TheDolphinTail

Lunch With Grandma

2010-08-17T22:06:00.001-04:00

Yes, I still have a lot of mission trip writing to do, but I have to jump in here one more time before I get to that. Since we got back I have been tending to the things that just couldn't wait any longer, like funerals and jury duty. Finally, this week, I have gotten to a few of the people on my list. Literally. I have a list of people that I need to call, see, email, people that just got neglected while I was gone. Today I went and picked up Grandma Brantley and took her to lunch. We just always called them Grandma and Grandpa because their granddaughters were in our youth group when we came and that's all I ever heard them called. When my kids were little, we would go and visit them. Grandpa always showed Joshua his knife collection, and the girls always played with the barbie dolls that were left there by the granddaughters. We always took by something homemade on Christmas Eve and visited for a while. It's been 11 years since Grandpa left us. I adored him. Absolutely adored him. Grandma and I talked about him at lunch today and I told her that I always go for the ones that like to act like big bull dogs but are really big teddy bears inside. I had Grandpa figured out from the start, and I was right. For years they sat right behind us in church. Grandpa and I had many heart to heart talks that I will never forget. He let me see the real Grandpa and I loved him just the way he was. Grandma and I became much closer after Grandpa died. We laugh and talk and never have a quiet moment when we're together. Today, while we were sitting in the restaurant, Joshua just happened to come in. Grandma hadn't seen him in so long and she was so thrilled to see him and he certainly remembered her! We talked about how blessed she is to be her age and SO healthy and able to do all she does. She still cooks lunch for her family most days, and I do mean cooks! She talked about her devotions that she had read just this week. Another elderly couple from church came over to our table and were just shocked to see us together. They asked if we were related. We both just looked at each other and neither of us said anything for a few seconds. Finally we both laughed and I said "Well, yes!" Grandma had known them for years, I had known them for years, but none of knew we knew each other. Finally, I told them that we had always called them Grandma and Grandpa and that our kids had always called them Grandma and Grandpa, for all of our 25 years here. They went on to their table and sat down and we laughed about it. All I know is that I have spent a whole lot of years very far away from most of my family. My children have had several Grandma and Grandpas that are not any blood relation. We have had many relationships that have bathed us in love. God has blessed us in ways we could never have dreamed. My visits with Grandma are precious to me. I look forward to them. They are not always for her benefit. Sometimes I need her to be my friend and I always know where to find her and she always has time. We walked out of the restaurant and Grandma took my hand and she said "I think we are relation, I think that happened a long time ago." I have to agree.

Happy 27th

2010-08-13T14:50:00.000-04:00

27 years ago today I married Mr. Wonderful! Today we celebrated by doing our favorite thing...going to the beach! I have a LOT of blogging to catch up on, I know, but I just had to step in and let you know about the big celebration! We used to always go away for our anniversary, but somehow after being out of the country for a month, living out of a suitcase, just finishing unpacking and doing the laundry this last week after being home already for two weeks, the thought just wasn't real appealing to either of us! Reading at the beach sounded like great fun, and it was! This morning I reflected on how many of our wedding attendants we are still in contact with. We have been blessed with some very rich friendships, three wonderful children, one church family of 25 years, many brothers and sisters of many nationalities, seen alot of places and been honored to represent and serve Him together for 27 years. It's been a joy and blessing, and it's not over yet!!!

Leaving Antigua

2010-07-21T22:25:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow we will leave Antigua and head to Guatemala City to welcome our team here for the mission trip! We are VERY ready to see all our kids! The last few days we haven't done too much, just rested and done all the last minute things that we wanted to get done here. We have enjoyed the roses in our yard, the dogs waiting for me to come and play, the gardener-he cut down bananas this morning, and our sweet little apartment! We have loved our time here and look forward to mission trip now! We will have a construction team building a couple of houses, a medical team, and an evangelism team presenting the gospel in schools and city squares. We look forward to seeing what God is going to do!

2010-07-20T12:02:00.000-04:00

We traveled to Pana again on Saturday. On the way, I was able to get a picture out the window, of where the mud slide was last weekend. Not a great picture, but maybe you get the idea!

Saturday was a really nasty day, lots of rain, so we weren't out much. On Sunday, we got in a boat and traveled aroound the lake. It was a beautiful ride. We only got off at San Pedro and just walked around a little before heading back to Pana.I love seeing the ladies all gather at one place to visit while they do their laundry. This was pretty up close, the best picture I've been able to get of the event!I bought from this lady with the baby on her back last weekend. This weekend too! We chatted a little this week. Her name is Angelina and her baby is precious...only a month old!I also got to see ladies making fresh tortillas! It is pure torture for me to not be able to eat them, but if you saw them doing it, you would understand. So far, we haven't been sick and I wouldn't want to ruin a good thing!On the way home, of course we saw lots of sites. I love seeing the cows tied up with a rope while they graze. A girl on our van had a dog with her that she let go wherever it pleased. Most of the time, it stayed under my feet. I was glad it wasn't a typical Guatemalan dog! Now we are just trying to rest up from School before out team arrives on Thursday! We are ready to see our kids!

Language School Completed!

2010-07-16T17:21:00.001-04:00

The school usually does a field trip on Thursday, but Cary and I didn't want to go yesterday and talked our teachers into taking us on our own private field trip! There is a mountain with a cross on it where you can hike to and see the whole city. It was QUITE a hike! But, we made it and Julio and Gloria were very good guides. It was a pretty view and we had fun spotting all the places in town that we are familiar with. Today was our last day of class and we even got graduation certificates! I said obviously there was no test! It was a great couple of weeks, but we are very glad that school is over and we can relax a little before the mission team arrives! Gloria was my new teacher and I got to move out of the dark hole and into a real classroom. I like to think that is because I got promoted the second week, but that may or may not be true. Gloria had a great sense of humor and we laughed a lot.

Just Another Day!

2010-07-14T20:59:00.000-04:00

This is how we start our day...Sandy and Chico start to whine outside our door and I go and open the door. They stick their heads in, but come no farther! They get their loving, and a bone, and then they are on their way! It is SO cute! These are the pictures we took from Ginger's roof. Today was an especially clear day, no fog or clouds. It is just amazing to be up on that roof! For lunch, we ate at a nursery! It was SO pretty! I don't know what this blooming vine was, but it was beautiful! After lunch we walked around town a little, then headed home to study and do laundry. Near our apartment, we noticed they were doing a little road work. It was interesting enough that we stopped and watched! And then, as we started to walk away, we noticed the baricade! Gotta love the simplicity! So goes another day in the life....

2010-07-13T22:33:00.000-04:00

There just wasn't a lot of excitement today! We went to school this morning and then went for a wonderful lunch with Ginger! Cary had eaten at this place before and the food was SO good! We have not had any problems with the food here! After lunch we took Ginger to the Jade Factory and then she came to our apartment to visit a while. It rainned this afternoon, but I did manage to get in a little bit of playing time with the dogs. They are very good therapy for me when my brain is on overload! We had dinner at home and are enjoying a quiet evening at home!

No Pictures Today!

2010-07-12T23:31:00.000-04:00

Nope, not a single one! The only time I would have taken one my camera was not in reach-which doesn't happen often! We walked to school this morning in the rain, after it rainned all night and yesterday evening! When we got to school, we found Ginger! Ginger is our dentist's wife and she is here to study this week also. Doug has been our dentist for almost 25 years, and we love them dearly. They have taken great care of us! Doug will be coming with the medical team in a couple of weeks. Ginger took us to show us her room at the school. Oh my, I WILL have pictures! On top of her roof is the most beautiful view ever! I had my new teacher today, Gloria, and things went MUCH better! She thinks Gladys just was giving me too much, too fast. After school we showed Ginger the town...lunch, grocery store, and market. We got our stash of fresh veggies and fruit. After we were done shopping, Ginger and I took a tuk-tuk back to our homes. Now THAT was funny. Cary wanted to walk, and we needed to ride because of our groceries. A tuk-tuk ( I am sure that is not how you spell it,) but it's a glorified motorcycle with a bit more protection! So, Cary flags one down for us, hands me a bill, and sends us on our way. No, we have no idea if the bill will cover the cost. Then, I have no idea where we are going and I still don't know how I got to where I belonged. We went places I'd never seen before! Then, I have to get out and send Ginger off on her own and trust he takes her to where we told him to and doesn't try to charge her any more than I've already paid him! We laughed the whole way, and I am sure he was wondering what in the world we were laughing about. It was a great day and I will get pics of the view, a tuk-tuk, and my new teacher!

World Cup in Guatemala

2010-07-11T23:28:00.000-04:00

This is the new Mama. Her name is Bonita (Beautiful) and she came and found me this morning. She purrs constantly and her little claws never quit. She quite enjoys the loving! She came around again to tell me goodbye. Can't wait to see the babies in a couple of weeks! We left Santiago and took a boat back to Pana and just relaxed. Had coffee at a cafe' and just took our time checking out the market area. It was kind of funny, really. Usually they are all over you trying to get you to buy things. Today, however, they were ALL involved with the World Cup! It was very interesting to see them so caught up in the game that they just let us roam around in peace! We saw several places with TVs set up and just chairs in the streets-even an occational car would stop in the street and view the game from their window! All I can say is that I am thrilled that it is over! It was a long time comin!We had an uneventful trip home this afternoon and had a wonderful dinner in Antigua when we got home. Tomorrow starts week two of language school!

Santiago

2010-07-11T11:43:00.000-04:00

We left Pana on Saturday morning and took the boat over to Santiago, to the Bamboo Hotel. THIS is the view from our room! It is beautiful! We had lunch at a hotel, and got massages. The "hut" in the trees was the little massage room. The lady was pretty old and had no experience, but, oh well, it felt good anyway! We walked around the local market for a while and Cary met Lydia. She was adorable! Of course she was trying to get us to buy from her, but she had personality. Cary taught her to say "I am cute"!We spent the evening at the hotel where we saw 4 new baby kittens, just born! When I come back they will be 2 weeks old! I walked back to the room, in the dark, to get something and this HUGE frog jumped out at me. I've never seen anything like it! It's even bigger than it looks! I made Cary go back with me to take the picture. Note to self...never travel without a flash light!

Road Trip!

2010-07-11T10:53:00.001-04:00

After school on Friday we left in a van for Pana. Our van was full, and it was supposed to be about a 2 hour drive. Not so! It was more like a 5 hour ride! We were to be picked up at 12:30, and it wasn't too far from that, but there were many more stops after picking us up before we were on our way! It rainned terribly, we saw a horrible accident, and for a while, we were completely stopped. We didn't know what was going on. Well, like I said, it was raining a lot and we eventually found that each car was stopping, trying to decide if they should try to "fly by" a mud slide that was gonna happen! It was a huge waterfall coming down the mountain and sooner or later, it was going to slide. Adventure. We are looking for adventure. Not really, I just kept studying me Spanish! So, we finally made it to Pana and we were supposed to take a boat to the other side of the lake where we were going to stay in Santiago. The people running the boats saw their opportuity (they don't run the boats that late) and wanted to charge an arm and a leg to take us over. We just stayed in Pana for the night! We ate dinner at a beautiful place right on the lake, Sunset Cafe'.

Sky Cafe'

2010-07-10T22:31:00.000-04:00

After the coffee plantation we walked back to the apt. and found this church along the way. That night we went to the Sky Cafe' for dinner. The view AND the food were amazing! The picture of us is not great, but it's the only one we have! This is the same church we saw earlier in the day!

Coffee Plantation

2010-07-10T22:20:00.001-04:00

On Thursday we took a chicken bus to tour a coffee plantation with our teachers. It was a great break from the dark hole, but the only problem was that the guides only spoke in Spanish. Needless to say, after only three days of school, not a lot was understood! But, from the pictures you can see coffee trees, beans, and the packaging. Also, you can see pictures of Cary and I with our teachers.

Back To School

2010-07-06T18:09:00.000-04:00

No, I didn't write yesterday. It was a rough day, not one I wanted in print! We had our first day of language school, and it was rough for me! Cary asked how I liked it, and I said "I hate it." I felt pretty hopeless. After a lot of self talk, we went back for session two today, and it was MUCH better! No, I won't say I'm a success story yet, but at least I have hope today! Kenneth and Diana surprised us and came to dinner with us last night, so they worked at giving me a pep talk during dinner! We went to the market after school today, ate lunch at McDonalds, and plan to eat in tonight and study a while! These are pictures of our class rooms. Cary's is inside, I am outside. I refer to mine as the dark, damp hole. It really is pretty, but it is dark and damp! My teacher is very nice, her name is Gladys. Cary likes his teacher too, his name is Julio.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T22:15:00.001-04:00

I am pretty sure this is the first time I have been out of the country on the 4th of July! Interestingly enough, it was brought up today in several places where we were. I woke up to hear church bells ringing! It was so pretty! It wasn't long before Chico and Sandy were waiting at the door for their morning greeting! We went out and played a little ball before breakfast! Actually, we played avocado. Sandy has a hard time remembering where she has left her ball, so she gets the next best thing. When she needs a rest, she just peels the avocado and has a snack break, then goes and gets another! Chico just wants to be loved on and have his belly scratched. The grounds where we are staying are so beautiful. Lot of pretty trees and flowers, mountains in the background. Ruth and Paul invited us to go to an English speaking church with them. It was a beautiful church, loved the stained glass window! We went to a Sunday School class, and I just want to say it was the first time in 25 years my husband and I sat in a class and listened! Usually he is teaching and I'm doing a million other things! It was on prayer and the teacher did a great job. The service was a traditional service, made complete with The Old Rugged Cross, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, and even the Lord's Supper. The pastor spoke on The Model Citizen, and brought in the 4th of July and whatever the Guatemalans call their independence day. Paul and Ruth took us to one of their favorite places for lunch, and it was beautiful, and the food was very good. It started raining this afternoon and rained most of the afternoon and evening, making for a real nice nap time! It has been a wonderful day of worship, fellowship, and rest! Tomorrow, we start language school!

Highlights of Today

2010-07-03T18:23:00.002-04:00

We've found the market, McDonalds, and the beautiful hotel just behind us. We are allowed to use the pool there, and it is a really nice place. More pictures another day!

We've Arrived!

2010-07-03T17:15:00.026-04:00

We arrived in Guatemala City yesterday afternoon. We were greeted at the airport by our missionary friends, Kenneth and Diana. We had a nice dinner together, shopped for groceries at a store similar to Walmart, and then they drove us to Antigua to our apartment. It was very rainy yesterday in Guatemala, and we went to sleep with all the windows opened and the rain pouring. There are a lot of "sky lights" in the apartment, letting in the moon light, as well as the sun in the mornings! We are renting the apartment from a retired missionary couple. Our apartment is one of three on the grounds where their home is. It is beautiful, with lots of trees, plants, and roses! They asked us to have breakfast with them this morning. We had a very nice time with Paul, Ruth, and we even have adopted pets, Chico and Sandy! We feel right at home! After breakfast they showed us around the place and Ruth even offered to let me "use" her herb garden!

Leaving For Guatemala

2010-07-01T21:28:00.013-04:00

Tomorrow morning Cary and I will leave on a great adventure! After many trips to Spanish speaking countries, we are going to language school in Antigua, Guatemala! We are excited about it, been planning it for months, and it's almost a reality! We will be in school 4 hours a day, for two weeks. We have rented an apartment about 10 blocks from the school. We will have a few days between language school and the arrival of over 50 of our college and twenty somethings for mission trip. That means we will be in the country for a full month! So far, the greatest challenge has been getting a month's worth of books into a suitcase. Today I decided that suitcase will be the carry on, the one they don't weigh. There just are some things I won't budge on, and that's one of them! Are there really people who don't enjoy reading? My children will inherit a library, at least, and if that's ALL they get, they will be very wealthy!

We've never left the country for a whole month before! It has required a lot of thinking ahead and preparation! Time will tell how well we have done! We are looking forward to the time away, the cooler temperatures, and learning the language. I am pretty sure we will miss our children terribly, both the biological ones and all the adopted ones too! I was looking back over the pictures from the last couple of months, and the ones that bring instant smiles are of our kids. I never get enough of being together and watching them enjoy each other too.

I'll be checking in as I can...I might have stories to tell!

The Andrew Widman Award

2010-06-28T13:52:00.005-04:00

On Thursday, it was Carissa's turn to graduate! It was a very exciting and meaningful night for our family to watch Carissa graduate from the Police Academy! This process has been a family affair...every day we would look forward to hearing Carissa's stories, and we were never disappointed! Early on, Carissa learned of a new award that would be given in memory of Andrew Widman, a Ft Myers officer that was killed almost 2 years ago. Based on academic excellence, Carissa received that award! She was top in her class! While we were THRILLED that she received the award, it also had added meaning for us. Andrew and his family had been missionaries overseas and they were here raising support to go back on the mission field. He was a strong Christian and impacted the lives of those around him. It has been obvious over the events of the past few days that Carissa also made a difference in her world. She stood firm for her Lord and made an impression on others with her integrity and character. We had a party for her on Saturday night and some of her classmates came, along with many others! We have all been a little wound up since Thursday, with plenty to celebrate. God has been so good to have allowed Carissa to earn this award! We are PROUD!

This is Carissa with her instructor and her friend who was the recipient of the same award in the corrections division.

We are a very happy and proud family! These are some of her classmates that came to her party!

The Party

2010-06-15T11:32:00.005-04:00

Yes, Yes, I know. The party was a few days ago! I'm just recovering from all the hoop-la of Kaylee's graduation, while trying to gear up for the next round with Carissa! The party was a huge success, with almost 150 guests! I am pretty sure Kaylee felt very loved, honored, and worn out as well! Patty made LOTS of pink and black cup cakes, per Kaylee's request, and they were wonderful! Carissa graduates from the academy next week, and we are planning to do it all over again!

Celebrating Graduation

2010-06-05T17:38:00.009-04:00

Well, we've made it this far! We were worn out when it was all over last night, but we slept well and have worked hard today to prepare for tomorrow's party! We've cleaned, cooked, and even done some remodeling, with Uncle Rob's help! Tons of friends and Uncle Rob and Aunt Laura came for the occasion and then helped us a lot today! Rob installed a fan and Laura helped in the kitchen.

We had a very nice dinner with the graduates before the graduation and Kaylee received several awards. Then we were off to the ceremony, which went very well. The speaker was Chuck Allen and he was excellent, yet brief! With over 40 graduates, it was a bit long no matter how you look at it! We all had a very nice surprise when Kaylee was presented with the Martha Kreller Scholarship of $1000.00 to the school of her choice! This award was especially meaningful to us. We knew Martha personally, a precious lady who loved the Lord. Her son is currently the chairman of the school board, and years ago was my boss, as well as Cary's. When Kaylee was in third grade, her class went to sing at the nursing home where Martha was. The scholarship was awarded for outstanding leadership skills and service to the school and community. I couldn't help but be reminded of getting the "Good Guy" award when I graduated from High School. It was just what it was called, an award for simply being a good person. I'll never forget my mom telling me that she couldn't have been more proud of any award I could have gotten. I grew up expected to make good grades, but in the end, I also knew it was just as important, if not more so, to be a good person and make a difference in the lives of others. I think I learned that lesson well, because while I was thrilled for the awards being given to worthy students for Physics and English, I don't think I could have been more proud of my student!

That brings you up to date. Stay tuned, tomorrow will be another big day of celebration!

Kaylee's Graduation Day

2010-06-04T13:51:00.008-04:00

Here we are, June 4, 2010. We have been talking about this day for a year, literally, you can look back and see! Kaylee is off running around, doing graduation stuff, so Cary and I did our normal day off thing and went to the beach to read. While I was reading, (yes, it was Beth, of course) I couldn't help but think of how proud I am to be a mom. I guess there is something "finishing" and "final" about the baby graduating, even though we all know the parenting isn't over by a long shot. They are our life time commitment, through the good and bad. At some point when they were little I made the decision that with God's help, I would change ME so they didn't inherit the bad, and prayed the good in me (that is there only by God's grace) would stick. These three precious children have prompted a lot of change in my life, not all easy, but because of my love for them I was committed to it. It's easy to look back and see the mistakes, but God is faithful! Kaylee is just a joy! She loves Jesus more than I could ever have dreamed of when I was her age. That alone is enough to look forward with great anticipation for where she will go in life. She loves to serve others, has endless commitment, (maybe that's not ALWAYS good) seldom has a bad day, gives without expecting anything in return, and she is a wonderful example to her peers as well as to those who look up to her. This year has not been one of the easiest for Kaylee, but I can certainly say that I have been proud of her character. She has done the right thing when it hasn't been easy, kept her head high even when her heart was broken. She lives with honor. I am so glad she is mine and look forward to tonight when this chapter will close and a new one will open! Kaylee, go on from this place and love and serve Him and others and never forget that you are His princess! Your Daddy has EVERYTHING you need!

Erin

2010-05-16T22:13:00.002-04:00

Erin and I met at the beginning of high school. I had just moved to Lancaster and we went to the same school and church. I honestly don't remember the actual time or place that we met, but our lives were very much entwined. There's a lot of history here. Other than family, Erin has known me longer than anyone and we have shared a whole lot of life-even if it's been by long distance. Erin and David (David also is from Lancaster) married not long after Cary and I did. They have two beautiful daughters, two sons-in-law, and twin grandboys! Erin and David live in Montana now, and until last week, we had not seen each other since they moved from Lancaster. When we last saw each other, Britney was 1 and Joshua was 7 months. They came to Florida for a sunny vacation and some time away from the cold! We were able to be together from Thursday evening until Friday night and the time was precious, but oh, too short! Being able to share life, over many years, just leaves you with some deep roots. She knows my heart, and I know hers. We have both lost our parents and then been parents. We have secrets. Shared hurts and pain, laughter and deep faith. There's nothing we won't talk about, and yet so much that doesn't even have to be said. It is amazing to think about staying in touch for almost 40 years and feeling so close after miles and years of separation. I am sure that Erin is one of God's greatest gifts! I'm so thankful for the little window of time that we had together last week!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T15:40:00.016-04:00

You just can't have Mother's Day without thinking about your mother! My own mother has been gone for four years now. My day started off with having my own children sitting next to me in church. I'm not sure I can explain it with words, but when I am surrounded by my children, and especially in church, all is well. No matter what is going on around me, no matter what is going on in my life, everything is still and quiet, I am at peace. It is the most calming feeling I know. Of course, children without a Mr. Wonderful wouldn't be at all the same, but someone had to take the picture! There is no better gift. THAT is the best.

As I sat there with my own children, I couldn't help but think about mom's last time in church. It was Christmas Eve, and she had all of her children together for the day, then three out of the five of us were with her at the Christmas Eve service. She was gone from this world just three weeks later, and I know she knew that her time was near, even that night. What were her thoughts? Did she find comfort and complete peace just having us with her that night? We missed the photo of us together, but it's in my head! When I was in Arizona in January of 2009, there were four of the five of us together at my brother's church. That was a pretty meaningful thing too, because my oldest sister was able to be there, even tho her health has not been good for a while now.
I realize that church is not the normal place for family portraits, but I am sure that these photos are my favorites. These things seem like small things, but when kids grow up and have their own lives, and when siblings are strung all over the United States, it doesn't always happen so easily! I'm very thankful for a mother that taught me the importance of worship with a body of believers, and also thankful for being surrounded by family today! We all went to lunch at Carrabba's (including the adopted child, Steve) and then came home to open presents. It has been a wonderful day! God has blessed me SO much and I am VERY thankful! Years ago, mom gave me a little plaque that says "The BEST things in life aren't things at all". That pretty much sums up how I feel today!

Just Enjoy the Memories

2010-05-05T14:15:00.010-04:00

To read the first part of this story, you can go to Jan. 17, 2008. You can see a picture of my mother's mixing bowl that brought back a whole lot of memories for me. It was glass, and I knew there would come a day when an accident happened...and last night it did. I had wondered how I would handle the incident...are THINGS really as unimportant to me as I think they are? Would I be mad, or cry? What would be going on inside, no matter what was displayed on the outside? I heard the crash and looked toward the kitchen and said "it's OK," knowing what it probably was. Kaylee said "it was Granny's". She started picking up the pieces and putting them in the trash while I got the broom and started sweeping. I really was ok, and even in that moment I thought about a lot of memories and even memories that have been mine in just the last couple of years of using the bowl. The bowl was gone, but the memories were all there, and THAT really was what mattered. I knew Kaylee felt bad, and I even wondered if I will leave anything behind to remind my kids of such simple, but happy memories. Over the years I have seen several things done with broken glass, and I saved some things of mom's that we shipped here that got broken in the process. So, after the floor was swept, I went to the trash and started digging out the broken pieces and put them in a box. I was grinning when Kaylee walked by and witnessed my response. Call me crazy. Sentimental. I don't really know what I am, but I wasn't quite ready to accept the complete absence of the bowl that I remember from childhood. And yes, I kept ALL the pieces, there's enough for everyone to have some, if they want them! Maybe I can have necklaces made for my sisters and daughters! Maybe the bowl only means something to me, I don't know! For now, the pieces are still with me!

I have to laugh here and wonder just WHO is reading this! The other day, I discovered that I have 5 followers to my blog. I was shocked. I thought I only had two, and those two aren't even listed as part of the 5! Funny thing is, when I looked them up, I only know 1 of the 5 followers. Can't imagine what I have to say that would cause 4 strangers to follow my blog! This blog may just be the one that causes them to think twice about my mental state! And if not, I hope they enjoy the family story about the green ivy mixing bowl! I'll be sure to let you know what I do with the pieces!

Graduation Nears

2010-05-03T20:30:00.002-04:00

We are just a month out from Kaylee's graduation! That means we are full force into the "lasts". Saturday was her last prom, and our last as well! I will try to add some more photos in a couple of days. I'm waiting to get some that are better than mine!

Talented Tucker

2010-05-03T20:20:00.007-04:00

Donna also got Tucker doing his tricks on video. He's SO smart...and cute!

Johnny Rockets

2010-05-03T20:12:00.004-04:00

Since Carissa started working at Johnny Rockets, we have tried to find the song in the juke box that makes them dance. While Ron and Donna were here, we finally did it...with a little help from one of her friends! She figured out that she had been ganged up on, and decided that she'd make Kaylee dance with her, even tho Kaylee didn't know the dance. Donna was quick enough to get it on video!

My Fans Are Begging...

2010-04-27T12:18:00.025-04:00

My fans are begging for an update! I used to be so good at this! What happened?! I stay irritated at myself because I am not documenting the things I want to remember! We had a nice Easter with my sister and her husband being here to celebrate a day early. They left on a cruise to celebrate their 40th anniversary on Easter morning. For Easter we had the left overs from the day before, then left for a few days in Orlando. Just a few days later, Carissa proved to be my hero, once again. She came home a few minutes after me, and when she got in the garage, she started yelling "Mom!" However, she was quickly at the front door of the house to prevent me from opening the door from the garage into the house. It seems that a HUGE snake came for a visit. Oh, I have to make this long story short! Armed with a broom, hoe, shovel, phone, camera, and flashlight, we worked for the next two and a half hours before the crisis was over. We called Josh and he came by long enough to assure us it wasn't a poisonous snake, then he left. We finally set up lawn chairs in the garage...the little serpent kept going under the freezer and hiding. We just waited till he came out again. I say we...mostly I waited and Carissa did the work when he would come out again. Seriously, this thing started out about 4 feet long, but ended up in several pieces before it was over! At some point, Carissa reminded me that "This is a part of my job, cops have to do things like this." I certainly didn't want to interrupt her practice. She's going to be a GREAT cop. OK, so finally she won the battle and we survived the crisis. Heaven help me the day I discover a snake and she isn't here! I guess that's when I'll call the cops.

I've had two weekends, back to back of Beth Moore! I took a group of our college and career girls to hear her live in Tampa, then attended a simulcast here, last weekend! Both were wonderful! That hits the high spots and will at least let you know we are still alive and life isn't dull!

Two Months???

2010-03-17T17:45:00.006-04:00

Oh, my. Tomorrow will be two months since I've checked in! I'm not sure how that happened, or didn't happen! Part of it was due to a computer crash that left me without a computer for a while, then spending every waking moment trying to figure out the new one! Kaylee's last homecoming happened during this time. She looked like a true princess! And yes, it really DID rain!!! Carissa was in a wedding on the same day and had to miss a lot of the homecoming events. She also looked pretty stunning! I ran to that wedding in my spare time that day! In February I went to Phoenix to visit my family, while Cary headed to Guatemala to plan the summer mission trip. My oldest sister, Alice has had a rough year and I just needed to get out there and see her. Of course, I stayed with my brother, Bob, and got to see my sister Donna, as well. We forgot to take a picture when we were all four together, so this picture leaves Donna out. Those are the highlights, I'll try to stay on task and not get too far behind!

Faithfulness

2010-01-18T11:58:00.003-05:00

Last week was a crazy week! Wonderful, but crazy. On Wednesday, McGregor celebrated the 25th anniversary of Cary's ministry. Val drove in, Julie flew in, and we surprised Cary at lunch. He THOUGHT he was meeting someone else, but it was us! We had a wonderful time and laughed a whole lot. The church presented Cary with a watch in the evening service, and then had a reception for us. So many made sacrifices to be there for the night. Many we had not seen in such a long time. After that, some of our "old timers" took over for Cary and did Metro. Needless to say, it was pretty comical, but also a real blessing to be reminded of God's faithfulness over the years. Many people had sent emails that were in a binder and presented to Cary. After all this, we went out to dinner with some of the kids and closed down Chili's! We were out quite late for our age, actually. But sometime between the very late night and very early morning, we had some unexpected guests that very quietly TP'd our house. They did a first class job. Oh, that we ALL could be so loved!

Yesterday was...well, emotional. It is impossible to love and not hurt when those you love hurt. One of our boys is in Tampa all week, being tested to see if he can have brain surgery to stop his seizures. A girl that we know is having a brain tumor removed this morning. Another girl still waits to hear from her family in Haiti. Another one of our girls has walked away from the Lord and blocked us out of her life, for right now. Several without jobs. Haiti in general...how do we even process this disaster? And, yesterday was the 4th anniversary of mom's death. Cary and I went to bed last night and tossed and turned, neither of us sleeping. My mind would not turn off and my heart would not stop hurting.

So, I finally made a choice that I was going to think about all the good things that happened during the day. My day started out with seeing our precious Grace baptized at her church. We have known her all her life and watched the process unfold. She will forever have the baptism anniversary of mom's death...kind of neat, I think. There was the young man in our class that had been away from the Lord for a while, but now has been back and faithful for a year! The three from our ministry that Cary had the priviledge to baptize. The girl that came to me and wants to rededicate her life next week and wants me to go forward with her, and also request baptism. A hug from one of my boys that was "in the big house" for a year and now is back where we can see and touch and love on him! Lunch with my family...there is NOTHING like having all of us in one place at the same time, but oh, so very difficult to pull it off! At some point, I finally fell asleep and when I woke, the sun was up and sleep had been good! I am trying really hard to DO something I read about last week. When we pray, we tell God everything that is on our mind. Then, when those things come back through our heads, we THANK Him for the answers He set in motion long before we can discern the results. Faithful. He is faithful.

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T18:16:00.003-05:00

It was 25 years ago today that Cary and I drove into Ft Myers, making it our home. We had no idea of the blessings that would be ours in this place. Only dreams of the three children God would give us here...all three being born here. No idea that it could even be possible that we would still be at the same church where we arrived fresh out of seminary! Now, maybe, just maybe, the biggest surprise is that I would be found today, in front of the TV, grieving our precious Bobby Bowden's last game at Florida State. No, 25 years didn't make me a Florida State fan, just a Bobby fan. I don't know any more about football than I did 25 years ago. I just love a man I've never met that has been found faithful and has stood firm, touched many lives, made a difference. He is about people. I'm still not a sports fan, but my family has certainly pulled me into a lot of stories about people that have made a difference in the lives of others while playing sports!

P.S. After I wrote this post, I found out today is also Tebow's last game for the Gator's. It's just too much grieving for one day! I can't imagine what a true sports person is dealing with! I'm feeling pretty good about my sports interest. It's 11:30 and I'm not going to bed till it's over! I won't get to see this again! What an impact and testimony this guy has had!

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T23:17:00.010-05:00

I am overwhelmed this Christmas. As I sit and look at the pictures taken over the last few days, I am so blessed. I know so many of the stories that have happened in the lives of my family and friends. What a FAITHFUL God. He gave His son for all these people that have touched my life in such a special way this year. In no way did the Robinsons go without this year, not at all. But there was a whole lot of time and energy put into loving others and trying to show His love to ones that might not see Him in any other way. This is a picture of James, I talked about him in a recent post. Next is Roy, currently in rehab and trying to find his way off living on the streets after 28 years.

We had a Christmas party for the homeless a few days ago. These people have kept me going this last year, given me such hope and encouragement! What a blessing to simply focus on them and being a blessing to them. I look at the pictures and I think about their stories...I'm sure I don't know it all, but what I do know is enough to never run out of reasons to be thankful. Today we shared Christmas with Paul and Gayle, the ones responsible for getting the homeless program started. God really brought our lives together this year, we needed each other. Today was Gayle's first Christmas without her precious mother. I felt it like it was yesterday. The Robinson's always have adopted children. You just never know who will be in our pictures! God just always provides them for us to love on and for them to love on us!

What joy to be able to share this Christmas with such special ones and watch God at work in their lives. And then to see my own family. I KNOW the stories of this year in each precious life. I have just been sitting and studying the pictures, thanking God for each story that has unfolded before our eyes. When I put my head on my pillow tonight I will have a full heart and maybe be thanking Him for the best Christmas ever!

Wealth

2009-12-09T08:58:00.002-05:00

Last Friday I went to see Blind Side for the second time. I'm not a good movie watcher, my family has decided. Sitting still for that long is a bit difficult for me, unless I have a book in my hand. Paying $10 for a ticket is enough to bring my life to an end. I cannot STAND to pay that kind of money and have to sit still for two hours. But yes, I have done it twice now, and I would probably do it a third time if asked. Amazing movie. On Saturday morning Cary and I were talking about how wealthy we are. Really. We've seen enough of this world to know how true it is. Our needs have always been met and often we have enough to share with others. Yesterday was a particularly difficult for me. I learned back when I was teaching that there are two kinds of exhaustion. Physical and mental. The physical comes when you teach elementary, the mental when you teach high school. I would give anything for physical instead of mental. Yesterday was more mental and emotional than I've had in a long time, my head was just fried! My first thought was to hide in the closet and try to recover...you may remember that is what my sister and I prefer to do when recovery is necessary! But, it was our night to feed the homeless and I knew that seeing my friends there would bring the perfect healing. I arrived and greeted everyone as I walked by and as soon as I entered the building I was told there was a birthday present for me! I could not imagine who even knew I had a birthday or would have gotten a present for me. Last time I was there, James, a very special friend, had told me it was his birthday that day and I had told him mine was in a few days. James had bought a card, written in it, and enclosed a Hershey Bar and Reese's. I haven't felt so humbled since my first visit to Guatemala. There's just something to be said for sacrifice and the genuine love that it shows. I've never felt so loved. When James came in I embraced him and told him how much his gift meant to me, he was so glad I liked it. I don't eat candy bars normally, but I am going to sit down and ENJOY each bite of these. I think it isn't about the dollar amount on the item, but that it touches the heart of the one receiving it. James is one of our favorites. Several weeks ago he was beat up and taken to the hospital just as we arrived to serve. I found out the next day that he had been admitted into the hospital and we were planning to go and visit him that evening. Before we could get to the hospital, we got word that James had escaped and they were looking for him. I knew he was probably scared because he was not in his usual environment, and probably worried about where the money would come for the hospital bill. Several hours later he was found sleeping on a bench in front of the Salvation and Army. The medical department there kept a close eye one him for a few days until they were sure he was ok. I told him that I was coming to visit him in the hospital and he just couldn't believe I had planned to come. James is also the same one that left me in tears as I read his request written on the Christmas list. He had written that Christmas was about Jesus being born and giving the greatest gift and to please take whatever was to be given to him and find a child in need instead. Wealth. Pass on what you have...we are all wealthy.

Operation Christmas Child

2009-11-21T20:14:00.004-05:00

Operation Christmas Child has been a part of our lives for many years. I really can't remember when we started it, but it would be safe to say my kids think it is part of Christmas. If you aren't familiar with it, it is where you fill a shoebox with small gifts, wrap the box in Christmas paper, and a child in a needy country will get the box for Christmas. Our school collects the boxes at their last chapel before Thanksgiving each year. This year is filled with many "lasts" as Kaylee loves to remind us that since she is graduating, our "school" days are nearing an end. So, Friday was our "last" shoebox chapel, and Cary and I went. It is just amazing to see all the boxes, so insignificant to us but very possibly ALL some children will get. The last time I went to Romania, I was in a small village, no running water, and I bought some hand made gifts from an older lady. She didn't want the things unprotected, so she came out with a shoe box that still had the wrapping paper on the bottom for me to put my things in. I still have it-I think it probably made a round trip! We have an exchange student from Lithuania, Povilas, that goes to our school. Since being here, he has accepted the Lord and has shown so much growth. It was a blessing to see him stacking the boxes that possibly could end up in his own country! Povilas is the very tall young man in the center of the picture. It was our last chapel with a student attending the school, but I'm not so sure it was really our last. It is such a part of our Christmas, and a wonderful blessing! We haven't gotten a final count yet, but we do know that our school collected over 700 boxes.

Macton

2009-11-17T10:40:00.002-05:00

While we were on the cruise, Cary and I read a lot. One day Cary was talking about his book and what he had read that day. It was about how Christians have to be constantly in tune with the Spirit in order to be the church to the world. We must be in constant contact and sensitive to what God is telling us to do. The next morning we had breakfast with a couple and they were telling us about their church. Four times a year they pass out T-shirts that say "I don't GO to church" on the front, and on the back "I AM the church" and they don't have Sunday service that day, but instead go out into their town wearing these T-shirts and visit in nursing homes, bag groceries, whatever...but they make an impression with their shirts being seen all over town. Just before the cruise a very dear, long time friend had given me a devotional book that she thought would be especially helpful to me right now. It is called "Jesus Calling" and I have really enjoyed it. It is about being constantly aware of the Lord's presence in my life. Just kind of seemed to be a part of the theme going on in my life! After we had breakfast with this couple, we went to our chairs where we had left our books and towels during breakfast. My "Jesus Calling" was covered up very carefully with my towel. There was a deck attendant there, scrubbing the chairs and he was afraid he would get my book wet, so he had covered it up. He asked me if "that" was a Bible. I told him is wasn't, but that it was a devotional, something to read every day from the Bible. He said "I am a Christian!" Very boldly. I looked at his name tag, Macton, from India. He told me "It is VERY hard to be a Christian in India", and I told him that I knew that it was. We chatted for a few minutes, with him telling me how homesick he was, how hard life is on the ship. Cary had left to go work out, so Macton had only seen us together for a few minutes. He said "Being married and in love is very different from an arranged marriage", as he pointed to where he had only witnessed Cary and I together for a few minutes. He told me that he had been on the ship for 4 months, with 5 months left before going home for a break. I asked about his family, he told me he had no family but his wife. She had been VERY ill when he left this time, but the Lord had answered his prayers and she had been healed and was doing much better. I hope you are feeling what I was at this point...Christian in India, arranged marriage-no love, homesick, living for months on a boat...my heart was pretty heavy. I asked him if he would like to have my devotional book-knowing that I could easily replace it in a few days. To that, he responded "Oh no, you NEED it!" Well, the Lord changed my definition of "need" several years ago and with that I felt like I had been hit in the stomach. I had boarded the ship a few days before with my FOUR books, Bible, devotional book, Bibles study books.... Somehow, I didn't feel much "need" of any kind, for anything. I said "Oh, NO, you NEED it and I want you to have it! He willingly took it then, asked my name and told me he would forever be praying for me in his prayers, and how grateful he was for the book. He came back three times that day to tell me the same thing again. I kept trying to read, but I could not concentrate for worrying about if he even owned a Bible or not. I didn't know how I could "fix" that if he didn't anyway. They don't have Christian bookstores on the ships and I've yet to see one at a port either. I stewed and worried. I finally realized that we have friends that will be on the same boat next week! So, I went to him and asked him if he owned a Bible. He DID! So, my little honeymooners won't be delivering a Bible to him, but they will be trying to at least meet him and encourage him just a bit! The next morning I saw him and as I walked up he said "Praise the Lord, I see you AGAIN!" I felt like I was a small part of the church that day. God had prepared my path and given me the opportunity to show His love to one of His own. The devotion for that day, (which I had already read twice that morning, before I gave it away) was about being sensitive to God's presence even in the little choices in life, the ones we sometimes have to make quickly, with little thought, and how He is as close as just a quick glance in our choices. Macton.

Busy Fall

2009-11-11T08:22:00.028-05:00

Well, I guess life just gets a little busy when you're on the move all the time! Phoenix was wonderful. I had a great time with all the family there and the Women of Faith conference was very nice. The weather was beautiful...yes, it was still 100 degrees, but no humidity and it was so nice sitting outside in the shade! I love this picture of the four of us, someone said something and we were laughing, as usual!

I ended up getting home a day late, due to plane complications. That meant I got to spend an extra day in Phoenix and had one less day between my trips!!! Then we were off to North Carolina. I had a great time there, while Cary was in his conference. We stayed at the cutest little Bed and Breakfast and since I didn't have a car while he was gone each day, I stayed there and read and one day I walked into town. a couple of the days it was raining and those were fun days to do nothing but read!

After the conference we picked Kaylee up in Charlotte and went to an apple orchard and picked apples, and then to see friends in Ashville and to the Biltmore. We had a very nice visit there and really enjoyed the Biltmore. We loved the weather and enjoyed seeing the fall colors! We had to get on home and get ready for our annual cruise!

Cary and I just got back from the Eastern Caribbean. I read THREE books and started a forth! That was a record for me! Now the Florida weather really is cooling down and we are ready to stay put for a while!!! BUSY fall!

Bags Are Packed!

2009-09-28T08:23:00.002-04:00

I'm ready to head to the airport and fly out to Phoenix today. I'll be there for a week, but the "main" event will be going to Women of Faith next weekend. I'll be going with my sister, sister in law, and niece. I'm very anxious to see all the family and spend some time together! I will be back for not even a week before Cary and I will fly to North Carolina for a conference. Well, Cary will be in the conference, I am planning on reading a book and taking in FALL for the FIRST time in all my years. That is my plan, and I do hope that it is God's too! Maybe by the time we settle down in Florida it will have cooled off here too!

Simply Believing

2009-09-02T07:39:00.006-04:00

Last weekend we went to Miami with some of our students to hear Hillsong. We had a wonderful time, those trips are always fun because you get to know people so much better. I was expecting to worship, but I don't think I was expecting conviction. I've never been one to sing words without thinking about what I'm singing. One of the songs had this line "I don't have to see it to believe it". I started thinking about what that meant, and I questioned myself. Are you believing you will see it, or are you SIMPLY believing? Just believing that God will answer and not necessarily allow me to see, nor even to need me to be a part of the picture. Just HIM, being God. I know what my mom's biggest burden was, for the last 35 years of her life. I know what she prayed for, what she hoped she would see. But I also know that when she died, she had not seen it. Did she die thinking that God did not hear her? I don't think so. She died believing Him. Trusting. God did answer her prayer, but He didn't allow her to see it. Does that mean He let her down? I don't think so. Was it any less of an answer to her prayer because she didn't witness it? I don't think so. Was God obligated to answer her within her lifetime, on her schedule? I don't think so. God is just God, all the time, and He doesn't need me, but sometimes He chooses to use me, to allow me to be a part of the whole picture, and maybe to see His work. So, I'm trying to simply believe God, with nothing added, just letting Him be Who He is!

Believing

2009-08-26T09:51:00.003-04:00

Where do I even start after a three month vacation from blogging? I didn't intend to take a break, I just didn't have anything to write about. Oh, there has still been action around here...the family went to Chris and Ashley's wedding in June, great break at my favorite place (The Coconut) in July, and family vacation in August. We've celebrated 26 years of marriage, and last weekend we celebrated Cary's birthday, which isn't until this weekend. Monday my baby posed for her last first day of school picture. Carissa has traveled to the other side of the earth to South Africa and will return tomorrow. Plenty of things going on that I knew I should have been posting about, just didn't. These days have proved that Believing God really is the foundation of my life. I don't know how people get through life without Him. This has been a crisis in my life, and He has been faithful. I allowed few, very few to walk with me through this, but He has always been there, proving once again He can be trusted. This has been a time of severe sadness, loss, and relationship changes. Feeding the homeless has remained a bright spot through all of this-I have much to be thankful for. But one of my lowest and most painful moments came when I realized I had lost my ring that says "believe" while feeding them one night. Let me be clear, my loss was not because of the actual physical ring, but because with almost every breath I take I see that ring and remember that I have made the choice to believe Him, trust Him, to know He is at work when I cannot see it. It is a constant reminder. The ring could be replaced, and it was, and during those few days without it I just learned to see the white band on my finger where it used to be and be reminded to keep believing. It really has been my faith that has seen me through this. Today, nothing has changed as far as circumstances, but He and I are still in this together, for the long haul, and there is no other way for me. Psalm 130:7 became a lifeline...Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. I'm believing that He will bring full redemption from this. Not partial, but full. My mother's favorite verse, Joshua 1:9, ran constantly through my head, reminding me that He would never leave me. He didn't. I'll try to catch up on some of the big events that have been left out with the next few blogs. For now, I'll sign off, simply leaving you with this:

God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me.

I am choosing to BELIEVE HIM!

Graduation is Comin!

2009-06-04T22:04:00.002-04:00

Last Friday night we went to graduation @ SFCA. I am told that one year from tonight, our baby (Kaylee) will graduate! During graduation the Seniors turned in their title and the Juniors became the current seniors. They do this when the seniors light the candles of the juniors and blow out their own candles. Kaylee was excited, and she knew I'd cry. I did. I wish I had a better picture of the moment, one where Kaylee wasn't talking. Oh yea, good luck with that! This is Kaylee we're talking about! Summer has arrived and we are thrilled to have a break from the schedule. We also know that all too soon school will start and we'll take the last picture of the first day of school. Oh yea, I'll be crying then too!

Gone With a Wink

2009-04-29T11:33:00.003-04:00

Last Wednesday, I saw Frank. He wasn't feeling real well, but at 96, I think that's to be expected sometimes. We had a good visit and once again I left shaking my head at how sharp he was! Thursday the call came that he had been taken to the hospital. I went to the hospital to see him on my way to a wedding shower on Saturday. He wasn't in his room, had gone for xrays, so I waited for him to get back to the room. He didn't want me to leave, but it was pretty rough watching them move him back into his bed. He was in a lot of pain. We got him all settled and he asked why I was so dressed up. I told him I was going to a wedding shower. He told me I should have showered BEFORE I came to see him! His lunch arrived and he was ready to dive in, so I told him I'd go and let him eat. I told him goodbye and he winked at me when I left. He'd never done that before, that I could remember. I didn't know it then, but it WAS goodbye. Yesterday morning I got the call the he was not responsive and wasn't expected to make it through the day. He had asked for scrambled eggs, but before they got there he was not responding. I didn't have a car, so Cary came right home so I could get to the hospital. It just wasn't my friend there, but I said my goodbyes. He died about two hours later. He lived the majority of his 96 years simply for yesterday. He was living only to die and start really living! Recently when I saw him, he told me that every morning before he got out of bed he put his Bible in the floor. It would stay there until he did his Bible study, serving as a reminder of what needed to be done each time he looked at the floor. He told me about a day a few days before when he had not been feeling well. He got into bed that night and realized his Bible was in the floor. He got up, did his study, put the Bible on the nightstand so he could put it in the floor the next morning! I KNOW where he is, but I have lost a precious friend. When I started visiting Frank, I thought I was doing him a favor. I soon realized that wasn't the way it was at all. He was MY friend, always asking about me and my family, I looked forward to my time with him because HE blessed ME. I'm sad today because my friend is gone, I guess when you're 96 you have plenty of time to be a good friend. Last night I did a search on my blog for "Frank" just to see what all came up. I've written about him alot, but not near every time I've seen him. I loved the story about him getting me the bird feeder...he was so disgusted with Cary for not getting me one! So, he just took care of it himself, and I spend everyday watching that bird feeder! There was even a blue jay on it this morning! When I saw him last week he told me he had called and left me a message, but I never called back. I never got a message, but he had called to tell me to come get his feeder at the nursing home, he just couldn't take care of it anymore. When I didn't call him back, he gave it to someone else. He would put the bucket of feed in his lap and ride his motorized wheel chair out to the feeder. I'm so thankful he was so sharp right up until the end, he gave so much and asked for so little. He always made me smile, laugh, and want to be just like him when I grow up! He was a true friend.

Jr/Sr Banquet

2009-04-28T14:56:00.003-04:00

Saturday was the Jr/Sr Banquet. That means that the Seniors are turning things over to the Juniors, and Kaylee was on the receiving end. We are approaching the beginning of Kaylee's Senior year! We got Hil and Kaylee to pose for a few pictures, and then one of the "kids" on Sunday at lunch.

Feeding the Homeless

2009-04-21T22:21:00.002-04:00

Tonight we went with some of our college kids to feed the homeless. It was the first time I had been in a long time, and our group has committed to helping the Salvation and Army every Tuesday night. We fed them mac and cheese, small pizzas, salad, bread, and sweets. It kind of brings things into focus, helps put things in perspective. I remember the lady that made the effort to come up to us before she left and thanked us for serving. Genuine. The young pregnant girl that came back for seconds on salad...she was trying to eat fruits and vegetables because of the baby. The young couple with the small boy, and another on the way. The man who was a lawyer in town until the drugs and alcohol took over his life. He left early, wanted to get to the woods before dark. The man who found paper towels and got up and started cleaning tables without being asked. The lady that came so late we only had mac and cheese left...she had two plates heaped and tried to eat while falling asleep sitting down. Where had they all come from? Where did they go when we locked up and drove away in our cars? Where are they now? No, I mean RIGHT now. They all had stories, I just don't know them all. They all had personality, feelings, families, names. I don't even know what else to say, but I can't wait to go back!

Chris Tomlin

2009-04-04T19:18:00.003-04:00

Cary and I went to Tampa yesterday with a bunch of our kids, to see Chris Tomlin in concert. It was a wonderful day with the kids and a great concert. The last time we saw him, he was at our church and Josh and Jen were there too. And, in fact, a year ago at this time Cary and I were in the Holy Land! We've talked about that so much in the last few days. It really was a life changing trip. I had lunch with a friend this week. She was sharing with me that she really feels like there is nothing that could happen in this life that would cause her to turn from the Lord...He IS all we have, guaranteed. I had to echo that. I thought about that conversation when Chris was singing "all my hope is in you" last night. Everything and everyone has, or will let me down. Disappointments come, life happens. But, He is ALWAYS there for me, the only place I have to put my hope. Joshua 1:9 has run through my head on a regular basis lately, mom's favorite verse. "I will NEVER leave you or forsake you." He's always there, sending a scripture through my head, or even a song, just letting me know we're in this together!

Another Zoo Visitor

2009-04-02T15:47:00.000-04:00

Just before we left for the cruise, I looked in the back yard and saw that we had yet ANOTHER visitor! This was a bunny and he just sat there forever! If he noticed us, we didn't seem to bother him! We have been seeing LOTS of birds...Cardinals, Blue Jays, and some other kind that I can't figure out just yet! They are very small with very vivid colors, and SO pretty. There is one rather bossy Cardinal that is a little rude to the smaller birds, a bit territorial! We had a wonderful time on the cruise, relaxed a lot. I did read the book about Christian...very light and entertaining. And, I also finished another book, so I was very pleased! Oh, we did have a bit of an adrenaline rush when we got home! Kaylee was supposed to meet us and pick us up when we arrived back in town, delivered to the local McDonalds. We had talked to her when we were on our way home and told her we'd call about 30 minutes before she needed to come get us. I was deep into my reading, and finally Cary said he had tried to call and text Kaylee and she wasn't responding. With some children, this would not be alarming. Kaylee, however, has her phone attached to her person at any given moment. We tried to remain calm, and continued to try to reach her. Finally, we are sitting in the McD's, luggage in tow, and STILL no response from Kaylee. We waited a while, and finally I was beginning to panic. This just REALLY isn't like Kaylee at all! I called Michelle and asked her to go to the house. She did, and the car was gone, so we had to assume she had left to pick us up, but she was not at McD's. I was SURE she had been in an accident along the way. Michelle continued on to pick us up, arrived and did not see an accident on the way. Since calling the hospitals is my job, the numbers were in my phone and I started calling the Emergency Rooms. Cary called our friend who is a Highway Patrolman. Kaylee has babysat for him alot, and his response was "That's NOT like Kaylee, I'll call you right back." We are now headed home with Michelle, and went home the only other way, going by the local Target, Kaylee's favorite place. We drive up and down every aisle, looking for the car. Nothing. George calls back, and says that there have been no accidents in the county involving a car like ours. While George is still on the phone, Kaylee calls in. Cary told her he'd call her right back, he was on the phone with the police who were out looking for her! He hangs up with George, calls Kaylee back, NO ANSWER! I called Kaylee...NO ANSWER! I said "her phone is broken, she can call out, but no one can call in and she's not getting texts." So, we wait for Kaylee to call back! Michelle heads on to take us home, and of course we had no keys with us! We were waiting in the driveway, with the luggage, and laughing like crazy when our precious Kaylee pulled in the driveway! Yes, she had been at Target, got tired of waiting for us to call, and had gone next door to the shoe store, and yes, her phone was broken! She finds it very funny that we thought she was involved in a fatal accident just because she didn't answer her phone. I kept wondering why at least the COPS weren't answering her phone, if she was in an accident! Of course the only thing I could comfort myself with on that note was that the phone had been thrown so far from the car that no one was hearing it. Welcome back to the real world, where there is NEVER a dull moment!

Christian, the lion

2009-03-17T14:06:00.007-04:00

Several weeks ago, while searching out some answers to questions that I had been asked, I found myself studying about the Prodigal in Luke 15. We've all been there...on both sides of the fence. At times, I have been the one away, at others, I have been the one waiting for the return of someone I deeply love. You know how God does, something crosses our path and then it seems like God just keeps on talking to us about it in many different ways. Last week Cary and I went to visit Cary's mom who is recovering from a knee replacement surgery. We had Oprah on, and I was SO not expecting a sermon about the Prodigal! She was interviewing two men who had raised a lion, and eventually set it free in Africa. They returned a year later to visit "Christian" and had been told by experts that he would not remember them. They showed a video of the reunion, and I could not help but relate it to the Prodigal. Christian obviously DID recognize them and came running full force with complete abandon and affection. I love the moment he realizes they have returned to him, the look on his face before he starts to run for them! I could not stop thinking about it, and I have watched the video over and over. In fact, there is a book and I went and bought it, just to read for fun while Cary and I are cruising next week. I think you would also enjoy seeing the video, it only takes a minute. Sometimes I watch it and I am Christian, running with arms opened wide to greet my loved one. Other times I watch it and I am embraced with the love I have missed, but have returned to. You can't help but be blessed, no matter where you are. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNTdWbVBgc

Believing

2009-02-12T09:20:00.000-05:00

Sometimes life just doesn't go the way you want it to. God just brings you to the point of not being able to help Him out with things and you are forced to sit back and let Him do whatever is going to be done. Trust. Faith. Believing. He alone is my hope! All that I am is because of the work that HE has done in my life, and it probably looked pretty hopeless to a lot of people watching. When mom was dying, my sister said she wanted to just go hide in the closet and pull all the clothes over her so she couldn't be found. Of course we laughed about it, but we both completely understood. That has become our description of things being really bad! Just hide, don't face it or anyone. I did go to college group last night and I tried to hide in the closet while among a group of 150. I went because in my head, I know my God is the only answer right now, and I needed to be there, to worship Him. The songs had words like..."You are my hope" and "I will stand, I will surrender, I will worship YOU". That's what I needed to hear and to offer to my Lord. I love going through my Bible and seeing the dates written in where a particular scripture came to life for me. Romans 4:18-21 became part of the foundation of who I am during my first Believing God study. Abraham. Against ALL hope, Abraham in hope BELIEVED.....Job 19:25-27. Job KNEW that his Redeemer lived, and he WAS going to be reunited with Him! 2 Timothy 1:12. Timothy KNEW who he believed in. I love the quote from Beth Moore that is on my kitchen counter. "A powerful motivation for believing God in our present is intentionally remembering how He's worked in our past." I know He IS at work, and I am trusting Him!

Other Happenings

2009-02-05T15:09:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a sad day for us. We heard last week that a dear friend of ours, Jose, had passed away during heart surgery, he was 29 years old. Jose had been a part of our ministry for many years before he moved back to where his family lived in central Florida. Many people never knew the details of his life, but he was one of those that stole our hearts because of what he lacked in family support. He was a part of us. He came to us the day he found out he was not a candidate for gastric bypass surgery because they had discovered a heart problem. I was sick as a dog that night, probably looked worse than I felt, but it didn't matter. We wanted him here with us. That was about 6 years ago. Jose made us laugh and smile, and just seemed to make lemonade from the lemons that crossed his path. No one wonders where he is today, he made it perfectly clear. He carried a terrible burden for his family members and for their salvation. Cary and I drove to Wauchula for the service yesterday, and even though it was sad, we were reunited with many of our "kids" that we hadn't seen in a long time! We always love catching up with everyone, and it was great to see how many people loved Jose and were able and willing to be there.

I have to be honest and say that I was not thrilled about being called for jury duty today! Things have just been so hectic since I got home, and this was just one more adventure I wasn't crazy about taking. It was supposed to be 32 degrees this morning, and I had to leave the house by 7 to make it downtown, park, and take a bus to the court house. Well, I made it, stuck around until 10 or so, and then we were sent home. So, since I ended up with unexpected time, I have been able to catch you up on things! Hopefully, things are getting a bit more back to normal now!

Homecoming 2009

2009-02-05T14:33:00.001-05:00

We carefully planned our Arizona trip around homecoming! Kaylee and I had worked real hard to have things in order before we left! She attended homecoming with Timmy, a friend since they were two years old and in Bible Study together! Timmy is a great friend and around here, everyone knows that mom LOVES Timmy! It has become a tradition to get ready at Hilary's house. This year, I think there were four of them getting hair done, makeup and dressed! It is an all day affair, and then we do LOTS of pictures! There's family, individual, friends, just the girls....it goes on pretty much forever! Daniel even made it in from California in time to be a part of the big event! (You may remember Daniel stayed with us a couple of weeks last year during the Red Sox spring training. This year he will be with us about two months.) Kaylee looked beautiful and I think it was worth it all!!!

Arizona Trip January 2009

2009-02-05T12:56:00.007-05:00

I am so far behind, and I know it! Things have been crazy since I got home, going from one thing to the next! Kaylee and I flew to Phoenix on January 15 to see all my siblings, except one. January 17 was the third anniversary of our mom's death, and I had a free ticket that needed to be used, so it seemed a good time to go. Traveling with Kaylee is a real trip, in more ways than one! She is a handful when having to be confined for a few hours. I got to the point where I just did what she said to avoid hurting her or disturbing the people around us. Well, at least I TRIED not to disturb the people around us! So, gummy worms and silly faces it was! What did we do before digital cameras? They are SO entertaining for small children and larger ones too! We have about a hundred of these pictures! We were met at the airport by my brother, Bob, and his new child, Coco. Coco was about 10 weeks old and had only been with them a couple of weeks. While we were in Phoenix, we did a LOT of shopping! Bob's wife, Renee' knows how to get us around town! I grew up in Phoenix, and one day while we were out I suddenly realized that I knew where we were. I started giving orders to Renee' and soon we were in front of the house where I grew up. Renee' warned me that we were not in a good part of town, and when I got out to take the picture made me leave the car door opened for a quick escape if we heard gun shots or anything. I only saw one police car in the 2 minutes we were in the neighborhood!There is now a garage where we once had a car port, but other than that, it hadn't changed too much. I also found my school where I went from about 4th grade-6th. I really can't even describe my feelings, these places were a part of my history, and Kaylee got to see them, but the memories were not good memories, but ones of a lot of pain and hard times. Before I could even recover, we were just down the road at the church where I grew up and was baptized. That brought memories of many people that loved us through some pretty rough days, and again I was reminded that the church is not a building, but people. On Sunday, all four of us that were in town went to church at my brother's church. I am pretty sure that God opened a window in Heaven and let mom look down. We had a great time together and loved being together. Kaylee flew home from Phoenix after the weekend, alone, and I stayed on. I prayed for the people on the plane with Kaylee! I wasn't there to keep her entertained! After a few more days there, Bob drove me to meet Donna, where I spent a few days in Kingman, just relaxing, and then flew home from Vegas. You already know THAT story!!!

Vicki's Adventures

2009-01-29T15:16:00.001-05:00

I have much to write about, but it will probably have to come in several different parts! I left Arizona on Monday to come home, but it was quite a journey! First, my sister overslept and we left Arizona a bit late to drive to the airport in LasVegas. It wasn't a problem, we just didn't get to shop any and that was fine, considering the weight limitations on my baggage! We did get to meet my nephew, Matt for lunch before heading to the airport. When we arrived at the airport, I made Donna go in with me in case my baggage was over, so she could take whatever didn't fit. Good plan. I was over and she had to take some stuff! My flight out of Vegas was delayed, and so I knew up front that I might not make my flight out of Atlanta. Because it was weather related, they wouldn't do anything to help and I just had to decide if I should try it or stay over in Vegas till Tuesday. I opted to try. So, we left Vegas and it was looking like I possibly might make the flight from Atlanta. However, about an hour out, a lady had a medical emergency on the plane. I'm not sure what happened, other than I saw her fall straight back and land on the floor. I was sitting on the aisle, but behind first class, where she fell. My mother taught me to be a people watcher, and I have to say that I enjoyed taking it all in. I don't know the man's name, but we will call him Servant Sam to make it easier for you to follow. Sam jumped up and over the seat to come to her aid, as fast as she hit the ground. He knelt down by her head and held her head in his lap. The attendant was calling for medical help-a young nurse was all that was on the flight. Sam did anything the nurse told him to. The lady was cold and he jumped up and started opening all the overhead bins and grabbing anything he could find, putting the coats and sweaters on her and tucking them in around her. Well, I was just amazed at the whole thing unfolding in front of me. I thought what a nice man he was and how helpful and in control. However, if I had been in his shoes I would have calmly been asking those around if they had anything they would loan her! Not Sam. He just DID it! Sam never left her. He held the oxygen tank until they started an IV, then he held the IV and assigned someone else to the oxygen. He told another man to come help him lift her into a seat when the nurse decided it was alright to move her. They got her into a seat, where she HAD to be before we could land. Another lady had given up her seat for the lady and she was looking for an empty place to sit. This was all in the last few moments of the flight, right before we landed. The attendants are yelling for this lady to get in a seat, and she had found one, there was just a small problem. The seat was in the middle and the man on the end was getting up to let her take the middle seat instead of just scooting over to the middle. The attendants are yelling...we can see the ground, just MOMENTS from landing, and the man yells to the attendants that he HAD to sit on the aisle because he HAS to get off the plane and catch his flight! It was at this point I was pretty sure I had seen it all! ONLY because I am a rule follower did I not stand up in my seat, put my hands on my hips, and YELL at him "ARE YOU SERIOUS???" I COULD NOT believe my ears. Well, he let her in and sat back down and got his seat belt on before we hit ground and everyone was safe. We did not do the normal taxi to the gate. We sped rather quickly to the gate where the ambulance was waiting. And then, they asked us all to stay seated until they had her off the plane. We all did, but I am sure it was very difficult for one person! All I can say is that if I ever have a medical emergency on a plane, I do hope that Servant Sam is sitting near by, and there is someone medically knowledgeable that can help! I can't even imagine being on the other side of the pilot's door and knowing there was a huge crisis depending on me to get to help! They all did great and the attendants were wonderful, and MOST of the people cared more about the poor lady than their own agenda. Well, I missed my flight to Ft Myers, but because it ended up being because of the medical emergency instead of the weather, we were put up in a hotel and given money for meals. I'm not adventuresome. I like security. I called Cary to tell him I wasn't coming home and that I didn't want to venture out of the airport, into the unknown and the dark, and that I had spent nights in airports before and I believed I'd just stay right there. He told me to get out there and find the shuttle to the hotel and get a FEW hours sleep before I had to come back. I wasn't real happy about it, but I did. It was dark, and cold, and I had never done anything like it before. I found the place to wait for the shuttle and made it to the hotel very easily...not as difficult as I thought! I even figured out how to set the alarm on my cell phone so I could get up and venture back into the dark to the airport. Now, all I'm dreaming of is getting to the Starbucks and spending Airtran's money on my favorite things! I went through security, made it to my gate. I asked some employees where the Starbucks was. They said "Would you believe that concourse C is the only one without a Starbucks?" Actually, at that moment I had no problem believing it. I settled for Seattle's Best, and I spent all but 4 cents of what I had been given. And, I made it home! Stay tuned for more tales!

Old Things

2009-01-10T15:48:00.003-05:00

My blog instructor always says that putting up old pictures is a good thing to talk about when I can't think of anything else. I took these pictures of my favorite things before I packed them away till next Christmas. The stocking is my original stocking...VERY old! Mom had sewn jingle bells on the top and written my name in GLITTER! The book on the right was mine for as long as I can remember, given to me by my grandparents. It was a pop up book, but is now it doesn't pop up much! The book on the left was given to my mom by her mom, and yes, it looks pretty old too! The Santa was given to me by my grandmother just after I turned 6. It plays music and still works, and I am VERY careful with it! It even has the original box! I just love old things, and family things! These are now packed up for another year, the house is clean, and Cary and Carissa are on their way home from Guatemala. I did a lot of reading, watching movies, and relaxing while they were gone. I also had time to spend with friends over lunches and dinners. In just a few days Kaylee and I will leave for Arizona to see my siblings there. Kaylee will stay a few days, and I'll stay on a little longer.

Happy New Year 2009!

2009-01-01T16:03:00.004-05:00

As our time with Owen is coming to a close...the boys have learned how to PLAY together! Yes, they are playing tug of war with the rope! They entertained themselves for a long time this morning! Tomorrow Owen's parents return and I'm pretty sure they will expect him to greet them at the airport! He was a VERY good boy during the fireworks last night, never made a peep! I think he has adjusted to Grandma's house very well, passed the test with flying colors! Cary left for Guatemala this morning, Kaylee is gone to Orlando, and Carissa is working today. The Hutchcrafts came over to visit the boys and then we went to lunch and Target. Claire took over Mr. Cary's chair, keeping it warm for his return. The other's watched the show that Owen and Tucker put on! Tucker LOVES Mr. Mitch! The girls also brought some gifts for the boys...to fight over!
So, as our time with Owen comes to a close, I am pretty sure about a few things...

1. Owen likes Tucker's food better than his own.

2. Tucker likes Owen's food better than his own.

3. Owen's water tastes better to Tucker.

4. Tucker's water tastes better to Owen.

5. Your toy always looks like more fun when your cousin is possessing it.

6. Owen and Tucker are both very smart, catch on quickly! Both are very capable of being sneaky and blaming the other!

7. You have a better chance of getting by with murder when you look at me with your lip hung on your teeth.

8. There really are no favorites, each is unique, and being a grandmother is pretty much the best thing ever!

Update on the Boys

2008-12-31T16:16:00.004-05:00

Things are going quite well around here! Owen likes to cuddle when he's "invited" to do so. We had a little cuddle session last night, and then this afternoon too. I'm pretty sure he's a Grandma's boy. And, he didn't even fuss about going to bed last night...that might have been because he was so very ready to rest from the activities of the day! The boys even took a short nap just prior to bedtime last night. Yes, I did say short! Tucker helped me take down the tree before Owen came the other day. Such good help I had! I am wondering how much Owen will like the neighbors celebration of the New Year??? I think I am going to do well with this Grandma thing! Aren't they the cutest???

Owen's First Sleepover @ Grandma's

2008-12-30T14:18:00.003-05:00

Oh, yes, Owen has come for a visit! Owen spent the first couple of days while his parents are gone with his Uncle Chris, but last night, Chris delivered him to us. He arrived in his crate, in the back of a truck...didn't like the trip too much, and was pretty petrified when he got here. So, while trying to get his cage opened, and leash on, we broke his collar. Thirty pound wild dog in the street, small neighbor girl finally gains control. Collar repaired. WILD dog chase through Grandma's house as the cousins re-unite. Owen needs to eat...too busy visiting, so we take his dinner to the porch. Owen doesn't want to eat, wants to play with cousin Tucker on the OTHER side of the door and body slams the glass door. Luckily, no harm done, to the door or the dog. He eats. NOW we can get down to the playing stuff! Just when the real fun starts...Grandma and Grandpa decide to start a new rule and keep Owen off the furniture. Owen is really not sure about this visit, poor thing! But, I will say, Owen is one SMART dog and learns quickly and wants very much to please! So, everyone has a pretty good evening, and then it's bed time. Oh geez. Owen has to go in his cage and sleep alone. That wasn't really the way he wanted it, and he complained a bit, but he did very well till the sun came up. Grandma gets up with him and tries to rest on the couch with him on the floor beside the couch. At some point I woke to the thirty pound dog snoring on top of me. Well, he WAS on me and not the furniture. Good dog! He's already learned Grandma is not a morning person and can be easily taken advantage of before 9AM. Well, we just returned from running a few errands and came home to find the bottom of his cage in two pieces. Guess he didn't like being left very much and maybe did a few jumping jacks to entertain himself. Now, we just have to figure out what to do with him when we go to dinner tonight! He is absolutely the cutest thing ever-gets his lips hung on his teeth sometimes and smiles real cute at ya! For now, they have been playing real nice and things have been calm for at least three minutes! We've almost made it 24 hours! Just three more days of bonding time to go! I think this is a very good time to show you just how precious he was at Christmas! Santa found him, for sure!

Joshua's Birthday 2008

2008-12-27T21:25:00.005-05:00

Today was Joshua's birthday. Joshua and Jen came over for dinner tonight, we had steak, and I even made a chocolate chip pie. However, as usual, we are pretty much over all the sweets and no one was terribly interested in pie. After dinner they left to meet up with friends. Tomorrow they leave and spend a few days in Michigan with Jen's family. Carissa got Guitar Hero for Christmas, and finally had a break in her schedule this evening to get it set up and practice a bit. Steve came over to help and, of course, dad got a turn too. Tucker paid very close attention!Kaylee has been staying busy babysitting over Christmas break.

Random Thoughts

2008-12-23T10:23:00.002-05:00

I know, it's been awhile! I've had many computer issues, among other things! There's really nothing big to report on here, so this will just be random! We ended another season of "The Biggest Loser" with our favorite taking home the prize. I'm not a big TV person, but I get excited about this show. I like it because it actually means something...like a person's life is changed for the better. Somehow, watching people eat nasty things on an island doesn't do a thing for me. I really started watching this when mom was in the hospital and we would watch it together. This time of year brings back all those memories, it's now been three years. And, this is my first Christmas without Spike. He made Christmas SO fun because he loved every part of it so much! I am really dreading stockings...he loved his stocking more than any of the kids ever did! It won't be the same. Oh, I was pretty excited the other day when my friend had the opportunity to tell her four year old daughter that she was a princess! I wish I had fully understood that when MY girls were four and had been able to start pouring it in, building a foundation. Kaylee is spending the day with me today. We are going to get our nails done and shop a little. Around here the world stops for the City of Palms Tournament, so my family has been going to that every afternoon and evening. We are about ready for Christmas. I think everything is wrapped and ready! Joshua and Jen will spend the day with us tomorrow. We'll have our traditional Chicken Salad at lunch (on Christmas china, of course), go to church at 4, to our friends, the Propps, and then home for gifts. Christmas Day I'm doing a ham and we are planning to go see a Christmas movie. Friday we are meeting up with Cary's family, and Saturday Joshua will have a birthday and we'll all be together for dinner. Then we have just a couple of days, with no particular plans, before Cary and Carissa leave for Guatemala. They will be building two houses in the village destroyed by the mud slides, where we have worked before. I'm still thinking about writing a Christmas letter. Notice I said THINKING. I may do our first one by email! I've gotten a couple this year, so I think it's ok to do now! Well, have a Merry Christmas!

I'm a Princess/Saint

2008-12-04T20:03:00.002-05:00

Cary has been teaching on Wednesday nights about who we are in Christ, and that when we belong to Him, we are saints. First, I'll say that Cary uses the word "saint", but my word for it has been "princess". I suppose the reason for that could be the fact that he is not a princess! It has made me think that THIS is my passion, and I should probably document it in more detail than I have before. If I could, this is the one thing that I would love to be able to open up your head and pour inside. I want you to HAVE this! Understanding this has changed my attitude toward life! When I was in my early twenties, one of the pastors I worked for told me that I needed to read Psalms 139 everyday until I could believe what it said. I committed to doing just that, and I would love to know now how long I did it. It was a long while, that much I know. I have always said that when I retire, my first project is to cross stitch every word of Psalms 139. Somewhere in the process, I really did come to the point of believing that I was worthy of being loved, simply because I am His, and He created me for His glory and to make Him famous. I have purpose simply because I am His. I am a child of the King, thus I am a PRINCESS! That is a great place to start, but life happens, and I had 20+ years of the world's junk invested in me. That would take some time and healing. God used different people and books to bring that healing and so much of the process came through the ministry of Beth Moore. God has SO used her in my life to teach me who I really am. After many Bible Studies and miles together, Beth wrote a children's book called My Child, My Princess and it is one of my favorites. I love to give it as a gift. I also love a small devotional book called His Princess, by Sheri Rose Shepherd. Those are just some tools that remind me of whose I am. I was saved when I was 7, but freedom didn't come until MUCH later. I think there are many people that are saved, but maybe even never find freedom. It's two different things! Proverbs 28:13 talks about being set free from my shame. It's that freedom that changes the way I live each day. Everything else seems trivial when I am living for an audience of One. Just a child of the King! I am God's masterpiece, I am not an accident, I have value, I am unique, I have been bought with a price, and I am a beautiful princess! Cary told a story one night about an eagle that acted like a chicken because it had been raised with chickens and knew no different. That's what it's like until you find true freedom...an eagle trapped in the body of a chicken! The quality of life is so much richer when you live like you were created to! Kind of like being remodeled! When we really understand and believe how much He loves us, we are changed! It takes time and allowing Him to work in us. More than anything I know, I want you to believe you are a princess! I've mentioned this before, but this one thing is why the songs Shackles and Great is Thy Faithfulness mean so much to me. Freedom came through His faithfulness!

Moving on to Christmas!!!

2008-12-02T13:49:00.006-05:00

On Friday, Cary and I spend a good portion of the day with a couple that was in town for the weekend. They came over for breakfast and left at about 2:30! We had a great time just visiting and catching up. Of course, we DID hit the stores then! We shopped a little, but not much, and then had dinner at P.F. Changs. On Saturday I cleaned and put away the fall decorations, then started right in with Christmas! Kaylee wanted to be in charge of the Christmas tree this year, and I was all too happy to let her! In fact, we were at the tree place when this all came up and I told her if she'd do it all I'd jump up and down. I was serious. I did it. I think it turned out wonderfully! After she did the tree, I got to put out my nativity direct from the Holy Land! It is real olive wood, made in Bethlehem, and it came with a camel. I had to beg for that part, but I won! On Sunday night we had our first Christmas party here, and yesterday I gave myself the day off! I LOVE to read a Christmas story at this time of year. In the past, I've read the whole Karen Kingsbury series, and the whole Donna Van Liere series. I had to go out on a limb this year with an unknown author, but oh, I was NOT disappointed! I just finished reading "The Paper Bag Christmas" by Kevin Alan Milne. I would say you should probably rush right out and get it, put your feet up and enjoy! I always say that, I've been pleased every time, can't go wrong with any of the ones I mentioned! Whatever you do, take the time to enjoy this season!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-27T18:59:00.005-05:00

We had a great day at home, our family and Mel and Nic from North Carolina. Of course there was plenty to eat, and we'll enjoy leftovers for a while. I got to open my birthday gifts this afternoon, and now I can tell you about one of those pictures that was a surprise! It's of a lady, holding a bottle to catch her tears in. Under the picture is the verse about God catching all of our tears in a bottle. I have always loved that verse, and the picture was beautiful. On my birthday, Michelle took me to lunch. We had a short visit squeezed in because they were getting ready to leave for Thanksgiving. She gave me a crystal dolphin! Loved that! Cary took me to dinner and I had tons of calls and birthday wishes on Facebook. Kathy took me to lunch yesterday and gave me a special little gift too. Last weekend we were with Cary's family, celebrating mom's 80th birthday. It was a surprise party and we had a great time with family. Tucker got a hair cut this week, so he's been a little cold and needed some covers! It's been a good week!

Cruise Details

2008-11-20T11:10:00.005-05:00

We went to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and the Princess private island. These were all the ports we were supposed to go to, but just in a different order than originally planned! We had a great day on Cozumel. We took a taxi to a beach, and it was quite private. It was a beautiful place, and we really never figured out why we were almost alone! Grand Cayman was gorgeous, but the beach was VERY crowded and the chairs were REALLY hard plastic! Jamaica was nice, a small beach with some entertainment. I'm not sure WHAT this lady was doing, but I got a laugh out of her. Let me tell you, when she danced to the music, that back side did some moves! They also had an area all ready if you wanted a massage. We always enjoy the private islands, but we did "run" back to the boat fearing a storm that ended up not coming our way. We just spent the rest of the day on the boat, at the pool. From the island we were able to get a good picture of our boat, the Ruby Princess. This was the inaugural cruise and we made it with no problems! One of my favorite things about Princess is the dessert called the "Love Boat"...I'm telling you, it's worth the trip! I had seven of them...one each night! And, I will say, with NO regrets! We went right from getting off the boat to Robby's wedding. It was so sweet. Robby and Cary have been close over the years, and we were big buddies when they first came to McGregor. My favorite memory was when Robby was in middle school and the movie "Twister" came out. He couldn't believe I had not seen it yet and he said "Ms. Vicki, I'm gonna have to take you on a DATE!"

Cruise Events

2008-11-18T19:15:00.002-05:00

We made it! Just as we thought, they re-arranged our ports and we never knew there was a storm out there. We had perfect weather the whole time, very pretty. We love cruising because we feel like we are out of the fishbowl for a few days, but God seems to always have some friends for us to meet. The first night we had a Romanian for our waiter, Gabriel. That always gets me all wound up and makes me feel connected to my second home. Then, there was the morning we ate in the dining room, and we had this cute little guy from the Philippines for our waiter. He had way too much spunk (for one who is not a morning person) and he was singing his way all around us. Since it WAS in the morning, and I WAS in a bit of a daze, it took a while, but Cary and I realized about the same time that he was singing a Christian song. Cary asked where he had learned that from. Without a bit of hesitation and with all the boldness and spunk he was capable of, he said "I AM A CHRISTIAN." He stood so straight and proud, so unashamed. He told us he had accepted Christ while he was in high school, and that he has met a lot of Christians while working on the ships. Near the end of the week we sat close to a couple at dinner, close enough to talk a bit. It ended up that he was a minister in Montana and they were celebrating their 25th anniversary as well. Of course we had plenty in common and ended up spending some time with them before the end of the cruise and exchanging information. Cary's favorite "moment" was when we were in line with a couple and Cary asked where he was from. He was a heart surgeon (didn't look old enough to be such!) and was from Guatemala. He is in charge of the volunteer fire department. We ended up comparing all our Guatemala stories and experiences. Before we parted he volunteered his info and offered to help us out any way he could whenever we are down there. Reading between the lines, we are pretty sure he must be from a prominent family with influence. Those are always good people to have phone numbers for when you're down there! My favorite moment was at dinner one night, when we were sitting next to an older couple. Much older. Very old. Cary and I were talking about what we had been reading that day and basically saying how very blessed we are, how very wealthy we are-compared to SO many in the world. Wealth being defined monetarily, but not exclusively. We have seen enough of the world to know we are the exception in many ways, but we also know because of Jesus we would feel wealthy no matter where we lived. We are BLESSED, and we are well aware of it! Well, our conversation was stopped cold when a man walked up to the older couple and thanked the man for serving our country and providing the freedoms we enjoy. It was Veteran's Day. Obviously they had met somewhere along the way and this gentleman had gotten up from his table and made the effort to walk over to thank this dear old man. Tears in my soup! I was stopped cold! Cary and both had to take a deep breath. Our country and freedom was a blessing we hadn't mentioned, but the foundation of what we had been talking about, and certainly one we should have been adding to our list on such an appropriate day. All these things were really neat things that God had planned for us, divine appointments. I will save some of the details and pictures for another day, but we had a great time and met some really precious people!

Hurricane Paloma????

2008-11-07T21:19:00.004-05:00

Yes, our bags are packed and we are headed to the Western Caribbean...right where Hurricane Paloma is headed! We aren't worried or even concerned, we've done this enough to know they will have it all under control! They will probably change our route or the order of our ports...or even just park at sea! We don't really care, we'll be happy no matter how it ends up! Last night Joshua and Jen had us over for dinner. Joshua fixed steak sandwiches on the grill, and Jen made wonderful mac and cheese and asparagus! We had a nice visit with them and with Owen, of course! I think I better add in a Tucker picture too...can't be partial! We'll be back in a week!

Nothing Imparticular...

2008-11-05T14:26:00.003-05:00

I started to write yesterday about the blue jays and cardinals at the feeder, but my picture didn't turn out so well, and you've heard that before! I'm SO glad the birds visit and keep Tuc on his toes! He seems to know when it is OK for the visitor to be in the feeder, or not...like the squirrels. He takes his job seriously. We had a nice, but busy weekend. Of course with Friday being Halloween, the church was busy getting ready for our Fall Fest. Cary and I voted, and did so pretty quickly. Fall Fest was very nice, and TONS of people! I spent some of my time in the bookstore, trying to make wise decisions on the sale items, since the bookstore is closing. Cary and I decided on three pictures for the house, but I can't tell you about them since they are for birthday and Christmas, so I don't know about them yet. Saturday morning we met a young man and his mom for coffee. He was in the youth group about 20 years ago and wanted to visit with us while he was in town for the weekend. I pray I never get over the blessing of these precious ones passing back through our lives just to say they are still loving and serving Jesus! This particular family has been very special to us since we first came, and all four of their children passed through our ministry. Long after the kids were gone and had started adult lives, the parents would still remember us at Christmas and thank us for our ministry. So genuine. Mom and I still have lunch from time to time and we share deep motherly joys and burdens-always have. We rushed home from having coffee to spend some time with a couple that was in town for the weekend and wanted to see us. We pushed them out the door and got ready for a wedding and reception for a couple currently in our ministry. That was also a blessing. They did it all right, in the right order, and live to make a difference in the lives of those around them. It was a joy to be a part of their special day. We were WORN out when we got home! So, this week I have been trying to recover and also getting ready for our usual November cruise! We leave Saturday for a week on the Western Caribbean! We will arrive back and jump off the ship and run to another wedding before coming back home! The weather has been so beautiful and we've had all the windows and doors opened. It's wonderful when we are able to do that here! I guess I should mention the election...I can only say that I am glad I can trust the only One who holds the future.

Weekend Events

2008-10-29T08:32:00.006-04:00

I've really got you wondering about my trip, so I guess I better fill you in! This week has been a little crazy, so I haven't gotten around to posting. Last Thursday morning Michelle and I left for Marco Island for a ladies retreat. We shopped all the way down there, and we shopped most of our free time! The weather wasn't the best, so we didn't get much time to just relax at the pool...be we accomplished a lot! The retreat was fun, very well done, and challenging. I won some Chanel sunglasses, that was note worthy since I never win anything! We came home Saturday and then Cary and I went to the hockey game with a bunch of our college kids. We had a lot of fun... the arena was COLD like it was supposed to be when Sarah came to town! On Sunday we had lunch with Josh and Jen and Owen got to visit for the first time in a while. THIS grandpuppy keeps growing!

TAG, I'M IT !!!

2008-10-22T09:23:00.000-04:00

I have been tagged for a meme (no idea what this means) just trying to comply. I DO NOT normally do these kinds of things, but since I am hurting for blogging material......

Rules: Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, goes to their blogs to inform them they have been tagged by leaving a comment to read the tagger's blog, and letting those bloggers answer the questions themselves. Here are the questions:

10 Years ago I:
1. I was home schooling Kaylee-taught her to read, one of my greatest accomplishments, and probably the most fulfilling thing I've ever done.
2. Already married 15 years.
3. Living most of my life on a soccer field.
4. Had my own sewing business, making bridal veils, dresses, alterations.
5. Entered the joy of parenting a middle schooler.

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. grocery store
2. pay the credit card bill...this may seem really insignificant to most, but one of the dear ones that tagged me for this chore will be blessed to know these details. Kathy, are you listening??? Until very recently, I kept envelopes of money in my purse, each marked with a category of my budget. I paid cash for everything and never borrowed from an envelope I shouldn't. Now, I have a credit card. One, only one. Pay it off at the end of EVERY month. I carry no cash. At the end of EACH day, I take the receipts from my wallet and pay them off. Then, when the bill comes each month, the bill has to be reconciled to my amount of money I am holding. Maybe I should say the money has to be reconciled to the bill??? That's a big word... the money must equal the number on the bill. A few times this has not happened, and my life has near ended and I am tempted to go back to the old fashion way. So when you read this today, PLEASE pray it works out. It really messes with my life when it doesn't work.
3. Pack for a trip that will be blogged about on another occasion
4. Dr. appointment
5. church

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. chocolate
2. grapes
3. chocolate
4. chocolate
5. chocolate...I'm really NOT a snacker!

5 places I have lived:
1. San Manuel, Arizona
2. Tucson, Arizona
3. Lancaster, California
4. Fort Worth, Texas
5. Ft Myers, Florida

5 jobs I have had:
1. working in a school for handicapped children (my all time favorite)
2. working for an eye doctor (very educational)
3. banking (NOT my favorite)
4. working from home and doing alterations on wedding dresses that cost more than some houses. (more stress than anyone should ever take on!)
5. secretary

5 people I tag: (I only have 3 blogger buddies that haven’t been tagged):
1. Angela DeBoer
2. Megan Hunt
3. I COULD tag Beth Moore, but I really don't think she'd do it and if she did, I'd probably NEVER recover!
4. It's not that I don't have other friends, I just don't have any other friends that blog that haven't already been tagged!
5.

Precious Flower Girl!

2008-10-20T18:31:00.003-04:00

I'm getting fussed at for not blogging in a while, but things have been pretty quiet around here! So, when there's a lull, I can always talk about our zoo. This afternoon the girls and I saw a HUGE bobcat in the yard. Bigger than the last one, for sure. I couldn't get a picture fast enough. My math skills tell me that probably that means there are more than one! JOY! Then, there's always Tuc. Tonight he had his back side resting on Cary's chair, while his front end rested on the table. Isn't he a site??? Never a dull moment! This weekend we went to the wedding of one of our boys that we have known for about 15 years. The flower girl, without a doubt, stole the show. She behaved very well, it's just that she was too cute to take your eyes off her! She did a great job! We have loved her mama for many years. The wedding was another reminder of how blessed we are by long term relationships! Going through thick and thin together for many years just creates an amazing glue!

Old News

2008-10-11T19:04:00.003-04:00

This is old news because I have been waiting for a certain daughter to give me pictures! Last week, while Cary was gone, Kaylee left her lights on at school and we ended up with a car that wouldn't start. Funny how that happens. It gets funnier...she finally got someone to help her jump it and they got it started. Here's the problem...when you jump the car, the sunroof comes opened. The only way to fix it is to turn it off and jump it again, then it closes! We know this from experience! So, Kaylee called me and told me she was on her way home, but the sunroof was opened! I went into panic mode...Cary was gone, it was going to rain for the next three days, starting any moment, can't have the car in the garage in case it doesn't start again and can't have it in the driveway because the sunroof is opened and it's gonna rain! I have to make a very long story short here, so let's just say we tried MANY things to remedy the situation, and nothing worked. Finally, we decided we just had to take it into the shop and let them take care of it. The problem: It is raining and the shop is about 15 miles away. You just do what you have to do! I got a plastic tarp out of the garage and shut it in the doors of the passenger side. Then, I pulled it over the sunroof, got in the car and shut the tarp in after I had tucked myself in real good. It worked well, for at least a few minutes. With speed, rain was blowing down as the tarp was flying up. The pressure was pulling the tarp up and I was watching the tarp slowly fly out the doors where I had tucked it in. So, I'm driving, trying to hold the tarp down with my spare hand (as if I had one). It was one of those situations where there were no good answers. To go home, I had accomplished nothing. To keep going...I was already soaked and so was the inside of the car. I stopped at the church and had several helpers evaluating the situation. Finally, it stopped raining and I took off, Kaylee following behind. I was almost in tears by now, but it really was pretty funny too. We made it to the shop, they fixed it, and all is well now. I hope Kaylee remembers to turn off the lights from now on!

Missionary Visitors!

2008-10-11T18:49:00.004-04:00

On Thursday night we had some missionary friends from Guatemala that stayed with us. We met Arlen, Ruth and Gilberto the first time we went to Guatemala, about ten years ago. During that trip, Ruth spoke little English, and Gilberto spoke none. They were much better this time, but unfortunately, Cary and I have not improved much! They are precious people, really made an impact on my trip and it was such a joy to have them in our home. Cary and Arlen have kept in touch over the years, he and his family even stayed with us once before, but that was years ago. It was such a blessing to catch up and see current pictures. Ruth and Gilberto work with the Christian schools and also work with a camp there. They showed us pictures of places where we worked that now have added second stories to their schools. It was nice to know that God has still been at work and has continued to bring other teams in to work behind us. We have so many missionary friends now and we are so honored when we get the opportunity to catch up with them and really find out what is going on in their lives.

Sarah Palin!

2008-10-07T14:25:00.003-04:00

Sarah came to town yesterday. They started giving out tickets last week and ended up changing where she would speak, because of the demand for tickets. Appropriately, it was changed to the hockey arena, holding 9,000 people. I wanted to go, but didn't go get a ticket because we always get called at the last minute when our friends are trying to get rid of extra tickets! Yesterday was no different. I got a ticket, and just had to find a way to get out to the arena since I didn't have a car yesterday! Cary ended up coming and getting me, I took him back to work and took the car. Well, the doors opened at noon, and by the time I got all my ducks in a row, it was 2:00 when I got there. She was speaking at 3, so I thought I was still doing fine on time. The entrance to the arena was blocked with cops. All the parking lot was full. So, I went to the outlet mall right next door to the arena. I cannot even TELL you what it was like. Long story short...I had already walked yesterday morning and I got AT LEAST another couple of miles in. It is Florida, the heat is still with us, and I had dressed to go to the hockey arena...usually pretty cold in there! I was SOAKED all the way through everything I had on, literally DRIPPING WET. Finally got to the doors where there was a line about 15 people deep and it went ALL the way around the arena. I started praying for ANYONE I knew, and sure enough, one of Carissa's friends saw me. I jumped in line with her, and in no time we were heading through security where they took my UMBRELLA and I heard them say the fire marshal was fixing to shut them down. Only about 10 people made it in after me. So, I was there, soaking wet, and standing room only. And, stand we did. Lots of other political speakers spoke before Sarah ever even arrived in town. She was late. Finally, the moment I had been waiting for! She spoke! It was great to be there, but she didn't say anything I haven't already heard in the comfort of my air conditioned living room. When I left, I went and begged the secret service for my umbrella, and they did give it to me...as long as I was headed out THAT door and not coming back in! No one goes anywhere in Florida without an umbrella, and I sure wasn't gonna be happy if I had to take my NEXT ten mile hike in the afternoon rain storm without an umbrella! WHAT were they thinking??? So, I made it back to the car JUST as it started to rain. At this point, who could tell sweat from rain??? I was really in bad shape. Maybe the most eventful moment for me was seeing the group in the stands holding up the American flag. There's just something about the flag. My mom would have been really proud. I was standing close when some from the "other side" had gotten in and decided to make themselves known. Can I just tell you that you don't really want to be on THAT side of the secret service? Oh my. They were out of there! So, I will post a couple of pictures just to prove I was there. Sarah is the bright blue spot under the media's tripod. The one on the big screen is a bit better!

Still Celebrating!!!

2008-09-28T19:51:00.003-04:00

Part of my anniversary present was a few days at Sanibel Harbour Resort for a marriage conference. We left home on Thursday and got back today. I worked hard to finish Cary's anniversary present that I didn't get done for the REAL anniversary! I gave him a scrap book of the first 25 years. We had a great time and saw MORE dolphins and sunsets! We have stayed there several times in the past, and I know RIGHT where the resident dolphin lives. Been there forever. Same place, same time of day, always there. I was very sad because I never saw him/her. But, I did see three of them, always traveling together, so I have pretty much decided that the resident one has made some new friends. That makes me feel better. We spent a lot of time at the pool and read a lot! We are always happy when we accomplish that! We enjoyed the conference too...but all the people made it very difficult for us getting to our beautiful room on the top floor! Lots of people on the same schedule overworked those poor elevators! Cary left this afternoon on a staff development trip, he'll be back Wednesday. Till then, it's just the girls! Well, and Tucker!

Walking Again!

2008-09-22T12:43:00.002-04:00

We wrapped up Kaylee's week of celebrating yesterday. We went to Olive Garden for lunch (Joshua and Jen weren't able to make it) and Kaylee decided we really didn't need a DQ cake since we had several sitting around already! I think she quite enjoyed her freedom over the weekend, and she was very good to check in with us and keep us very aware of where she was AND that she was all in one piece! This morning she drove herself to school for the first time! So far, so good! I started back walking this morning. Have not walked since early June because of an ongoing cough and medicines, and Dr visits. I was finally feeling like I could do it, and I was thrilled to be able to start back! I have missed it SO much. I was also able to go a whole hour earlier, since Kaylee drove herself to school, and that meant it was cooler too! So, at this point, all is well at the Robinson's!

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, Kaylee!!

2008-09-19T17:26:00.003-04:00

Yep, she is 16! We've had a day! We all got up early (you can tell by the goofs in the early morning picture) and went to Perkins for breakfast before school. This was our only time as a family that was in the plan, so she opened presents at breakfast! Cindy waited on us and got to pose for yet another Robinson birthday picture! Now, let me tell you about our ride from Perkins to school. This is to document Kaylee's last practice run before going for her license. Seemed like we were going 60 through the school zones, but all of us were able to remain calm and quiet, biting our tongues, holding on for dear life. Then, out of no where, a man on a bike coming right at us, weaving between cars...Cary yelped, we all thought we were done for. Notice I DID NOT say that was a WISE man on a bike coming right at us! Then, a right hand turn over the curb, pretty sure we lost a hubcap. At this point, we are laughing like crazy, tears and all, and Cary says "THIS IS NOT FUNNY!" Please understand, that was not anything to do with any of us nearly being killed, simply he was not sure if we had lost a hubcap or not. Somehow, things got even funnier then...OK, so we made it to school, signed her in late, did a hubcap check, and when it was just us in the car, I said "If she doesn't get her license, she's driving alone anyway, because I'm NOT riding with her ANYMORE!" Carissa and Megan made her a cake and took her lunch and roses, then we took her for her test. She passed! So, we left her there, with her car and a bunch of plans for the evening and a FEW instructions. Then, Cary and I drove off and hid, and then met up with her at the first stop light. Cary had a FEW more instructions there! And, since then, she has checked in several times, as she was instructed to! So far, so good! She had to go visit her little boys she babysits, a friend, have dinner with friends, then a ball game and ice cream after. So, we will wrap up all the birthday celebrating on Sunday with a family dinner! I think we just might survive it all!

Events of the Last Week

2008-09-17T14:28:00.004-04:00

I have some catching up to do! Last week I was consumed with helping to plan a funeral. It was on Saturday, and long before it was planned, Claire's 5th birthday party was. I knew I was going to be running full speed all day, from one thing to the next and hopefully not too late for anything! The funeral went well and I actually got done a little earlier than I thought I would. That just meant that I had time to grab something to eat on the way to the party. I pulled in at McD's, thinking it was just convenient, but soon realized that God had snuck in a little blessing for me among the hectic schedule of the day. You know how it is when you are just running full speed, no time to catch your breath. I was quickly trying to organize my food and start back on the road when I looked up and had an unexpected surprise. A field of goats. Yep. And I was forced to take a deep breath and regroup for a minute. We have been in Ft. Myers for almost 24 years, seen a lot of changes, but the goats, well, that was something WAY too familiar. I was looking at a little "farm store", that's what the kids always called it. It is a shack, at best. Family owned, then and now, selling food from the family farm, and they also have goats. Each one of my kids stood many times at the fence and watched the goats. And, each family member stood and watched my kids grow up watching the goats! It was cheap entertainment, and a regular part of their lives. It is simply a part of who they are! So, there I was, rushed at best and yet taken back to many years of taking time to stand and watch the goats play. And, I looked over and there in the seat of the car was my camera, I thought because I was headed to a party, but I also think it was an divine appointment, to record part of history for my kids! So, I got out of the car, zoomed in as close as I could, and captured the moment of memories that came flooding in. Life is busy, and complicated, and for just a minute, God gave me permission to take a deep breath and remember times of simplicity. It was a gift, and I knew it right then and there! Well, then on to Claire's party! They had hair done, nails done, and dressed up for a walk down the run way! Yesterday was the official day, she is now 5! I think the girls started babysitting her when she was just a few months old and she has provided much entertainment and joy for all of us! And, on Sunday, we started celebrating Kaylee's 16th! We gave her a card with tickets to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater to see High School Musical II. So, off she and Hilary went to celebrate! Oh, the celebration isn't over...stay tuned, Friday is coming!

Carissa Celebrates

2008-09-10T12:26:00.003-04:00

We have officially celebrated Carissa's 21st birthday, with Ike and a few others! We've had some wind and rain, but nothing too exciting! Last night we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and had a few people over. Of course, the cake was from DQ, holding fast to tradition! Carissa got a Wii for her birthday, so most of the night was spent playing that. The kids wanted to take our picture and I told them they could only if we didn't look like parents of a 21 year old! Now, we look ahead to Kaylee's birthday!

Happy 21st, Carissa

2008-09-05T23:34:00.003-04:00

Carissa turned 21 today! She started her day by opening packages that had arrived and were waiting for her. Some had really gone the extra mile to be sure this day was special for her. She opened presents with help from "Little Help" of course! After she opened presents, Cary and I took her to breakfast at Perkins, her favorite. Perkins has been THE breakfast place for all her life, I think. They gathered up the troops and brought her a muffin with a candle in it and sang to her. I thought we were going to have tears as one of the waitresses, Cindy, recalled all the years she has waited on her and watched her grow. I think she felt honored to be a part of the party! Carissa and I hung out at home a lot of the day while Cary went to Orlando for Nite of Joy, and Kaylee also was in Orlando for a leadership conference. Tonight was her first night of waitressing at Johnny Rockets. Alison, Luke, and I went down and surprised her. She did a great job and seemed to stay pretty busy. It wasn't a traditional birthday, but we did the best we could! We are planning a party for Tuesday...not sure what Hurricane Ike is planning tho! Carissa has had more than her share of "problem" birthdays! We hope this one will not fall into that category!

Laughter

2008-09-02T21:59:00.002-04:00

Can I just say how thankful I am for laughter? I have laughed out loud more times than I can count today! Daniel called tonight, we heard from Cary's old roommate on Facebook, I got some funny emails today-not intended to be, and Nicole started it all at Bible Study this morning! I've just had a really good dose today!

Cary's Birthday Celebration

2008-08-31T22:10:00.003-04:00

We went to church this morning in the winds and rain of Hurricane Gustav. It was pretty impressive, considering we really aren't in the path. This is so incredibly sad. While we know some of what it is like, we really have no idea when it comes right down to it. I have already checked on my friend in New Orleans, and they left on Thursday. After church we had lunch at P.F. Changs and then we came to the house for DQ cake and presents. The kids all went together and got Cary a digital frame for his desk. He says he will have to spend the holiday tomorrow figuring it out! Cary is catching on...he knew the pictures being taken would appear right here, just for your viewing pleasure! We missed Kaylee, but we have too many birthdays in a row here to be postponing the celebrations! This is our busy month! This week Carissa will turn 21 and Kaylee will turn 16 in a couple of weeks!

Happy Birthday, Cary!

2008-08-30T21:05:00.002-04:00

Today is Cary's birthday, but for the most part, we will celebrate tomorrow. We hung out at home today. I got caught up on a lot of "little" projects, and Cary worked in the yard and washed cars. The only excitement was when the Gators came on, for the first game of the season. Kaylee is actually in Gainsville with Hil and they went to the game. Carissa and Tuc got all dressed up for the occasion...that is the game, not the birthday! And, yes, if it looks like Tuc is WATCHING the game too, he is! Loves to watch the TV! Tomorrow we will have lunch and do presents for Cary.

The Patriarchs

2008-08-28T14:31:00.002-04:00

Nothing too eventful has been going on around here again, a short dry spell for the blogging! Everyone is back at home from summer trips, school has started, and everyone is adjusting to schedules! I told you before that Jen and I had been taking a Bible Study together this summer, on the Patriarchs. Jen has already started back to school, so she wasn't quite able to finish the class with me. Today was the last class and it was kind of sad! I've met new friends, and visited with new people from another church here in town, and we've done some deep studying together! I had actually done this study before, but I was a week shy of finishing it when mom got sick and I left town. I learned and re-learned a lot. There are things that I know my mom prayed for that she never got to see the answers in her life time. Promises that she believed God for. I have seen some of her prayers answered since her death. To be honest, I have fussed at God because I don't understand why He didn't let HER see those answers. But, through the study this week, I found the answer. We live in such an "immediate" world. Everything is RIGHT now, quick. That is what WE expect of God. However, ancient Hebrews would have considered the possibility of a promise fulfilled in his descendant a great honor because it would have shown God's CONTINUED blessing over the extended line. I know that even though mom left this world without seeing some answers, she also left here EXPECTING God to still be at work. Her faith was not shaken one bit. No, she BELIEVED, and now I am getting to see her prayers answered, as well as my own children. Pretty amazing. I'm going to copy the next few sentences right from our book. "Let's be open to the possibility, however, that if the years slip away and we find ourselves on our deathbed without seeing a promise fulfilled, it may have been intended for our physical or spiritual descendants. God's promises to us are bigger than us and reach far beyond us. Their ultimate purpose is glory. HIS. He is always faithful, and He will never make a promise He won't keep. His promises to "you" could be for you personally, your family, or your line. If precious promises aren't fulfilled in the fruitful years of our lifetimes, let's believe God and welcome His promises from a distance. What kind of faith could be more pleasing to Him?" I love knowing that I am seeing the fruit of my mother's prayers. I pray that my own children will be able to see the same. And THEIR children. Wow, that's pretty good stuff!

Kaylee is a Junior!

2008-08-18T18:18:00.003-04:00

Yep. The BABY has only two years of high school left! Kaylee started school today with a half day. When I picked her up we ran around making preparations for Hurricane Fay, and planning to NOT have school the very first full day! Cary won't be working either, so I'm guessing we'll be playing cards tomorrow! We are glad our beach week was LAST week! Tuc was especially cute today, and I have to add this picture for his mom to see while she's in Dallas. Tuc is crate trained, which a new idea around here. He is a very good boy, and I hate always leaving him in the crate when I leave. Today I had to run to the store really quick, just to get a couple of hurricane things. I had washed the blankets out of his cage and they were in the dryer, so I didn't want to shut him up in the cold cage! I knew I'd only be gone for a few minutes, so I decided to be brave and see what would happen! When I walked out the door he stood and looked at me like "hey, don't you remember, I get locked up when you leave!" I ran to the store, and when I got back he was in the exact spot where I had left him, not a thing was out of place! GOOD boy!

Our Last Day!

2008-08-15T20:37:00.003-04:00

We spent the morning at the beach today. We have been going most of the time to the pool area. While relaxing and watching the waves, I was thinking how much relaxing I have done since I gave up fighting the maids and worrying over the dish cloth! It just wasn't worth the energy! When I came in for lunch, the maid had been here. You'll never guess...she left a dish cloth, but no dish towel! I just stood there, stunned. I'm sure the Lord was trying to teach me something, but I haven't exactly figured out what! This evening we went to a BBQ on the beach. Very nice, great food! Then we went to the beach for our final sunset, which was pretty much like last night! Not so thrilling! But, when we went to leave...a FULL moon! Beautiful! We have had a wonderful week, lots of rest and lots of fun with family. Tomorrow, we head home and school starts on Monday! Carissa left today for a week with friends in Dallas. Tuc is waiting for me to get home! I'm on Grandma duty!

Thursday's Vacation Stories

2008-08-14T20:04:00.002-04:00

Well, believe it or not, I have NO pictures for you today! We spent the day at the pool, watched lots of dolphins, and missed the sunset...thought it was going to rain, so we stayed in. It was a very quiet and relaxing day, except for all the interesting characters at the pool. We had a teen age couple that carried on forever about all the "he said" and "she said" stuff going on in all their relationships. Couldn't help but hear it all. I was so blessed. Then we had a lady that I knew when I saw her coming was gonna want to talk to me. She did. I wasn't all that thrilled about talking to her. She was kind of interrupting my dolphin show. Then, there was the family that had two daughters and an evil dad. He simply should have been shot for the way he was treating his girls. Then we had a wedding party arrive for a destination wedding. They were a bit more on the wild side than we are. Quiet WAS working real well for us! So, the thrill of the day was that at some point, one of my dolphins got a bee in his bonnet and started BOLTING from the water. Is was just like being at Sea World, I'm telling you the truth! I'm afraid they are going to rest well when I leave and they aren't having to perform !!!

Happy 25th Anniversary!

2008-08-13T21:23:00.004-04:00

Yes, 25 years ago today...I married Mr. Wonderful! I can hear my mom laughing right now-she always thought that was SO funny! But, he was, and is, so laugh on! The girls headed home this morning to go to work and take care of school preparations. Cary and I were at the pool by 10, sitting under the umbrella. I could hardly get anything done ALL day. (I am really trying to read!!!) It seems that every time I'd put my eyes on the book, they would slip right off the page and be watching dolphins! Yep, ALL day. We were in the perfect spot for all the dolphin shows! My neck would get tired and I would change positions and there would be some more for me to watch! We stayed there till about 4 and then got cleaned up to go to dinner. As I went to get in the car there was a gift bag sitting in the floor. I have been wanting diamond studs for quite a while, but want no more! Mr. Wonderful has taken care of it! They are beautiful, and I was completely surprised! We ate at a small place on the island, and it was great. We both loved our meals. Then, we came back to watch the sunset-it wasn't the greatest tonight, but it was pretty anyway. While we were watching, Cary told me about another surprise...we're going to a marriage conference in September sometime. We were just about ready to leave the beach when Cary squealed. I was pretty sure the heart attack had come. No, it wasn't. He saw TWO dolphins RIGHT in front of us, almost close enough to touch! It was pretty amazing. The water was kind of rough, and they had to be up in pretty shallow water! Then we left the beach, got coffee and dessert, came back to the room to watch the Olympics. I have been working on a project for Cary for our anniversary, but due to several situations beyond my control, it will be late! As I have been reflecting on the past 25 years, I am pretty sure that I am most thankful for laughter. It's the memories of the laughter that has gotten us through rough times. We have had much fun, many happy times. We talked over dinner about Israel being our favorite thing we have done. Life changing. We have lived a very privileged life together, and we are very aware of that. But, we are also very aware that our greatest blessings have not been things at all. What a blessing to have had time with our children during this week. God has been so good, blessed way beyond what could ever have dreamed! It has been a wonderful anniversary, full of surprises!

Tuesday's Vacation Stories

2008-08-12T19:41:00.003-04:00

Well, today was not quite as eventful as yesterday! Britt came to spend the day with Carissa and Hil came to keep Kaylee company. Both are like adopted daughters and we loved having them here. Kaylee ran into her little "golf ball boys" when I was not with her. I had the money, she did not. They were leaving and couldn't track me down, so I still have a dollar on me and they have as many golf balls as they did yesterday! We had told them that our dog at home loved to play with golf balls and they asked if it was a boy or girl. We told them he was a boy and so they were saving the baby blue one for me to take home for Tuc. Poor Tuc. We spent most of the day at the pool because it was too windy to put up the umbrellas on the beach. We are getting lots of reading done! We had ice cream after a day at the pool, cooked in tonight, and came in before we got soaked from the rain that was hindering our sunset.

Monday's Vacation Stories...

2008-08-11T22:40:00.004-04:00

We had another wonderful day at the beach today. We dodged the rain a little, but for the most part it was a pretty day! When we came in for lunch we found out that we had been booked on the dolphin cruise! Now you KNOW how that made my day! So, we followed this tourist through town and went on the cruise! We had a wonderful time, saw several dolphins before we ever got on the boat! After we got on the boat, they really performed and I was in a great spot to get pictures! We went to watch the sunset on the beach after dinner. These two adorable little boys came to sell us golf balls...used ones...any price we wanted! They had been "cleaned and rubbed". We didn't have any money on us, so we told them to come back tomorrow. They really had quite a conversation with Kaylee, I think she was flirting. The high light of our trip at this point...I'm just trying to get a dish cloth so I can wipe off the counters and table. English seems to be a problem. The first time I asked, I got two hand towels for the bathroom. The next time, I got, I am NOT kidding...a black trash bag full of hand towels for the bathroom. Today the girls were here when she came, this one speaking great English they tell me, but they forgot to ask. However, she left with my bag of paper goods for the week (paper plates, napkins, baggies, cups...) thinking it was a bag of trash. They have kindly gone and shopped for me, replacing what seems to have gone in the dumpster! Tonight I just gave up on getting the dish cloth and I am using a wash cloth from the bathroom. All is well. I am happy now. The counters and table are clean.

Celebrating!

2008-08-10T20:32:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we started our family vacation! Joshua and Jen came along, and after Kaylee flew in from Atlanta, Carissa and Kaylee joined us. Last night we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, fished, and played cards, and watched a little of the Olympics. Joshua and Carissa did the fishing, and Carissa caught one right away! It was pretty exciting! This morning we had a very lazy morning and then we all went to the pool. After day one, we have seen one dolphin and one FLYING stingray! Pretty impressive! Since we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary later this week, the kids had told us they wanted to take us out to dinner tonight. One of the places we went on our honeymoon was McT's and they wanted to take us there. We arrived there tonight to find some friends...the Hutchcrafts, Nashes, and Goodnights had just happened in for dinner there too! Funny how that worked out! The kids had sent out invitations and kept the whole thing VERY quiet! They also presented us with a coffee table book with pictures from the last 25 years! THAT was a LOT of work, and mostly the project of my fourth child! We were totally surprised and had a wonderful time together. Joshua and Jen had to go home tonight, Jen starts school tomorrow! Carissa and Kaylee will be with us for a couple more days before they have to go back, then Cary and I will have a couple of days together before we head home. We had a great time together, our first vacation with all four children! Too bad the grandpuppies were not invited! We miss them! I told Cary today that I am enjoying being over the "parent" stage with Joshua and just being able to enjoy him and see what a wonderful young man he is becoming. Parenting has gotten in the way of that in the past! He is FUNNY and makes me laugh! We found out that Jen likes crumbs, and she made us laugh too! Carissa really enjoyed fishing with Joshua...even at 5:30 this morning! It is wonderful to have Kaylee back with us...she's been gone so much this summer! Who would ever have thought that our family would look like this 25 years ago??? We are so blessed, so thankful for friends and a wonderful family!

2008-08-05T18:52:00.004-04:00

This past weekend I was able to attend the Beth Moore simulcast! Oh, yes, it was all I thought it would be! It was pretty interesting to note that there were 70,000 women attending, in 715 different places! One of the groups was a group of missionaries meeting in Guatemala City. As always, she gave tons of information in a short period of time and I am looking forward to spending some time going through it all and trying to digest it. Kaylee got home from camp on Friday night and left for Atlanta on Saturday! One of my faithful readers had a birthday on Sunday-she was celebrating in Kentucky! Joshua and Jen needed a family portrait done when they were over on Sunday. I'm busy working on getting us ready to leave on vacation this weekend. We are looking forward to having some down time! There's nothing significant to tell, so I'll just add a picture of Tucker! He's always good for a smile! This was when he got caught chewing on my coaster...one of his favorites!

Catching Up

2008-07-28T14:30:00.004-04:00

I really don't have a lot of news, but I'm getting hate mail about not updating, so I'll have to think of something! We had a party last Monday night for the people who went on mission trip. It was a lot of fun and we had a good turn out too. It was also our last chance to see some special friends and say goodbye. Chris and Clynton are from South Africa and have been here for about a year, doing an internship at a resort. We really fell in love with them and loved having them as a part of our ministry. Both of them went on the mission trip to Ecuador and just seem to be very sold out to the Lord. But, their time has come to an end and we are sad, but expect to keep in touch with them. Yesterday we had another zoo addition...that squirrel is thinking about jumping onto my bird feeder! I'm not one for violence, but I do not like anything messin with my bird feeder! We had two weddings this weekend, now a little rest, maybe! We always have time for a grandpuppy visit too!

Zoo Additions

2008-07-18T15:53:00.003-04:00

OK, this is why every time Cary starts making noise about moving...I tell him only if I can take my back yard! Pretty wonderful place to be! Blue Jays and Cardinals are visiting us today!

Blessed!

2008-07-17T22:36:00.003-04:00

I had a wonderful blessing today. This summer, Jen and I have been going to a Beth Moore Bible Study on the Patriarchs. You probably know how I feel about Beth, most people do. SO much of my growth has taken place as a result of her ministry, she just speaks my language. I can't even put into words what it has meant to me to have Jen studying with me. Today, some of the ladies were talking about how they had prayed for their child's mate forever...and mine was sitting right next to me! I WANTED to open my mouth and tell just how faithful my God has been, but I didn't because I knew the resulting flood that would have happened. In Beth's lecture she talked about "becoming what we hope our descendants will be" and there she was, sitting right there with me and becoming all I hope my descendants will be! Can I be anymore blessed? Is it possible? And, I realized while sitting there next to the evidence of answered prayer that Jen has grown my faith because I can look at her and SEE that God heard and answered, and that makes me able to BELIEVE even more than ever before that I have two more children coming to me someday, and I know I will be just as blessed through them as I have been through my Jen. Just before the wedding (March 24) I wrote about the bracelet that I had framed for Jen, but I never have written about a very important chapter that followed that. At the rehearsal dinner, Joshua and Jen gave me a ring of sapphires and diamonds, and a precious note. Basically, the blue ring was given to me to replace the blue bracelet I had given Jen, and so I could wear it to be reminded to pray for them. Oh, I couldn't get that ring on fast enough! I just love the little things that remind me of much bigger things! Keep believing. He listens, and answers, and continues to bless!

The Zoo

2008-07-15T16:02:00.003-04:00

Life at the zoo...just a few minutes ago I took the picture of these fish swimming through our back yard. Last week, I found the turtle taking a slow walk back there too. And, just a while back, we spotted the bobcat looking for company in OUR back yard! Let's not forget the snake...of course, it's no longer around! The Robinson's is a pretty exciting place! Come on by, we don't even charge admission!

Bored

2008-07-11T22:21:00.003-04:00

I'm guessing Kaylee and I are about done with being home alone. Last night, Kaylee let Tucker go swimming in the bathtub. I'm not sure that he was as thrilled as he thought he would be, but he got a bath out of it which made US happy! I cleaned out a closet today-I thought it would take a couple of hours, but it turned out to be an all day project. Feels good to have it done though! The GREAT news was that while cleaning, I found a picture of Spike that I really wanted to find and had no idea where it was. It had been on a picture board in Cary's office, and as soon as Spike died I went looking for it. It was GONE, and I feared we'd never find it again! It was also taken at the lake house, in our favorite spot...the hammock swing. Cary and Carissa will return tomorrow and we are planning a family dinner to celebrate! I've gotten a lot done while they have been gone, but I'm ready for everyone to be back in place!

Can't Help But Smile!

2008-07-10T14:08:00.003-04:00

Kaylee. She's just one of a kind. Cary and Carissa are in Ecuador this week, so Kaylee and I have been home alone alot. That is, when she isn't away baby sitting! Actually, I have been home alone alot! The other night, she just decided she should try on my wedding dress...random thought, who knows where THAT came from! Well, it was a project, but we got her in it, then had to get her OUT! We laughed a whole lot! That's usually how it goes with us. She always brings joy and a smile!

Learning Lessons

2008-07-08T15:59:00.006-04:00

Just as God had ministered to me through Spike's life, I knew He had something for me through Spike's death. Pain only happens for a reason, I just had to look and find it. A quote from a book I had just finished reading... "The worst days can actually turn out to be our best days if we learn the lessons God is trying to teach us. He wants us to learn to see bad experiences through the good we have gained from them." I wanted to learn the lesson, to gain the good from this "worst" day. Another quote, also from the same book, "My confidence in God is not contingent upon my circumstances. My confidence is contingent on the character of God. My circumstances may not make sense, but I know God is planning His work and working His plan." (The book is In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.) Several months ago, Cary used Spike as an illustration when he was teaching on a Wednesday night. He was talking about worship, and he told about how Spike acted when I would come in the door. He would jump (even in his old age) dance, and pant, and carry on, focus only on me, always making a scene. Because I was the one receiving that worship, that really was a very clear picture for me, I related very well, and I thought about it often. In those early days after losing Spike, when I was still pretty much in shock, I asked God "What am I supposed to do with this? How do I work through it all?" And, even with a bit of attitude, I asked, "Just what do You want me to do now?" He told me "WORSHIP." My first thought was that picture that Cary had painted of Spike. Every time a wave a grief would come, I would think about the picture of Spike looking up, with the wind in his face and how he worshiped me. I have tried very hard to turn that around and learn to worship God with just as much energy and abandon as Spike worshiped me. It has been a process, something I am learning and something He continues to try to teach me. I love how when God really wants you to "get" something, He sends it to you from every unexpected direction. First, from a song. Heard it before, sang it before, but the words had new meaning.

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing you praise

In my heart, in my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out

Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring you praise
From the inside out of my soul
Lord my soul cries out

Over and over those words have gone through my head. Spike knew how to lose himself in praise! LOSING myself in bringing YOU praise. Then I walked in the girl's bathroom one day and found all kinds of worship information written on cards, taped to the bathroom mirror. I'm guessing God has been talking to Kaylee about worship too. Now I go in there JUST to read the cards and remind myself of that good information! And then, last Wednesday night, Cary talked about worship. "When we don't worship, it's like coming to a party with a gift...and leaving with it!" Worship is what I was created for! If I don't worship, the ROCKS will cry out! Worship is all I have to offer, it's my only gift I have to bring! Worship is surrendering my will to His. So, in a nutshell, what in the world am I saying? It's all about Him, and just maybe a little 8 pound dog that shared his life with our family came to teach me a lot more about worship than I could ever have learned any other way.

A Very Personal God

2008-07-07T09:48:00.003-04:00

You don't have to know much about me to know my attachment to dolphins. Even though we live on the beach, it really isn't common for us to see dolphins. When we do, maybe there's one, or even two. After we returned from the vet on April 14, we hung out at the house for a while, then loaded up and drove out to Sanibel. We love to eat at McT's on the island, and usually plan to take guests there when time allows. Cary and I first ate there on our honeymoon, almost 25 years ago! This night had been planned ever since I knew Donna, Bob, and Renee were coming for the wedding. We shopped a little on the island, ate, and then stopped by the beach so that our guests could say they had been there! Needless to say, I was a bit in a fog, just going through the motions and working at taking my next breath. My heart was broken, but I SO wanted to be in these moments with my family surrounding me! I had been looking forward to this for so long. The minute we put our feet on the beach, the first thing we saw......DOLPHINS! I don't know how many there were, but I know we counted at least EIGHT at one time. They were playing like crazy, having a wonderful time! NOTHING could have ministered to my hurting heart like a dolphin show. As long as we were there, so were they. We could still see them as we left. Carissa had SO much school work going on that had been put aside because of wedding events and family, and she had stayed in the car to study. We started taking all kinds of family pictures and realized this was not a good time for her to be in the car, so Kaylee called her! Oh, cell phones! In that moment, surrounded by family and dolphins, I have never felt so tightly held by my Father. HE was there. I am convinced that He called each of those dolphins by name and told them to SHOW OFF! You will never convince me that this was anything other than a personal show, just for me.

Spike's Last Days

2008-07-06T22:58:00.003-04:00

About Christmas time, we could see that Spike was really taking a turn for the worse. He had lost all his vision in one eye, and didn't do real well with the other eye. He seemed to have trouble with one of his legs giving out on him. It really got hard to leave him because I knew no one would care for him like I did. The day we left for Israel I had a really hard time, I was very worried about leaving him. My only salvation was that Carissa and Kaylee would be with him. We had only been back from Israel a couple of hours when I realized Spike had a "growth" out the side of his mouth. My sister, Donna, was already here for the wedding, so she went with me to the vet. The vet and I have always compared notes on where we've been on mission trips and what's going on in our churches. The vet suggested it might be an abscessed tooth, or possibly a growth. With that, I held up my hand and stopped him. I told him we had gotten home from Israel a couple of hours before, I was exhausted, and my son was getting married in three days. I was in no condition to deal with any more information. He said we'd put him on an antibiotic and see if it cleared up. Even then, I knew. That night, my sister got the call that their dog had died. Timing. Two days later, Donna and I discovered a "mass" on Spike's chest. We had gotten home on Wednesday, found the mass on Friday. The wedding was on Saturday, and on Sunday morning we picked Joshua and Jen up at the hotel to take them to catch the bus for their cruise. Spike always went with me in the car, and I took him that morning, knowing in my heart he was saying goodbye to Joshua. Sunday night Marcia came over for dinner. Marcia and Gerald lived in Fort Myers early in our ministry and later moved to Tennessee where Gerald has his own vet practice. Precious friends. While I trusted our vet here, I never did anything without calling and getting Gerald's opinion. I had always prayed two things about Spike. One, that we would never have a life and death "decision" to make, and two, that when the time came, Gerald would be able to prepare me over the phone. Marcia had flown in for the wedding, and after we had dinner, I looked over and Spike was bleeding a lot from his mouth. I picked him up and tried to clean him up, Marcia got Gerald on the phone. My prayers were answered. Gerald, in his very gentle way, let me know that he suspicioned a very fast growing cancer. He suggested taking him into the vet the next morning and getting a chest xray to see what the mass on his chest was. My brother, Bob, and his wife, Renee' were also here for the wedding, and after Marcia left that night, we played cards or something. I really don't remember. I just remember Spike sat on my lap the whole time, ate pop corn, and wanted his nightly bone before bed. When we went to bed, we cuddled, as usual, and in the morning we did the same. I knew in the morning he was not doing well, and Cary called the vet right away. Before Cary and I could even get out the door with him, he was bleeding again. I showed the vet the mass we had found, and asked him if he had found it on Wednesday and just not told us. He said he had not, but asked if it had gotten bigger since I had found it on Friday. I knew it had. So, no chest xray was needed, and the vet told us he thought it was a fast growing melanoma. He said he probably only had another two or three days, but they would be with pain. There was no decision to make. Both prayers were answered. So, we called for the girls to come to the vet's office, Donna, Bob, and Renee' came too. He never left my arms, and everyone said their goodbyes. I still don't understand the timing. So much in such a short period of time. However, I know that God knew I needed all my family with me. We had done death together before and somehow it was comforting to know we were there together again. I am very thankful that the girls never suspected anything was wrong while we were gone, and that they were not forced to make a decision that would have been hard for all of us to recover from. God saw the whole picture and He provided everything we needed.

Catching Up

2008-07-05T23:02:00.001-04:00

Earlier this week, I had lunch with a friend. We don't get together often, but when we do, we are always able to share our hearts. I told her about several things that I just have not been able to blog about. Things that have just really taken me some time to process before I could put words to them. With that said, I'm going to go back in time a bit and try to catch up. A while ago, I mentioned just a simple sentence about Spike dying. That event in my life was much bigger than one simple sentence, it just was all I could verbalize at the time. Spike came into our lives almost 14 years ago. I didn't want a dog, three kids presented plenty of demands on me without adding anything else. Carissa was determined to have a dog, and after much homework, we felt that a Yorkie would be the best fit for our family. Kathy drove with me on a Wednesday night to pick him up, put him in a gift bag, and have him sitting under the Christmas tree when Cary got home from church with the kids. He came into our lives during a very difficult time, a time when I wasn't sure we'd ever see the other side, and a time when smiles and laughter didn't come very often. I remember one day soon after he arrived when he took off running across the room and I laughed out loud. He looked more like a small bunny hopping than a puppy running. I've never forgotten that moment and how good it felt to laugh. He came to us for a reason, and the timing was perfect. As hard as I fought it, it wasn't long before Spike became my dog, and Carissa didn't have much to do with him. At the time she was kind enough to tell us that she had wanted a BIG dog, not a little one! Cary says that now that Spike is gone, I remember only the good. Maybe that's true. I remember the Saturday we were all headed to a wedding, all the kids were dressed and we were ready to go. We couldn't find Spike anywhere, and he always had to be shut up so he didn't tear up the house. We looked everywhere, and finally decided he had to have gotten out of the house, so we all took to the streets to search. After the Florida heat had taken its toll on us and we came back inside, we found he was shut up in the Lazyboy! There was the time when my wallet went missing out of my purse...with $500 cash in it. After we had given up all hope of finding it, two weeks later, it turned up under our bed. The whole wallet, $500 and all. And, of course, I had already gone and gotten new license! Another time we were out all over the neighborhood looking for him and came home to find him under the baby bed, hiding with a Snicker's bar sticking out the side of his mouth like a cigar. He LOVED Christmas. He knew when it was coming and he was more excited than any of the kids to unpack all the decorations and find the things with bells on them. He lived for Christmas Eve when we filled the stockings before going to bed and had to pry him away from guarding them. He always enjoyed his stocking more than the kids enjoyed theirs! He liked presents too. One year we went to church and when we got home we found that Spike had unwrapped a present of Cary's...chocolate mint truffles! They were GONE, leaving only the wrapping! And, I remember the times when Cary was gone so much and life wasn't always easy! Spike was always there for me and when I couldn't hide the tears anymore, he never left my side. We shared a lot of hard days! Every night he would get up on the bed to "cuddle" with me, and each morning he was there to start the day off with a little cuddle time. Only recently, as he was getting older and it was hard for him to jump off the bed, we would lift him off the bed onto the floor when cuddle time was over. There were several times when Cary would start to put him down before he was ready and he would growl at Cary for interrupting his time with his mama! It had become common conversation that when the time came, the family would have to bury me along with Spike. We were tight, adored each other. This story is too much for one sitting, so stay tuned, I'll continue. This picture is my all time favorite. It was taken at the lake house where we used to go with the college kids each year. He always got to go, and he never left my lap...where I stayed in the hammock! One of our guys took this picture in May of 2005. I always loved how he was looking up, with the wind blowing in his face.

Another Memorial

2008-07-03T16:45:00.000-04:00

It just really puzzles my kids that I can LOVE my job. But, I do, and today I have to tell you about how most of my day was spent. I have to admit that I don't always go into a service expecting to come out blessed. In fact, rarely is that my attitude or expectation! Last week, a lady from our church went in to have knee surgery...so she could hopefully play tennis again at age 80. It ended up that instead of knee surgery they did 10 hours of heart surgery, and then, just a few hours later she died. Her name was Billy and I don't think I ever even met her, but I knew who she was. You never saw her without her husband of 58 years, she was always smiling and usually almost running, she had an electric energy! They first came to my attention when they started working with the youth-that was probably when they were in their early 70s. My first contact with the family was early in the week, and her daughter told me this service would be different than most. Billy had been leaving instructions for the family to follow. It was to be a celebration! Wear HOT pink and bring in a Dixie Land Band. CELEBRATE! THAT is what they did. The family all wore hot pink, and the only Dixie Land band in the state was brought in. It was hard NOT to dance! I put Kaylee in charge of my funeral a long time ago. She knows there better not be any chains or shackles, it may even have to be somewhere other than the church because I want them dancing in the aisles, and celebrating my freedom! After today, I may have to revise a bit and add in some bright colors and wild music! You just learn a lot about people at their services. Billy and Fred have worked many years with Young Life, living to raise money for the annual camp that they believed would make a forever change in many lives. There were lots of young people there. They invested and believed in young people. She chose to collect "friends". Her daughter-in-law said Billy had always called her "daughter-in-love", and she also had always called Billy "mother-in-love". Mmmm, I liked that. There just has to be a better label when you love them like your own flesh and blood. She also said that Billy had never seen them as seeds struggling to take root, but instead had seen them as beautiful, blooming flowers. She saw the end result, not the process. Her favorite sayings were "why not" and "stay loose". She entered a room not saying "Here I am", but instead she said "There YOU are"! She wildly spread the love of Jesus everywhere she went. She left HIS fingerprints on everything she touched. I actually took notes during the service, there was a lot of good stuff to try to take in! It was such a happy time with so many smiles and lots of laughter! Just when I thought we would all leave without any tears at all, the punch line came and hit me in the stomach. Her son told about her being rolled down the hall into surgery and she was waving at everyone, calling the nurses by name and telling them she would be praying for their kids-by name. THAT was the last time they saw her alive on this earth. And when the family was sitting in the waiting room, in shock from being told that she had not made it, Fred's first reaction...he slowly started to clap, and he said "Well done, you have won the race!" Oh, I WANT those responses to be the first off my lips, to LIVE each moment in the reality of eternity. To be living SO close to my Jesus that I see Him before I can even see my own grief. Powerful. And then, the band played on! AMEN!