II Peter 1:5-7

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake I pray the Lord
my soul to take.

I remember thinking of this prayer often as a child. Then I was
fearful that something would happen to me. Now as I get older,
I know it's very possible that something could happen to me at
any time.

I treasure each moment I have with my children and my two
precious grandchildren. Oh, how I hope I have lots of time with
them. I didn't know my own grandparents much. I guess that's
why being an available grandparent is important to me.

Now I lay me down to sleep
If I die before I wake

I hope my children and grandchildren will know how important
they are in my life. Time with them is precious. Time is something
there's never quite enough of. Not enough to say everything we
want to, to do everything we want to, to be with all the people we
love as much as we want.

I hope my children also treasure their moments with family and
friends. Don't forget what's important. I love you!!

I'm Overwhelmed

God has blessed me abundantly. He's answered my prayers for
Tracy and Franklin. He's blessing them with another child.

I've been thinking about prayers for my children. I know God
has been with them and blessed them.

He blessed Franklin and John with wonderful wives. They each
have a beautiful child. They have good jobs.

I know God answered prayers about Franklin getting the right
place to work and the right place to live.

Now I'm excited as John and Emily and trying to find a new home.
I'm excited to see how God will answer.

I believe He has blessed all my children with talents. I've seen them
grow in those. They amaze me. I've watched them all go through
college and now Libby is even a graduate student. I know God has
helped them all and I know He continues to have great plans for them
and for my grandchildren.

At times we pray, but we forget God is working. We get used to
praying and sometimes we forget to praise Him when He answers.
Thank you God for continuiing to answer even when I'm not worthy
of your wonderful gifts. Thank you also for my wonderful church
family who's praying for me.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Those We Miss

My sister has done a lot of work on our family genealogy. I hadn't
thought of some of my relatives in ages. It's strange how hearing a
name can bring a picture into your mind.

I long to go on a day trip with my sister and see some of the old
homes that I visited as a child. I want to look at family tombstones
and reflect on the lives of those with whom I can no longer laugh or
cry.

My brother's best friend, Tommy, died in the Vietnam War. He was
much too young. He was over at our house a lot since his own mother
had died and he lived with his grandmother.

I had a crush on Tommy for a while. He thought of me as a little
sister. At Tommy's funeral I couldn't bear to look at his face. It was
difficult to come to terms with the fact that he was dead. Somehow it
seemed as if I could keep him alive if I didn't see him lying in that
casket. But memories don't die!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Sharing Tag

I was tagged by Franklin.

The Rules: Link to the person that tagged yuo and post the rules on
your blog.
Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog,
or
Share the 5 top places on your "want to see or want to see again"
list, or
Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when you
were 25 years old.

Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of
your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know
that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

I'm doing 5 random facts about myself.

1. In high school I hated giving book reports, but later joined
Toastmasters and enjoyed giving speeches. I was still nervous
but it was fun.

2. When I got married I was working in the Dept. of Anesthesiology
at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. The other women in
the office couldn't believe I would be willing to move away from
my parents to Memphis, Tenn. Because of a recommendation
letter sent from one of my bosses I was able to work at the
University Hospital in Memphis also in the Dept. of
Anesthesiology.

3. I hate change, but moved to Africa for 5 years. Only with God's
was I able to do this.

4. Another thing about myself it that I am involved in prison
ministry which has also been something which stretched my
faith.

5. My latest passion is writing; although I have lots and lots of stuff
I've written not much is really worthy of reading.

tag: Esther, Tracy

Amazing Grace - the movie

Have you watched the movie, Amazing Grace? What's it
like to be so appalled by something that you spend 15
years of your life fighting against it? Fighting a battle
that seems hopeless. Everyone seems to be against you.
Your health suffers. You are tired, disheartened, frustrated
and yet you must continue. You cannot let the other side
win this battle.

Is there some battle cry that I must take up; what about you?

Friday, January 18, 2008

Ain't No Sunshine When Esther's Gone


Tessa Turtle sat shivering in the cold, dark house. Never had
she felt so alone. It wasn't just the absence of electricity that
made the house dreary; it was the fact the little girl was gone.
She felt as if she were alone on a boat far from the shore.

Tessa could still hear the ice pelting the roof. The trees were
bending over from the weight of ice. Occasionally, she heard a
loud crack which reminded her of a gunshot.

When the electricity had gone off, the little girl's parents had
gathered up some clothes and whisked her off to her grand-
parent's house. They had even taken the fish and Tessa's friend
and confidant, Pete, the guard dog. None of the other stuffed
animals in the house could speak, so Tessa had no one with whom
she could talk.

Tessa tried to forget her own loneliness and remember that the
little girl had to be protected at all costs. She already had the
sniffles and no one wanted the little girl to be sick.

Tessa heard a clicking sound and the creaking of the front door
as it opened. Who was there? Soon she saw the little girl's daddy.
He was gathering up more clothes; then he went into the garage
and tossed food into the ice chest. Oh my, thought Tessa, it
looked like it might be a while before the little girl could come
home.

Tessa loved living with the little girl and her parents. She
thought of the day the little girl came home from the hospital.
What an exciting day it was! The little girl's parents were
overjoyed. Finally, she had arrived. Even Pete, the guard dog
was excited.

Tessa had watched as the little girl grew. She learned to do
new things. She smiled and cooed. Then she began to laugh.
She started trying to talk, making different sounds. The little
girl's parents could not understand her, but Pete and Tessa
had learned the little girl's language. They all enjoyed
watching her develop new skills.

It was another long lonely night. Tessa was trying to keep
her courage up by thinking about all the happy memories she
shared with the little girl.

The next morning Tessa heard the sound of truck down the
street. She hoped it was someone working on the electricity.

About noon, Tessa heard the key turning inthe front door.
Surely it wasn't the little girl's daddy. He was supposed to
be at work. The door groaned as it opened. Tessa heard
the little girl's mother and grandpa. Her heart filled with
anticipation. There was the little girl, but only for a moment.
Then the little girl vanished from Tessa's sight. That brief
time was enough to encourage Tessa.

After the little girl had been gone several hours, Tessa
heard a humming noise and saw a bright flash of light.
Yea, the electricity was on again. Now she knew that the
little girl, her parents, the fish and Pete would be home
again soon.

She was thinking of all she was going to talk to Pete and
the little girl about when they arrived home. Tessa felt
all warm inside. Surely, there must be more inside Tessa
than stuffing. Tessa knew that the little girl with her
giggles and laughter brought happiness into this home.
She waiting excitedly for the return of "little miss sunshine".

My Acting Career

Ok, so I really didn't have an acting career. Viewing the movie
the "Parent Trap" made me reminisce about when I was about
10 years old and saw the movie for the first time with my friends,
Pam and Trudy.
I don't know why we loved that movie so much. Our parents
weren't divorced, but for some reason it struck a chord with us.
Maybe we all missed our Dads because it seemed at that time
they were all so busy with work. We hardly saw them.
Every opportunity we had to be together we acted that
movie out. I still enjoy the movie. It brings back my childhood.
I'm glad to see that my sons are able to be very involved in
their children's lives. I've noticed that at worship services Fathers
take on more of a role in their children's lives; holding them,
changing diapers, letting Moms have a rest.
Of course, there are still many single parent homes where
children long to know their Fathers.
I'm thankful for each and every moment I did have my Dad.
I'm also thankful for Trudy, Pam and yes, Haley Mills who made
my acting moments possible.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Writing the History of Our Lives

I've been reading a lot about writing memoirs; writing events from our
lives. I want to write about my life, not that it's so amazing or enthralling
to listen to. Realizing my children don't know very much about my
family and my childhood compels me to want to write, even if it's only for
my children and grandchildren. I'm not saying I'm a "great writer" and
everyone should read what I write.

I suppose at times I feel that I don't know nearly as much as I'd like to
about my Dad or my mother. My mother is still alive and I can find out
events about her life, what it was like for her growing up; however, my
Dad has been dead for 28 years. I want to put what I do know on paper
so my children and grandchildren can at least know my Dad through
me. I think as long as my Dad lives on in my memory somehow I
hope I can keep him alive and let others know what he meant to my
life.

I never knew my Dad's parents and I wish my Dad or Aunt had told
me more about them. Although, my Dad's mother died when he was
about 18 months old so he really didn't know much about her either.

We have such strong ties to our family and unfortunately those
closest to us don't always know all that we long to tell them. We leave
so many thoughts and feelings unsaid. Also, by writing about the
people in my life I can relive some precious moments and realize how
blessed my life has been.

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