Merry Christmas 2009

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!