Sweet Hour of Prayer

Many of you know Stephen Bailey and have already heard the sad news that he lost his nephew, Connor, in an automobile accident last night...(Monday)

His niece, Bailey, was airlifted to a hospital where she survived surgery that helped repair many broken and shattered bones. Bailey was/is headed to ACU in the fall...had just graduated from High School.

As I read the email from my friend telling me of this tragedy, my heart felt empty. My stomach began to turn. My head felt light. Physically, I was becoming sick at this news that I knew was so devastating to my friend, Stephen and his family.

My son was outside washing his truck. Lex was there chatting with him. My daughter was on the phone with one of her very best friends laughing that deep, sweet laugh that only comes from genuine acceptance and unconditional love of a long time friend.

I went to her bedroom and said, "hang up...call them back...we need to pray." I went to the front screen door and told the boys, "come in here...we need to pray..."

As I shared with them quickly what had happened, they came running to be part of a tiny circle of prayer for this family. We stood in our entry way, hands clasped together, forming what I think is the most powerful tool we have as Christians. Prayer...

What is important at the moment becomes ridiculous in light of such tragedy. When you know the deep wounds of a brother and sister, your helplessness becomes strength through prayer.

I ask you all to pray for this family. For Stephen and his family (the Bailey's) and for his sister and brother-in-law (Tod and LeeAnn Brown) at the loss of one child and the recovery of another.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

Mother's Day

This post is overdue, however, one of the most fun things we did on our Texas adventure was take in a Rangers/Angels game on Mother's Day.

I had found a couple of things for us to do on that day that I thought my Mom would enjoy. The Fort Worth Symphony was doing Beethoven's Ninth with a 200 per choir and various soloists. The Dallas Symphony had a Tschaikovsky day which would have been beautiful also. But, when my mom found out that the Angels were playing the Rangers, there was no questions which event she wanted to take in for Mother's Day.

We had a blast. Wonderful seats. Very intimate park...almost any seat would be good, but ours were very good. We had a Hot, Humid, Sweat dripping very good time. It was hot to begin with, but then, as often happened while we were in Texas, clouds blew in and thunder rolled and the rain came quickly...and then it was gone and all that was left was the humidity.

I sat between my mom and my daughter. Mom cheered for the Angels, Ash cheered for the Rangers, and I cheered for both.

Forget the flowers and tea and "foo-foo" for my mom...just bring on a little healthy competition out in the heat and she's happy.

Blessings!

Home Sweet Home

So good to be home.

We had a wonderful time, but there's nothing like being home again.

Ashley said she was sore from sleeping so hard in her bed...I felt the same way this morning. There's nothing like the "familiar" to make you sleep good.

My favorite part was getting up early and looking in each of the bedrooms and seeing the little lumps in the bed. In both rooms...

I will enjoy this for a couple of months, and then I will be sad. But for today, I feel blessed to have both my sweet children home for a short while...

Blessings.

Dorm Life

I've been in Abilene for a few days now...since Tuesday. And yes, I'm still dizzy because my glasses are not right. I was told it takes a while to get used to glasses which I knew, because I've worn them before. But, these are just plain wrong. I don't know where the "wrongness" occurred (sorry Wendy), but they are wrong.

Vision problems aside, I have had a wonderful time. I've been living in an empty dorm room across the hall from my baby girl. My mom came with me, so Ash has both Mom and Grandma to take care of! Bless!

ACU is one of the most amazing places I've visited. The first morning, Ashley took us all around the campus. If you ever have the chance to come visit, do. This place has God all over it. Every corner, every prayer room, every piece of art, every peace garden, every classroom.

And, with some new grant money, it's even green with flowering plants and many new trees planted! It really is beautiful, which I don't remember it being last summer when I dropped Ashley off.

There are so many stories, so many students, so many hearts searching for God. I'm proud of my daughter...and, as I'm preparing to lose my son to ACU in a couple of months, there is a peace knowing what kind of place this is.

It's after midnight. I just polished off a Hershey bar with almonds as I sit in her room and blog while she studies for her 8 am final. Grandma finally gave up and went to bed about 11:45...she's a pretty cool grandma!

I've prayed for so many things for my children...health, safety, Godly mates, happy hearts. But my constant prayer has been that they seek and hear the voice of God in their lives. That they desire a deep relationship with their Creator, and that they live a life of service within the Kingdom.

I'm a good mama...Lex is a wonderful father. But there comes a time when even the best parents must pass that baton on to someone else to continue developing their children's hearts. I'm happy to pass that baton to this place...however, I'll never stop praying.

Blessings.

One Eyed and Dizzy

I had an irritation in my eye on Wednesday morning. Not sure what it was, but we think it may have come from the church building when they were cleaning the ducts from the fire...

So, by Wednesday morning, I needed to take my contact out of that one eye because I looked deformed. Bright red blood shot eyeball. ICK! I looked like Steven's cat...if any of you have had the pleasure of meeting Tabby, you'll know what I mean.

I had some old (but not expired) drops I had purchased for a previous eye problem and thought I could knock out the irritation with a little self-prescribed medicine.

By Friday morning, it wasn't any better, so I called the eye Dr. and got in to see him. I have an ulcer on my eye, caused from some debris.

Can only wear my left contact, which makes me totally dizzy and off balance. But, the alternative is to be blind and that's not a good option when driving. I don't have glasses because...well, I just don't, O.K.?

So, I'm leaving Tuesday morning. Flying to Dallas and driving to Abilene to get my girl. YIPPEE!! I'm so excited. BUT, I can't see.

It's one thing to drive in a town you know well without seeing out of one eye...but another town? Another state? Nope...no-can-do!

This morning I went to the eyeglass place that a friend from church works at. They are rushing a pair of glasses for me and to top it off, he's delivering them Monday night at the church because I'll be in a meeting. Friends are amazing.

But for now, until Monday night, I'll be One Eyed and Dizzy.

I always think people with glasses look smarter. I'm looking forward to that!

Blessings.