Once again, it has been awhile since I've posted, and as before, I've written many things in my head. Some were just too painful to actually put down for others to see. Some were about fears I had which I didn't want to share publicly. And some wounds were just too fresh and the scab not healed & gone.
But now I think it's time to get back to it.
I just went back and reread a post I wrote over 2 years ago about waiting for Connor. Derek had commented and since I haven't come here to my blog often, I had missed it. But I saw it today, and it made me cry. It also made me feel good and made me proud. I am glad he enjoys my writing. I actually have something in mind I want to do for Connor and I think it will mean as much to Derek as I hope it someday does to Connor. But that's a surprise that will wait for later!
I was definitely right about one thing when I wrote the post about waiting for Connor. It sure was worth it! I said I wanted to watch Derek & Kristen experience a new kind of love that they had never had before and they have. But I have also gotten to experience a new kind of love. The love I have for Connor is almost undescribable. I could sit and just watch him for hours at a time. I love seeing him discover new things and I love that he is such a happy little boy. He has brought so much joy to my life. I love that he calls me "T" - that's a name I doubt any other grandma has! I can't imagine life without him and I hope I am blessed with many more years to watch him grow.
There have been many blessings during the last two years and there has been a lot of pain. Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer not too long after Connor was born and we knew there would be no cure. He took some chemo treatments and they did slow the progression for a bit. Dad, Don and I even got to take a trip down to Springfield for a few days and we visited some cemeteries where some of Dad's family were buried. He felt great, he ate great and we had so much fun. My only real regret that I have from his illness is that he wanted to take one more trip, just he and I. But we didn't realize how short time was and we were waiting for the right time - the weather to cool off a bit, him to feel a little bit better. I wish we would have just packed up and gone. But I guess if that's the only regret, then I did good. I helped him and took care of him through that eleven months that we got to have. We used to kind of joke about how we enjoyed the days he had dr's appointments because after we would usually go to lunch and maybe run some errands. We just enjoyed spending the time together. Red Lobster will always be a bittersweet place for me because that was probably our favorite lunch place. Those are some great memories.
During that last week, I was lucky to have so many people help me and to help take care of dad. It was nice to spend so much time with Uncle Bob and I heard stories about dad that I had never heard before. I didn't know how onery he was! Jackie, Kristen's mom, was a God-send. She has a knack of knowing what you need and just doing it. She cooked for us, she answered my phone so I could sleep, she sat with Dad, she helped me clean him and she even stayed all night after being here all day and gave him his medicine. I will always be grateful for her. Derek & Kristen were here and they brought Connor up because they knew that made me feel better. Derek & Uncle Bob split some nights so that neither one had to stay up all night but the last couple of nights Derek was here all night and even set his alarm for every two hours so that he could give Dad his medicine. Joan was here, my mom was here, Sheila came. So many blessings! It's so easy to remember the hard times and the bad things, but even at the worst times, there was goodness, too.
I'm sure there has been many things worth writing about that have happened in the last two years. But I think that's the highlights and the lowlights and that's enough for now.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Grandma Ruby
Today is my Grandma Ruby's birthday. She has been gone for 18 years now, but I still have some very vivid, very good memories of her, so I want to share them with you.
One of the things I remember about Grandma isn't so much about her, but where she lived. She lived in the most cool places! When I was little, she lived about some shops on Broadway in Excelsior. Really what she had was a loft apartment, though of course I didn't know that at the time. I do know that I really liked it a lot and it was a great place to play hide and seek in and she would play hide and seek with us from time to time. I remember spending the night there from time to time and I always enjoyed that. I remember that she had bubble bath in a Woody Woodpecker bottle that we got to use at bathtime. I had that bottle for quite a while and then I decided I didn't need to keep it. Now that Connor has arrived and hopefully when he gets older will spend some nights with us, I wish I had kept it. But I don't need the bottle to remember.
Then she lived in an apartment above Prichard's Funeral Home. She would answer the phone and the door when the employees were out and she would lock up in the evening. Most of my friends thought it was pretty creepy that she lived about a funeral home, but when you got upstairs, it was just a nice, big apartment. Again, though, I thought it was a really cool place. My cousin Lesa and I would spend the night there occassionally and the room we slept in had seven windows. I just loved that. And by the way, when you walk into a funeral home carrying pillows and suitcases, you get some weird looks!
After that, she moved to an apartment down the street above some shops where she lived until she died. Again, I thought it was a really nice apartment and I enjoyed visiting her there. By then, I was grown and a mom so I never spent the night there, but I loved the feel. Maybe it wasn't the actual places that she lived that touched me so much but rather the person who lived there.
Grandma Ruby always lived in downtown Excelsior (well, as far back as I can remember, anyway!). When we were little, Grandma and Grandad Stevenson lived out in the country, so Grandma Ruby was "Town Grandma" and Grandma Faye was "Country Grandma".
Grandma always had butter rum life savers in the pockets of her dress. Occassionally I will buy a roll. It's not that I am overly fond of them - I prefer cherry. But just the smell reminds me of her and I find it comforting.
I am sure my love of reading was passed down from her to my mother to me. Grandma always had tons of books. She had lots and lots of the Reader's Digest condensed books. There was never a lack of something to read there. She took the Reader's Digest magazine and when I come across them in waiting rooms, I think of reading them when I was at her house. My favorite book at her house was a second grade reader from the early 1900's that had "Jack and the Beanstock" in it. I loved that story. I think she regretted ever reading it to me because I loved it so much and always wanted that store. One day when I was older and we were talking about it, she told me that she couldn't leave out any of the story because I knew it all by heart! I still love that story and I still have that book. When Connor gets a little older, I will read it to him. But maybe I will make it a little shorter!
When I became pregnant, I was worried what she would think. She was 60 years old when I was born, and although there were unmarried mothers, it wasn't as prevalent as it is now. But the only thing she really had to say was that she was worried "because he wouldn't have a name". I told her of course he would - it was Hampton! But I know what she was saying and if she was sad or disappointed, she didn't show it. She just worried a little. Money was tight for me when Derek was little and occassionally I would go to her and ask for a little help. She would just hand me her checkbook and tell me to write it for what I needed. I hated asking her but she was always there and she never let me pay her back. I never took advantage and only wrote the check for what would get me by and I was grateful for her help.
When grocery stores started moving away from downtown and not offering delivery it became harder for her to shop as she never learned to drive. So I began to take her shopping. That was fine for a while, but after Derek became a toddler, it became a little harder. You see, when grandma shopped, she would push her cart around. When she saw something she wanted, she would just let go of the cart and go get her item. So Derek is heading off one way, the cart is going another and Grandma Ruby was in another direction! It could be quite challenging! One time, we ran into Mom and Garret at the store and mom was kind enough to take Derek home with her. That made things easier. We finally got to the point where she would just give me her list and I would go to the store for her. That was quite a bit easier as long as I got the right things. She could be very particular about what brand or size she wanted! But I was honored to be able to do that for her and I enjoyed visiting with her before and after the shopping trip.
My grandma Ruby was a neat person. I always knew that, but once I was grown I appreciated her more and I know how special she was. Happy birthday Grandma!
One of the things I remember about Grandma isn't so much about her, but where she lived. She lived in the most cool places! When I was little, she lived about some shops on Broadway in Excelsior. Really what she had was a loft apartment, though of course I didn't know that at the time. I do know that I really liked it a lot and it was a great place to play hide and seek in and she would play hide and seek with us from time to time. I remember spending the night there from time to time and I always enjoyed that. I remember that she had bubble bath in a Woody Woodpecker bottle that we got to use at bathtime. I had that bottle for quite a while and then I decided I didn't need to keep it. Now that Connor has arrived and hopefully when he gets older will spend some nights with us, I wish I had kept it. But I don't need the bottle to remember.
Then she lived in an apartment above Prichard's Funeral Home. She would answer the phone and the door when the employees were out and she would lock up in the evening. Most of my friends thought it was pretty creepy that she lived about a funeral home, but when you got upstairs, it was just a nice, big apartment. Again, though, I thought it was a really cool place. My cousin Lesa and I would spend the night there occassionally and the room we slept in had seven windows. I just loved that. And by the way, when you walk into a funeral home carrying pillows and suitcases, you get some weird looks!
After that, she moved to an apartment down the street above some shops where she lived until she died. Again, I thought it was a really nice apartment and I enjoyed visiting her there. By then, I was grown and a mom so I never spent the night there, but I loved the feel. Maybe it wasn't the actual places that she lived that touched me so much but rather the person who lived there.
Grandma Ruby always lived in downtown Excelsior (well, as far back as I can remember, anyway!). When we were little, Grandma and Grandad Stevenson lived out in the country, so Grandma Ruby was "Town Grandma" and Grandma Faye was "Country Grandma".
Grandma always had butter rum life savers in the pockets of her dress. Occassionally I will buy a roll. It's not that I am overly fond of them - I prefer cherry. But just the smell reminds me of her and I find it comforting.
I am sure my love of reading was passed down from her to my mother to me. Grandma always had tons of books. She had lots and lots of the Reader's Digest condensed books. There was never a lack of something to read there. She took the Reader's Digest magazine and when I come across them in waiting rooms, I think of reading them when I was at her house. My favorite book at her house was a second grade reader from the early 1900's that had "Jack and the Beanstock" in it. I loved that story. I think she regretted ever reading it to me because I loved it so much and always wanted that store. One day when I was older and we were talking about it, she told me that she couldn't leave out any of the story because I knew it all by heart! I still love that story and I still have that book. When Connor gets a little older, I will read it to him. But maybe I will make it a little shorter!
When I became pregnant, I was worried what she would think. She was 60 years old when I was born, and although there were unmarried mothers, it wasn't as prevalent as it is now. But the only thing she really had to say was that she was worried "because he wouldn't have a name". I told her of course he would - it was Hampton! But I know what she was saying and if she was sad or disappointed, she didn't show it. She just worried a little. Money was tight for me when Derek was little and occassionally I would go to her and ask for a little help. She would just hand me her checkbook and tell me to write it for what I needed. I hated asking her but she was always there and she never let me pay her back. I never took advantage and only wrote the check for what would get me by and I was grateful for her help.
When grocery stores started moving away from downtown and not offering delivery it became harder for her to shop as she never learned to drive. So I began to take her shopping. That was fine for a while, but after Derek became a toddler, it became a little harder. You see, when grandma shopped, she would push her cart around. When she saw something she wanted, she would just let go of the cart and go get her item. So Derek is heading off one way, the cart is going another and Grandma Ruby was in another direction! It could be quite challenging! One time, we ran into Mom and Garret at the store and mom was kind enough to take Derek home with her. That made things easier. We finally got to the point where she would just give me her list and I would go to the store for her. That was quite a bit easier as long as I got the right things. She could be very particular about what brand or size she wanted! But I was honored to be able to do that for her and I enjoyed visiting with her before and after the shopping trip.
My grandma Ruby was a neat person. I always knew that, but once I was grown I appreciated her more and I know how special she was. Happy birthday Grandma!
It's been a while!
It has been a while since I have updated this blog. The truth is that I have written many, many blogs - they have just stayed in my head and haven't made it to paper or the computer. There has been a lot going on in my life and things I want to share so I do plan to do that soon. But for today, I am going to write about my Grandma Ruby as it is her birthday today and I am thinking about her. I hope you enjoy it.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Waiting for Connor
If you know me at all, you know that patience is not one of my virtues. So when we found out that Kristen & Derek were expecting, I figured it would be a long 8 months. I wasn't entirely right. It was fall when we learned the news and then soon it was Thanksgiving and then Christmas so that time went by fairly quickly. Then in mid January I started my new job and worked full-time for 5 weeks so there wasn't a lot of time to sit and wait. But then time started to drag. There were the showers and the fun of seeing all the cute little outfits he has to wear. There were the sonograms - the regular one and the 3-D one. I think the 3-D one is the one that really brought the excitement to the surface for me. Seeing his little face and his chubby little cheeks - getting to see what he looks like just made me want to hold him. So now the time is dragging and I am just waiting. I can't wait to meet him, but I am also anxious for the delivery to be over and to know that both Kristen and Connor are fine. I am anxious to see my baby boy holding his baby boy. (My camera is in my purse all the time now so that when the time comes to go to the hospital I don't leave it behind!) I can't even begin to imagine what it will feel like to become a grandma. I am anxious to watch Derek & Kristen grow from being a couple to parents, to watch them experience a new kind of love that they have never felt before - the love for their child. So I am trying to be patient and enjoy each day as it comes for what it brings, but I am also so looking forward to the phone call that says they are headed to the hospital, where once again I will wait....But I know the waiting will soon be over and it all will have been worth it. The piece of our family that we didn't even know was missing will be here and new joys and new excitements await us.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
My thoughts on the Bible
I have heard several people say before that they believe in God and they believe in the bible, but they don't believe everything that is in the bible. That is a statement that bothers me,
but I've never known how to reply to it. I have given it a lot of thought lately and here are my thoughts about that.
Technically, I guess that is probably a true statement. The book was written a long time ago, it has been interpreted in many different languages and many things have changed since it was written. If you try hard enough, you can probably make the bible say about anything you want it to. However, I believe in a God that knew each of us before we were formed in our mothers' wombs. I believe God knew what would be written in the bible and how long it would be in existance. If I believe in that God, then doesn't He have the power to make His word - all of His word - as relevant today as it was when it was first written? I believe that if someone truly wants to read and hear God's word, then that is exactly what they will get when they go to the bible. I believe that if you humbly pray before reading in the bible and ask God to show you what He wants you to see, that is what will happen. I believe He can use anything and everything that is in it to guide our lives. I think it is a very dangerous thing to pick and choose from it what you believe or what you don't believe. I believe God has the power to use His word to talk to us in many different ways. He knows what we need when we go to the bible and He is willing to give that to us if we ask Him.
So while I guess I understand what is being said in that statement, I have to say that I totally disagree. If you were to fact-check, maybe not every detail would be correct. But maybe that is why there are so many different translations - because people are individuals and what speaks to me may not speak to you. I believe with my whole heart that everything that is in that book is true, real and relevant. I believe everything we need to know about how to live our lives today, in these times, and in times to come is in that book. Those are my thoughts and beliefs.
but I've never known how to reply to it. I have given it a lot of thought lately and here are my thoughts about that.
Technically, I guess that is probably a true statement. The book was written a long time ago, it has been interpreted in many different languages and many things have changed since it was written. If you try hard enough, you can probably make the bible say about anything you want it to. However, I believe in a God that knew each of us before we were formed in our mothers' wombs. I believe God knew what would be written in the bible and how long it would be in existance. If I believe in that God, then doesn't He have the power to make His word - all of His word - as relevant today as it was when it was first written? I believe that if someone truly wants to read and hear God's word, then that is exactly what they will get when they go to the bible. I believe that if you humbly pray before reading in the bible and ask God to show you what He wants you to see, that is what will happen. I believe He can use anything and everything that is in it to guide our lives. I think it is a very dangerous thing to pick and choose from it what you believe or what you don't believe. I believe God has the power to use His word to talk to us in many different ways. He knows what we need when we go to the bible and He is willing to give that to us if we ask Him.
So while I guess I understand what is being said in that statement, I have to say that I totally disagree. If you were to fact-check, maybe not every detail would be correct. But maybe that is why there are so many different translations - because people are individuals and what speaks to me may not speak to you. I believe with my whole heart that everything that is in that book is true, real and relevant. I believe everything we need to know about how to live our lives today, in these times, and in times to come is in that book. Those are my thoughts and beliefs.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Love for a child
OK -so most of you already know that a grandbaby is on the way. And if you know me very well at all, then you know that I am very, very excited. We had to keep the news fairly quiet for awhile, which was very hard for me to do because I just wanted to tell everyone I knew that I was going to be a grandma. But it is out now and we are free to share our excitement.
Not very long at all after we found out the news, the Sickles side of the family was over at Joan & Sonny's to celebrate Cody's birthday. We were all discussing the baby and there was so much excitement. Scott wants to babysit, Sarah and Sam want to hold the baby and of course Sonny is never happier than when he has a baby on his lap. I was looking around at all these excited people, and the thought crossed my mind that when we were all together, I would never get to hold my own grandchild! There's going to be lots of people that want to hold the baby. But almost as soon as that thought entered, another followed close behind. Yes, it is true that I am going to have the share baby-holding with everyone else. But what a wonderful thing! This child has not even arrived yet and she (don't know why, but I think it's a girl!) or he is already so loved. How lucky this child will be. And that makes me very happy. I wish every child coming into this world could be as welcomed and loved as ours is going to be.
Not very long at all after we found out the news, the Sickles side of the family was over at Joan & Sonny's to celebrate Cody's birthday. We were all discussing the baby and there was so much excitement. Scott wants to babysit, Sarah and Sam want to hold the baby and of course Sonny is never happier than when he has a baby on his lap. I was looking around at all these excited people, and the thought crossed my mind that when we were all together, I would never get to hold my own grandchild! There's going to be lots of people that want to hold the baby. But almost as soon as that thought entered, another followed close behind. Yes, it is true that I am going to have the share baby-holding with everyone else. But what a wonderful thing! This child has not even arrived yet and she (don't know why, but I think it's a girl!) or he is already so loved. How lucky this child will be. And that makes me very happy. I wish every child coming into this world could be as welcomed and loved as ours is going to be.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Found the verse!
Well, I guess God wanted to be sure that I "got" it, because in today's Billy Graham column (which I don't hardly ever read, but for some reason I did this morning) he had the verse that I heard on the radio Saturday morning after talking with God and asking for His help with my attitude. Anyway, here is the verse: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23.
I cut it out and I will be posting it somewhere that I can see it. I need to keep it handy for the time that I return to work because the truth is that I don't want to work. It's not that I don't like "work" at all. It is just that I really love to be home. I know - who doesn't? But I guess home is kind of a safe place for me. I am really not a social person at all and I don't like going places where I don't know anyone. We have a wedding reception to go to next weekend and I am already dreading it. And it's also that I love working around the house - baking, doing laundry, and yes, even sometimes cleaning! I take pride in having dinner on the table when Don gets home. I love being able to take care of our errands during the day so that our evenings and weekends are ours to enjoy. I love being able to mow the yard because I have the time and I just like to mow the yard! I think maybe I was born 30 years too late. I would have been a fabulous 50's housewife! Being a housewife makes me happy. But the bank account says that I really need to work for awhile, so I will. But there are some mornings when I am just not really happy about it so I will be reminding myself of this verse because life is too short to be in a bad mood! I gotta tell ya, when you're really trying to be close to God and listening for Him, He will talk to you - sometimes loud and clear! I am thankful for that.
I cut it out and I will be posting it somewhere that I can see it. I need to keep it handy for the time that I return to work because the truth is that I don't want to work. It's not that I don't like "work" at all. It is just that I really love to be home. I know - who doesn't? But I guess home is kind of a safe place for me. I am really not a social person at all and I don't like going places where I don't know anyone. We have a wedding reception to go to next weekend and I am already dreading it. And it's also that I love working around the house - baking, doing laundry, and yes, even sometimes cleaning! I take pride in having dinner on the table when Don gets home. I love being able to take care of our errands during the day so that our evenings and weekends are ours to enjoy. I love being able to mow the yard because I have the time and I just like to mow the yard! I think maybe I was born 30 years too late. I would have been a fabulous 50's housewife! Being a housewife makes me happy. But the bank account says that I really need to work for awhile, so I will. But there are some mornings when I am just not really happy about it so I will be reminding myself of this verse because life is too short to be in a bad mood! I gotta tell ya, when you're really trying to be close to God and listening for Him, He will talk to you - sometimes loud and clear! I am thankful for that.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Answered prayer
Saturday morning I was getting ready to leave for work. One of my tires was low, so we used the air compressor to fill it up. As I was pulling out of the driveway, I was thinking about how much I didn't want to go and how the day was already starting off bad. I prayed a little prayer to God that went something along the lines of please help me with my attitude today because I really don't want to go and I need You to help me. I wasn't even down to the highway (less than a block) when the d-jay on K-Love radio read a bible verse. I was driving so couldn't write it down and I don't remember what it was exactly or where in the bible it was, but it had to do with doing your work with joy as if you were working for God and not anyone else. It really kind of gave me chills because God's answer came so quick. I was able to shake off the bad attitude and walk into work with a smile on my face. I know that God answers prayer, but I have never had one answered so quickly and so clearly. It was an awesome experience!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Homesick
We've been back in Missouri for a little over a year now. Things are better and I am no longer unhappy like I was when we first came back. But still sometimes I get so homesick. I can close my eyes and I can still see in my mind our backyard. I can see the cars going by on Hwy 21 out back and I see the birds at the feeder that I kept filled for them. I see the pine trees, and Mrs. Ja walking across the backyard to come visit for a bit. I can see the road that leads to White Rock, passing Robyn and Sheldon's house, and Ray and Pat's house and several other church members homes. I can see us sitting in Brother Sonny and Mrs. Carrie's house for Sunday school. I know what it feels like to sit on "our" pew next to Mrs. Viola. I can hear Amber, Robyn, Tabitha and Vicki singing. I can feel the hot Texas sun in the summer. I can feel the crape myrtle weeping on my arms as I sat on the deck. I miss our church and I miss our house. I miss my life there. I feel really guilty that I still feel this way, because I know there are those who don't understand. And I can't explain it, because I don't really understand it either.
Until we moved to Texas, I lived my whole life in the same town. I didn't hate it and I wasn't one of those people who couldn't wait to get away. It was fine, it was comfortable, it was home. Our family was there. But then we went to Texas. It was scary at first and it took some time to settle in, but we made a life there and it was soooo good. It was always nice to come back to Missouri to visit, but even when we were here, I couldn't wait to get back there. It was great to have family visit us and to have one-on-one time with them. Somewhere along the way, for me, Texas became home and Missouri became somewhere that I had lived once. Missouri is now where we live and it is a good life, but sometimes I still feel like I'm in the wrong place. We have a nice house and the most beautiful, awesome views. We have family close by and have had some great times since we have been back with many more good times to look forward to. But inside of me is an ache to cross that line from Arkansas into Texas and feel the calmess and peace that comes over me when I do - to know I am where I belong.
How is it that you can spend such a short time somewhere and it become such a part of you? It's really weird, because when I was a kid, I could only spend the night with my grandparents or at my cousin's house. Anywhere else, I would pretend to be not feeling well at bedtime so I could go home. I wanted to be in my own home, in my own bed with my mom and dad in the house. It was strange to me that it was so easy to go because it was so out of character for me. The only time I cried when we left was when we said good bye to Derek and Kristen. But when we left Texas to move back here, I cried for half an hour and I think I could have cried all the way back. I had to make myself think of anything except what I was leaving behind. And maybe that's what it is. Maybe I knew that Missouri would always be a part of me and I wasn't really "leaving" it. I knew I would be back from time to time and I knew that more likely than not we would eventually move back. But when we left Texas, I knew that even when we returned to visit, that it would never be the same. Our friends and "family" there would go on with their lives and we would go on with ours. We would promise to visit and keep in touch - and we do keep in touch with some people - but life has a way of pushing aside good intentions.
I know that "home" is wherever Don and I are together. And I know that our lives are just going to keep getting better and better. I am happy. But sometimes I just miss Texas!
Until we moved to Texas, I lived my whole life in the same town. I didn't hate it and I wasn't one of those people who couldn't wait to get away. It was fine, it was comfortable, it was home. Our family was there. But then we went to Texas. It was scary at first and it took some time to settle in, but we made a life there and it was soooo good. It was always nice to come back to Missouri to visit, but even when we were here, I couldn't wait to get back there. It was great to have family visit us and to have one-on-one time with them. Somewhere along the way, for me, Texas became home and Missouri became somewhere that I had lived once. Missouri is now where we live and it is a good life, but sometimes I still feel like I'm in the wrong place. We have a nice house and the most beautiful, awesome views. We have family close by and have had some great times since we have been back with many more good times to look forward to. But inside of me is an ache to cross that line from Arkansas into Texas and feel the calmess and peace that comes over me when I do - to know I am where I belong.
How is it that you can spend such a short time somewhere and it become such a part of you? It's really weird, because when I was a kid, I could only spend the night with my grandparents or at my cousin's house. Anywhere else, I would pretend to be not feeling well at bedtime so I could go home. I wanted to be in my own home, in my own bed with my mom and dad in the house. It was strange to me that it was so easy to go because it was so out of character for me. The only time I cried when we left was when we said good bye to Derek and Kristen. But when we left Texas to move back here, I cried for half an hour and I think I could have cried all the way back. I had to make myself think of anything except what I was leaving behind. And maybe that's what it is. Maybe I knew that Missouri would always be a part of me and I wasn't really "leaving" it. I knew I would be back from time to time and I knew that more likely than not we would eventually move back. But when we left Texas, I knew that even when we returned to visit, that it would never be the same. Our friends and "family" there would go on with their lives and we would go on with ours. We would promise to visit and keep in touch - and we do keep in touch with some people - but life has a way of pushing aside good intentions.
I know that "home" is wherever Don and I are together. And I know that our lives are just going to keep getting better and better. I am happy. But sometimes I just miss Texas!
The Pumpkin Patch
A while back, I was looking at job listings on Craig's list and I came across an ad for the local pumpkin patch. It is, of course, a temporary job and I thought it would be fun. So I printed out the application, filled it out and took it over. I spoke with a lady and she told me employment was "fluid" - some people quit because it was too hard and others were asked to leave. She said it was hard work, but they wouldn't ask you to do anything they themselves hadn't done. I left feeling a little unsure and a couple of weeks went by and I figured I wouldn't be hired. But then I got the phone call. She called on a Wed. evening and offered to hire me for the remaining weekends, beginning that Saturday. The hours were 8:15 am to whenever we finished cleaning up after closing (approximately 7:30ish). Well, let me tell ya, she wasn't kidding about it being hard work! I am working in the cafe. We serve burgers, hot dogs, bbq brisket sandwiches, brats, chips, pumpkin donuts, bread, other desserts, soft drinks and cider slush, just to name part of the menu. I have been both a cashier and a runner. The cashier takes the order and the money. The runner tells the kitchen what hot food is needed and fills the rest of the money. We start getting busy around 11:00 am and it is usually 5 or 5:30 before it even begins to slow down. There are two cash registers, so therefore, two lines of customers. People have been standing in those lines for anywhere from 30 minutes to close to an hour. It is very warm in the cafe which has been miserable as we have had warm weather. We are lucky to get one 15 minute break all day long, but last Sunday, we did get 2 breaks! I have to admit if I knew what I was getting into, I would never have applied. But I did and I'm not one to just quit, so there's 2 more weeks to go. The first weekend was quite a shock and eye-opener and I was exhausted. Last weekend, I knew what to expect, so it wasn't quite so bad. I have to say that for the most part, the customers have been very, very nice and the kids are fun to watch. We do have some people that are a little cranky, but luckily, they are the minority. The extra money is appreciated, but I am really thankful that there are only 2 more weekends to go and that the weather is supposed to be cooler this weekend. Surely I can make it!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Attitudes
Last week we had a water leak in the basement. I posted a comment about it on facebook and about how lucky we were that nothing was ruined. We just had some major clean up to do. My mom posted that it sure seemed I was being tested and she was proud of the way I was handling it. The truth is that when I first saw the water, I almost burst into tears and I was thinking how could one more thing be going wrong and when would it stop? I could just see dollar signs flying out the window. But then I took a deep breath and concentrated on getting the water off. Once that was done and I took a look around, I realized that even though it wasn't a fun thing, we were protected. Nothing was ruined, there wasn't a costly repair and I found it before it could do a lot of damage.
God has been working with me on my attitude. One day when I was still working at the IRS, I was driving to work and having a conversation with God. I asked Him to help me change my attitude about things. I was angry about things that are already done and can't be changed and I was holding onto that anger. I asked him to help me let go and to see all the good things that are here right in front of me. I meant it sincerely and I can see the changes. I still have my moments - I probably always will. But they don't come as often or last as long.
He's also working on teaching me patience, I lesson I have yet to learn. There is a job I want in Lexington so bad. Right now, they have frozen it. I don't know if God is saying, "No, that's not where I want you" or "not right now". I do know that I was driving to Liberty a couple of weeks ago for a job interview and I saw a rainbow. I know it was God's promise and His reminder to me that He was in control. I didn't get that job, and I'm ok with that. I only applied because it was a job to get my foot in the door, but I didn't really want it. God knows it wasn't where I belonged. So I keep waiting, and when panic starts to rise, I remember the rainbow. God is in control. He has a plan. Everything's ok. I take a breath and think about all that is good in my life - and there is soooo much good in my life! Thank you, Heavenly Father!
God has been working with me on my attitude. One day when I was still working at the IRS, I was driving to work and having a conversation with God. I asked Him to help me change my attitude about things. I was angry about things that are already done and can't be changed and I was holding onto that anger. I asked him to help me let go and to see all the good things that are here right in front of me. I meant it sincerely and I can see the changes. I still have my moments - I probably always will. But they don't come as often or last as long.
He's also working on teaching me patience, I lesson I have yet to learn. There is a job I want in Lexington so bad. Right now, they have frozen it. I don't know if God is saying, "No, that's not where I want you" or "not right now". I do know that I was driving to Liberty a couple of weeks ago for a job interview and I saw a rainbow. I know it was God's promise and His reminder to me that He was in control. I didn't get that job, and I'm ok with that. I only applied because it was a job to get my foot in the door, but I didn't really want it. God knows it wasn't where I belonged. So I keep waiting, and when panic starts to rise, I remember the rainbow. God is in control. He has a plan. Everything's ok. I take a breath and think about all that is good in my life - and there is soooo much good in my life! Thank you, Heavenly Father!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Some things don't need to change
I've been thinking that I either need to change the name of this blog or start a new one because I am no longer an East Texas housewife. But then I had an e-mail from Mrs. Robyn that reminded me that "you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl". That is so true! I wasn't born there and I wasn't there nearly long enough to suit me, but I was there long enough to know that Texas will always be a part of me. So I am leaving the blog just like it is. If nothing else, it will always remind me of a time in my life when I knew I was where I was supposed to be and I was happy.
So now on to other things. I finally found out that I get to go back to work next Wed. at the IRS. I am thankful for that, as is our bank account! I know I will like it. Could do without the long drive, but I guess there's always something. I am continuing to write the articles, and I still believe that could one day become my full time job from home, but I gotta tell ya, it's HARD! It's hard to stay focused and there are lots of interruptions - mainly Cinnamon taking cushions off the couch or carrying around the bathmat. Things like that. But Don has fixed the toilet downstairs, so I am going to work on setting up an "office" for me down there and when I get laid off again, I'll try it again. I am also continuing to look for another job that is at least permanent, but so is everyone else and the competition is fierce. With no college background or secondary education, I am having a hard time finding something. But I know it'll work out, because as Mrs Robyn also reminded me, God knows the plans He has for me. Just wish he'd let me in on them once in a while!
Oh, did have I ever mentioned how much I love my Texas family? Even 600 miles away, they are here for me. God is good.
So now on to other things. I finally found out that I get to go back to work next Wed. at the IRS. I am thankful for that, as is our bank account! I know I will like it. Could do without the long drive, but I guess there's always something. I am continuing to write the articles, and I still believe that could one day become my full time job from home, but I gotta tell ya, it's HARD! It's hard to stay focused and there are lots of interruptions - mainly Cinnamon taking cushions off the couch or carrying around the bathmat. Things like that. But Don has fixed the toilet downstairs, so I am going to work on setting up an "office" for me down there and when I get laid off again, I'll try it again. I am also continuing to look for another job that is at least permanent, but so is everyone else and the competition is fierce. With no college background or secondary education, I am having a hard time finding something. But I know it'll work out, because as Mrs Robyn also reminded me, God knows the plans He has for me. Just wish he'd let me in on them once in a while!
Oh, did have I ever mentioned how much I love my Texas family? Even 600 miles away, they are here for me. God is good.
Friday, January 8, 2010
New beginnings
I am really excited and feel like maybe things are starting to look up a little. I can now say, and it be true, "I am a writer!" I have always liked to write, but now I am getting paid to write. Not very much yet, but the potential is there. I have found 2 places that I believe are legitimate that I can write internet articles for. I don't get credited as the author, but I don't really care about that. The thing is that I can do it from home and I am getting paid for it. Starting out, it's not a lot, but any little bit is more than I was making. I believe the potential is there to make as much as $300 or $400 a week. This isn't one of those work 10 hours and week and make $1000 thing. The money you make will depend on the number of articles I can write, which takes time. To make the $300-400 I will need to make this my "job" and work it all day long 5 days a week. I am ok with that.
The move back here from Texas wasn't good financially - at all. Heck, the move to Texas wasn't that great financially. But we were starting to make some progress until we came back. Don had to take a pretty significant pay cut to come back. I believe that it will pay off in the long run, but right now, if I don't find a job, I don't know how long we can make it. And if you've been, or you know someone, looking for a job, you know that there aren't just that many out there. I have been through the application and processing to do seasonal data transcribing at the IRS. I am just waiting to find out what my start date will be. At this point, it seems as though it will be around the 1st of Feb. at least.
So in the meantime, I will write. I have 3 articles assigned to me right now. 2 are from one company and the other is a different one. I will do them all today and hopefully have more to do by the end of the day or Monday. The truth is that I don't want to "go" to work. I don't mind working, I just want to do it from here. I love being home. If I can make this work, it's the best of both worlds. Money coming in and not having to work outside the home to do it. My plan is to do as much as I can between now and when I start at the IRS. I will do as many as I can while working at the IRS to keep my foot in these doors. Then when I am laid off later this spring, I'll be ready to go back to writing full time and hopefully will be built up enough to make a difference. I believe it can be done. And I am excited!
I am a writer!
The move back here from Texas wasn't good financially - at all. Heck, the move to Texas wasn't that great financially. But we were starting to make some progress until we came back. Don had to take a pretty significant pay cut to come back. I believe that it will pay off in the long run, but right now, if I don't find a job, I don't know how long we can make it. And if you've been, or you know someone, looking for a job, you know that there aren't just that many out there. I have been through the application and processing to do seasonal data transcribing at the IRS. I am just waiting to find out what my start date will be. At this point, it seems as though it will be around the 1st of Feb. at least.
So in the meantime, I will write. I have 3 articles assigned to me right now. 2 are from one company and the other is a different one. I will do them all today and hopefully have more to do by the end of the day or Monday. The truth is that I don't want to "go" to work. I don't mind working, I just want to do it from here. I love being home. If I can make this work, it's the best of both worlds. Money coming in and not having to work outside the home to do it. My plan is to do as much as I can between now and when I start at the IRS. I will do as many as I can while working at the IRS to keep my foot in these doors. Then when I am laid off later this spring, I'll be ready to go back to writing full time and hopefully will be built up enough to make a difference. I believe it can be done. And I am excited!
I am a writer!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Who is actually working in your life?
I've really meant to post more and I write lots of them in my mind, but the last few days my mood hasn't been what it should be and so I didn't want to post. I've posted a lot about some of the struggles I've been having, the questioning and that's ok, but enough is enough. I've been thinking a lot about how God works in our lives. But he's not the only one. The devil also works in our lives, whether we realize it or not. I know I am saved and I'm going to Heaven. My soul belongs to God and the devil is not going to get it. But I realized the last few days that even though he won't get me, he can still use me to influence other people. And that has made me feel really guilty. But think about it. What kind of person do you want to be around? One who is happy and at peace, or someone who is sad, angry and struggling? The happy, peaceful person can still be sad and have struggles, but I guess it's what you do with it that counts. I want to be the kind of Christian that makes other people want what I have. I don't want them to look at me and say, "Gee, she's a Christian, but she's sure not very happy! It's not doing much for her." It does do a lot for me. I know that God is always, always here. It's me who moves away sometimes. I am trying to stay as close to Him as I can. And I have made up my mind that Satan is not going to use me to win someone for himself. He can just move on to someone else. I do not want to explain to God someday why someone I loved is in Hell because they saw my life and didn't want any part of what I have. Bad things are going to happen. Bad days are going to come. But it's ok. Because I can give it all to God and let Him handle it. And it'll all be ok. Do you feel the peace coming back? I do.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Christmas music
I am sitting here listening to Christmas music and realizing that for the first time in awhile, I feel happy! I have been dwelling on what I have left behind instead of just enjoying where I am right now. Well, right this very minute, I am listening to Christmas music and I love it! I know that a lot of people think it's way too early, that it shouldn't start until after Thanksgiving. I know what they are saying, that Thanksgiving just kind of gets glossed over - we go right from Halloween to Christmas. Maybe that's true. Thanksgiving kind of gets shoved right in with Christmas. But I love Thanksgiving and it is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the Thanksgiving meal and I like watching part of the parades. It really didn't bother me last year that we were in Texas and didn't get to be a part of a big gathering. I still loved it. And I love it whether there's Christmas music playing or not. To me, the music doesn't take away. It just extends the "feeling" of Thanksgiving and Christmas longer. The music is really my favorite part of the Christmas season, along with Christmas movies. Maybe because they remind me of what Christmas is really meant to be and not what it is. I think we get caught up in the things that aren't important and forget what is. But every year, the music brings out the excitement of the child in me - an excitement and hope for what might be this year. And I don't know about you, but if I could have that feeling all year long - wow, what a year it'd be! So play on, Christmas music. Remind me of the baby in the manger, the drummer boy who had nothing for a gift but his talents, and the star in the sky leading the way. And remind me how thankful I am for those things, and so much more.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
No such thing as coincidences
I used to think that sometimes things just happened, but I really don't anymore. I think that everything that happens in our lives has some kind of meaning, whether we realize it or not. Sometimes we know right away why something has happened, sometimes we figure it out later and sometimes we may never know the why, but I believe that there is always, always a reason. I also believe that the people we meet were put in our paths for a reason.
I've been thinking alot about Bear lately. Last Sunday was the 3rd anniversary of his death. I have never taken the death of a pet so hard as I did his. When he was sick, I prayed to God that He would heal Bear. I asked him to take another dog instead - such as a stray who was starving, an abused dog, one that was going to die anyway. Take that one and put it out of it's misery and let me keep my dog who was loved so much and who was so full of life. I know that if that had been His will, God had the power to heal him, and until the very end, I think I really expected that to happen. But it wasn't to be, and for a long time, I just couldn't understand it. Well, I have finally figured it out.
Losing Bear was the catalyst for our move to Texas. I thought all of that was put into motion by the phone call from Rob telling Don about the job in Center, but I know now that the wheels were already turning. When we lost Bear, it really put me into a depression. I was tired of my job, I hated the hours Don was working and really just kind of hated my life at that time. Normally, I don't think I would have even given moving away a thought, but I was just so ready for any kind of a change, that I wanted to go. Don wasn't so sure and if I hadn't been completely on board, we wouldn't have gone. I know without a shadow of a doubt that we were meant to go there. I also know that even though we thought we went for Don's job, that in reality his job had nothing to do with it. The job just put us in the location we were meant to be in. Someone that worked at the plant told us about the house that we ended up buying, that put us next door to Ja and Toby that led us to White Rock Baptist Church that led to Don's salvation. It is amazing to me to look back and see how everything was connected. We really wanted to buy a house in Center, closer to the plant, but we couldn't find anything we liked. We were meant to be in San Augustine and I am so thankful for that. Honestly, our time in Texas was one of the best periods of my life.
And God is a loving God. He knew the pain I felt over losing Bear and he sent Dusty to us. Dusty has the same zest for life, the same joy that Bear had. He is not a replacement, of course, but Dusty has brought joy back. You can't spend much time with Dusty and not feel good. He is so happy and has a joy that you can see in his face. I love him so much and I know some day I will pay the price for that, but as with Bear, every minute with Dusty is worth more than the pain that comes later. Cinnamon set the pieces of my heart back into place; Dusty glued it back together. And that is the way it was meant to be!
I've been thinking alot about Bear lately. Last Sunday was the 3rd anniversary of his death. I have never taken the death of a pet so hard as I did his. When he was sick, I prayed to God that He would heal Bear. I asked him to take another dog instead - such as a stray who was starving, an abused dog, one that was going to die anyway. Take that one and put it out of it's misery and let me keep my dog who was loved so much and who was so full of life. I know that if that had been His will, God had the power to heal him, and until the very end, I think I really expected that to happen. But it wasn't to be, and for a long time, I just couldn't understand it. Well, I have finally figured it out.
Losing Bear was the catalyst for our move to Texas. I thought all of that was put into motion by the phone call from Rob telling Don about the job in Center, but I know now that the wheels were already turning. When we lost Bear, it really put me into a depression. I was tired of my job, I hated the hours Don was working and really just kind of hated my life at that time. Normally, I don't think I would have even given moving away a thought, but I was just so ready for any kind of a change, that I wanted to go. Don wasn't so sure and if I hadn't been completely on board, we wouldn't have gone. I know without a shadow of a doubt that we were meant to go there. I also know that even though we thought we went for Don's job, that in reality his job had nothing to do with it. The job just put us in the location we were meant to be in. Someone that worked at the plant told us about the house that we ended up buying, that put us next door to Ja and Toby that led us to White Rock Baptist Church that led to Don's salvation. It is amazing to me to look back and see how everything was connected. We really wanted to buy a house in Center, closer to the plant, but we couldn't find anything we liked. We were meant to be in San Augustine and I am so thankful for that. Honestly, our time in Texas was one of the best periods of my life.
And God is a loving God. He knew the pain I felt over losing Bear and he sent Dusty to us. Dusty has the same zest for life, the same joy that Bear had. He is not a replacement, of course, but Dusty has brought joy back. You can't spend much time with Dusty and not feel good. He is so happy and has a joy that you can see in his face. I love him so much and I know some day I will pay the price for that, but as with Bear, every minute with Dusty is worth more than the pain that comes later. Cinnamon set the pieces of my heart back into place; Dusty glued it back together. And that is the way it was meant to be!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thoughts and attitudes
I've been watching Joyce Meyer in the mornings. She can really start my day off right. If you don't know who she is, she is a preacher. She is probably in her 50's or 60's. Her program is on several channels. It's on at 5:30 or 6:00 on Lifetime and it's on TBN a couple of times a day. I DVR it and watch when I'm ready to make notes and really pay attention. Earlier this week she was talking about our thoughts and our words. Do you ever really pay attention to what you are thinking and notice the power your thoughts have over you?? Our thoughts are so, so powerful! They can determine what kind of day you have and what kind of influence you are on other people. I am ashamed that so many of my thoughts are so negative and am making a concience effort to have good thoughts and when a thought pops in my head that I know shouldn't be there, I try to banish it. Joyce said one day that she likes it when God is dealing with her on something. Well, I don't! I know what she is saying, because when you really realize that God is dealing with you, then you know there are changes that need to be made and they are for your own good. But it's really not fun to realize things about yourself that you don't like. I am a very selfish person. I want things to go my way and if they don't, I'm not happy about it. Well, you know what? We don't always get our way and sometimes that is for the best. I am finding that if you surround yourself with things and people that make you happy, then you will be happier. It makes me happy to start my day watching Joyce. She makes me laugh, she makes me think and I pay attention to things during my day. It's like she talks right to me. I know that God is speaking to me through her. How does God talk to you? Do you listen? Do you pay attention all day long? Do you notice how much He does for you and takes care of for you? I tend to be a worrier, but I am trying so hard to pray about things and then leave it alone and you know what? It always seems to work out. And then I try to remember to thank Him. Joyce was talking about prayer this morning and how sometimes we don't have what we want because we simply don't ask for it! And she's not just talking about "stuff". God knows what we need and what we want, but He wants us to ask Him for it. And then to know when the answer is yes, when it's wait, and when it's no. We can't know those things if we don't pay attention. So listen to your thoughts as you go about your day. Pay attention to who they're from. Because just as God talks to you all day long, whether you're listening or not, so does the devil. Who is controlling your thoughts?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
New start
I know it has been awhile since I have posted. I have written many blogs in my mind, but just haven't put them online.
I guess I really need to change the name of this blog since I no longer live in Texas. It is good to be back with family and friends, but that was such a great period in my life and I've had a hard time letting go of it. Maybe "letting go" isn't the right words. It's not like we're never going to go back there or that I have to forget that we ever lived there. I guess what I've had a hard time with is being ok with moving back. I truly believe that Don made the right decision to come back. I do. But I didn't want to come back yet. I know that's selfish and I am working on it. It's just that I felt a peace there that I had never had before and I just felt that that is exactly where we were supposed to be. Don felt that coming back was the right thing to do. I struggled with it and really wasn't sure that we were supposed to come back yet. But we both prayed about it and we both asked God to close the door if we were not supposed to move. That door stayed wide open no matter how hard I tried to slam it closed. So I have had to work things out in my mind and to be ok with it. There is a lot of good to being back. It is good to be close to Dad in case he needs me. It is good to be close to Mom as I don't think she's always truthful about how she is feeling. It is nice to be able to see her with my own eyes and try to figure out how she really is doing. It is so so so good to be close to Derek and Kristen. We talked to everyone before we moved to Texas about how they felt about it, and they all said we should go and everyone was supportive. I now know that they all lied and they didn't want us to go. I feel bad that something that brought me such happiness caused sadness in those I love.
I love our new house and oh, what a beautiful time of year this is in Missouri. Fall was pretty in Texas, but not as pretty as here. Of course, winter will follow close behind and winter was definetly better there!
I miss our church there. We have been visiting Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Although we both really enjoy the sermons, we miss the small, friendly church where everyone knew you and there were hugs all the time. So we'll keep searching and I know we'll find a church here that we love as much as we did our old church. And we're still in touch with our church family, so we now have more friends in more places. It's all good!
So I guess I'd better be thinking of a new name for this blog. Any ideas??
I guess I really need to change the name of this blog since I no longer live in Texas. It is good to be back with family and friends, but that was such a great period in my life and I've had a hard time letting go of it. Maybe "letting go" isn't the right words. It's not like we're never going to go back there or that I have to forget that we ever lived there. I guess what I've had a hard time with is being ok with moving back. I truly believe that Don made the right decision to come back. I do. But I didn't want to come back yet. I know that's selfish and I am working on it. It's just that I felt a peace there that I had never had before and I just felt that that is exactly where we were supposed to be. Don felt that coming back was the right thing to do. I struggled with it and really wasn't sure that we were supposed to come back yet. But we both prayed about it and we both asked God to close the door if we were not supposed to move. That door stayed wide open no matter how hard I tried to slam it closed. So I have had to work things out in my mind and to be ok with it. There is a lot of good to being back. It is good to be close to Dad in case he needs me. It is good to be close to Mom as I don't think she's always truthful about how she is feeling. It is nice to be able to see her with my own eyes and try to figure out how she really is doing. It is so so so good to be close to Derek and Kristen. We talked to everyone before we moved to Texas about how they felt about it, and they all said we should go and everyone was supportive. I now know that they all lied and they didn't want us to go. I feel bad that something that brought me such happiness caused sadness in those I love.
I love our new house and oh, what a beautiful time of year this is in Missouri. Fall was pretty in Texas, but not as pretty as here. Of course, winter will follow close behind and winter was definetly better there!
I miss our church there. We have been visiting Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Although we both really enjoy the sermons, we miss the small, friendly church where everyone knew you and there were hugs all the time. So we'll keep searching and I know we'll find a church here that we love as much as we did our old church. And we're still in touch with our church family, so we now have more friends in more places. It's all good!
So I guess I'd better be thinking of a new name for this blog. Any ideas??
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Falling toolboxes and other items
Well, yesterday I decided I would work in the garage for a little while. We bought some totes and I was trying to get the garage straightened up. Anyway, I was kneeling in front of a cabinet putting some small items in a tote when all of a sudden something hit me in the head and then fell across my back to the floor. I was stunned for a moment. I saw that it was a metal toolbox that fell off the top of the cabinet! Luckily for me, it was empty. It hit me fairly hard as it was, so if something had been in it, I might have been really hurt. As it was, it left a bump on the side of my head and a sore spot on the back of my head and on my shoulder blade (the same one I bumped when I fell in the office a couple of weeks ago!). I am starting to think that I shouldn't be doing any cleaning.
Anyway, after that, I decided I should probably be done for the day with the garage. I had some things to take to the shed and as I was walking across the backyard, I came across a snake skin. We don't know for sure what kind it is. To me, there's a part that looks like maybe it held a rattle, so I am wondering if it was a rattlesnake. Scary part is that it was fairly close to the dog's yard. That has been a big worry for us here as dogs do get snake bitten fairly regularly. This is the first snake (or skin) sighting I have seen so far this year. I hope it's all I see! Anyway, the skin was all rolled up, so it's hard to see how long it is. We do have lots of birds around, so it's possible that a bird dropped it in the yard and the snake wasn't even here. That's the thought I am going with!
Speaking of birds, we have a family of cardinals. There's a male & female and 2 babies. The babies are big enough to fly, but they still have downy feathers. The like to sit in our crape myrtle tree and the mama and daddy will go to our bird feeder, get some seed, and bring it back and feed the babies. It has been awesome to watch. One of the babies is a male. His body is still brown, but his head is starting to turn the bright red. The other one is all brown, so I am assuming it is a female. I have learned to recognize their sounds, so I know when they are around. I have so enjoyed watching them!
Anyway, after that, I decided I should probably be done for the day with the garage. I had some things to take to the shed and as I was walking across the backyard, I came across a snake skin. We don't know for sure what kind it is. To me, there's a part that looks like maybe it held a rattle, so I am wondering if it was a rattlesnake. Scary part is that it was fairly close to the dog's yard. That has been a big worry for us here as dogs do get snake bitten fairly regularly. This is the first snake (or skin) sighting I have seen so far this year. I hope it's all I see! Anyway, the skin was all rolled up, so it's hard to see how long it is. We do have lots of birds around, so it's possible that a bird dropped it in the yard and the snake wasn't even here. That's the thought I am going with!
Speaking of birds, we have a family of cardinals. There's a male & female and 2 babies. The babies are big enough to fly, but they still have downy feathers. The like to sit in our crape myrtle tree and the mama and daddy will go to our bird feeder, get some seed, and bring it back and feed the babies. It has been awesome to watch. One of the babies is a male. His body is still brown, but his head is starting to turn the bright red. The other one is all brown, so I am assuming it is a female. I have learned to recognize their sounds, so I know when they are around. I have so enjoyed watching them!
Vacation Bible School
Don and I helped out with VBS last week. It was tiring, but we had a blast. The theme was Crocodile Dock, Where fearless kids shine God's light. We were both crew leaders. We had kids assigned to us and we would take them from activity to activity and participate with them. I had 2 kids that came all 5 nights - Jadey & Eddie Lee. They are both members of our church. A young lady named Makenzie came 3 nights and she was my helper. Then Wed. night I had Jesus and Thursday night I had Cody. They only came the one night each.
Each night we would meet at the "dock" where we would sing a song, have a prayer and hear any announcements that were needed. Then we were off to our activities. There was Dockside Drive In, where we saw a part of a movie each night about Cheddar and Fraider (who was afraid of everything!). There was Bible Bayou where there was a bible story each night. Brother Robert was in charge of that and he did an excellent job. He had things for the kids to taste and he kept their interest. We had snack shack, Gator Games (which were water activities as it was so hot) and Crafts and Missions where the kids would make a craft and hear about the mission project we were supporting this year. The last night the kids made turtles - one for themselves to pray over and one to send to a child affected by some kind of disaster. There was a pocket where they tucked a little note to the child and the child will also receive a book with our child's picture. It was pretty cool. Then the last of the night we would go to the sanctuary for Firefly Finale, where we would see pics taken during the evening, sing and have prayer time. On Thursday night, we were given trash bags to pray over and put our sins into. Then as a crew, we took them to the front and hung them over a cross. We then sang a song, during which a man who looks like Jesus came to the front and took all the bags with our sins away. It was very powerful. We also did this Sunday morning in church. Anyway, it was a great week and what topped it off for me was that on Sunday morning, Eddie Lee came and sat with me during most of the service. That made me feel really good.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love this church??
Each night we would meet at the "dock" where we would sing a song, have a prayer and hear any announcements that were needed. Then we were off to our activities. There was Dockside Drive In, where we saw a part of a movie each night about Cheddar and Fraider (who was afraid of everything!). There was Bible Bayou where there was a bible story each night. Brother Robert was in charge of that and he did an excellent job. He had things for the kids to taste and he kept their interest. We had snack shack, Gator Games (which were water activities as it was so hot) and Crafts and Missions where the kids would make a craft and hear about the mission project we were supporting this year. The last night the kids made turtles - one for themselves to pray over and one to send to a child affected by some kind of disaster. There was a pocket where they tucked a little note to the child and the child will also receive a book with our child's picture. It was pretty cool. Then the last of the night we would go to the sanctuary for Firefly Finale, where we would see pics taken during the evening, sing and have prayer time. On Thursday night, we were given trash bags to pray over and put our sins into. Then as a crew, we took them to the front and hung them over a cross. We then sang a song, during which a man who looks like Jesus came to the front and took all the bags with our sins away. It was very powerful. We also did this Sunday morning in church. Anyway, it was a great week and what topped it off for me was that on Sunday morning, Eddie Lee came and sat with me during most of the service. That made me feel really good.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love this church??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
