My Little Maddie

I'm calling her "Pebbles" sometimes these days. She's so cute and reminds me of the little cartoon Pebbles on the Flintstones. Yes, that tells my age. Mimi is 53 now.  Yes, "Mimi"...Grandmommy has morphed into Mimi now...just a lot easier to say, I suppose.  Fine with me...just glad she calls me something.

This child has such a sweet nature.  Not to say that she doesn't have her moments.  She can be strong-willed. BUT she is generally obedient and quick to hug, kiss, play, sing, run, help with her brother, and just be happy. Madison is JOY!

She never quits talking these days (somewhat like her father in that way, ha).  She's a very petite little thing and loves veggies...her favorite seems to be broccoli.  You offer this kid macaroni and cheese and broccoli and she takes the broccoli.  She is an apple juice junkie (as her mom tells it) and also loves my sweet or unsweet tea.

She follows us everywhere, even into the bathroom (moms and gmoms never get any privacy).  For some reason the bathroom entices her to want to climb walls. That's the only room I've ever seen her do this in. She puts her foot on the wall and says to me, "kime wall?"  I just laugh and say for the hundredth time..."nothing to help you "kime" there girlie."

Maddie loves church nursery and Sunday School and playgrounds and "papa" and Grandmama.  She loves her friend Audrey and puppies and kitties and colors(crayons).  She's a left-handed redhead with beautiful blue-green eyes and long red-blonde eyelashes.  She loves the book Go Dog Go and I recently bought her The Napping House which is one of my favorites.  She has a funny dance she does to any music she hears. Puts her arms out to the sides almost like a chicken...hilarious!

Tons more I could say about this baby girl but I'll just stop here. Except to say that I am proud and happy to call her my granddaughter. That I'm proud of her parents in how they have given her such a great start in life. How they are impressing upon her good behavior and manners and love for God as they take her to church every week.  I can't wait to see what kind of girl, teenager, woman she grows into one day with the Lord as her Guide. I pray I may be a loving influence on her.

My Church

I am in love with my church....the local "body of Christ" that I attend.  It is Roswell Street Baptist in Marietta, Georgia.  I've written about lots of other subjects but not this one and I can't believe that! This is absolutely the most vital thing I do all week.  Of course, I get to look at it from a unique perspective...I am on staff there.

I think the most obvious thing about my church is the concern and care that our members show to each other. Whether it's a death in the family, an injury, cancer or other disease, the members close to the family take over with caring actions..prayer, food, visits, whatever is needed.  It can be overwhelming and it is wonderful!

Another quality our church has is its commitment to missions, whether by volunteering on mission trips or giving financially.  Our pastor, Dr. Easley, has emphasized missions since he came in 2002 and, as a result, our international missions/home missions offering has added up to 350,000  to more than 450,000 dollars each year (just in the month of December).  Our membership comes through every time and that is just another way they show their love for our Lord and for others.  We are also a very patriotic group. The Fourth of July and Veteran's Day services are very important to our church and are always crowded and spirited.

We have ministries to the homeless, give food boxes and sack lunches out every week to those in need. There is a pregnancy center where women can come to talk about their crisis pregnancy and see an ultrasound of their babies.  There are many children alive today because of this ministry because their moms did not choose abortion.

From babies to children's ministries, to middle school, high school, college, young adults, middle-aged adults like me and senior adults, there are active and happy folks in the many varied music and Bible study programs and classes.  There is Upward Basketball in the winter months for 4 year olds on up through elementary school.  Many children and their parents have come to know Christ and their lives are thus changed forever through this outreach and fun.

A Brazilian congregation is part of our church as well as contemporary worship and blended worship.  Blended means a perfect mix of music...modern hymns and contemporary songs with traditional hymns. I love it!  I always look forward to our worship services and not just because the minister of music, Joe Buckner, is my boss. I truly enjoy all the elements of the service, from congregational singing, prayer, choir and orchestra, and preaching. Our pastor does not worry what anyone thinks about his preaching of God's Word.  He knows he is to tell us the Truth and that he does!  I rarely miss...it's just too important to my life and my well-being. Sure it can become routine but I try to pray each Sunday that I will learn something new about the Lord or that He will show me something I need to see and hear to grow in His love.

 We have wonderful musical programs for Good Friday,  Fourth of July, and Christmas.  I enjoy so much being in on the planning and preparation for these big events. I love seeing how these services all come together and hearing from visitors and members how much these programs mean to them in their lives.

I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 10 years old and in another church.  We joined Roswell Street when I was 12 and I "grew up" there definitely...in all ways, spiritually and emotionally.  I was married there, dedicated my babies there and then watched my own daughter marry there and then dedicate my grandchildren at Roswell Street. That church supported us in prayer as we lived in Guatemala as missionaries for 10 years, publishing our newsletters for us, sending work teams to us, etc.  When we returned, they welcomed us back and I felt like we'd never left.  I'm so blessed and privileged to serve the Lord there as an employee and a member.  I love my co-workers and enjoy great friendship with many.
 A few pics in random order:

A couple of my favorite co-workers!

Out to lunch with the boss

Choir doing some flag-waving on the Fourth of July

The old sanctuary at Roswell Street...many memories

Easter Sunday morning worship

Joe leading Easter worship

Banners decorated the Worship Center on Good Friday and Easter

Good Friday

My little Landon being dedicated

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

We have many wonderful Senior Adults who minister in Cobb County by singing in the Sr. Adult Choir and visiting area nursing homes

Children's Choir at Christmas

Fourth of July morning service

Children's choir and Trio at Christmas

Maddie's Dedication

Our pastor, Dr. Easley

Thank Heaven for Sunshine and Birthdays

What a week And I know all of my neighbors far and wide agree with me on that. Six inches of snow and then 1/4 inch of ice on top to "cement" it all in.  We didn't move for 2 full days and then on Wednesday we were able to get out at lunchtime and slip-slide away to work. John and I were desperate enough for exercise that we bundled up and walked the neighborhood on Monday and Tuesday in 20 something degree weather. Gorgeous snow but so cold.  Finally yesterday and today was more normal.  The roads still have snow piled up on the edges and in the medians but we are able to get around. I loved being at work and seeing my usual folks and sleeping well on these cold nights. We've had bright sunshine that, when reflected on the ice-covered snow, is beautiful but blinding when we drive.

Today is my birthday.  It's been a very happy one.  Lots of facebook greetings from friends, phone calls from my parents and son, gifts from my husband, daughter, and best friend, and lunch out next week with my boss and co-workers to look forward to.  Had supper tonight with my grandchildren at Jim and Nick's and my son-in-law paid! Brownies from my girl....just on and on.  Here's my favorite picture of the week:

My little "Pebbles"  

  

It's been a memorable week and birthday. I thank the Lord for my 53 "complete" years of  life and, as one friend so appropriately said, the Love that has covered me from the day I was born.

Snow Makes Me Stop!

Snow makes me stop and think...
                                   stop and relax...
                                            stop and pray...
                                                     and read...
                                                        and contemplate...
                                                                slow down...
                                                                     be quiet...
                                                                        be patient...
                                                                           and be thankful for Him

RESPECT

High or special regard...

The Lord has really spoken this word to me for 2011. I can't get the word nor the concept off my mind. If I am respectful of and show respect to....then a lot of problems are resolved or avoided.

If I show respect to myself then that will include my physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental self. I will try not to abuse my poor body so much :) with eating too much or not getting enough exercise.  I will spend more time studying the Bible and in prayer as a respectful task and attitude for my spiritual health.
I will not put myself in situations emotionally that drain me too often or that cause me to sin. And I will try to read more challenging material for my mind rather than sit and let my eyes glaze over in front of the television.

If I show respect to my boss as I should then I will do my very best work. I'll not need to be reminded of things, I'll be organized and protective of my office and of his time. As a result of staying on top of things, I will be a very happy and productive employee who rarely wakes up in the middle of the night remembering something I'd forgotten to do! HA!

If I show respect to my friends and family then I will give them more time, more prayer, more thoughtfulness. I'll try to keep things together at home and try to meet needs that I often overlook. The Lord has lent to me a wonderful family for this time here on earth. I should not take them for granted.

Phil. 2:3-4 says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

There's a lot more in that chapter than those two verses but that's a good start for me in 2011.

A Day in the Life (or Boring Grandmother Stuff)

Maddie at 21 months old

Landon at 3 months

    

Honestly, I realize that there is nothing more boring than a grandmother gushing over her grandchildren...the cutest, most charming ones around, by the way.  I see them a couple of times a week and every time I do I'm amazed at how they've changed, grown, gotten more gorgeous, gotten smarter, and on and on.  If you have grandchildren you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, you might someday and then you'll get it.  Just no describing it until it happens to you personally.

So, on to something else. Just a little bit about my day...not that you're interested.  My next to last day of 2010 has been spent thus:
 Woke up at 7 am as husband left for work.  Ahhh....peace and quiet, no need to get out of bed, lay there and snooze.  Got up and ate my one pancake with peanut butter on it and drank Ovaltine. Yes, Ovaltine. We used to make fun of Ovaltine. I rediscovered it at a baby products fair I went to several years ago with Erin. It's yummy and full of vitamins.  Anyway, off to the shower, devotional, check email and then to the chiropractor. UGH! I really don't like going but I'm in deep need right now of getting my back back into whack.  I have picked Maddie up the wrong way too many times and pushed boxes of hundreds of candles  around the wrong way at work.  That chiropractor has torture devices. Today I got stretched and snapped and punched and contorted in all sorts of ways.  I have one hip that is higher than the other and he is determined to make them equal...HA!  He's a big guy and it is no easy feelin' to have a 200 pound guy "adjusting" your back. I know it'll be worth it one day. When I'll be pain-free and in great health the chiropractic way.  (Really, I have gotten much relief in the past from back problems in this way. I'm all for it...beats existing on pain medicine).

 After that experience, I met up with my family for chicken at Otter's at the Avenue. Great stuff!  And Maddie's favorite restaurant. She can be loud if she likes and she loves their frifry (french fries). I took 3 Motrin with my chicken strips and then enjoyed our meal with my parents and kids.  Maddie looked pitifully at me several times and held her arms out. Do you know how hard that is to resist? I took her in my lap after which she proceeded to try to eat my face.  What is THAT?  She was being quite the charmer...acting like she was going to kiss me and then start to bite me all over my face. Interesting stage we're going into.
We headed out to do some shopping at Barnes and Noble and I picked up a book for myself and then went over to the children's section.  Madison saw DORA!  A beanie baby Dora the Explorer.  She had to have her. Picked her off the shelf and hugged her.  Said "BUY IT?"  Rather she demanded "Buy it!"...no question mark involved.  Buy-it, buy-it, buy-it. That's all we heard as we checked out. Yes, I bought it! :)
We strolled around, looked at the fountains still covered in ice and snow and then Maddie had a meltdown due to no nap.  Off they went home and me to my home.  My quiet, restful home. Ahhhh.  Oh, and by the way, my grandson was charmingly smiling throughout the whole afternoon. He is such a happy baby and growing too quickly.  Wonder what his personality will be like? I'm hoping for laid-back and sweet-natured. He's looking like he'll be a blue-eyed blonde boy at this point.

 So that's that. The rest of the day will be spent watching bowl games and trying to resist the chocolate stuff left over from Christmas.  Unless something comes up this'll be my last post until 2011.

 Happy New Year!

Stream of Consciousness (Season's End)

All the bright beautiful poinsettias are gone.  The 15-foot trees are down, taken apart, roped up and put in the closet.  (After we removed hundreds of ornaments, of course).  The garland and bows are boxed away, labeled north balcony, south, center, front, etc. (We are very organized in the music office).  The Worship Center looks bare now but ready for the new year as we worship this coming first Sunday in January.  It was freezing as we took everything down. It always seems to be the most windy, cold days when we put up the decorations AND take them down.  I was so sick today with a bad cold, ear feeling a little funny, really sore throat. I did everything mechanically and in a daze. Came home, ate, took three Motrin, wrote my boss a rambling email (probably made him wonder what in the world I had taken), and fell asleep for the rest of the afternoon.

I am so ready for some warmer weather for a bit. Looks like we'll get some for New Year's.  Amazing...we have a white Christmas in Georgia...unheard of, terribly cold temps and now 60s for New Year's Day.  We've got a long winter ahead.  I do look forward to going back to work....I like my comfort zone. Plus I don't really care that I'm down in a basement working when the weather's dreary and cold.

I've enjoyed the holidays but I really like my routine.  Looking forward to doing my off-day Fridays with my daughter and the babies while the guys are at work.  My birthday is coming up in a few weeks. For some reason 53 seems really getting on up there.  My hair is showing my age and I am getting those "fine lines" around my eyes.  I love that term "fine lines".  I'm having back problems partly due to heaving boxes around at work and picking up a 23-lb toddler.

I love the prospect of seeing my little grandson start to become a "real little person" as he is starting to play and sit in the exersaucer and respond with babble when you talk to him.  The baby girl is just pure JOY as she's always been...she is approaching the "terrible twos" but she's so sweet-natured that I'm praying it'll be an easier stage than we think.

 For others in our church, this new year will bring lots of questions and ordeals of treatment for cancer. Just in our orchestra family alone, we have 4 families dealing with cancer.  In the church as a whole, many long-time members are sick. None of us know one day to the next when sickness will come.  I'm more aware of that than ever since I've been working in the music office and we help in support and prayer and my boss is booked to sing for funerals and visit the hospitals and we add and add to the prayer requests.   I am not taking any day for granted an I'll try my best not to "wish my life away" by looking always ahead to the next thing. I need to live every day and see the hours for what they are and look for opportunities to show Jesus' love.  I am usually so unobservant.  One of my biggest faults.
 
Well, this has been the most boring post ever but it's as much for me as anyone else.
Enjoy the rest of the week as we approach 2011.

Love,

Christmas Eve Service ("Third Christmas" Pictures!)

Our minister of music sang "Welcome to Our World"

We had a sheep for the kids to pet.

Maddie wasn't too sure about him.  He also took part in a drama about the shepherds who were visited by the angels.

John and I are very blessed with these two sweeties!

Maddie's first time in big church as a toddler. Whew, I'm exhausted!

Landon fell asleep soon after this pic and slept the whole service.

Our service is very much a big family tradition here at Roswell Street.

The shepherd tells his children about that holy night!

The church is always decorated beautifully.

We sang "Silent Night" as we began the candle-lighting throughout the congregation.

Peaceful and beautiful.

I'm responsible for getting the big candle down front for the pastor to light as he starts the candle-lighting for the congregation.  That was my first mission when I got to church tonight.  Then we stopped and petted the sheep and then headed to the balcony.   Madison was only 9 months old this time last year and was running 102 fever.  She was quiet and sat in our laps...LAST year.  This year at 21 months old she was happily yelling "people" and "hey" up in the balcony.  She played with her flashlight and never stopped moving the entire 40 minute service.  She ate a cookie, drank her juice (I was afraid she was going to pitch the juice cup or the flashlight over the balcony rail at any minute).  She tried to put our candles in her mouth! What is that? I thought she was out of the oral stage mostly!  We sang Christmas hymns and she sang along at the top of her lungs...some gibberish but it was spirited anyway!  She was restless during the sheep skit and tried to escape.  Finally, as we lit the candles and began to sing "Silent Night" she quieted.  I picked her up and she just looked around at the beautiful sight of all the candles lit in the dark church and the Christmas trees all lit up also.  We held our candles high on the last verse..."Christ the Savior is born...".  Wonderful night. 

Merry Christmas!!

Favorite "Second Christmas" Pictures

Maddie wanted to get in on the action as we sang our favorites!

My two!

Let's pretend

Little dressed-up monkey!

She seemed to hold her on with the big boys!

Two of my favorite people...the parents of my grandchildren!

Grandpapa and Landon in conversation

Grandmama and the sweet boy.

I don't know where she learned this...too cute!

We loved the beautiful Christmas dress.

Cold Day = Warm House decorated with ribbon, wreaths, Christmas tree, piles of presents, light
Supper = Ham, Mom's potato salad, Vicki's deviled eggs, peas, green beans, rolls, corn pudding
Gifts = Unending, Striped shirts, scarfs, jewelry, devotional books, calendars for the new year, cologne, gift cards, children squealing, wrestling, loving every minute
Singing = Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - just the girls, O Holy Night - our favorite arrangement
Dessert = Grandmother's Chocolate Cake, Coconut Pie, Pecan Pie, Cookies
Family Christmas = Six hours spent together - Great memories - new grandchildren - photos - LOVE