Ain't Life Good!

Life is just good. You know it? You have a down day or two and then it just picks up...

A new baby comes into the world and makes life so refreshing. Welcome little Casen! And congratulations mama, daddy, and jakey!

I miss my mama...and she surprised me with an overnight visit this week.

I miss my kids...and they will all be here this weekend! And then again, 2 weeks from now for ellie's birthday party!

A little whining pays off. Every once in a while!

Or just maybe...Jesus pulled hard.

Talent shines "Special!"

Sarah used her talents and God was pleased. Check out her article now and tomorrow on the front page of the SAST! She's so good! Way to go girl!

I'm glad they think she's "special" cause she sure is to me! :)

What a trip!

I had a wonderful weekend with my girl. Just felt good to sit and visit and do nothing. We even just set on the couch wrapped in a blanket and read our books like we used to. It was so nice. Of course we did do a little shopping at my favorite mall, The Shops at La Cantera, and see a movie, 27 Dresses. It was a cute movie and fun to see with my daughter. That's one of the special things we love to do together. We cooked together too! Good food and good times together. I stayed until this morning and left about 7am to get back for work. I was a little late, but it was so foggy and rainy last night I stayed until this morning. It still rained on me all the way home and was foggy in a few places, but I handle rain and fog a whole lot better in daylight, especially when you add deer to the equation. The weekend was great. Thanks Jo. Marme loves you.

I told Kylah this while I was there: The other day it just popped in my head. When I was a little girl and we played dress up and house and even when I was a teenager, before I met David, my husband-to-be was always named either david or michael. you know when you play all those silly games where you have to answer all the questions. well david was always my first choice. and I got a david. so when I was carrying landon I wanted to name him Michael Landon, partly because I loved the actor and the other because that was my second favorite boy name. well, david argued against it cause he really wanted a david jr. I argued the point because I didn't want a "jr". then david argued the point with matthew that he got to name this child. so I never got my michael...until now. isn't it cool that God does know the end from the beginning and He knew I was going to have a son named michael when it was all said and done. kinda cool, huh.

I was driving home this morning...praying. praying about this and that and God's direction. trying to tell Him what I wanted and how worried I was that I wasn't following His direction or if this direction He has been leading me the last few years was really right. as I was praying and watching car after car pass from the opposite direction on this two lane highway, this thought hit me. man, one of those cars or semi's could veer over in my lane in a blink of an eye and I would be history. that quick it could happen and I never give it a second thought. I trust each of those cars and their drivers to stay on their side of the road, pay attention to their driving and not to fall asleep, and I don't know a one of them. not even what they look like. not anything about their character. in fact, those cars pass so fast I wouldn't even know if there was anyone in the drivers seat. i trust someone i know absolutely nothing about with my very life on every road trip I take every time I leave my home and never even give it a second thought, yet I can't seem to trust the one who has guided my every step and never led me the wrong way so far, watches out for me at every crossroad. every change of my life He has seen me through, getting me safely home, not even safely home, but has taken me on the greatest, most exciting journey of life. and wants nothing more than to continue this journey with even a greater array of adventure and excitement, if I would just learn to trust Him. trust the one that cannot fail, has incredible character, wants only the best for me, and takes even the things mean't to destroy me and makes them work out for the better, all because He loves me beyond my wildest imagination.

hmmm...

just a little road trip can open up a world of adventure...

if you trust Him.

ps...when i got home and checked my email there was a "reflections" and it was one more confirmation of my God's concern for me.

San Antonio or Bust!

In the morning, bright and early, I'm headed to see my girl! It's a long weekend for her and I miss her and Michael. Besides I need to take Jules home! ;} I would have left tonight but went to a farewell dinner for a friend. It was a nice evening that I wouldn't have missed, seeing that she means so much to me. I love you ree!

But in the morning, I'm gone. Now that means I won't be at church this weekend, and that doesn't happen real often, so everybody show up and be there as my replacement! The business meeting is Sunday night and I don't believe I've ever missed one, but I just need this. Really. I need to get away and I need to see my girl. So jo, I'm coming.

Now Crys, remember you call me at the first real labor and give me time to get back!

XXOOXXOO!!

Seasons Come...Seasons Go...

This morning, it came to me...3 months. In 3 months Mattie is getting married! My baby is getting married! All those years ago I would dream about all my kids getting married and what my new daughters and son would be like. I would imagine the weddings and the joy of planning and enjoying the actual wedding. All the "to-do" & "ta-da" that goes along with it all. It was exciting as those years crept up. It was going to be a special time in their lives and in mine.

Well...here it is. 2005...Landon & Sarah, 2007...Kylah & Michael, and now 2008...Matthew & Mandy. It got here one by one so quickly and in just 3 short months it will be over. April 25th to be exact, all my children will be married off and another season of my life will be over and a new one beginning.

It's kinda bittersweet. It's hard to think that the excitement of it all will be done. It's hard to imagine my babies all grown up with lives of their own and families of their own. It's sweet to think we did it. We raised them and did good! They all picked well. It's sweet to have such wonderful additions to our family. Sarah, Michael, and Mandy are just what I would have picked for my children. They just fit with us.

And now babies are coming along. Ahhh. That part is really sweet. Ellie is growing and going and doing new things every day. She gives loves now, blows kisses, does all the motions to "pat-a-cake", is walking a little more everyday, and her personality is blossoming. She is becoming a big little girl so fast. You can see her trying to make words. She mimmicks everything you do. She'll be big before we know it and I guess that is good since she will get a new sibling in August! Yep! It was hard for me to imagine it at first. I just wanted to enjoy just ellie for a while longer and let her be the baby and center of attention. But I don't think that will really change. She will always be my first grandbaby and the light of my life, and with her charming little flirty self, she'll always be the center of attention. Now my light will just shine a little brighter with another to love on.

Wow, amazing how just a few short years, 3 in fact, can make such a difference in your life. Truly amazing. 3 seems to be the magic number right now. And I got 3 months to lose 30 pounds! okay, 20 would be nice. I gotta get on the ball.

Seems a season of my life is coming to an end.

But I think the best is yet to be!

A Saving Grace...

I already had this nudging in my heart that I've been dwelling on, and then I read rhondiemarie's post and it sent me even deeper into this dwelling place.

I've always known the Lord. Always. Not that I always lived perfectly, but I always honored, trusted, feared, and loved Jesus. I walked in the Spirit even as a child. So the bulk of my life has been Christ centered. I've always been around new believers, yes, but since we've been in full time ministry for the last 16 years, I seemed to stay on the side of "growing Christians" more.

The other night we had dinner with a couple that are pretty much new in this walk. The wife has gone to church most of her life but has recently came into an intimately close relationship with her savior. The husband...fresh. Refreshing. Literally. To sit and hear the excitement in his voice. how he's completely changed. How surprised he was to have his socks knocked off by Jesus. Not wanting or expecting a relationship with Christ and getting this special gift. He was overwhelmed by His grace and love. He's changed forever. And hungry for more. Refreshing. I soaked it in.

I know I see new believers a lot, but I guess I don't take the time to really listen to their experience and relish in it with them like I should. To feel their joy and peace they now have. It seems I get too busy with God's business, to enjoy His business.

Thank you Lord for allowing me this glimpse of your grace one more time. Help me not to take this new life for granted. To remember what I'm here for. Thank you for changing people.

For your saving grace.

Have a Happy Life!

This last saturday my friend' pam's daughter, who is like my daughter, got married in lewisville. I went down early to help with the wedding. It turned out so pretty and special. This is leah's second marriage and she deserves to be happy. I just wanted to take a moment to say congratulations leah & scott, and all my love and wishes for a wonderfully happy life. david did a sand ceremony and there are a couple of pictures here of that. each family member poured a portion of the different colors of sand into the same bottle. the concept is that sand cannot be separated and when mingled together makes a beautiful masterpiece. a perfect blending of the two families together as one. it was very moving. so once again, "happy life" to you both! I love you leah!


The Henry & Little Kids and the love of their lives!

Happy New Year!

Amazing! 2008! Where has the last year gone?! Where have the last eight years gone?! Seems like just yesterday we were anxiously waiting the turn of this century, wondering if Y2K was real and life as we know it was going to change. I can't remember time passing so fast.

I'm sitting here watching the Tournament of Roses Parade. Something I've done all my life. What a change it has taken as well. So much more elaborate. Beautiful. Always brings back memories of Mama hollering across the house that the parade was on, and we all came running. I think the highlight back then was when the giant Snoopy balloon would come around the corner. Well, actually, I believe that may be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but you know what I mean, what stands out to us changes as we grow older. Now we focus on details more. I now see the many small flowers that make the whole beautiful float. Watching the parade this morning reminds me of how God sees our life as a parade, He can see it from an aerial view, from beginning to end, we only see what is passing right in front of us. That is how he sees time.

Another tradition...black eyed peas are cooking as I write. Later we will eat a cup or two for prosperity in the new year and add to that some cornbread, ham and fried potatoes for a few more pounds, to top off the other ten or so I've gained over the last month. Oh well, tomorrow is another day. A day we will all start our new year resolutions. One of those for many, including myself will be to lose some weight.

Although losing weight is unfortunately one of many peoples resolutions, I know it will be one of many other resolutions we make. I know the saying is, resolutions are made to be broken, but mine is a prayer not a resolution. A prayer to refocus on what is really important in life. On family and friends and those relationships that are more important than work. A prayer to refocus on my relationship with God. To go deeper into the well where the water is sweeter and cooler and more refreshing. A place where my mind is freed of clutter, and my heart is inspired beyond my imagination.

I was listening to an inspirational speaker this morning for just a few minutes before turning over to the parade. He was speaking about how just like when we cut a slice of apple pie and transfer it to a plate it is separate but still a part of the whole that it was created as...an apple pie, not a pineapple or cherry, it doesn't change because it has been removed from the whole. It is the same way with us. We may be separated from our creator by this body but we are still part of His spirit. A spirit that is inspired by His spirit. If we would just be quiet and listen we would hear His Spirit inspiring our spirit. Inspiring us to dream and be creative. Inspiring us to our calling. But we, in our independence, have developed an EGO. We can go it on our own. We don't need to be inspired or motivated by God. We "Edge God Out"...EGO. Wow! I don't ever want to edge God out of the purpose or calling of my life.

So my prayer for this new year is not to let my "ego" take over, but to be still and quiet more, to linger in His presence more, to shut my mouth and open my ears and heart and keep God close and listen for His voice, His purpose, His calling for my life. To embrace life with all the energy I can muster. To love without measure, God, family and friends. To make new friends at every crossroad. To enjoy every season with a new intensity. To take every advantage to express my love to all those that matter so much to me.

To inhale and exhale slowly the moments that take my breath away...and smell each tiny flower that makes up the whole beautiful float of my life.