early morning fire

...with all the damage caused by the "straight line winds" Saturday night, a lot of residents were still without power Monday night. Papa and his neighborhood were without power.

Early Tuesday morning around 4:30 am the house across from Papa caught fire. No one was at the house. 

Looking out my front window late Saturday afternoon I saw my neighbor's flag flying straight-out & the pole kinda curved with some strong, strong winds passing by. Glenn was in the kitchen so I called to him to come take a look. By this time I am standing on the front porch, when all of a sudden a nice tree limb comes tumbling across a neighbor's yard. I step back into the house.

Such damage in a matter of just minutes.............straight line winds.

...and as the evening ends

our Lord reveals beauty. 

resting a bit after a morning

of thorough house cleaning

Honk! Honk! BAM..BAM!!

Honk! It's a dream.

Another honk, and I get out of bed peering thru the windows in two places of the house. Nothing unusual. I go back to bed.

BAM-BAM!!! I jump out of bed thinking mom has fallen off of her bed. (I believe this was him slamming his body into the back wooden door.)

As I get to the bedroom door something catches my left peripheral vision. I see the storm back door open-to-closing, and a black man leaving down the steps from the back door. I shrink back into the bedroom only to peer around the door again. He is now on the top step entrance to the screened porch. I step back again to regroup.

And........here comes mom across the floor from her room asking about the noises. I get her in the bedroom and tell her what is happening. She is wanting to go "roam" so she can "see him". I try to keep her in the bedroom or bathroom since I'm not sure where he is. Not much luck here!

I look again and now see that the screen has been cut from the porch door.

Questions are rambling thru my mind as I call my sister...fastest response. Where is he? Does he have a weapon? Do I get the shotgun nearby?

Doorbell rings. The Reeds are outside. They begin looking around. Mom is calling 911.

After the sheriff's deputy arrives & looks around, he listens & records my story version. Another call comes in same as ours...just up the road less than a mile. He leaves with a promise to return in hopes of catching this guy.

The officer returns with news that the guy was caught. He admitted to trying to break-in to mom's house & that he saw "the lady". His pockets were full of evidence...but what evidence? We were asked if we were missing anything from the vehicles. Yes, there were 3 vehicles at the home.

We went to check the car to see if we could find anything missing. Opening the door..........oh my?

The "honk" came from him trying to hot-wire the car (which was not possible) after he cut wires.

We did find that a few items missing from the car. Looking at the secured items that the officer had
retrieved from the suspect, we identified more items that were taken from the car. This was the evidence in his pockets linking him to the damage of the car. He did go thru pa's truck but nothing was missing. My car was locked.

He is in jail. We are safe.

Thanking God the Father for His love & protection.

Home for the Reunion

Another road trip to mother's for the Goodwin Reunion. This is her last year of hosting the reunion at the house. Dad's family...he loved having the reunion at his house. Family was most important to him, and he taught each of his children the importance of family. Lots of memories flood as the reunion nears.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that around the house and before you know it............it's Friday night. Those from the Goodwin Clan that can meet up at Stanton's BBQ for a night of fellowship.

With the threat of rain we moved the reunion to Smyrna Church on Saturday. There were 30+ in attendance, and we had a good time. Our reunion for next year will be held at my cousin's home. I look forward to a new place for the Goodwin Reunion.

Traveling...

Celtic Woman Tour

Tonight Gloria & I attended this amazing concert.

Loved the richness of their voices.

WINNER for 4 team bracket.....

Our local newspaper held this contest, and I joined in the fun at the nudging of my husband. He & I both entered the contest selecting our winners for the full bracket schedule.

At the 16 Team Bracket & the 4 Team Bracket mark we were given the opportunity to revisit our selections (some of our original picks did not make it to this bracket) & choose new winners for these upcoming bracket schedules. We had the right to choose our selections right up to the beginning of the bracket. Kentucky was on a great winning streak and was predicted to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Looking at the 4 Team Bracket (having chosen Ky to play Wisconsin and Michigan St. to play Duke) I selected Wisconsin to play Duke in the finals. With most everyone counting on Kentucky to win, I played the wildcard by selecting Wisconsin to win. I guess this put me ahead of the others in points because.....

I received an email today.

My Bracket Name with points accumulated

for the 4 Team Bracket Round win.

"It is finished." Over 2000 years ago, our Lord and Savior said these words as he died on the cross. His ministry on earth was finished and three days later he rose again. Today, Morgan's purpose here on earth was finished as well. While we mourn for her and do not understand why, we know she was immediately in the presence of Jesus. She is perfectly and completely healed. Thank you, God, for sending your Son, so that we have the promise of an eternal life with you and that we will get to see her again."

...Praying For Morgan Hasty facebook page post.

4.3.15