Family

Yesterday was our oldest granddaughter's birthday; she turned 13. We spent the entire day together shopping for  clothes and special boots! We went in search of Fall at Garden Ridge; pizzas at Sam's for her family birthday dinner and lunch at McAlister's. The afternoon found us home watching a movie and relaxing before the girls' hairstylist came to "do" her hair. And he did a beautiful job adding layers to her curly long hair! Family began arriving and the noise level increased as too many conversations were begging to be heard! I LOVE it! With seventeen of us, there are no quiet family dinners, but rather dinners that are full of life, words, laughter, magic tricks by our amazing magician, Christian "the Magnificent", running, jumping, sliding down the stairs---all signs of a deep, deep love and affection that we have for each other! There are really no words that I can use to tell God how I really feel, how grateful I am, how incredibly blessed our family is...but He of course knows my heart. There's nothing like the blessings of our family...our children, our children by marriage, our grandchildren, and yes our parents and siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc. Some days I feel as though I could burst with such happiness and love! Some days it's hard to contain it.
And some days I step back and look at all that Mike and I started 39 years ago. Wow! With the Lord's help we've done an amazing "job"! WE ARE SO VERY BLESSED, INDEED!

Cutting Back

Cutting back...on...hmmm, several things I think. Cutting back on Facebook for one. Part of me would like to "pull the plug" but then I would lose contact with some very special people. So I think I'm going to cut the time I'm on Facebook drastically! Check in the morning and maybe once at night might be the way to go; or maybe just in the morning.
Cutting back...on the amount of food I've been consuming! This is a must! Not sure what has happened with this but it's a bit out of control!
Cutting back... on television watching! Too much Hallmark is way too much! :) It can be such a waste of time.
This is where I will begin to cut back! Later I will do some more soul-searching and see what is next!

The Wicker Chairs

Just had a phone call from one of my biggest "fans", Jon Dunn who wanted to know about the antique wicker chairs I mentioned on Facebook. (Actually I am one of Jon's fan's 'cause he's my computer-genius that is always saving me from the perils of computer technology!)

Will post the pictures of the chairs but there is a story behind them that bears sharing. These chairs were in Nannan's, (my grandmother) bedroom as long as I can remember. I always loved them and would sit in them whenever I could. I grew up with those chairs because I had the awesome blessing of growing up with both sets of  the most loving grandparents living across the street, for most of my young life, in Charlotte! My grandparents were such a wonderful part of my life- even through my college years and into Mike's and my marriage... and until God called them home.

Mike and I had planned our wedding, sent out invitations and the gifts began arriving. One day I came home from work- I was a teacher- and my grandparents were over. They told me to go into the living room and there I found one of the wicker chairs, freshly painted white with a new sky blue cushion. I bawled my eyes out, so to speak!  It was my favorite wedding gift! Then many years later I was given the wicker rocker that matched. I've painted them and re-covered their cushions and now they adorn our screened porch.
Whenever I look at them or sit in them, I remember my precious grandparents who always loved me unconditionally.

Yes, I do get teary and miss them terribly but I know where they are and that I will indeed see them once again. You may even think me foolish or too childlike but I also ask Jesus to tell them hello for me and tell them that I love them and miss them. And you know what--- I know that He does!

Dreams....

Have always loved this beautiful home the Father God led us to over 24 years ago. And as you know, homes are always in need of some TLC as the years go by.
I had a dream, a vision of my upstairs bath being shabby chic- beadboard ceiling, beadboard wainscotting with chair rail...white with painted pale yellow walls...pinks and greens accessories.
Well, have some of the accessories and have been using them a few years. When the popcorn ceiling started cracking, etc. I thought "now is the time for my beadboard ceiling!" Well, someone in the house wasn't in favor of my scathingly brilliant idea so it just remained a dream.
Decided to remove the popcorn ceiling that was falling down---a messy, yucky job and after feeling a bit overwhelmed, called out for either Mary Poppins or popcorn-ceiling-removal elves. Neither showed...UNTIL today!
Came home from breakfast and he was in the driveway! Not only did he do my ceiling but he and Mike came upon the idea of doing beadboard and really fixing up my bathroom!
When I heard that, I had to offer up my thank-You to Father God who knew how much I wanted to do this! My dream was just sleeping and at the right time, God awakened it...just for me! Oh how He blesses me every day!
This may seem silly or so trivial a thing in the world in which we live with such evil, such need, so many life and death situations, such moral decay, etc. yet God so loves to bless His children, caring about the teeny tiny details of our lives...about our dreams...about our needs. He is such a good GOD!
Thanking Him now!

"Contemplating a big change"

Wow! So many thoughts buzzing around in my head- now and last night. So much buzzing that I couldn't sleep. I prayed, I thought, and prayed some more. Finally gave up looking at the clock and at some point I fell asleep. "Wake-up" time came way too early!

We've lived in our beautiful home for 24 years. It's a haven; a sanctuary. To us it just doesn't get much better than this. But now we are entertaining thoughts of downsizing, wanting to get out of debt, simplifying, etc. In so many ways it's kind of scary...do we venture out into a new neighborhood? Do we give up this "practically perfect" home (in our eyes)? How can I leave our amazing porch that I believed God for, for about 20 years? So many wonderful memories! Great neighbors!

Obviously we are seeking God in this! Not making a move without His guidance! For now we are waiting on Him and taking steps to beautify our home a bit. Moving forward until He tells us to stop!
Our times are in His hands-the best place to be.....

This morning I drifted downstairs to the coffee maker. Chose my delicious breakfast blend and headed out to the screened porch. Even though it was after 7 am, cloudy darkness surrounded me and I turned on the lamps. Instant coziness! I positioned myself so I could enjoy God's beautiful lilies while I spoke with Him. I so love being in the palm of His mighty hand! That's what it feels like here at our home. If you could see us from an aerial view you would agree. We are surrounded by trees, small patches of woods...and it is definitely a sanctuary...a little bit of Heaven on earth.
I know how blessed we truly are and I do not take this for granted. I tell Father God all the time how grateful I am!
This week it's especially nice to be in His hand...to feel His closeness...to bask in His love and heart-healing mercies. I think of Mike's mom, in Heaven with her parents, Papa and Mama Kenney, with her brothers, Jack, Buddy, Jimmy, and Ray. I think of Mike's dad throughout the day and evening and have to restrain myself from calling too often to check on him so I just pray, knowing that God has him in the palm of His hand as He has the rest of the family and that He indeed heals the brokenhearted!
After all the busyness, the emotional highs and lows, it has been so nice to rest...to rest in His amazing grace, to see myself crawl up in His massive lap, snuggling as He encloses me in His loving arms. Life is returning to normal...slowly.

"Life"

A part of life is passing from this world into the next...Heaven to be specific. This week my husband's mother, Margaret, went on to be with the Lord. Things changed so quickly from that Friday afternoon when she told me she was feeling a bit better, so happy with the flowers we had brought her. By Sunday things were quite the opposite. We could hardly believe the transformation. Early Monday morning we met with one of her Drs. and when he told us that she had a few days, we were shocked.
God heard our every prayer and began to order the day. We had favor everywhere we turned and were able to move her to the Hospice unit quickly. She went from being fitful to being peaceful. Arrangements were made for family members to begin coming later; Mike's Dad went home to take care of a few things, her pastor came by, Mike and I ate our lunch watching her from the other room. I found a station that played beautiful, sweet music and it was playing softly in the background. One of her doctors came by, checked on her and walked over to us, telling us that she was leaving us quickly. As we were talking with her, I kept my eyes on Margaret and realized she was no longer breathing. Rather than a few days, we only had a few hours. Mike had to call his dad and his sisters and I called our children. The sadness began sweeping upon us but also the gratefulness to God that her passing was so very peaceful.
It has been a long week, a very long week. Her funeral is Sunday and we've been busy all week preparing...preparing for the coming in of family, preparing for her service, etc.
Our oldest daughter is sharing and I am singing...rather the Holy Spirit will sing through me. Today I'm a bit nervous but know that I can do all things through Christ.
We ran back and forth across town all week except for yesterday and we prepared for the family coming here for supper. It was a sweet visit and our furry little girl, Charlotte, doted on Mike's Dad. He loved it! This morning Mike went to meet with his Dad and sisters to review everything at the funeral home.
I chose to stay home. I need the time. I need the quiet. I need time with the Lord to steady myself and to prepare. I want to honor her with my song. I want to honor my Lord and I want those who do not know Him to be gripped by His Amazing Grace.
More family coming in tomorrow, a private viewing tomorrow, more sharing food lovingly prepared by friends and hopefully wonderful restful sleep.
Then Sunday...a celebration of her life...  "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory Divine!