Ah! It's Friday!

I hope your Friday,...your weekend is as beautiful as this rose!

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Mom,

I know I talk to you just about every day but I don't think I have ever thanked you for all the things you have done for me. You were always willing to sit at the sewing machine when I needed the perfect outfit! You endured countless sessions of drama...sometimes day after day. You were always willing to open our home to every stray person in need of a sympathetic shoulder to cry on! How many of my friends have you counseled over the years? Too many to count. How many recipes have you slowly and carefully repeated via long distance so I could make the perfect meal? You modeled daily what it was like to be a lady. You were never ashamed to show your faith and you were always willing to volunteer in church and in your community. I always knew you were special and gracious but I didn't appreciate it fully until Rob was killed in the plane crash. You were there for me, at my elbow, helping me make the tough decisions, helping me parent 2 toddlers, negotiating and handling the dozens of in-laws and family members that invaded my home on the heels of such a horrid tragedy. You handled neighbors, the press, and the nosy people who always seem to gather around the tragic. When I didn't have the strength to carry on emotionally you held me together with your prayers. I know there were many instances when you had to bite your lip and hold your tongue. You were always the epitome of a Southern lady. Now, 20 years later, I can thank God for the magnificent Mom you are to me and the excellent grandmother you are to my the kids. We couldn't have made it this far without you. I hope you know how much you are cherished and loved. May God bless you this Mother's Day! We love you!

Pepperminty Goodness...

...I don't think any other words are really necessary! Have a great weekend!

Amazed!

Sometimes I stand in amazement at the things God creates! Then to add to it, He then gives me the privilege to see and marvel at His creation! I found this in our rose garden. I am not worthy! I have no words except,...Praise be to God!

Sweetness!

It is no secret that I love kitties! This is Sylvie. She was rescued from the Humane Society years ago. We were shocked that someone would give this beautiful cat up just because they were moving. She was about 4 years old, fixed, declawed and impossibly quiet! This cat is like velcro! If I am in the house she is with me...as close as she can possibly get. This pose is uncharactistic. She rarely plays and if she does she never plays in a cardboard box. She also hates the camera. If she hears the camera come to life she bolts in the opposite direction. I am thankful that I was able to capture sweetness on this calm afternoon. Sylvie did move from the box the minute I turned the camera off. She is now asleep on my right foot!

Enjoying Friday!

This a beautiful Friday here in South Mississippi! And, our roses are blooming. This one represents our on Yellow Rose of Texas,...my sweet girl who will be heading home one week from today! I can't wait. I am looking forward to having her close by and not 6 hours away. I have just finished cleaning out all of her old furniture so that we can move her things in. I am thankful that she is making a new start here with us! My nest will be full once again!

Hope you have a marvelous weekend!

Among the Living!

My new bracelet from Lisa Leonard Designs! Don't you love it!!!





I feel like I have been gone for a hundred years! Where has the time gone? It was never my intention to be away from my little blog so long. I need my entries to help keep up with my life and all that keeps me occupied. So, where was I the last time I posted...,OH!

I was anticipating heading to New Orleans for the Living Proof Live Event with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell. I didn't have far to travel since the Crescent City is just a little more than an hour away. I went with my dearest friend and a group from her church. We had a great trip over with lots of laughter and good fellowship. We stayed in the Homewood Suites (great accomodations) about 6 blocks away from the arena. Oh, it was such a good weekend and a wonderful event. The praise and worship was excellent! Travis Cottrell is so talented and he uses it to bring glory and honor to the Lord. Beth taught from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (The Message) and it was so convicting. I provided a link to the passage from Biblegateway.com in case you do not have access to a copy. It packs a wallop.

Upon my return to life at home I had a message from my daughter asking if she could move back home. She is in the midst of a huge heartbreak and has decided that re-grouping from the nest is the best thing for her. So, she is leaving her job and planning to go to school this summer to finish her teacher certification. We are praying that even in this economy she will be able to find a job teaching English and maybe even overseeing a school newspaper. So my half empty nest will be filled once again even if it is only a temporary thing!

Of course, this all happened during Holy Week which for those of us who work in churches is an extremely busy time. I had the finishing touches to put on the annual Youth retreat that takes place every Easter weekend. That kept me so busy all week long, including an 11 hour day on Good Friday. I used Easter weekend to catch up on my rest. We did have an incredible service on Easter morning. Great music, wonderful worship, and a powerful message from John 20:1-18.

This week is vacation week for almost every one on staff at the church so I am holding down the fort! I am looking forward to the weekend so I can finish re-arranging closets and furniture to make room for my daughter who hasn't been home in 5 years...not since before she started college!

My only other pre-occupation is with Scripture memorization. In the right hand column you will see that I have taken up the challenge that Beth Moore issued on her blog at the beginning of the year. I love my verse for April 15th (well, I have loved them all because they have each spoken to me in the midst of my circumstances) - - - "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name." Exodus 15:2-3.

Hope all is well in your part of the world!