What's happening in this picture?  I'll make it easy.  This is multiple choice.

(A)  We're going on a major camping trip and decided to take the entire refrigerator.

(B)  I got energetic and decided to deep clean the kitchen.

(C)  I'm looking for hidden Christmas presents.

(D)  We're contestants on Trading Spaces.

(E)  My mother-in-law is coming to visit.  (Though in my case my own mother is more likely to notice dust and dirt.)

(F)  Our refrigerator went out on Thursday, was declared dead on Friday, and is now waiting for transport to its great reward.

Scroll down for the correct answer.

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The answer is..........

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(F) The refrigerator went out on Thursday, was declared dead on Friday, and is currently waiting for transport to its great reward. 

A new one was purchased last night with promised delivery this morning.  The delivery man arrived around 4:00....PM not AM!  He arrived with the WRONG refrigerator!  All our cold food is in ice chests.  (I'm having flash backs to Katrina.)  However, there is no great loss without some small gain.  I choose to count my blessings.

1.  It is now clean behind my refrigerator.

2.  It is now clean underneath my couch and recliner.  (Had to move them to move out the old and bring in the new.)

3.  This happened before I bought groceries so I didn't lose too much when it went out.

4.  This didn't happen next weekend when my cookie swap takes place.

5.  I'll miss the Florence parade because we're waiting for the delivery to return and then I'll have to put everything that's in the ice chests in the refrigerator and clean up my kitchen.  (I've been to the local Christmas parade for the last 5 years.  I think I can handle missing this year.  Oh the joys of having a daughter with her driver's license!)

I don't know why I wait until I have something profound to say...(Well, perhaps "profound" is a little strong :-) at least something I consider worthwhile to say) before blogging.  Some of my favorite blogging posts to read are those that just give a glimpse into people's lives.  With that in mind, I don't promise to do better, but I'll try. 

I'd really like to post pictures of my favorite ornaments and/or Christmas decorations.  The house is nearly completely decorated.  I wanted to get it done ASAP because I plan to host a cookie swap here for our church ladies on December 7th. 

I'll just confess here, the last time I took one of those spiritual inventory test thingies, I scored lowest in hospitality!!  How does that sound coming from a resident of the Hospitality State??? Oh, and God does have a sense of humor.  Remember that foreign country we went to as missionaries for two years?  Guess what they value.....hospitality!  Those folks put me to shame!  Now, it's not that I don't love people or that I don't love having them over. My problem is that the whole thing totally stresses me out.  Cleaning the house, making sure every thing is in place, planning food, etc is hard for me.  Then I worry that people won't have a good time.  I asked the ladies at church to please let me know if they plan to attend so I can let everyone know how many cookies to bring.  So far five people have signed up....DD16, DD12, a mother and daughter from the church, and myself.  Do you think they all know hospitality isn't my gift and they're afraid to come?  I'd think they'd want to come just to see how it turns out! LOL!

I'll keep you posted.

(Atlanta from my hotel room)

God just blessed my socks off this past weekend! Cassie (DD16) and I went with a small group from our church to Atlanta for a Beth Moore/Women of Faith Conference.  Having Cassie share the experience was almost more than my heart could hold. 

I'm not one prone to tears (unless my feelings are hurt), so it amazes even me that I spent the entire Beth Moore Conference crying from either extreme laughter or an extreme touch from God.  I could feel the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment I walked into the Arena.  It shouldn't have surprised me when Beth said she had asked God to fill the Arena with His emotional presence that day. 

I thought my "toes" were safe when the topic was "Comfort".  I thought, "How can there be anything convicting in the topic of 'Comfort'?"  Boy was I wrong!  The message was about being members of the "Cult of Comfort" which our society endorses, and that we are not to be compelled by comfort, but by our love for Christ.  There was much food for thought, let me tell you!

While the Women of Faith part was fun (Sandi Patty was incredible as usual, and who knew Nicole C. Mullen has so much energy!) my heart was most blessed by my time with Beth Moore. 

On a side note:  I think we underestimate the ability of our teens to grasp the things of God.  Cassie was as blessed as I and took as many notes. Perhaps the reason so many of our youth are still "babes" in Christ is because we don't offer them anything solid.  I'm developing a whole philosophy on church youth ministries, but I'll save it for later.  (I have a feeling I'll be preaching to the choir!)

Just a little update to let everyone know my Dear Son age 19 is back from his mission trip.  I wish I could really share with you where he went and his deep insights on that experience, but I'm afraid it would jeopardize the Kingdom work going on in that particular part of the world.  You'll just have to trust me that it was awesome for him and for me to vicariously go with him.  He returned at 4:15 am Monday morning.  DH and I got up and looked at his 163 pictures.  (Oh the wonder of digital cameras!).  He was so hyped up from the experience that I had to rejoice with him all day.  (Or at least until he totally crashed at 6:15 last night.  He was wide awake this morning at 3:00!  Jet lag is getting the best of him.)

Oh, yeah, it's because I love blackberry jelly!

My back hurts.

I'm sore all over. 

My hands, arms, and legs are covered with scratches.

I must be crazy. 

I guess I am...crazy about blackberry jelly!  About a month ago my dad gave me a gallon of beautiful blackberries.  Since I'm not crazy about plain blackberries, I decided to make jelly out of them.  All I can say is, "AWESOME!"  My kids and I can't get enough of that stuff.  A friend of mine has quite a few bushes growing on her pond dam, so the girls and I picked another 5 quarts.  When I discovered that blackberries added to homemade smoothies are the bomb (an exclaimation of delight used by today's generation), I knew I didn't have enough in my freezer.  DD12 and I picked another gallon today.  I made these into jelly, six pints to be exact.  Now I'm in the process of making homemade bagels to go with it.  (Thanks for that recipe, Jimmie!   It's the bomb too!)

(Note:  These pictures weren't taken today, though they were taken at my house of my goodies.)

"After 34 days in the Trauma unit we were finally released!!!  We were transferred to the rehabilitation hospital in our own town!!!!  He is doing very well!!"

(Don't stop praying!)

We pick the girls up from camp today!  DS19 is headed to ---------.  I'm trying not to worry!

Vacation Bible School.  Enough said for any of you who have worked in VBS.  The first night we had 18, yes, 18 preschoolers rotating around to the different classes.  I wanted to pull my hair out. (But only the gray ones.)  Once again I was reminded why I am no longer a public school teacher. LOL!  But on Tuesday the class was divided which made things much easier.  I was in charge of music.  If any of you have done the hand motions to the  "Game Day Central" VBS you know what a work out it was.  Add "Father Abraham" to the mix five times each night and you know I didn't need to walk each morning.

 My music team.  Yellow-shirt (DD16), me, and Guitar-player DD16's boyfriend.

The Saturday after VBS was my dad's retirement party.  Dear Husband and I drove to a not so nearby town to celebrate with him.  Thirty years with the United States Postal Service is something to be proud of.  It made me proud to hear all the nice things said about him.

My dad and mom.

Sunday was church as usual, then DD16 headed to Mission camp for the week to serve as a counselor in training. On Monday we took DD12 and four other girls from church to the same camp.  (I don't have pictures because I sent my camera with DD12.)  I know they are having a blast.  It is awfully quiet around here and I miss them.

 Today I've been trying to catch up on some things around the house.  I don't know how much progress I've made, but at least I can no longer grow watermelons on the entertainment center in the living room.  The dust had dust.

On Friday DS19 is headed to an undisclosed (not to me but to you for security reasons) part of the world on a mission trip.  Pray for his safety and my peace of mind.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Memorial Day

My DD16 (A.K.A. Classy Cassie), has some very mature thoughts on being unappreciated.  Go see what she has to say:

What It's Like...

I called my mother today. Here was the conversation:

Mom: I laughed when I opened the card you sent.
Me: Why?
Mom: Because I bought the same one for Mamaw!(Her own mother!)

Me:  Great minds think alike!  I guess that means you liked the card.

Just another sign I'm becoming my mother!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

(I think I ran this last year, but it bears repeating. I've even included some pictures this time :-).)

Becoming my Mother!

Me and my parents. How many years ago????

Me with my youngest dd. She's twelve now!

My mom and I just a couple years ago.

I received a phone call a couple weeks ago from a high school classmate, one I hadn't heard from in five years.  One who was inviting me to our 25th high school reunion. 

Twenty-five years.  Where has the time gone?

G. was always nice to me during those tumultuous high school years, and while we don't keep in touch very well, I always considered him a friend and enjoyed this opportunity to catch up. Somewhere in our conversation he asked if I planned on attending the reunion in July.  I tried to evade the question best I could, as I didn't want to hurt his feelings.  

Not one to be put off he finally asked, "If you don't come, what will be the reason."  Evading the issue again I simply said, "Well, you know how busy life is.  I just don't know if I'll be able to."  He pushed a little more.  Perhaps he sensed I wasn't being forthright.  Finally I laid it all out.  "G." I said, "Can I be perfectly honest with you?"

"Of course you can."

"Well, the truth is, I don't have 'warm fuzzy' feelings about high school.  There are a few people I liked and wouldn't mind seeing, but overall, I spent most of my high school years feeling inferior and out of place."

There, I said it, to an old classmate even.  G. is an understanding person and could identify with my feelings which we discussed at length before he and I needed to say good-bye.   

I actually felt better.  I think I needed to say that to someone.

The funny thing is, I had no reason to feel "inferior" back in those days.  I was a straight "A" student, Valedictorian of my class, I had friends, I enjoyed the band, and I was even crowned Marion's Junior Miss my senior year.  From all outward appearances I had no reason to feel like I was less important or less valuable than anyone else.  But I did. County

Last week another 10th grader in our area committed suicide.

April 20th marked the 8th anniversary of the Columbine massacre. 

April 16, 2007 created a new dark day for yearly remembrances. 

I have a son in college, and a soon to be 16 year old daughter. 

A "voice from my past" recently called.   

Is it any wonder my thoughts keep returning to my "younger" days?  I can't help but think, if I felt so inferior and out of place when I really had no reason to, what about those young people who do have some ailment, heritage, or failure that sets them apart?    Who will befriend them?  Who will tell them they are made in God's image and should hold their heads high?  Who will build them up and tell them they can do whatever they set their minds to?  Who will offer them hope?  Who will extend the hand of friendship?

I'm very conscientious of these questions as I try to build my children up at home, ever grateful for the opportunity to shape their lives.  But my heart breaks for those with no "cheerleader", no voice of compassion, no spiritual guide.  If no one steps forward for these others, I'm afraid there will be more suicides, more Columbines, more Virginia Techs, a generation of people who don't know there's hope.

I celebrated my 43rd birthday last Tuesday.  It was a really great day:

The mystery box Cassie and Candace had been giggling over for two weeks contained....

This really cool apron covered with chocolate candies!!!!  I absolutely love it!

I got lots of nice gifts from friends and family...

(including some money which I put in my wallet instead of this picture.)

Raymond took me out to El Ranchitos the Friday before.  It was scrumptious.  Some friends took me to Cracker Barrel for lunch on my birthday.  We had a blast.  I think some of us chatted for two hours after eating!

When I got back home my dear family surprised me with this delectable white chocolate cheese cake.  (Courtesy of my friend Tracie.)  Words can't describe how yummy it was.  (Emphasis on WAS.  It is aaaaaaaaallllllllllll gone now. )

I got lots of messages, phone calls, cards, letters, and e-cards.  It was a deliciously wonderful day full of the people and things I love most in this world. 

I couldn't ask for more.

The best blessings in the world are those which are unexpected and undeserved.  Imagine my surprise and delight when I received two packages containing the above blessings.  It was too late for Christmas and too early for my birthday.  The card said I was loved and appreciated.  I'm humbled and my cup "runneth over". 

Unexpected and undeserved blessings....sounds like grace to me! Tammie and Tracie, if you're reading this know I love you gals!  Thank you for blessing me!

DD12 just had her hair cut.  It makes her look older, and I'm just not ready for her to look older.  However, she did send it to Locks of Love, so I take comfort in that.

Here are some pictures:

Some exciting things have been happening since I last posted:

1.  DS18 found a job!!!!!!!!!! *Double backflips*  He's working at COMP USA.

2.  DD12 actually asked me to get a book for her to read.  This is a red letter day at its best as she has NEVER requested to read a book by herself.  She's become interested in the Columbine story and asked if there were any books about it.  I told her about She Said, "Yes" which is about Cassie Bernall and Rachel's Tears which is about Rachel Scott.  She asked me to get them for her so she could read them!!!!!  I got the first one from the library and she is reading it without my having to nag.  (Who? Me? Nag???)  I just ordered the second one from Amazon.com. 

3.  DD12 celebrated a birthday so now she is no longer DD11.  (Sniff. Sniff.)  Here's a picture of the two of us on her birthday.

God is good!

It's been one of those Hi-how-are-you?-I'm-good-how-are-you?-How-are-the-kids?-Fine-how-are-yours? relationships.

Our kids are friends. We've cheered the band on to superior ratings together, and we've watched our oldest children graduate together. Nothing deep, just friendly.

My middle child and their youngest still have several more "band" years to go, so I never thought that 2006 would be his (their dad's) last year to watch them march.   Even though he wasn't yet 50, Mr. Goodwin died last night of a massive heart attack leaving behind a wife, a college freshman son, and a high school freshman son. 

The Goodwin family's lives have just taken a drastic, catastrophic turn. Life will never be the same for them.  There will be an empty place at the table, and there will be an empty spot in the stands come August 2007.

I'm sad, and I’m thinking.

About a month ago doctors told my husband that because of his cholesterol levels he is a prime candidate for a massive heart attack.  He'll be 45 this year.  That warning seems a little more ominous today.  As a matter of fact, life in general seems a little more precious today.  We've been given no promise of tomorrow, or even of the rest of today.  I'm thinking...

I need to praise more and nag less.

I need to cherish each person I meet more, and look at their faults less.

I need to look each person that comes across my path in the eye and see their value more, and I need to spend less time worrying that such-and-such chore or task isn't getting done.

I need to hug and care more and worry less about what people think.

I need to say, "I love you" to those I love more, and assume they know it less.

I need to sing more, laugh more, cry with people more, and invest myself in others more (including my family).   I need to allow Jesus to fill my cup to overflowing, and then let His love spill over onto everyone I meet more.

If you're reading this it is because you have been given the very valuable gift of now.  Use it wisely.  You won't get it back.

~ Drewe Llyn