Beach Day

Most of the time, our lives are just too busy. It is rare that we have a day that is not committed all or in part. Cary washed his car this morning and then we thought about going to the pool, but ended up going to the beach. It was a beautiful day, there was a nice breeze. We went out to dinner tonight and did a little shopping before getting home for Cary to watch the ball game! We really had a nice, relaxing day!

Technically Challenged

I just LOVE it when I accomplish something that seems SO far out of my reach! I remember when I sent my first email, and now my job is centered around the computer! It was not long ago that Cary and Kaylee got an Ipod. They almost had to give me tranquilizers when I realized that whatever they were doing in the back seat was coming out of the speakers in the front seat! I was just amazed, too much for this little mind to take in! Well, Cary got an Ipod Shuffle for a gift, quite sometime ago, and it has remained unopened since he uses the Ipod. I have been going to this massage bed place every day, and I decided that it might be something I would use while relaxing on the bed. We had some of the college boys over last night and one of them got it out and set it up for me. I HAVE A NEW TOY!!! I LOVE IT! I listened to relaxing birds singing and beaches this morning while I got my massage. Then, we went to the pool and I listened to a sermon. And THEN...I got really brave and decided to try to put some of my music on it myself, and I DID it! I am very PROUD of myself! I told Cary this could change my whole life! Now I can listen to music while I vacuum! If you call and I don't answer, leave a message, I just have ear buds in my ears!

Wedding Weekend

Cary and I went to Sebring on Friday for the rehearsal and wedding for Chad and Amanda. Sebring is a very small town, not some place we would really "choose" to spend the weekend. However, we had a great time! The hotel was so pretty! EVERYWHERE we looked there were beautiful flowers, and the hotel was on a huge lake. We spent a lot of time relaxing at the pool. Pretty much wherever we are, we find ourselves laughing at our differences. I spend a lot of time in the sun, Cary likes the shade. We had hardly arrived on Friday when I looked over at his shady spot to see he was not there. He had a camera in hand and was taking pictures for people at the pool, looking like a real pro. I was enjoying my alone time in the sun. On Saturday morning, we ate out by the pool, and I couldn't wait to get to my sun and book. Cary socialized all morning. There were plenty of choices, lots of people. My personal favorite was the old man in the red plaid pants, shoes, socks, fur lined hat and jacket. He was really enjoying the beautiful Florida weather! You can always find cheap entertainment in Florida! The wedding was beautiful, outside on the lake, and it all went well. On the way home, Cary decided to stop and look at a car that was for sale, thinking it might be something Carissa would be interested in. Now, by this time, I have been away from home long enough and have carried on plenty of small talk at the wedding. When we got to the man's house I asked Cary if he was going to get the man's life story before we went home. Sure enough, a nice little old man he was and Cary knew all about the remodel on the neighbor's house, had seen the man's new car and heard about the new eating establishments in town before he got back in the car. I was just sitting in the car laughing the whole time. It is because of these differences that we are pretty sure Cary will be the Walmart welcome man when he retires, and I will be reading to children at the local library.

Another Week

Another week goes by! I have been enjoying a little slower pace this week, trying to recover from all the funerals from last week. Tomorrow Cary and I will leave to go out of town over-night for Cary to do a wedding for two of our college kids. Carissa and I played with Claire a bit today, that is always a thrill. No child should be SO cute and have SO much personality! I was gone for a while and when I came home she said "Spike bit me while you were gone!" I asked what happened, and she said "I was JIGGLING him while he was asleep." I suggested that she might not want to jiggle him any more while he was asleep! Carissa said that was just what happened, but no harm done, he didn't even touch her, just scared her. He loves her and is usually very good with her, but I can see where he might not really like being jiggled while sleeping!

I met a couple the other day. They really got my attention in the way they responded to each other and just seemed to have a great relationship. I wondered if they had been through some crisis that had brought them so close. It just always seems that when you go through something really rough, you end up stronger. This week he shared with me about their daughter being killed many years ago, and how they have survived the tragedy. They go into schools and speak about the responsibility that goes with being behind the wheel of the car. He shared with me about his anger toward God and how he worked through that. Their story has been a real encouragement to me this week. Another story of how God works things for good if we allow Him to.

A Night of Praise

I was supposed to have a picture to post, but my dear husband is having difficulties sending the picture to me from his phone. Maybe I can put it on later! (Yes, I did put it on!) I made him take a picture to prove that we were there. Last night, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Louie Giglio were at McGregor. This was a huge thing, planned for months. There we were, on the front row with all our other college workers and college kids. It was wonderful. I'm quite sure as they looked down on us from the stage, they wondered why all the old folks had front row seats, but we were all there and very happy about it! Our youth are having a retreat this weekend, and this was part of their retreat, and of course, there were many others that had come to join in the night of worship. I was very blessed by the music, the sincerity of the artists, the opportunity to reflect on what God has done in my life. Louie spoke, and he is always a great speaker. He talked about how big our God is. The best part for me, was that all three of my own kids were in the same room, having made the choice to spend Friday night in worship! I also was able to call Donna, my sister, and let her join in. For a few minutes it just felt like we were together, tho many miles were between us.

I'd really like to ask you to pray for Jacob. He is in 10th grade, and I've known him for most of his life. When I was teaching, Jacob crossed my path often. He is the oldest of three boys, and he's been through a lot in his few years. My heart has always hurt for him and for all that he has had to deal with. He is currently away at a military school, but he was at the concert last night. I was SO thrilled to see him, and loved having the chance to love on him a little. I asked why he was home, and he told me that he had come for his step-dad's funeral, and was only here for the weekend. Once more, my heart broke. I don't understand God's ways, but I do trust Him. I know He is at work in Jacob's life. Because he was able to be home for the weekend, he was able to be a part of the youth retreat. I woke up all during the night praying for him and for the people that will have the opportunity to touch his life this weekend. He is so precious to me and I am expecting God to do great things for Jacob.

Another Week Goes by

There seems to be nothing note worthy to write about, yet it has been a busy week! Tomorrow I will have my third funeral in a week. That always keeps me very busy. Last Friday night we had a wonderful evening with our friends, John and Lisa. Lisa LOVES to cook, and we gave her a cookbook from Princess Cruises for Christmas. She made the WHOLE meal with recipes from the cookbook! This is why SHE fixes dinner for us, NOT me!!! It was GREAT! We went to a hockey game with Josh and Jen on Saturday. Sunday we had our first mission trip meeting for our Guatemala trip this summer. Monday we had a banquet to go to. Today I went to see Frank and Grandma Painter, and had a meeting at church. In my spare time I have read "The Notebook." I do enjoy reading anything by Nicholas Sparks. It's just been busy, but nothing real exciting to write about!

Happy Birthday Grandma Brantley!

I went to see Grandma Brantley today, to wish her a happy 84th birthday! Many years ago, she and Grandpa used to sit behind us in church each week. We would always get there early so we had time to visit. At some point, I started taking the kids to their house on Christmas Eve, usually taking something sweet to give them for Christmas. Grandpa had a pocket knife collection that Joshua loved to look at, and the girls always enjoyed playing with other toys. Soon, I was just going by to visit, even when it wasn't Christmas! I had a real soft spot for Grandpa. He was one of those that liked to make you think he was rough and tough, but he was a big puppy dog! One Sunday when we were talking he told me that he knew God could never forgive him, he had just done too many bad things. We talked about it, and I tried my best to make him see that wasn't true. That week, I found something in a book that just seemed to say exactly what I was trying to say to him. I copied those pages out of the book (yes, I did it!) and took it to him and made him promise to read it. The next Sunday, Grandpa went forward in church and was soon baptized! Grandpa suffered from cancer for a long time before he was called home. I remember the last time I went to see him, just a few days before he died, and the only time I ever went and found him in bed. That day we had a real heart to heart talk and he thanked me for helping him to understand how much God loved him. Since then, I still continue to see Grandma every chance I get. She is my friend. She is so cute, and you seldom find her anywhere but cooking. Today she told me all about one of her birthday presents-going to a BALL GAME!!! She had a great time! I love her so much and feel so blessed to have her as my friend! Happy birthday!

I Love My Job!

I DO love my job! I have been doing this for about a year and a half now. I am a secretary for the church, but I work from home most of the time. I keep track of the people that are in the hospital, nursing homes, and shut-ins. I send cards, make visits and phone calls. I am only required to be at the church when there is a funeral, and then I am there to be sure things run smoothly. Today I did a funeral for a man I had never met. For the last several months, he had been in the hospital more than he had been out, and had several surgeries. I recently met his wife when she left his hospital room long enough to come to a funeral. So many wonderful things were said about him by his family and his friends. His family was so kind and appreciative of the support from so many, and certainly demonstrated that God had met every need, even in these circumstances. It seems funny, but I really like the funerals. I always leave wishing I had known the person, if I didn't. It challenges me to live my todays differently. I love seeing the family support each other. I love seeing the church family at work. I love seeing the impact that ONE person had on many lives and hearing all their stories. I also love getting to sing "How Great Thou Art" so often! It seems that is sung at almost every funeral. Tomorrow, I'll make a little birthday visit to a dear lady who will be 84. Her two grand-daughters were part of our youth ministry when we first came here and she has always been "grandma" to me because that is what I always heard her called!