Bye-Bye, July....

Well, seven months of this year have gone by in the bat of an eye. You two faithful readers know that I have spent the majority of this year getting my firstborn out of the house and into his new digs. Hubby Tim told his boss this last week..."Remember my boy that I just moved up to Kentucky the other day?" (Boss nods affirmatively.) "Well, I need Monday off to go up and move him back!" (Boss laughs and nods knowingly. He has teenagers, too.)

I guess if Dan gets all packed up, Monday will be the day we retrieve him from the Bluegrass State. Actually, Tim and Sam will do the retrieving. I will be minding the small kids and animals. Small kids and animals are distracting when you are moving large, heavy furniture and boxes. I think I will be staying home and lending my positive thoughts to the endeavor! I know my husband is thrilled.

I can hardly believe it is time to start school again. Sarah is going to join her cousins Monday for a homeschool scavenger hunt (they have to find their hidden school supplies) and then going to see the visiting Egyptian exhibit at a museum nearby. She will have a full day!

Micah is probably going to get in some of the last of his pool time at Grandma's until next season. We'll "ride the wave" until the weather gets too cool to swim---which usually around here is the end of August. But with the unusual cycle of weather we have had this year, I am not ruling out swimming in December....yet.

Speaking of wacky weather....We have had very few thunderstorms this year as compared to previous years. (That is not a scientific statement by any means. I have nothing more than my perceptions to back up that statement. Perhaps I should say that it SEEMS like we have had very few thunderstorms this year, comparitively speaking.)

Now I hate tornadoes, but I LOVE a good thunderstorm to lull me to sleep. Every since we had the terrible day in April where many were killed in our state in a tornado outbreak, everything has been relatively quiet. We have had a couple of good storms, but nothing major since "the big one." I am just wondering if we are going to really have an active hurricane season like they said we were or not. Of course, we really don't have hurricanes in Tennessee, but we get the remnants of tropical storms coming up from the Gulf.

But I digress....Once we get Daniel back home, then, we will make the second leg of the trip to move what he needs to his grandparents' house so that he can ready for college. Then, I am going to bring him back here and work him like a slave until he starts classes. (Please don't tip him off beforehand!) I have so many things I need a big old strapping boy to do. We are going to clean out the GRODY garage, move a bunch of furniture, possibly do some painting, take some things off to charity and storage, etc. I hope the weather will cooperate---and the kids, too. We need to make some progress in the battle of the bulging closets.

Speaking of closets, we have had disaster in the master BR closet. First, I piled too many heavy things on the top of Tim's rack. The clips that held the shelf on the wall were deficient anyway. We learned this when we went to get more after Tim's shelf fell. There are new and better shelf-holding clips available at your handy-dandy home improvement store. Today, I heard a crash, but I never could pin down where it came from. When I went upstairs later, I found that my clothes shelf was down, and all the stuff on top is in piles on the floor. It is a huge mess. I have a feeling that my monkey-children, Hannah and Sarah, had something to do with the demise of this shelf. However, enough time had passed that I could not prove it. So, tomorrow is "clean the master BR closet day," "get the trailer hitch inspected day" and "tune the car up day" among other things I have on my list to do.

I am getting tired already!

In other news, I am happy to report that Dad has slept in a bed for the first time in a long time for two nights now. That means that enough of the water has come off of him that he can breathe when he lies down now. I pray it will stay off a while. He is still having some adjustments to his other meds, but hopefully, he will have a little season of peace for now.

It is hard to focus with all the stuff going on in the world now. One part of me says this "wars and rumors of wars" is just more of the same, and another part thinks that it really could escalate into something terrible. Whatever happens, God is in control. Yet, we have to be ready....

Have a good weekend, all! :)

Friends

She created the sweetest tribute to Daniel over on her page. She has some of the greatest photos of his time in Lexington with "the gang." Daniel has been so fortunate to share the last few months with one of the sweetest groups of "kids/Christians" on the face of the planet.

When he first began to tell me that he wanted to move to Kentucky, I'll admit I was not too keen on the idea. After all, I had heard the horror stories from many other mothers about how their kids left home, moved to some college town, and eventually fell into all kinds of sinful behavior and drifted away from the Lord. At some point, though, you have to hope that you have instilled the right things in them so that they can stand up to temptations on their own, and sometimes, we as moms and dads can not really tell a young man or woman that they can't grow up and move out! After all, they are 18 or 19 or 20.

After much prayer and discussion, and when a mother's tears failed to sway his thinking, Daniel decided that he wanted to cast his lot with three other Christian young men living in a house in Lexington. He went up and visited to make sure that it was really what he wanted, and he came home elated and ready to move on up there! It was a great comfort to me to know that all three young men were Christians, and at least they would all hopefully be helping each other towards a common goal (heaven)!

I was still not sure it was going to work. After all, Dan would have to get a job amd get himself everywhere without the watchful eye of Mom, who always had watched the clock for him and gotten him where he needed to be on time. Then, to top it all off, his driving experience had been limited to Tiny Town, Tennessee. I did not see how he would keep from being instantly killed in Lexington! :)

Somehow, believe it or not, he has managed to stay employed at one place the entire time he has been up there--without his mother! Imagine that! Either he has gotten much better at setting an alarm, or he is paying his roommates to get him up on time!




When we have had chances to visit with the "Old Manse" boys, it does not take long to see how much fun they have together and how much they care for one another. They are quite an animated group, and they manage to pull some pretty funny pranks on each other very often, it seems. Just look at the refrigerator picture in [her|sarahpet] pics for proof of their warped humor.) Late night runs to Taco Bell, Krogers, and to anyplace else that had food in the middle of the night gave occasion for some good old fashioned fun and frolic. I have heard rumors that making Big K cola bombs in the cul-de-sac provided many nights of hilarious science experiments!





(Tony manages to put every blanket in the house on the sleeping Jeremy, like every good roomie would do!)



It's probably hard for all of these young folks to know, but these are most likely some of the best days of their lives. Starving college students probably would not agree, but kids, when you look back on your lives, the friendships you have at this age will be some of the sweetest of your life. Memories you are making now will stay with you until you are very old, and they will bring a smile to your lips when you recall the closeness you have shared.

Daniel knew when he moved in that come August, another friend would arrive to take his place, and he would move somewhere else. For a while, he thought that somewhere would be another place in Lexington. However, God seems to have a use for him back home which we do not fully understand yet. Thankfully, Dan is the type of boy who looks to God for guidance and trys to listen and yield his life in whatever way God wants to use him. When things started coming together in Tennessee, and the "lease" was running out, we began to think that his address might be changing.

We all know that time and distance prevent us from seeing those we love quite often. But time and distance cannot restrict love, and the love Daniel has for all of you Lexingtonians and Louivillians and residents of all the other neighboring KY cities will not be hampered by a little thing like a state line. Trust that his affection for you will transcend all earthly limits, and that your lights will burn brightly in his heart forever.



I can truly say that it has been OUR priviledge to get to meet and know and love all of you. I doubt you have seen the last of the great Chipotle-eating Barista! I hope that in the coming days, when you think of our big, gentle giant, who has probably inadvertantly adjusted all of your spines with one of his "bear hugs," that you will hear the old John Denver song, expressed so beautifully in these words, playing in your hearts:

"What a friend we have in time
Gives us children, makes us wine
Tells us what to take or leave behind

And the gifts of growing old
Are the stories to be told
Of the feelings more precious than gold

Friends I will remember you, think of you
Pray for you
And when another day is through
I'll still be friends with you...."




"Friends"

Let's Get Moving on this Monday Morning!

Happy Monday! What's the matter? Having trouble getting motivated to start a new week? Go here, listen to this song, and affirm that there is indeed a God--He is Alive; in Him we live and we survive! If this doesn't get your blood pumping, nothing will! (It may not be the most 'professional' cut of the song I have ever heard, but what it lacks in polish, it doubly makes up for in spirit!) (If you are at work, put your headphones on, and give it a few seconds to load!)

Flying on the Next Leg of the Journey.....

Well, I have not been posting because I have been too busy filling out college forms getting a certain young man ready for his first semester at college. If all works out, he will be a college student here shortly. After much deliberation and prayer on his part, he felt that the Lord is guiding him back "home" to Tennessee to begin his college work towards a degree in Social Work. He hopes to get a Masters before he finishes so that he can go as far in his career as is possible.

Since he decided all this rather late in the summer, we have been rushing to fill out all the forms, have transcripts and test scores rounded up and sent, and even gotten his shot records from the pediatrician. He is going to live with his grandparents, Lord willing, and be able to practically walk to classes, seeing that they only live a field away from the campus. It is not a completely done deal yet, but things are looking pretty positive that he can begin this semester instead of waiting until January.

I am hoping that he is going to be a blessing to his grandparents, who have struggled and are continuing to struggle with health issues. I hope he can assist my mom in caring for Dad and by helping out in the house and yard. Mom does not fully know yet that she is getting a gem in this boy, because he cooks--he cleans--and he can lift lots of heavy things that women need lifted. He is a proficient shopper, for those times you don't feel like going to the store yourself. I think he will lift some of her load.

At any rate, a great time of his life is coming to an end. I know he will miss all of you in the Blue Grass State more than any of us can express. You have been gracious hosts, and you have taken good care of my "little man" while he has been there. I am especially grateful to his housemates, who have taught him how to set and use an alarm clock, how to successfully load dishes and clothing into the proper washers, and how to obtain and hold a job in spite of a challenging-to-get-along-with manager! In addition, I think that Dan is much better prepared to marry some day, after learning to live with roommates! Each one of the four is unique and wonderful in his own way, and learning to live together and still get along at the end of the day is good practice for marriage.

So, Dan, this post is to you and for you! I am proud of you, and I pray for you that you will have much happiness and success on this new leg of the journey....

Song of the Post (in honor of him!) (click to view my video tribute, and give it a minute to load!)

God Bless America!

As we witness all the unrest in the world right now, take a minute to go and view this.

It is very well-done and reminds us how we are so blessed in this country. (I wonder how many of you younger ones remember John Wayne.)

We'd better be praying for God to continue blessing America, and not just taking it for granted that He will keep pouring out His richest blessings on us and our children. This idea is as relevant on the 14th of July as it is on the 4th.

The Chill of an Early Fall???

I think it was Thursday afternoon that I stepped outside to take the children somewhere, and the cool just knocked me over! "In all my born days" I have never seen weather like we have had this year in Tennessee. I have just come to expect the unexpected.

I asked my family if anyone could remember a cool day in July. Nobody could. Of course, that does not mean much, but I think the last time we hit the 50's in July in Tennessee was in the early 80's, and I was out of state at the time, which would account for why I don't remember it---ever! Hey, nobody is complaining around here. I am sure there are some grateful road and construction crews, as well as happy people from all walks of life who are outside lots during the days.

Well, I take my big eaglet back to the bus stop after tomorrow's morning church service! I have so enjoyed having him home for nearly two weeks, and though his plans are not finalized, I might be seeing more of him in the near future. I think he has had a very insightful couple of weeks (and so did I, for that matter!) Plans are in the works for his next few years, and we will see what ends up being the Lord's plan for his future! It's gratifying to see God at work in your childrens' lives, because He is, truly, the Master Architect! (Jer. 29:11)

We had as nice of a 4th of July as you can have when one of your patriarchs of the family is ill. I got to see all my state-side brothers and sisters-in-law as well as some extended family on my mother's side at a reunion. It was wonderful, and I think they had the nicest spread of food I have seen in years at a potluck. Everything just went together so well, and a lot of the cooks had really put some time into some elaborate dishes---not just the simple stuff you do a lot of times for picnics. All the food was kept indoors, too, so we did not have the usual Tennessee fly problem to kill your appetite.

Tim and I took about a week of vacation for the price of three days off, because he had a 4 day weekend. It is always nice not to have to burn your vacation days. We spent a lot of time in Mom's inground pool, and my brothers would come over when they could, and before you knew it, all the guys would be wrestling like bear cubs in the water! My sister-in-law and I noted that girls do not seem to have the urge to throw one another in the pool, nor do they rig pool noodles up to the water holes on the pool to shoot huge water cannons at one another! Girls also do not feel the need to climb atop the whale float and bounce up and down until the pool has become a wave pool with 10 foot surges! I can also tell you that I was not at all tempted to do one belly flop! It's a good thing that at least one of the genders is generally a little more reserved, or all of our kids would have been drowned for sure.

While we were vegetating poolside, our younger two boys were off to camp in a state park in Alabama. They had a ball! Sam got his first experience with tubing on the lake! He and Micah made me the cutest coasters, and they had a great time studying the Bible and singing with their peers into the night.

After we came back home, we rested a day or two, and then Daniel talked us into taking him to his favorite restaurant around here...The Olive Garden! In the middle of dinner, I started feeling kind of queasy, but I did not think much about it. I boxed the rest of my dinner and ordered their impossible-to-pass-up tiramisu and coffee. That did not help my tummy any, either. By the time I got home, I was just miserable with nausea.

That is how I have stayed for the last two days. I am nauseated enough to be uncomfortable, but thankfully, I have not been bowing before the porcelain throne. So far, none of the family had shown any signs of being sick either, but within the last few minutes, Tim went up to lie down. We both have to teach tomorrow, so I am just hoping that we will not be deterred by this summer virus which seems to be going around the community. (Get ready with your buckets, Jen! :)

Thanks to all who have contacted me about my dad. His congestive heart failure has been really bad in the last week. As you know, it is really hard to find people or get things done during a holiday week. Next week, hopefully, they can run some more tests and try to pin down what is causing him to spiral downward. All prayers are appreciated.

Well, that is the update for now. I think I am going to catch a late nap, too and try to get rid of the rest of this virus, if that is what it is. I hear the heat is returning next week, so it looks like maybe things will get back to "normal"--if there is such a thing anymore! :)

Winds of Change

(That's an evil sailorman snatching away the blushing bride to carry her out of Dixie to "Yankee" territory....)

On the 4th of July, 8 years ago....



"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him." Deuteronomy 32:11-12


Tonight in Bible study, we will be in Deuteronomy 32. As I was reading over the chapter, I came across the above verses describing God's relationship with the children of Israel. I got goosebumps thinking about the imagery here, because, as you know, I am a big fan of eagles.

The eagle was our high school mascot, and I guess we all thought a little about eagles yesterday (July 4th). I was just thinking about how the eagle could not fly without the wind under her wings, and yet sometimes, the wind conditions must not be at all favorable for flying.

It seems to me that the winds of change are blowing again. I guess what got me thinking on this subject were the events of yesterday, when my dad and I were sitting outside minding the "4th of July meat" on the grill. Dad has been deathly ill, got better for a while, and is having a rough time again. We spent the last 6 days over there, vacationing a little, hanging out in the pool and just being with my father as much as we could. Even though he has been having periods where he is sitting in an air conditioned room with 3 fans blowing on him (and we installed a window unit in the adjoining room to blow in and make it that much cooler,) he is still gasping for air at times. He gets so tired that he falls off to sleep, breathes more shallowly in his sleep, and awakens with a start unable to catch his breath. We sit and helplessly watch.

At any rate, Dad had decided that HE was going to barbecue ribs and tenderloin on the 4th, even though it meant sitting outside near a hot grill in the July heat. Add to that the smoke billowing from the smoker and the grill, and I was just sure he was going to do himself in. Somehow, he managed to sit there (God was good and sent a cold front,) and we rigged an outdoor fan to blow in his face.

He and I were sitting there quietly together, listening to the rest of the crew splash noisily in the backyard pool. The smoke was coming right at our chairs, and I was having a hard time breathing.

"Dad," I said, "you know that people do die from smoke inhalation, right?"

"I'll be o.k.," he replied, as cavalier as ever.

Then, as I sat there watching the smoke, it changed direction and started blowing 180 degrees east, off into the garden.

"Isn't that weird?" I commented as we breathed easier. "I guess that is what they mean by 'winds of change,' huh?"

The winds of change are indeed blowing, I perceive. At least they are in my life. I happily celebrated my 8th wedding anniversary yesterday with family all around. We ate ribs and Mom's marvelous potato salad and Steph's scrumptious squash dressing! We watched the news with one eye as North Korea launched missiles in our direction on our Independence Day. My older boys chatted online with the newly-rediscovered-and-much-appreciated-opposite-sex, while the young ones made anniversary "cake" out of blocks and tinkertoys. I got showered with jewelry, perfume, and dietetic candy by my sweet and doting husband! :)

I'm trying to do better about "being anxious in nothing" and maybe someday I will actually master the concept. But my mind wanders to what it will be like next Independence Day, if the Lord wills we stay here that long. Will the den still be overflowing with the offspring of two people who began their love affair 45 years ago? Will the pool be filled with overgrown sons and son-in-laws wrestling like bear cubs? Will I be holding my new little niece or nephew? Will my big old boys have found TRUE love? Will I go off to sleep wrapped in the arms of my beloved?

I counted my blessings yesterday, as the winds of change blew gently on my back. I thanked God for one more day to live in a free country. I was also thankful that I have a man who is true and honest and strong, and I don't think that anything but death or circumstances beyond our control could separate us. I hugged my husband and my kids and my brothers and my sisters and my parents and my nieces and nephew, and I thought fondly of my other family in far-away places. As we drove off into the night, watching the whole world celebrate our anniversary :) , I was grateful that, for today, the winds are calm and straight out of heaven.