Time to Go

Sweet Daughter and I will soon take off for the drive we have become all too familiar with...

Fresno to Abilene, Abilene to Fresno

This is the week, beginning with Saturday, that I say things like, "this is the last Sunday you'll be here for a while, where do you want to go for lunch?" Or, "make sure you give me all those clothes so I can get them washed before we leave.." But the thing she can count on me saying over and over is this...

"Don't Go"

I say it with a twinkle in my eye and a tiny smile, because she knows I don't really mean "Don't Go".

Those two little words really mean a few different things.

"I can't believe my sweet little girl is in college."
"Goodness I miss you when you're gone."
"Of course you have to go...you let God lead your life and this is His direction."
"I am so. . .very. . . proud of you."

Just as she can count on me to say "Don't Go", her response is always the same.

"I love you, too, mama. And I have to go so I can come back."

I sure love that girl.

Blessings.

Bible Depot

Last weekend, my little family and I escaped for a couple of days to the beach for a quick mini vacation before Ashley returns to Texas and Avery gets back in school here. This summer has absolutely flown by.

So, while driving down the main street in Grover Beach, (on our way to a wonderful Frozen Yogurt shop we found) Ashley and I spotted this sign. We went by quickly the first time, turned to each other and asked if we had really seen what we thought we had seen. So, on the way back, we attempted to look again, but weren't quite sure where it was and missed it. We managed throughout the weekend to pass it multiple times, each time exclaiming at the awkwardness of the sign. Not sure why it made us so uncomfortable, and amused, but it did.

Was it the picture of Jesus? Is that a Bible he's holding? I'm fairly certain there weren't any leather bound scriptures while he walked and taught here on earth... Or, is it because the grammar is correct? Really? The apostrophe is in the correct spot and it says "Your" instead of the casual "Yo" typically used in that phrase?

Well, if the purpose of the sign is to catch your attention, it's successful...awkward, but successful.

Blessings!

July 30

There are lots of things I like about my big brother.

He is gentle and kind.

He LOVES books and reading.

He is current, up to date, well informed.

He really is hard to beat at most games. . . my goal is to find games I can win and play those over and over with him. So far, haven't found one.

He can tell and appreciate a good joke.

He loves my children and has always spoken with them intelligently and respectfully...even though he is the grown up and they are the kids.

He BBQ's a great hamburger!

He is extremely intelligent.

The list is endless as far as I'm concerned...however, my very favorite thing about my brother is this:

He is ALWAYS glad to see me. Whenever he sees me, whether for a specific purpose or no reason at all, my brother makes me feel extremely loved and welcome by the way he treats me.

I love my brother.
Happy Birthday, Rich!

Chili Cheese Fries and 3D!

One of my favorite people in the world is Salma Sue.

She's beautiful inside and out.

We became friends because the church decided to pair up a student with an adult. This adult had the task of getting to know, pray for, and generally love this student throughout the school year. Salma was not "assigned" to me, I chose her. I had been watching her grow and was impressed with her poise and gentle spirit and wanted to get to know her better.

At the end of last year, we decided we weren't sure what the "official" rules of student/adult pairing were, but we were sticking together. And so, we have.

The pictures above are from a phone camera, so they aren't the typical quality, but you can see us at the movies with our fancy 3-D glasses on, and then as we headed to eat a bite, we all (Ashley was with us) decided that sharing a plate of chili cheese fries sounded perfect! With cheese and onion, of course!

Such a fun day!
Such a special girl!

Blessings~

Particular about Pencils

I am going to reveal an idiosyncrasy of mine...

noun, plural -sies.

1.	a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.

I want my pencils sharp!!

Not "usable" sharp, not "it's o.k." sharp, not "good enough" sharp. SHARP!

I have a cup, as you see in the picture above, that is filled with my freshly sharpened pencils.
I use them once, for a limited amount of time, and then place them down on my "to be sharpened" pile, which you see on my desk.
This never changes.

Oh, and I don't like those slick yellow (or fancy schmancy cutsie) pencils. I need the unfinished-like ones that I can grip in the "just right" fashion.

O.K. Now you know. I feel we've bonded.

Blessings.

My Bible

I love my Bible. I love the size, the feel, the weight. I am partial to the version most every time I compare to other versions.

It's just a paper covered Bible with underlines, and post it notes, and pages coming loose. In fact, now that I look at it, it's not pretty. This Bible didn't sit on an end table or in a book shelf and look pretty. There is no smell of leather or visions of gold embossing/engraving on the cover. However, it is beautiful to me.

I've used this Bible for lots of years. I've studied with it, prayed through it, wept as I read sections, and found great joy along the journey. It has sustained me, fed me, encouraged me, taught me.

Have you ever looked at some folks...older folks, who may have lost their youthful luster? Maybe they need help walking, or thinking, or hearing. Maybe at a quick glance, they aren't "pretty" any longer. And yet, as you hear them speak, as you see them encourage, as you feel them drift from earthly satisfaction to heavenly longing, you see great beauty. Great wisdom. Great comfort in their presence.

I hope I am sufficiently tattered as my life continues here on earth. Keep the plastic perfection...the gold engravings. I desire a dog-eared, page loose, underlined and post-it note life.

Blessings.

Where to Start...

V.B.S. is always a production at the College Church. It is big, and loud, and exciting, and over the top. The auditorium is decorated in massive fashion, the "character actors" are crazy silly, the music is loud. There is flying candy, good guys and bad guys, crafts, snacks, singing, praying, laughing...and lots and lots of loving. Adults loving children, children learning to love the Lord and each other. If you were to visit this place the week before or the week of Vacation Bible School, there are two conclusions you would come to very quickly.

These people love the Lord, and kids are a priority in this place. It is a great week that I'm always amazed and thankful for. Enjoy some pictures...these are just a few of hundreds! We discovered our new preacher is quite the cornball actor...and a very good sport. (he is at the end of these pics as the sheriff!)

Blessings!

Sunday, July 5, our church will host a "Great American Bake Sale".

If you've not heard of this effort, check it out at
http://gabs.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GABS_homepage

If you're in the neighborhood, come see us. Buy a brownie, or cookie, or whatever...

We will look forward to seeing you!
Blessings

Hospitality and Love

Almost every Sunday night, the Youth Group gets together for a meal and some study and, of course, fun.

This is a great time for a couple of reasons...

First, these students genuinely love getting together and enjoying each other. They are a loving and social group, rarely walking the "clique" or "exclusion" path. Typically, they are beautiful at enfolding new comers and visitors.

Second, it's a more relaxed atmosphere where they seem to have their guards down, as well as do those who are teaching or leading them.

And, finally, it's a great time because it allows the students to see hospitality and love for them in action. We have somebody from the church provide the dinner for them. They come, drop it off, and leave the students happy and well-fed. And, it's rarely one of their parents, rather somebody who doesn't even have a child in the group. Somebody with no obligation, other than caring deeply for that particular group of the church.

A couple of Sunday nights ago, a sweet family offered not only the meal, but their home...their property...their time to the students. We all met at the church and carpooled to Madera where the students were greeted with the smells of amazing BBQ cooking just for them. The horse shoes were waiting to be played along with a couple of bikes and a volleyball court. They enjoyed playing and laughing together while the meal was being laid out for them. BBQ chicken, garlic bread, beans, salad, lemonade. Amazing meal, amazing love for the students.

Lex brought them together and talked about being the aroma of Christ. Just as the BBQ smells filled our hearts as we got out of the cars, so should we be to a world so hungry for a Savior.

And finally, a big campfire with songs and prayers.

The kids were definitely filled with goodness from that night. They were covered with the aroma of Christ from adults who let them know how important they are to the Kingdom.

The Big 2 - 0 !

20 years ago today, I was holding a beautiful, quiet, precious baby boy for the very first time.

20 years later, he is still beautiful and quiet...
He is also extremely intelligent, very strong, and full of amazing talents and gifts that have been developing steadily over his journey. And he's not really a little boy any longer.

Today, we celebrate our son turning 20!

There are so many things about him that I am proud of. And although I could go on for days about all the things that make him special, I will spare him the embarrassment and just simply say he is a tremendous blessing in our lives, as well as any one else who is blessed enough to know him.

Happy Birthday, sweet son.
You are precious to me...

Ministry & Marriage

On Saturday, husband and I celebrated 22 years of marriage.

Some people go out to a nice cozy dinner. Some actually go out of town for a romantic get-away. I'm just sure that some even spend the day gazing in the eyes of their beloved whispering sweet nothings all day long...

We threw a party for the High School graduating seniors.

It's very hard to find a date that all, or most of the folks involved can agree on. There are the folks you want there to honor, there are the folks you want there to support the folks you're honoring, and then the folks whose house you're using, and, of course, you and your family need to have a free moment to help throw this little gathering. So, the date that popped up was Saturday, June 13. Our anniversary.

I whined and griped for a quick minute, then got over it and moved on.

Here's the interesting thing. As we enjoyed our church family, loved on these beautiful seniors who have graduated, listened to the sounds of happy families and children, and laughed with friends at a delicious BBQ with gorgeous 80-ish degree weather...I realized that if I were honest, there's really no place better to spend your anniversary.

For 22 years Lex and I have grown in love for each other and the Lord. Our service to each other is also our service to God. I could look around Saturday and see the fruits of a marriage rooted in service...bound by love for each other and Jesus Christ. I could sit confidently watching my precious husband lead and love those young people and know, without question, we will be celebrating many, many more anniversaries...(as long as we both shall live!)

I guess the best part of growing old together is just that...growing old together.

There are sad days. There are rough roads to travel. There is a darkness that would love nothing better than to obliterate our marriage...but, our love will continue to withstand anything as long as we continue to put God, and service to Him first.

I'm proud of you, Lex. I'm a blessed woman!

Something Good Turns Bad

I'm quite irritated this morning. A virus has infected my computer because of a Facebook worm or virus that went out to a large number of people...I was one of those people, and being a big dummy in the "Facebook" world, didn't recognize a virus when I saw it and...well, ...OPENED THE DARN THING!!

My computer is overrun with some stupid virus now which, I just found out, doesn't have a virus scan/protection program on it. So, I'm struggling to get emails out and normal functions are quite difficult at the moment.

Now, about this Facebook thing...I don't get it. I'm on it because my sweet daughter helped me sign up and so forth...but I don't manage it very well, and truthfully, really don't understand the whole concept of "poking" or telling every little move you make. So, along with sounding very old right now, I probably also sound grumpy and ignorant.

Daughter said I can completely drop out of Facebook, which I might do, but for now my main concern is that there is now a virus running rampant all over my computer...AND, (here's the best part), messages keep going from my facebook account to gazillions of others on my "friends list" that say something like "found sexy video of me" or "sexy video of you" or something like that.

Obviously, if you know me, I keep my sexy videos to myself! ;) My advice to you all, until I get this silly thing under control would be don't open anything with the words "sexy" or "video" or "me" in them until further notice! And be careful out there! It's a crazy world...

Blessings!

Below Average

There is a term that really hits me the wrong way...

"Below Average"

I don't like "Average", most of the time, much less "BELOW Average".

If you're talking finances, education, appearances, talent, intelligence, etc..."below average" is an ugly term.

HOWEVER, I was listening to the news while getting ready for bed the other day and heard this term in a whole new light.

The weather man told me we were going to have temperatures for this next week that would be "below average".

Now that, I loved hearing. Instead 98 degree temps, we will be having low 80's. Beautiful!

Enough of this nonsense...back to work!

Blessings!

Hanging On...

There are days when you, personally, are just barely hanging on.

And then there are times you're solid, feel confident of your direction, have harmony in most or all areas of your life, BUT ...

Others you love, care for, minister to, whatever the case may be are "just barely hanging on".

Sometimes it's because life can deal dirty hands. Other times, you can directly point out the moment your loved one or friend took the road that led to this difficult time. However, whatever the path, the fact that they are struggling gives you sadness and breaks your heart.

So, if you are there, or know someone who is...

Spend some time in Philippians...particularly the beginning...Paul says in v. 6: I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again..."

and at the end in chapter 4 he reminds us to stay focused on what is healthy and valuable as a Christ follower...v.8 says: And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

There are times that life on this earth is hurtful, difficult, frustrating. It creates anxiety that is unnecessary because we forget that God is sovereign over all things. We get caught up in today and our (usually selfish) struggles.

I hope today you will recognize that the God of peace, the sovereign God, is walking beside you and has never left you...and never will.

Blessings.

Hmmm...When Did That Happen?

Maybe you recognize the "process" of "becoming", and maybe you don't.

It is possible you see it all happening before your eyes, but I'm guessing, you probably miss it...just like I do.

Some things are big, some are little. All are surprising, though, when you realize it was coming and you just didn't see it happening.

At some point, my little girl became a young woman. Sounds silly, I know, because she's been a responsible, capable, beautiful young lady for quite some time. But, there's a maturity that happens quietly, discreetly, gently...and quite honestly, if you're not paying attention, you miss it.

It's been wonderful having her home for a time until she returns for her last year at ACU. We have been so proud of her all along her journey.

But to all you mother's out there (and maybe I'm not giving father's enough credit...so I apologize), here's what happened yesterday.

After a long day at work, I walked in to the house to find dinner waiting, the table set, the house picked up, and...wait for it...THE KITCHEN CLEAN!

Oh...she's cooked before...but the mess that is left is hysterical. But not last night. She worked all day making a delicious dinner and making sure things were picked up and cleaned as she cooked...

We all sat down and had a wonderful family meal. Delicious, enjoyable, relaxing.

I had to giggle, though, when we were putting the leftovers away, she said..."whew! my feet hurt and I'm tired!"

"I'm sorry, honey. Thank you for all your hard work", is what I said...

BUT, what I wanted to say was, "Get used to it, baby!"

Blessings!

Well, Whatdaya Know!?

It was quite a show...many "big names" came to share the stage...(some kind of old but none-the-less, still music royalty). Kris and Adam continuing to show great solid friendship and small egos. I have to say I'm impressed with the top 10, for the most part, this year. These folks had great support of each other and didn't seem to be a self-absorbed group.

It did go on. and on. and on. Fortunately we had it recorded and there were a couple of acts we watched for a minute and then, hit the fast forward button!

I honestly could argue either one winning for different reasons. Then the moment of reveal...almost 100,000,000 votes. (can you believe that?!) I would like to know how close the contest really was. When I checked yesterday online, the polls said Kris would take it with 49% of the votes versus Adam's 48%. 1%? I wouldn't be surprised.

Good job, Kris. Good job, Adam. I liked both of you for different reasons...and if it's any consolation Adam, you should be VERY happy you don't have to sing that LAME song that Kara and co. wrote for the finale!

Calling All Guitar Fans

IF you are a fan of a well played guitar, let me suggest this CD to add to your collection, or download, or whatever!

This kid can play!

Of course, IF you are a guitar fan and listen to Christian music from time to time, you probably already have discovered this young man. But just in case this is news to you, give it a little listen.

Blessings.

Almost the End...

I'm sorry Danny Gokey.

You've been a top favorite of mine all along the AI trail, however, I was fairly certain this would be your week to go.

The bad news is you won't be this season's American Idol. The good news is you're free to pick up any deal that will be offered to you without the restraints of AI owning you!

(And we know Danny Gokey will be offered multiple deals!)




The most awkward moment of the show? Katy Perry coming out with "Adam Lambert" across the back of her cape...well, and the weird Elvis-y get-up. It was uncomfortable to watch.

At any rate, whether you're a Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert, or Kris Allen fan, SOMEBODY had to go home. I really think America got it right this season...either of the three could have easily been crowned American Idol and done a great job...

So, what do you think? Will it be what all expect? (Adam) Or will Kris pull it out?

Blessings.

And Do What With It?

So, my sweet daughter and I took her truck... (Daddy continues to say it's his truck but it has some girly smells inside and a pretty black steering wheel cover that proudly displays pink and purple hearts!)...anyway, we took THE truck to get the oil changed and a basic "check all the fluids and make sure we'll make it home to California" check.

There was a very precious young man working extremely hard in the ridiculous Abilene 97 degree with 80% humidity day. He came in to see us as he was about half way done with the complete check and said we were completely low and almost out of "coolant" or "anti-freeze" or something like that. He said that he was sorry but that they didn't have any on hand, but that he had ordered it and it should arrive within about 30 minutes.

We were fine with that...however, he continued to say this..."but if it don't get here by the time I'm finished with your truck, you can just go to something-something-Auto down the road and get you some..."

At this, my very funny, very tired (still had one more HUGE project to complete) daughter cocked her head like a puppy, looked him straight in the eye and said:

"And do what with it?"

Bless his heart...

They stared at each other, each not understanding the other, for a very uncomfortable length of time...her not understanding what to do with the stuff once she gets it and him not believing she didn't know what to do with it.

He politely said, "well, c'mere...let me show you where it goes once you get it."

She followed him into the garage area and watched as he very patiently told her exactly what to do with that jug of stuff we were needing to get.

I found myself giggling for a couple of hours after that just thinking about the uncomfortable moment of silent staring...

He finished the truck and as we were paying I asked if maybe, just maybe the "stuff" had shown up in time? As I asked we heard a "DING" signaling a delivery in the garage and his eyes lit up as he said "that might be it!"

Sure enough, the jug-o-stuff arrived and he was able to put it in for us!

There are silly things I'm eternally grateful for...

Daughter and Mom not having to go to an Auto Store in Texas and ask for something they didn't understand and figuring out where to put it is one of those things!

Blessings!

Dorothy Was Right

I left Fresno last Monday for Abilene.

I had the pleasure of spending the last week with my sweet daughter while she finished up finals and final projects and so on and so on!

It was fun to be in her little house just watching her function on her own turf and her own terms. I must say, she is quite a girl and I'm very proud of her.

We then took off early Saturday morning for the long drive back to Fresno. After 1400 miles, we arrived last night (Sunday). God showered many traveling mercies and protection over us as we had absolutely NO issues of concern.

There are a few silly and funny stories I will share in a later blog, but for now, I just must agree with Dorothy and her magic ruby slippers...

"There's No Place Like Home!"