unexpected

My heart is heavy this morning. One of our neighbors, an elderly gentlemen died. Now I don't know this couple very well even though we've lived here almost thirteen years. Most of our visiting was done out in our yards and at our mailboxes. They are a very dear couple and were inseparable. They would go out to eat every day and you could tell they loved each other very much. He was retired from the military and Daniel has spent time talking with him about that. He would still get up on the ladder and clean his gutters and trim his hedges. Several years ago he did give up mowing his yard. I really grieve for June, his widow. I'm sure she will be lost without Paul.

If you will, please say a prayer for her.

I've dealt with my emotions this morning the way I usually do. If I want to do something and am not sure what to do, I cook. I have a cake cooling and then Hannah and I will take it over. Each of our children were sad to hear of his death. Even Hannah wants to see if there is something she can do.

Praise God for tender hearts.

berms and ground cover

Yes, I'm still around. Since basketball is over I had to find something else to do! I have been working in the yard every chance I get. I didn't even cook a meal last week because I was outside or trying to catch up on what had to be done inside.

Our front yard needs so much work. I had prayed several times for soil. We can't grow grass underneath the sweet gum trees and soil had washed away and tree roots are all over the place. Since we had rather eat than buy dirt, I finally just prayed for it. Our friends, Rick and Pam, had a huge pile of dirt in their backyard that they didn't want. They gave it to us! I am so excited about it. (You are probably thinking I get excited over strange things, and yes, I do.)

Connie and Eddie loaned us their truck and Donald and the boys spent Saturday hauling soil. Three truck loads to be exact! I went for the first load and spent my time in the back of the truck leveling it out and pushing it to the back. It was HOT in the sun. So I opted to stay behind in our yard for the next two loads and work in the shade. I spent much time praying for the guys (and Rick) who were sweating it out in the hot sun.

I LOVE Pam's back yard! It is perfect! I told the guys to look closely because that's what I want someday. They probably rolled their eyes behind my back, but it is so beautiful. Then we were at Jon and Barb's Saturday night and I decided they could probably build a deck also! My ideas always mean work for them.

Anyway I sorta kinda have built a berm. I have decided I want to be creative and not just have a flat yard, thanks to ideas from Barb and Pam. I'm just going with the tree roots, high places, the existing ground cover, and adding to it. I'll have to get pictures when I've made more progress. It is going to be wonderful!

Earlier last week I bought some St. Augustine sod and the boys helped me get the ground ready and lay it. It's only a start, but it will look good in front of my ground cover. It gets sun there and I've been watering like crazy, so hopefully it will live.

The switch from watching basketball to yard work has been quite a change for my body. I have plenty of muscles that are protesting my strenuous labor.

courtship then a wedding

We had the most wonderful get away. We went to Castle Avalon for Andrew and Amanda's fairytale wedding. Once you entered the gates you drove down a long road and ended up seeing this sight.....

It was complete with dragons and knights and even a royal throne. What made it so spectacular though was the bride and groom and their wedding attendants. The guys were dressed in white tuxes with pale green vests. The young women wore pale green dresses. The bride and groom were dressed totally in white and shared their first kiss after becoming husband and wife. It was like taking part in a fairy tale, except it really happened and we were witnesses.

I always watch the groom instead of watching for the bride. I like to see his face when he sees his bride. Andrew did not disappoint me! His face lit up with a wonderful smile I won't forget. The ceremony was simple, but focused on the covenant they were making. You may question whether courtship works; let me tell you it does. Amanda and Andrew are a perfect example!

thanks for a wonderful evening

Have you ever invited yourself over to some one's house? It's a huge blessing to be that close to someone that you feel comfortable doing that very thing. Partly because you love being with them, but mostly because you know they will honestly tell you if it's not going to work for you to be there.

Donald needed to spray our house and yard for bugs. The stuff is wet and it takes time for it to dry and he always insists that we remove our bodies from the house while he does it. The problem is the house is still wet by the time he reaches the yard. The other way around produces the same results.

It doesn't exactly work to take B-dog to Wal-Mart or shopping while it dries. We used to ride around, but with gas being so expensive we couldn't afford to do that for several hours. We are going out of town Friday and can use all the gas in our tank!

So we just called Connie and Eddie and asked if we could bring Bright over and use their back yard. Now being in their back yard is pure joy anyway. It is so lovely. B-dog thought so also. He ran around for hours sniffing and doing his thing. He was totally exhausted when we got home!

(If anyone doesn't know, Bright is a Golden Retriever. So it's not exactly like asking to bring your chihuahua or poodle over. Donald says it's like living with a Shetland pony. He's an inside dog and doesn't spend much time outdoors unless we are out there with him; he's very much a "people person,"..... er dog. Donald also says one day he's going to realize he's a dog. I have my doubts about that though.)

Thanks Connie and Eddie. We had such a wonderful time. You're the best-est of the best and we love you dearly, even B-dog! I think he enjoyed it even more that we did, if that's possible.

day of surprises

Yesterday was my birthday. Our family loves birthdays. The presents were set out on the hearth with great care. The cheesecake Rebekah made was prepared lovingly and chosen by me. The girls took me out for lunch and Ben took Daniel to work so I could go. Little did I know. After lunch we ran by Rebekah's work because she needed to do something; later I found out she was stalling. My friend Nancy had asked me to come by her house because she had a treat for my birthday. I should of known something was going on when Hannah, Bethany, and Rebekah all went inside with me. I wondered why they were going in, but Nancy is such a gracious person I knew she wouldn't care. Imagine my surprise when the sun room doors were opened and a roomful of my friends begin singing, "Happy Birthday." There were balloons and cards and two cakes and pie and cookies and crackers and dip and diet coke.

Guess who didn't cook dinner because she wasn't hungry?? Yep, that's right.....me! We had cheesecake and I opened my presents from my family. I received a collage picture frame, DVD "Out of Africa," a can of cashews, Crunch and Munch, a bag of bath stuff with a bath pillow and dino-fizz stegosaurus egg, and some face wash and day creme that promises to make me look years younger. You probably won't recognize me after I use it! I'm not sure if I'll look quite like the lady in the picture, but she looks great.

Rebekah made Donald go to Wal-Mart Monday night to get me a birthday card. It wasn't "exactly" what she had in mind, but it made me laugh and I loved it. Maybe Hannah can take pictures of my gifts later.

When Donald and I got in from Celebrate Recovery Jeffrey jumped out and surprised us. He is on medical leave from the Air Force and it was just great to see him. Jon and Johanna's Josie was born on my birthday also. What a perfect day~!

a tribute

There is much I could write about today. I could rant about the Dallas Mavericks' trying to trade several of their best players for one Jason Kidd. I am glad Devean George is blocking that one; I hope he continues to do so. I could write about our special meal that Bethany and Hannah cooked last night, and the good movie we watched afterward with Charity and Josiah. I could write about working in the back yard and Bright running around like a mad dog. I could even verbalize about algebra, but I'm sure you are sick and tired of that as am I.

What I really want to say is something I have thought about all week. You see, one of the members of our church body died last Saturday. Our pastor talked about Richard during our Sunday service and really helped us with accepting his death. The funeral service was Wednesday; Pastor Paul did an awesome service there also. They were both perfect. Richard would of loved both of them!

Richard was.......well, Richard. He had a huge heart and always came in with a smile. Even when he had good reason not to. You see his leg had been broken in a farming accident and he was in a lot of pain. God was healing his leg though and we were all excited, especially Richard. He was always more concerned with others than himself. He had met a lovely lady and their relationship was progressing. Robbin came to the funeral and Connie and I were blessed to get to know her just a little. She is an awesome lady and we can understand why Richard was excited about their relationship. More importantly, he was growing leaps and bounds in his relationship with the Lord. God was working in his life; many exciting things were happening for him.

Then God takes him home unexpectedly. Why, Lord? Some may say it's not right to ask God. I say God understands and isn't offended. I think He realizes it's part of our grieving process. Part of our body is missing and God understands the void.

I Corinthians chapter 12.......
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

The grief we all feel is for us. Richard is with God. If any of the saints needed help, I'm sure he has already taken care of it. That's Richard.

presence choice

I love how when God gets my attention about something He continues to send me reminders. Our wonderful pastor has reminded us many times that we should seek after God Himself and not what He can give us/do for us. That is wise and life-changing advice. My daily devotional from Pastor Kevin (http://www.e-quip.org/) also talked about this. This is what he said in his Jan. 11th devotional.......

"It's time to get back to the basics. It's time to get back to KNOWING GOD. It's time to get back to a relationship with Jesus that far exceeds any other relationship we have on Earth, amen? Amen. THAT is what will be the catalyst to get YOU and ME into that PERFECT, EXACT, and GOD-PLANNED PURPOSE for our lives. Amen! I recently heard this statement, "It's time to be less concerned about the "presents" of God, and to start being more concerned about the "presence" of God."

I need His presence. I entered into a "me-centered" attitude yesterday and it stunk. It was an especially long morning as I bemoaned my missed meeting and dealt with my "poor me" attitude. I knew better; I just didn't let it go. It wasn't the end of the world and nothing life threatening came of it. I am human; I simply forgot. That happens and life goes on.

After a busy afternoon and night I checked email this morning and got this note from a special friend. Just read your blog. Are you being tested today? :) Hang in there. Remember God is in control and to praise Him in all things. Don't come down on yourself. He loves you very much!!! and sooooooo do I.

Aren't friends wonderful??

Ally Sings

Rebekah had an entry on her blog entitled Girls Night (http://bekasthoughts.blogspot.com/). I was blessed to be a part of the last one Friday night. It's always so good to see Joann. She is one of those friends that no matter how long it's been we always pick right back up where we left off. I love those kind of friendships~!

I guess you could officially call it Moms and
Daughter's Night Out: Joann and her daughter,
Jennifer, and me and our daughter, Rebekah.
Jennifer has an adorable little girl who entertained us quite well. She played on
Jennifer's little piano and sang Ally, Ally, Ally.
Ally is her name so that made it so
sticking cute~! Joann is a doting grandmother.
She is lovingly called "Grammy" by her grand
kids. She tried and tried to get Ally to say
"Grammy" but the little cutie wouldn't comply.
Jennifer's son was out of town so I didn't get to
meet him.

Since our youngest is almost 15 I had forgotten how active and into things they are at that age.

I'm not quite sure I'll have enough energy to be
a grandma. But you can be sure I'll give it my
best shot~!

Thanks Jennifer for your hospitality and for the diet cokes~! Joann, thank you for
being such a wonderful friend.

Friendships

Are you blessed with friends? The kind that "sticks closer than a brother?"

I know Solomon says there is nothing new under the sun. I'm sure my experiences are similar to those of others. I have been blessed with some really special friends. Some of them I don't see that often, but when we are together we just pick right back up where we left off without missing a beat. I love that~!

My friends have came through on numerous occasions when I needed them. They "rescued" me so to speak. Sometimes they rescue me when I don't even realize I need rescuing. Some of my friends can rebuke me and I accept that because I know they love me and are wanting to help and not injure. Some of my friends encourage me with emails and phone calls. Some love my children and accept them as their own. Some have given of themselves and of their possessions in ways that humble me and show me the love of God.

Sadly there are some who for reasons left unsaid have decided we aren't to be "friends" any longer. We have a cordial relationship but that's about as far as it goes. Others are no longer a part of our lives; their choice, not ours. It broke my heart for a while but I have come to accept it now. Maybe these fall into the "seasons of lives" category (Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.") Friends will hurt us and let us down at times. We will hurt them also. We are all human and imperfect. But Jesus will never leave or forsake us. We can always depend on Him.

I thank God for my friends who are willing to work on our relationship. When there is a problem we can talk about it and maybe even agree to disagree, but we still love each other.Ecclesiastes 4:10 states, "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

What brought this about? A verse on a CD for a special friend. I love you~!