy one, followed with a busy weekend. Its that time again! Spring cleaning time and wedding time!!! Today I pulled EVERYTHING out of my closet (all my clothes, that is) and started getting rid of, packing up and giving away. Its amazing how much one person can accumulate. But, I'm afraid this will be the extend of my "spring cleaning." I'll be finished with my closet tomorrow and I don't have any other cleaning project on the radar.

And its wedding time! And along with weddings comes wedding showers! Lots of fun, or they're suppose to be fun. My cousin, Lori, is getting married this spring and her shower is next week on the 7th (I think its the 7th). I've been elected to handle the games and get the cake. I've already found four games I think will be fun, not the traditional games everybody plays; and I'm ordering the cake from my favorite bakery Wednesday morning. So, everything's covered until next week when I have to do the actual work to get the games ready. The Internet is wonderful, isn't it? That's where I got my games. And of course it allows me to keep in touch with you guys!

Be ny Valentine!

2009-02-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

We've had a good weekend at church and being together on Valentine's Day. Kenneth preached Sunday morning and we ate a ton of chocolate on Saturday starting with chocolate chip pancakes (hum, hum!) Friday afternoon a bouquet of pink roses were delivered for me and a read rose for Hanna. Both from you-know-who...MY VALENTINE (and Hanna's)...Kenneth!

Have a happy, happy Weekend!

2009-02-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hey! Start your weekend off right on the lighter side. These made me smile; hope you will, too!

*Some people have all the commitment of a kamikaze pilot on his tenth mission!

*If you want the last word in an argument, say, "You're right!"

*To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

*One of the best things people can have up their sleeve is a funny bone.

*A critic is one who knows the way but can't drive the car.

*What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth!

*An empty man is full of himself.

*When a man's best friend is his dog, the dog has a problem.

*You live and learn. At any rate, you live.

*Admiration: n. Our polite recognition of an other's resemblance to one's self.

Say hello to spring...almost!

2009-02-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

Hanna & I took advantage of the yellow blooms to snap a few pictures this morning. I know she isn't smiling but let me know what you think :)

Great Weekend!

2009-02-08T18:28:00.000-08:00

We've had a great weekend with the best weather we've seen since last summer, no kidding. And, boy, did we take advantage of it. Saturday morning we got out early and went downtown for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Mississippis' Old Capitol Building re-opening (a museum). Its been closed since 2005 when Katrina tore its roof off. As children our parents took us there hundreds of times and we loved it, not to mention knew every room by heart. Anyway, we went there for that. The gov. was suppose to cut the ribbon but he didn't. Instead the Lt. gov. did. Later, the big, yearly rodeo parade came right by where we were so we set for about an hour and watched that. Hanna enjoyed the horses and stuff and she got loads of candy and necklaces. It was lots of fun. And we ended up seeing the gov. anyway. He and his wife were riding in the parade! I just wished Kenneth and Daddy had been there, too. Well, Kenneth will be home tomorrow and I sure am glad. Believe it or not, its harder for me when he's gone NOW than when we were first married. Then we had lunch out and came home for a much needed nap. Of course, we went to church today and had two great services with a litle bit of down time in between. Enjoy the pictures and have a great start to your week.....

Baby Pics!

2009-02-05T18:33:00.001-08:00

I know! I know! Its been forever since I've posted but...I'm back. And I've got baby pictures. They're a little blurry; not the best of ultrasound pictures, but you can still see little Rueben K.C. or Bella Grace (hopefully we'll know soon!). Due date is July 29th so we are about 16 weeks. Already I feel (and LOOK) huge and I can feel the baby and tell where he/she is lying (am I imagining things?). I'm just glad its not EIGHT! Please pray the rest of the pregnancy will go smoothly and that the delivery will go just as"swimmingly" as Hanna's! Kenneth is gone till Wednesday. He'll be back in time for out next DR visit on Thursday. He preached last night at a church he dropped into and they vote to support us, yeah! Another church votes on us this Sunday and he's currently in a missions conference. Soooo, that's three churches taking us on this week!

Alaska Pictures

2009-01-26T07:02:00.001-08:00

Today's good gift...New Mexico!

2008-03-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hello! We're back from New Mexico where we visited old friends and made new ones! Thanks to Dr. & Mrs. Geary Miller and the generous folks at Tabernacle Baptist Church of Roswell!

We didn't do much sight-seeing but we did do one thing...saw Billy the Kid's grave.

Todays good gift ... Christmas!

2008-02-28T13:59:00.000-08:00

Here are the Christmas pictures I promised (a long time ago). I love all of them. Hope you enjoy looking at them.

Today's good gift...Kaiden!

2008-02-23T19:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Kaiden...and congradulations, new mom and dad!!!!

Little Kaiden Cuevas was born on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2008. The proud parents are Jemma and Shaphen Cuevas (my sister-in-law's sister and her husband). Shaphen says Kaiden is his Valentine present. AAAAWWWW......so sweet!

He's had some medical stuff going on and is still in the hospital here in Jackson. Jemma is staying with him most of the time and Shaphen is driving back and forth from home (in Columbus) on the weekends. He's doing exceptionally well though and the doctors say he will go home by next weekend probably.

Just continue to keep them in your prayers.

What GOOD GIFT has he given you today?

Matthew 7:11

Take Care,
Kristy

P.S. We got the suburban and its superb! HUM....we need a name for it.

Today's Good Gift...Valentine's Day!

2008-02-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

Wow! Its been a long time. And I have a lot I'd like to say....but I'll keep it down to only two or three things.

We've been in three missions conferences in three weeks; its been great. Between all that, my wonderful husband took me to a Valentine's Day Banquet at Grace. It was a special evening. The lights were down low, the meal was delicious and we were serenaded by the Joy Ensemble from PCC. Not very ROMANTIC but it was relaxing. Hanna didn't seem to enjoy it though; I was called to the nursery twice.

Also at one of the churches, we lost our sweet little ZuZu. It was sad! We gave him to a little guy named Sam in Gulfport. Zeus now belongs to Ralph history. I miss the little fella....

Guess what! Kenneth and I are about to become the proud owner of a rather looonnnggg suburban. Really! We have the opportunity to buy the Andrwjeskies' (not sure about the spelling) vehicle because they are leaving for the field next week. I've been so opposed to buying a new vehicle from the get-go because I was afraid of having to borrow money. But the Lord has been working on my heart about surrendering to what He wants instead of holding on to what I want or think best. The Lord gave me the verse in Proverbs that says, "...Where there is no vision..." Basically, I need to get a vision of the future...a look at the big picture. How can I trust God to provide for us in Kenya if I can't trust Him to pay off $3000 car loan? Anyway, unless something changes, we'll have the suburban next week. Hey!

Happy Birthday, George & Abraham!

What good gift has he given you today?

Take care,
Kristy

Today' Good Gift....MISSIONARIES!

2008-02-04T17:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay! I know it sounds conceded and prideful but I'm serious. I truly am thankful for missionaries. We've just finished taking part in a missions conference with eight other missionary families (all giving their lives to go all around the world and share the Gospel)...eight families who we already knew before this week but now have become true friends...eight families that each have a story to tell of sorrow and heartache. Some of which I would like to share with you here.

One family going to Lithuania lost their oldest son two years ago just as they were begin deputation. While he was showering, right their in their home, he was fooling around and fell. He passed away right then and there! Can you imaging losing a child at all but especially in your home and in that kind of accident?

Then there's the family surrendered to Mexico. They have four children, three boys and one sweet girl named Lindsey. They've been on the field for nine years and Lindsey was born there. Now she is 6 years old, I believe. About two years ago she was riding with her dad on a four wheeler to deliver something to a fellow pastor. He was driving and she was sitting in front of him. They were traveling down a path they frequently used having a nice ride. Suddenly the dad saw up ahead that someone for some reason had stretched a string of bobbed wire across the path. They were headed straight for it and it was too late to stop. He held his legs out in an attempt to protect his little girl. The wire was old and rusted so it broke under the force. It sprang back and caught Lindsey across the throat...it almost killed her. She was in the hospital for months there in Mexico then here in the States. Two years later she is facing her eighth surgery...

There's also the story of the Baird Family, missionaries years ago to Jamaica. They aren't there now because the government forced them to leave. They wired their phone and accused Brother Baird of being a CIA agent. This is true, no joke! The authorities came to their home and told them they had to leave the country and could not come back. And on the same note, there's the story we heard from some missionaries in South America. They had shipped all their possessions to the country in a big container preparing to live there but the MAFIA confiscated the entire thing! They forced the missionaries to give them money every month so they would not be harmed and could keep their own things. What could they do? God had called them there and they felt they couldn't leave.

There are many other things I could share, like the two families we know that have had miscarriages this pass year. And like the Haitian missionary that has been arrested twice and lost his home after buying it out right from the owner who was selling it.

My husband and I have been taught never to tell the bad side of missionary life but sometimes it takes the bad to cause us to appreciate others. And sometimes it takes the bad to cause us to appreciate our Savior. Without HIM, there would be no triumph in these sorrows. Behind each sorrow faced by these missionaries there are countless souls won for Him. This is the triumph! This is the victory!

Personally, sometimes it takes the bad to motivate me to be willing to sacrifice more. If others have lost so much and suffered such heartache, how can I not be willing to go?

What good gift has he given you today?

Matthew 7:11

Take care,
Kristy

Today's Good Gift...MY HUSBAND!

2008-01-25T18:18:00.000-08:00

Today has been a long day, a long day without my husband! You know what they say, you appreciate something the most when you don't have it (even if its just one day). Kenneth left at 9:30 this morning to go to a friend's studio in Yazoo City about 45 min. away from our house. (Our friend is making a new DVD presentation for us.) He didn't get back until almost 7:00 PM! They were almost done and then BOOM! something happened and they had to practically start over. But, he finished it and got back and ate a good dinner. He worked so hard on it and I'm so thankful for him and love him more each day. I pray the Lord will give me new and fun ways to show him that.We leave for Arkansas tomorrow. We have two places to present our work (and show our new DVD) and one place we're just dropping in on. This trip will only last a little over a week but its exciting to hit the trail again.

Something else that's exciting....my new passport arrived today. Hanna's didn't though. Maybe it will come in tomorrow morning before we leave. My photo's not as bad as I was afraid of :>)

What good gift has he given you today?

Matthew 7:11

Take care,
Kristy

Today's Good Gift... TIME!

2008-01-23T11:11:00.001-08:00

Some days it just seems like I have fewer hours to work with than others! Anybody know what I mean? Yesterday might have been a fulfilling day with lots of accomplishments, my devotions done early and even time to exercise a little. But today I might not have enough time to brush my teeth, even though my daughter takes two long naps and my husband cleans the kitchen for me. Sometimes I just don't have enough time. But really...the truth is...I have the same amount of time yesterday as I do today and as I do every day; ENOUGH time to do everything God wants me to do. I need to make sure I use my time for priorities and not preferences.

Monday night Kenneth was excited because he had the opportunity to teach in Bible College here in Mississippi. He loved it! Several students told him how much they enjoyed his lecture and so did the college administrator (I'm not surprised). I wonder if he realizes he'll probably be teaching regularly at the Bible college in Kenya?

Monday night Kenneth taught and last night I got to teach! I shared a few moments with these lovely ladies at my home church during their monthly Ladies For Christ meeting. I don't speak often to ladies and I'm sure I don't do it very well but I'm thankful the Lord allowed me to serve him with a little of my TIME.

Soon I'm going to share some memories of our wonderful Christmas and post some of my favorite pics so don't be a stranger!

What GOOD GIFT has He given you today?

Matthew 7:11

Take care,
Kristy

Today's Good Gift...my MOM!

2008-01-21T17:37:00.000-08:00

Hello! Don't know if anyone will ever read this. Many will not find it interesting, I'm sure. Just my daily musings on the GOOD GIFTS from my heavenly Father. I also hope my family and friends will check in often and hear the news from us Ralphs, the safari-cari driving, life loving, Kenya bound missionaries!

Went shopping today with my mother!Ended up that Kenneth and Daddy went too (that made me happy). Mom wanted to spend a gift card she got for her birthday on Saturday. Wasnt gone long but she found lots of stuff. I'm thankful I had another year with my MOM. Wow, lots happened in that year! My brother got married, my daughter was born, we moved back in the house with my parents...and with my sister...and with my brother and his wife...and... Anyway, through it all, she's always been right there. Not always with a smile, not always bubbly, but ALWAYS. Just always. When Hanna is grown and married and a mother, I want to be there for her ALWAYS like my mom is for me. Happy birthday, mama!

What Good Gift has He given to YOU today?

Matthew 7:11

Take care,
Kristy