Don't Worry~Be Happy

I recently did a study to speak on at a ladies breakfast... on worry and stress and how it effects our body and spirit. We suffer twice when we say we trust God and yet still worry about the outcome of situations and unchangables in our life! For example... I find it annoying when some people are always complaining about the weather...it's either too hot or too cold for them~where ever you live~choose to be happy or move....that is definately something we cannot control. We might as well accept and not constantly grumble over things we cannot do a thing about. That is also true in every other area...we cannot control other people~unexpected happenings...bad things come to all and we have to work with what we have and find contentment and joy. Anyone can carry the bad baggage around..but it takes true work to decide to lay aside every weight and worry and trust God! I like this story I found about leaving worries behind and being happy with your family....spread joy.

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The Worry Tree !

The Carpenter I hired to help me restore and old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree", he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."

"Funny thing is", he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."



Author unknown

The Apple Doesn't fall too far from the Tree, so they say

She looks like the Persians...

Exciting Times

I'm very thankful that God sent a special blessing our way recently. My cousins Wayne and Carla Compton moved here to O.C. They live about 5 minutes from my house. This is still like a dream for me. But, it is so lovely to have my dearest friends living here. We are able to get together almost daily and it's been over 20 years since we've had this much time together as they were pastoring in Michigan and summers were spent doing camps...since they were the Youth President for Mich. It's been wonderful to have them here and they're such a blessing to our church family. God is good!

Don't forget those who died for our freedom...

Memorial Day! God Bless our Military men & women who protect our freedoms....

To All Who Shall See These Presents Greeting:

This is to Certify that
The President of the United States of America
Takes Pride in Presenting


THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
to
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Tom's Uncle Earl Copple has an Armory named in his honor in Kentucky and received a purple heart commendation for his efforts in the Korean War where he died...---------
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*COPPLE, EARL L.Citation:The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Earl L. Copple (RA46024756), Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 3d Reconnaissance Company, 3d Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Copple distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kumyangjang-ni, Korea, 18 January 1951. Sergeant Copple's reconnaissance patrol was ambushed and threatened with imminent annihilation. Immediately, with the first volley of merciless fire, he realized that the patrol had been cut off and surrounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, he dismounted from his vehicle, grasped several grenades, and charged an enemy machine-gun emplacement, throwing the grenades as he neared the position. Upon reaching the position, he threw back part of the cover, found one occupant still alive, and killed him with his rifle. The courageous act opened a route of escape for the beleaguered patrol and prevented it from suffering many more casualties. Finding the enemy machine-gun in the position he had destroyed still operative, he turned it on the enemy to cover the withdrawal of his comrades and continued firing until he was mortally wounded.Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 113 (March 4, 1951)Home Town: Marion, Illinois

Gray May

Yesterday was my jetlag day...settling back in from my trip. I think I brought the Michigan weather back with me. Today is a very unusual day in California....thunder storms and chilly outside. I have a fire going and candles, everything cozy I can think of today....cooked a pot of homemade Chicken Noodle soup, flavored coffee...it all smells good....the dog is sleepy on her mat. My husband is doing finales. Josh is camping with friends in the Sequoia's...Sharayah's with a friend...so it's Jeriah and I. We're enjoying a night at home. I really don't mind this...as last week while I was gone it was unseasonably warm out here...some places in the 100's and I'm told it was pretty draining heat. Tom took the kids to the beach to entertain them while they missed their momma...:-)

Michigan With the Sisters

I just returned from a week in Michigan with my mom and 4 big sisters. We filled each moment with lots of family time....talking, eating, shopping, & visiting with friends and family. We start each morning with coffee and breakfast. Everyone meets at moms. I had to force myself to get up as I was still on California time...yet, I didn't want to miss the conversation over coffee. lol My nieces and nephews enjoy listening to the 5 girls tell stories and banter back and forth. We have a comedy hour when we talk...lots of laughter...lots of spontanious one liners...we generally solve all the problems of the world and each other's lives. haha It's nice to celebrate the family...we had a college graduation party for my nephew, went to a bridal shower for my cousin, loved on the newborn baby of my niece, attended a district ladies luncheon where mom and my sister spoke on legacy. Got to visit my aunt in the nursing home. It's nice to have family and roots. That's what my aunt kept repeating. She said, "Isn't it great to have a large family?" And she would tell the nurses..."arent' my family members beautiful?" haha We're not partial. Even tho' she can't remember our names....she knows we are family and that stays with you forever.

Mother's Day

We had a terrific Mother's Day Service. The church was packed out. We had our annual Academy Awards of Mothers. We surprise 3 mom's bring them forward to a special chair and flowers....and have all of their children there who come out to honor them. It's always a tear jerker and we get to hear about mom's that are sometimes unseen in the church...but dearly loved by their children and grandchildren. Our kids video below has had over 230,000 hits on Youtube. It was a feature video on the front page of Youtube. Don't know how they picked it or found it. It was totally unplanned. We just had it on there for me to see and it to be edited for Sunday. Pat the camera man put it there and I would look at each edit...etc...and then he text'd me to say it was being watched all day at enormous rates.

I had my 3 children sitting on the front and I gave them my last will and testiment...had gift boxes wrapped and gave them those unbreakable gifts like my love, encouragement, spiritual heritage and about 50 other things....lol My husband said he'd give me an A+...haha Even tho' I felt like I was too nervous and emotional. lol But I guess people relate to true blue feelings about life and kids. I love my babies so much. I'm honored to be their mommy. We went to a fine Persian Restaurant for Lunch. I got a couple of gift certificates to a full day SPAs. I can never have too many of those. In fact, I'm longing for one right now. lol My husband surprised me today by getting me a ticket to go home to Michigan and visit my family this week. I leave tomorrow. Momma and the girls are there. Momma is going to speak at a Ladies Meeting. Hope it stops raining back there. lol

Saturday Concert

Thanks to Auntie Rita....Sharayah and I are going to a Michael Buble concert on Saturday. Sharayah loves his music. She loves all the big band era, 40s, Frank Sinatra type music....whatever that falls under...Thank God she doesn't like the wacked out crazy music that some teens like. haha Actually she's a bit too sophisticated for me...I can only handle so much smooth music and hot tea and then I have to have some excitement. haha She's an elegant girl for sure. This is her 18th birthday gift from her Aunt Rita and it's a dream come true for her. She's been wanting to go for a while. She likes Josh Groban also, we were able to take her to that for her 17th birthday. We're going to dinner and then to the Honda Center which used to be the Anaheim Arrowhead Pond I believe...what a fun night. Thank you...Rita

My Mother in Law

I wish I could have known my husbands mother, Ruth Urshan Copple. She died of cancer at 30~when my husband was 2yrs. old. From all of the family members that haved shared her stories....She was a beautiful lady, with a bright personality, sense of humor, a good singer and speaker and dearly loved by all. Although we haven't had her in our lives...I'm told she lives on in my children who carry her attributes, manerisms and good looks. (smile) God bless her memory!

One of my mom's wall paintings...

Here is a background mom painted on the stairway, leading up to my bedroom. That's me in high school. I am pretending to hold the rail...there is no rail. lol

Mother's Day

I want to give honor to my mother~June. She's been a beautiful example to me. She's passed down many admirable traits from her mother. Decorating the home, cooking lovely meals, dressing to the nines, and loving your children and enjoying family time. Mom is an artist and fantastic musician. She would always make sure we had a beautiful bedroom. She loved decorating her home. She cooked good meals and taught us to cook. She can play anything. My kids are amazed when we are with her and they name a song...if she hears it one time, she can play it. I remember watching her paint on her canvas and sometimes even on the wall at home. It always looked beautiful. She was a wonderful Pastor's wife and I'm priviledge to have her as my momma!

Happy Birthday to My Husband~Tom

This Saturday May 10th is my husbands 49th birthday. He sure looks good. It's possibly that strong Persian blood... His special food request is for me to make a Persian Meal...Dolma, Taboule, Humus, Kibbie... That's a real birthday celebration in his eyes. :-) And, I think we're going shopping to the garment district for new threads...that always makes a guy feel good...especially one who never shops. I shop quite often...surprise, surprise...haha

English Tea

It's Monday morning. Tom made a beautiful English tea tray for breakfast this morning. He doesn't cook...but he's learned how to make a good pot of hot tea with cream and sugar on a tray, with toast and jam. We learned to enjoy a Beautiful Morning Tea Tray in England....the kids love to make up one also. I'm enjoying sipping a cup of tea in a china cup!:-) Thank you babe!

Cinco De Mayo

Tomorrow is Cinco De Mayo in California...thought it might be a good day to cook mexican food. I love Guacamole and there was a recipe featured on AOL. Gonna try it and see how it is...thought my friends and sisters may want to try it also...
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Guacamole en MolcajetePrep: Cook: Ready in: Serves: 2

provided by KristynPomranz

Ingredients
1 Hass avocado
3 Tbsp chopped onions
1 tsp chopped seeded jalapeño chile
1 1/2 tsp chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp chopped tomato (discard juice & seeds)
Salt
Cooking Instructions
In a bowl using the back of a wooden spoon thoroughly mash the following ingredients into a juicy paste (using salt as a grinder): 1 T chopped onions ½ tsp chopped jalapeños ½ tsp chopped cilantro ½ tsp salt

Holding the avocado in the cup of your hand split the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the seed. Slice the avocado lengthwise in approx. 1/8“ strips; then slice across forming a grid. Scoop the avocado out of the skin with a spoon. Repeat with other half of avocado.

Add the avocado to the paste and thoroughly mix together. We mix the ingredients rather than mash them; this leaves the guacamole chunky and somewhat firm not mushy. Then add the rest of the ingredients and fold them together gently. Add jalapeño chiles and salt to taste.

Serve with fresh corn tortillas and/or chips.

Senior Pictures

Sharayah is Graduating!!!

Today I sent off some of Sharayah's Graduation announcements....she will be graduating Weds/June 11th. I can't believe this day is here. Time has surely flown by. Today we also received the wedding announcement for our niece Kacie Copple...to Ryan Mackintosh...that is Tim & Kim Copples girl. So we will be driving back to Illinois for her wedding the week after Sharayah graduates. Sharayah is one of the bridesmaids. All of our Copple kids are growing up. It's a beautiful day here in California.