" For God himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." Acts 17:25

About Me

About Me

About Me

Welcome...I'm delighted that you chose to visit! I started this blog in March 2010 and I am so happy that I did. It has made me more aware of the many ways that God is blessing my life. I have made some special friends who bless,teach,encourage,and entertain me! My desire is to be an encouragement to you. I hope you will tarry for a while and that you will come back to visit often.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

can't wait...

Tomorrow, Hubby and I are headed
 here for a few days.
Can't wait to see the horizon,
hear the waves, smell the salt air,
and feel the sand between my toes! :-)

Monday, May 28, 2012

don't worry...

 Yesterday, our pastor preached a really good sermon about worry. He started by sharing this statistic... 92% of the things we worry about are things that will never happen, things we have absolutely no control over, or things that have already happened. So, worrying really is just a waste of time and energy. But, as he pointed out, according to Phil. 4: 6-7, it is also disobedience.

 "Be anxious for nothing" is not a suggestion or a recommendation, it is a command. A better translation is..."You do not be anxious..." He continued by saying that Paul doesn't stop with the command, but gives us the means by which we can resist the urge to worry...and that is prayer... "By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God."

 The word for prayer here refers to the act of worship...
acknowledging who God is...and that reminds us that He is greater than any need we might have. Then, after bringing the need to Him, we thank Him for meeting that need according to His will. Because we know His will is always the best for us.

  The result is... "the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus." The word "guard" here means "protect". God desires to protect our hearts and minds from worry...if we will surrender it to Him.

He included this passage in his message. It is a great illustration...and it is true!

In Whose Hands Are You?
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Kobe Bryant's hands is worth about $20 million.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Derek Jeter’s hands is worth $15 million.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Roger Federer’s hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid’s toy.
A slingshot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

Two fish and five loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and five loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

As you see now, it depends on whose hands it’s in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families, and your relationships in God’s hands because, you see, it depends on whose hands it’s in.
-- Author Unknown

Thursday, May 24, 2012

a picnic dinner


 We had a perfect night for a picnic. It had
 rained the night before so everything
 was green and lush, the temp was perfect,
 and there were no bugs! :-)


 Since the wedding was going to be
 at the barn, we wanted to keep the casual, outdoor
 theme going.The bandana favor cups
 held wedding cookies.


 KFC did a great job of catering.
 Everything was tasty and hot and fresh. 
It had been a busy day so I think the
 comfort food was a hit.



The two churns of homemade ice cream 
(strawberry and peach) 
made everyone happy, too!

 

 The huge willow tree added a softness
 to the setting. The gentleman in the green shirt
 did the music and was the DJ.  
His wife works with our son.





Some of the brides' family.


Little E with her great aunt.


 Little E and Little L...in their
 marching outfits...
with their moms, of course! :-)

 It was a nice evening...relaxed and enjoyable...
just the way we wanted it to be!








Tuesday, May 22, 2012

a tea party

At noon on Friday before our recent wedding, 
the bride was honored with a tea at
The Primrose British Tea Room
in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn.
It was a lovely little place...



...complete with the mandatory picture
 of Queen Elizabeth !


 And there was lovely food...



 ...and lovely china.


 And, especially lovely people!
The girls were so excited about going to
a tea party!
They weren't crazy about the food,
(except the cookies!)
but they loved the tea...



 ...and they drank it with their 
"pinkies up"...just  like they were
suppose to! :-)


 More lovely people... the bride and her sister...


 ...all the guests...


 the four of us...


 ...the bride and the girls with her mom, Granna,
and her sister...


 ...and my favorite...
our new daughter with 
her new daughters!
Such happy faces...I love it!


 When I left with the girls, everyone waved good-bye!


We would be seeing some of them that evening at 
the picnic dinner at the groom's house.
Those pictures next time!

Monday, May 21, 2012

a memorable hymn

 About five years ago, my daughter and I sang this hymn as a duet on Easter morning at the church we were attending at the time. It has beautiful words and a powerful message. This past Sunday morning, it was  a congregational song during worship at our present church. Sunday night, we heard it at a concert. It brought back a sweet memory of singing with my girl....something we rarely do. It was a special gift from God to hear it twice in one day!


 Before The Throne of God Above


Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love 

Who ever lives and pleads for me.
 

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM, 

King of glory and of grace,
 

One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!



If you go to YouTube and search for the name, you can hear Selah sing it...you will be blessed :-)

Sunday, May 20, 2012

the blessing of blooms


 I love siting on the swing on our patio and
looking at everything that is blooming.
The temps have been so nice here and with 
pleasant breezes blowing,
 it is a nice place to be.
The pure whiteness of the gardenia
is so pretty and it smells as lovely as it looks.


The hydrangeas are blue...






...and pink.


 The salvia is standing tall showing off its redness!


And the happy impatiens that just blooms, 
and blooms, and blooms!


Think I might just have to go swing for a while!
Hope you have a joy-filled Sunday!

Friday, May 18, 2012

kindergarten...here i come!

The Hubby and I attended our grandson's
 Pre-K4 end of the year program today. 
The stage was colorful and cute.



 And the kids were colorful and cute, too.
That's our boy in the striped shirt.
His class did a little song and dance,
but he was on the back row, 
so all we got was a picture of his arm!


 At the end of the program, they got their certificates...


...and were proud to show them off!


 He had a wonderful teacher. She has been
teaching preschoolers for over 20 years.
I know, she doesn't look old enough
to have done that!
They did a lot of wonderfully fun and
educational things.
He learned a lot!


 We are very proud of him!


 He was tired of posing for pictures,
but he was patient for two more...
one with his precious family...


 ...and one with us!


It was a special day! :-)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

our little L ...

...is happy...


 ...and healthy...



...and precious...



 ...and growing!


She is two months old today!
Praise the Lord!

Monday, May 14, 2012

the wedding....reception

The reception was actually a brunch with
 all kinds of wonderful food. 
There were waffles, muffins, pastries, fruit,
chicken salad and egg salad with
 good bread for sandwiches. 
Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of any of it!
You will just have to take my word for that! :-)

But, here are the bride and groom cutting the cake...


...and eating it!



Toasting...

...and dancing!



These are some of our wonderful, loving friends
who made the three hour drive to share
 this special day with us. The young man
 on the right has been friends with
 our sons since birth.
 He flew all the way from Calif
 on the "red eye" to be there! :-)


 That's me and the Hubby and his sister.
 She drove about six hours and came
 to the wedding with a toothache. 
Now, that's love!


 Our younger son, the best man, and
 his son, our grandson
before the ceremony...



 ...and after (a little more casual) with
our DIL, Little L, and our daughter.



Little L was an honorary flower girl.
 She has on a tutu, too,
under the blanket!



The bride and groom mingling.

 A cute twosome enjoying their beverages!


 They had a photo booth with props
 so their guests could pose
 for fun pictures.



A couple of kids tried it out
 before the ceremony...


 Then they moved it outside where
 the light was better.
Even the bride and groom got in on it!


 Our oldest grandgirl wasn't
 going to be left out!


Then, it was time to go...


 We waved our wands...
wishing them happiness and joy and
contentment for many years to come!
 

 A goodbye kiss for his girls...



...a hug for Mom...

 and off they went!


It was a wonderful day...a beautiful picture of the
redemptive grace of God. 
He restored love to these two precious people
 who had experienced hurt and disappointment.
He confirmed again that His plans for us
are good ..."to give us a future and a hope."!
How grateful we are for His goodness!