Hello, Mr. Roly-Poly!

I count among my many blessings the distractions that my grandchildren provide after a very hard, busy week at work.  Madison and I went on the hunt for roly-poly bugs yesterday.  She is quite fascinated with them after I found one a week ago and showed her how they roll up.  Yesterday, she found one under a tree as we looked through the dirt and grass.  She said "Hello, Mr. Roly-Poly!" and was ready to make a pet of the poor thing.  We put it in a dish with grass and dirt so she could study it.  I'm afraid she worried it to death literally.  It was moving slowly last time I saw it.

Maddie says "cheese" as she poses with her "pet".

Mr. Roly-Poly is up by the flower.

Such fun to spend time with a 2 year old...puts things in perspective!

"Hi, Mr. Roly-Poly...no sleep...you play!"

"Me hold him...no...Ganmommy hold him"....she was a bit timid...

Every Road

Every Road (by Dave Clark)

 Lord, I give You every road

Guide my steps and take control

Til this journey leads me home

Lord, I give You every road.

Lord, I give You all my past

Finally holding nothing back

Cleanse me, make me free at last

Lord, I give You all my past.

Lord, I give You every storm

When my spirit's weak and worn

Give me grace to trust You more

Lord, I give You every storm.

Lord, I give You all I am

All my dreams and all my plans

Now I place them in Your hands

Lord, I give You all I am

Til this journey leads me home

                                     Lord, I give You every road.

Creative Essay (another one for my teaching certificate)

Black Balloons

In my kitchen drawer I found a little cake decoration – five plastic black balloons on a stick. I've kept it for three years. Must be the thought of sharing it with someone else, to put it on their birthday cake. This unattractive decoration was used on my own 50^th birthday cake.

I remember driving to work that morning and repeating to myself: “I am 50! I'm 50 years old! How can I be 50?” I then called my parents and asked them the same question. They replied that they felt the shock even more. After all, I am their first-born. How could they be parents of a 50-year-old woman?

That workday was full of surprises and jokes made by my coworkers. I walked into an office full of more black balloons, so many that I could hardly walk through them. (In fact, I tripped on one and fell. Now that was icing on the birthday cake!) There was a wheelchair, a cane, Geritol, Exlax, and various hot flash remedies. It was all in good fun and I enjoyed myself. In fact, I felt somewhat “freed up” that I'd made this wonderful milestone. I was very thankful that the Lord had given me 50 years of good life, of blessed life.

But those black balloons were just the beginning of my struggle to discover the answer to this question: Now what? I've raised my children and I'm in a job I love but will I continue to just coast through life in an oblivious haze? These last few years have been re-examining years.

The real shock to my system was born in March, 2009. She was beautiful with flaming red hair. My first grandchild. Then a second tremor, a blond and blue-eyed baby boy, was born 18 months later. Now I am known not only as John's wife,  my parents' daughter, or Joe's assistant, but Maddie and Landon's grandmother. How could I be the grandmother of two? I'm only 53. I feel too young.

I am overwhelmed by God's gifts to me in these two happy and loving babies. Every so often I struggle some against my roles. I'm a wife, mother, sister, daughter. I'm now a mother-in-law and a grandmother. I am amazingly blessed. I know God understands my very contrary state of mind these days. He is teaching me so much through it.

I would never want to go back to age twenty, thirty, or even forty. I am at a peaceful place in my life and marriage for the most part. Here in my fifties, I love my routine, my rut. I like to sleep in my own bed. I don't want to rock the boat. Yet, I become restless at times and ready to rebel.* But, in order to continue to grow in awareness of my purpose here on earth, I must be willing to take risks, to travel, to do something as simple as going on a lunch “date” with my husband on a moment's whim. I have to be willing to drop what I'm doing to play with the babies. Those babies will be grown very soon.

One of my favorite Bible passages sums it all up for me: Psalm 16:2, 5-6, 11

2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

11 You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

*Note to reader: Women in their fifties can be unpredictable. A mentor of mine once told me that was the only time in her life that she honestly thought she was going crazy. I know what she means now!

Huey, Dewey, & Louie

Huey, Dewey, and Louie

I think it's about time I write about my "partners in crime".  These two ladies pictured with me are two of the several reasons that I LOVE my job!  We are seriously like family.  We love to hang out, we get on each others' nerves, we protect each other, and we laugh most of each day. (When we're not working diligently, of course!) Our boss nicknamed us Huey, Dewey, and Louie a long time ago.  I don't know why...those are some cartoon ducks I think.

On the left is Cheryl.  The red lipstick, the hair (no further words needed), the smiles and laughter and love she brings to others. That's Cheryl.  She's also a riot!  The woman can take a normal, routine event or story and turn it into a stand-up comedy act.  She is also excellent at her job and tends to be OCD on the details. But that's what makes her good!  She and Leigh run the TV (cds & dvds) ministry mailouts.  She's such a soft touch that, occasionally, when little old men or sweet little ladies say that they really can't afford that DVD but, Oh how they loved the message by our pastor, and OH how they know someone who needs that message, then somehow or another that DVD gets to those sweet little 'ol folks. (Yeah, she pays for it herself).  Besides working hard, Cheryl is also known for being able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime.  I have actually seen her fall asleep standing up!

Leigh (on the right) has beautiful eyes and with those eyes are amazing ears for details. She knows everyone who ever belonged to our church, their family history, their extended family. She remembers events, small and large, and the details of those.  She is the one we depend on for overseeing the decorating of the Worship Center for all seasonal events. Leigh knows when things look exactly right or when the smallest little tweak needs to be made in a Christmas bow, a banner, a Christmas tree, 4th of July bunting, etc.  She is devoted to her family and to her church.  She and her husband can be depended on to do anything that's needed for sick members or bereaved families even with their own busy schedules with their children. They are a very caring family.  She has quite the wit and can tell some hilarious stories. The funniest things always seem to happen to her and her family. They also have had a crazy succession of dogs named after UGA football players.

Cheryl and Leigh keep me entertained as I sit at my desk.  I'm not a jumpy person but those two can scream with the best when our co-workers come up behind them quietly in the dark halls of our basement offices. I've seen piles of music fly up in the air as they were startled by certain folk in our office (who shall remain nameless here).  Our fellowship is sweet within the whole music team.  What one lacks the other has as a strength and vice versa.  We complement each other well in our talents, gifts, and personalities and we appreciate our boss who knows how to allow us to do just that!

This is a job that I feel so blessed to have. My absolute favorite.   I don't dread Monday mornings...I look forward to a new week, EVERY week.  We are privileged to be able to work for the wonderful people in our choir, orchestra, and congregation and with our gifted pastor and minister of music. It is very cool to be able to see how the worship services come about from behind the scenes not to mention the big Christmas presentations, Good Friday and Easter worship services and annual patriotic celebrations.

I love my job!  Bless you, girls!

Fun at staff meeting? YES! Staff meeting!

They Called It a Near Miss... (another writing assignment)

They called it a near miss but I called it a miracle from God.

"Keith's been shot!" Penny spoke breathlessly. "They had to do surgery but he's okay!  He was driving home from a church service and two people stepped out of the bushes and tried to stop him and then shot at him as he tried to drive on by."

Penny and Keith were my co-workers in Guatemala.  We were all missionaries whose work was planting churches, overseeing medical and construction teams from the States and living and working among the indigenous people there in Central America.  The crime she described was common.  Someone would flag you down on a deserted road, acting as if there was an emergency.  Then they'd rob you or worse.  Keith knew it was a trap and kept driving.  The bullet hit his right shoulder.  He could not move his shoulder nor his arm and he had miles to go to the nearest town and was driving a stick-shift.

"How'd he get to safety, Penny?" I asked, amazed. 
"We don't know.  He could not shift, could not move his arm and was in terrible pain but he somehow drove through miles of mountain roads without having to shift.  I think we know an angel or the Lord Himself was driving that car."

After we hung up, I sat quietly. I was happy but yet totally in awe of my God and His protection.
When I look back on all my experiences there in Guatemala, that one comes to mind as the most dramatic rescue.  Such a reassuring feeling that He does not sleep.

A Color Essay (homework for my certification class)

I am blue...varied in creation...both nature and human.

I am the sunny blue of an April sky with the lime-green leaves pasted up against me.  In July, I am the gauzy, almost white searing blue of Georgia heat. I am an obscured blue-gray as the thunderstorms blow through before I politely give way to the pink and amber of sunset.  I am the October blue sky that sharpens and glows against the reds and oranges of the leaves that bring such delight to the "peepers" in the Smoky Mountains.  I am the steely-silver blue sky of January reflected in the ice and snow and sometimes a mellow shade when the weather teases with a preview of spring.

I am the clear beautiful blue of baby Landon's adoring eyes as he looks at my daughter, his mother.  And the green-rimmed sea blue of two year old Madison's mischievous stare as she contemplates her next stunt.  And finally, I am the very pale aged blue of Madison's great-grandfather's eyes as he watches her and laughs.  No time to be blue in her presence.

Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) - Chris Rice

"Rejoice"

An unusual type of post for me.  This one is not really personal but I wanted to write about an amazing group of folks in my church who fill an important role in our community....encouraging and ministering to those in assisted-living and nursing homes.  This group is our senior adult choir named "Rejoice".  I work with them because my boss is their director.  Joe takes them out on a small bus once a month.  They put in a full day doing this important ministry.  I hope when I'm 70 or 92 years old that I can be that active and energetic!  Yes, our oldest member is 92 and he's pretty amazing!  Our folks are healthy and happy and sharp and they enjoy visiting with their peers in these homes.

Our minister of music enjoys a discussion with a resident

Favorite bus driver, David!

The 25 choir members sing 10 great hymns of the faith during their program and Joe ties each hymn together with the presentation of the gospel of Jesus.  He talks about our sin, our redemption through Christ, our abundant life here on earth and then the wonderful prospect of heaven.  The residents usually sing along (they have song packets that the choir brings to give out) and enjoy reciting scripture with the choir.  A gospel message is given, an invitation is presented to ask Jesus into their lives and hearts, a closing prayer, and then the choir members visit with the residents and give them a gift.

One of my favorites!

"Rejoice" is made very welcome in all the places they've visited in the county, not only by the residents but by their caregivers also.  It is a way to share Jesus' love to those who very rarely get to church and to those who have few other visitors.  Sometimes the minds are not clear in those who are listening (such as in the "memory" unit we visited the other day) but God works miracles...we never know when He will give a moment of clarity to hear His Word.
I admire and appreciate these sweet folks.  I loved getting to see them work their magic this past week and see what a needed ministry this is in our community.

Our choir members love to sing the hymns.

They never know what age "piano" they will find at some of the homes.

One perk of the day is going to lunch! They like home-cooking places AND the Varsity!

Which one is 92 years old? The one on the left! He's amazing.

Getting ready to present their program.

Listening to Joe as he presents the story of Jesus

A resident holds a cross that one of our choir members made for her

Leading the choir

Terrific and Terrible

The "Terrific Twos" have begun! 

My daughter warned me this week that this was happening.  The CHANGE has occurred.  And I'm not talking about the one that should be happening to me at age 53 which, by the way, has not.  I have mixed emotions about that but this is not the time nor place to go into that subject.

 Sweet Maddie is still very much an even-tempered girl.  Well, except when it's time to get out of the PJs and go shopping.  She has new princess PJs and loves them.  She cried dramatically when I tried to change her clothes.  Her hair stuck up everywhere and we just put shoes on her and let it ride.  She looked like an urchin.  But she was a HAPPY urchin. 

Off we went to Babies 'R Us and into the buggy she goes.  It was time for her "gofish" (goldfish) snack and apple juice.  Then two little suckers in the diaper bag.  I gave her one and turned my head and she had the other also. One in each hand.  She licked on them and then threw one to Landon.  We got it in time.  Landon is not ready for suckers. 

Then it was time for "mypeepee". Did I mention she's already potty-trained?   Off she went with "Ganmommy".  The bathroom has one of those little child seats that you can strap a child in while the adult is using the bathroom.  Maddie hopped up on that and strapped herself in.  She's always been good with buckles and belts. No problem!  We're finished up and she didn't want to leave the little seat.  "My seat"! She yelled several times.  She got a little louder each time as I tried to distract her.  We went back into the store as she yelled.  Then she saw the cribs all set up on display. "My nightnight" became the new yell! This time add tears and dramatic faces and motions. As we moved further up the aisle the cry changed several times as she saw new things that were hers. "MY shoes", "My dress", "My socks", "My backpack"!   We got our shopping done quickly and headed to the car.  (By the way, Landon, the 6 month old, was an angel during the entire trip.) 

Down the road to Lifeway where I had to pick up a bunch of VBS shirts for work.  A video was playing with an unsuspecting little girl watching peacefully.  Maddie grabbed a chair, brought it over and shoved it up against the little girl's chair.  Ready to watch with her new "friend" who looked a little alarmed.  Okay, chore done and back to the car.  Down the road we went into 5 o'clock traffic.  Landon was crying now, needed his pacifier.  Maddie gave it to him then took it away.  She wanted the blue paci for him not the white.  We got that settled.  She stuck her bare foot close to his face.  She loudly sang "Everyday", a song she's learned from my choir CD.  She unzipped her new backpack and put it over her head.  We had an entertaining drive home.

What a stinker! But I'm looking forward to this new phase...it will be a challenge for the whole family.  I can't believe that little redhead will be 2 next week.  I'm so thankful for her. She is pure JOY.

Sweet girl!

At the Foot of the Cross

"I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway."  Romans 7:19 (The Message)

I normally don't really like The Message translation but this one verse fits exactly how I feel.  I'm so thankful for the Lord's grace after the last several weeks that I've had. 


Love this song also by Kathryn Scott:

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart

Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me

Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down

From: http://www.musicbabylon.com

Top Ten Favorite Things From the Week

10.  Sleeping in today

 9.  Patty Melt at Marietta Diner

 8.  Chicken Strips at Otter's (Yikes, that's 2 food items in a row)

 7.  Several sunny days!
 
 6.  Choir Rehearsal

 5.  Singing "Our God" on Sunday in worship

 4.  Laughing (out of control) with my co-workers and boss on Thursday

 3.  Tulips and Dunkin Donuts from my husband on Valentine's Day

 2.  Holding, Kissing, and Hugging my sweet little Maddie and Landon

 1.  What a Friend I Have in Jesus....all week long!

Here's a Great Photo of the Engaged Couple...More to Come

I'm waiting to hear from them soon on the location and exact date of the wedding. They visited a plantation today that is an event center for weddings,etc.

Looking forward to seeing them this weekend.

My Boy

My boy is 26 years old. And independent. And engaged to be married in June.  But he's still my boy. (As any mother will tell you, that never changes).  I'm proud of him. He's brought much joy to our lives. 

Stephen was an MK (Missionary kid) until he was 11 years old.  I believe that gave him his wonderful solid foundation in the Lord for his life and also some wanderlust.  He's always loved to travel.  We traveled around Guatemala planting churches, visiting other missionaries, helping with work teams from the States (Stephen helped with translating ) and he thrived on this lifestyle.  I have a picture in my mind of my blonde little boy with a backpack on.  He would walk into a house and ask "Where do I sleep?"  No one was a stranger to him.  He especially loved a place in Guate named Salama.  It was all desert with cactus, snakes, hot weather, plains, and hills off in the distance.  We stayed often with a family there and he considered that a vacation resort.

He would carelessly hop across the little streams of sewage in the villages we worked in, didn't care if his playmates had lice, or that the food or water he took in could make him sick. He enjoyed time with his fellow MKs and village kids as they played street soccer.  Stephen excelled in school and just loved life there in Central America. 

We returned to Georgia when he was 11 years old and he continued his excellence in school and sports.  He was single-minded in his determination to make excellent grades and enter University of Georgia.  He completed his four years and then headed to graduate school.  About halfway through he decided enough was enough and decided to work and travel.  Through his college years he had traveled out west and loved the beautiful landscapes out in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, etc.  He traveled to California and helped in a mission there for a week or so also.  Finally, he decided to settle down near UGA again and began dating Rachel, a beautiful girl who is in pharmacy school.  Now they are engaged and I am looking forward to that wedding and getting to know my future daughter-in-law well! She also loves the west so I'm interested to see where they eventually settle down.

Some random pics:

Stephen at age 8 with Erin and their dog, Kazan.  We were living in Antigua at this time.

Our landlord owned horses and Stephen often helped round them up in the evenings in Antigua, Guatemala

Stephen and Erin grown up

At Erin's wedding in 2007

 

On vacation with our extended family in Siesta Key (2009)

June wedding? Beginning of a new family within our own.  So happy for them!

Rachel and Stephen

So I get to be a mother-in-law again! Hooray! We are so happy that our son, Stephen, is marrying a beautiful, sweet, smart, Jesus-loving girl!  She is in pharmacy school at UGA so she has beauty AND brains. They have been dating about a year now and we've spent some time with her at different family functions.  Enough to know that we love her and think she's perfect for Stephen.  We are so happy that the Lord has brought them together.

I don't know all the details yet but Stephen gave her my grandmother's diamond ring on Tuesday night in the pouring rain. Sweet!!  Rachel was shocked, I believe. Never saw it coming.  There will be a June wedding more than likely. They are still discussing details.

I am looking forward to getting to know this girl better...newest member of the family!

HA! They were at some weird festival that involved triathalons and Vikings...????  They seem to be a perfect match!

These are the only pics I have of these two and I stole them from their Facebook pages! Hoping to get some more when we meet them in a couple of weeks for lunch or supper.